A short history of Rhode Island

Front matter

STATUE OF ROGER WILLIAMS.

SHORT HISTORY

OF

Chapter I

CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN MASSACHUSETTS BAY AND PLY- MOUTH COLONIES. — ARRIVAL AND BANISHMENT OF ROGER

WILLIAMS.

Page.

The religious sentiment connected with the foundation of states, . . . .1

Resistance to the doctrine of theocrac}'" occasioned the settlement of Rhode Island, . 2 1631. Ship Lyon arrived at Boston, bringing Roger

Williams, . . ... 2

Early life of Williams, ... 2

Massachusetts in possession of two distinct colonies, .... 3

In Massachusetts Colony the clergy were virtually rulers, and they were extremely rigid, 3

Disputes between Williams and the authorities of Massachusetts Bay Colonj^, . 4

Removal of Williams to Plymouth, . . 4

Williams makes friendship with Massasoit and Miantonomi, ... 5

Learns the Indian language, . , 5

Williams returns to Salem, . . 5

1635. He is persecuted and finally banished, . 6

Articles of banishment, ... 6

Chapter II

SUFFERINGS OF ROGER WILLIAMS IN THE WILDERNESS. — FOUNDS A SETTLEMENT ON THE SEEKONK RIVER. — IS AD- VISED TO DEPART.— SEEKS OUT A NEW PLACE WHICH HE CALLS PROVIDENCE.

Attempt to send Williams to England, . 7

His flight, .... 8

He is fed by the Indians, . . .8

VIU ANALYTICAL TABLE.

Page.

He is given land on the Seekonk River by Massoit and starts a settlement, . . 8

He receives a friendly letter from the Governor of Plymouth asking him to remove, . 9

He starts with five companions in a canoe to find a place for a settlement, and finally lands at Providence, . . .9

CHAPTER HI.

WILLIAMS OBTAINS A GRANT OF LAND AND FOUNDS A COLONY. —FORM OF GOVERNMENT IN THE COLONY. — WILLIAMS GOES TO ENGLAND TO OBTAIN A ROYAL CHARTER.

Early inhabitants of Rhode Island, . . 11

Williams makes peace between Oanonicus and

Massasoit, . . . .12

He receives a grant of land from Canonicus and

begins a settlement, . . .12

Compact of the colonists at Providence, . 13

Experiment of separation of church from state

tried in the new Colony, . . 13

The right of suff"rage not regarded as a natural

right. Illustrated by Joshua Verin and his

1639. The first church founded in Providence, . 15

Five select men appointed to govern the Colony, f

subject to the action of the Monthly Towa

Meeting, . . . .15

Massachusetts Colony applied for a new charter

to cover the land occupied by Providence, . 15

1643. Providence in connection with Aquidneck and

Warwick sent Williams to England to obtain

a Royal charter, ... 15

1644. Williams returns in 1644 successsful, and is

received with exultation, . . 16

Chapter IV

SETTLEMENT OF AQUIDNECK AND WARWICK.— PEQUOT WAR. — DEATH OF MIANTONOMI.

1637, Anna Hutchinson arrived in Massachusetts and

banished, .... 17

ANALYTICAL TABLE. IX

Page.

Nineteen of her followers under William Cod-

dington and John Clarke, purchased the

Island of Aquidneck and formed settlements

at Pocasset and Newport, . . 17

Roger Williams proclaimed the right of religious

liberty to every human being, . 18

Samuel Gorton banished from Pocasset, . 19

He denied the authority of all government except that authorized by the King and Parliament, . . . .19 He, with eleven others, bought Shawomet and

settled there, ... 19

He is besieged by troops from Massachusetts, is captured, imprisoned, and afterwards released, . . . . .19 He is appointed to a magistracy in Aquidneck, 19 Roger Williams prevented the alliance of the Pequots and Narragan setts, and formed one between the English and the Narragansetts, 21 Pequots rooted out and crushed, . 21 Miantonomi treacherously put to death, . 22 The Narragansetts put themselves under the protection of the English, . * 22

Chapter V

CHARTER GRANTED TO PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS. — ORGAN- IZATION UNDER IT.— THE LAWS ADOPTED.

