m Ic » y. '^vtt-^ ;, tE;L'j_.i. t.:=^x.ix.-ujLL:.^iij>,.MJtA CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FROM CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 1924 089 406 353 The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924089406353 V ' _^ y!^^"^^'* OldSboneMill AtKeAYport HE VV^ Y OR.K. -X^ JOHNS TATtOR 17 Ann S^: HISTORY RHODE ISLAND. BY EEV. EDWAED PE^EESON, AUTHOR OP " THE WOHLD IN THE ASCENDANT," " PBIMITIVE CHHISTIANITT CONTBASTED WITH MODBBN," " BIBLE TBMPEBANCE EEVIEW," &C., Ao. JOHN S. TAYLOR, If Ann-Steeet. 1853. sO\ A-(oiSb3^ k NELL^ UNIVERSITY ^ LIBRARY ■■ ' 1 1 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, by JOHN S. TAYLOR, In the Clerk's ofBce of the District Court of the United Stat^, for the Southern District of New-Tork. JOHN J. SEED, PBINTER, 16 Spruce-Street. Y T 1 B)1|;V'l i^l': TO THE PEOPLE, THIS WORK IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, BY Vl PREFACE. This work being published by subscription, we have added a list of those subscribing, whose names were transmitted to us prior to its going to pi*ess, since which numerous others have been handed to the Agents, but not as yet transmitted to us, which precludes their appearing with the rest As we have among our Subscribers many celebrated names, either in connection with Khode Island, or from other causes, we have, in order to add to the interest of the work, g^ven a fac-simile of their respective signatures. The Author's acknowledgments are due to the many friends ^ho have aided him in the progress of the work, and more particularly to David Melville, Esq., and B. B. Howland, Esq. ; also for information gleaned from the Notes of the late Henry Bull, Esq., and Boss's " Historical Discourse" ; also to many other gentlemen, who have taken a lively interest in this enterprize. . Newport, E. I., 1853. ©©osTiRinrg, Description of Aquedneck, now Rhode Island 17 Settlement of the Island 18 Names of the First Proprietors ; 20 Mr. Coddington elected Governor 21 Intolerant Proceedings regarding Religion . .-: 23 Charter of Incorporation 24 Oath of Incorporation ib The Purchase of the Island 25 Fac-simile of Miantunomu's Mark for Signature ib Fao-similo of Cannonicus's Mark for Signature ib Fac-simile of Wonimenatony's Mark for Signature 26 Death of Governor Nicholas Easton 28 Laying oui the town of Newport 29 Public School Instituted 30 Appointment pf Solicitor and Attorney-General ib Mr. William Dyre appointed Attorney-General » 31 Mr. Hugh Burt appointed Solicitor-General ib The Island Independent 32 Encouragement of Settlers 34 A Seal appointed for the State 35 First Arrival of Quakers on the Island...-'. 36 ' Massachusett's Intolerance and Cruelty -. 37 First Quarterly Meeting of Friends in New England 39 Middletovm Asylum ib The Last of the Sect of Gprtonians 40 First Insolvency on the Island i . . 41 County Jail Erected 42 Death of Cannonicus, the Indian Sachem ib ■\aii CONTENTS. Aqnedneck Indians ^ Philip of Mount Haup, an Indian Sachem 4* Death of Miantunomu, Chief Sachem of the Narragansett Indians. 45 Death of Canonchet, Son of Miantunomu 47 First Charter of Incorporation from the British Crown 48 Character of Roger Williams 49 Longevity of the First Settlers of the Island 53 Shortness of Supply and Dearness of Provisions 54 Mr. William Brenton, President of the Colony 55 Death of Mr. Brenton 56 A Bellman Chosen 57 A Seal Procured for the Town, with the Device of a Sheep 58 The Town of Newport Surveyed, in 1782 , ib The Cod Fishery in Newport ib Easton's Point , 59 Peter Pylatt, a negro, executed for a Rape. 60 Colony House Built 61 First Market-house Erected ib Circus, for Equestrian Performances, Opened 62 ^"S'-The Crewless Vessel 63 t-i-^^jniExecution of Pirates 64 Names of Pfrates Executed : 65 First Discovery of Block Island ib «uT^-- Death of William Jeffray, supposed to have been one of King Charles the First's Judges 66 /IIJU Distressing Accident 67 Mr. John Clarke, and the Charter of 166S 68 The Reception of the Charter by the People of Newport 72 Seal of the Colony '. 73 The Chair of State 74 A Tale of Times Past, — an Ode on the Chair of State ib Laws passed by the General Assembly in 1663-4 76 Arrest of Mr. John Clarke 77 ^ Mr. Holmes Suffered Flogging for Conscience-sake 78 Death of Mr. John Clarke jjj Bequest of Mr. John Clarke 7g ^-■^~ =— "^'--'" ' 80 CONTENTS. IX The Commercial Relations of Newport 81 The West India Trade 83 Custom-House Becords 84 Custom-House iDstructions 85 Amount of Molasses^lmported.. 86 Warrant for Sale of Goods 87 Power of Attorney 88 Flight of Mr. Rome for Protection, on the Stamp Act Excitement, to a British Man ofWar .' 89 Henry Collins, Esq. 90 Marketrhouse Erected in Newport 91 Charles Dudley, Esq., Collector of Customs, flies for Refuge on , board a Man-of-war 92 Loss of the Brig « Dolphin," 93 Loss of the Privateer « Tay," 94 Events in the "War with France 95 Capture of Louisburgh, and the Surrender of the Island of Cape Breton by the British ib War Declared by England against France 96 Samuel Cranston, Esq 97 Horrid Butchery by Pirates ib Return of S. Cranston, Esq., from Piratical Slavery 97 Death of Governor Cranston. ., 99 The Marine Society Instituted 100 Masonic Fraternity in Newport 101 Origin of the Decatur Family 102 Slave Trade in Newport 103 Slaver of G. and P. Malbom ._ ib -Annual Election of a Governor by the Slaves 104 Treatment of Slaves in Newport ;... ib Remarks on Slavery 106 Rejoicings on the Repeal of the Stamp Act 110 Linen Manufacture Carried on in Newport Ill Extracts from Funeral Sermon on Mrs. Wanton 112 Genealogy of the Malbom and Brinley Families 115 Church Erected in Brooklyn, Connecticut 116 Attack of Minute-Men on Cotr.ui's.sfiry George Brinley 118 Xn CONTENTS. First Equestrian Performances on Rhode Island 183 The Rev. Marmaduke Brown, Elected to Trinity Church ib Memoir of the Hon. Arthur Brown, LL.D 184 Memoir of Baron Einsale, of Ireland, (a native of Newport) 185 Menjoir of the Rev. William Rogers, D.D 186 Memoir of the Auchmuty Family. 187 Memoir of the Mintum Family 189 Memoir of Admiral Sir Charles Wager 192 Sir Charles Wager runs down a Privateer Schooner 193 Anecdote of Capi. Hull and Admiral Wager 194 Events in the Revolution 195 The Passing of the Infamous Stamp Act 196 Dr. Franklin's Prediction respecting the Stamp Act 197 Associations formed in Newport, to nse no goods imported from England 198 Seizure of two Vessels and a Sloop, belonging to Connecticut. . . 199 Destruction of the British Sloop " Liberty," by the Populace of Newport 200 Boston Port Bill, Passed by the British Parliament 201 Resolutions at a Town Meeting in NewfWrt 202 Newport Harbor, a Rendezvous for the British Navy 203 Surrender of Ticonderoga, on Lake Champlain, to the Continental Troops '. 204 A Regiment Raised in Newport ib Three hundred Minute-men Arrived, and Prevented the Seizure of Cattle.... .; 205 Treaty between Admiral Wallace and the Town of Newport. ... ib Mr. Martin wantonly Shot by the British, whilst standing at his own door 206 Mr. Edward Wanton Converted to Quakerism 207 Mr. John Wanton Elected Governor jb Letter from Hon. Stephen Hopkins, to the Northern Part of the Colony 208 Arrest of Tories, by General Lee 209 Cftmmencement of the Siege of Quebec.',. 210 Attack on the British Fleet in Newport Harbor, by Col. Richmond 211 Prize Sloop Taken by Capt. Grimes, and sent to Providence 212 CONTENTS. XIU Retreat of the Americas Army from the Island 213 British Troops Quartered upon the Inhabitants 214 Anecdote of Mr. Anthony .' •. 215 Tyrannical Conduct of General Prescott ib Seizure of General Prescott, by Colonel Barton 216 Quako Hony man, a negro, guide to Colonel Barton ib Seizure of Major Barrington 217 Gen. Prescott Cow-hided by a Pomfret Landlord ib imprisonment and Liberation of Colonel Barton 218 Secret Expedition of General Spencer against Bhode Island 219 Surrender of General Burgoyne ib Secret Correspondence at Little Compton 220 Arrival of the French Fleet, under Count D'Estaign. . . '. _ 221 Atrocity of William Crosson, a Refugee 223 Murder pf Judge Taggart's Son 223 The " Languedoc," French Ship, Dismasted 224 Great Snow Storm, called the " Hessian Storm," 225 The Treaty of 1778 226 Severe Action at Butt's Hill 228 Retreat of the Americans, under General Sullivan 229 Rhode Island taken Possession of by the British 230 Burning of the Barracks at Fort Adams 231 The Records of the Town of Newport, returned to the Authorities by Gen. Carlton 231 Houses Destroyed by the British 232 Disaffected Persona Banished 233 Arrival of the Oneida Indians at Newport 234 Arrival of General Washington at Newport 235 Address of the Citizens to Gen. Washington 236 Gen. Washington's Answer to the Address 237 I iS Execution of a French Artilleryman 238 Death of the Chevalier de Fayelle 239 The Supremacy and Independence of the United States, acknow- ledged by England 239 Memoir of Francis Melborn, Sen 240 Anecdote of John Murphy 241 Anecdote of Capt. Hood, of Newport 242 XIV CONTENTS. Escape of Capt. Reed from a Prison Ship 243 Death of Crandall, the Tory 244 Capture of the British Privateer " Tartar," ib Capture of the British Store-ship " Elephant," ib Brutal Murder by the British 246 Estimate of the Population in 1774 ib Application of Refugees to Settle 247 Remarks on Past Events .. 248 Election of Corporate OfScers - ' 249 Votes on the Constitution 250 Introduction of Paper Money 251 Paper Money made a Legal Tender 252 Money Difficulties 253 Provision made for Transfer of United States' Stock 254 Slavery of Colored People Abolished 255 Washington's Prophetic Warning 256 Fallacy of Abolitionism 257 Foreign Trade of Newport, 258 Packet Accommodation ib Uncle Tom Townsend's Coffee-house. 259 Loss of the Spanish Brig "Minerva," 260 War Declared with Britain .' 261 Arrival of the British Frigate "Macedonia,'' as a Prize 262 Battle of Lake Erie 263 Address of Commodore Perry to his Seamen , 264 Defeat ofthe British Fleet 265 Anecdote of a Newport Boy 266 Capture of a Fort, at New Providence 267 Embargo placed on the Shipping ~ 268 Fort Green Taken Possession of by the American Army 269 Reminiscenses of Dartmoor Prison, England 270 High Price of . Provisions. ^ jb Success of the War 271 Death of Commodore Perry , 272 Dreadful (xale 273 Remarkable Deposit of Salt 274 Charitable Institutions 275 CONTENTS. XV Savings' Bank Established 276 Asylum for the Poor Voted for 277 Coaster's Harbor Island Selected for the Site of the Asylum 278 Erection of Public School, No. 1, 280 School Fund Instituted 281 Beading of the Declaration of Independence 282 Remarks on Independence Day 283 Memoir of General C. T. James 284 The Asiatic Cholera. 285 Population Statistics, in 1850 286 Portsmouth Asylum Erected 287 Discovery' of Coal in Newport 288 Heart Fire Club Established 289 Fires, from 1749 to 1848 290 Bemarks on the Narragansett Indians. .., 293 Civil and Religious Liberty in Rhode Island 294 Assent to the Constitution 297 Dr. Mather's Views of the People of Newport 298 Sovereignty of the People, 299 Distribution of Public Lands .' i 300 Dr. 'Waterhouse on the Salubrity of the Climate of Rhode Island, 301 List of Presidents and Governors of the Colony 303 Appendix : — Trinity Church, Newport 307 Queen Anne Presents a Bell to Trinity Church 308 Arrival of Bishop Berkley at Newport 310 Bishop Berkley's Bequest to Yale College 311 Mr. Kay's Bequest for a School 312 Death of the Rev. Mr. Honyman 313 Rhode Island Taken Possession of by the British 314 Dissentions in the Church 315 The First and Second Congregational Church : 318 The Rite of Baptism Refused by the Rev. Mr. Clap ib Extracts from Funeral Sermon on the Rev. Mr. Clap 320 On Rev. Mr. Clap's Dissentions vrith his Congregation.. 321 New Church Organized 322 First Baptist Church'in Newport, and in America 330 Dr. Moffatt's Epitaph on the Rev. John Callendar 337 XVI CONTENTS, Second Baptist Church 339 Society of Friends, or Quqkers 342 Sabbatarian, or Seventh-Day Baptist Church. 343 The Moravians, or United Brethren 346 The Fourth Baptist Church 347 The Methodist Society 348 The Colored Union Church 349 The Catholic Church of St. Joseph. / ib - Second Episcopal Parish 350 The Unitarian Congregational Church 352 Churches of the Christian Denomination 353 The Friends' Meeting-House 354 The Central Baptist Church, Newport ib List of Subscribers 357 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. THE ISLAND OF AQTJBDNECK, NOW RHODE ISLAND. *' My lovely island home, I love thy sea^^rt shore, Thy rocks and sunny hills, And foaming billows' roar. ' The harvest proudly waves, And gently fan each breeze, 4 - The sweet birds hover round the spot, And warble in the trees. To thee my memory turns. In sorrow and in care ; My native island home, I love to linger there. My home o'er the dark-blue sea, Thy charms shall near depart ; But linger round my memory, And twine about my heart." The Island of Aquedneck, now Rhode Island, from whence the State derives its name, was so called from the celebrated' Me of Ehodesj in the Mediterranean Sea. It is fifteen miles in leqgth, and about three miles and a half in width. Its bay, or harbor, is universally acknowledged to be one of the finest in the world, being easy of access at all seasons of the year. A number of small islands lie near, covered with the richest' ver- dure ; viz. : — Goat Island, directly opposite the town, which was formerly garrisoned, but is at present in a dismantled and 18 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. dilapidated state. The first fort erected on this island, was built by the proceeds of the tenth, or King's part of the priva- teers captured by him. Eose Island, once fortified, but now in ruins. Oannonicut, lying west, on which is Fort Dumpling, erected under the administration of the elder Adams, but never occupied as a fortress ; with Prudence and G-ould Island, at the north, present a pleasing and highly picturesque scenery. On the southern extremity, it is bounded by the broad At- lantic, whose heaving billows, so grand and imposing, are every way suited to convey a just impression of the power and majesty of that Divine Being, who " directs the whirlwind and the storm." At its northern extremity stands out, in bold relief. Hog Island, with Mount Haup in the distance, once the residence of Philip, the King of the Wanpanouages. On the north-east, a stone bridge, one-quarter of a mile long, connects the island with the main. At this point also, the scenery is pleasing and attractive. The climate is salubrious, and its soil rich and fertile ; producing every variety to be found in northern latitudes. The island was once covered with a heavy growth of timber, at the period when the Indian was its lawful proprietor, and the found of the war-whoop rung from out the forest, and reverberated through the valUes, and his bow and arrows supplied him vrith deer and fowl, which were then abundant. Such is a faint sketch' of this island, of which Mr. Neal justly observes, p. 595, that it is deservedly esteemed the Paradise of New England. " Sear Isle of my birth, sweetest gem of the sea, Now snmmer revisits thy shore ; My heart's best affection, turns fondly to thee, Oh, when shall I greet thee once more !" THE SETTLEMENT OF THE ISLAND. We are now approaching a subject of deep and vital interest to the inhabitants of the island. When our forefathers fled the fatherland, for the sake of enjoying liberty of conscience, and to worship God in more scriptural simplicity, — this was the motive which prompted them to forego the pleasures of kindred SETTLEMENT OF THE ISLAND. 19 and home, and cross the Atlantic, and here, in this western world, erect temples to the •worship of Almighty God. And, to the honor of the first settlers of this island, be it said, that they possessed, in a much higher degree, the principles of civil and rehgious liberty, than were to be found in any other portion of New England. Tbey had felt the strong arm of oppression in their native land, and had no wish or desire to see it per- petuated in their new. home, which, alas, was too painfully witnessed in many portions of the colonies. Dhere was a consistency in their belief and practice, and to this day there is to be fouiid on the island more of a truly Eepublican spirit than exists in other sections of New England. It is to be attri- buted to the impress left by the original settlers of the island, that this mark of distinction still exists. We shall have occa- sion, as we advance in our work, to draw a contrast between Clarke and Coddington with the settlers of other sections ; shew- ing their great superiority, and the extent of their knowledge in framing laws for the regulation of the settlement. "We shall labor to avoid falling into a deep-rooted prejudice, and present the truth in all its bearings, so far as the materials furnished for a history will permit. It cannot,, however, be disguised, that full justice has never been awarded to these noble patriots, whose devotion in the sacred cause of civil and. religious free- dom, has never been surpassed.. The decline of commerce on the island, owing in a great measure to the calamities growing out of the American revolu-. tion, has thrown the ancient metropohs quite into the shade. None has had the moral courage, and the patient industry, to present her claims to the world as they justly deserve ; and 'her history has consequently been almost lost. We could have wished that the task had devolved on some one better qualified, and whose pecuniary means would have placed them in a situation, to have done ample justice to the subjtet. But, as no one has stepped forth, to rescue the events of the past from oblivion, we have been constrained, from the streng attach- ment which we hold to the place of our birth, to furnish the world with such evidence of the past history of- Newport, as is to be obtained from records, and from tradition, which, we flatter ourselves, will be both pleasing and acceptable to our readers. 20 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. We find on the 7th day of March, 1637, the names of eighteen nien,'who had taken up their residence on Aquedneok, now Ehode Island, viz. : William Coddington, Thomas Savage, John Clarke, ' William Byre, William Hutchinson, William Freeborne, John Coggeshall, • Philip Shearman, William Aspinwall, John Walker, Samuel Wilbour, Eichard Carder, John Porter, William Baulston, John Sanford, Edward Hutchinson, Edward Hutchinson, jun. Henry Bull, Eandall Houldon. This last person, Eandall Houldon, we presume, soon left, as we find his name not mentioned in the reeordSj as being one of the first p'roprietors of the island. These names were, however, taken from a fac-aimile in the author's possession. The first settlement on the island, was commenced at its northern extremity, where a town was regularly laid out, and first named Pocasset, subsequently Portsmouth. It is that part of the island known as New-Town. But so rapid was the increase of the Colony, during the following summer, that it was deemed advisable for their mutual prosperity, to commence a settlement on some other part of the island. Accordingly, in the following spring, Mr. Clarke, with several others, removed to the south part of the island, and commenced a settlement in or about what is now called Tanner-street, formerly New-Town, to which they gave the name of Newport. The island itself, subsequently, by order of the General Court, was called the Isle of Ehodes, or Ehode Island, in memory, as before remarked, of that celebrated isle of the Mediterranean Sea. Both towns were united under the same simple patriarchal form of govern- meUt, of which Mr. William Coddington was chosen magistrate, or judge. A few months subsequently they chose Mr. John Coggeshall, Nicholas Easton, and William Brenton, to act as his assistants. Mr. Coggeshall was descended from an ancient and respectable family in England. He came to this country with Mr. Coddington, in 1630, and was admitted a freeman of the town of Boston in 1632. He was a member of the first Board of Selectmen, of -Boston, and represented the town in MR. CODDINGTON ELECTED GOVEaNOR. 21 General Court in 1634-5-6, and the spring Bession of 1637, but ■was disfranchised for conscience toward God, that same year. His disfranchisement, with others, created great discontent among- his friends, which led to their removal, and finally to the settlement of the island. Mr. Coggeshall enjoyed the confi- dence of the colony of Ehode Island, and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1647, he was President of the Colony. He lies in the Coggeshall burial place, a little south of Newport. The following is the inscription on bis tombstone : Here lieth the Body of JOHN COGGESHALL, Sen., Esq., Who died, the Fibst Fbbeident of the Colony, the 27th of NoTember, 1647, Aged about 66 years. His descendants are still numerous on the island ; and many of them are among our most respectable citizens. He was a man of a large estate, known as Coggeshall Neck. Mr. Coddington came to this country with Governor Hutch- inson, having been appointed in 1629, by the British govern- ment, one of the Assistants of the Massachusetts colony. He engaged in mercantile business in Boston, and built the first hrick house in that town. But, notwithstanding all the facilities he there enjoyed of promoting his own temporal prosperity, yet he chose to relinquish all of them, for the sake of reUgious freedom. Accordingly, in 1638, with the beloved Clarke, and sixteen others, he left the colony of Massachusetts, and com- menced the settlement of Ehode Island ; and was, by his com- panions in tribulation, unanimously elected chief magistrate, or Judge of the colony, which ofiice he held until the island was incorporated with Prudence and Warwick. In 1651, he was appointed by the supreme authority of England, Governor of the island, pursuant to a power reserved in the patent, by which the island became again separated from the Providence Planta- tion, which we shall have occasion to speak of more fully. But the people, jealous of their rights, and fearful that their freedom might be endangered, dispatched Mr. Williams and Mr. Clarke to England, to have it revoked. On receiving due notice from England, Mr. Coddington surrendered up his commission, and retired into private life, when the island again became united with the Plantation. Mr. Coddington was again elected 22 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. Governor of the colony in 1674-75, and 1678, in which year he died, aged 78 years. He is said to have been a man of pro- found learning, and assisted in framing the body of laws, which has been the basis of our Constitution and government ever since. Governor Coddington was interred in the family burial place, whioli, at his death, he gave the Society of Friends in Farewell- street, just south of the North Baptist meeting-house. The freemen of Newport, in town meeting, August 30th, 1836, ap- pointed a committee to repair the monument at the head of the grave of this distinguished friend and advocate of civil and religious freedom. His likeness, which is still in good preser- vation, shews him to have been a most elegant and accomplished gentleman. It may be instructive to read the laws passed by our ances. tors, on the subject of religion. But every good man and lover of his country, blushes at the superstition, bigotry, and intoler- ance, with which they were too often tainted. Need we refer to history ? Let us look for a inoment to the pilgrim fathers, to the colony at Plymouth. Speaking of them, a judicious writer observes : " Much as we respect that noble spirit which enabled them to part with their native soil^by some held dearer than friends, relatives, or children, and by every generous bosom preferred even to life itself, — we must condemn the proceedings which ensued. In the first moment when they began to taste of Christian liberty themselves, they forgot that others had a right to the same enjoyment. Some of the colonists, who bad not emigrated through motives of religion, retaining a high venera- tion for the ritual of the English church, refused to join the colonial state estabhshment, and assembled separately to wor. ship. But their objections were not suffered to pass unnoticed, nor impunished. * Endicott called before him the two principal offenders, and though they were men of respectability, and amongst the number of original patentees, he expelled them from the colony, and sent them home in the first ship returning to England. Had this inquisitorial usurpation been no further exercised, some apology, or at least palliation, might be framed. More interesting and painful consequences, however, not long afterwards, resulted. The very men who had countenanced INTOLERANT PROCEEDINGS IN RELIGION 23 this violation of Christian duties, lived to see their descendants excluded from church communion ; to behold their grand- Children, the smiling infants at the breast, denied the sacred right of baptism !" * * • Ooddington, an eminent merchant of Boston, was banished, for holding what they conceived to be erroneous sentiments, and for favoring the views of Mrs. Hutchinson. " The first general court was held at Oharlestown, on board the ship Arabella. A law was passed, declaring that none should be admitted as freemen, or be entitled to any share in the government, or even to serve as jurymen, except those who had been received as members of the church ; by which mea- sure, every person whose mind was not of a particular stnicture, or accridentally impressed with peculiar ideas, was at once cast out of society, and stripped cf his civic rights. " In 1656, a number of Quakers, having arrived from England and Barbadoes, and given offence to the clergy of the estab- lished church, by the novelty of their religion, at that time, certainly, a little extravagant, were imprisoned, and by the first opportunity sent away. A law was then made, which prohib- ited masters of vessels from bringing any Quakers into Massa- chusetts, and themselves from coming there, under a penalty, in case of a return from banishment, as high as death. In con- sequence of this several were hanged. Toleration was preached against, as a sin in rulers, that would bring down the judgment of heaven upon the land. Mr. Dudley died with a copy of verses in his pocket, of which the two following lines make a part : > Let men of God, in ooart and churches tratch, O'er sueh as do a toleration hatch.' The Anabaptists were the next object of persecution. Many were disfranchised, and some banished." American Quarterly Review, June, 1835. The principles which governed the early settlers of the island of Bhode Island, embraced all of every sect, whether Jew or Gentile. The last of the original purchasers and proprietors of this island, was Henry Bull, Esq., who died in 1693j aged 84 years. He held various public offices in the colony, from its first settle- ment, until a few years before his death. He was Governor of 24 ■ HISTOE.Y OF RHODE ISLAND. the colony in 1685, after which, being at a very advanced age, he relinquished public employment, to end his days in domestic peace ; but after the revolution in England, the colony charter having been vacated, and Ehode Island put under the grant of Sir Edmund Andros, who held it until the spring of 1689 ; he was induced again to come forward into public life, thereby shewing a moral courage which was wanting in others. The house erected by Governor. Bull, in Newport, is of stone, and still standing on the east side of Spring-street, near the junction of Broad-street. It was, in 1642, used as a place of defense against the attacks of the Indians. Governor Bull lies buried in the Coddington burial place, where a plain and unostentatious slab, points the passing stranger to the spot where sleep the mouldering ashes of this bold and fearless patriot. His descendants are now in posses- sion of the patrimonial estate of their ancestor. The character of the men who have already been brought into view, proves them to have been actuated by the best mo- tives, in their attempts to found this colony. They recognized a superintending Providence, as will appear in the original charter of the American Isle of Rhodes : " We, whose names are underwritten, do swear, solemnly, in the presence of the Great Jehoyah, to incorporate ourselves into a body politic ; and He shall help us,— will submit our persons, lives, and estates, unto the Lord Jesus Christ,. the King of kings, and ; Lord of lords ; and to aU those perfect laws of his, given usin his most hply word of truth, to be guided and judged thereby. (" Signed,) "William Coddington, Eiehard Carder, John Clarke, William Baulston, William Dyre, Edward Hutchinson, William Freeborn, William Hutchinson, Philip Shearman, Henry Bull, John Walker, John Coggeshall.^' Samuel Wilbour, And six others, whose names have already been mentioned. Such were the principles, and such the sentiments, which dis- tinguished the men, who first plafUed civil and religious liberty in this western world. We shall have ocoafiion to dwell more THE FURCHASE OF TEE ISLAND. 25 at length on the dignity of their character; as we progress in the hietory of the island. The subject opens a wide field for reflection. It proves what men are capable of doing, under the influence of moral and christian principles. Their object in coming to this continent was not merely to acquire gain, as is too apt to be the ease with all adventurers, but rather to establish a refuge from persecution, where each should have the liberty of enjoying his opinion vrithout fear ; and even at this day, after a period of more than two centuries, there ie possessed by the inhabitants of the island, more liberty than is enjoyed by any other portion of the State. The cause we shall attempt to show by and by, which will convince the mind of the impartial reader, that the position here assumed is correct. \ THE PURCHASE OP THE ISLAND. Without adverting to this subject, it would look as though the early settlers took possession of it by conquest, without afibrding the native Indians any remuneration for their lands. But so far from this, they actually purchased the island, as will appear by the receipt given by the two Sacems : " 22nd November, 1639. " Eeeeived by me, Miantunomu, of Mr. William Ooddington, • and his friends united, twenty and three coats, and thirteen hoes, to be distributed to the Indians that do inhabit the island of Aquedneck, in full of all promises, debts, and demands,, for the said island, as also two-torkepes. / " Mian ' Can ^j^T-^ NONicus.' " In the conveyance on^ my book. I Witness, \ Amempsucke, j Wampaminaquitt "] 26 HISTORY OP RHODE ISLAND. " A true copy of the original, entered, and recorded hf me, " John Sanford, Reca/der." [Colony Eecords.] " The 11th of May, 1639, Eeceived by me, Miantunomu, (as a gratuity,) of Mr. Ooddington, and his friends united, for my pains and travel, in removing the natives off the island ofAqued- neck, ten fathoms of wampum peage, and one ftroad-cloth coat. ■ Mian I " A true copy of the original, entered, and recorded by " John Sanford, Recorder." " June 20th, 1639, Eeceived of Mr. William Coddington, and of his friends united, in full satisfaction of ground broken up, or any other title or claim whatsoever, formerly had of the island of Aquedneck, the full sum of five fathoms of wampum peage. ^ " "Wonimenatontt, X ^i* mark." " "Witness, Wm. Cowling, Eichard Sawell.' Sawell." J " A true copy of the original, entered, and recorded by me, " John Sanford, Recorder." The other seventeen joint purchasers of Aquedneck, whose names are mentioned, expressed their dissatisfaction that the Indian title to the island of Ehode Island, stood in the name of William Ooddington, and to pacify them, he executed an instrument, giving them an equal share with himself Mr. Coddington had no selfish wish to gratify : " I, the said William Coddington, Esq., have no more in the purchase of right, than either of the purchasers or freeifien received, or shall be received in by them, but only for my own proportion. PURCHASE OF THE ISLAND. 27 "In -witness hereof, I have, put to my hand, this 14th of April, 1652. " William Ooddington " " Signed in the presence of, ^ Eobert Knight, > -^ George Muning." 5 " A true copy of ihe original, entered, and recorded the 7th of April, 1673. , ' " John Sanfoed, Kecorder." ,' [Colony Eecords.J "We think tnat great /njiistice has been done the aborigines of this country : whethej? our fathers viewed them as inferiors, and undeserving of tWeir respect and kindness, it is self evident that their conduct has been unbecoming, and every way calcu- lated to,foster revenue in the breast of the red men of the forest. They ,are a noble rjace, and their conduct would often put to the Hush civilizedl man, who stoops to acts of meanness which weruld not be tolerated for a moment in savage life. Their sufferings have been great ; driven from the homes of their /■' fathers, and compelled to take up their abode in a strange land, so affected the|hi with the deepest anguish, as to prove that their sympathi(4s are as great, and their susceptibilities of right as keen as tb(8se of ours. To the praise of the settlors of the island, they were never hostile to tile Indians, as weje some of the colonists, which we shall havff occasion to notfce. It should be remembered that they weD« the rightful owiiers of the soil, while we have usurped it. Ne/er do we look on the countenance of the Indian, with- out reyerence and i^|Kt, for they are nature's noblemen ; but it haS ever been^im the " pale faces," agreeably with the sentiments of the poet "Wordsworth : " The good old plan, — That they should get who have the power, And they should keep who can." Of the original settlera of the island, we find that "William Hutchinson died on the island. The other Hutchinson, Aspin- wall, and Savage, went back and got reconciled to the Massa- 28 HISTORY OP RHODE ISLAND. chusetts colony. In March, 1641, Carder, Houlden, and Porter were disfranchised. E, Houlder settled in "Warwick ; fronj him have descended the numerous family of Houldens in this State. Nicholas Easton arri^li in New England, with his two sons. May 14th, 1634. He firsf fettled at Ipswich, and was a deputy to the General Court. The next year he removed to New- burg, and afterwards to Hampton, where he built the first house. In J 638, in consequence of the reUgious intolerance, he removed to Ehode Island, and settled in I?ortsmouth. The next year he removed to Newport, where h^ built the first house. It stood where the house now stands Belonging to the heirs of the late Jonathan Southwick, in Earewidl-street. As lateas 1641, the Indians burnt the house of Nicn\olas Easton, on Lord's day, by kindling a fire on tis lands. It &rmed the people, and, among other measures, they mtted out \n armed boat, to ply round the island, to prevent thjL Indians frJ^m land* ing. They likewise appointed garrison hljuses, to wh&h the people were to repair on an alarm. But Jie rupture lasted not long, before peace was restored. \ \ Nicholas Easton and his two sons, Peter amd John, on their way to the south part of the isla,nd, in a boat, mnded on a smalT-^ island, which they called Coast^'s Harbor. \ Mr. Easton and Mr. Clarke were appointed 'to write to Mr. Vane, and direct him about thi pbtaining of a\patent of the island from his Majesty. The nsck of land by H^r. Easton's house,. was ordered to be sufficiently fenced, and to\remain as a common field belonging to the town. >Crovernor IT^ston died in 1675. _ ,.^y * John Easton was the son of Goven ^iNicholas Easton, who came to Ehode Island with his father «^li brother, soon after the settlement, as before remarked. H^fc for fifteen years. Attorney- General of the Colony. In 16r4and 1675, he was elected Deputy- Governor. He died on the Ifith December, 1705, aged 88 years, and was buried in the Codf his large estate, in Pomfret, Connecticut. Mr. Malborn built an Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, known as the 'f, .MaU born Church." " This was the first church erected, and for a long period, the mly church of that denomination in this country. It was srected before the Eevolutionary war, by Godfrey Malbom, Tun., Esq., a gentleman from Newport, Rhode Island. On his removal Lo Connecticut, he brought with him fifty or sixty slaves, on his large estate on which he resided. A great pro- portion of the colored people in this part of ' the State are iheir descendants." — Connecticut Historical Collections. The Eev. Mr. Fog, the first Rector of the church, was a gentleman of highly respectable attainments, and continued to officiate until his death. Mr. Malbom married Miss Brinley, of Eoxbury, sister of Francis Brinley, of Newport, and died without issue, 1785. Eis remains lay interred in the church-yard of the Episcopal Dhurch in Brooklyn. Godfrey Malborn, senior, had five daughters ; one married ;he above Francis Brinley; another, the youngest, to Dr. William. Huntei;,, father of the late Hon. William Hunter. GENEALOGY OF THE MALBORN AND BRINLEl FAMILIES. 1 17 One married Major Fairchild, one Dr. Mac-Kay, and another Shubel Hutchinson. Thomas Brinley, in the reign of Charles the First, held the office of Auditor-General. At the downfall of that sovereign, he adhered to the fortunes of Charles the Second, and followed him on his exile upon the Continent. Upon the restoration of the second Charles, he held the same office under him, and died one year after ; he was buried in the middle aisle of Datchet church, near London ; the slab over his remains, still records these facts. / His son, Francis, (the first of Newport,) left England, and arrived at Newport, Rhode Island, and there amassed a large fortune ; he died in Newport. He had previously sent his eldest son, Thomas, to England, for bis education ; he married in London, and had three children, and died there with the small-pox. His son, William, died, aged 13. His eldest son, Francis, (the second,) and daughter Elizabeth, with their mother, came to America, and inherited the fortune of his grandfather. He built the house at Eoxbury, after the model of the old family mansion at Datchet, in England. Elizabeth, grand-daughter of Thomas Brinley, Auditor- General for King Charles First and Second, came over with her brother Frank and their mother, from England, and settled at Eoxbury ; she married a Mr. Hutchinson, father of Shrimp- ton Hutchinson, who married a Malborn. Mrs. Col. Putman, George Brinley's wife's mother, was; in 1840, the only one of the stock remaining, id. est. the Hutehinsons. There was a branch of the Brinley's in New Jersey, as early as 1 776 ;, I know this from the following records in my office, (Surveyor- General's :) — " Lib. 2, fols. 33 & 80 : > Warrt- Survey and Patent, from 8th March, 1677. ) Sir George Carteret, Knt., &c. Proprietor of E. Jersey, to Simon Brinley, ' for a parcel of land about the towne of Piscataway.' " Simon Brinley's will was recorded at Trenton, 5th January, 1724-5, in " Book A, of Wills, page 348." I can trace him no farther. 