R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-1-2: Confirmation of legislative conveyances generally.

Whereas, at the first settling of this state, and for sundry years afterwards, lands were of little or no value, and skillful men in the law were much wanted, whereby many deeds, grants, and conveyances were weakly made, which may occasion great contests in law if not timely prevented; therefore, all grants, charters and conveyances previously made by the general assembly unto any town, corporation, community or propriety, or to any other person or persons whomsoever, shall be and hereby are ratified and confirmed as good and effectual, to all intents and purposes in law, for conveying all such lands, tenements, hereditaments, rights, privileges and profits as are therein mentioned, to the towns, corporations, communities, proprieties, person, or persons, and to their respective successors, heirs, and assigns forever.