_Connecticut_ and _New-Haven_ continued two distinct colonies for many years. At length the general court of Connecticut determined to prefer an address and petition to Charles II. professing their subjection and loyalty to his majesty, and soliciting a royal charter; and John Winthrop, esq. who had been chosen governor, was appointed to negociate the affair with the king. He succeeded, and a royal charter was obtained, April 23, 1662, constituting the two colonies forever one body corporate and politic. New-Haven took the affair ill; and for some time declined the union. But difficulties were amicably settled at last, and the colonies united by agreement. [1665.] The royal charter established a pure democracy. Every power, as well deliberative as active, was invested in the freemen of the corporation or their delegates, and the colony was under no obligation to communicate the acts of their local legislature to the king. It was the same as to the _royal_ charter, granted the next year to _Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations_.[23] [1685.] In July various articles of high misdemeanor were exhibited against the governor and company of Connecticut, and orders were given to issue a writ of _quo warranto_ forthwith against the colony. The next year two writs were served by Mr. _Randolph_; and after them a third in December. This is taken notice of by the governor and company in their letter of Jan. 26, 1686–7, wherein they mention their readiness to submit to his majesty’s royal commands; and that, “if it be to conjoin them with the other colonies and provinces under Sir _Edmund Andros_, it would be more pleasing than to be joined with any other province.” Such professed submission probably prevented the _quo warranto’s_ being prosecuted with effect; and produced an order to Andros to accept the surrender of the charter and the submission of the colony. Sir Edmond went to _Hartford_ in October; but when at night he expected the charter would have been surrendered into his hands, the candle was blown out, and the charter withdrawn from the table, carried off and secreted by one of the company: whose extraordinary service was afterwards rewarded by the general assembly with five shillings, agreeable to the plain simple manners of the people. He however published in the general court his orders and commission which every one tacitly obeyed. He dissolved the former government, and assumed the administration, receiving into his legislative council the late governor and secretary, for the better carrying on the business of the colony. The subsequent revolution in England brought matters back, after a while to the former course; as the legal validity of the charter was admitted.