Beschreibung:

AMERICA, COLONIAL PERIOD]. UNITED COLONIES OF NEW ENGLAND. Autograph document signed by the Commissioners of the United Colonies of New England: JOHN ENDICOTT and SIMON BRADSTREET of Maine, THOMAS PRENCE and JOSIAH WINSLOW of Plymouth, JOHN WINTHROP and JOHN TALLCOTT of Connecticutt, and FRANCIS NEWMAN and WILLIAM LEETE of New Haven; Boston, September 1658. 1 page, 8vo, 163 x 134 mm. (6 7/16 x 5¼ in.) irregular, lower portion with later note identifying the signatories. THE EIGHT COMMISSIONERS OF THE UNITED COLONIES OF NEW ENGLAND, 1658 Presumably created as proof of attendance, this very unusual document is signed by the Commissioners of the United Colonies of New England, a important early confederation of the colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut and New Haven (Rhode Island and Maine were excluded on grounds of religious differences.) This group, the first governmental body of the region, was convened initially for purposes of mutual defense in the wake of the Pequot War and increasing frictions with the American native tribes. The Commission's articles of government, though, regulated the exchange of runaways, extradition and dealt with other inter-colonial issues. Two commissioners were to be drawn from each colony; they met at various New England sites. The Commissioners could enact legislation of a general, civil nature, and was empowered to arbitrate disputes. This colonial governing body continued to function until dissolved in 1684. The eminent colonials who have signed the present register include: Simon Bradstreet (1603-1697), Governor of Massachusetts; John Endicott (1589-1665), Governor of Massachusetts; William Leete (1613-1683), Governor of New Haven; Francis Newman (1601-1660), Governor of New Haven; Thomas Prence (1600-1673), Governor of Plymouth; John Talcott (1630-1688), Treasurer of Connecticut; Josiah Winslow (1629-1680), Governor of Plymouth; and John Winthrop (1605-1676), Governor of Connecticut.