118 HISTORY OF KHODE ISLAND^ Frank W. Brinleyr Esq., of Perth Amboy, N. J., General' Surveyor, one of my old schoolfellows, has kindly furnished some in'teresting notes of his- family, which are here subjoined, as standing in moat intimate relatioo with the past events of Newport. "'Tboniaa Brinley, first son of Francie and Deborah, of Eox- bury, Massachusetts, was a King's Counsellor, and went to England with the British troops. He married a Miss Leyed, received a eorapensation from the British government, and died in England ; he left no issue. " Eaward Brinley, third soa, remained in Boston at tlie Ee- roluticJn, and was- much persecuted as a Leyalijst ; he kept a grocery in Boston, aqd was very unfortunate. He was father »f George Brinley, druggist, now of Hartford, Connecticut, ind of Frank and "W'illiam, who lived at Roxbury, " Nathaniel Brinky, fourth sonj lived at Tingsbury, a farmer !>f large estate : had one son, Eobert, atill aJive, and resident at ringsbury ; said t© be one of the best e£ men, "■ George- Brinley, fifth soa, (my father's- idol.) He was Commissary in the British army, during the RevolutioD. In t777, at the time of the action at Princeton, the British being h New Brunswick and Perth Amboy, on his way from New Brunswick t& Perth Amboy, with one servant, he was fired ipon by a party of Provincials, *• minute-men,' who had come iown from Woodbridge,. on the main road between Brunswick md Amboy, from what is now (1850,) known as the ' Old Tappan House,' in the village of Bonhamtown. He received ive musket bd'b in various parts of bis body ; but retained his >eat on horseback. His servant, being somewhat behind, wheeled, and rode back to New Brunswick, reporting his naster as killed. Each ball made a flesh wound, and did not louch 3 bone. George rode oa, until be reached ' HaDgman'& Dorner,' (the parting roads- from Perth Amboy, to Bonhamtown md Woodbridge,) where he fell from bis horse, from loss of !)lood, and was seen to fall by the sentinel at the ' King's bar- racks.' A party was sent out, who brought him in, with his lorse, that recaained by him. He kid many months at Am- joy. My father, ( Edward,) who came from Newport to attend lim, says, ' that when he saw his uncle, he had lain so long, iat the shoulder-bones were through the skin.' He finally GENEALOGY OF THE MALBORN AND BEINLEY FAMILIES. 119 recovered, and returned with the British troops ; was appointed Commissary at Halifax, and /afterwards Commissary-General of the British troops in America. " He married a daughter of Governor "Wentworth, of New Hampshire, had two sons, Thomas and "William, and a daugh- ter, Mary. William was a pay-master in the British army. Mary married a ' Moody,' in England, and one of her daugh- ters was in Boston two or three years ago. " Frank, my father's eldest brother, served his time with Dr. Hunter, who married Miss Malbom, (my grand-mother's sister.) Frank was Surgeon of the ' New- York Volunteers,' and went to Carolina with them, — afterwards died at my father's house, (Edward Brinley,) at Shelburne, in 1757-8. " Commissary George's son, Tom, was a Colonel in the British army, and was with Sir John Moore, in Spain ; was detached to the West Indies, and there died an Adjutant- General. " Francis Brinley, my grand-father, liyed at Newport, Ehode Island ; married Aleph Malbom, daughter of Godfrey Malbom. My uncle, ' Prank,' died young ; was at College, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, at the time the British troops marched to Lexington. My father, Edward, was there on a visit to his brother. On the retreat of the British, the Americans were in pursuit, and, from the circumstance of some of the British officers having been with Frank and my father, (Ned,) imagined that Frank had f pilotted the troops.' The Americans, or some of them, were so exasperated, that my father and others were obhged to lower Frank, by sheets tied together, from one of the Cojlege windows ; while the Americans battered the door of his room, and destroyed everything. " Frank and Ned afterwards came together, got an old horse from a pasture, and went " ride and tie' to Newport, ' full of wrath.' They met the British troops and joined them, and were called ' Tories' ever afterwards. My father says, ' Had it not been for this circumstance, we would have been the best of Democrats.' " Deborah, my aunt, married an Episcopal clergyman, Eev. Daniel Fogg, of Brooklyn, Connecticut. She died a few years ago ; had Francis Brinley Fogg, who studied at , Newport, under the late Hon. William Hunter, and removed to Nashville, 120 HISTOEY OF KHODE ISLAND. Tennessee, where he married, and is an eminent lawyer : Ed- ward, who still lives with his sister, Aleph Brinley Fogg, at Brooklyn, and Godfrey Malbom Fogg, who is, I beheve, stiD living. " Ehzabeth, my aunt, married Capt. William Littlefield, formerly of the United States army, stationed at Newport ; Littlefield was aid-de-camp to Gen. Nathaniel Greene, who married his sister. " Edward Brinley Littlefield, of Tennessee, who was highly esteemed there, William, of Newport, and John, a physician, who died some years since, at New Orleans. " Thomas, my uncle, still resides at Newport, a very aged man, though remarkably vigorous for one of his years. (He has recently died, aged 87.) " Catharine, my aunt, married a Dr. Field, a Surgeon in the British army, and died at Jamaica, on Long Island, without issue. " Gertrude Aleph,' my sister, married the Eev. Edward Gilpin, son of John Gilpin, long his Britannic Majesty's Consul at Newport. ' " Elizabeth Parker, my sister, married the Eev. J .F. Halsey, son of Capt. Halsey, of the United States' army. " My father married, in 1806, Mary, the daughter of Dr. Johnson, of Newport ; had issue, Edward L. Brinley, now a merchant, of the firm of Fumess, Brinley & Co., Philadelphia : he married Fanny, sister of Major Brown, now in Russia. " My son, Edward, is an officer in the United States' navy. " My father, Edward Brinley, resides with me ; he is 94 years old, but will not use a cane. He was, when young, shot through the body, with an iron ramrod, still in my possession. The following is the copy of the record of the accident in his own hand- writing : " ' This ramrod was shot through my body, when I was about twenty-one years old. It was an accident, and happened thus ; I was out shooting snipe, robins, and other small birds, in company with a young man of about my own age ; his gun had an iron ramrod, and in the course of the morning's shooting GENEALOGY OF THE MALBORN AND BRINLEY FAMILIES. 121 got foul, and the ramrod stuck, and being stronger in the grip with my fingers, I had twice pulled it out for him, the third time it stuck so fast that I could not draw it. I proposed firing against a crib, about twenty-five yards distance, and, I suppose, I cocked the .gun for that purpose. He objected, say- ing, that he would lose bis sport for the remainder of the day. I then told him to take hold of the breech, and I took the end of the ramrod, and both pulled away. I think it probable his hand was before the guard of the trigger, and he must have touched it with his finger. Off went the gun, the ramrod through my body. It entered about two or two and a half inches above my navel, and came out about the same distance from the back-bone, going, as the doctors said, through the lower part of the liver. The ramrod was found at the foot of an apple-tree, in the same form that it is now, /-^-^^ , about thirty yards off. My companion, half frightened to death, ran off, leaving me to get to a house, not far distant, but with a five-rail fence to get over. An express was immediately sent off to town, about two miles distant, and my father, and mother, and sister, and three doctors, two of them skilful surgeons in the British army, who then were in Newport, to whose know- ledge of similar cases, I am, probably, indebted f3r my life. In about three weeks I was taken to town in a litter, and in another three weeks quite well, except weakness. " Given under my hand this Eighteenth day of October, A. D. 1848. " EDWAED BEINLEY, aged 90 years." " The pictures of my great-grand-father, and great-grand- mother, han^ng up in my parlor, were painted by Simybert, who came over to this country with George Berkley, Lord Bishop of Cloyne, about 1700. The child in my great-grand- mother's arms is my grandfather, Erancis Brinley, (second of Newport.) The back ground of the picture representing my great-grand-father, is a view of his meadows, &c., with the town in the distance. The pictures are in good preservation, (life size,) and have been pronounced ' chef d'oeuvres ' " The house at Eoxbury, Massachusetts, built by Francis Brinley, of Eoxbury, was after the model of the old family mansion at Datchet, near London, and still is in good preser- vation." 122 HISTORY OP KHODE ISLAND. 1634. The record of the Brinley family, commences in America. It will be perceived by the reader, that the Brinley family were Ijoyalists. They may have thought, like Saul of Tarsus, when he was waging a war of extermination against Christians, that they did it all in good conscience. But " the sword of the Lord and of Gideon" prevailed against our ene-. mies ; and they and their descendants have reaped the blessings acquired by other hearts, and other hands, in the glorious enterprise. I have the following information of an old family of Newport taken from these Records, viz. : " Book C, page 158, ) Deed from Sarah Eeape, widow of 1st August, 1694. ) "William Eeape, late of Ehode Island, deceased, to William Marsh, son of Jonathan Marsh, of Newport, mariner, for certain lands in Monmouth county, N. J." William Brinley signs this deed as a witness ; dated in Shrewsbuiy, Monmouth county. New- York. It appears that this Sarah came from Newport, about the yeax 1676, and bad one patent for land to her in Shrewsbury, Df 2010 acres, and various other large patents ; one of 500 ^cres, " in right of her deceased husband." " Lib. B 2, fol. 165, ) Deed from Jonathan Marsh, of New- « 20 Sept. 1685. ) port, &c., merchant, to Saralji Eeape, Tor a right of Propriety in East Jersey." From the above documents, I find that her husband's (Wil- liam Eeape) will, was dated Ist August, 1€70. " Lib. A, of Wills, page 5, ) Sarah Eeape's Will ;" (by which 7th of Jan. 1715. ) it appears she had a large jstate in Weymouth, Dorsetshire, in Old England. She devises is follows) : — " To my grandson, William Brinley, my house ot, that I bought of the town of Newport, on Ehode Island, vith the housings thereon. And also all my land at Eack Wreck) Pond ; .and unto his three sons, Erancis, William, LITERARY SOCIETY ESTABLISHED. 123 and Thomas, a silver spoon to each, and all my tract of land of about 400 acres, in freehold. To my grand-daughter, Sarah Brinley, feather-beds, &c. ; to my grandson William Brinley, my great silver cup, and all my land that lyeth at Whale Point, and all my right of propriety ; to my grand-daughter, Elizabeth Brinley, a silver spoon, &c. ; to my grandson, William Brinley, youngest son of Eeape Brinley, my lands in Weymouth, in Old England," &c. By her will she must have been very rich. My presumption is, that Francis Brinley, (first) of Newport, had first, Thomas, then a second son, who married a daughter of William and Sarah Eeape, of Newpcft-t, and their son, Wil- liam, emigrated about the year 1685, to Monmouth county, New Jersey, and settled with his grandmother ; he was one of the executors to bis grandmother's will. This William became a man of large possessions, and of mnch note. He is first named on the Records as a yeoman, then esquire, gentleman, and judge. The first grant of lands to him was in 1718 ; and he had many extensive grants of laud besides those devised to him by his grandmother, Sarah. He died about the year 1765, in Shrewsbury. John Brinley appears on the Eeoords, from 1754 to 1774. He died during the Eevolution. Eeape Brinley, heir of William Brinley, and the youngest son, (mentioned in Sarah Eeape's will,) was alive, in Shrewsbury, the lOth August, 1801. His son, Joseph Brinley, lived near Eatontown, in Shrewsbury, a man of considerable property, and a member of our Legislature about 1840. He died about 1843, leaving one child, a daughter. A LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY ESTABLISHED AT NEWPORT. The celebrated Dean, afterwards Bishop Berkley, who re- sided here at the time is thought to have suggested its for- mation. The society was select, and some of its members were 124 BISTORT OP RHODE ISLAND. men of great intellectual power, among whom were Judge Edward Scott, Hon. Daniel Updike, Governor Jonas Lyndon, Dr. John Brett, Hon. Thomas Ward, Hon. William EUery, Rev. James Honeyman, Rev. James Searing, Eev. John Ohickley, Jun., and the Rev. Jeremiah Condy, of Boston. Among the occasional numbers, were Governor Stephen Hopkins, and Samuel Johnson, D.D., afterwards President of Columbia College, New-York, and to this distinguished array af talent the Rev. Elisha Callender also belonged. As this was probably one of the earliest societies of the kind in this ceunlry, we have thought that it might prove interesting to the reader, to subjoin a few extracts from the " Rules and Regulations of the Society." The .original is in the hand- «rriting of Judge Scott. " First Regulation. — The members of this society shall meet, 3very Monday evening, at the house of one of the members, ieriatim, and converse about, and debate, some useful question m divinity, morality, philosophy, history, &c. " Second. — The member who proposes the question, shall be moderator, pro hoc vice, and see that order and decency be maintained in all the debates and conversation. " Fifth. — No member shall divulge the opinions or argu- ments of any particular member, as to any subject debated in the society, on penalty of a perpetual exclusion. Nevertheless, iny member may gratify the curiosity of any that may enquire the names, number, general design, method, and laws of the society, and the opinions, or conclusions of the major part, without discovering how any particular member voted. " Newport, February 2d, 1735.' One of the objects of this society, was the collection of /aluable books. It was subsequently joined by Abraham Redwood, Esq., who gave the sum of five hundred pounds sterling, to increase its Hbrary, on condition that the society would build a suitable edifice. The society obtained a charter from the Colony in 1747, by the name of " The Company of the Redwood Library." Abraham Redwood, was th^ son of Abraham Redwood, formerly of Bristol, England, and Mehitable, his wife, daughter LITERARY SOCIETY ESTABLISHED. 125 of Jonas Langford, of the island of Antigua. At what time they came .to Ehode Island is unknown." Mr. Eedwood died in Newport, in 1772. They belonged to the Society of Friends. Mr. Eedwood, by the death of an elder brother, became sole heir of the large estate of his grandfather, Langford, in Antigua. In 1748, the present classical building was commenced, from a design by Mr. Harrison, the assistant architect of Blenheim House, England. It is renjarked by Dr. Waterhouse, that in architectural taste and costly structure, Newport stood pre- eminent. He says : " Where is there a structure now in New England, that surpasses the Eedwood Library ? We have only to lament its perishable material. If you say that it was copied from an Athenian temple, still there is some credit due to them in selecting, seventy years ago, and relishing so chaste a specimen of Grecian taste." At this period, Newport was the " Athens of America.'' We would suggest that the entrance to the Library be teatored, agreeably to its original design, which was a gate in the centre, leading direct to the steps. It is now in bad taste, and contrary to the rules of architecture. ■ Henry Collins, Esq., proved a noble coadjutor of Mr. Eed- wood, and presented, in June, 1748, to the Company, the lot of land then called Bowling- Green," on which the present edifice now~"8tands. , The building was not completed until 1750 ; a tax of twelve hundred pounds was assessed on the members of the Company, to defray the expense of completing it. The principal library room occupies the whole of the main building, is thirty-seven feet long, twenty-six feet broad, and nineteen feet in height. The present number of volumes is 6,000. The King of England gave to Eedwood Library eighty-four volumes, of which seventy-two are large folios, and twelve octavos, which is said to be the largest collection sent to this country. The entire set has been nearly thirty -five years in the course of pub- lication, and from the great demand for the different works of which it is composed, many of them have b'ecome exceedingly scarce, and some of them are now out of print. They consist of Doom's-day Book, Statutes of the realm, Parliamentary Acts of both England, Scotland, &c. 126 HISTORY OP RHODE ISLAND. The master builders of the library were, Wing Bpooner, Samuel Greene, Thomas Melville, and Isaac Chapman. Abraham Eedwood, of Dorset-place, Mary-le-bone, London, England, gave the homestead place, situated in Newport, to the library. In 1 837, Baron HoUinguer, a distinguished banker,, of Paris, who was Connected by marriage with the Eedwood family, presented the Company one thousand francs, for the restoration of the building. Many other bequests have been made by the friends of literature. , A certain elegant writer, (Dr. Waterhouse,) asserts, " That the founders of Eedwood Library, sowed the seeds of sdence among us, and rendered the inhabitants, if not a more learned, ^et a better read, and more inquisitive people, than that of any other town in the then British Provinces." The late Dr. W. E. Channing, in a discourse delivered in Newport, in 1836, alludes to the neglected condition of the Library, at the period during which he pursued his studies in the town. He says, " I had no Professor to guide me ; but I aad two noble places of study, — one was yonder beautiful sdifiee, now so frequented, and so useful as a public library, then so deserted, that I spent day after day, and sometimes week after week, amidst its dusty volumes, without intemip- ;ion from a single visitor." The other classical spot was Easton's Beach, then eqiially as retired, though now so much frequented. He remarks, in his isual glowing style : " No spot on earth has helped to form me JO much as that beach. There I lifted up my voice in praise, imid the tempest ; there, softened by beauty, I poured out my ;hanksgiving, and contrite confessions. There, in reverential sympathy with the mighty power around me, I became con- icious of power within. There, struggling thoughts and amotions broke forth, as if moved to utterance by nature's sloquence of the winds and waves. There began a happiness iurpassing all woridly pleasure, all gifts of fortune, the happi- less of communing vdth the works of God." As the name of Berkley has been introduced in this connec- ;ion, it may not be amiss to dwell somewhat on his character, which, for moral purity, was unexampled. Berkley was en- iued with great powers of mind, and possessed vast stores of jrudition. His intellectual and moral qualities, inspired to LETTER OF BISHOP BGRELET. 127 form in him a character of high and attractive excellence. The learned Bishop Atterbury said of him, " Bo much inno- cence, and such humihty, I did not think had been the portion 9f any but angels, until I saw this gentleman." Pope, who as 4 friend knew him well, describes him as possessed of " every firtue under Heaven." It was to such society, that Newport was indebted for the intelligence and refinement of manners, which characterized her past history. Berkley was highly prepossessed in favor of Newport, as his letters to his friends plainly show. The following is an extract, from a letter, written by Dean Berkley, to Thomas Prior, Esq. " Newport, on Bhode Island, April 24th, 1729. " I can by this time say something to you, from my own experience, of this place and people. The inhabitants are of a mixed kind, consisting of many sects, and subdivisions of sects. Here are four sorts of Anabaptists, besides Presbyterians, Quakers, Independents, and many of no profession at all. Notwithstanding so many diflferences, here are fewer quarrels about religion than elsewhere, the people Uving peaceably with their neighbors of whatsoever persuasion. They all agree in one point, that the Church of England is the second best. This island is pleasantly laid out in hills and vales, and rising ground ; hath plenty of excellent springs, and fine rivulets, and many delightful landscapes of rocks, and promontories, and adjacent lands. " The town of Newport is the most thriving , place in all America, for business. It is very pretty, and pleasantly situ- ated. I was never more agreeably surprised, than at the first sight of the town and harbor." The following verses wete written by Bishop Berkley, during his residence in Newport, which fact demands their insertion. 128 HISTORV OF RHODE ISLAND. " ON THE PROSPECT OE PLANTING AKTS AND LEARNING IN AMERICA. " The muse disgusted at an age and clime, Barren of every glorious theme j In distant lands, now waits a better time, Produoisg subjects worthy fame. In happy cGmes, where from the genial sun And virgin earth, fresh scenes ensue. The force of art by Nature seem outdone. And fancied beauties by the true. In happy climes, the seat of innocence, Where Nature guides and virtue rules ; Where men shall not impose for truth and sense. The pedantry of Courts and schools. There shall be sung another golden age, • The rise of empire and of arts ; The good and great inspiring epic rage. The wisest heads, and noblest hearts. Not such as Europe breeds in her decay. Such as she bred when fresh and young ; When heavenly flame did animate the clay. By future ages shall be sung. Westward the course of empire takes its way. The four first acts'^already past ; A fifth shall close the drama with the day. Time's noblest ofispring is the last." " The Minute Philosopher" which he penned while he was a resident of Newport, consists of a series of dialogues, involving most of the important topics in debate between Chris- tians and Infidels, the principal arguments by which Christi- anity is defended, and the principal objections with which it has been opposed. In treating on academical study, he remarks, " Academical study may be comprised in two points, reading and meditation. Their reading is chiefly employed on ancient authors, in dead languages ; so that a great part of their time is spent in learn- ing words, which, when they have mastered with infinite pain, what do they get by it ? but old and obsolete notions, which BISHOP BERldLEY's BEQUESTS. 129 are now quite exploded and out of use : then, as to their meditations, what can they possibly be good for ? He that wants the proper materials of thought, may think and meditate for ever to no purpose. Those cobwebs, spun by scholars out of their own brains, being alike unserviceable, either for use or ornament. Proper ideas, or materials, are only to be got by frequenting good company. I know several gentlemen, who, since their appearance in the world, have spent as much time in rubbing o£f the rust and pedantry of a college education, as they had before in acquiring it." — Minute Philosopher, pp. 35, 36. " The weather was so fine, we had a mind to spend the day abroad, and take a cold dinner under a shade in some pleasant part of the country. Whereupon, after breakfast, we went down to a beach, about half-a-mile off, where we walked on the smooth sand, with the ocean on one hand, and on the other, wild broken rocks, intermixed with shady trees and springs of water, till the sun began to be uneasy. "We then withdrew into a hollow glade between two rocks. " Here we felt that sort of joyful instinct which a rural scene inspires, and proposed no small pleasure in resuming and con- tinuing our conference without interruption till dinner. But we had hardly seated ourselves, and looked about iis, when we' saw a fox running by the foot of our mound, in an adjacent thicket. A few moments after we heard a confused noise of the opening of hounds, the winding of horns, and the shouts of the country squires." — Berkley. It must strike the mind of the reader with surprise now that the island is nearly cleared of wood, that such fine sport was enjoyed by the early inhabitants ; but one hundred and twenty-five years have wrought great and surprising changes. The spot which Berkley so graphically describes, is the Hanging Eocks, which was his favorite retreat ; it is near Sachuest Beach, on which he often rambled. It was not far from Whitehall, his former place of residence. The scenery.is highly romantic, and, to a mind like his, was justly appreciated. Bishop Berkley^, during his residence at Newport, augmented the library of Harvard College; by valuable donations of the Latin and Greek classics. To Yale College he presented eight hundred and eighty volumes ; and, on his departure from- 130 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. viewport, he gave the "Whitehall estate, consisting of his mansion md one hundred acres of land, for three scholarships in Latin md Greek. He returned to England in 1733, and died sud- ienly and calmly at Oxford, January 14th, 1753, in the 73d jrear of his age. Bishop Berkley, though an Episcopalian, was no sectarian, IS his public gifts plainly show. He was far in advance of the ige in which he lived, which is evident from the prophetic idsion in his poem, " On the Prospect of Planting Arts and Learning in America." This extraordinary prophecy may be considered only as the result of long foresight and uncommon sagacity ; of a foresight md sagacity stimulated, nevertheless, by exciting feeling and bigh enthusiasm. So clear a vision of what America would become, was not founded on square miles, or on -existing num- bers, or on any vulgar laws of statistics. It was an intuitive glance into futurity ; it was a grand- conception, strong, ardent, glowing, embracing all time since the creation of the world, . and all regions of which that world is composed ; and, judging of the future by just analogy with the past. And the inimit- able imagery and beauty with which the thoughtiis expressed, joined to the conception itself, render it one of the most strik- ing passages in the language. Could he have lived to this day, to witness the rapid strides which have been made westward, until the Pacific Ocean has been reached, and cities planted by American enterprize, it would have rejoiced his benevolent heart. And it should be matter of exultation and pride to every American, that repub- lican principles are destined to exert a moral, and political influence over this vast continent, -i^fothing short of the power of God, has wrought such stupendous changes, in so short a period of time. The high encomium passed on the state of ^society in New- port, by Bishop Berkley, was highly honorable and commen- datory, and should influence the inhabitants to cherish a spirit of mutual forbearance and kindness, toward one another. His mind was not circumscribed and limited to self; he took a broad and comprehensive view of things, and believed that good would ever spring up out of evil. He remarks that " men of narrow capacities, and short sight, being able to see BIOGBAPHT OF BISHOP BERKLET. 131 no further than one link in a chain of consequences, are shocked at small evils, whiah attend upon vice. But thpsu who can enlarge their views, and look through a long series of events, may behold happiness resulting from vice, and good springing out of evil, in a thousand instances." — Minute P/ulosopher. " The Eev. George Berkley, D. D., was bom and educated in Ireland, being of an English family, who had settled there in the time of the Stuarts. His native place was Eilcrin, in the county of Kilkenny, where he was born in 1684. In his youth, like his friend Oglethrope, he was patronized by the Earl of Peterborough, who had an instinct for discovering and bringing forward men of different orders of talent. Berkley was also the intimate friend and companion of Pope, Dean Swift, and Sir Bichard Steele, for the latter of whom he wrote several pieces for his periodical, called " The Guardian." " Displaying at an early age great literary abilities, Berkley soon gained a high reputation in the learned world, by several of those works which still entitle him to be classed among the most profound and original inquirers into the philosophy of mind and the first principles of knowledge. His first work, written before he was twenty years of age, was on mathematics. This was followed at various periods, among other writings, by his " Essay towards a new theory of Vision ^" " Principles of Human Knowledge," and " Alciphron, or liie Minute Philo- sopher," the latter of which was written dnring his residence in Newport, Ehode Island. v " This great public benefactor was jH-omoted in 1734, through the patronage of Queen Caroline, to the £ishopric of Oloyne, and resided in that diocese until July, 1752, when he removed to Oxford, to superintend the education of his son. " He had three sons and a daughter. In person he was stout, and well made, his face was benignant and expressive, and his manners elegant, engaging, and enthusiastic. In the latter part of his life he continued his literary labors, and pub- lished various of his writings. His " Minute Philosopher," written as we have mentioned during his residence at Newport, Ehode Island, was published in 1732. " His remains were interred in Christ Church, Oxford, and an elegant monument was erected to his memory by his widow." —New York Atlas. 132 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. ELEGANT COUNTKY AND TOWN REaiDENCES. As Newport increased in wealth and prosperity, many of her eminent citizens turned their attention to the erection of town and country residences ; the most splendid of which, was that erected by Ool. Godfrey Malborn, about one mile from the State House. It was commenced in 1744, and was some time in the course of completion. . It was sixty-four feet front, and fifty-two in depth, and was pronounced the most splendid edi- fice in all the Colonies. The materials of which it was built was Connecticut stone. It was two stories high, with a double- pitched room, dormer windows, with a cupola, which fcom- manded an extensive view of the ocean, and Narraganset Bay. In architectural style, it is said to have resembled the State House. The fifteen steps leading to the hall were spacious, and standing as the building did on elevated ground, gave to it an imposing appearance. The interior is said to have been equally as grand. The doors were of mahogany, as well as the elegant finished circular stair-way, which led to the attic. An aged gentleman, of Newport, remarked to the author, " that the cost of the stair-way alone, he had heard his father say, was equal to the expense of building the Brenton House, now owned and occupied by Simmons 8. Coe, Esq., in Thames-street. The estimated expense of this palace, for it well deserves the appel- lation, was one hundred thousand dollars. The farm consisted of upwards of six hundred acres, extend- ing north to Coddington's Cove. The garden, which lay direct in front of the mansion, with natural embankments, embracing as it did ten acres, was enchantingly laid out, with graveled walks, and highly ornamented with box, fruits of the rarest and choicest kinds, flowers, and shrubbery of every description. Three artificial ponds, with the silver fish sporting in the water, wave to the place the most romantic appearance. We have sften fancied to ourselves, in our youthful days, when seated on the high flight of steps which led to the spacious hall of this princely 'mansion, and which commanded an extensive view of the beautiful bay of Newport, of the magnificent state in which Ool. Malborn must have lived, far beyond any thing of the present day. It is one thing to have wealth, and another to COUNTRY SEAT OF COL. G. MALBORN. 133 kno'w how, and in what manner to appropriate it. There was, at this period, sublime conception and taste, which enabled the gentleman to beautify and adorn the island. No situation could possibly exhibit a scene more diversified and pleasing than this ; here the eye wandered from one beauty, to another more enchanting, and when it seemed to have discovered a still more superior view, the slightest glance pre- sented another, if possible more inviting and wonderful, — apparently raised by the power of magie to captivate the astonished beholder. This seat was once the resort of all the gay, and great ones of the island, and has been the scene of many a splendid banquet and joyous festivals. " Heue, if eome irand'njig wretch, the child of fate Told his 8a4 tale, and hambly ask'd lelie^ No sariy menial drore him from the gate, Humanity beguiled the tear of ^o£ The well-l£Down bench the moss will over-creep, And where onch rose in gay luxuriance hung, — Bade tangling weeds will proud dominion keep, And nettles group the ^t where blossoms sprung. Wild berries elusCring on its straggling thorn, Will then remain, to mark the shrubb'ry's bound ; O'er-grown with weeds, the solitary lawn, To mem'ry seanee will prove its high renown. The dreary thought my sirring iieart appals, And trembling 1 quit the fancied gloom Alas ! like this, each human fabric falls. And gradual sinks oblivions in the tomb. Majestic ruin ! noble in decay, — Thy fame shall lire, when thou art sunk away." On June 7th, 1766, this elegant dwelling was entirely con- sumed by fire. The Colonel had a large party at dinner. It was a calamity to be deplored. His name, however, has become immortalized by the erection of this magnificent structure, with the garden attached, which still bears the name of " Malborn's Garden," though but little remains beside the artificial ponds. 134 mSTORY OF EHODE ISLAND. Saturday dinners were alternately given among the principal families, and continued until the death of Prancis Brinley, Esq. One principal dish, which was served up on the occasion, was dun-fiih,& very choice article. Thomas Brinley, Esq., informed the author, that they cost at that day, as high as ten dollars per quintal. The process of cooking them was quite different from the ordinary mode now pursued ; they were placed in soak pver night, then taken out and sewed up in a napkin, and simply simmered over the fire ; tbey were then served up whole, with melted butter and boiled eggs. A variety of other dishes went to make up the entertainment. It was on one of these occasions, that the blacks in the kitchen of Col. Malborn, through carelessness, permitted the wood-work above the fireplace to take fire, and being destitute «f brains, did not at once throw on a bucket of water, which would have extinguished it'. It spread so rapidly, that before the engines arrived from Newport, it was enveloped in a sheet of flame, and beyond their power to check its progress ; its walls crumbled and fell. It has been stated that the Colonel bore his loss with much sang-froid, but this tradition we do not believe. A ridiculous statement was made in a small work, published a few years since, that Mrs. Malborn, for fear that her rich and costly furniture would be injured, prohibited the firemen from entering the house. Now, the presumption is, that Mrs. Malborn, like all other ladies, was so much terrified, as not to dictate on this occasion, but to make her exit from the burning house with all possible dispatch, and hence save her life The wealthy portion of Newport, in those days, lived in epicurean style ; perhaps there was no place in the Colonies, that could vie with thejn in the magnificence of their public entertainments. It was Old-English hospitality, — when the wine was passed round after dinner, and then followed " the feast of reason, and the flow of soul." The town-house of Col Malborn, which is yet standing in Newport, was a splendid habitation. It is an ancient brick building, and has an imposing appearance with its portico, double flight of lofty steps, and its heavy and highly ornamental iron gate and railings. On the gate-posts were placed stone pine-apples, and the iron ruling around the portico, bore the FIRST FIEE ENGINE. 