RIAMCO

Rhode Island Archival and Manuscript Collections Online

For Participating Institutions

Body of Laws of the Colony of Rhode Island (C#00208)

Rhode Island State Archives

Rhode Island State Archives
337 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-222-2353
Fax: 401-222-3199
email: statearchives@sos.ri.gov

Scope & content

The Body of Laws of the Colony of RI consists of statutes and other legislation enacted by the General Assembly of the Colony of Rhode Island from 1663 to 1705. The laws pertain to the governance of the colony and the responsibilities of public servants; the punishment of crimes; treason; elections; the organization of the colonial courts; the militia; taxes and fees. Laws also pertain to personal behavior, including sexuality and the behavior of children toward parents; the obligations of laborers; the maintenance of property; fraud; slander; servitude; and Negroes and Indians. There are articles and agreements between the colonies of Rhode Island and Connecticut concerning boundaries.