Declaration of Bodie Politick (March 1637) signed by 23 former citizens of Boston, being the first civil compact of its kind in the New World. It was adopted by the founders of Portsmouth on the Island of Aquidneck:
<We whose names are underwritten do hereby solemnly, in the presence of Jehovah, incorporate ourselves into a Bodie Politick and, as He shall help, will submit our persons, lives and estates unto our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and to all those perfect and most absolute laws of His given in His Holy Word of Truth, to be guided and judged thereby.> 1637BP001
The same day, in what was possibly the first formal recognition of the status and duties of a judge of record in American history, William Coddington, Esquire, was elected to be their judge by the citizens who agreed:
<...to yeild all due honor unto him, according to the laws of God.> 1637BP002
William Coddington agreed to be:
<...a judge amongst them, covenanting to do justice and judgment impartially according to the laws of God, and to maintain the Fundamental Rights and Privileges of this Bodie Politick.> 1637BP003
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1637BP001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Declaration of Bodie Politick, March 1637, signed by 23 former citizens of Boston, adopted by the founders of Portsmouth on the Island of Aquidneck. Thomas Williams Bicknell, The History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (NY: The American Historical Society, 1920, Chapter XLIII, "The Judiciary," p. 935. Rhode Island Colonial Records, Vol, II, pp. 3-20, 1644. Ebenezer Hazard, Historical Collection: Consisting of State Papers and other Authentic Documents-Intended as Materials for an History of the United States of America (Philadelphia: T. Dobson, 1792), Vol. II, p. 612. Robert Flood, The Rebirth of America (Philadelphia: Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation, 1986), p. 31.
1637BP002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). William Coddington, Esquire, elected to be judge, March 1637. Thomas Williams Bicknell, The History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (NY: The American Historical Society, 1920, Chapter XLIII, "The Judiciary," p. 935.
1637BP003. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). William Coddington, Esquire, agreed to election, March 1637. Thomas Williams Bicknell, The History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (NY: The American Historical Society, 1920, Chapter XLIII, "The Judiciary," p. 935.