135 jiitials G. M. in the centre. The interior also presented many vestiges of its former splendor, in its gilded cornices and panel ■work, and its mantels of rich marble. A splendid hall, with a noble flight of circular stairs, reaching to the attic, displayed the fine taste of its owner. Does the reader ask, where is this building ? Alas ! the hand of modern vandalism has shorn it of its former splendor ; it is now but an ordinafy building, and scarcely noticed. Mr. Malborn added much to the interest of the place, and was generous in all his public acts. It is said that he once re- marked, " What will not money buy ?" — ^being a man of ordi- nary appearance, a wag standing near, overheard the remark, and was disposed to have some sport. He penned the follow- ing lines, and stuck them up where they could be seen and read : " All the money in the place, Won't bay Old Malbora a handsome face." This highly exasperated Col. Malborn, whereupon he offered a reward of ten guineas to find out the author. The real author came forward, and frankly acknowledged it. It is said, that the Colonel was so much amused with the joke, that he paid him the reward, and treated him in the bargain. Com- merce expands the mind, and liberahzea the heart. The site formerly occupied by Mr. Malborn's house, after a period of eighty-four years, has been improved by J. Prescott Hall, Esq., of New- York, who has erected a house for a sum- mer residence, but the glory has departed. Mr. Hall's mother waB the daughter of Peter Mumford, Esq., of Newport, and his wife being a Ehode Island lady, daughter of the late Hon. James CWolf, of Bristol, has attached him ■to Newport. FIRE-ENGINE, No. 1,— MILL-STKEET. Engine No. 1, was the gift of Col. Godfrey Malborn. It was manufactured by Newsham and Eagg, of London, in the year 136 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAUD. , 173.6 With the exception of the box, it remains the same, and is pronounced as perfect a specimen of the kind, as is to be met with, even in this day of improvement. Judge Bowler, like most of the wealthy merchants of that period, had his town and country residence. The former is now the Vernon Mansion, corner of Clarke and Mary-streets, and ie certainly a beautiful specimen of architecture. And the latter, the farm, now occupied and belonging to the heirs of Isaac Chase, in Portsmouth, which then contained an elegant garden, filled with every description of fruits and flowers, with artificial ponds, &c.,at present is nothing more than an ordinary place. Mr. Bowler married, in 1750, Ann Fairchild, of Newport, and left a number of descendants. Vaucluse, the residence of the late Samuel Elam, Esq., he inherited from his uncle, Jarvis Elam, who resided on the place for many years before his death. Samuel was an EngUsh gentleman of the old school, and the taste which he displayed in laying out, and embellishing his grounds, is evidence; of the truth of the remark. His style of Uving was profuse, and he could well afford it, for his income was large, and fully ade- quate to keep up such an establishment. On occasions, when he gave large dinner parties to his friends, the choicest viands graced his table, as well as superior wines and liquors, of which he was a connoisseur. Many were the entertainments given at Vaucluse, in which the guesjis were treated with sumptuous hospitality. His equipage was after the English style, with postillion and footman. He had his town as well as country residence ; and, on bank days, (for he was President of the Rhode Island Union Bank,) he uniformly took dinner at Newport. An old female domestic, Marcy Sambo, took charge of the house, and provided for the occasion. He was a Quaker, and wore the peculiar garb of that sect, and contributed to the society. He was a gentleman of strong prejudices, but whenever he took a fancy to an individual, he was most strongly devoted. Many an anecdote is related of him, which goes to corroborate the truth of the remark. His port and carriage was truly dignified and noble. His property fell to a nephew, residing in England, who came over to America, and disposed of his whole estate : NEWPORT THE EMFOEIUM OF FASHION. 137 and he immediately returned home, his taste being different from that of his uncle's. Vauoluse is now the property of Thomas E. Harard, Esq., and is certainly the most interesting spot on the island. The garden contains seventeen acres, most elegantly laid out, including a labyrinth, with serpentine walks, a fit emblem of ancient Troy. The walks are spacious, and running in different directions, presents a charming and picturesque scenery, and such as a highly cultivated mind would justly appreciate. The farm consists of about one hundred and fifty acres, scientifically cultivated. Mr. Harard is a practical farmer; every thing indicates system and proper management, and a walk over his exteijsive grounds, would soon convince the reader, that we have not too highly colored the picture; Many other beautiful residences were to be found on the island, in her palmy days ; the Overing, Bannister, &c., which shows the taste of the inhabitants at that interesting period. Many of the inhabitants were from the first femilies in Eng- land, and Newport was regarded not only for her commercial importance, but as the emporium of fashion, refinement, and taste. ■ " This aristocratic trait of character has continued among her inhabitants to the present day." The writer from whom we have made this extract, says, " But the change of popula- tion, and the death, dispersion, and poverty of those famiUes, has now reduced society more conformable to the general republican manners of the country, and has levelled those arbitrary distinctions, which once so generally prevailed." Now the views here entertained of the aristocracy of Newport, being based on wealth, and the loss of wealth levelling.those distinctions, is not founded in fact. The aristocracy of New- port rested on a sub-stratum more durable. It was intellect, and refinement of manners, which made the broad distinction in society. The mere boor, with no other recommendation than money, his society was not courted ; while many, whose pecuniary means were limited, were held in high estimation for their moral and intellectual acquirements. This was the peculiar characteristic which distinguished the age, and which outweighed every minor consideration. " Worth then made the man,not money — the want of it the fellow j The rest iras all hot leather or prunella," 138 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. We wage no crusade against wealth, provided it be justly acquired, and judiciously appropriated. But when it is made the idol, and used as an instrument of power, it then becomes a curse ; and induces many to obtain it in the most fraudulent manner, in order that their respectability may be secured. It is truly painful, when we reflect, that man can be so besotted with gold, which will perish with the using ; and arrogate so much self-importance, when there is evidently a want of intel- lectual ballast, which renders them pitiful objects w contemplate. " There's not a day, but to the man of thought, Betrays some secret, — that throws new reproach On life, and makes him sick of seeing man." In 1768, the ship Endeavor, commanded by Capt. James Dook, sailed from England for the South Seas, having on joard Sir Joseph Banks, &c., for the purpose of observing the ;ransit of Venus over the Sun's disk, which took place on the 1th of June, 1769. After making the observation at Otaheite, Dapt. Cook proceeded south, and having made many discoveries, ■eturned, by the way of the Oap^of Good Hope, to England, n 1771. She was subsequently engaged in the whaling busi less, and put into Newport, in consequence of the war betweep England and Prance, where she was condemned. She was hen sold for the benefit of the underwriters, to Capt. John Dahoone, and his brother, Stephen, (father of Benjamin J. Oa- loone, Esq., of the United States' navy,) who were building a lacket called the Concord, and the materials which were found uitable were worked in. For many years the lower part of ler hull lay on Cahoone's shore, at the south part of the town. [t has long since disappeared, having been manufactured into sanes, boxes, &c., as curiosities. William Gilpin, Esq., has in lis possession the crown, taken, from her stern. CUNDALL'S MILLS. The fanciful name now employed is the " Glen." "We prefer, lowever, the original name, as being associated with many iterestiug events. It is now the property of the lion. Samuel cundall's mills. 139 Clarke, who married Barbary, the daughter of the late Joseph Cundall, Esq., of Portsmouth. Judge Clarke furnished the author with the subjoined facts : » " The earliest notice of the Cundall family in my possession is, an indenture of apprenticeship of Joseph Cundall, son of widow Cundall, of Bruntloff, in the county of York, England ; said indenture is dated ' first day of ye first month, called March, in the fifth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady Queen Anne, A. D. 1706.' As the term of tijne required to learn a trade was seven years at least, it may be supposed that said Joseph Cundall was born about 1692. Said Joseph Cun- dall erected, or purchased, a small fulling-mill, where a stone factory now stands, in which to dress woolen cloths, &c., and purchased a third of a dwelling house, in the north-east corner of Hunting Swamp, (where sportsmen resorted for game) ; said house stood on the south side of the highway, nearly opposite the residence of what was then Abraham Anthony's, who was Town Clerk of the town of Portsmouth. At this house, the wife of said Joseph Cundall died, on the 3rd day of June, 1745. Said Joseph Cundall purchased, of James Sisson, the farm, long called Cundall's Homestead. It contained forty-six acres, with a fulling-mill, and other buildings thereon." The farm at present consists of one hundred and forty acres. The descendants now living are Isaac Cundall, Samuel B., and Mary, the wife of Perrin Burdick, merchant, of Newport, and Barbary, the wife of Judge Clarke, who resides at the place. On Christmas-eve, December 24th, , a violent snow storm occurred, in which Mr. Cundall, on leaving his mill for home, perished, having lost his way. Cundall's Mills is one of the most romantic spots on the island, and has become a general resort of strangers, who visit Newport in summer, to enjoy the salubrity of its climate, and its picturesque scenery. The walk through the shady bower of trees, which opens to the east passage, with Tiverton aild Little Compton in view, is a rural scene, at once grand and imposing, suited to convey a just appreciation of the enjoyment of retirement, over the busy whirlpool of fashion. The stream of water, which propels the small fulling-mill, adds beauty and sublimity to the scene. It flows on uninter- ruptedly in its course, agreeably to the language of the poet : — 140 HISTORT OF RHODE ISLAND. " How steadily thou murmareat on, thou tangled little stream, That stealthily in this deep glen hides — ^from the day's broad beam ; Small birds are singing near thee, green branches wave on high, — But neither breeze, nor bird's glad song, thy murm'ring may put by." LAWTON'S VALLBT, This valley, or guUey, as it was once called, is situated on the west side of the island, in the town of Portsmouth;^ This is a delightful retreat in summer ; blooming wild weeds hang laxuri- antly in waving wreaths from innumerable impending projections of rock. Many beautiful vagrant rills gently steal through va- rious crevices, while some, impeded in their course by rude frag- ments of stone, impetuously break a passage, and precipitate the sparkling foam down the declivity, till it pauses in the many windings of a gentle stream. It is sublimely beautiful to contemplate this wild luxuriance of prolific nature. No spot furnishes more inviting rides and walks than the island of Ehode Island, and to the mind of perception and taste, is presented a wide field for contemplation on the beauties of nature. The entrance to this rural retreat, is situated about midway of the road running west from the Union Meeting-house, near the bridge, known as Cuff's bridge. Cuff was an old family negro, belonging to the Lawton family. His residence was a small cottage at the base of the hill, near the bridge. • The old cellar is all that remains to mark the spot. We well remember his coming to market, in his old-fashioned coat, with the produce of his small plantation. These reminiscences afford pleasure and delight, far beyond anything of the present day. This portion of the island is very interesting, and to one who prefers solitude to the vortex of fashion, presents attractions of a highly interesting character. COUNT SEGUIN'S VIEWS ON SEEING NEWPORT. " Other parts of America were only beautiful by anticipation, but the prosperity of Ehode Island was already complete ; COUNT sequin's views on seeing NEWPORT 141 industry, cultivation, activity of trade, were all carried to great perfection. " Newport, well and ^regularly built, contained a nijinerous ' population, whose happiness was indicated by its prosperity It offered delightful circles, composed of enlightened men and modest and handsome women, whose talents heightened their personal attractions. All the French oiBcers who knew them, recollect the names and beauty of Miss ChampUn, the two Misses Hunter, and several others. " Like the remainder of my companions, I rendered them homage, to which they were justly entitled, but my longest visits were paid to an old man, very silent, who very seldom bared his thoughts, and never bared his head. His gravity and monosyllabic conversation announced at first that he was a Quaker. It must however be confessed, in spite of all the veneration I felt for his virtues, our first interview would pro- bably have been our last, had not I seen the door of the draw- ing-room suddenly open, and a being which resembleda nymph rather than a woman, enter the apartment. Bo much beauty, so much simplicity, so much, elegance, and so much modesty, were perhaps never combined in the same person. It was Polly Leighton, (the way it was then pronounced, but it was always spelt Lawton,) the daughter of my grave Quaker. Her gown was white, like herself, while her ample muslin necker- chief, and the .envious cambric of her cap, which scarcely allowed me to see her light^colored hair, and the modest attire, in short, of a pious virgin, seemed vainly to endeavor to conceal the most graceful figure, and the most beautiful form imaginable. Her eyes appeared to reflect, as in a mirror, the meekness and purity of her mind, and the goodness of her heart ; she received us with an open ingenuity which delighted me, and the use of the familiar word ' thou,' which the rules of her sect prescribed, gave to our acquaintance the appearance of an old friendship. " In our conversation she excited my surprise, by the candor, full of originality, of her questions : " ' Thou bast, then,' she said, ' neither vnfe nor children in Europe, since thou leavest thy country, and comest so far to engage in that cruel occupation, war ?' " ' But it is for your welfare,' I replied, ' that I quit all I i42 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. held dear, and it is to defend your liberty that I come to fight the English.' " ' The English,' she rejoined, ' have done thee no harm, and wherefore shouldst thou care about our liberty ? We ought never to interfere iu other people's business, unless it be to reconcile them together, and prevent the eflfusion of blood.' " ' But,' said I, ' my king has ordered me to come here, and engage his enemies, and your own.' " ' Thy king, then, orders thee to do a thing which is unjust, inhuman, and contrary to what thy God ordereth. Thou shouldst obey thy G-od and disobey thy king, for he is a king to preserve, and not to destroy. I am sure that thy wife, if she has a good heart, is of my opinion.' " "What could I reply to that angel ? for, in truth, I was tempted to believe that she was a celestial being. Certain it is, that, if I had not been married and happy, I should, whilst Boming to defend the liberty of the Americans, have lost my own, at the feet of Polly Leighton. " The impression produced upon me by this charming girl, was so diflferent from what is experienced in the gay vortex of the world, that; as a natural consequence, it diverted my mind, at least for a time, from all idea of concerts, ftt^s, and balls. " However, the ladies of Newport had acquired strong claims upon our gratitude, by the kind reception they had honored ub withj and by the favorable opinion they expressed of our com- panions in arms, whose absence they deeply regretted ; we resolved to give them a magnificent ball and supper, a step not dictated by ^absolute prudence, since we were only seven or eight oflicers, ten leagues distant from our army. " Long Island, which was occupied by our enemies, was not Far from Newport ; and we were told that the English priva- teers sometimes made their appearance on the coast. Such being the case, and the report of our ftte having got abroad, they might have paid us a visit, and rather strangely disturbed Dur jovial party. This apprehension, however, appeared to us quite unfounded, and I quickly sent for some musicians belong- ing to the regiment of Soissonnais Desoteux. Desoteux, who since acquired some celebrity during our revolution, as a leader af ' Chpuans,' under the name of Comartin, took upon himself, assisted by Vauban, to make the necessary preparations for the THE WARD FAMILY. 143 ball and supper, whilst we went about town, distributing our invitations. " The little ftte was one of the prettiest I have ever wit- nessed ; it was adorned by beauty, and cordiality presided over the reception and entertainment of the guests. But Polly Leighton could not be present, and I cannot deny that this cir- cumstance occasionally cast a gloom over my spirits. " Time glided on so agree'ably at Newport, that we were not anxious to return to our tents, and, relying upon the indulgence of our General, we exceeded by a few days the leave of absence he had given us. , But M. De Eochambeau, who knew all the importance of a strict adherence to discipline, dispatched positive orders for us to join immediately our respective regi- ments ; we therefore reluctantly quitted Newport, and quickly returned to our head quarters, which were at Providence, and which, at that period, contained three thousand inhabitants." — Cownt SeguvfCs Memoirs. Polly Leighton, or Lawton, lived in the house, corner of Spring and "Washington-square, now Touro, changed in honor of Abraham Touro, Esq., for his noble bequest. Count Seguin's vivid description of Newport, cannot fail to convince the reader, of the justness of the high-wrought enco- miums which have been passed upon her, by those who well knew her past history. There were acknowledged leaders of the ton, and their elegant and polished manners, with minds intelligent and cultivated, combined to draw around them the elite of the capital, and to render their mansions a most attrac- tive place of resort. Entertainments of every description was the order of the day, and the prominent fashionables were emulous in gaiety. Newport gave the ton to the surrounding country, who looked to them for fashions and manners, previous to the revolution. THE WAED FAMILY. As this family held a high rank, and occupied an important position in the early history of Newport, we have felt called 144 HISTORY OP RHODE ISLAND. upon to chronicle the interesting part which they took in the political drama. The first of this family who came to Ehode Island, was Thomas Ward, who came from Glo'ster, in England, to New- port, where he married and settled. His father, John Ward, afterwards came over, and died in 1693. Thomas "Ward died the same year, aged 48 years. Kichard Ward, the son of Thomas, was bom in April, 1689. He was elected, in 1714, General-Eecorder, or Secretary of the Colony, and held the office till 1733. In 1740, he was elected Deputy- Governor ; and, on the death of Governor Wanton, was appointed by the General-Assembly to the office of Gover- por for the remainder of the year. In 1741-2, he was re-elected by the people to the same office. He died at Newport, 2l8t August, 1 763, leaving a numerous issue ; among his sons were Samuel Ward, who was Governor of the Colony, in 1762 — 65 ; Thomas Ward, who died in 1760, was fourteen years Secretary of the Colony, and Henry Ward, who was Secretary from 1750 until his death in the year 1797, a period of thirty-eight years. Many of the descendants are now living in New- York, highly respectable ; — E. E. Ward, Esq., John Ward, and Samuel Ward. The year 1758 is rendered memorable in the history of Ehode Island, as opening the great political drama of Messrs. Samuel Ward and Stephen Hopkins. Mr. Hopkins at the time filled the chair of the chief magis- trate, and Mr. Ward entered the field to contend vrith him for that honor. The office, at this period, was held in high esti- mation in Ehode Island. Mr. Ward was the favorite candidate of the South, and received the almost undivided support of the mercantile interest ; while Mr. Hopkins was as warmly sup- ported by the yeomanry of the North ; and was again reelected the three succeeding years. In 1762, Mr. Ward was elected, but was defeated the fol- lowing year, and Mr. Hopkins elected. The strife of political party raged with increasing violence, until such was the heart- burning hostility of the belligerent parties, as very greatly to impair the enjoyment of domestic tranquillity, and interrupt the hospitalities of social life. In 1763, the office of Deputy- Governor was vacated by the STRUGGLE FOE. OFFICE BETWEEN WARD AND' HOPKINS. , 145 death of the Hon. John Gardiner, who then filled that place. On the meeting of the General Assembly, Mr. Hopkins and friends proposed that Mr. Ward be invited to fill that oflBce, and that he be elected by the Asseinbly,- then in session. Ac- cordingly, a committee waited on Mr. "Ward with this propo sition, which was indignantly rejected, and a message returned, embracing the only conditions of peace, viz. : " that both rival candidates, at the ensuing election, relinquish their pretensions and retire from the field." Another proposition was then submitted by the House of Assistants, to Mr. Ward, to induce him to accept that office ; that five, or one-half of that body, would cheerfully resign their seats in favor of an equal number of his friends, and the division of the spoils of offices should be equally divided between the parties at the approaching election. This proposition was too humiliating for the Spartan spirit of Mr. Ward, consequently, it was as unpropitious as the former one ; and he returned for answer, " that no peace could be expected, while Mr. Hopkins was in the chair ;" — but repeated his willingness to relinquish his pretensions, on condition that Mr. Hopkins would do the same. Other overtures were made to Mr. Ward, but without success, and both parties prepared to enter the field, with fixed and settled resolution. The friends of Mr. Hopkins triumphed, and he was again elected ; but the following spring he suffered a defeat, and Mr. Ward and friends were covered with laurels of political glory, which they were permitted to wear the two succeeding years. At the opening of the spring campaign, in 1667, Mr. Hop' kins' party, having been recruited and drilled for the conflict entered the field, with a firm determination to oust the incum bents ; and achieved a victory, leaviiig Mr. Ward minus four hundred and fourteen. This was the last pitched battle between the belligerent parties. At the October session of the General Assembly, overtures of peace were again made by Governor Hopkins to Mr. Ward, which were soon followed by a cessation of hostilities, and finally resulted in a reconciliation of the parties.^ This propo- sition, highly honorable to Mr. Hopkins, was as follows, viz. : that Mr. Ward and friends, should nominate a Governor from those in the interest of Mr. Hopkins ; and these should 146 HISTORY OP KHODE ISLAND. nominate a Deputy-Governor from among the friends of Mr. Ward, and so forth, alternately, with the whole council ; or if Mr. "Ward and friends decline the nomination, his Honor, and those associated with him, will nominate a Governor from among the friends of Mr. Ward, and so on as before. Preli- minaries were soon entered into by both parties at Providence, and a treaty of peace was finally concluded at Newport, March 29th, 1768. Newport being the capital of the State, it is really gratifying to learn of the chivalry which she displayed in behalf of Mr. Ward, her favorite candidate. The venerable Moses Brown has said, " that the violent hostility between these rival candi- dates grew out of a private feud, which had long existed between William Wanton and E. Ward, and that to this cause alone was the political war waged for so long a period." At that day, however, a greater freedom of opinion was manifest ; parties were not afraid to shew their colors ; the chain had not then been forged to bind the human mind, and crush, the intellectual power of man in the dust. There was a pride of character, then possessed by the inhabitants of Newport, which we wojild feign flatter ourselves may be revived. These gentlemen were again soon called from the peaceful quiet of domestic retreat, to enter the field, as friends, to con- tend for the rights of the Colonies, against the encroachments of British power ; and engaged in the cause of American free- dom, when one soul animated each heart. They were among the first who fearlessly stood forth in defence of the rights of their country. That they fully enjoyed the confidence of their fellow-oirizens, both as patriots and statesmen, is demonstrated in their choice to represent them in the first Continental Congress. Mr. Hopkins' name, with that of William Ellery, stands inscribed on the proudest monument of fame — The Declaration of American Independence ; — and, though Mr. Hopkins' hand trembled, owing to a paralytic stroke, his heart never. The following inscription appears'on his tombstone, which has a rich coat of arms emblazoned on its head : THE HARARD FAMILY, 147 This Monament is erected to the Memory of The Honorable EICHAED WAED, Esq., latb govbknor of the colony. He was early in life Employed in the Public Serriee, And for many years Famished some of tlie most Important Offices For the Colony, With great ability and repntation. He was a Member of the Sabbatarian Church of the Tom, And adorned the doctrine of his Saviour, By a sincere and steady practice Of the various duties of life. He died on the 21st day of August, 176S, la the 7Bth year of his age. THE HAEARD FAMILY. The Harards were descended from Thomas Harard, who «migrated from -Wales, about the year 1639, to the Jerseys, and from thence to Ehode Island, and settled in Portsmouth in 1640. His son, Eobert, at that time about four years old, oame with him, and was the only son that did so, as far as can be ascertained. The eldest son of Eobert was Thomas, who ■died in 1745, aged 92. His children were Eobert, George, Jeremiah, Benjamin, Stephen, Jonathan, and Thomas. From these sons a numerous issue have descended, and maijy of them distinguished men. George Harard, mentioned above in the record, was the son of Thomas, who was Lieutenant-Governor of the Colony in the years 1734, 5, 6, 7, and 8, and great-grandson of the first eettlers, who died in South Kingston. George, the youngest, early settled in Newport, as a merchant, and was elected a representative to the General Assembly from that town, for many years. He was the only Mayor of Newport under the city charter, in 1784, and held other honorable and responsible oflBces in the State. He died at Newport, August 11th, 1797. Nathaniel Harard, third son of Mayor George, was a repre- fientative in the General Assembly for several years, and was 148 HISTORY or RHODE ISLAND, Speaker of the House. In 1818, he was elected a representa- tive to Gongress. He died in "Washington, and was interred in the Congressional burying-ground. " The late Hon. Benjamin Harard was a profound lawyer, and represented his native town, Newport, in the General Assembly for thirty-one years, and, of course, was subjected to the ordeal of sixty-two popular elections, a singular proof of the enlightened stability of hia constituents, of his general high desert, and- his peculiar fitness for this important office. This fact, independent of all others, entitles him to claim rank as a distinguished man, and, as it were, demonstrates the possession of those impressive and useful qualities, whose combination render character at once eminent and enduring. " His knowledge of the affairs of the State was far more extensive than that of any othei- man, and his attachment to her interest and prosperity was unbounded. Governor James Fenner once said, ' Mr. Harard, you are in ervery respect a Bhode Island man;' this was a high encomium,, and well merited, Mr. Harard's course of reading and of study, operat- ing Upon a mind of genuine native strength, and coafimning and justifying a native steadiness of will, (the gertn and guaran- tee of greatness,) gave to all his literary efforts and political proceedings, an air and cast of briginality. In the middle and latter periods of his professional career, he was employed in most of the important lawsuits of the day, both in the Courts af the State, and the United St3,tesJ'~^Updike^» Histori/ of the Narragansett Chitreh. A block of wood, from the house built by Governor William Ooddington, was procured by "W. A. Clarke, Esq;, cashier of the bank of Ehode Island, and is now usfed to cancel notes. In 1772, King, now Franklin, and Pelham-streets, were paved, from the proceeds of lotteries grarsted for that purpose. On the 16th of July, a packet, from Newport to Providence, ,vith a number of passengers, was captured near the north end )f Prudence, by st refugee-boat, with eight men. On its being known at Newport, a packet was manned by volunteers, under Dapt. Webster, who succeeded in recapturing the vessel, before she could be got to sea, and brought her in, together with fivef )f the men belonging to the boat. We presume that this wa» Capt, Nicholas Webster, who- was 149 for many years a very successful packet-master ; he was grand- father of the wife of James Atkinson, Esq., publisher of the " Advertiser." On the 13th of July, a most distressing accident took place in Newport ; a pleasure party, consisting of five young men, and thirteen young women, while on their way to Canoniout Island, in a two mast boat, were upset in a squall, and one of the young men, and six young women were drowned ; the remainder of the party were rescued by a boat in sight. The names of those lost were John Stall, Betsy and Lydia Hockey, daughters of William Hockey, Polly Spooner, Betsy Allen, Nabby Stanton, and Suckey Hefferon. Matthew Cozzens, an eminent merchant, built the house, commonly called the Dudley House, in Middletown. FRANKLIN'S PRINTING PRESS. The history of Franklin's press is this : — James Franklin, elder brother of Dr. Benjamin, imported, in 1720, a press and type, for the purpose of carrying on the " Art and business of Printing." He soon after issued the first number of the " New England Courant," the second paper published in America. His brother Benjamin became his apprentice, and was employed in distributing copies to his customers, after having assisted in composing and working them off. The publisher of the Cou- rant having given offence to the Assembly, the paper was suppressed, and he removed his office to Newport. Here he first published the " Ehode Island Gazette," and shortly after (1758,) established the " Newport Mercury." The press was used as long as it was serviceable. lit is now honored as the one on which Dr. Franklin worked, when learning his trade ; and as giving to the world his first effusions, in the form of anonymous letters, printed in the " Gourant." It still remains in the printing office of the " Newport Mercury." Amidst the changes which have occurred in Newport, many of which are of a most painful character, there are, nevertheless, some estates, which have remained in the famiUes from the early 150 , HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND, settlement of the Island, and some prior to the American Revo^ lution. It may prove interesting to the reader to be informed on this subject. The Overing property has continued to the present period, in the hands of the heirs, Oahoone, Freebody, Hockey, Job Cornell, Webber, John Stephens, Martin Howard, comer of Malborou^ and Thames-street, Jonathan T. Almy, and the Marsb Estate, which deed was given by Governors Walter Clark, Bull, and Carr, from the early settlement. In Portsmouth, the farm of Burrington Anthony, Esq., has been in the family from the period of the settlement, as well a& the Mott, Coggeshall, Sisson, &c. Caleb Carr was a native^ of Scotland, and came to Ehode Island, but the precise time is not known ^ he was a large owner of land in the towns of Newport and Jamestown,, some of which is held by his descendants, together with the ferry, as originally granted to him, and have since remained in the family. He held various offices in the Colony, and was Governor here in 1695, and died before the expiration of that political year. His tomb-stone is still legible, and lies in the Carr burial ground, in Newport, which ground was sequestered, and given by him ibr that us©. It contains the following inscrij^on ; Here lies the body of CALEB CAER, Governor of this Colony, who departed this life, the 17th day of December, in the 73d year of his age, in the year 1695. He left three sons, John, Nicholas, and Samuel. John settled n Newport ; Nicholas, in Jamestown ; and Samuel, on Long [sland. John, the eldest, died in Newport, 1717j leaving four ions, Samuel, Caleb, Eobert, and Frances. Samuel, the oldest, lettled and died in Newport, 1740, leaving four sons, Caleb, Samuel, Ebenezer, and John. Samuel, the second son, settled n Newport, afterwards removed to Jamestown, and died 1796, eaving two sons, Samuel and Ebenezer. Samuel, the oldest, tettled in Newport, and died 1814, leaving four sons and one laughter, who owned the Ferry Estate, which descended to him, n a regular line, from Caleb Carr, to whom the first grant was jiven for a ferry between Newport and Jamestown, by an Act )f the Assembly of Ehode Island. It is still in the poasession )f the grandchildren of Samuel Carr. THE ARTISTS OP NEWPORT. 151 This account of the family was furnished the author by Robert R. Carr, Esq., of Newport, son of Samuel. The Carr burial ground is situated on the north side of what was once called the Ferry Wharf Lane, but now Mill-street. "We would suggest the importance of having this ground renovated and improved! THE ARTISTS OF NEWPORT. The interest which accumulates as we proceed in the history of Newport, admonisl\es us of the necessity of being brief No spot presents more attractive materials than Newport. Before the Eevolution, she had attained to a high degree of celebrity, and stood unrivalled by any city or town in the Colonies^ Doc- tor Eenjamin "Waterhouse, himself a native of Newport, says : " T/he island of Ehode Island, from its salubrity, and surpris- ing beauty, before the Revolutionary war so sadly defaced it, was the chosen resort of the rich and philosophical, from nearly all parts of the civilized world. In no spot of the thirteen, or rather twelve Colonies, was there concentrated more individual opulence, learning, and liberal leisure." It was no doubt owing to the highly cultivated taste of her in- habitants, why so many of her youth indulged in poetry and paint- ing. Newport has been fertile in producing artists, some of whom have been highly distinguished in their profession. Edward G. Malborn, son of Col. John Malborn, has left an imperishable fame as a miniatuDB painter. It is said that when Mr. Malborn, who went to Europe for the' purpose of improvement in his profession, was introduced to Mr. West, and produced specimens of his work, after examining them, that distinguished and celebrated artist, inquired for what purpose he had come to England ? Mr. Malborn answered, to perfect himself in the art of painting. Mr. West replied, " Sir, you can go home again, for a man who can paint such a picture as this, need not come to England for instruction." His picture of the " Past, Present, and Euture," now belonging to his brother-in-law, John G-. Whitehorne, Esq., is one of the most chaste and splendid things of tte kind in ex- istence. It represents three female figures. The Past has an air 152 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLiND. of dejection, the Present seems all life and animation, the Future buoyant with hope, and anticipating unalloyed pleasure, . " Earth's perfection, angel graces • In each feature fair." We fondly hope that this valuable relic will never be taken from Newport. ' Washington Allston received his first instructions as a painter, from Mr. Samuel King, late of Newport, who displayed a fine taste in the art, and his propensity for painting was probably cultivated by his residence during his boyish days, amid the scenery of Newport, whence he had come from South Carolina to attend the classical school in this place, kept>::by the late Eobert Rogers, Esq. Charles B. King, now resident in Washington city, where as a painter, he is much patronized, is also a native of Newport. It has been said that Mr. King wishes to bestow, his valuable collection of paintings on his native town, on condition that a suitable place be provided for their reception. It is highly de- sirable that a chaste building should at once be erected, for the Southern Department, in which to place whatever is valuable in a historical point of view. And many others, who have npt en- gaged in this employment as a profession, in their early days have sketched, and drawn, and painted, until immersed in the business of life, they have dropped the pencil, but still retain the taste. Gilbert Stewart is claimed as being a native of -Newport, though Mr. Updike says he was born in Narragansett. We have no wish to claim for Newport more than she deserves^ but will merely state the discrepancies of the two accounts of his birth-place, and leave the reader to judge. The following is extracted from a letter of Miss Anne Stew- art, the daughter of Gilbert Stewart, addressed to Mr. Updike. She states in reply to the questions asked, in relation to what family of Anthony's her great-grandmother was, that she " was the daughter of Captain John Anthony, who was from Wales, , and had a farm on the Island, near Newport, which he sold to Bishop Berkley. It was on this farm that my mother was born, and was married in Narragansett to my grandfather, Gil- bert Stewart, who was from Perth in Scotland. They had but three children, James, Anne, and Gilbert. As to their birthplar.e, THE ARTISTS OF NEWPORT. 