“On the 4^th day of the 4^th month called June 1639, all the free planters of the town to be called a year later Newhaven, assembled together in a general meetinge to consult about settling ciuill Gouernm^t according to God. * * * Mr. John Davenport propounded divers (6) quÆries to them publiquely praying them to consider seriously * * * and to giue their answers in such sort as they would be willing they should stand upon recorde for posterity.”

These six fundamental agreements were assented to by the lifting up of hands twice: once at the proposal and again after when the written words were read unto them.

And on the 25th of October next, the following charge was given and accepted by them:

Freeman’s Charge

Yow shall neither plott, practise, nor consent, to any euill, or hurt, against this Jurisdiction, or any part of it, nor against The Civill Gouerment here established: And if you shall know any person or persons w^ch intend, plott, or conspire anything, w^ch tends to the hurt, or prjudice, of the same, you shall timely discouer the same to Lawfull Authority here established, and you shall assist, and be helpfull, in all the affaires of the Jurisdiction, and by all meanes shall promoue the publique wellfare of the same, according to yo^r place, abillity, and opportunity; you shall giue due hono^r to the Lawfull Magistrats, and shall be obedient, and subject, to all the wholesome Lawes, and Orders, allready made, or w^ch shall be hereafter made, by Lawfull Authority afforesaide, and that both in yo^r person, and estate, and when you shall be duely called, to giue yo^r vote, or suffrage, in any Election, or touching any other matter, w^ch concerneth this Common wellth, yow shall giue it, as in yo^r conscience, you shall judg may conduse to the best good of the same. [1639.]

At A Gen. Court held att Newhaven the 3^d of Aprill 1644.

This day, a forme of an oath for the Governo^r and magistrats to take, and another forme of an oath to be imposed upon all the inhabitants w^thin this jurisdiction was propounded to the consideratio of the court, who, after some serious debate and consideratio rested satisfyed w^th the said formes. And therevpon ordered thatt itt should be forthw^th putt in executio, and whereas the Governo^r doth shortly intend a journey to Stamforde on other occasions, the Court desired him to improve thatt opportunity, both at Stamforde and att Milford, for the giveing of the oath, and the like att Guilforde in time convenient. Itt was further ordered thatt no person or persons shall hereafter be admitted as an inhabitant in this jurisdictio or any of the plantations therein butt he or they shall take the said oath vpon his or their admittance.

On the 23 of June, 1644, The formes of two oathes were propounded to the Court to be taken the next second day in the morning, by all the inhabitants in this plantatio, one of them is to be taken by all, and the other by the Governo^r onely.

Att a Gen^rll Court held att Newhaven the 1^t of July, 1644. The Governo^r tooke this oath as followeth,

I [Theophilus Eaton] being att a Gen^rll Co^rt in October last, chosen Governo^r w^thin Newhaven Jurisdictio for a yeare then to ensue, and vntill a new Governo^r be chosen, do sweare by the great and dreadfull name of the ever living God, to promove the publique good and peace of the same, according to the best of my skill, and will allso maintaine all the lawfull priviledges of this comowealth, according to the fundamentall order and agreem^t made for governm^t in this jurisdictio, and in like manner will endeuo^r thatt all wholsome lawes thatt are or shall be made by lawfull authority here established be duely executed, and will further the executio of justice according to the righteous rules of Gods worde, so help me God in o^r Lord Jesus Christ.

The Governo^r haveing allso received the

Oath of Fidelity

as followeth,

I [Theophilus Eaton] being by the providence of God an inhabitant w^thim Newhaven Jurisdictio, doe acknowledge myselfe to be subject to the goverm^t thereof, and doe sweare by the great and dreadfull name of the ever living God, to be true and faithfull vnto the same, and doe submitt both my person and my whole estate thervnto according to all the wholsome lawes and orders thatt for present are or hereafter shall be there made and established by lawfull authority, and thatt I will neither plott nor practise any evill agst the same, nor consent to any thatt shall so doe, butt will timely discover the same to lawfull authority here established, and thatt I will as I am in duety bounde, maintaine the hono^r of the same and off the lawfull magistrates thereoff, promoting the publique good of the same whilest I shall continue an inhabitant there. And whensoever I shall be duely called a free burgesse, according to the fundamentall order and agreem^t for governm^t in this jurisdictio to give my vote or suffrage touching any matter w^ch concerneth this como wealth, I will give itt as in my conscience I shall judge may conduce to the best good of the same w^thout respect of persons, So help me God in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Then he gave itt to all those whose names are herevnder written, [Two hundred and sixteen names.] [1644.]

In May, 1665, the Colonies of Connecticut, and New Haven were united as the Colony of Connecticut in New England.

Oath of Allegiance

Administered at New Haven, in May 1666, under powers granted by Governor John Winthrop, according to his Maj^ties Charter granted to this Colony of Connecticut in New England.

You J[asper] C[rane], doe sweare faith and Allegeance to his Maj^tie Charles y^e Second, as duty binds according to y^e word of God. And yo^u doe hereby acknowledge that the Pope, nor any other potentate hath powe^r or autority or iurisdiction in any of his Maj^ties dominions, and y^t only his Ma^tie our soverⁿ Lord King Charles hath under God, supreme power in his Ma^ties dominions. And I doe abhor y^e detestable opinion y^t the pope hath pow^r to Depose princes. And this I doe from my hart, soe help me God.

On the 31 October, 1687, Sir Edmund Andros, Knt. took over into his hands the government of the Colony of Connecticut in New England.