This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1895 edition. Excerpt: ...without their consent, so also that without my consent, no person be violently brought in and received?" Williams felt the highest respect for the character of Governor Winthrop and consulted him on the gravest matters. He would never have proposed any trivial or hypothetical question in their correspondence. It would seem that he had already submitted this question to the town meeting, and that the power of veto upon admissions of new freemen had been denied him. It would have given him the future control of the town. On the other hand, Harris and his associates always maintained and believed that Williams made his purchase from the Sachems, only as the agent of the whole body. The founder was to have no authority superior to that of one of his followers. In justice both to Williams and to Harris, these difficulties of the early planters should be remembered, and the ample opportunities for mistakes and misunderstandings which they afforded. All thoughts of homesteads and estates were delayed, by want even of an Indian title. So soon as he was able, in the earliest days of the Plantations, Williams sought an interview with the chief Sachems, and obtained from Canonicus and Miantonomi a gift, or at least a promise, of land sufficient for a town. This agreement was of unknown date and is not now extant. Judge Staples thought that it was merely verbal. Upon such an insecure foundation, nothing could be built. Canonicus was old,--his less trustworthy successor might retract his guaranty. Another negotiation was opened, in "the Second year of our Plantation," at which only Williams and the Indians were present. A memorandum was prepared--it was no deed. It was solemnly attested by the Sachems in the presence of Indian...