153 you are much better informed than mysdf. My father was edu- cated in the grammar-school in Newport, and then sent to Soot- land, to Sir George Chambers, for the purpose of finishing his education at Glasgow, after which he returned to Newport, where he remained for a time, and was then sent to Engjand to study with Benjamin "West, the great historical painter of that day." — Updike's History. It seems from this letter that Mr. Stewart was educated in Newport, and after going abroad, on his return comes to New- port, and here tarries, but not one word of his being at Narra- • gansett. Miss Anne Stewart seems to be quite ignorant of her father's birthplace ; she refers the matter entirely to Mr. Up- dike, which is most certainly strange and unaccountable. We have conversed with Miss Jane Stewart, and she appeared to be ignorant of his birth-place being in Narragansett. She remarked that her father's associations and attachments were all in New- port, and she expresses a strong wish that the remains of her father which lie buried in Boston, might be removed here and placed by the side of his wife, which repose in the common burial ground in Newport. "Without attempting to invalidate the statement made by Wilbour Hammond, of the conversation said to have passed be- tween him and Mr. Stewart, on his last visit to Narragansett, as every one is Uable to mistakes and misapprehensions ; it be- comes us to oflfer such evidence as is furnished of the birth- place of this distinguished man. An aged and highly respectable citizen of Newport, in a con- vtersation with him on his last visit to Newport, and before crossing the ferries to visit the old snuff mill, which his father had formerly carried on, he asked him the question, where he was born ; standing near the spot, he pointed to the story and half house, at the head of Bannister wharf, on the south side, and said : " there I have been told that I was born." This statement is confirmed by other aged citizens, which has given the impression that Stewart was a native of Newport. It is certain that the name of Gilbert Stewart appears in the census taken by John Bannister in 1770, and he, is there found in the very spot where he stated that he was bom.. The building has since been taken down and another erected in its place. It is also said that he derived his first impression of painting from 154 HISTORY OF EHOUE ISLAND. witnessing Neptune Thurston, a slave, who was employed in his master's cooper- shop, sketch likenesses on the head of casks, and remarked that if he had an instructor, he would make quite a celebrated artist. Stewart has-been pronounced to have been the greatest painter of the human head, that the age in which he lived produced, and perhaps of any other age. The form and features of the father of his country, the immortal Washington, from his pencil, will be transmitted to posterity, not only with truth and accu- racy, but in a style of execution, worthy of the subject, and that, too, by a son of our own favored isle. The Hkeness of Wash- ington, in the State House at Newport, was pronounced by Stewart as his greatest effort. And it is said he wished his native town to have il. THE NBWPOET BAK. 1771. Henry Bull was the grandson of Henry Bull, one of the eighteen associates who first came to Ehode Island. 'He was born 23d of November, 1687. Being a man of strong powers of mind, he studied, and soon acquired a knowledge of the law, and became distinguished as a practitioner in the courts. He was occasionally a member of the House of Eepresentatives from Newport, elected Attorney-General, in 1721, re-elected in 1722, but declined serving. He was elected Speaker of the House of Eepresentatives in 1728-9; was one of the Committee bo conduct and manage the controversy between the Colonies of Ehode Island and Massachusetts, respecting the eastern boundary. He was Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for Newport county, at its first establishment in 1749. " I have heard," says Major Bull, " the aged who had been acquainted with him, relate what he had told about his law edu- 3ation. When he had made up his mind to practice law, he went into the garden to exercise his talents in addressing the Court and Jury. He then selected five aabbages, in one row, for Judges, and twelve in another row for Jurors. After trying his hand there awhile, he went boldly into court and took upon himself the duties of an advocate, and a little observation and THE NEWTOKT B4K. 155 experience there, convinced him that the same cabbages were in the court house which he thought he had left in the garden ; five in one row and twelve in another." The conclusion to which he arrived proves him to have been a man of common sense, and a strict -observer of human nature. But by whatever means he acquired a knowledge of the law, he certainly rose to the height of his profession, as a practitioner in the courts of law and admiralty ; as the profession stood in hiij day. He partook liberally of the enjoyments of life, was of an amiable and engaging disposition, and lived to a great age ; having been born November 23d, 1687, and dying December 24th, 1771, aged 84. James Honyman was the son of Eev. James Honyman, Kector of Trinity church, Newport. As a speaker, Mr. Honyman was elaborate, but his industry, talents, and faithfulness, commanded an extensive and profitable practice at Newport, and on the cir- cuit. In deportment he was dignified — always dressed in the best fashions of the times — scrupulously formal in manners — domestic, yet social in his habits. In person, he was tall, broad- shouldered, and muscular, but not fleshy. Mr. Honyman married Elizabeth, the daughter of Gteorge Golding, a merchant of Newport, and left two sons and six daughters. Most of his daughters and granddaughters having married British officers, or Americans adhering to the cause of the Crown, departed with the enemy, when the British evacu- ated Newport ; and the estates devised to them by Mr. Hony- man were confiscated. They were afterwards restored by an Act of Assembly. Daniel Updike having applied himself to the study of the law, and being duly admitted to the bar, opened an office in New- port, and married Sarah, the daughter of Gov. Benedict Arnold Mr. Updike in person was about five feet ten inches in height, with prominent features. As an advocate, he sustained a high reputation ; and among other personal advantages, possessed a clear, full, and musical voice. Dr. Bradford used to speak of him as being a " fine speaker, with great pathos and piercing irony." Mr. Updike possessed a large library of classical and general literature, a considerable portion of which is now extant. 156 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. Mr. TTpdike and Dean Berkley were intimate friends. In testimony of the friendship and esteem which the Dean enter- tained for Mr. Updike, he presented him on his departure for Europe, an elegantly. wrought silver coffee pot, and after his arrival, sent him his "Minute Philosopher," which now remains in the family as remembrancers of this distinguished divine. Augustus Johnson. He came to Rhode Island, when quite young, studied law with Matthew Eobinson, Esq., who was his stepfather, and settled at Newport. After a few years' practice he was considered-one of the best lawyers in the State. With an acute and penetrating mind, he could unravel the most intri- cate cases with apparent ease, but his great fort&y/aa in sifting and reconciling discordant testimony. Mr. Johnson was a loyalist, and the stand which he took in favor of the Crown, brought down the, ire of the whole populace against him. This was on account of his acceptance of the office of Stamp-Master. He was constantly hissed at and insulted in the streets, but it had little or no effect on his determinations. In 1765, his house was surrounded by an infuriated collection of men, who by their unusual tumult and rage, first led him to feel that his person was in danger. He was afterwards seized, and after suffering many indignities, a promise was extorted from him, to resign the office, with which he reluctantly com- plied. On the repeal of the Stamp Act, in 1766, as soon as thanewa was received, the people of Newport erected a gallows, near the State House, and had the effigies of Mr. Johnson, Martin How- ard, jun., and Dr. Moffat, the stamp-masters, conveyed through the streets, in a cart, with halters about their necks.. They were carried to the gallows and hanged, and shortly after cut down and burnt, amid the shouts and acclamations of the assembly. The contents of their houses and eellarswerej destroyed by a mob at nignt. Howard died Chief Justice of -South Carolina ; a fine portrait of him is in the Boston Court House. The^popu- lar indignation made it necessary for Mr. Johnson to seek pro- tection on board of a British armed vessel then lying in the har- bor. In the year 1779, he accompanied the enemy's forces to New-York. His property in Newport was confiscated, and as remuneration for his persecutions, he received a pension from the British Government as long as he lived, and after him the THE NEWPORT BAR, 157 same was ■ continued to hia widow, who survived him many years. Major Matthew Robinson Johnson, was the son of Augustus Johnson, who was a native of New Jersey; he was born in Newport, in 1761, and entered the British army at an early age^ and served under the Duke of York and General Abercromby, at the siege of Dunkirk, and was in thfe various battles during the campaign in Holland ; he afterwards served in the West Indies, and in all sustained the reputation of an accomplished and brave officer. After the peace of 1800, feeling a longing desire to revisit hia native place, he sold his commission, and came to Newport; where- he married, and resided, except for a few years, on a farm in Portsmouth, until his death, which took place on the 5th of May, 1S18, in the 56th year of his age. He was a high-minded and honorable man, and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. His former residence, in Portsmouth, is now the Asylum . for the Poor of that town. Henry Merchant, was another highly distinguished counsel- lor. His father was Hexford Marchant, of Martha's Vineyard, a captain in the merchant service. His wife was a Butler, who died when the subject of this memoir was four years old, a short time after the removal of the family to Newport. Oapt. Marchant married, for his second wife, the daughter of the first, and sister of the second General "Ward. The connection which the father had formed with the Ward family, had a happy effect upon the future destiny of the son. Having completed his studies under every favorable advantage, he came to Newport, and commenced practise. He was the only dissenting, or " hberty lawyer," in the Colony. His acquirements, industry, and forensic talent, soon raised him to the head of his profession. In 1766, Mr, Marchant wrote and prepared the deed from William Bead, to William EUery, John Gollins, Eobert Cooke, and Samuel Fowler, of ." Liberty Tree lotj" (a large buttonwood tree standing on it, at the north end of Thames-street, Newport.) Said lot and tree thereon, were conveyed to the grantees " in trust, and forever thereafter to be known by the name of the ' Tree of Liberty,' to be set apart to, and for the use of, the sons of liberty ; and that the same stand as a monument of the spirited and noble opposition to the 58 ' HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. Stamp Act, in the year 1765,1)7 ^^^ sons of liberty in Newport, ,nd throughout the continent of North America, and to be onsidered as emblematical of ' public liberty taking deep root 1 English America, of her strength and spreading protection, ' f her benign influences, refreshing her sons in all their just truggles against the attempts of tyranny and opprassion.' ^nd furtheripore, the said tree of liberty is destined and set part for exposing to public ignominy and reproach, all iffenders against the liberties of the country, and the abettors .nd approvers of such as would enslave her. And, in general, aid tree is hereby set apart, for such other purposes as they, he true born sons of liberty, shall, from time to time, from age age, and in all times and agtes hereafter,- apprehend, judge, nd resolve, may subserve the glorious cause of Public Liberty." ?he deed is witnessed by thirty-one of the most respectable and ifluential Whigs in Newport. When the island was afterwards possessed by the enemy, the ree, thus dedicated, was destroyed ; but after the evacuation, 1 1783, it was replace4 t)y another, which is still standing. :"he names, engraved on copper, and placed on the tree, are early covered over by the tree's enlargement. Let the inhabi- mts of Newport be reminded of their liberties, when they 3ok on this tree, and guard against every attempt to under- line their glorious privileges. HON. HENEY MAECHANT, Member of the BeroIutionaTy Congress, and United States' Judge for the District of Rhode Island, Died Angnst 30th, 1796, iBIATIS 66. William Channing was another distinguished counsellor, of fewport. In early life he sustained many honorable offices y legislative appointment, and at the annual State election in 777, he was, by his fellow-citizens, elected Attorney-General, ithout opposition ; his predecessor, Mr. Marchant, having een, at the same period, chosen delegate to the Confederated ingress. MEDICAL FACDtTT. 159 Mr. Ohanning was grandson of John Channing, of Dorset- shire, England ; the first of the name who came to America, and who arrived in Boston about 1715. He was bom in New- port, May 31st, 1751, and was educated at Aashua Hall, (Princeton College,) where he graduated in 1769. He was the father of the late W. E. Channing, D. D., who ranks as one of the most eminent divines the world has ever produced, as also Walter Channing, M. D., of Boston, who is distinguished as a philanthropist. Matthew Eobinson, the only son of Eobert Bobinson, was ap- pointed Searcher of the Customs in Newport, by Queen Anne, and assumed the duties of the office about the year 1 706. Matthew was born in Newport, in the year 1709. He was well educated, and was an apt and ready Latin and Greek scholar, but whether he graduated from any public institution, cannot now be ascer- tained. He estabUshed an office in Newport, about-forty years before the Eevolution, and practised law with reputation, and his business was considerable on the circuits. He was a great collector of amazing incidents, trite sajdngs, and conundrums, which he preserved in a book kept for that purpose. One was, " that it was difficult to drive a black hog in the dark." Eobert Lightfoot was born in London, in 1716. His family were wealthy, and of high respectabihty. He graduated from the University of Oxford, studied law in the Inner Temple, and was appointed Judge of the Vice Admiralty, in the Southern District of the TJnited States, in the reign of George II, with a salary of £6,000 a year. He entered upon the duties of his office, but the climate enfeebling his health, he came to New- port, which was then, as now, celebrated for its restorative influence to renovate his impaired constitution. Finding the island and its scenery as delightful as his fancy could sketch, and its society refined and attractive, he was disinclined to return, and resigned his office. The venerable Dr. Waterhouse, in his letter, observes, " I knew Judge Lightfoot very well ; he was a well-educated man, and first taught me to value and study Lord Bacon, and from him I learnt to value Locke, and Newton, and Boerhaave. He was the oracle of literary men in Newport ; was a very able and learned man, and appeared, at Ehode Island, I thought — 160 HlSTORlf OFEHODE ISLAND. * * » • Condemn'd to trudge, Without an equal, and without a judge.' " He was a great epicure, a perfect encyclopsetlia, and wel- come to the tables of the first tharacters, and constantly dined from home." (In-those days Grahamisnv was unknown, and to enjoy life seemed to be the wish and desire of all.) " He was not a buffoon or mimic, but a fine relator of apt anecdotes. He informed every body, and contradicted no one, but had a happy Socratic method of teaching. He honored me with his notice, and I gained more knowledge from him than any other man in the choice of books." These were the palmy days of Newport, when the island was the intellectual constellation of this Western hemisphere. MEDICAL FACULTY. The names of Hunter, Halliburton, Brett, Moffat, Hooper, &c., rank high among the most emiaeut physicians of that or any other age. Dr. Waterhouse says : " About the year 1756, Dr. "William Hunter gave at Newport, R. I., the first anatomical and surgical lectures ever delivered in the twelve Colonies. They were delivered iii the Court House, two seasons in succession, by cards of invitation, and to great satisfaction. His collection of instruments was much larger than any professor exhibits at this day. Dr. Hunter was a man of talents, well-educated at Edinburgh, and a gentleman of taste in the fine arts." He further says, alluding to Dr. Hunter and Halliburton : ' We doubt whether Boston, New- York, or Philadelphia, ever bad, at one and the same time, two practitioners of physic and surgery, better educated and more skillful than these two gentle- men." Dr. Hunter's daughters were said to have been beautiful and accomplished women. Soon after the peace of 1783, they went with their mother to Europe, for the purpese of procuring medi sal aid for one of the daughters. The youngest was married on ;he Continent, to Mr. Falconer, a celebrated banker in Naples, md the other to Count de Callander. Dr Hunter was the father of the late Hon. William Hunter, who was Minister to Brazil, South America. Of his distin- guished talents we are fully acquainted. He was one of nature's MEDICAI, FACULTY. 161 noblemen, and his native town of Newport felt justly proud of him, and highly appreciated his commanding talents, in their electing him to the various offices of importance in the State, and in the national councils. In the Senate of the United States none held a higher rank. His eloquence was listened to with the profoundest attention. He showed himself a man ; one who was every way qualified to discharge the high and important trust committed to him by his constituents. His form and car- riage indicated the finished gentleman. Those who remember him in his palmy days, will be ready to respond to the view here given of him. Mr. Hunter was an independent man ; he acknowledged no superior in the sense as to lead him to abandon his' own pri- vate opinion, to gratify some would-be lordling. He planted his feet on the broad principle of right, and maintained the honor and dignity of the country which gave him birth. He enjoyed the friendship and esteem of James Madison and Andrew- Jackson, which we conceived to be no small honor. Mr. Hunter was of the old school. He never followed in the track of the modern pigmies and dwarfs, whose pedantry lead them to think that all knowledge will die with thera. His was a higher stan- dard of moral excellence, derived from an age when firmness and stability of character were the characteristics of the times. Dr. Isaac Center, who succeeded the distinguished names already, was a native of Londonderry, N. H., and was born about the year 1753. He received his medical education in Newport, E. I., that place being famed at the time for the num- ber of its distinguished physicians. While pursuing his studies, the news of the battle of Lexington, April ITT.";, arrived, and filled with patriotic ardor, he immediately joined the Ehode Island troops, whom he accompanied to the camp at Cambridge, as a surgeon. On the organization of the army, he received a con- firmation of his appointment, and was sent with the expedition of Gen. Arnold to Quebec. The road was up the Kennebec river, through the untried wilderness, which occupied thirty-two days, in the inclement months of November and December, before they reached the settlement on the Chaudiere ; the whole march was made on foot, during which he, with the rest of the army, suffered almost incredible hardships. In the assault on Quebec, all of Arnold's division were either killed or made prisoners of war ; 162 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. among the latter was young Center, who after being detained some time to attend to the sick and wounded, was released and sufifered to return home. In 1779, he quitted, the army, and served as a physician, in the town of Cranston, E. I., and was soon after elected one of the Eepresentatives to the General Assembly, from that town. In 1784 he was chosen Surgeon and Physician- General of the State and Army, and removed to Newport, where he commenced the practice of physic, under the most favorable auspices, nearly all the old physicans having either died or emi- grated during the war. The Eev. "Willian^ E. Channing, D. D., in speaking of Dr. Isaac Center, says : " He was a physician of extensive practice, who was thought to unite with great experience, a rare genius in his profession, and whose commailding figure rises before me, at the distance of forty-five years, as a specimen of manly beauty, worthy of the chisel of a Grecian sculptor." He contributed to several papers, and also to the medical publications of the day, which acquired him a reputation not only in his own country, but in Europe. He died in 1799. He left two sons and three daughters. Dr. Horace Center, was educated in England, and was a practising physician of Newport, a gentleman highly distinguished in his profession. He was killed near Savannah, Geo., in a duel with the Hon. John Eutledge, of South Carolina. Nathaniel Greene Center died at sea, having been in the East India service. Edward Gilbon, the youngest son, was a young man of fine genius and elegant appearance. His eldest daughter, Eliza, married Eev. N. B. Crocker, D. D., Eector of St. John's church, Providence. For forty-eight years he has continued to minister to this church and congregation, with acceptance. Having deyoted the energies of his nature in proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, avoiding ques- tions which gender strife, rather " than godly edifying, which is in faith" — a long life has not alienated, but increased and strengthened the affections of his people towards him', and evi- dences the preponderance of good sense over ignorance, which distinguishes the society. It is no flattery to say of him, that he is a man of " blameless hfe and godly conversation," and entitled to the respect and confidence of the community among whom he has lived for nearly half a century. Sarah married Clement S. Hunt, Purser in the U. S. Navy. FISH IMPORTED. 163 A Charter was granted to the Artillery Company in 1741 The first officers elected were; John Channing, Jahleel BrentoH, Capt John Brown, 1st Lieut. William Mamford, 2d " John Tillinghast, Ensign. Josias Lyndon, Clerk. , S'ergeanta. DrummOTs. Samuel Preebody, Walter Cranston, Josiah Brown, Job Bennett, Peter Freby, This oompany has always held a high rank, and embraced the most distinguished citizens of Newport. And for the honor of the town, and out of respect to the memory of the first offi- cers, may it never lose its hold on the hearts of the people. A List of Fish brought to Neviport in 1779, as reported bg EduKwd Thurston, Msq, Alewives Anchovies B Bass, Sea- and Str^eS Blue Fish Brill Bonnetta iBull Fish Ball's Eyes O Cod iCusk Coohogset f resorting there before this period, and had partitioned off 3. room to keep their guns and ammunition. In the* transfer of the farm, which has been- frequent, this privilege' to the land has dVays been granted, as being a public benefit in whi'eh each sitizen of the town had a right to participate. There was one attempt made to question the propriety of having this site oc- supied for the above purpose, but puWixj opinion pat the matter to rest. » Sir Granville Temple's daughter died of small pox, and wa» buried on the Harrison' Parm, 8. S. W. of the Lime Eocks. Dark Uay, 1780. The Dark Day was distinguished by the phenomenon of a remarkable darkness in the Nortit part of America, and is still called the Dark Day. The following is an aecount €>f its appearance at Newport, as given at the time : " There fell here a singular and remarkable darkness, which overspread the hemisphere for about five hours. In the morn^ ing were showers attended with distant thunder; about lOo'clock A.. M., a darkness- came on, -\ybich by 11 o'clock, was perceived ;o be veiy unusual and extraordinary, and in half an hour after was considered as what was never before seen in these northern! slimates in America. .The darkness was so intense, from 1 little before noon to two o'clock, as that persons could not read, and it became necessary to light up candlesi Even the ibwls, it is said, went to roost. Many of the inhabitants were ihereupon thrown into the greatest consternation, as if the ap- pearance was supernatural, and believed that the Dia,y of Judg- nent was about to come. A little after 2, P. M., it became iomewhat lighter, but the darloaess soon returned. About 3 s'clock it began to go off, and at 4, P. M., the heavens resumed iheir usual light, as in a cloudy day, although the cloudiness sontinued all the rest of the afternoon." Various were the speculations on the evei^,,but no fixed ooo- Blusions were ever arrived at. LOOK-OUT HOUSE BUILT. 167 GREAT SNOW STORMS AND INTENSE OOLU. In 1717, two great snow storms took place, on the 20th and 24th of Pebruary, which covered the ground so deep with snow, that people for some days could not pass from one house to another. Old Indians said, their fathers had never told them of such a snow. It was from ten to twenty feet deep, and generally covered the lower stories, so that people dug- paths from one house to another, under the snow. Soon after, a slight rain . fell, and the frost crusted it over, so |;hat the people went out of their chamber windows, and walked over it. Many of the farmers lost their sheep, and most of the sheep and swine which were saved, hved from one to two weeks without food. Great damage was done to the orchards, by the snow freez- ing to the branches, and splitting them from the trees by its great weight. This fall of snow formed a remarkable era in New England, and old people in relating an event would say, that it happened so many years before, or after, the great snow. About the first of January, 1780, a period of steady cold commenced ; during forty days, even on the south and sunny side of the buildings in warm situations, there was no indication of a thaw. The light and dry snow drifted and eddied with the incessant motion of the wind ; paths opened, were imme- diately filled up, and communication was entirely interrupted. Narragansett Bay remained frozen over for six weeks, and the ice extended from the shore as far as the eye could see. The inhabitants of Newport experienced the greatest distress for fuel ; wood could not be had, and they were obliged to resort to wharf logs, old buildings* fences, and eveiy other ex- pedient to keep themselves from freezing. Wood was sold at the enormous price of $20 per cord. Provisions were equally scarce. Corn was sqld at four silver dollars per bushel, and potatoes at two dollars per bushel ; and other articles in like proportion. In 1756, a look-out house was built on the top of the stone mill, which then belonged to John Banister, Esq. Benedict Arnold's daughter married Edward Pelham, who inherited his 168 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. Bstate. Mr. Pelham left two daughters, one of whom married John Banister, and the other John Cowley, to whom his sstate descended, consisting of Banister's Wharf, and the one known as Stephens' "Wharf, which extended from Pelham-street to what is now called Bellevue-street. The Banister family once filled a large place in Newport. The farm of the late George Irish, Esq., was the country seat of the Banisters. They lived in a style of affluence, and the choice viands which graced their table, would satisfy an epicurean palate. But one of the name is now left in Newport, of this once distinguished family. We have in our view at this very moment, Mrs. Banister, one of the older branches of the family, who resembled a lady dowager in the dignity .of her appearance, and the courteousness of her manners. '* THE STONE MILL. " Fancy spreads her iring Around thy time-scathed hrow, and deeply tints Her fairy scroll, while hoar antiquity In silence froirns upon the aimless flight. And whatsoever bears The stamp of hoary time, and hath not been The minister of evil, claims from us Somo tribute of respect." In dimensions this mill is nearly twenty-five feet in height, its diameter on the outside is twenty-three feet, and inside is eighteen feet nine inches. It is circular, «,nd supported upon eight arches, resting on thiclf columns, about ten feet high ; the height of the centre of the arches from the ground is twelve feet six inches, and the foundation extends to the depth of four or five feet. There has been much speculation, in relation to this struc- ture, within the last twenty years ; strangers, visiting Newport, have attempted to make it out as being erected by the labor of Northmen, whom they supposed to have discovered this continent, anterior to Columbus in the twelfth century. THE STONE MILL. 169 These Northmen were the descendants of the Scandinavians, ■who, it is thought, sprang from the Thracians, mentioned by- Homer, a nation now extinct. The Danes, Swedes, Nor- wegians, and Icelanders, all come under the name 6f Northmen, or Norsemen. Their literature has been compared, in extent, to the literary remains of Greece and Latium. This opens a new fountain of research, where the scholar may often ^' Betum and linger, linger and return." In a work recently published in Denmark, the author has attempted to show that the old Stone Mill was built by'North- men. The Eev. Mr. Kipp, of Albany, tells me he saw at the residence of the Duke of Tuscany, a Swedish Count, who spoke of thiS" building as the work of Northmen. He was perfectly familiar with the discoveries of those whom he proudly called " his people." " The active mind of man instinctively surveys the dark regions of the past, and would gladly break the unfathomable silence of the nations of the dead, and raise the veil where their beauty and glory have slept for ages. The strong desire to learn something of those who lived when time was young, leads the antiquarian to often adopt groundless theories." — Antiquities of America, by A. Davis. We have made this extract, for the purpose of preparing the mind of the reader, to draw his own inferences from the views entertained by antiquarians, with those which are held by the people of Newport, especially those of David Melville; Esq.j who has devoted much time and attention to the investi- gation of the subject. , The most ridiculous views have been entertained of the nature and object of this structure, and also of the period when it was erected. These visionary ideas are of recent origin, and are not founded in fact, but the mere workings of a fanciful imaginatipn which aims to surround the structure with a kind of romance, in order to gratify a morbid appetite which delights in the marvellous. We shall offer extracts from the will of Governor Benedict Arnold, and of Edward Pelham, who mar- ried his daughter, and then present the arguments which have been ably employed by one of our most respectable citizens, David Melville, Esq : 170 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. " My body I desire and appoint to be buried at ye northeast corner of a parcel of ground containing three rods square, being of, and lying in, my land, in or near the line or path from my dwelling-house, leading to my stone-built wind-mill, in ye town of Newport abovementioned." — A True Copy from the Records of the Town Cleric's Office in the Town of Newport, Page 348. No. 5 Probate Records. What language could possibly have been employed, more significant, to convey to the mind the object for which this struc- ture was reared, " my stone-built wind-mill, in the town of New- port." He does not say, " my so-called mill," as though he was ignoratit of the origin or the design of the structure, but speaks in the most explicit manner, no doubt being entertained in his mind, of the nature and design of the building. We*have asked the opinion of legal men, in what light they understood the language of Governor Arnold, and they have at once ad- mitted that it was to be understood in its most literal significa- tion, as a mill built by Governor Arnold, for a useful purpose, viz. : to grind corn for the early settlers. Extract from Edward Pelham's will, dated May 21, 1741. Bequest Iq his daughter Hermeeoine, the wife of John Banister, after others previously made : " Also one other piece or parcel of land situated, lying and being in Newport aforesaid, containing eight acres or there- abouts, with an old stone wind-mill thereon standing, and being and commonly called and known by the name of the mill field, or upper field." The butts and bounds shew this to be part of the lot men- tioned in Benedict Arnold's will, on which he says " standeth, my dwelling, or mansion-house," &c., " as also my stone-built wind-mill." This property remained in the Banister family until the Ameri- can Eevolution. Here we have additional testimony of the nature and object of this structure, which has called forth such Frequent discussions in the public prints. It is here clearly im- plied, if language can be understood, that it was built for a wind-mill, and this has been the opinion of the inhabitants of Newport, who have given the least attention to the subject. Mr. Pelham does not attempt to make out in his will, that it was anything else than what had been before so lucidly and THE STOWE WILI,. 171 elearly described by Governor Benedict Arnold, but says, " an old stone wind-mill thereon standing." No instrument ever writ- ten could have been plainer or more to the point ; and it shows a very great weakness in the human mind, to attempt to prove that it was built anterior to the discovery of this Continent by Columbus. Those who settled the Island of Aquedneck, were not ignorant men, they had a knowledge of architecture, acquired in Europe, and the abundance- of stone at their hand, induced them to erect the wind-mill, of this material, as being more permanent and lasting. There is nothing very remarkable in its constructions. It is built of rough stone, placed without order, though in a communication made to the Antiquarian Society of Copenhagen, by Dr. Webb, he has made a statement so entirely incorrect as to deceive the Society into the idea that it could not have been erected by the early settlers of the island. He represents it as " built of stone, and laid in regulUr courses," which is not the fact, and had a tendency to mislead the mind of those to whom the statement was sent. To our mind, the construction of this mill for an important and useful purpose, viz., to prepare food for the inhabitants, is a rational conclusion to arrive at, and one infinitely preferable to the vague notion embraced by many minds living at a dis- tance, that it was erected as a fortress to defend a race who occupied the Island in the twelfth century. The' former is the only sensible view which can be taken of the subject, while the latter is replete mth the most egregious folly. Nicholas Easton, who built the first house in Newport, makes no mention of the mill, which, if it bad then been standing, would no doubt have been made matter of record by hhn or others of the early settlers. A gentleman procured a quantity of the cement or mortai-, from the wall of the old stone house in Spring-street, which was buift by Henry Bull, one of the first purchasers of the Island, and immediately after the first settlement of the town, in 1638, and specimens from several other ancient buildings and stone chimneys, and some from the tombs of Governor Arnold and his wife, and from the stone mill, and analyzed and com- pared them, and found them of the same quality, and composed of shell lime, sand, and gravel ; and considered it very strong 172 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. evidence that they were built not far from the same time — all probably within a period of thirty or forty years from each other. It will be borne in mind by the reader, that we noticed the making of shell-lime at a very early period of the settlement of the town. It may appear strange to the reader that this discovery has so recently been made. But when it is considered that public attention hae never been called to the investigation of the sub- ject until of late, their surprise and astonishment should cease. • Many things are taken for granted, which may not in fact be true. It was currently reported and believed in olden times, that the celebrated spot known as Purgatory, at the second beach, had no bottom, and that frequent attempts had been made to sound it, but without effect. Now, so far from this being the truth, the tide ebbs and flows into it, and at low water it is quite shallow. Superstition has ever had its votaries, down to the period of spiritual knoekin'gs. "We will now subjoin a portion of the correspondence, held through the Neivport Herald and The Rhode Islander^ on this recently mooted subject, feeUng satisfied in our own mind that our venerable townsman, David Melville, Esq., has done ample< justice to the subject, and confounded the idle theories of his opponents, and shown to the worid that it is nothing more or less than an old stone mill. " Mk. Eastman, " Your readers will recollect the, controversy published some months since in relation to this ancient structure, which ori- ginated from the inquiry of a ' Visitor,' pubhshed in the Mercury, as to its origin and object, which was answered by a writer in the Newport Daily Wews, under the signature of ' Antiquarian, Byown University, Providence, Rhode Island.' The correctness of which was disputed, and pronounced false and groundless by the writer, under the signature of i One of the Oldest Inhabitants,' published in the Herald of the Times and Ehode Islander. The publication of his last article on the subject, in the Herald of August 5th, 1847, silenced ' Antiqua- rian,' by showing conclusively that his whole statement was a base fabrication, without the least foundation in truth, and undoubtedly intended for deception ; the object of which ap- THE STONE MILL. 173 peared to be to fix the date of its structure to remote antiquity, and that it was the works of the North men, (the ancient Scan- dinavians,) who visited the eastern portion of this continent as early as the tenth century, and as evidence that they visited, and established themselves on this island at that period ; from what sinister motives this was undertaken, the writer will not attempt to decide, but leaves that to the public. "In conformity to the declared intention of the -writer to .represent the facts to the Eoyal Society of Antiquarians at Copenhagen, he forwarded to the President of the Institution, by the favor of the Honorable George Bancroft, oUr Minister in England, through the Danish Legation m London, a copy of the Herald of the Times and Ehode Islander, of August 5, 1847, which contained the full report attributed to Professor Bcrobien, as published by ' Antiquarian, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island,' with a letter, calling t^ie attention of the Eoyal College to the subject, (which is too lengthy and quite unnecessary to be published,) asking the favor of an answer; if such a report had ever been made to the Society, and acted upon as stated in the report " To this communication, the writer has just received the following answer : " ' Copenhagen, January 4th, 1848. « ' SlE, ■ " ' Your letter of the 1 2th erf August, with the Herald of the Times and Ehode Islander, of August 5th, 1847, I duly received a few days ago. " ' I beg to return you my thanks for the communication transmitted, and deem it my duty to- inform you that the article which lately appeared in your journals, on the subject of the ancient structure in Newport is, from beginning to 'end, a downright fabrication, no such having ever been made to the Eoyal Society of Northern Antiquities as the one alluded to. The persons mentioned in the article, too, Bishop OeMscher, Professors Scrobien, Graety, &c., are all fictitious characters, there never having existed here individuals bearing those names. Thus the entire notice is nothing more than a fiction, the object of which is tp mystify the public. 