American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

Increase Mather (June 21, 1639-August 23, 1723) was the President of Harvard College, 1685-1701. He was the son of the influential preacher, Richard Mather (1596-1669), who emigrated to Massachusetts, 1635, and co-authored the Bay Psalm Book. Increase Mather became a primary leader in colonial America, representing the Colonists in England, where he helped negotiate a new charter with King William III, 1792. He was the father of Cotton Mather, the first American member of the Royal Society of London, who helped found Yale University. When King Charles II demanded the return of the charter of Massachusetts, Increase Mather prepared his response:...

New Haven Constitution (1639) was drawn up at Quinipiack (New Haven), Connecticut. The first colonial example of a written constitution, constituting a government and defining its powers, was composed as a distinct organic act. The articles which made up this New Haven Connecticut Constitution included: <Article I. That the Scriptures hold forth a perfect rule for the direction and government of all men in all duties which they are to perform to God and men, as well in families and commonwealths as in matters of the church. Article II. That as in matters which concern the gathering and ordering of a...

New Haven Colony (June 4, 1639) drafted a Constitution: <All the free planters assembled together in a general meeting, to consult about settling civil government, according to GOD, and the nomination of persons that might be found, by consent of all, fittest in all respects for the foundation work of a Church, which was intended to be gathered in Quinipiack. After solemn invocation of the name of GOD, in prayer for the presence and help of his spirit and grace, in those weighty businesses, they were reminded of the business whereabout they met, (viz.) for the establishment of such civil order...

Rhode Island (March 2, 1639) the freemen of Portsmouth voted that Judge William Coddington should have an assistant, to help: <in the execution of justice and judgment, for the regulating and ordering of all offenses and offenders, and for the drawing up and determining of all such Rules and Laws as shall be according to God, which may conduct to the Good and Welfare of the Common weale... That the Judge together with the Elders shall Rule and Govern according to the General Rule of the Word of God when they have no particular rule ftom God's Word... That the Judge...

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (January 14, 1639) was the first constitution written in America, establishing a pattern which all others followed, including the United States Constitution. It was penned by Roger Ludlow, 1638, after hearing a sermon by Thomas Hooker, the Puritan minister who founded Hartford, Connecticut. So important was this work that Connecticut became known as "The Constitution State." The committee responsible to frame the orders was charged to make the laws: <As near the law of God as they can be.> 1639FO001 On January 14, 1639, the Connecticut towns of Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor adopted the constitution, which stated in...