The parts of the charter here given are selected to show (1) the powers of self-government and (2) the inclusion of New Haven. The charter was adopted as the State Constitution in 1776, and continued in force, with very slight change, until 1818. #Charles the Second#, [&c.] =Whereas= ... Severall Lands, ... and Plantations have byn ... setled in that parte of ... America called New England, and thereby the Trade ... there hath byn of late yeares much increased, =And whereas=, We have byn informed by the humble Petition of our Trusty and welbeloved John Winthrop [and eighteen others], being Persons Principally interested in our Colony ... of Conecticutt in New England, that the same Colony ... was purchased and obteyned for greate and valuable considerations, and thereby become a considerable enlargment and addition of our Dominions and interest there,--=Now Know yee=, that in Consideration thereof, and in regard the said Colony is remote from other the English Plantations in the Places aforesaid, And to the end the Affaires and Busines which shall from tyme to tyme happen or arise concerning the same may bee duely Ordered and managed, Wee ... Doe Ordeine, Constitute and Declare That they, the said John Winthrop [and others] =_and all such others as now are or hereafter shall bee Admitted and made free of the Company and Society of our Collony of Conecticut in America_=, shall ... bee one Body Corporate and Pollitique in fact and name, by the Name of _Governour and Company of the English Collony of Conecticut in New England in America_; ... =And= further, wee ... =Doe= Declare and appoint, that for the better ordering and manageing of the affairs and businesse of the said Company and their Successors, there shall be one Governour, one Deputy Governour, and Twelve Assistants, to bee from tyme to tyme Constituted, Elected and Chosen out of the Freemen of the said Company for the tyme being, in such manner and forme as hereafter in these presents is expressed. And ... =Wee doe= ... Constitute and appoint the aforesaid John Winthrop to bee the first and present Governour of the said Company; [appointment of Deputy Governor and Assistants]; to continue in the said severall Offices respectively untill the second Thursday which shall bee in the Moneth of October now next comeing. =And= further, wee ... =Doe= Ordaine and Graunt that the Governour ... for the tyme being, or, in his absence ... the Deputy Governour ... shall and may ... upon all occasions give Order for the assembling of the said Company ... to Consult and advice of the businesse and Affaires of the said Company, And that for ever hereafter, Twice in every yeare, (That is to say,) on every second Thursday in October and on every second Thursday in May, or oftener, in Case it shall be requisite, The Assistants and freemen of the said Company, or such of them (not exceeding twoe Persons from each place, Towne or Citty)