174 mSTORY OF HHODE ISLAND. " ' It were to be wished, that such of the American joumak SB have admitted the article in question into their columns, would ajjprize the public of its entire falsity. " ' In 1837 I published, on behalf of our Society, the Old Northern Sources to the Ante-Oolumbian History of America in the work entitled, Antiqottatbs Americans. Taking the astronomical, nautical, and geographical evidences contained in the ancient records themselves for a groundwork, I have en- deavored to prove th^t our Spandinavian forefathers in the tenth century discovered a portion of the eastern coast of North America, and in particular visited Massachusetts and Ehode Island. " ' Inquirers of the greatest celebrity here in Europe, have looked upon the arguments used by me as conclusive, among whom I may mention Alexander Humboldt, in his recently published KosMOS, voir 11, pages 269-272, where he considers the results of my investigations as historical facts fully de- monstrated. " ' At the time when I published the work above alluded to, I was not aware of the ancient structure in Newport, which, consequently, cannot have led in the remotest degree to the results deduced, nor is there a single word said about it in my work, which, moreover, is to be met with in most of the larger libraries in America, as well as in Europe ; and thus opens an easier access to the study of the original written sources them- selves. " ' The right interpretation of the accounts in the ancient parchment copies, clearly proves that it was precisely Massa- chusetts and Bhode Island which the ancient Scandinavians visited, and where they established themselves. The agree- ment of the astronomical, nautical, and geographical evidences, leads in this respect to so certain a, result, that doubtless nothing further is required. " ' The early monuments which are met v^th in those regions, unquestionably merit the attention of the investigator, but we must be cautious in regard to the inferences to be drawn from them. " ' Concerning the ancient structure in Newport, (of which we had no previous knowledge whatever,) we first received a communication on the 22d of May, 1839, from Thomas H, THE STONE MILL. 175 Webb, M. T)., (now of Boston, formerly of Providence,) which is inserted, in our Memories des Antiquaires du Nord, 1836 1839, page 361, and I feel assured, that whoever reads that article, will therein discern all the caution which a scientific investigation demands, and all the respect due to an institution which has acquired confidence in and out of Europe. " ' From the drawings transmitted to us by a trust-worthy hand, our ablest judges skilled in the history of architeqture, have pronounced the architectural style of the building to be that of the twelfth century, from which period a structure exactly corresponding has been pointed out, along with others in the same style. It is diiEcult, however, without being on the spot, to oflfer any decided opinion as to the period to which the structure itself is to be referred, nor has any one here ven- tured to do so. Here, in the North, no wind-mills occur of this construction, and a gentleman distinguished for his know- ledge in the progressive history of the arts, and who has traveled much in Europe, has declared, that he never met with any such* It would seem better, therefore, to leave the matter undecided, until further information ean be obtained. But, even supposing that the origin of this and other monuments cannot be ascertained with precision, this in no way affects the stabiUty of the historical facts deduced from the ancient manu- scripts ; that the Scandinavians in the tenth century, discovered and established themselves in Ehode Island and Massachusetts, in proof of which no other testimony is required than what is afforded by the ancient records themselves. " ' Our Society would be glad to receive trust-worthy * In the " Penny Magazine of the Society for the diffusion of Useful Knowledge, for November, 1836," p. 480, there is an engraving of a Wind-mill at Chesterton, Warwickshire, England, erected after a design of Inigo Jones, which, without the roof and vanes, shew an exact fac-simile of the Old Mill at Newport. An aged ship-master, late of this town, of the first respectability and of undoubted integrity, who has been many voyages to the North of Europe, informs me that he has seen there more than forty wind-mills, of the same material and construction as the old wind-mill here ; and he had cariosity once to ask, at one of them, why they were built on pillars and open between them 7 and was informed that on this construction the wind having a free passage through, there was no eddy wind caused to make a back sail and lessen the power. Other authorities might be quoted, but we think it wholly unnecessary, for every sensible mind after reading the evidence adduced, must be convinced of the object for which the structure was intended. — Note by the Author. 176 HISTORY OP RHODE ISLAND. communicationg on the subject of Ante-Columbian Monuments of America, to be preserved in the American section of the Society's Historico-Archseological Archives, and also for inser- tion in their Memories, in as far as they may be suited for the purpose. Such articles as the one you have made known to us, merits no place within the pale of science, and we are glad to observe that by you also, they are estimated according to their deserts. " ' I have the honor to be, sir, " ' Your obedient servant, " ' Charles C. Eafn, ' " ' iSec'y, E. S. N. A." ".' David Melville, Esq., Newport, E. I.' " It appears by the foregoing letter that the Eoyal College re- ceived a communication on the 22d of May, 1839, from Thomas H. "Webb, M. D., (now of Boston, formerly of Providence,) which is inserted in their Memoirs des Antiquaries du Nort, of 1836 — 1839, page 361, in which Doctor Webb gives a description of the architectural construction of the ruin, and they received also drawings of the same, transmitted to them by trust-worthy hands, from which description, and the drawings referred to, their ' ablest judges,' skilled in the history of architecture, have pro- nounced the architectilral style of the building to be that of the twelfth century. Upon this it is , barely necessary to remark, that the description given by Dr. Webb, as well as the drawings which were transmitted, though in their general contour cor- rect, are in their ininutise visibly incorrect, so decidedly so, as to mislead the judgment of those best skilled in the history of architecture, and to render it impossible for them to determine with any reliable precision, the period to which the structure may be referred ; there is no reliance, therefore, upon the opin- ions pronounced by the" ablest judges skilled in the history of architecture, founded on date so incorrect as that submitted to their inspection. " The Eoyal Society of Antiquarians, at Copenhagen, which is universally considered as the source of correct information, on facts relating to subjects of antiquity, have been jraposed upon by unprincipled miscreants in this country. As vta instance of their success in their attempts at deception, I would refer to the following : The inscription on the Dighton Rock, which is THE STONE MILL. 177 Tindoubtedly an Indian insoriprtion in commemoration Of some great battle, and was so pronounced by General "Washington, wh0n a copy of it was shown to him at Cambridge, during the Eevolutionary War, he having seen many similar to it in the Indian country ; and is so considered by Henry E. Schoolcraft, Esq., Professor of Geology in the service of the United States, who visited the Rock the last summer, and who has seen many of the same description in various parts of the country, from Maine to the source of the Mississippi, and is acquainted with , the meaning of many of the characters in the inscription. This inscription has been copied by some designirig wretch, and for- warded to the Eoyal Society of Antiquarians, at Copenhagen, undoubtedly for deception, and published in the work alluded to by Prof 'Rafn, entitled Antiqidiates AmerioancB. The version of the inscription published in that work, and distributed throughout Europe and America, was altered so as to make it appear to have been the work of the Scandinavians, by altering the characters, and adding in the body of the inscription, the characters, E I NX, which is said to be the name of one of, their early navigators ; such unwarrantable conduct is disgraceful to the authors, an imposition on that highly respectable institution and the world, and ought to be discountenanced and exposed by every admirer of the correctness of facts relating to ages past. The Society has, (from misrepresentations made to them in regard to the ' Newport Euins/ as it has of late been called,) been drawn into an error in supposing that their Scandinavian forefathers visited in the 10th century the island of Ehode Island. At the remote period referred to, in the letter of Professor Eafn, they may have visited Massachusetts, and reported it by its true Indian name, andifttey had visited this Island, it is reasonable to sup- pose they would have called it by the name it was called by the native inhabitants, which was Acquethneck. It was not called Ehode Island until 1644, as appear? from the following extracts from the Old Colony Eecords, ' at a General Court held at Newport on the 15th day of the 1st month, 1644.' " 'It is ordered by this Court that ye island commonly called Acquethneck, shall be from henceforth called ye Isle of Ehodes, or Ehode Island.' « There is no doubt that the Northmen discovered in the tenth century, the eastern coast of this Continent, and visited that 178 HISTORY OF HHODE ISLAND. part called by the Indian inhabitants, Massachusetts, but it is doubtful if they visited at that period the Island of Aoquethneck, now Ehode Island. There does not appear from any history or tradition from our ancestors, that there was any tradition among the Indians of Acquethneck, ever having been visited by white men before the settlement of the country by our British ances- tors. When the first white inhabitants settled on the Elizabeth Islands, there was a tradition among the Indians, that the Vine- yard had been visited many ages before by a colony of white men, who came there in a vessel from the North, and remained there for a season, and returned to the North in the winter, with ah intention of returning there again the next year, but never came back, and were supposed to have been lost, and the same tradition was rife among the Indians on the main; and remains to this day. It is very probable that these were the Northmen from the borders of the St. Lawrence, and that the Vineyard Island was the extent of their progress westward along the coast. From this circumstance, and from sinister motives, it has been endeavored to be shown that the Northmen visited this Island in the tenth or eleventh century, and called the island ' Vinelant,' &c., and the Newport Euin has been endea- vored to be palmed upon the world through the Eoyal Society of Antiquarians at Copenhagen, as evidence of the fact of the visit of the Northmen, and the work of their hands,* but " Let AntioLuariana say what they will, It is nothing hut an Old Stone Mill. " One op the Oldest Inhabitants." What better traditionary evidence than that of Gov. Arnold's gra,ndBon, Josiah Arnold, who died long since the Eevolution- ary war, and that of his great-grandson, Sanford Arnold, who has been deceased but a few years, who both spoke of it as the old Stone Mill, built by their ancestor Benedict Arnold, as has been heretofore stated, but disregarded ? Why then dispute its origin, and the use for which it was erected^ except it be for interested and unholy purposes ? In 1784, the harbor with the rivers, were all closed with ice, from Castle Hill to Providence ; so that people crossed there from the Island to the main. * The author of this imposition, as well as the report attributed to Scrobien, is sup- posed to be a foreigner, a few years since a resident of this town. THE DESCENDANTS OP ABRAHAM. 179 THE DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM. 1763. This year the Jewish Synagogue, in Newport, which was erected the year before, was dedicated to the God of Abra- ham, with great pomp and magnificence, according to the cus- tom of the Hebrews. At this time the town of Newport con- tained upwards of sixty families of Jews ; among them were many merchants of wealth and enterprise. Mr. Aaron Lopez was a man of eminent probity and benevolence, his bounties were widely diflfused, and not confined to creed and sect, and the people of Newport, notwithstanding the lapse of time, still con- secrate his memory. Mr. Lopez was afterwards drowned in his carriage in Scott's Pond, a few miles north of Providence. Eev. Mr. Touro, married, in Newport, a sister of the la|» Moses Hays, of Boston, and left two sons and one daughter, Mr. Hays removed from Newport soon after, the peace, taking , with him his family. One of the sons was the late Abraham Touro, who died in Boston in 1822, leaving a large estate; by his will a fund of $10,000 was left for the support of the syna- gogue and burial-place in Newport, and $5,000 for keeping Touro-street in repair, on which they front. This fund is under the direction of the Town Council of Newport, and the interest is judiciously applied for the purposes above-mentioned. The other son is Judah Touro, Esq., of New-Orleans, a gen- tleman distinguished for his many acts of munificence. He went to New-Orleans previous to the cession of Louisiana, where in mercantile pursuits, he has acquired a princely estate, and is universally esteemed by the inhabitants of the city of New- Orleans. Such is the attachment of the Jews for Newport, and the sepulchre of their fathers, that their remains are brought here for interment. A gentleman who settled in Newport, about twenty years since, and erected a tasteful mansion in Bellevue-street, near the Jewish burial-ground, in a conversation had with a per- sonal friend of Mr. Judah Touro, suggested fhat it would be a commendable act on the part of Mr. Touro, were he to enclose the burial ground with a noble wall of granite, as the then present brick wall was in a decayed state, having been slightly 180 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. built. He gave an assurance that he would address him on the subject, which he accordingly did ; and Mr. Touro, with a liberality which baa uiliformly distinguished him, authorized his friend to apply to some eminent architect for a suitable plan. The work was commenced, and completed in 1842, and a more chaste and beautiful enclosure, with the ornamental gateway, is not to be found in the country. The whole cost was $11,000. The architect was Isaiah Eogers, Esq., of Boston. A few years since, he gave $1000 to repair Redwood Library. His adopted city has experienced his noble benefactions, irre- spective of denominational distinctions, in which he has set an example worthy to be imitated by Gentiles. Such an indivi- dual is a blessing to society, and throws into the shade many, whose niggardly spirit render^ them a burden to themselves and to the world at large. Abraham Eod. Riviera, a highly respected Jew, was an importer of dry goods, in connection with other business, la early life Abraham was called "the honest man," which title he- merited as long as he lived. He was extensively engaged in commerce, and met with many losses ; and at that date there were no Insurance Companies, consequently, the risks in navi- gation were very great. 'Although a man of wealth, frequent losses at sea, forced him to assign his property, which, wheu divided, cancelled but a part of his liabilities. As soon as the failure was known in England, the merchants with whom her had traded, offered bim any amount of dry goods ; and, that h& might avail himself of their generous offer, took the benefit of the Insolvent Act, clearing himself from old claims, and open, ing a way to the renewal of business. He was prosperous, and at the end of a few years, gave his old creditors a dinner party, placing under the plate of each guest a check, for the amount due him, with interest. He died worth $120,000. Such was the honesty of the past. There is now in the Town-Clerk's office, the copy of a deed, (certified by "William Coddington, Town-Clerk, Oct. 19th, 1677,) in book No. 3, ppge 11, of Land Evidences, of a certain lot of ■ land, thirty feet square, sold by Nathaniel Dickens, to Mordecai Oampannall and Moses Packeckoe, for a burial-place for the Jews. This deed is dated February 28th, 1677, which shows that some of the descendants of Abraham found an asylum of THE DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM. 181 rest, from oppression and persecution, on this island of the Bea at an early period of the settlement. It has been said that it was as early as 1657. How long prior to the purchase of the burial-ground, we have no accurate means of ascertaining. The first Jews who settled in Newport were of Dutch extraction, from Curraso, and were not possessed of the wealth, intelligence, or enterprise, which so eminently distinguished those who subsequently settled in this town, which, with the smallness of their number, accounts for the lapse of time from the first Jewish settlement in Newport, to the erection of the synagogue. It is not probable, however, that during all this time they maintained no regular form of public worship, and there is a tradition amongst the most ancient people of Newport, now liv- ing, that from the earliest settlement here, public religious worship was regularly maintained in private houses. Between the years 1750-60, many families of wealth and distinction came to this country from Spain and Portugal, and settled in Newport,, which contributed largely to the intelli- gence and commercial prosperity of the town. The synagogue was thronged with worshippers, from its erection until the war commenced, and the scriptures were publicly read, and the God of Abraham worshipped in the Hebrew language, in Newport, by more than three hundred of the dispersed house of Israel, up to that time. About 1763, and long after, flourished the distinguished famiUes of Lopez, Eiviera, Pollock, Levi, Hart, Seixas, and their late respected priest, Isaac Touro. The north side of what is now the Mall, was once covered with Jewish residences, which were destroyed by fire. The Revolutionary war, so dis- astrous to the commercial interest and prosperity of Newport, induced the greater part of them to leave the town ; and after the conclusion of the war, the remnant that was left gradually declined, until not an individual now remains. Moses Lopez, nephew of the celebrated Aaron Lopez, was the last resident Jew in Newport. A few years previous to his death, he removed to New-York ; his remains were brought to Newport, and interred by the side of his brother Jacob, in the burial- place of their fathers. Moses Lopez was a man of no common abilities ; he was an honorable merchant, deeply versed in 182 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. mathematics, and of uncommon mechanical skill. He was pleasant and interesting in conversation, and an ingenious defender of his religious belief The Society of Jews, gene- ra:lly, who settled in this town, have left a reputation for integrity and uprightness, which should perpetuate their memory from generation to generation. After the long interval of sixty years, in which the synagogue had been closed, in the year 1850 it was thrown open again, and services were performed on Saturday (the Jewish sabbath,) by an eminent Eabbi from New-York. It was an important era, and calculated to revive in the mind the great and impor- tant events, which bad taken place in the history of this dis- tinguished people. Emery's Corner, at ' the south side of Bridge-street, was a general resort in olden time for young men, residing in that section of th'e town. Hence we meet with it very frequently in the old records of the town, as we do that of the Granary, or Brick-market, where the inhabitants assembled, and still con- tinue to assemble. "We like to retain antique names, as they remind us of, the past, and the inhabitants of Nevrport have been more tenacious than most places, of innovation. But the recent resort of strangers to Newport, has led to an attempt to remove the ancient land-marks, which should not be counte- nanced for a moment by the original inhabitants. It is the remains of antiquity in Newport, which invests it with so much interest, and makes the spot more deeply interesting to the Antiquarian. Hog Hole, before the hand of moderd vandalism despoiled it of its pristine beauty, was the scene of many a joyous festival. Purgatory, at Sachuest Beach, is invested with a high degree of romance, from the traditionarj"- account of two lovers, who met at the brink of this dangerous chasm. The lady, to test the strength of his affections towards her, as the condition of the nuptial celebration, required that he should leap across it. Dangerous as was the experiment, he quickly sprung; she caught the skirt of his coat, which instantly rent, while he landed safe on the opposite side to the terror and dismay of the fair one. The Devil's foot-print is strongly impressed on the rocks, near to this chasm, with other singular marks, which has made it a place of interest to those visiting the island. THE REV. MARMADUKE BROWN. 183 It affords pleasure and delight to ramble amid those joyous scenes, and listen to the aerial chorisfers warbling their orisons. The inhabitants of this charming retreat, seem the only unde- lighted enjoyers of the scene, because to them it exhibits no novelty, consequently but little allurement ; the eye of the stranger alone beholds it with admiration and wonder, and the heart of sensibility could alone feel the exqulfeite sensation of delight its contemplation inspires. In the words of the poet, we would say : '' There's not a brook I hare not leapt, Anear my native town — Nor field nor hill where man has Btept, I have not wandered down : And these as freshly haunt me still, And still their forms I know — The brook, the field, the high peaked hill, That charmed me long ago !" In 1772, the first equestrian performances on Ehode Island, and probably in America, took, place in Newport. The name of the manager was Bates. Two of the guns of the sloop Tartar, were placed at the foot of the Parade, where they remained until within a few years, when they were removed, and placed in front of the fountain, at the end of the Mall. THE REV. MAKMADUKE BROWN. As Newport has been the birthplace of many distinguished personages, as well as the residence of others who have occupied important positions in society, we have been induced to notice such parties, believing that it would prove highly interesting to the reader. In 1760, on the resignation of the Rev. Mr. Pollen, the Eev. Marmaduke Brown, a native of Ireland, was unanimously chosen to oflBciate as Minister of Trinity Church, Newport, and was appointed a Missionary by the Home Bocieiy. Mr. Brown continued his connection with Trinity Church until his death, which took place on the 19th of March, 1771. 184 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. He left an only son, who, in 1795, caused a marble tablet, with a raised profile likeness of his father, to be erected on the walls of Trinity Church, in memory of his parents. It bears the following inscription : To the Memory of The Eev; MAEMADUKE BEOWN, Formerly Keotor of this Parish, A Man eminent for Talents, Learning, and Religion, Who departed this Life on the 19th of March, 1771, And of ANN, his Wife, A Lady of Uncommon Piety,' and Suavity of Manners, Who died the 6th of January, 1767. This Monument was Erected by their Son, A E T H "U E BEOWN, Esq., 1 Now Senior Fello^y of Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, And Bepresencatire in Parliament for the same ; In Token of his Gratitude and Affection To the best and tenderest of Parents, And his Bespect and Lore for a Congregation, Among whom, and for a Place where. He spent the Barliest and Happiest of His Days. Heu! Quanto minus est. Cum allis Versari, Qnam tui Memisse. M.D.CCXCV. His above-mentioned son is the subject of the following notice : Hon. Arthur Brown, LL. D.,was at an early age sent from Newport to the care of a relative in Ireland, for education. He was a man gifted with extraordinary mental powers, which he improved by almost incessant study, and by an intercourse with the most able scholars .and politicians of the day. He soon rose to eminence — was Senior Fellow, and Senior Proctor of Trinity College, a Doctor of Civil Laws, King's Professor of Greek, &c., &c. Eor a length of time be held the Vicar-Generalship of the HON. ARBHUR BBOWN, LL. D. 185 Diocese of Kildare, and also practised in the courts, as an emi- nent, though not a leading barrister. For many years no person in the University enjoyed greater popularity. They gave him their best and most honorable gifts — ^they appointed him their representative in the National Legis- lature, and the Irish House of Commons for many years listened with surprise and admiration, to his bold and powerful elo- quence. On questions of great national importance, Dr. Brown could speak with surprising effect. "With little subjects he seldom in- terfered. If with the opposition it was his desire or chance to associate— he supported all their leading measures — on the Place and Pension bills, Catholic Emancipation, the Suspension of the Habeas Corpus, &c., he brought all hie talents into action. He was a strong advocate of Parliamentary reform, an enemy to the abuse of power, and always stood forward as the cham- pion of the people. On the great question of the Union of Great Britain and Ire- land, he took part with the ministry, and his support and exam- ple greatly contributed to that event. Shortly after the Union, Dr. Brown was appointed Prime Sergeant, and it is supposed, had he survived, he would have obtained a situation on the bench. Beside various political pamphlets. Dr. -Brown was the author of two volumes of miscellaneous essays and dissertations, in which many questions of literature and criticism were ably discussed. These volumes are now out of print, which is the more to be regretted, as one of the essays was devoted to a pic- ture of Colonial manners and habits, especially as exhibited by the society of Newpnrt, Ehode Island. In a note he referred to many of the families with whom he was intimate,— the Brentons, Malboms, Eedwoods, &c. His great work, however, is that on the Civil Law, which has passed through various editions, and is considered by the profession as a standard. This celebrated man died in Dublin, in the summer of 1805, of a dropsical complaint, leaving a large property, which he acquired from his situations in the CoUegfe, and his exertions as a lawyer. The late Baron Kinsale, of Ireland, was also a native of 186 HISTORY OF RHODE iSLAND. Newport. The following notice of the Baron De Courcy, is taken from the Newport Mercury, 1832 : " On the 1st of February last, died at Kinsale, the Eight Honorable Thomas De Courcy, Lord Kinsale, Baron De Courcy, and Eingrone. His lordship was Premier Baron of Ireland, and enjoyed the hereditary privilege of wearing his hat in the royal presence, granted to John De Courcy, Earl of Ulster, by King John, and lately exercised by Lord John De Courcy, at a court held in Dublin Castle, by George IV., in 1821." We transcribe this obituary notice from a London paper of February 20th, 1832, because we of Ehode Island, feel a pecu- liar interest with regard to this family, of which the present branch sprung from the town of Newport, Ehode Island. It was probably about the years 1720 and 1725, that the younger, and we presume the only brother of the Baron of Kinsale, for some reasons of discontent; emigrated to North America, and selected Newport, Ehode Island, as the place of his residence. William Eogers, D. D., Professor of English Oratory in the University of Pennsylvania, was born in Newport, Ehode Island, July 22d, 1751. A graduate of Brown University in 1769. He received his license to preach in 1771, and in May of the fallowing year was ordained pastor of the Baptist chiirch, Phila- delphia, where he continued till the commencement of the Eevo- lution, in 1775, when he was appointed Chaplain of the Pennsyl- vanian forces, and not long after, of the Continental Army, and remained in the service till 1781. In 1789, he wafe elected Professor of English Oratory in the College of Philadelphia, and afterwards was appointed to the same office in the University of Pennsylvania, and held it till 1812, when he resigned. His death took place April 7th, 1824, in the 74th year of his age. He held a highly respectable rank in talents and learning,. and was greatly esteemed for his ability and faithfulness as a preacher. His daughter, a very estimable lady, is the wife of William Henry De Wolf, Esq., of Bristol, Ehode Island. THE AUCHMTJTY FAMILY. 187 THE AUCHMUTT FAMILY. Eobert Auohmuty was the first of the American family of that name. He was the descendant of an ancient Scotch family, holding a barony in the north of that country. His father settled in England, early in the eighteenth century. Eobert came to this country and settled in Boston ; he was con- sidered a profound lawyer, and possessed remarkable talents, shrewdness, and wit. Anecdotes of him have been handed down from generation to generation, to this day. He was greatly respected and beloved, both in public and private life. His memory is held in high veneration by the bar in Massachusetts, and his opinions are still. respected by the profession. He has many descendants still left there. He was Judge of Admiralty many years before his death. Eev. Samuel Auchmuty, son of the elder Eobert, was born in Boston, in 1725, graduated at Harvard University in 1742, and was taken by his father to England, where he was ordained a minister of the Episcopal Church, and was appointed by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, an assistant minister of Trinity Church, New- York. He married in 1749, a daughter of Eobert Nichols, Governor of that Province in 1764. At the death of the Eector, he was appointed to succeed him, and took charge of all the churches in the city, performing his arduous duties with faithfulness until the Eevolution. The children of Eev. Dr. Auchmuty were, 1st, Mary Juliana, born 1750, married General Mulcaeter, of theEoyal Engineers, and left two sons and two daughters : 2d, married, died young ; 3d, Isabella, born 1753, married a Mr. Burton, of Kent, in England, and left no children ; 4th, Eobert Nichols, born in 1758, married Henrietta, daughter of Henry John Overing, of Newport, his second cousin. He died at Newport, Ehode Island, and was interred in Trinity churchyard, leaving eight children, Samuel O. Auchmuty, Harriet, who married Major Heileman of the TT. S. Army, a most accomplished gentleman and superior officer, Maria, widow of Capt. Wainwright of the Marine Corps, Eobert, Eichard of the TJ. S. Navy, Joanna, Isabella, and John of the TJ. S. Navy. 188 HISTORY OF RHOOE ISLAND. Samuel, afterwards Sir Samuel, born 1758, graduated at Columbia College, served in England, under Sir Ealph Aber- crombie, was a Brigadier- General, and K. 0. B., in 1807, and commanded the expedition against Montevideo, which he took. He was promoted to be Lieutenant-General, received the thanks of Parliament and a service of plate. He was afterwards en- trusted with a very important command in the Channel, at the time of Napoleon's threatened invfision ; was the Governor of Madras, and commander of an expedition against the Island of Java, which he took, in 1800. On returning to England, he again received the thanks of Parliament, and a service of plate from the East India Company. He retired for a while to his estate in Kent, which he left on being appointed commander of the forces in Ireland, where he died, August I'lth, 1822. The inscription on his tomb-stone is ; Sacred to the Memory of THE EIGHT HON. SIR SAMUEL AUCHMUTT, G. C. B. Of His Majesty's Seventy-eight of Foot, wliodied on the 11th of August, aged sixty- four, while commanding his Majesty's forces in Ireland. He was a brave, experienced, and successful officer, and victorious whenever he had the command. He twioe received the thanks of Parliament for his services. The capture of Montevideo, in. South America, and the Island of Java, in the East Indies, added both to his fame and fortune. THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED BY HIS RELATIVES, AS A TRIBUTE TO U18 PRIVATE AS WELL AS HIS PUBLIC WORTH. He left in his will a princely fortune to the children of his brother, Eobert Nichols Auchmuty, of Newport, Rhode Island. We have dwelt thus long on the history of this family, from the fact of their intimate connection with Newport. Of the two surviving children of Eobert N. Auchmuty, Esq., Maria and Joanna, it is no flattery to speak of them in the highest terms, as illu.strating the female attractions of the past. Maria was tall, and of exquisite proportions, her complexion beautifully transparent, the roseate bloom of health diflfused its beauties on her cheek, and the benignant softness that Jbeamed from her blue eye, gave her the appearance of a celestial divinity. Col. George THE MINTURN FAMILY. 189 Gibbs expressed his admiration of her charms, • on Wftflessing her' appearance at the ball-room in NeWport, with the splendid headdress on, the gift of Sir Samuel, K. G. B. Her sister JoElnna, was eqtially as graerful and captivating in form and man- ners. Her complexion clear, her teeth beautifully whit© and regular, a sweet expression played around her coral lipS;her eyes \^6re' €i±pressive, her voice exquisitely melodious, and her genius lively and expanded. In the' science of music She took 'delight, and touched the harpsicord to perfection. In the dance she vpeis the sprightly serial of the scene, when her inimitable attitude and gfade captivated every beholder. Those who recollect Monsieur Carpenti.er's dancing-room, wlich was graced with the elite and fashion of Newport, will 'be ready to respond to the de&criptionhere"given of thislovely person.' And now that the season of youth and gayety has passed 'away, her mind has been profitably and usefully employed' in the cul- tivation of the morals of the nieces and nephews of her widowed sister. From a gentleman of the first rank in the United States Army, we have received the most flattering account of her amiable qualities, which we could justly appreciate, from a long acquaintance with her and her family. " When heaven's harbiJger shall claim his prize, ' And waft her pnrest soul to purer skies, Then shall recording angels trace her fame, And pity weep when memory breathes her name.' THE MINTURN FAMILY. The ancestor of the Mintum family in this country, was a native of England, and was one of the early settlers of Narra- gansett. Jonas Mintum married Penelope Brown, of South Kingston, and died on his own farm in Narragansett. He left three children, "William, Hannah, and John, the latter of whom died' at an early age. Hannah remained unmarried, and died at an advanced age, in Newport. William early exhibited that enero-y and decision of character, which was so conspicuous dur- ing his life. Being of an enterprising disposition, and wishing .190 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. to see more of the world than his circumstances permitted, he made several voyages from Newport, in a ship of which he soon became mate ; during one of these voyages to a port in Eng- land, the vessel in which he sailed had the misfortune to be cap. tured and taken into France, England being at that time at war with that country. The voyage was thus in danger of being broken up, threaten- ing great loss to those who were concerned in its success. The French commander oflfered to accept a ransom for the vessel, which though ardently desired by the American captain, was deemed by him to be entirely out of his power to accomplish at this juncture. Mr. Minturn, seeing how vitally important was the measure, presented himself before the master of the ship : •" Captain,'' said he, " land me on the coast of England — I will go to London ; I am certain that I can effect this desirable re- sult to a commercial house in that city." It was done ; dressed as he was, in his sailor's clothes, he proceeded on foot to London, found out the firm he was in search of, and by his intelligence and perseverance, was able to convince them of the importance and feasibility of the object. He then re-crossed the channel, paid the ransom money, and arrived safely with the vessel at Newport. In testimony of the high opinion which the owners of the ship entertained towards him, by this signal service, he was imme- diately made captain of the same vessel ; and so fortunate was he, that he ws^s soon able to become himself a shipowner, and to establish himself at Newport, where, becoming a successful mer- chant, he was greatly distinguished for benevolence and public spirit. Mr. Minturn removed from Newport to Hudson, in 1788, but finding, however, the branch of mercantile business in which he was more especially engaged, that of commerce and navigation, could be prosecuted with more success at a point less remote from the sea, he concluded upon a change of loca- tion, and finally fixed upon the city of 'New- York, as possessing those superior commercial advantages which have since been accredited to it by the world. Hither he removed in 1791, con- tinuing his successful career, and realizing all the advantages which he had anticipated from this new abode. Having amassed a large estate for the times in which he lived, he retired from THE MINTURN FAMILY. 191 the active duties of commercial life, enjoying the respect, the esteem, and affection of his fellow-citizens. In 1799, Mr. Minturn's health so rapidly declined, that he ardently longed to breathe once more his native air ; confidently believing that it vyould bring with it healing on its wings. He was also anxious to consult with Br. Center, of Newport, the physician of his early life. In this desire he was warmly en- couraged by his friend and former partner in business, George Gibbs, Esq., who kindly procured a commodious house for his reception ; but his cherished hopes, and those of his attached family, were destined to be soon destroyed. His disease in- creased in severity, and he died in August of that year, univer- sally lamented. Justice, firmness, and charity, were the distin- guishing trait^ of his character. William Minturn married Penelope, daughter of Benjamin Greene ; she was a near relative of Major Nathaniel Greene, of the Eevolujbion, with whom she spent a considerable part of her early life, at Patawamut. After her husband's decease, Mrs. Minturn returned to New-York, where she resided till her death, in 1821 ; dying iij that humility and faith which her Christian life had so pre-eminently exemplified. William Minturn left ten children ; 1st, Penelope, married to John T.. Champlain ; 2d, Benjamin Greene, married to Mary, daughter of Eobert Bowne; 3d, Hannah, who died in 1817; 4th, William, also married to a daughter of Eobert Bowne ; 5th, Jonas, married to Esther, daughter of William T. Eobin- son ; 6th, Mary, married to Henry Post ; 7th, Deborah, msrried to Eobert Abbot, jun. ; 8th, Nathaniel G., married to Lydia, daughter of Samuel Coales, of Philadelphia ; 9th, Niobe, who resides in New -York ; and 10th, John, who in 1817, removed to New-Orleans— he married Lydia, daughter of James Clements, of Philadelphia. The descendants of William Minturn have num- bered one hundred and forty-six persons. Some of his descend- ants are now extensive merchants in New- York. 192 mSTORY OP RHODE ISLAND. SIE CHARLES WAGEE. " Newpoet, 2 Mo. 1, 1853. " The following' is an extract from a letter I received from Eowland T. Bobinson, dated Ferrisburgh, Vermont, 1 Mo. 22d, 1848, and, I presume, wil convey the, information you request " Your friend, « T. E. Hazard. " To Edward Peterson. (1 I I have obtained the following genealogical information from my father, whose recollections are cliear on the matter ; and I also find they are confirmed by " W. Updike's History," page 249. ' " 'William Hazard, the father of Lydia Hazard, who married John Field, was the son of Caleb Hazard. William had two brothers. Dr. Eobert, and Caleb. "'Caleb Hazard, the father of William, married Abigail Q-ardiner, daughter of William Gardiner ; she was the sister of Dr. Sylvester Gardiner, of Boston; , " ' After Caleb Hazard's death, his widow, Abigail, married Wm. Eobinson, called Governor Eobinson, who was my great- grandfather. They had six sons and two daughters, Ohris- topher, William, Thomas (my grandfather), Sylvester, James, and John. The daughters were Mary, who married a Dookray, and Abigail. " ' Phoebe Hull, who married William Hazard, was daughter of Captain Hull, who brought up Admiral Wager, of the British navy ; Charles Wager was taken by Capt. John Hull, when a poor boy, from Newport, and trained to the sea. In conse- quence of an advertisement which appeared in the public papers, Capt. Hull took Wager to England, and assisted him in obtain- ing a large estate, and he became an Admiral. " ' I have often heard my father relate the following anec- dote, which may be somewhat amusing to thy New- York cor- respondent. Capt. Hull was a plain Friend, and in the pursuit of his calling, he was at one time in some part of the West Indies, and learning that his ward, now Admiral Wager, was lying in the same port, he took his long boat, and went on board the Admiral's ship. He enquired for the Admiral, stating he SIR CHARLES WAGER. 193 wished to see him. His appearance being roughj he was met by a sprig of the navy, and denied admittance ; but watching his opportunity, he stepped into the cabin, knowing he would be safe when once recognized, whrch proved to be the case. He was received with great kindness by the Admiral, greatly to the confusion of the officer who had denied him an audience. An intimacy was long afterwards maintained, and the Admiral used to make an annual demonstration of his remembrance of his old master, by sending him a quarter-cask of wine.' " " New- York, March 2, 1853. " Dear Sir, " Hearing you were about publishing a history of Newport, and the events of the past, so highly important and interesting, connected with its early settlement, 1 beg leave to hand you an anecdote or two of the celebrated Admiral, Sir Charles "Wager, who was bound apprentice to a Quaker sea captain, of the name of John Hull, of Newport. It was of Capt. Hull that Sir Charles first learned his skill as a captain, and by whom he was brought up in the straight ways of industry, perseverance, and honesty, which appear to have distinguished him through life. " ' Your sincere friend and servant, " Oliver Hull. " Mr. Peterson. " It is perhaps not generally known, even by the reading public, that the celebrated Admiral Wager, of the British navy, when a boy, was bound apprentice to a Quaker, of the name of John Hull, who sailed a vessel between Newport, (Rhode Island,) and London ; and in whose service he probably learned the rudiments of that nautical skill, as well as that upright honor and integrity, for which he is so much lauded by his biographer. The circumstance of running his master's vessel over a privateer, first recommended him to an advantageous place in the British navy. The facts of this encounter, as near as I can gather them, are these : the privateer was a small' schooner, full of men, and was about boarding the ship of Capt. Hull, whose rehgious scruples prevented him from taking any measures of a hostile nature. After much persuasion from 194 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. young Wager, the peaceable captain retired to his cabin, and gave the command of his ship to his apprentice. His anxiety, however, induced him to look out from the companion way, and occasionally give directions to the boy, who, he perceived, designed to run over the privateer, saying to him, ' Charles, if thee intends to run over that schooner, thou must put the helm a little more to the starboard.' The ship passed directly over the schooner, which instantly sunk, with every soul on board. " On one occasion, when the Admiral was in Newport, Oapt. Hull called at the coffee-house to see his former apprentice, and seeing a Lieutenant there, asked him, '"Where is Charles ?' at which the Lieutenant took umbrage, and threatened to chas- tise the old Quaker for his insolence, in not speaking more respectfully of his Admiral. When Wager heard of it, he took occasion to reprove the Lieutenant before Capt. Hull, saying, ' Mr. Hull, sir, is my honored master.' " The. certificate of marriage of John Hull, which is of parch- ment, among the witnesses, bears the signature of the mother of Admiral Wager, thus, ' Prudence Wager.' " John Hull died at Oonanicut, on the 1st day of December, 1732, aged seventy-eight years. " The following inscription is on the monument, erected to the memory of Admiral Wager, in Westminster Abbey, Lon- don, England : " ' To the Memory of Sir CHAELES WAGEE, Knt., Admiral of the White, First Commissioner of the Admiralty, and A Privy Councillor ; A man of great natural talents, improved by Industry, and long Experience ; Who bore the highest commands, and passed through the greatest Employments, With Credit to himself, and Honor to his Country. He was in his Private Life, Humane, Temperate, Just, and Bountiful ; In Public Station, Prudent, Wise, and Honest ; Easy of access to all ; steady and resolute in his conduct ; So remarkably happy in his presence of mind, that no danger Ever discomposed him. Esteemed and favored by his King, Beloved and honored by his Coontiy. He died the Twenty-fourth of May, 1743 Aged 79 years. EVENTS OF THE REVOLUTION. 195 EVENTS OF THE REVOLUTION. "We have been pleasantly employed in presenting to the mind of the reader, the growth and prosperity of Newport, with the highly cultivated state of manners, which characterized her early history. And it would afford unspeakable gratifica- tion, could we continue the prosecution of a theme, so deeply interesting to the human mind ; but every thing earthly is mutable, and subject to change. The prosperous to-day, may be in adversity to-morrow ; so with States and Empires, — but the events so painful in themselves, are not without their uses, for out of the discordant materials good will ultimately arise. No town in the British Colonies flourished to the degree of Newport, and while her canvass whitened every sea, and the products of every clime came freighted to her shores, it did not render her supremely selfish, as is too apt to be the case, but her influence was directed to the cultivation of the arts and sciences, which rendered her highly distinguished. The society of Newport was polished and refined ; this was owing in a great degree to the intimate relationship which subsisted between them and the mother country. The oflncers under the Crown were educated gentlemen, and this exerted a powerful influence on the minds of the inhabitants, and but for the Revolution, no one could possibly have predicted the extent of prosperity to which Newport would have arrived. But the oppression of the British Parliament towards her Colonies became insupportable, until forbearance ceased to be a virtua Every remonstrance on the part of the Colonists, only tended the more highly to exasperate Great Britain towards them. Now it was never the intention of the Colonies to sunder the ties which so closely linT^ed them to the mother country, but simply to obtain a redress of grievances. They had stood by England in storm as well as sunshine- When she had been engaged in conflict with other nations, the Colonies had fur- nished their quota of men and money to overcome her enemies. This loyalty on the part of the Colonies, could never have ^een alienated, but for the continual aggressions on the part of the Crown, disregarding the most solemn appeals, and setting at defiance every remonsti'ance made of the injustice of their 196 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND- policy towards the Colonies. Tbey were aware of their greaS inferiority, to attempt to cope with so gigantic a power as that of Great Britain, celebrated for her military and naval prowess, with her immense resources ;. hence any measure which wisdom and prudence could dictate to effect a reconciliation was- resorted to, but without effect. Great BritaiH was determined to overawe her ©olonies, to sul>mit to her arbitrary and despotic roeasures. But the principle of liberty was lodged deep in th© hearts of the Colonists,, and they could not tamely acquiesce iu) British misrule aind oppression.. The first act of the British Parliament to tax the Colonies,, passed that body in September, 1764 ; the avowed object of which was 'to raise a revenue for the better psotection of his- Majesty's Oolomes in New Engfend, by a duty paid the British Crown, on certaan articles of commerce sold in the Colonies-. This wa» to test the fidelity of their subjects, and to open the- way for bolder developments. Accordingly, by the next spring,. , the famoTK, or rather m-femous Stamp Act, passed both Houses of Paiiiament. This- Act required that alJ deeds, notes, bonds, &ev,. in the- Oolonies, should be null and void, unless executed o-n stamp- paper, for which a duty must be paid the Crown. The former Act the Colonies could- not approve, \jecause it was- arbitrary and unjust, levying a t3» without their consent, not being repre' sented in that body. But such was their attachment to the- honor of their fathers, that they acquieseed in the measure,, however oppressive and' unjust. On the subject of the right of the British Parliament to tax the Colonies, it was asserted, m the Moth When the fleet arrived here, there were two new Rhode Island frigates, called the Warren, and the Providence, lying 214 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. in the harbor of Newport, with eight or ten privateers, which all got under weigh, and ran up the river. Both frigates and privateers, however, during the winter, taking advantage of the north-east wind, made their escape and went to sea, notwith- standing the utmost vigilance and care with which each passage was guarded by the British fleet ; demonstrating the import- ance of the bay, and proving the impossibility of its being blockaded. In 1778, in the month of November, there was collected in the harbor of Newport, twelve British ships of the line, and two frigates. As soon as the army landedrthey commenced plundering the inhabitants j sheep, fowls, stacks of hay, and every thing else they could lay their hands on,, went off as by magic, the first night. This was their intention at the outset, and as they could not unjustly tax the Colonies, and rob them of their earnings with impunity, they had reeourse to powder and ball, in order more effectually to carry out their diabolical plans, and compel them to yield obedience to their arbitrary mandates. After having remained in camp for one week, the barrack ofiBcer went through the neighborhood, purveying every house, and unceremoniously quartering in each, from ten to forty, and even panions the least assistance. The main body pf the American army ftad gained and taken possession of Butt's Hill, on the northern part of the Island. It has generally befen supposed, even at this time^ had General Green's advice been tafeen, a most signal victory might have been gained over the pursuing enemy. His adviee was over- ruled, however, and the enemy pressed onward toward ther American lines. They advanced near the left wing of the Ameri- can army, but were repulsed and driven, back by General Glover, when they retired and took possession of Quaker Hill, about a mile from the position occupied by the An^ericans. A continr ued skirmishing was kept up between the two armiesy during this anfl the following day, and freqisently whole regiments were engaged in the deadly strife at orace, andP the same spot of ground was taken possession of and aibandosed by both the bel- ligerent parties. The last and most severe skirmish d«fing th© action, jvas an attempt made by the British on a redouM in pos- session of the Americans, A reinforcemeiaifc was sent to its re- Ijfef, who arrived just in time to prevent the success of the enemy, and just as they were maMag a third and desperate efiort tat carry the redoubt ; they werer repulsed with consjierable toss, and in great confnsion precipitately retreated, leavifflig many ©f their slain and wounded on thefield of battle- After this action, the firing of the musketry ceased, but the roar of the artillery still continued on both sides. One grand objicct of the American' eommander in planting himself on these heights, and maintaining so Jong tb» san- guinary confiiet, was to secure the removal of the bag- gage and , heavy artillery with the stores of waar, which was- briskly going om in the rear, while the roar of cannon and ther storm of death were raging in tbe front. The sentinels of botb RETREAT FaOM EBODE ISLAND. 229 cti-rales wera stationed at a, distance q{ not more than seventy rods from each other, so that it required no small degree of gen- eralship to cover the design of retreat from the suspicion of a watchful enemy, and render that retreat triumphant and success- ful. On the 30th of the month, a number of tents were erected in full view of the enemy, and the whole army were apparently engaged in fortifying and strengthening their present position ; after the going down of the sun, they built a large number of fires, eztehding nearly across the Island, to lull the enemy into security, and cover from suspicion their intended retreat. As soon as the surrounding darkness favored the design, the tents were struck, and the troops with the artillery and baggage, moved to the north, embarked in their flat-bottomed boats, and were all safely landed on the main before the dawn of day. The brave and generous de Lafayette, who returned from Boston at the moment our troops were landiflg, was very greatly disap- pointed in not having been permitted to share in the perils of the action. Anticipating such an event, he had rode the dis- tance of seventy miles in about six hours. Nor could he be prevented from passing over to bring off the piquet and other parties who covered the American retreat. This he effected with such consummate prudence and self-possession, that not a man was left behind, nor the slightest loss sustained. This re- treat, notwithstanding the failure of the expedition, reflected the highest honor on the American commanders, and the wisdom and skill by which it was executed, was applauded even by the British oflicers themselves. The loss of the Amerieans, as stated by Greneral 8ul]ivan> was, — Killed . 30 Wounded 137 Missing 44 T«td ... 211 Nearly 1200 Americans were engaged in the action, and they a«« fiaid to have shown great firmness. The day after the action, a cannonade was kept up by both armies. A lettet Was received from General Washington, informing him (General Sullivan,) that a large body of troops had Bailed 230 HISTOKY OF RHODE ISLAND. from New-York, most probably for the relief of Newport f arwi a resolution wa& immediately formed t© evacuate the island. The delay of a single day would, probably, have been fatal to the Ameriieans j for Sir Henry Clinton, who had been delayed by adverse winds, arrived with a reinforcement of 4000 men, on the very next day, when a retreat,, it is presumed, would have been, impracticable. The troops on Ehode Island, under the command of General Sullivan, o» the 4th of August, were arranged as follows : — Varnum's- brigade. htc luding office ra . 1,037 Glover'si do. ditto . 1,131 CornelFs do. ditto . . 1,719 Green's do. ditto . .. 1,626 Lovell's do. ditto . . 1,158 Titcomb'a do. ditto . 959 Livingstone^s advance. ditto . 659 West's reserve, ditto . 1,025 Artillery . . ditto al amount . . . 810 Tot . 10,124 On November 28thy 1776, the day of' General Washington's retreat over the Delaware, the British took possession of Ehode Island. The scenes which have been enacted on the island, invests it with peculiar interest, and should remind us, of the present day, of the suflferings which our fathers endured, tot bequeath to their children the rich legacy of liberty and independence. The island has been consecrated by the blood of our patriot sires ; and when we walk over the fields of carnage, may we be reminded of the value of the American Union, and discounten- ance every attempt made by fanatics, to weaken the ties which hold us together as one people. The British held position of the island, until the autumn of 1779, when Sir Henry Clinton, at New- York, anticipating an attack upon l.hat place by the combihed forces of America and France, dispatched a number of transports to bring, off the troops from Ehode Island, to strengthen his forces at New- York ; they embarked on the 25th of October, at the south end of the island, and arrived at New-York on the 27th. EESTORATION OF THE TOWN RECORDS. 231 On the day the island was evacuated, orders were issued by the British commander, that the inhabitants of Newport should keep within their houses during the time the royal troops were passing through Thames-street, the route which they took to the Neck, the place of their embarkation, on pain of death. This injunction was strictly complied with, so that those who bad the curiosity to see the invaders of their peaceful shores march through their streets, stole a glance at them through the crevices of their windows and doors. The British burnt all the barracks at Fort Adams, and the light-house at Beaver Tail, and carried off with them the Town Eecords,, consisting of the books of Eegistry of Deeds, the Eecords of the Town Council, the Court of Probate, &c., which, in their passage to New- York, were unfortunately sunk with the vessel which carried them away, near Hell Gate, and were under water for several hours before they were recovered. They were detained in New- York about three years, and when they were afterwards returned to Newport, they were in a damaged condition. Had they been copied immediately on their recovery, many valuable documents might have been pre- served, but having been neglected so long, they are now in a dilapidated state, and of little use. On the arrival of Sir Henry Clinton, the last "William Cod- dington, an aged and respectable gentleman, who held the office of Town Clerk, not willing to remain in prison, left the island, and went to Providence, there to reside until the army had abandoned the enterprise, and left the State. It is to be regretted that he had not taken with him the Eecords of the town, instead of placing them in the hands of his friend, Walter Chaloner, who took them to New- York, and their fate has been described above. In 1 782, the Town Council of Newport, having made applica- tion to General Carlton, the British Commander at New- York, for the return of the Town Eecjrds, which had been taken away at the evacuation of the town; they, in December, received by a flag of truce, the books and papers, General Carlton expressing his sorrow, " for the damage they had sus- tained, from the sinking of the transport in Hell Gate, and the long time they had lain (three years,) without examination.'' The possession of the island for three years, by a strong and 232 HISTORY OF .RHODE ISLAND. powerful foe, who treated its inhabitants as rebels against the authority of their King, and consequently claiming the divine right of his Majesty to whatever the royal troops should please to possess, reduced the inhabitants to the greatest poverty and distress. At this distant period, it is impossible to form the least conception of the wretchedness and misery endured by the inhabitants of the island at that trying period ; and nothing but the providence of God sustained them in the hour of peril ; they were, ' however, delivered from their enemies, and ultimately achieved their freedom from the galling yoke of British tyranny. During the period of their stay, they had cut down and consumed all the flourishing groves of forest trees, with many of the most valuable orchards, and numerous ornamental trees, which beautified and adorned the island, so that the inhabitants were entirely destitute of fuel. The wells at Portsmouth were filled up, the houses on the heights of Middletown were set on fire by the^G-eneral's order, and even the wharves, in Newport, which at that period were built of timber, were torn up for fuel, as the weather was so extremely severe in 1779-80. "^ I It is estimated that nine hundred dwellings, besides ware houses, were destroyed, while the British had possession of Newport. The town presented a wide scene of desolation after the evacuation, and it should be no surprise to the reader that Newport has never recovered her former prosperity, when the ravages committed by a lawless and infuriated nation are duly considered. Rhode Island was one of the principal points, and her spacious harbor, capable of containing the whole British fleet, rendered it a key of great importance, in pushing forward their schemes, in the subjugation of the rebellious Colonies. During the possession of the island by the British, the free- men of Newport had held their Town Meetings, for choice of representatives in the General Assembly in Providence, the " hornet's nest," as the British called it, agreeably to an Act of that body, granting tbem permission to do so. Middletown and Portsmonth held Town Meetings in Tiverton, for the election of repiesentatives to the General Assembly ; but after the evacuation of the island by the enemy, that body passed an act, empowering the town of Newport to resume ARRIVAL OP THE FRENCH. 233 their corporate powers, and choose Town officers, providing every person should be excluded from voting, who had in any- wise aided the enemy. The first meeting of the freemen for the choice of officers, was held at the Friends' Meeting- House, in November, 1779. In January, 1779, the sum of five hundred pounds of lawful money, was granted by the General Assembly, for the relief of the distressed inhabitants of Newport ; and large contribu- tions continued to be made for the same object, in this, and the adjoining States. The General Assembly, at their June session, in 1780, banished thirty-six persons from the State, ' and confiscated their estates, for adhering to the enemy. On the 10th July, 1780, the French fleet, of seven sail of the line and five frigates, with a large number of transports, and an army of six thousand men, arrived at Newport, to the great joy of the inhabitants. The fleet was commanded by the Chevalier de Tournay, and the army by Count deiRochambeau. The town was illuminated, and the arrival of the fleet and army greeted with the fullest demonstrations of gratitude and joy. Complimentary addresses were made by a committee of the General Assembly, then in session, both to Admiral de Tour- ney and Count de Eochambeau, to which they gave the most spirited and patriotic replies. In July, it having been ascertained that a large naval and land force were destined against Newport, the inhabitants associated, and formed themselves into companies, both for the common defence, and also that the disaffected might be known. The town was divided into four districts, and by a vote of the freemen, the inhabitants were .required to meet, and sign articles of association ; and those who should not appear at ^the place designated in the several districts, were to be deemed as enemies of their country ; and all persons refusing to take up arms against the enemy, were to be banished from the place. It was voted that a copy of the list of disaffected persons, ordered to be forwarded to the Council of War, be also sent to General Heath, that if the British fleet and army arrive, before any return is received from the Council,- he may know what persons the town requests should be removed from the island.' The list sent to the Council of "War, was called the 234 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. " black list," embracing the votes of the town, that such persons be sent instanter from the island, as inimical to the United States. The militia from Connecticut and Massachusetts, were ordered to the defence of Ehode Island. The expedition was, however, abandoned by Sir Henry Clinton, even after having sailed from New- York with a large fleet, and an army of eight thousand men, as far as Huntington Bay, on Long Island, much to the disappointment and grief of our magnanimous allies, who were prepared to give him a most warm and hearty reception. It is painful to be called upon to notice a class of men, who rendered themselves so obnoxious in the war of the Revolution. They were traitors to their country, aiid had no just claim on the sympathies of the people ; they had flatt-ered themselves with the idea of the final triumph of the British arras, and, consequently, sided in with what they conceived to be the strongest party. But they were deceived, and highly disap- pointed, and the name of traitor was aflSxed to their character, and by that appellation they have ever been known. The course pursued towards them by the town was just, and highly commendatory. As patriots, warring for liberty, they could give no quarter to traitors. » On the '20th of August, nineteen warriors of the Oneida Indians, arrived in Newport, and dined with General Eocham- beau and Admiral de Tourney ; they also dined with General Heath, from all of whom they received presents. ^ Admiral de Tourney died soon after his arrival at Newport, and was buried with military honors, in Trinity church-yard, where a slab was afterwards erected to his memory, on the north side of the church. The funeral procession is said to have been grand and imposing, extending from his residence on the Point, at the Hunter House, to the church-yard, one dense mass of living beings, with the bands of music from the fleet, playing the most solemn strains, was a scene of deep interest to contemplate. % In March, 1781, General Washington, the saviour of his country, arrived at Newport. He passed over from the main by Conanicut Ferry, and landed from his barge at the head of Long Wharf As he passed, the French fleet, lying at the back of the fort, fired a salute, and the army was drawn up in KECEPTIOW or WASHmGTOK. 235 order for his reception at the Ijong Wharf. "Wasbington, the immortal commander-in-chief,' of the French and American armies, never appeared to greater advantage than when he passed over to Newport to review the French forces under Count Eochambeau. He was received at the head of Long Wharf by the French oflacers, at the head of 7,000 men, who lined the streets from thence to the State House. " I never," says a bystander now living, " felt the solid earth tremble under me before. The firing from the French ships that lined the harbor, was tremendous ; it was one continued roar, and looked as though the very Bay was on fire. Wash- ington, as you know, was a Marshal of France ; he could not command the French army without being invested with that title. He wore, on this day, the insignia of his office, and was received with all the honors due to one in that capacity. It is known that many of the flower of the French nobility were numbered in the army that acted in our defence. Never," said the aged narrator, " will that scene be erased from my memory. The attitudes of the nobles, their deep obeisance, the lifting of hats and caps, the waving of standards, the sea of plumes, the long line of French soldiers and the general disposition of their arms,, unique to us, separating to the right and left, the Chief, with Count Eochambeau on his left, unbonneted, walked through. The French nobles, commanders, and their under officers, followed in the rear. Count Eochambeau was a small, keen looking man, not handsome as was his son, afterwards Grovernor of Martinique. Count Noailles looked like what he was — a great man. But the resplendent beauty of the two Vios- minels eclipsed all the rest. They were brothers, and one of them a General in the army, who bore the title of Count too. Newport never saw anything so handsome as these two young brothers. " But we, the populace, were the only ones that looked at them, for the eye of every Frenchman was directed to Wasb- ingtdn. Calm and unmoved by all the honors that surrounded him, the voice of adulation nor the din of battle had ever dis- turbed the equanimity of his deportment. Ever dignified, he wore on this day the same saint-like expression that always characterized him. They proceeded from the State House to the lodgings of Count Eochambeau, the present residence of 236 HISTORY OP KHODE ISLAND. the heirs of the late Samuel Verner, corner of Clark and Mary streets. It was a proud day for Newport, to be honored with the presence of Washington, a name dear to every American heart." A committee of citizens waited upon him on his arrival, and presented him with an address, to which he politely replied. Committee's Address to his Excellency, George "Washington, Esq., General and Oommander-in-Chief of the Armies of the Thirteen United States of America. Sir — The inhabitants of the ancient- town of Newport, warmed with the purest sentiments of esteem and respect, beg leave, through their Committee, to congratulate your Excel- lency upon your arrival at this town, the capital of the State of Ehode Island and Providence Plantations ; permit us to assure your Excellency that words are inadequate to express the joy which your presence has infused into the hearts of our fellow-citizens. Happily guided by the Supreme Director of the American Councils, your Excellency was placed at the head of the armies ; our gratitude is greatly due to Heaven for the protection of your Excellency's persdn through all those scenes of danger and enterprise incident to war, and which your Excellency has sustained with patriotism and fortitude un- paralleled in the page of history. We will not cloud the festivity of this day by enumerating the scenes of lawless rapine and devastation, which have so pe- culiarly marked the steps of a tyrannical and rapacious enemy in this town. The thought merely occurs, as it deprives us of affording your Excellency some fuilither 'manifestations of our sincere regard. ' Suffer us here, Sir, because we know it must ^ve your Ex- cellency a most sensible pleasure, to express the happiness this town has enjoyed with the army and fleet of our illustrious ally, who have, by the wisdom and prudence of their commanders, as well as their own most zealous inclinations, allied themselves to us, not as soldiers only, but as friends and citizens ; armed with a most righteous cause, engaged fbt all that men hold most dear, what blessings may not America, under the auspices of a kind and overruling Providence, be led to expect from the future exertions of your Excellency, the military ardor of the Washington's adbeess. 237 American :troQp8, and an army and fleet of a most generous and magnanimous ally,,thir8tiDg for glory, and eager -tp bleed in the cause of liberty and mankind. "We congratulate your Excellency upon the late signal suc- cesses of the American arms by land, and those of our allies by sea. May the succeeding campaign be productive of the end of all our .efforts— ^liberty, peace, and independence to the United States of America, and happiness to uU mankind. OHEISTOPHEE ELLEEY," WILLIAM CHANNING, WILLIAM TAGGAET, SOLOMON SOrTHWICK, ' Committee. : To -wbich Gen. Washington returned the following answer: To Christopher Ellery, William Channing, William Taggart, and Solomon Southwick, Esqrs. : Gentlemen — Among the distinguished honors which have a claim to my gratitude since my arrival, I have seen with pe- culiar satisfaction those expressions of esteem and attachment which have manifested'themselves in the citizens of this ancient town. > My happiness is complete in the moment that unites the ex- pressions of their sentiments for me with their suffrages in favor of our allies. The conduct of the French army and fleet, of which the inhabitants testify in so grateful and so affection- ate a sense, at the same time that it evinces the wisdom of the commanders and the discipline'of the troops, is a new proof of the magnanimity of the nation. It is a further demonstration, of that generous zeal and concern for the happiness of Ataerica which brought them to our assistance, a happy presage of future harmony — a pleasing evidence that an intercourse be- tween the two nations will more and more cement the union by the solid and lasting ties of mutual affection. J sincerely sympathize with you, gentlemen, in lamenting the depredations suffered by the town while in possession of the enemy, and; heartily join you int those liberal wishes, the accom- plishment of which -would soon more than restore it to its for- mer flourishing condition. Accept my acknowledgments for the polite and obliging manner in which you have been pleased to communicate to me 2S8 HISTORY OF EHOCE ISLAND. the flentiraents of your fellow-citizens, and the assurance of my warmest esteem for them and for you personally. Nevypmt, March 8th, 1781. G. "WASHINGTON. The town, was illuminated, the evening after his arrival at Newport. Count de Eochambeau gave a splendid ball to Gen. "Washington, which was attended by the most fashionable fami- lies in Newport. This' was the first interview Washington en- joyed with the French officers, and it is said that he and the Count de Eochambeau laid their plans for an attack upon New York, which was disconcerted by the arrival of a large fleet and army to the assistance of Sir Henry Clinton, under the command of Admiral Rodney. About this time, Admiral D'Barras arrived at Boston, and succeeded to the command of the French squadron at Newport. It was soon after decided in a council of war, held at Wethersfield, Conn., by General Washington, Count de Eochambeau, and other distinguished officers, that the troops on Ehode Island (with the exception of about five hundred to guard the works), should immediately march to the North Eiver, to join the American army. Dur- ing the whole period the- French army was quartered in New- port, such was their strict regard to the rights and property of the inhabitants, that the whole amount of damage done by them would not exceed one hundred dollars. The pleasure which the French officers derived in mingling with the poUshed society of Newport, has been already alluded to, in the description given by Count Seguin in relation to the fancy ball, which was given on the 3d of January, by the offi- cers of the regiments of Eoyal Duex Fonts. In was an elegant fete, composed of the first rank in the society of the ancient metropohs. EXECUTION. On the 1st of June, 1781, a sergeant of the French artillery was executed at the south part of Newport, a httle back from what was then called Buddy's Lane, now the Bowery near the Ocean House, in presence of the whole army, who were drawn up inahol- Jo w square for the occasion. The criminal on being brought to the SUCCESS OP THE REVOLUTION. 239 place of execution, had his right hand cut off and burnt by the executioner, and he was then hanged. His crime was attempt- ing to murder his officer. It appeared that in a fit of jealousy, he had in the night waylaid the Captain of his Company, and after stabbing him repeatedly, had thrown him into an old cellar at the comer of Denison and Spring-streets, where the Barker House now stands. The officer was found in his wounded state and conveyed to his quarters, and afterwards recovered. The Frenchmen were very much smitten by the Newport ladies, and many of them, it is said, lost their hearts. It is not to be wondered at when we consider the elegance of person, and the refinement of manners which preeminently distinguished the fair sex in the past. Many romantic events have transpired on the island, which if we should allude to them all, would increase our volume beyond the ordinary limit which" was designed. The ChevaUer de Fayelle, Aid-de Camp to the Marquis de Lafayette, died very suddenly at Newport, as he was going on board the French frigate Hermoine. He was buried with mili- tary honors in Trinity church -yard. The surrender of Lord Cornwallis and army, to the united forces of America and France, on the 19th of October, 1781, decided the fate of the Eevolution, and was virtually the termi- nation of the war ; for although several places of importance were still in possession of the enemy, yet their days were num- bered, and their destiny sealed. On the 4th of March, 1782, the British Parliament, in the House of Commons, passed a resolution declaring all as enemies to His Majesty, and His Majesty's Kingdom, who should advise to the longer continuance of the war in America. Preliminaries of peace were entered into at Paris, in November, 1782, and a definite treaty, in which Great Britain acknowledged the Sover- eignty and Independence of the United States, was signed in September, 1783. / In 1783, the British frigate Mercy, Capt. Stanhope, arrived at Newport, on the 19th of July, from Halifax. While at New- port he married Miss Peggy Malborn, daughter of Francis Malborn, sen., Esq. Capt. Stanhope was afterward Admiral, and Knight of the Bath, and one of the Lords of Admiralty. "We again shall have occasion to allude to this distinguished individual 240 HISTORY OF RHOUE ISLAND. Francis Malborn, senior, was a native of Prince Anna county, Virginia, and came to Ehode Island about 1758. He was a ship- master in the. employ of Godfrey Malborn ; he then en- gaged in meroantile pursuits, and was a partner of the house of E. & F. Malborn, well known as enterprising and successful merchants in Newport, previous to the Eevolution. He left two sons and three daughters ; one of his sons was the Hon. Francis Malborn, who was representative and subsequently a Senator in the Congress of the United States. He was a fin- ished gentleman of the old school, and universally respected by all classes of the community. — . During the war of the Eevolution, although Newport, being in possession of the enemy, had but few privateers engaged in the deadly strife, still she furnished a number of distinguished naval commanders, and a greater number of marines, perhaps, than any other town in New-England, in proportion to her size and population. It is supposed by those who lived in times that " tried men's souls," that Newport probably furnished a thousand men for the naval service in that war, and that one- half of these fell into the hands of the enemy, and died on board a man-of war, the Forton prison, in England, or the old Jersey prison-ship, which for the loathsomeness and terror of its dun- geons, compared with the Black Hole of Calcutta. A certain elegant writer, has said : " Happy, indeed, and thrice happy, were "Warren, Montgomery, and Mercer ; happy those other gallant spirits who fell with glory in the heat of battle, distinguished by their country and covered with her applause. Every soul sensible to honor, envies rather than com- passionates their fates. It was in the dungeons of our inhuman invaders — it was in their pestiferous prison-ships that the wretchedness of our countrymen still makes the heart bleed. It was there that hunger, and thirsty, and disease, and all the contumely cold-hearted cruelty could bestow, sharpened every pang of death. Misery there rung every fibre that could feel,' before she gave the blow of grace which sent the sufiferer to eternity. It is said that poison was employed ! No ! there was no such mercy there. There nothing was employed which could blunt the susceptibility to anguish, or which, by hastening death, could rob its agonies of a single pang. On board one only of these floating hells, above eleven thousand of our brave coun- ANECDOTE OP JOHN MURPHY. 241 trymen are said to have perished ! She was called the Jersey- Deep and dreadful as the coloring of this picture may appear, it is but a faint and imperfect sketch of the original. You must remember a thousand unutterable calamities, a thousand in- stances of domestic as well as national anxiety and distress, which mock description. You ought to remember them ; you ought to hand them down in tradition to your posterity, that they may know the awful price their fathers paid for freedom." The naval commanders in that war were John Grimes, Benj. Pierce, Joseph Gardiner, "William Dennis, James Godfrey, Remembrance Simmons, Thomas Stacy, Oliver Read, Capt. Bently, Samuel Jeflfers, John Goggeshall, William Finch, Capt. Jaquays, James Phillips, Ezekiel Burroughs, Isaac Freeborn, William Ladd, Joseph Sheflaeld, Capt. Gazzee, and John Mur- phy. These either sailed from Newport previous to its posses- sion by the enemy, or subsequently from other ports of New- England, West Indies, &c. The privateers, though small in numerical power and force, yet they constantly annoyed the enemy, took many valuable prizes, and achieved some splendid victories. An anecdote is related of John Murphy, one of the command- ers, which is too good to be lost. A Mrs. Webber, who kept a boarding-house at the head of Stephens' Wharf, was a re- markable neat woman, which was one of the characteristics of the females of Newport in the pagt. It was her constant prac- tice to scour her floor every week, and sand it in diamond form. Paint was not generally in vogue at that period. She had on that very day completed her task, which proved to be rainy, and the streets of course muddy. Murphy, knowing the fact, and designing to play off a joke, salhed forth to the lower market, and announced with much earnestness to the country- men who had collected there, that there was a great curiosity to be seen at Mrs. Webber's, viz., a " Whistling Pig;" the crowd instanter rushed to her house, and bolted into the room, inquir- ing at the top of their voices, for the " pig," which brought for- ward the lady, who on discovering the condition of her floor, covered with mud, as may well be imagined, threw her into the greatest rage, and the green-horns had to make their exit with all possible haste, while Murphy amused himself with the joke, which he had so adroitly played ofi". He was the father of 242 BTSTOKY OF RHODE ISLAND, the late Capt. John Murphy, long an enterpriaing^ shipmaster from Newport. Gapt. Oliver Eead of Newport, justly deserves a place in the- history of these times. No sooner W|as intelligence received that the invaders of his country had commenced the work of destruc- tion in the environs of Boston, than he left the-quietretirbment of home, and hastened to the rescue. H« offered his service* to his country as a volunteer, and joined the American troops in the vicinity of Boston, Butthe dull monotony of the camp was neither suited to the charaeter^or habits of Gapt. Eeadi, He soon left the army and sailed as the commander of a privateer. His bold,, adventurous spirit exposed bhn to great dangers,^ and during the continuance of the war, he was often in the power of hia foes ; but the same merciful Providence which watched over and directed the destiny of that event, watched over and pre- served this bold and. fearless patriot. After having been several times taien prisoner, and suffered some ungentlemanly treat- ment from his enemies,- he solemnly protested, if ever he com- manded another vessel, to make atonement for the insults re^ ceived. He was no sooner released from his confinement, than his friends purchased and fitted for him a new and well-built brig, called the Bochambeiau, In this brig Capt. Read achieved several ■Wctories, and took many rich and valuable prizes-f but he was destined to see his favorite brig in the possession of his foes, and himself again a prisoner of war, by the chicanery of one of hia youthful companions, who was a Loyalist, or, in common ^ar- lanee of that age, a Tory. Gapt, Eead and his companioas were taken to New- York, and from thence transferred to the Jersey prison-ship. He resolved, however, not to remain without attempting hi^ escape, if he perished in the attempt. He com- municated his design to several of his companions, Capt. Isaiah Gahoone, and Capt. John Tower, of Providence, with one or two others, who, with the same bold, daring intrepidity, resolved to share the fate of Gapt. Read. The only plan of escape which afforded the least hope of success, was to seize the boat of the prison-ship, and effect their escape under the guns of the vessel. This plan, hazardous in the extreme, and full of danger, was finally agreed upon, and they waited only for a fit opportunity to present itself, when, at a concerted signal, they were to at- tempt its execution. After waiting with impatience for several liiECAPtURE OF THE SPY. 243 days, Frbvidence fletemed to favor their design, and to grant them a favorable oppofttmity for attempting their escape. Just before night, the boat of the prison-ship returned from shore, and discharged her stores of provisions, when, at the given sig- nal of Captain Eead, his companions leaped after him into the boat, cut away her painter, and made for the shore, amidst a volley of balls. The darkness of the night, accompanied with a driving snowstorm, which at that moment commenced, pre- vented the pursuit of their enemies, and they fortunately landed on Long Island duping the night. Captain Read soon returned to Newport, with a heart burning with revenge, especially against his old school-fellow, Crandall, the notorious tory. It is said that whea Eead was delivered up by Crandall, to the officers of the Jersey prison-ship, he cast a withering look at that reckless being, and said, " A short life to one of us ! If we meet again, aad meet again we shall, one of us dies." Capt. Eead was soon in command of another vessel, of abouti an equal force with the Eochambeau, which was now com- manded by the infamous OrandalL It was not long before she was descried, although newly painted, and disguised. Read, prepared for action, and, as he approached her, hoisted Ameri- can colors ; being hailed, he answered by a broadside, and at the same time showed himself to the astonished CrafldaU, who supposed Mm safely lodged in the Jersey prison-ship: The conflict lasted for several hours, until almost every man on board the Eochambeau was either slain or wounded. And when taken possession of, the lion heart of even Captain Bead' was deeply affected. There lay the headless trunk of the treacherous Crandall, surrounded by his fallen companions, while the deck- was literally covered with human gore. Cap- tain Bead again entered his native port, accompanied by his favorite Eochambeau, The brig was immediately repaired and fitted for sea, when her bold commander again sailed on another cruise. Captain Read, having learnt off Sandy Hook that the brig Spy of Providence had been taken by his Majesty's ship Lyon, of sixty-four guns, and ordered to New York, resolved if possible to recapture her. Accordingly, he moored his ves- - sel in safely, and kept on the look out, near the Hobk. The Spy soon came in sight under British colors, cast anchor, and waited for a jrilot. Captain Read, with a few brave fellows to 244 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. man his boat, came alongside and offered his services as a pilot, to take her to New York. His services were readily accepted, and he took his position at the helm. The wind favoring his design, he put her head for his native town, and let her drive ; nor was the trick discovered until it was too late. For as they were approaching near the place of destination, the prize-master said to the pilot, " Sir, we are go- ing to New York, are we ?" The pilot, bowing very respect- fully, answered laconically, " No, Sir ; bo. "We are gomg to Newport." Geoige W. Babcock, of Narragansett, who sailed from New- port, was another distinguished hero, and was engaged in some of the most obstinate battles daring the war. In the spring of 1779, he sailed from Boston, and on the 16tb of May he fell in with, and succeeded in capturing after an obstinate engagement, a British privateer called- the Tartar, a few days from Cork, The Tartar mounted twenty^&is guns, with a complement of one hundred and fifty men ;. but having previously taken and manned several prizes, the actual, number in the engagement could not have exceeded one hundred and twenty men. The crew of the Mifflin were principally from Newport and Narra- gansett. Her first liejitenant, Mr. Timothy Coggeshall, was an inhabitant of the Island. The battle raged with increasing vio- lence for several hours, at a very short distance, and before the deadly conflict was hushed, the vessels were so near each other that they could readily leap from one to the other.' But the British flag finally came down, and Gapt. Babcock took pos- session of the Tartar. Two days previous to this engagement, he had fallen in with and captured the British store-ship Elephant,, which was con- veying to England a large number of invalids, both ofBcers and privates. When Captain Babcock appi-oached the Elephant, and demanded that her colors be struck to an. American priva- teer, her proud and haughty commander,, although he knew he could make- no effectual resistance, refused to comply. It is said that Babcock reasoned with him, and remonstrated against the unnecessary effusion of blood his obstinacy would inevitably involve, for several minutes before he ordered his men to fire. The engagement lasted but a few moments, before the flag of the Elephant was struck ; but those moments proved A PEIVATEER BURNED. 245 fatal to her commander, who fell, with six of his crew by his side. The success of Captain Babcock and his brave crew had nearly proved fatal to them. The number of their prison- ers had now so increased, as to render their situation far more hazardous than the roar «f the British cannon. The only alter- native of safety that presented itself, was the dismissal of a large number of them. Accordingly, after having received a bill from the British oflncer, acknowledging the receipt of so many prisoners of war. Captain Babcock put them on board a prize-ship, and left them to pursue their voyage. The Mifflin, after the engagement, sailed for France, and the Tartar was sent to Boston, where she subsequently arrived in safety. It was not Newport and the Island merely, that suffered from the British depredators ; but Tiverton, and Seconnet river, also experienced the horrors of war. The English vessels that guarded the entrance of the Seconnet river, and- occasionally came up nearly where the Stone Bridge now is, were a great . annoyance. Sometimes, however, they would get aground on the Tiverton or Little Corapton side, where the water is very shoal, and occasion much trouble to themselves; and, at one time, a large privateer of the enemy was run aground on the shore at Little Compton, just below the farm of Deacon Brownell, when the enemy were obliged to burn her and make their escape. Tiverton witnessed much suffering of a domestic nature during the time the enemy were in possession of Rhode Island. The people were often called to share their morsel with the suffer- ing inhabitants, who from time to time came over, and who came off at the surrender of the town of Newport, and lingered about the opposite shore in hopes their stay might be short, and they be permitted to go back and collect the remnant of their " property. A venerable and respected citizen of Portsmouth, who had held many important offices, remarked, ". I was but seven years old when the British entered Newport ; yet I dis- tinctly recollect the state of alarm and constant excitement dur- ing that period. My father occupied a small house, built on his own land, about three miles equal distance from Bristol and Howland's ferry. I have but little recollection of what took place, particularly, until one day when the Americans under Sullivan were retreating from Ehode Island. A party of the enemy came up to the house of an aged man, and commanded 246 HISTOUY OF RHODE ISLAND. him to draw water for them ; and while the venerable man tot tered to the well, they barbarously shot bim in the back." The Cory family seemed peculiarly a patriotic one'; two of the brothers, Samuel and Pardon, were among the capturers of Preecott. His son, Thomas Corey, married a daughter of Lieutenant Wilcox, one of those who went ahead in the enter- prise of taking Prescott. n Fogland Ferry, at the period erf" the Revolution, had a house of entertainment near the end of the point, kept by Mrs. Sarah Gray. Exposed as they were, the house was often the resort of the British officers and soldiers^ and their insolence was such that Mrs. Gray often had occasion to exercise her authority to keep them in subjection. She was a woman of uncommon nerve, and never daunted by the threats of the enemy. A Hes- sian soldier, on one occasion, inquired for West India rum. He was told they had none, but ' they could furnish hinj with some East India. He rephed that he would have a glass. The East Eiver was often the scene of conflict. The Amer- can troops stationed at Little Compton brought two cannon to bear, one twelve and one eighteenpwunder, and poured so de- structive a fire on the British frigate Cerberus, which was then at anchor there, as to compel her to slip her cables and to make her escape.. ~^ On the return of peace, the town of Newport was in ruins. The storm of war had beat heavily upon her, and in the lan- guage of Dr. Waterhouse, " she resembled an old battered shield, long held up against the common enemy." According to the estimate of a committee appointed by the General Assem- bly for that purpose, it appears that the loss sustained by the inhabitants of Newport, in the destruction of dwelling houses, warehouses, &o., amounted to £124,798 13s. 5d., silver money.- This estimate includes only the loss of private property sus- tained by individuals. By an estimate of the number of inhab- itants in Newport, taken by order of the General Assembly in 1782, there were at that time 4,912 ^yhites, and 618 colored, in- cluding 69 Indians — ^making the whole population 5,530. This estimate, compared wijh that made by order of the General Government in 1774, shows a decrease during the war of 3,679. That estimate gave to Newport a population of 7,917 whites, 1,246 blacks, and 46 Indians — making the sum A VOTE OF THE TOWN. 247 total of 9,209. And this was supposed to fall considerably below the actual number, being underrated for the purpose of escaping greater requisitions for men and money. If, as is sup- posed, Newport once numbered 12,000 inhabitants, about one- half that number was dispersed by the Eevolution. No town had greater occasion of indignation towards the British Government, than Newport. When she surveyed th« desolations brought on her once prosperous town by modern vandals, it was not to be supposed that she should give the least countenance to a class of men who had deserted her in the hour of peril, and given their influence in support of the enemy. It is a matter of pain to the patriot, that so many traitors to the cause of liberty were found in Newport. They had vainly in- dulged the idea that victory would yet dawn on the British arms, and their prosperity follow as a 'necessary consequence. But happily, they were disappointed, and their names cast out as evil. After the peace, and when business began to resume its former prospects, these refugees, who had "fled their country wheni their services were required, manifested an anxiety to re- turn to Newport and resume their former position ip society. John Goodrich, sen., an American refugee, arrived at Newport soon after the peace, and solicited hberty to settle there with his family, and become an inhabitant of the town — ofiering, in case permission was granted, to bring twenty sail of vessels, and establish himself in mercantile business. But Goodrich having taken an active part during the war, by fitting out priva- teers, and other obnoxious acts against his countrymen, the town voted by a large majority, that he should not be allowed to set- tle in the place. He afterwards setUed in Bermuda. Many at this day would be ready to condemn the action of the freemen of Newport, when the principle which governs man in all his acts is founded on dollars and cents. But higher and weightier considerations influenced their conduct ; they had been engaged in a righteous cause, in defending their fire- sides from the ruthless invaders of their peace, and they could not readily forget the aid and comfort which had been furnished the enemy, by a band of traitors, who were legally and consti- tutionally bound to put forth their efforts in the cause of liberty and human rights. It was no trifling matter which urged bur fathers forward, in 248 HISTORY OP EHODE ISLAND. resisting British oppression, as every one must be sensible, who has taken pains to investigate the subject. An able writer has well remarked, " But these were not the beggarly and servile conflicts between a red rose and a white one; not whether a weak and inglorious bigot, or a wanton and aban- doned debauchee, should, be king ; they were not these tem- porary bursts of misery, which now and then agitate the wretched inhabitants of Constantinople, and which an execution will allay without exhibiting any evidence of its justice. They sprung from that unbroken spirit, that wild and unfettered boldness, that restless, that uncontrollable, that sublime love of liberty, wliich sometimes, indeed, mistakes its means, but never loses eight of its object, which, while it seems to endanger, often secures that object, and which burns wjth undimiuished force, while one generous sentiment lingers in the human breast to support it." The part which the inhabitants of Newport took in the great struggle for liberty and independence, renders their character worthy of all praise. They had been early instructed in the principles of liberty ; the minds that had colonized this island, were imbued with the spirit of freedom, and labored to impress it indelibly on the hearts of the people. They could not passively submit to political outrages ; they felt that they pos- sessed inherent rights, which could not be trampled on with impunity, and in the majesty of their strength they resolved to conquer or to die. It was a noble resolution, worthy the name of Ehode Islanders ; and by their zeal and devotion, aided by Omnipotent power, they triumphed. And. it is now the " land of the free, and the home of the brave.'' The return of peace, once more, gave promise of prosperity ; the inhabitants of Newport had the satisfaction of knowing that they were free and independent, and that a motive now existed for them to put forth their energies in endeavoring to recover their former prosperity. Commerce once more resumed its former activity, and the wharfs, which -had been deserted, were again in requisition ; the sound of the hammer was now heard, giving encouragement to labor. But so heavy had been the blow which had fallen on the ancient town, that the inhabitants could not well flatter themselves . of being able to arrive to that commercial distinction, which she had once enjoyed. Aldermen. i- Common Council. ELECTION OF CORPORATE OFFICERS. 249 In 1784, Newport was incorporated as a city, and on the first day of June, of that year, the first choice of city officers was had ; the following gentlemen having been chosen on that occasion, viz. : — George Hazard, for Mayor. George Champlin, Samuel Fowler, Peleg Clarke, Oliver KingWarner, Henry Bliss, Samuel Preebodj^ John Slocum, Eobert Stephens, George Sears, Nich.P. Tillinghast, Peleg Barker, City Clerk. This forni of government being found more expensive, was soon abandoned, and the old form of town government again resumed, in March, 1787, which was a highly sensible and judicious moVe. An attempt was made a few years since, to revive the charter form of government, but the freemen of the town, in Town Meeting assembled, settled the question, and we would hope, for ever. It now became necessary to form a system of government, embracing the great interest and common welfare of the several Colonies. But in order to this, it became requisite for each State to surrender a portion of their power to the general government ; and this must ever be the case, in a confederated form of government. In conformity to a resolution of the General Congress, all the Colonies, except Ehode Island, chose delegates, to meet in Philadelphia, in General Convention, for the purpose of deliberating upon, and framing a Constitution. It was owing to the state of party feeling in Ehode Island, that she was not represented in that body. The motion made in the General Assembly, for the appointment of delegates to meet in General Convention, having been lost, by a majority 250 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. of twenty -three against it. The opposition lay .principally in the northern part of the State. ■ The course pursued by Rhode lelaad, in her refusing (to, come into the Union, is a gross reflection on her character ; and we would hope, for the honor of Newport, that none of her citizens aided in so rebellious an act, having given such convincing evidence of her patriotism and love of country. Unhappily for the State, a certain class have been~ found, opposing liberal principles, setting up a standard of their own, which was in direct conflict with the spirit of republican insti- tutions, and which, they flattered themselves, would ultimately triumph. Hence, a want of co-«per.ation has been remarkably illustrated, in the various attempts at political reform, which hav« so highly distinguished the age, and which God grant may never cease, until the rights and liberties of every Ameri- can citizen are secured. At a meeting of the freemen of Newport, held agreeably to the Act of the Assembly, on the fourth Monday in March, 1778, the day appointed for the several towns in the State to hold town meetings, to consider the proposed Constitution, the business of the meeting was prefaced by the Moderator, by reciting the Acts of Government which were referred to the decision of the people. ' The Constitution was- then read ; and the Moderator stated the proceedings of the General Assembly upon it, since it had been transmitted to them. He also informed the town of the luilform conduct of their representatives, in endeavoring to pbtain the appointment of a Convention. Several gentlemen entered into an investigation of the Act of Assembly ; altering the mode of decision from that recom- jnended by the General Convention to Congress, and while they paid all possible respect to the Legislature who passed the act,- ^inost unqualified terms. The meeting appointed a Comrnittee^ to draft instructions to our jepresentatives, to endeavor to have a-C6nvention c;alled. The meeting was composed of be- ^^e principle on which it was founded was reprobated in the^ tween three and four hundred freemen, yet eleven persons only ', voted on the qw^stionj ten against, and only one in favor of tho ' ■Constitution. - ,' In Providence, only one person voted, and he in the negative. / LAEGE ISSUES OF PAPER MONEY. 251 In Warwick, and Greenwich, the Federalists, or friends of the Constitution, entered a protest against the alteration of the mode of decision, as illegal and unprecedented. In Bristol and Little Compton, there was a majority in favor of the Constitu- tion. The other towns generally gave their voice against it ; and not until compelled by the action of the General Govern- ment, did Rhode Island come into the Union. The union was not effected until 1790, and until, by Acts of Congress, the commercial relations of Ehode Island were placed on a footing with foreign commerce, exacting foreign duties and tonnage from our vessels. In January, 1790, an Act "passed in General Assembly, for calling a Convention of the State, which met in Newport the following March, when the Constitution was agreed to, and the State came into the Confederacy. The paper money system was-formerly, if not now, a matter of party controversy. Governors were elected or turned out of office, as the different interests happened to prevail. The commercial interest was invariably opposed to the system, as it tended greatly to embarrfiss trade, and by its depreciation, and constant fluctuation, great injustice grew out of the sys- tem. Many took advantage of the laws, makihg it a tender at par, to pay debts in depreciated money ; and creditors, whp had parted with their gold and silver, were compelled tp receive these shin-plasters, in return for their debts. In 1710, the Colony of Ehode Island commenced the issue of paper money, tp defray the public expenditure of the war, for that year, and after that period, new emissions were made from time to time, as circumstances required. Sometimes paper was issued to replenish -the treasury, sometimes to loan the people on mortgage, uiitil the increasing amount issued, caused it almost constantly to depreciate in current value ; and as the money depreciated in value, the emissions were increased, until about 1749, when the General Assembly were restricted by Parliament from making aoy .more, except under certain limitations. v The various emissions, from time to time, were, at the time for which they were issued expired, called in and sunk, they gene- rally being made redeemable in some given time. It has been estimated that in 1748, there was in circulation in this State, in 252 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. what was called old tenor, £500,000. By a report of a Com- mittee to the General Assembly, in 1749, they made the out- standing bills, at that time, £320,444 2e. 3 l-2d. By a report of a Committee to the General Assembly, in 1764, in answer to the inquiry of the Lords Commissioners of Trade, it appears there was then in circulation, £30,000, in bills issued to carry on the war, equal to £30,000 sterling; about two-thirds ofi which sum must be called in and sunk in a year from that time, after which, they say, £13,000 only of the bills issued to defray the expense of the war, will be in circulation, and these, with the small remainder of old tenor bills that shall be outstanding, will come to a final end in 1767. By an Act of Assembly, Sept. 1770, the circulation of the old tenor bills was prohibited. They were to be brought into the treasury and exchanged for treasury notes, at the rate of £8, old tenor, for one dollar. In May, 1775, the State having voted to raise troops, issued £20,000, in bills, on interest, at two-and- a-half per cent, and made them a tender for all debts, 6s. 9d, to the silver ounce. In August of this year, the continental bills, of which there were beginning to be large emissions by Congress, were made a tender at 6s. per dollar. Emissions of paper were now fre- quently made by the Colony, and those persons who should undervalue the bills, were declared enemies to the pubhc weal, and every possible exertion was made during the Eevolutionary war, to sustain their credit and keep up their value. In i776, a Committee of the New-England States rfecom- mended them to emit-no more bills of credit, unless absolutely necessary ; but to tax or borrow, and if they did emit money, to issue bills on interest at four per cent. The General Assembly approved this plan, and ordered £40,000 to be hired, in notes payable in two years. In 1777, they ordered £50,000 lawful money to be hired, and notes given on interest for the same at four per cent. These notes were at first made a legal tender,' but was subse- quently repealed, and all contracts were to be made in specie. In 1778 and 1782, acts were passed forconsolidating the paper money, and ordering all notes and bills to be brought into the treasury, and interest calculated at sis per cent from June, 1778, when they were struck out of circulation, and new notes given on interest. MONEY DIFFICULTIES. 253 On the return of peace in 1783, there was very little gold and sil- ver in circulation, and nothing to supply its place as a circulating medium. It was customary for the merchants to pay the mechan- ics and laborers in their employ, in tea, sugar, coffee, &c., which they were obliged to take to market, and exchange with the farmers for provisions. And so difficult was it to raise money, that the farmers suffered greatly in having cattle taken from them and sold for payment of taxes. This State, from its local situation, was exposed, during the war, to the frequent incursions of the enemy. These incursions were repelled chiefly by the military of Rhode Island, under the direction, and at the expense, (in the first instance,) of the State ; by reason of which, Ehode Island incurred a much larger debt than perhaps any of h^ sister States, in proportion to her esti- mated rate in the valuation of the United States. A Committee appointed by the General Assembly, to inquire into the state of the public seouritieSj due from the State, re- ported a debt of £153,047 15s.94d., of which £106,976 lis. Ud., was on interest at 6 per cent., for treasury notes issued for sol- diers' wages, depreciation of soldiers' wages, debts due for con- fiscated estates, for money loaned, &c., &c. ; £46,071 4s. 6d. of which was on interest at 4 per cent., and was for debts due from Government, in 1777. In May, 1786, the paper money party having prevailed, and chosen their candidate for Governor, &c., an act was passed for emitting £100,000, lawful money, in bills of credit, and making the same a legal tender at par, for the payment of debts. The 6 per cent, debt was consolidated by a scale of depreciation to real money, at 68. per dollar, and by an act of Assembly was to be paid in the paper emission of 1786, at its nominal value, although that had already depreciated to 48s. for a dollar. It was pro- posed to consolidate the 4 per cent, debt, at 40s. for one dollar, and payable in the same emission at its nominal value. In October, 1789, the value. of bills emitted in 1786, was made fifteen paper dollars for one of silver. But gold and silver being very scarce, and considering the impracticability of discharging debts in specie, it was enacted that real estate of not less value than £40, and personal property within the State, might be substituted, in the payment of debts, under certain restric- tions. The Governor in his Message to the General Assembly, in October, 1791, speaking of the State debt, says : 254 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. " This debt was wholly incurred during the late war, in the common defence of the nation." After peace took place, as it was found by experience imprac- ticable to discharge it in the ordinary mode of taxes, in gold and silver, recourse was had to paper money ; this was issued in 1786. The holders of State securities were required to receive it in payment on penalty of forfeiting the whole amount of their respective demands. Owing to the unhappy divisions that pre- vailedj it suffered an unusual depreciation, but payments in paper were made to nearly the amount of £79,000, and securi- ties to the amount of about £48,000, were lodged in the Gen- eral Treasury, in consequence of the requisition of the Legisla-- ture from bringing them in for the paper money. The specie value of the payments thus made in paper, was only about one- sixth part, or perhaps less, of the nominal value, from the great depreciation of the paper money. And finally, at the rate of about 15 for 1, it became indispensably necessary for the Legis- lature to interpose ; and as an appreciation of the paper at par, in the greatly depreciated state, would have been productive of as much, or perhaps more injustice, than its depreciation, the Legislature had no alternative but to arrest it as it was ; to re- peal the tender, and declare that it should finally be redeemed at the rate of 15 for 1. And an act for this purpose, was passed October, 1789. In August, last year, Congress assumed $21,500,000 of the debt of the several States, including in the assumption $200,000 of the debt of this State ; and as the sum assumed is charged by the United States to the State from which it is assumed^ if the Legislature had not interposed, those who did not com- ply with the requisition for receiving the paper money, would have received the whole benefit of this assumption, and a reali- zation of the greatest part of their securities ; while those who did comply would not only lose five-sixths of theif demands, but must have contributed their full proportion to the paying the whole amount of the securities, which had been confiscated as before mentioned. In obedience to acts of the General Assembly of this State, of January and June of 1795, making provision for the transfer of the stock of the United States, belonging to this State, to the individual creditors thereof, the General Treasurer reported as MONEY DITFieULTIES. 