They further ordered that “this engagement shall be administered to all that are already admitted freemen, and that no man shall be admitted a freeman, and all men that are householders or aged eighteen or more, shall take the engagement or loose the priviledge of freemen until they give the engagement premised.” The passage of this law led to a long agitation by those who thought it to be hard on the consciences by many whom it rendered incapable from carrying on the affairs of the corporation. And, in the following year, the Assembly ordered and declared, “That such as are free in their conscience so to do, give the Engagement, or if they rather choose to give the oath of allegiance now required in England, that shall be taken; but if there are some words in either which, in conscience they cannot condescend to say or use, may in open court, or before two Magistrates adopt in equivalent words significant of allegiance and submission to yield obedience actively and passively, to the laws made by virtue of his Majesty’s authority, he shall be restored or admitted as freeman, any former law to the contrary notwithstanding.” At a Court held in his Majesty’s name, and under his authority, at the towne of Westerly, in the King’s Province, the 17th of September, 1679. The inhabitants of Westerly, being by warrant required to appeare at this Court to give the oath of allegiance to his Majesty, and of fidellity to his Majesty’s authority for this Collony, these persons hereunder named appeared and gave oath, viz. [Thirty-three names.] The oath given by the above written persons was in these followinge words: