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In 1643, the neighboring colonies formed a military alliance called the United Colonies and pointedly excluded the towns around Narragansett Bay.
The object was to extend their power over the heretic settlements and put an end to the infection.
In response Williams was sent to England by his fellow citizens to secure a charter for the colony.
The English Civil War was in full swing in England when Williams arrived.
The Puritans were then in power in London, and through the offices of Sir Henry Vane a charter was obtained despite strenuous opposition from agents from Massachusetts.
Historians agree that the key that unlocked the door for Williams was his first published book, A Key Into the Language of America ( 1643 ).
Printed by John Milton's publisher the book was an instant " best-seller ", and gave Williams a large and favorable reputation.
This little book was the first dictionary of any Indian tongue in the English language and fed the great hunger of the English about the Native Americans.
Having secured his precious charter for " Providence Plantations " from Parliament, in July 1644 Williams then published his most famous book, The Bloody Tenent of Persecution for Cause of Conscience.
This produced a great uproar, and Parliament responded in August by ordering the book to be burned by the public hangman.
By then, Williams was already on his way home to Providence Plantations.
Also, by then, the settlers on Aquidneck Island had renamed their island " Rhode Island ".

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