1643. The charter granted to Providence Plantations, 23 Provisions of the charter, . . .23

1647. The corporators met at Portsmouth and in a general assembly accepted the charter, and proceeded to organize uuder it, . 24

The government declared to be democratical, . 24 President and other otScers chosen, . 25

Description of the code of laws, . . 25

Design for a seal adopted, . . 26

Roger Williams presented with one hundred

pounds for services in obtaining the charter, 26 Spirit of the law, . . • .27

X ANALYTICAL TABLE.

CHAPTER Vr.

FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC TROUBLES.— UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT

AT USURPATION BY CODDINGTON.

Page.

Death of Canonicus, . . .28

Possibilit}^ of the doctrine of soul liberty demonstrated, . . . .28 Dissensions among the colonists, . . 29 Troubles with Massachusetts, . . 29 Baptists persecuted in Massachusetts, . 30 165L Coddinoton obtained a royal commission as Governor of Rhode Island and Connecticut for life, which virtually dissolved the first charter, . . . .30 Roger Williams sent to England to ask for a

confij-mation of the charter, . . 31

John Clarke, also, sent to ask for a revocation of Coddington's commission, . . 31

1652. Slaves not allowed to be held in bondage longer

than ten years, , . .32

Commerce with the Dutch of Manhattan interrupted by war between England and Holland, 32 Coddington's commission revoked and the first charter restored, . . .32

Chapter VII

MORE FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC TROUBLES. — CIVIL AND CRIMINAL REGULATIONS OF THE COLONY.— ARRIVAL OF QUAKERS.

Conscience clajxned as the rule of actioijjn civil as weTi-as^4eligious matters-, — ". . 33

Contentions between the Island and the mainland towns, . . . .34 1654. Court of Commissioners met and effected a reunion in the Colony, . . .34

Attempts of the United Colonies to make war on the Narragansetts, but they failed, as Williams had influenced Massasoit not to sanction it, . . . .35

Qualification of citizenship, . - .36

ANALYTICAL TABLE. xi

Page.

Duties of citizenship ascendant over dignity of

Protection of marriage, . . .38

The Pawtiixet controversy settled by acknowl-

edgement of the claims of Rhode Island, . 38

Fort built for protection against Indians, . 39

Quakers arrived. Ditference of treatment of them between Rhode Island and Massachusetts, . . . . .39 1663. A new charter granted by Charles II. and accepted by the colonists, . . .40

Chapter VIII

TROUBLES IN OBTAINING A NEW CHARTER. — PROVISIONS OF THE CHARTER.— DIFFICULTIES CONCERNING THE NARRA- GANSETT PURCHASE.— CURRENCY.— SCHOOLS.

The new charter gave a democratic government, 41 Some of its provisions, . . .41

Religious liberty recognized by it, . . 42

Assembly and courts reorganized, . 43

State magistrates chosen by the freemen, . 44

Jealousy of Massachusetts, . . 44

Trouble concerning the ownership of J^Tarragan-

Attempt to dispossess Rhode Island of part of

her territory, . . .46

The ISTarragansetts compelled to mortgage their

lands to the United Colonies, . . 47

New charter obtained by Connecticut extending its bounds to the Narragansett River, . 48

1663. The boundary line left to arbitrators who fix it

at the Pawcatuck River, . . 49

The intrigues of John Scott for the purchase of the Narragansett tract, . . 49

> Letter obtained from the King, putting the Narragansett purchase under protection of Massachusetts and Connecticut, . . 50 This was rendered null by the second charter of

Rhode Island grant soon afterward. . 51

Wampum used as money in the Colony, . 52

XU ANALYTICAL TABLE.

Page.

Also used as an article of ornament by the natives, . . . .52

1652, Massachusetts began to coin silver in 1652, . 53 Rhode Island abolished the use of wampum ten years later, . . . .53

1662. New England shilling made legal tender in

Rhode Island, . . . .53

1640-1663. First schools established at Providence and

Newport, . . . .53

Affirmation is declared to be equal to an oath, 54

Chapter IX

TERRITORY OF RHODE ISLAND IS INCREASED BY THE AD- DITION OF BLOCK ISLAND. — DISPUTES BETWEEN RHODE ISLAND AND THE OTHER COLONIES SETTLED BY ROYAL COMMAND.— STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE COLONY IN 1667.

