On July 8, 1663, King Charles II of Great Britain issued the charter forming the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations to "hold forth a livlie (sic) experiment, that a most flourishing civill (sic) state may stand and best bee maintained, and that among our English subjects. with a full libertie (sic) in religious concernements (sic)..." The charter was unique amongst all British Colonies in three ways. First, it formally recognized the land rights of the Indians native to Rhode Island. This provision was insisted upon by Roger Williams and it overrode the "right of exploration" prevalent at the time. The second provision was the establishment of religious freedom in the Colony. Despite a strong Baptist upbringing, Williams insisted that all colonists be free to worship in their own fashion. That it is reflected in the Charter is remarkable. The third, and perhaps the most astonishing provision, is the right of self-government. The Charter authorized the colonists in Rhode Island to elect their own government, and to establish their own laws, with the only restriction being that those laws not contradict the general laws of Great Britain. Unlike all other colonial charters issue, the Rhode Island charter required no oath of allegiance to the Crown, thereby establishing the colony as a free sovereign state.
With the state's birthday in mind, I decided to visit the State House in Providence and photograph the 350 year old charter that was issued by Charles II. After nearly a century tucked away in a safe, the charter is now permanently on public display. While there, I spotted this older gentleman standing in the rotunda of the state house and just staring at the American flag. His manner had an air of reverence, but he moved on before I could learn his story. As to the charter, well, it's indeed on display and comprises three large inscribed leaves that are over six feet in total length. It's in a protected case in the 19th century vault, however they do permit non-flash photography. You may view the photo I took of the charter here: http://kannafoot.smugmug.com/Miscellaneous/Assorted-Photos/i-qRTSkb9/0/XL/2013%2007%2008_0004%20copy-XL.jpg.
Post processing started with a photo pop filter in Topaz Adjust. I adjusted adaptive exposure, contrast, brightness, and added a levels adjustment in PSE.
