e to the further
improvement of their happiness and prosperity: Know ye therefore, that
we, reposing special trust and confidence in the fidelity, wisdome and
circumspection of our trusty and well-beloved Colonel Richard Nichols,
Sir Robert Carre, Knt., George Cartwright, Esq., and Samuel Maverick,
Esq., of our special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, have
made, ordained, constituted and appointed, and by these presents do
make, ordain, constitute and appoint the said Colonel Richard Nichols,
Sir Robert Carre, George Cartwright, and Samuel Maverick, our
Commissioners, and do hereby give and grant unto them, or any three or
two of them, or of the survivors of them, of whom we will the said
Colonel Richard Nichols, during his life, shall be alwaies one, and upon
equal divisions of opinions, to have the casting and decisive voice, in
our name to visit all and every the several colonies aforesaid, and also
full power and authority to heare and receive and to examine and
determine all complaints and appeals in all causes and matters, as well
military as criminal and civil, and proceed in all things for the
providing for and settling the peace and security of the said country,
according to their good and sound discretion, and to such instructions
as they or the survivors of them have, or shall from time to time
receive from us in that behalfe, and from time to time, as they shall
find expedient, to certify us or our Privy Council of their actings or
proceedings touching the premises; and for the doing thereof, or any
other matter or thing relating thereunto, these presents, or the
enrolment thereof, shall be unto them a sufficient warrant and discharge
in that behalf. In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to
be made patent. Witness ourselfe at Westminster, the 25th day of April,
in the sixteenth yeare of our reigne." (Hutchinson's History of
Massachusetts Bay, Vol. I., Appendix xv., pp. 535, 536.)]

[Footnote 133: The following are extracts from the report of the
Commissioners who were appointed to visit the several colonies of New
England in 1666:

"_The Colony of Connecticut_ returned their thanks to his Majesty for
his gracious letters, and for sending Commissioners to them, with
promises of their loyalty and obedience; and they did submit to have
appeals made to his Majesty's Commissioners, who did hear and determine
some differences among them. All forms of justice pass only in his
Majesty's nam