Connecticut

The name of one of the original states of the United States of America. It was not until the year 1665 that the whole territory now known as the state of Connecticut was under one colonial government. The charter was granted by Charles II. in April, 1662. Previous to that time there had been two colonies, with separate governments. As this charter to the colony of Connecticut embraced the colony of New Haven, the latter resisted it until about January, 1665, when the two colonies, by mutual agreement, became indissolubly united. In 1687, Sir Edmund Andros attempted to seize and take away the charter; but it was secreted and preserved in the famous Charter Oak at Hartford, and is now kept in the office of the secretary of state. 1 Hollister, Hist. Conn. 315. It remained in force, with a temporary suspension, as a fundamental law of the state, until the present constitution was adopted. Story, Const. 386; Comp. Stat. Conn. Rev. of 1875, iii. xlv. The present constitution was adopted on the 15th of September, 1818. Seventeen amendments have been adopted, 1823-1875; also in 1901 and 1905.