This steadfast and beautiful friendship between Roger Williams and the Narragansett sachems endured during the lifetime of all, although Canonicus was “most shy of all English to his last breath.” Here were neighbors with whom there was no quarrel. They and the founder of Providence gave and took, lent and borrowed, in true neighborly fashion. Roger Williams allowed them the use of his boats, made them presents, loaned them his servant, gave them freely of his time and services whenever needed, even lodging as many as fifty natives at a time in his humble home. Was it any wonder that the “barbarous heart” of Canonicus loved him “as his son to his last gasp”? The earliest agreements with the Narragansetts were probably by word of mouth, for the first written deed, dated two years later, refers to territory already bought on the Moshassuck and Woonasquatucket Rivers. It confirms this sale and continues: “As also in consideration of the many kindnesses and services he (Roger Williams) hath continually done for us, both with our friends Massachusetts, as also as Quinickicutt (Connecticut), and Apaum or Plymouth, we do freely give unto him all that land from those rivers, reaching to Pawtuxet River, as also the grass and meadows upon the said Pawtuxet River.” This old document bears the mark of Canonicus, a bow, that of Miantonomo, an arrow, and also the marks of two Indian witnesses. Thus Roger Williams could truthfully say that this land was “as truly his as any man’s coat upon his back.” Later, he generously divided the territory he had bought among his associates, who then numbered twelve, so that he and they each received an equal share. In the summer of 1636, Mrs. Williams and her two small children succeeded in reaching Providence. Once more the future looked bright to the patient husband and father. The government of Providence was of the simplest kind. A compact was drawn up and signed by the settlers, in which they agreed to uphold every measure that was for “the public good of the body,” but “_only in civil things_.” What did this mean? That at last a colony was founded in which church and state were wholly independent of each other. It was precisely the sort of agreement we should expect Roger Williams to provide for the new settlement. It proclaimed to the world, “Here is a real democracy--a government by the people. Here is religious liberty without interference from the state. Here is a society in which nobody need be a church member in order to vote.” The privilege of worshiping as one pleased attracted many persons in the neighboring settlements and even across the water. As soon as they heard of Roger Williams’ daring venture, they were eager to cast their lot with him.