CHAPTER IX.

TERRITORY OF RHODE ISLAND IS INCREASED BY THE ADDITION OF BLOCK ISLAND.--DISPUTES BETWEEN RHODE ISLAND AND THE OTHER COLONIES SETTLED BY ROYAL COMMAND.--STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE COLONY IN 1667.

1663. Block Island added to Rhode Island, 55

Regulations concerning its admission, 56

It is incorporated under the name of New Shoreham, 56

Four Commissioners sent to America to reduce the Dutch and settle all questions of appeal between the colonies, 57

The vexed questions of boundary line between Rhode Island and Plymouth; the Narragansett question and Warwick difficulties referred to the Commissioners, who referred the first to the King and decided the second in favor of Rhode Island, 57

The Indians removed from King's Province, 59

Five propositions submitted by the Commissioners to the Rhode Island Assembly, 59

1st. All householders should take the oath of allegiance to the King, 59

2d. Mode of admitting freemen, 59

3d. Admission to the sacrament open to all well disposed persons, 60

4th. All laws and resolves derogatory to the King repealed, 60

5th. Provisions for self-defence, 60

1672. Trouble with John Paine concerning Prudence Island, 62

Members of the Assembly to be paid for their services, 63

Financial difficulties in the Colony, 64

1667. Preparations for defence against the French, 64

1672. Act passed to facilitate the collection of taxes, 65