Colonial Origins of the American Constitution

46. Fundamental Articles of New Haven, June 4-14, 1639

Origins_201-250.indd 221 2/17/12 6:36 PM Fundamental Articles of New Haven Originally organized under the Plantation Covenant at Quinnipiack [42] written about a year earlier, the settlers had cause to reconsider the nature oftheir government. Specifically, they considered whetherfull citizenship should be limited to members ofthe church. Carefully going over the commitments embodied in the earlier document, they concluded in the affirmative. This document is notablefor the careful deliberation it records as wellasfor the careful attention to biblicalprecedent. Although they had lived togetherfor over ayear, there was still considerable concern that those signing the document not be forced to agree contrary to conscience. The extraordinary care they took in this regard is revealed in their response to a person who, toward the end ofthe discussion, expressed some doubts. Although these religious people were determined to produce a community with a high level ofvalue homogeneity, their view offreedom ofconscience was not merely legalistic but rooted in the Protestant commitment to individual interpretation ofthe Bible as the cornerstone ofreligious belief The 4th day of the 4th moneth called June 1639, all the free planters assembled together in a ge[neral] meetinge to consult about settling civil! Government according to God, and about the nomination of persons thatt might be founde by consent of all fittest in all respects for the foundation worke of a church w[hich] was intend to be gathered in Quinipieck. After solemne invocation of the name of God in prayer [for] the presence and help of his speritt, and grace in those weighty businesses, they were reminded of t[he] busines whereabout they mett [viz] for the establishment ofsuch civil! order as might be most p[leas]ing unto God, and for the chuseing the fittest men for the foundation worke ofa church to be gather[ed]. 221 Origins_201-250.indd 222 2/17/12 6:36 PM CONNECTICUT For the better inableing them to discerne the minde of God and to agree accordingly concerning the establishment of civil! order, Mr. John Davenport propounded divers quaeres1 to them publiquely praying them to consider seriously in the presence and feare of God the weight of the busines they met about, and nott to be rash or sleight in giveing their votes to things they understoode nott, burt to digest fully and thoroughly whatt should be propounded to them, and without respect to men as they should be satisfied and perswaded in their owne mindes to give their answers in such sort as they would be willing they should stand upon recorde for posterity. This being earnestly pressed by Mr. Davenport, Mr. Robt. Newman was intreated to write in carracters and to read distinctly and audibly in the hearing of all the people whatt was propounded and accorded on that itt might appeare thatt all consented to matters propounded according to words written by him. QUAER. r. Whether the Scripturs doe holde forth a perfect rule for the direction and government of all men in all duet[ies] which they are to performe to God and men as well in the government of famyles and commonwealths as in matters of the chur. This was assented unto by all, no man dissenting as was expressed by holding up of hands. Afterward itt was read over to them thatt they might see in whatt words their vote was expressed: They againe expressed their consent thereto by holdeing up their hands, no man dissenting. QUAER. 2. Whereas there was a covenant solemnly made by the whole assembly of free-planters of this plantation the first day of extraordenary humiliation which wee had after wee came together, thatt as in matters thatt concerne the gathering and ordering of a chur. so likewise in all publique offices which concerne civill order, as choyce of magistrates and officers, makeing and repealing oflawes, devideing allottments ofinheritance and all things of like nature we would all of us be ordered by those rules which the scripture holds forth to us. This covenant was called a plantation covenant to distinguish itt from [a] chur. covenant which could nott att thatt time be made, a chur. nott being then gathered, butt was deferred till a chur. might be gathered according to God: Itt was demaunded, whether all the free planters doe holde themselves bound by thatt covenant in all busir . Queries, or questions. 222 Origins_201-250.indd 223 2/17/12 6:36 PM...