1663. Block Island added to Rhode Island, . . 55 Regulations concerning its admission, . 56 It is incorporated under the name of New Shoreham, . . . .56

Four Commissioners sent to America to reduce the Dutch and settle all questions of appeal between the colonies, . . .57

The vexed questions of boundary line between Rhode Island and Plymouth ; the Narragansett question and Warwick difficulties referred to the Commissioners, who referred the first to the King and decided the second in favor of Rhode Island, . . .57

The Indians removed from King's Province, 59

Five propositions submitted by the Commissioners to the Rhode Island Assembly, . 59

1st. All householders should take the oath of allegiance to the King, . , 59

2d. Mode of admitting freemen, . . 59

3d. Admission to the sacrament open to all well disposed persons, . . .60

4th. All laws and resolves derogatory to the King repealed, . . . .60

5th. Provisions for self-defence, . . 60

ANALYTICAL TABLE. xiii

Page.

1672. Trouble with John Paine conceining Prudence

Members of the Assembly to be paid for their

services, . . . .63

Financial difficulties in the Colony, . . 64

1667. Preparations for defence against the French, 64

1672. Act passed to facilitate the collection of taxes, . 65

Chapter X. King Philip's War

Wamsutta summoned before the General Court

at Plymouth, . . .67

His death, . . . .67

Indignation of the Indians, especially King

Condition of the Indians, . . 68

Attack on Svvanzey, . . .69

The Indians pursued by the English, . 69 Philip and his allies beseiged in a swamp at

Pocasset, . . . .71

His escape, . . . .71

The Indian attack on Hadie}', . . 71

Gofte, the regicide, . . . .72

Philip joined the Nari-agansetts, . . 72

Battle in the swamp, , . .73 Indians defeated, and their village destroyed, 74

Depredations in Rhode Island, . . 75

Death of Canonchet, . . . 76

Death of Philip and end of the war, . . 77

Condition of the countrj' after the war, . 77

Chapter XI

INDIANS STILL TROUBLESOME.— CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE.— TROUBLES CONCERNING THE BOUNDARY LINES.

Precautions against the Indians, . . 78

Troubles with Connecticut concerning Narragan-

Two agents sent to England. . . 80

Xiv ANALYTICAL TABLE.

Page.

War party obtains power, . . .80

Foundation of East Greenwich, . . 82

Bitter controversy concerning the limits and extent of the Providence and Pawtuxet purchase, . . . . .82 1696-1712. Settled in 1696 and 1712, . . 83

Chapter XII. Death Of Several Of The Most Prominent Men.— Changes In Legislation

The United Colonies still encroached upon Rhode Island, . . . .84

Deaths of John Clarke, Roger Williams, Samuel Gorton, William Harris, and William Coddington, . . . .85

1678. Financial condition of the Colony in 1678, . 88 Changes in the usages of election, . . 89 Bankrupt law passed and afterwards repealed, 89 Law concerning disputed titles to lands, . 90

1679. Law for the protection of servants, . 91 Law for the protection of sailors, . . 91 John Clawson's curse, . . ^ 92

Chapter XIII

COURTS AND ARMY STRENGTHENED.— COMMISSIONERS SENT FROM ENGLAND.— CHARTER REVOKED.

Disputes concerning the title of Potowomut, . 93

1680. Power of the town to reject or accept new

citizens, . , . .93

Efficiency of the courts increased, . 94

English navigation act injures the commercial

interests of the Colony, . . 95

Commissioners appointed to settle the vexed

question of the King's Province, . 96

Rhode Island's position in New England in regard to the other colonies, . . 96 Trouble with the Commissioners, . . 97 Charter revoked, . . .98 Rhode Island returned to its original form of government, . . . 9S

ANALYTICAL TABLE. XV

Chapter XIV

CHANGES IN FORM OF GOVERNMENT.— SIR EDMOND ANDROS APPOINTED GOVERNOR.— HE OPPRESSES THE COLONISTS

AND IS FINALLY DEPOSED.

Page.

John Greene sent to England with an address to

the Kin^ for the preservation of the charter, 100 Changes in the names and the boundaries of

Kingston, Westerly and East Greenwich, . 101 1687. Arrival of Sir EdniondAndros, . . 101

Taxes farmed out, .... 102 Marriages made illegal unless performed by the

rites of the English Church, . . 103

Passport sj'stem introduced, . . 103

Composition of the council, . . . 103

Andros's commission enlarged, . . 105

The press subjected to the will of the Governor, 105 Title of Rhode Island to King's Province again

confirmed, .... 106

Persecution of the Huguenots, . . 107

Andros deposed, .... 107

Chapter XV

CHARTER GOVERNMENT AGAIN RESUMED. — FRENCH WAR. — INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. — CHARGES AGAINST THE COL- ONIES.

