TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE This book was originally published in 1643. The reprinted edition of 1827 retained the errors and misspellings of the original book, and this etext has made only a few minor changes to the English text, which are noted at the end of the book. No changes have been made to accents or (mis)spelling of the native American words. Punctuation in the two-column dictionary tables has been made more consistent; missing commas or periods have been silently added to the end of table entries. Inconsistent use of question marks has been left unchanged. Italic text is denoted by _underscores_. Footnote anchors are denoted by [number], and the two footnotes have been placed at the end of the ‘Sketch of the Life of Roger Williams’. The Table of Contents can be found at the back of the book, the same placement as in the original book. COLLECTIONS OF THE RHODE-ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY. VOL. I. [Illustration: (Decorative separator)] PROVIDENCE: PRINTED BY JOHN MILLER. 1827. PREFACE. In presenting to the public the first volume of the Collections of the Rhode-Island Historical Society, some account of the rise and progress of the Society may not be deemed inappropriate. It may vindicate the society from the charge of remissness in performing the duties it has assumed, and at the same time, remove some of the prejudices which it has had to encounter. There have not been wanting, at any time, individuals who have been anxious that the history of this State, and the deeds and sufferings and opinions of the first settlers, should not be handed down to posterity by tradition alone, or that future generations should learn them from the erroneous and imperfect statements of prejudiced historians. Much was effected by these individuals in collecting together the scattered fragments and perishing memorials of our early history. But the field was too large and the labor too great to be compassed by the exertions of any individuals, however ardent their zeal. And besides this, many persons who held highly valuable documents, received in most instances from their ancestors, were unwilling to part with them until a secure place of deposite was provided, under the authority of a regularly organized association. These feelings, aided by various concomitant circumstances, gave rise to the Rhode-Island Historical Society, in the year 1822. In the summer of the same year, a charter of incorporation was obtained, and in July the Society was organized. Since that time, unremitting exertions have been made in effecting its objects, and many valuable documents, both printed and manuscript have been collected. The number of resident members is at present about fifty.