They, to the number of eighteen, incorporated themselves, and began settling the island. The plantations there and at Providence increased apace, owing to the liberel sentiments of the first settlers; and in 1643 Mr. _Williams_ went to England as agent, and obtained [March 16, 1644.] “a free and absolute charter of incorporation of _Providence_ and _Rhode-Island_ Plantations, empowering them to rule themselves, by that form they might voluntarily agree upon.” They agreed upon a democratic. Mr. _Williams_ justly claims the honor of having been the first legislator in the world, in its latter ages, who effectually provided for, and established a free, full, and absolute liberty of conscience. This was the chief cause that united the inhabitants of _Rhode-Island_ and those of _Providence_, and made them one people, and one colony. The foundation principle on which this colony was first settled, was, that “_every man who submits peaceably to the civil authority, may peaceably worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience without molestation_.” When the colony was applied to in 1656 by the four _United Colonies_ “to join them in taking effectual methods to suppress the quakers, and prevent their pernicious doctrines being propagated in the country; the assembly returned for answer “We shall strictly adhere to the foundation principle on which this colony was first settled.” [July 8, 1663.] King _Charles_ II. granted an ample charter, whereby the colony was made a body corporate and politic, by the name of the _Governor and Company of the English colony of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, in New-England, in America_. The charter reserved only allegiance to the king without the smallest share of the legislative or executive powers. [1685.] A writ of _quo warranto_ was issued out against the colony, which was brought June 26, 1686. The assembly determined not to stand suit. After the revolution, they were allowed by government to resume their charter, no judgment having been given against it.