Chief-Justice Dudley attempted to open his

court, he is seized and imprisoned, . . 108

Return of the old form of government, . 108

Legality of resumption confirmed by the King, 109

1690. The Assembly reorganized, . . 110 Town house built, . . . .111 The colonists taxed to sustain the French and

Indian war, .... 112

Coast invaded by French privateers, . 112

New taxes levied, .... 113 Small-pox broke out in the Colony, . 113

1691. Sir William Phipps appointed Governor of Mas-

sachusetts with command over all the forces of New England, ' . • • 114

XVI ANALYTICAL TABLE.

Page.

This command over the forces of Rhode Island restricted to time of war, . . . 115

1693. First mail line established between Boston and

State officers to be paid a reo:ular salarj'', . 116

Assembly divided into two houses, . . 116

Indians still troublesome, , ,117

Courts of Admiralty established in the Colony, . 117 1697-1698. Trouble from enemies to the charter government, . . . . .117 Interests of trade fostered, . . 118 Smugglintr common, . . .118 Charges made against the Colony by the Royal

Governor, .... 119

Captain Kidd, . . . .119

Chapter XVI

COLONIAL PROSPERITY. — DIFFICULTIES OCCASIONED BY THE WAR WITH THE FRENCH. — DOMESTIC AFFAIRS OF THE COLONY .

1702. Prosperity of the Colony, . . .120

Providence the second town in the Colony, 120

Religious freedom, . . . .120

Attempt to establish a Vice-Ro3'alty over the

Colonies, .... 122

1701. Better Laws enacted, . ... 123

1702. Preparations for defence, . . . 123

1703. Boundary line between Rhode Island and Con-

necticut finally settled, . . 124 The character and interest of the Colony misunderstood by England, . . 124 French privateer captured, - . .125 Further acts of the Assembly, . . 126 Slave trade. . . . , . 127

1708. First census taken, . . . 127 Public auctions llrst held, . . .128 Commercial and agricultural progress, . 128

1709. First printing press set up at J^ewport, . 129 Internal improvements, . . . 130

ANALYTICAL TABLE. XVU

Chapter XVII

PAPER MONEY TROUBLES. — ESTABLISHMENT OF BANKS. — PRO- TECTION OF HOME INDUSTRIES.— PROPERTY QUALIFICA- TIONS FOR SUFFRAGE.

Page.

Issue of paper money, . . . 131

Clerk of the Assembly first elected from outside

the House, .... 131

Arts of peace resumed, . . . 132

New militia laws enacted, . . . 132

Laws concerning trade, . . . 133

Troubles occasioned by paper money, . 134

1715. Banks established in Massachusetts and Rhode

Paper money question carried into election, 134

Improvements in Newport, . . . 136

Criminal code, . . . 136

1716. School-houses built in Portsmouth, . . 136 Punishment of slander, . . . 137 Indian lands taken under the protection of the

Law concerning intestates, . . 137

1719. First edition of the laws printed, . . 138

Boundary troubles, . . . 138

Industry of the Colony protected by loans and

bounties, . . . . 138

1724. Freehold act passed, . . . 139

1723. Pirate captured, . . ' . 139

Evidences of the proo^ress of the Colony, . 139

Death of Governor Cranston, . . 141

Chapter XVIII

CHANGE OF THE EXECUTIVE. — ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY.— GEORGE BERKELEY'S RESIDENCE IN NEWPORT.— FRIENDLY FEELING BETWEEN THE COLONISTS AND THE MOTHER COUNTRY.

New Governor elected, . . . 142

State of affairs in England, . . . 142

1728. Revision of the criminal code, . . 143

XVlll

ANALYTICAL TABLE.

P»ge.

Laws for the encouragement and regulation of trade, ..... 1727. Earthquake, .... 1723-1724. Division of the Colony into counties, George Berkeley, Establishment of Redwood Library,

Laws concerning charitable institutions and Indians,

1730. New census taken,

1731. New bank voted, Commercial prosperity, .

New edition of the laws published.

Fisheries encouraged.

Regulation concerning election, William Wanton chosen Governor, Depreciation of paper money, 1733. Marriage laws, .

