Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

                                          January 14-24, 1638-39

(In 1635-36, settlements were planted at Windsor, Wethersfield, and Hartford.  In 1637 the three towns assumed the control of their own affairs, and in January 1638-39, drew up the constitution known as the Fundamental Order of Connecticut---“the first written constitution known to history that created a government.”) 

            Forasmuch as it has pleased the Almighty God by the wise disposition of His divine providence so to order and dispose of things that we the Inhabitants and residents of Windsor, Harford and Wethersfield are now cohabiting and dwelling in and upon the River Connecticut and the Lands thereunto adjoining;

and well knowing where a people are gathered together the Word of God requires, that to maintain the peace and union of such a people there should be an orderly and decent government established according to God, to order and dispose of the affairs of the people at all seasons as occasion shall reaquire;

do therefore associate and conjoin our selves to be as one public State or Commonwelth, and do, for ourselves and successors and such as shall be adjoined to us at any time hereafter, enter into Combination and Conferderation together, to maintain and preserve the liberty and purity of the gospel of our Lord Jesus which we now profess, as also the discipline of the Churches, which according to the truth of the said gospel is now practised amongst us; As also in our Civil Affairs to be guided and governed according to such Laws, Rules, Orders and decrees as shall be made, ordered & decreed, aks follows:

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 church, so likewise in all public offices which concern civil order, - as the choice of magistrates and officers, making and repealing laws, dividing allotments of inheritance, and all things of like nature, - they would all be governed by those rules which the Scripture held forth to them.

Article III  That all those who had desired to be received free planters had settled in the plantation with a purpose, resolution, and desire that they might be admitted into church fellowship according to Christ.

Article IV  That all the free planters held themselves bound to establish such civil order as might best conduce to the securing of the purity and peace of the ordinance to themselves, and their posterity according to God.