John Wanton chosen Governor, Watchfulness of the Board of Trade, 1735-1736. Throat distemper,

Law against bribery at elections, Arrival of his Majesty's ship Tartar, Means of protection against tire, .

, Quakers

144 145 146 146

148 •

149^

152>^

Chapter XIX

WAR WITH SPAIN.— NEW TAXES LEVIED BY ENGLAND.— RE- LIGIOUS AWAKENING AMONG THE BAPTISTS.

Preparation for war against the Spaniards, . 166 Great expedition against the Spanish West

New taxes levied on importations by England, 157 Death of Governor Wanton, who is succeeded

by Richard Ward, . . .158

Arrival of Whitefield and Fothergill, . 169

Further provisions for the defence of the Colony, 159 Report of the Governor concerning paper money, 160 1741. Boundary line between Rhode Island and Massachusetts settled,. . . . 161 y

ANALYTICAL TABLE. XIX

Chapter XX

PKOGRESS OF THE WAR WITH THE FRENCH.— CHANGE IN THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS. — SENSE OF COMMON INTER- EST DEVELOPING AMONG THE COLONISTS. — LOUISBURG

CAPTURED.

Page.

Privateers fitted out, . . . 162

1741. James Greene started an iron works, . 162

Chang-es of the jurisdictions of the courts, 163

Encroachments of Connecticut, . . 163

1741. Newport Artillery chartered, . . 165

Counterfeit bills troublesome, . . 164

1744. Lotteries legalized, . . 165

Rhode Island's part in the capture of Louisburg, . . . .165 Death of Colonel John Cranston, . . 166 Two privateers and two hundred men lost, 166 Sense of common interest and mutual dependence gaining ground, . . . 166 Caution against fraudulent voting, . 167 Disaster to the French armada, . . 168

1746. Close of the campaign, . . . 168

Accession of territory, . . . 168

Chapter XXI

ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO SPECIE PAYMENTS. — CHANGES IN THE REQUIREMENTS OF CITIZENSHIP. — NEW COUNTIES AND TOWNS FORMED.— FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. — WARD AND HOPKINS CONTEST.— ESTABLISHMENT OF NEWSPAPERS.

1748. Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, . . .170

Hutchinson's scheme for returning to specie payment rejected by Rhode Island, . 171- Act against swearing revised, . . 172 Provisions concerning leg'al residence, . 172 New census taken, .... 172 1748-1749. Death of John Callender, . . 173 Beaver Tail Light built, . . .173 Troubles from depreciation of currency, . 173^-

1754. First divorce granted, . . 174

Kent County formed, . . 174

XX ANALYTICAL TABLE.

Page.

1752. Gregorian calendar adopted, . . 175 Troubles concerning the Narragansett land settled, .175

1753. First patent granted in the Colony for making

potash, . .175 Fellowship Club founded — afterwards the Newport Max"ine Society, . . . 176

1754. Commissioners sent to the Albany Congress, 176 French and Indian war, . . 177 French settlers imprisoned, . . 178 Ward and Hopkins contest, . . 178 Providence court house and library burned, 179 David Douglass built a theatre at Providence, . 180

1758. Newport Mercury established, . . 180 1762. Providence Gazette established, . . 180

Writs of assistance first called for, . 181

1759. Death of PJchard Partridge. . . .181 Freemasonry tirst introduced into the Colony, 181 Regulations concerning fires, . .181 Towns of Hopkinton and Johnston formed, 182

Chapter XXII

REtROSPECT. — ENCROACHMENTS OF ENGLAND. — RESISTANCE TO THE REVENUE LAWS.— STAMP ACT.— SECOND CONGRESS OF COLONIES MET AT NEW YORK.— EDUCATIONAL INTEREST.

Resume of the progress of the Colonj% . 183

Reason for the enactment of the laws, . 184

Rhode Lsland's solution of the problem of self-government and soul-liberty, .185

Encroachments of England on the liberties of the colonies, .... 186

War had taught the colonies a much needed lesson, ..... 187

Harbor improvements, . .188

Parliament votes men and money for the defence of the American colonies, . . 188

Restrictions of commerce, . . 189

1764. Molasses and sugar act renewed and extended, 189

Resistance to the enforcement of the obnoxious revenue laws, . . .190

Action of the colonies in regard to the stamp act. . . . . .191

ANALYTICAL TABLE. XXI

Page,

England is obliged to repeal the stamp act, . 193

Resistance to impressment, . . 193

1765. Second Colonial Congress met at New York and

issued addresses to the people, Parliament,

and to the King, . . . ,194

New digest of the laws completed and printed, 195

1766. Free schools established at Providence, . 196

Brown University founded, . . 196

Iron mine discovered, . . . 197

Chapter XXIII

TRANSIT OF VENUS.— A STRONG DISLIKE TO ENGLAND MORE OPENLY EXPRESSED. — NON-IMPORTATION AGREEMENT. — IN- TRODUCTION OF SLAVES PROHIBITED. — CAPTURE OF THE GASPEE.

Collision between British officers and citizens, . 199 Dedication of libertj^ trees, . . 199

Laws concerning domestic interests, . . 199

Transit of Venus, . . .200

Armed resistance to England more openly talked

Scuttling of the sloop-of-war Liberty, . . 202

Non-importation of tea agreed to. . . 203

Prosperity of Newport, . . . 203

First Commencement at Rhode Island College, 204 1770. Further introduction of slaves prohibited, . 204

Governor Hutchinson advanced a claim for the

command of the Rhode Island militia, . 205

Evidence of justice in Rhode Island, . 206

Capture and destruction of the schooner Gaspee, 207

CHAP'TER XXIV.

PROPOSITION FOR THE UNION OF THE COLONIES. — ACTIVE MEASURES TAKEN LOOKING TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE. — DELEGATES ELECTED TO CONGRESS. — DESTRUCTION OF TEA AT PROVIDENCE.— TROOPS RAISED.— POSTAL SYSTEM ES- TABLISHED.— DEPREDATIONS OF THE BRITISH.—" GOD SAVE THE UNITED COLONIES."

1774. Limitation of negro slavery, . . • 210

Resolution recommending the union of the colonies passed at Providence town meeting, . 210

B*

21«

XXii ANALYTICAL TABLE.

Page. 1774. Boston port bill passed, . . .211

Small-pox at Newport, . . • 211

Indication of popular indignation, 212

Activity of Committees of Correspondence, . 212 Publishment of the Hutchinson letters. . 213

Franklin removed from his position as superintendent of American post-offices, . 214 1774. General Gage entered Boston as Governor, 215 Sympathy of Ehode Island for Boston; East

Greenwich the first to open a subscription, . 215 ■ Hopkins and Ward elected delegates to Congress, . . ... 1774. Congress met in Philadelphia ; adopted a declaration of rights; recommended the formation of an American Association, . . 217 Distribution of arms, . . 218 Exportation of sheep stopped ; manufacture of

fire-arms begun, .... 219 Tea burnt at Providence, . . 219

Troops started for Boston, . . . 219

Army of Observation formed with Nathanael '

Greene, commander, . . . 220

Rhode Island troops on Jamaica Plains, . 221

Articles of war passed, . . . 221

Capture of a British vessel hy Captain Abraham

Rhode Island Navy founded, . . 222

William Goddard's postal system went into

operation, .... 222

Colony put upon a war footing, . . 223

Bristol bombarded and the coast of Rhode Island

plundered, .... 224

Part of the debt of Rhode Island assumed by Congress as a war debt, . . . 225 ■

. Rhode Island in the expedition against Quebec, 226 Depredation of the British squadron, . . 226

Battle on Prudence Island, . . 227

Evacuation of Boston, . . . 228

Death of Samuel Ward, . . .228

The Assembly of Rhode Island renounced their allegiance to the British Crown, . 228

ANALYTICAL TABLE. xxiil

CHAPTER XXy.

RHODE ISLAND BLOCKADED.— DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE INDORSED BY THE ' ASSEMBLY. — NEW TROOPS RAISED.— FRENCH ALLIANCE.— UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE BRITISH FROM RHODE ISLAND.

Page.

L^lands and waters of Rhode Island taken possession of by the British, . . .229 Quota of Rhode Island, . . . • 230 Inoculation introduced, . . . 231 Treatment of Tories . . . 231 Declaration of Independence indorsed by the

Rhode Island's part in the Continental Navy, 232 Convention of Eastern States to form a concerted plan of action, . . , 233 Financial troubles, ... 234 Regiment of negroes raised, . . 234 1778. Tidings of the French alliance received, .235 Expedition against Bristol and Warren, . 235 Attempt to drive the British from Rhode Island rendered unsuccessful by a terrible storm, and jealousy among the officers of the French fleet, . . . .236

CHAPTER XXVI.

ACTS OF THE BRITISH TROOPS.— DISTRESS IN RHODE ISLAND.— EVACUATION OF NEWPORT.— REPUDIATION.— END OF THE WAR.

Disappointment of the Americans, . .241

Wanton destruction of life and property by the

British, ..... 241 Pigot galley captured by Talbot, . . 242

Scarcity of food in Rhode Island, . . 242

Steuben's tactics introduced into the army, . 244 Difficulty in raising money, . 244-^

British left Newport. . . .245

Town records carried off by the British, ,. 246

Repudiation of debt, . . . 247—

Rhode Island's quota, . . . 24S

Xxiv ANALYTICAL TABLE.

Page.

Preparations for quarterinor and feeding the

An English fleet of sixteen ships menaced the

Rhode Island coast, . . . 250

Assembly met at Newport ; the first time in

four years, .... 250

1781. End of the war, . . • .251 The federation completed, . • 251

CHAPTER XXVII.

ARTS OF PEACE RESUMED. — DOCTRINE OF STATE RIGHTS.

Name of King's County changed to Washington, 252 New census taken. . . . 253

Question of State Rights raised, . . 253

1782. Nicholas Cooke died, . . . 254 , * Armed resistance to the collection of taxes, . 254-^^

Troubles arising from financial embarrassment, 255

1783. Acts of the Assembly, . . .256

CHAPTER XXVI I L

DEPRECIATION OF THE CURRENCr. — INTRODUCTION OF THE SPINNING-JENNY. — BITTER OPPOSITION TO THE FEDERAL UNION. — RHODE ISLAND FINALLY ACCEPTS THE CONSTI- TUTION.

Desperate attempt to float a new issue of paper

Forcing acts declared unconstitutional, . 258

First spinning-jenny made in the United States, 259 Bill passed to pay five shillings in the pound for

paper money. . . 260

Refusal of Rhode Island to send delegates to the

Federal Convention, . . . 261

Proposed United States Constitution printed, 261

Acceptance of the Constitution by various states, 261

State of manufactures, . . . 262

1790. .Rhode Island declared her adhesion to the Union. 264

ANALYTICAL TABLE. . XXV CHAPTER XXIX.

MODE OP LIFE IN OUR FOREFATHERS' DAYS.

Page.

Early condition of the land, . . 265

Agriculture the principal pursuit of the early

Early traveling, . . .267

Early means of education, . . . 267

Amusements, .... 268

CHAPTER XXX.

COMMERCIAL GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF RHODE ISLAND.

^lode Island wiser on account of her previous

"struggles for self-government, . . 270

Commercial condition of Rhode Island, . 271'

Trade with East Indies commenced, . . 271-

1790. First cotton factory went into operation, . 273

1799. Free school system established, . . 273

1819. Providence Institution for Savings founded, 274

Canal from the Providence River to the north

line of the state projected and failed, . 274

1801. Great fire in Providence, . . 274

Visit of Washington to Rhode Island, . 275

1832. Providence made a city, . . 275

Rhode Island in the War of 1812, . 276

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE DORR REBELLION.

The Right of Suffrage becomes the question of

Rhode Island's politics, . . • 277

Inequality of representation, . . 278

No relief obtainable fi-om the Assembly, . 278

Formation of Suffrage Associations, . 279

Peoples' Constitution, so called, voted for, . 279

1842. Thomas Wilson Dorr elected Governor under it, 280 Conflict between the old and new government, . 280 Attempt of the Dorr government to organize and seize the arsenal both failures, . . 281

XXVi • ANALYTICAL TABLE

Page.

End of the War, . . . 281

Doit tried for treason and sentenced to imprisonment for life ; afterwards restored to his political and civil rights, . . . 281 New Constitution adopted, . . 282- Freedom of thought and speech the foundation of Rhode Island's prosperity, ^ — .«__—- — ^ • 228

CHAPTER XXXII.

LIFE UNDER THE CONSTITUTION. — THE "WAR OF THE REBELLION. — THE CENTENARY.

Life under the Constitution, . . . 283

The War of the Rebellion, . . 283

Rhode Island's quota, . . • 284

The Centennial Exposition, . . 285