255 dne for certificates issued for various kinds of debts ineurred during the revolution, and for consolidating the paper money, and securities issued for paper money, and for sinking the 4 per cent, notes', and including notes issued previous to the Eevolu- fion, &e., the sum of £503,594 76, of which five-sixths, or $419,662 30, was issuable in certificates for funded stock of the United States, and one-sixth, or $83,932 46, in State, cer- tificates unprovided for. In February, 1803, the General Treasurer reported the above $83,932 46, together with additional claims brought in, and allowed by the State from time to time, making in all a regis- tered State debt of $163,163 71, which debt was afterward from time to time reduced, until June, 1804. By his report it appeared there was a balance of principal and interest then due of $120,949 04, and in a subsequent report in 1807, he reported $10,680 14 more of said balance as paid. But a large pro- portion of said balance remains to this day unpaid. The debt we conceive to be a just one, and the payment should no longer be delayed to lawful claimants. These securi- ties were received in good faith, and » portion of the demand paid, which was a virtual acknowledgment of the debt ; and no apology can be offered in thus withholding the balance from the heirs of those who labored and toiled in their country's service. The idea of repudiation, which in later years has become far too common, both with the General and State Governments, should receive the withering rebuke of every friend of his countiy. It is unjust and cruel, and has no other justification than that might overcomes right. ' In 1784, the General Assembly passed an act, authorizing the manumission of negroes, mulattoes, &c., and provided that no persons, negroes or mulattoes, bom in the State after the 1st day of the year 1784, shall be slaves for life. The Assembly also repealed the clause contained in an act passed in 1774, per- mitting slaves brought from Africa to the West Indies, ouiboard any vessel belonging to this their Colony, and that could not be disposed of in the West Indies, to be brought to this State ; and provided that in future no negro or mulatto be brought into this State, to be sold or disposed of as a slave. In 1787, the Legislature of Ehode Island passed an act to prevent the slave-trade from being carried on from this State, 256 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. and for the encouragement of the abolition of slavery altogether within its jurisdiction. We have already alluded to this subject in another part of this work, and have shown that the motive for manumitting the slaves of Ehode Island, was simply that their owners had become convinced that they were no longer profitable, but a bur- den upon them. It was not that there existed more moral purity in Ehode Island, a gi-eater disregard of pecuniary advantage, than was to be found in slaveholding States, that influenced them to this course, but rather that it would be for their inter- est to do away with a system which entailed far more misery than good. To the honor of Newport, it has never joined in a crusade against the South, but admitted that the institutions of the South was a matter which belonged exclusively to themselves ; - and any interference with their domestic concerns, was illegal, unconstitutional, and subversive of that Union, which it should be the bounden duty of every American to sustain and to per- petuate. A class of men have lately sprung up who have made the dis- covery, that the laws of Congress conflict with the " higher law" and that this being the case the former should be trampled under foot, while the latter should govern man, (only, however, in this particular.) Now, who are these " Simon-pures ?" "Will it be found on examination that their general conduct is shaped after the moral law of G-od ? In this ctoe point they make use of the " higher law,'' to effect their own selfish purposes; without the least regard to the principles involved in that law, which if rightfully understood and faithfully executed, would afford scope sufficient for the exercise of their philanthropy, in reliev- ing the wretched and the oppressed at their own doors, without turning aside to hunt out evils existing in slaveholding States. That is a question which exclusively belongs to themselves, and with which we of the North have no right to interfere. The prophetic warning of the " Father of his Country," the immortal Washington, should be regarded with the deepest in- terest by every true patriot at the present critical moment, when attempts are making by a class of reckless, unprincipled men, to distract, and divide the Union, the labor of ages : " The unity of government, which constitutes you one people, FALtACY OP ABOLITIONISM. 257 is also dear to you. It is justly so ; for it is a main pillar in tbe edifice of your real independence — ^the support of your tran- quillity at home, your peace abroad,~of your prosperity, of that very liberty which you so highly prize. But as it is easy to foresee that, from different causes an4 from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth, as this is the point in your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies, \ will be most constantly and actively, though often covertly and insidiously directed, it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value •of your National Union, to your collective and individual hap- piness ; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immove- able attachment to it ; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the palladium of your political safety and pros- perity, watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety, dis- countenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned ; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawniag of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, and to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts.'' After the reader has reflected calmly on the sentiments so feelingly uttered by the sainted Washington, he must be horror- struck on witnessing the gross outrages, the intrigue, and the duplicity which is practised by political demagogues to effect some sinister purpose. ^ With a self complacency " from the sub- lime to the ridiculous," they will j«8tify their acts of abomina- tion, and still boast of their patriotism and love of country, even while the blush of conscious guilt should mantle their cheek But with an effrontery which defies any appeal to reason or jus- tice, they will arrogantly lay claim to honesty of intention, when it is self evident that not a particle of genwosity, nobleness, or patriotism, is to be found in the elements which go to make up their character. When such sentiments are unblushingly made, so repugnant to liberty and the rights of the Confederacy, viz., let the Union be dissolved, they should meet with a simulta- neous burst of indignation from every patriot's bosom. Newport, after having recovered in some degree from the losses incurred in the Revolution, began to push her foreign and domestic commerce. She still had many enterprising merchants 258 HISTORY OP RHODE ISLAND. left, of wliom Were Gibbs & Ghanning, who were large ship- owners. The Mount Hope, of 600 tons, which at that day, was one of the largest class of ships, followed the East India trade, and made many successful voyages. The East India, West India, and Eussia trade, were prose- cuted with vigor, and the docks and wharves indicated a de- gree of commercial prosperity highly gratifying to the inhabi- tants. Now was again heard the music of the " ye-heave-ho," from the active tars who were loading and unloading the num- erous vessels at the, wharves. Christopher and George Ohamplin, were merchants of dis- tinction, as were also Peleg Clarke, Caleb Gardner, Thomas Dennis, on the Point, Stephen T. Northum, who at one period owned ten sail, Audley Clarke, Christopher Fowler, Price & Easton, Earle & AllBt9n, Eobert Eobinson, Ehode's & Cahoone, Bowen & Ennis, Simon Newton, John Coggeshall, and Gov. Simeon Martin. These were all engaged in foreign commerce, vsdth many others whom we have not enumerated. There was as much enterprise in Newport, at this period, considering her capital, as that of any commercial place in the country. In 1820, the tonnage was estimated at 10,950 tons. There was also a sugar-refinery, and seven distilleries in full blast, which gave constant employment to mechanics and labor- ers, many of whom were enabled from their savings to build houses, and at the same time to live comfortable. There was also a line of New York packets, with splendid cabins, handsomely furnished for that day, which did a very profitable business. Commanders and owners — Edward Pe- terson, Nicholas Webster, Stephen Cahoonej tw6 Blisses, Ad- ams, John Cahoone (afterwards commander of the Eevenue Cutter Vigilant,) &c. Bannister's Wharf, which was then their dep6t, exhibited a degree of activity which some now living can remember with satisfaction and pleasure. There were some five or six packets which ran daily between Newport and Providence. Commanders — Gardner, Heath, Bliven, Northup, Pratt, &c. The honor of bringing the Gover- nor to election, when a Federalist or Whig, devolved on Cap- tain James Gardner, who took great pride in rendering every attention to his passengers. Bannister's Wharf was also the head-quarters of these packets. At the head of the wharf was THE COFFEE-HOUSE. 259 ^Ck)dfrey Wenwood's bakehouse, noted for the, superior qual- ity of bread and butter-biscuit with which it supplied the nu- merous packets, and many of the famiUes of the town. In Thames-street, fronting the wharf^ was the dofiee-House, then kept by " Uncle Tom Townsend," as he was familiarly called, which was liberally patronized. On the south side there was a brick walk, enclosed with a light fence, which' was a fine promenade ; here merchants, masters of vessels, &c., resorted to hear the news, and discuss the affairs of the nation. The Misses Duncan, from Scotland, kept a toy shop, the only one in tbe place. It was oonsidered -quite a curiosity at that day. It stood where Brownell's tiu'shop now stands. Forts Adams, Wolcott, and Eose Island, were garrisoned, and the officers, when in town, assembled at Towasend's Corner, for by that cognomen was it kiiown, until superseded by the name of Pelham-street. Then was heard from Fort Wolcott the beat of the reveille, warbling its sweetest notes along the shore, by those inimitabk and graceful performers, the Hoopers, Mulli- gin, &c. The town at tiiis period was on tbe increase:; many houses •were built on the hill and in other sections of the town ^ and old English hospitality seemed about to reviv-e. The female por- tion, at this period, were highly beautiful and aocomplished. The celebration of Washington's birth-day by a ball in the even- ing, was then got up in taste, and was graced by the filite and fashion of Newport, which exhibited traces of the elegance of person and the refinemeHt of manners which preeminently char- acterized the past. But alas, thoSe days of splendor have fled — ^fled. In olden time, one of the most jdeasant and gratifying amusements was a ride on the Inland to Congdon's or Cornell's, speak for coffee, take a turn round the Square or to the Bridge, and return back m time to enjoy the splendid repast furnished by " mine host." It was no unusual thing to meet there a company of twenty or thirty carriages from Newport, including Sam Haoe's hack, which was in constant requisition in sum- mer; and even at this late period, we remember with delight Aunt Hannah Cornell's " shovel cakes," floating with new made butter, plum-cake, dried beefj etc., sufficient to satisfy the most delicate appetite, all furnished for the small sum of twenty-five cents, Mr, Oongdon amassed a sufficiency to purchase him a 260 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. farm in Connecticut, where he afterwards removed. The house formerly kept by him has been taken down, and a new one now supplies its place. Moses Lawton, Esq., is the present proprie- tor, but the old associations have nearly vanished by the change. " Onr early days t How often back We turn on life's bewildering tracis, To where o'er hill andTalley pl»y» The smnligbt of onr early daya." The Spanish brig Minerva, Angel Gifueoter master, bound to Bristol, E. I., was wrecked on Brenton's Eeef, on the night of the 24th of December, 1810. The vessel was totally lost. Three pipes of rum and- eight casks of Catalonia wine were saved, as appears from the Custom House entries. This event occurred in one of the most violent storms on re- cord. It blew a perfect hurricane, accompanied with a driving »now-storm, which rendered it impossible to afford the bng and crew the least assistance. It was truly solemn to hear the min- ute guns, which continued their mournful sound as long as the brig held together. Soon, however, the sound ceased, and the crew were submerged in the briny deep. Ten perished, includ- ing every oflScjer, and nine were saved. The shore was covered with the fragments of the wreck, and its contents. There was a large amount of specie on board, which was never recovered^ though attempts were made with the divrng bell, but without success. Three of the bodies of those who perished were re- covered, viz.y Captain^ mate, and cook, an?hen the chicken-heart of another had failed. He in a very few moment's amputated and dressed the leg of Basset, proving his superiority as a surgeon. The boys who had assembled on the beach would, the very moment the shot struck, commence 'digging them out of the sand, and some made a profitable day's work of it, for Greene Burroughs was ready to cash them. ' A few days previous to this, the barges of the Nimrod had chased two sloops on shore in the east passage ; but the militia of Little Compton having assembled in considerable numbers, they were prevented from taking possession of them. The sloops were got off, and proceeded up the river. In June, 1814, the General Assembly passed an act author- izing the Town Councils of the several seaport towns to cause the shipping to be removed from their wharves and harbors, whenever by them it should be thought advisable. The Town Council of Newport accordingly, ordered the shipping to be re- moved, lest it should be an inducement for the enemy to visit Newport. In July, 1814, the Artillery. Company of the town of New- port, under command of Col. Benjamin Fry, took possession of Fort Green, at" the north end of Washington-street, on the Point, by order of the United States Government. The com- pany, rank and file, numbered about one hundred and fifty men. Goli Fry was to have the entire command of the fort, and the company to be under the control of the Governor of the State. While the company were in possession of the fort, they kept it in fine order ; the parade ground was gravelled, &c., by the labor of the company, and they were ready to defend the town in case of invasion.. 270 HISTORY OF B.HODE ISLAND. DARTMOOR PRISON. . In the course of the war of 1812, one of the sons of Capt Evan Malbom, was taken prisoner by the British and confined in Dartmoor prison. He wished the keeper to take a note to Lord Stanhope ; the keeper seemed greatly surprised at hfs presumed acquaintance with so illustrious a personage ; without condescending to enter into particulars, he urged the forward- ing of the note, which was complied with, and on its reception Lord Stanhope repaired to the prison with all possible haste, in his State carriage, attended by his servants in livery, when orders were instantly issued for the liberation of Mr. Malbom from confinement. Having lost his all, he stood in need of pecuniary aid, which was quickly furnished by Lord Stanhope, who placed at his dis- posal fifty guineas, in order that he might clothe himself in a manner becoming his rank and as a relative of his wife. He was then taken to his princely mansion, where he tamed for a few weeks, enjoying the munificent hospitality of the noble Lord. "When the period for his leaving had arrived, funds were furnjshed, and a free passport granted him to America. They were chased by a British man-of-war, and in the confu- sion he forgot his passport, the vessel was run on shore, and he at last arrived home, having, however, again lost his all, which a moment's thought might have prevented. Lord Stanhope's bust still occupies a place over the mantle-piece in the Malborn house, now owned and occupied by James E. Newton, Esq. The entrance to the harbor was also garrisoned about this time, by the enlisted State Corps, under command of Col. John Wood, father of Dr. Wood of the U. S. Army. These posts were occupied until the proclamation of peace. Provisions, in the time of the war, were extravagantly high ; flour sold for $15 00 per barrel, meal $2 00 per bushel, molas- ses $2 00 per gallon, sugar and coffee 2s. per lb., and so in pro- portion with all articles of merchandize. The difficulty of obtain- ing every kind of articles, owing to the coast being so completely blockaded, was one great cause of the high' price of provi- sions. As there was little or nothing doing in Newport, during SUCCESS OP THE WAR. 271 a great part 6? the war, it rendered the condition of the laboring . classes verjr trying. Newport had every reason to wish for the termination of a war so injurious to her commercial prosperity. On the 14th of February, 1815, the joyful news of peace was proclaimed by the merry peal of bells, the roar of cannon, and the display of the military. In the evening, a most splendid and general illumination of the town took place, and a display of paper lanterns with emblematic devices, suspended in the streets, which, notwithstanding the great quantity of snow that had fallen, were thoroughly promenaded by nearly all the inhabi- tants of the place. This war, though of short duration, was signalized by many splendid victories, both by land and sea, and proved that Gr^at Britain was not invincible. Having been so long mistress of the ocean, she felt an assurance that she should be able to sweep the ocean of everything that floated, and capture our vessels of war, whenever fortune should throw them in her way. But in this she was most egregiously disappointed. The victories of Hull, Decatur, Porter, and Jones, on the ocean, and Perry and Lawrence on the lakes, evidenced to the British, that they had an enemy to compete with, who proved themselves their superiors. The arrogance of the English nation has never been equalled ; assuming to control the destinies of the world, sbe looked on this gi-owing republic with jealousy, and flattered her- self that she might yet be able to humble her pride, and subject her to British domination. At a meeting of the merchants, manufacturers, ship-owners, and underwriters, in the city of Glasgow, in 1814, it was de- clared by them : " There is i-eason to believe, in the short space of twenty -four months, above eight hundred vessels have been captured by a power whose maritime strength we have hitherto held in contempt. The number of privateers that infest our coast, and the audacity with which they approach our shores,, and their success, is humiliating to our pride." And they fur- ther say : " Our nation have declared the whole coast of America in blocka^de, and it is mortifying that our ships cannot traverse our own channels in safety. Insurance cannot be effected, but at an excessive premium." The war of 1812, demonstrated to the British Government our maritime power, and that it was a fruitless attempt to labor 272 HISTORY OF EHODE ISLAND. to overcome us, and we trust that England will learn a wise les- son from the past, and never again attempt to come in collision with America, whose power is gigantic, and, whose overthrow is impossible. Ehode Island can justly hoast of having furnished a Greene for her country, in the war of the Revolution, who in rank and generalship, was second to none, save the immortal "Washington himself. And the war of 1812, brought forth and contributed to her country's glory, the mighty energies of her gallant Perry. Mr. Hunter, who was then Senator to Congress from Ehode Island, in a speech in the Senate of the United States, on the resolutions complimentary of Commodore Perry's victory, said : "While I hold in my hand this resolution expressive of a natioii's gratitude toward this youthful Ehode Island hero, for his deliv- erance of the West, I can point the other to the likeness of that illustrious Ehode Island veteran, (alluding to the likeness of Gen. Greene, in the Senate,) who in the sacred' war of the Eevo- lution, saved the South, and accelerated and ascertained the in- dependence of his country." ■ The sentiments expressed by Mr. Hunter were truly patri- otic, evincing his love of country, and that he gloried in the suc- cess of the American arms over a foreign enemy. The brilliant career of Commodore Perry was short. He died in the 34th year of his age, August 23d, A. D., 1819, on board the TJ. 8. schooner. Nonsuch, at the moment the schooner was entering the harbor of Port Spain, in the island of Trini- dad. He died of the yellow fever, contracted at Angostura, where he had been transacting business for our Govemmeat. His remains were interred on the 24th, at Port Spain, with every mark of respect from Sir Ealph Woodford, Governor of Trinidad, and the inhabitants of the place. The body was landed from the John Adams, where it had been removed from the schooner, under a salute of minute guns from that ship. When it reached the shore, the Port of St. Andrews continued the ceremony, until the long procession, ac- companied by the band of the 3d West India regiment, playing the dead march in Saul, reached the burial place. After the funeral, the following card was pubhshed by the American offi- cers : . " The officers of the United States vessels, John Adams and VIOLENT CALE. 273 Nonsuch, tender their grateful acknowledgments to the inhabi- tants of Port Spain, for their kind and respectful attention to the funeral rites bestowed on the body of their late Commander, Commodore Perry." The disposition manifested by all classes, was highly ip uni- son with their feelings, and merited their warmest thanks. Commodore Perry, at the time of his death, was engaged in executing the duties of a " highly flattering command, involv- ing diplomatic and naval functions of critical nicety and impor- tance." President Monroe, in his message to Congress in De- cember following, referring to several acts and orders for the protection of our commerce, and the suppression of the slave trade, says, " In the execution of the duty imposed by these acts, and of high trust cganected with it, it is with deep regret I have to state the loss which has been sustained by the death of Commodore Perry. His gallantry in a brilliant exploit in the late war, added to the renown of his country ; his death is deplored as a national misfortune." The remains of Commodore Perry arrived at Newport from Trinidad, in the sloop of war Lexington, and were landed on Overing's Wharf, on Monday, Nov. 27, 1826, and on the follow- ing Monday, Dec. 4th, were interred in the common burial place, with the honors due to his rank and character. The mil- itary companies of Providence, Pawtucket, and Bristol, attend- ed the procession with the companies of Newport. The Gov- ernor, and other officers of the State, with several distinguished naval and military officers, were present, and the vast assem- blage of citizens testified their respect to the character of their fellow-townsman. The State of Ehode Island has since erect- ed a monument in honor of the memory of this lamented and gallant officer. The 23d of September, 1815, was rendered memorable by a most awful and destructive gale, which swept away and laid prostrate almost everything in its course. The Newport Mer- cury says : "The gale commenced earlyin the morning, at north- east, and continued increasing in violence, the wind varying from northeast to southeast, and southwest, until about eleven o'clock, when it began to abate, and about one o'clock the danger from the wind and tide was over." At Newport, the tide rose three feet and a half higher than it had ever been known before. 274 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. Two dwelling houses, and nine stores and workshops, on the Long Wharf, were swept away by the violence of the wind and tumult of the waves ; and those that withstood the power of this desolating scourge, were rendered, almost untenable, by vessels, lumber, &c., driving against them. Several of the stores carried away, contained a considerable amount of pro- perty, nearly the whole of which was lost. In one of the buildings carried away on the Long "Wharf, five persons perished. The wharves on the Point, and most of the stores with them, were swept away. The wharves in other parts of the town, also, with the stores on them, sustained con- siderable injury, and everything moveable on the wharves was swept away. In some of the stores, the water was four feet deep. ^ A large three-story store, containing hemp, flour, &c., was lifted from its foundation, and floated into the harbor. The steeples of the 1st and 2nd Congregational churches were par- tially blown down, and the roofs of the Episcopal and First Con- gregational churches were partly carried away. At the Beach, the storm was sublimely awful ; the sea broke sixty feet, extend- ing to Easton's pond. Mr. John Irish, who had repaired to the beach to secure his boats and seines, was swept away and per- ished. The stone bridge, connecting the Island with Tiverton on the main, was damaged to the amount of $20,000, and rendered wholly impassable. The draw and toll-house were carried away; a new channel, about three hundred feet wide, was made at the "West end of the bridge, and where the toll-house had stood, the water was thirty feet deep at low tide. The ■ light-house on Point Judith was swept away, with several other houses in its vicinity. The Ehode Island Republican says : " So great and general has been the devastation of property, that it is found impossible to give a correct account of the- ex- tent of the damage." After the storm, it was found that the outside of windows were covered with a fine salt, conveyed from the ocean through the air. This was also noticed for many miles inland, after the gale. The shipping in the harbor were driven from their an- chorage, and went ashore. Some lying at the wharves, were lifted on them by the violence of the wind .and tide, and leftl INSTITUTIONS CKEDITABLE TO THE TOWN. 275 there. Four sloops were thrown on the Long Wharf, and a sloop loaded with wood went over the wharf into the cove. No one, unless they had been a spectator of the scene, could form an adequate conception of its wide-spread desolations. If the tide had not turned as it did, it would have swept everything before it INSXITXTTIONS HIGHLY CREDITABLE TO THE TOWN. There have been many improvements made in and about Newport, of late years, and there are several flourishing insti; tutions, highly creditable to the town. Among them the Sav- ings' Bank, the Asylum for the Poor, and the Public Schools etand the most prominent. The Savings' Bank of Newport was incorporated by Charter granted by the General Assembly at the June session, 1819, and went into operation soon after. It is a singular circumstance that the success of similar estab- lishments in other places, induced a philanthropic citizen to pro- cure every information necessary for the establishmeot of a Savings' Bank in Newport ; when, by an article published ia one of the newspapers of the town, he invited those who were inclined to favor the undertaking, to meet at the State House, and take the subject into consideration. At this meeting, ten or twelve persons only assembled^ they chose a chairman and secretary, and the information that had been received was com- municated. A committee of correspondence was appointed to obtain further information from similar establishments, and the meeting adjourned. There were several subsequent meetings, at which- not more than six or seven persons, including the chairman and clerk, attended. At these meetings, the commit- tee of correspondence reported progress, and the meeting was adjourned from time to time, until the charters, by-laws, &c., of several institutions of the kind had been received, and every necessary information obtained and reported by the committee ■ of correspondence. A committee of three was then appointed to draft a charter for the Savings' Bank of Newport, and a pe- tition to the General Assembly to pass an act granting it, and a committee was appointed to obtain signatures to the petition, 276 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. and present it to General Assembly. Notice was given in the papers when the next meeting would be held, and the object of it ; and all who were favorable to the project were invited to attend. This caused a meeting of a considerable number of citizens who were favorable to the undertaking, but who had not before attended the meetings. They were pleased with the plan, and the progress made in the establishment, and joined heartily in its support. At this period, a number of the Directors of the Banks in Newport came forward, and used every argument in their power to persuade those who origina- ted the project, and those who had united with them, to aban- don it — assigning as a reason, that there would not be sufficient deposited to render it profitable. The charter was granted, and at the first meeting of the Corporation, twenty-four Direc- tors were chosen, all of whom, except one, accepted the appoint- ment. At a subsequent meeting of the Directors, they elected a President, and appointed a Treasurer and Secretary, and the Savings' Bank of Newport went into operation. At the first meeting of the Board, more than $1,000 had been deposited. Since its establishment, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been deposited, and occasionally withdrawn with interest, by depositors. At this time, September, 1850, the number of de- posits are near one thousand (nine hundred and eighty-six), and the amount in deposits is $163,395. The depositors are chiefly minors, girte out at service, laborers, seamen, and operatives in the manufactories, saved from their earnings. The money de- posited is invested in bonds and mortgage on real estate, and in bank stock. The interest on the sum now in deposit amounts, at 6 per cent., to over $9,800 per year. The institution, since its establishment, has never paid less than 5 per cent, interest per annum, to the depositors. At this time, and for some time past, a semi-annual dividend is declared, of 3 per cent on all sums that have been inr three months after a dividend has been declared ; that which is not called for is, at thfr end of three months, added to the sUm deposited by each depositor. The^ institution is well managed, and has attained a high reputation The philanthropic citizen who first proposed its establishment, is a descendant from one of the ancient famiUes of Newport, born before the Eevolution, being now near eighty years of age. A8TLUM FOR THE POOR. 277 He was ehosen as one of the first Directors of the Bank, and has been annaally reelected from that time to the present. THE ASYLUM FOB THE POOR. This is an establishment worthy of commendation and praise, as a humane institution, highly creditable to the town. The former Poor establishment was, for many years, an alms- house and work-house connected. It was located on the west side of the common burying ground, where the abject poor, the lame, the blind, and the insane were sent by the overseers of the poor. Those who were able to do something towards their support, were employed (by the keeper appointed by the town) in the work-house, in spinning, picking oakum, &c. To those whofee feelings of humanity induced them occasionally to visit the establishment, the inmates always complained of ill fare, and of not having sufficient food. Be this as it may, they were meanly clad, and all who were sent there went stricken with the idea that their next removal would be to the adjacent burial ground. A part of those who were able to hobble out, were allowed daily, except Sundays, to roam the streets in their rags, and the town was constantly, to its disgrace, infested with beg- gars, to tile great annoyance of the citizens and visiting stran- gers. Those poor who could partly support themselves by their labor, were allowed pensions by the town, of from fifty cents to a dollar a week, to aid them in their support, which, together with the alms-house expenses, occasioned a heavy tax on the people, of which they complained, but knew not how to remedy. It was for many years in contemplation to alter and improve the plan of the establishment for the poor, and the mode of their support. Many plans were suggested from time to time, but none that met with general approbation ; they were generally objected to, as being more expensive in their erection and support than the town could afford. At length, the same philanthropic and humane citizen who first proposed the establishment of the Savings' Bank, and who by his perse- verance had got it into successful operation, encouraged by the fiivor with which it had been received by the public, after ob- 278 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. taining information in regard to the establishments for the poor, and the manner and expense of their support, in various places, communicated the information obtained to those acquaintances who were favorable to an improvement in the condition of the poor, and proposed a plan which was approved. It was pro- posed that a new house should be built for the accommodation of the poor, in a suitable location, with land attached, on which those who were able to work might be profitably em^loj^ed ; to do away with the odious idea of an alms-house ; to call it " The Newport Asylum for the Poor" ; to abolish the pension system, and oblige all who required aid from the town to go to the Asylum for their'supportl This plan being arranged, a Town Meeting was called, at ■which it was submitted for the consideration of the freemen ; the meeting was nhmerously attended, and the plan was gene- rally approved, and a committee appointed to visit several lots belonging to the town, and also Coaster's Harbor Island, and to recommend such a location as they should think most suitable for the establishment. The committee, at the suggestion of the projector of the plan, first visited Coaster's Harbor Island, and after considering the advantages land disadvantages of the place, unanimously recom- mended it, on every account, as the most suitable place for its location. At a subsequent Town Meeting, the report of the committee was received and approved, and a building committee appointed to draw a plan of said building, and estimate the expense. The edifice was to be built of stone, of which there was abundance on the spot. The projector of the plan was one of that com- mittee, and drew the plan and elevation of the Asylum, which the Town adopted, and according to which it was erected, with the exception of the cupola, which was objected to as an un- necessary expense, but has since been added. The plan of the building is considered admirably calculated for the purpose for which it was intended, containing every necessary apartment for the accommodation of the poor, as well as the family of the keeper, and ample room for the whole. Coaster's Harbor Island, on which the Newport Asylum is erected, belonged to the Town ; it contains about ninety acres of upland, and the shore affords an abundance of sea manure. ASYLVM FOR THE POOR; 279 I Those who are able to labor are employed upon the farm, •which is in a good state of cultivation, and the products go far towards the support of the establishment. The island is situated about one mile north of the compact part of the town, and separated from it by water, which is not fordable, about ten rods wide, which prevents the inmates of the Asylum from visiting the town without permission. The Asylum was completed, and ready for the reception of the poor in 1822 ; before their removal to their new habitation, they were well cleaned, and clad, and left their dirt at the old establishment. The pension system was abolished, and all those pensioners, who chose to avail themselves of the support ofifered thera, were removed to the new establishment. The citizens of Newport have the pleasure to enjoy the complete success of the new system, as an amelioration of the condition of the poor, as well as a great saving of expense in their sup- port ; and to see them well supplied with wholesome food, comfortably lodged and clothed, and the town relieved from the disgrace of having the streets infested with beggars, as formerly, to the great scandal of the citizens and annoyance to strangers. No spot can be more charmingly situated than the one selected ; it rather resembles the country-seat of a gentleman, than an Asylum for the poor. Let the interior resemble the exterior. As this Asylum was established expressly for the improve- ment of the condition of the virtuous poor, the vicious and the unprincipled should be kept separate, and not suffered to asso- ciate with them, or to eat at the same table. Let the Com- missioners labor to make this institution a model, worthy of imitation by every city and town in the country. The whole establishment, including land, is worth about $15,000. The Overseer of the Poor distributes the rent of a lot of land, containing about seven acres, left by Mr. Freebody, and also the interest of the " Derby Fund," to such persons as he may think proper. And, the Commissioners of the Asylum distribute, in the same way, the dividends of one share in the New England Commercial Bank, left by the late Mrs. Sarah Eedwood. 280 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. PUBLIC SCHOOLS. We have already alluded to the interest which was taken by the town of Newport, in the promotion of education, as early as 1640 ; and private schools have ranked as high in this place as that of any section of the country. The Newport Academy, Col. Levi Tower, Principal, had a very extensive popularity. Students from the South, as well as thei New England States, were to be found under his instruc- tion and guidance. The higher, as well as the common branches of education were taught. In penmanship the pupils excelled. Many of them are occupying places in counting- houses, banks, -&c., in the various cities in the Union. Once a week, the older male scholars engaged in declamation, at which their parents, and other spectators were present, and who were both highly amused and gratified. It is no flattery to say of Col. Tower, that the school under his supervision, has never been' excelled, if equalled, by any other in the State. It was the ne plus ultra ! In March, 182,5, the freemen of Newport decided, by vote, to establish free schools in the town ; and a Committee, in May following, recommended to erect two school houses, to obtain the Church school house, and thus establish three free schools in the town. In 1820, a Committee of the town reported on a resolu- tion of the General Assembly of this State, calling on the several towns for information on the subject of free schools, and- recommended that the town instruct their representatives in General Assembly, to unite their efforts, to procure an act for such a general system of public schools, as in their wisdom they may devise. On the 14th of July, 1826, the comer stone of the town school house. No. 1, was laid by Lieutenant-Governor Charles Collins. The Eev. Mr. Gammell offered an appropriate prayer on the Occasion. A Committee was appointed in April, 1826, to investigate a,nd enquire into money, said to be due from the town, for or on arfcount of school lands. In their report they say, " The undersigned, a Committee of said town, appointed on the 3d of REPORT ON SCHOOL LANDS. 281 September, 1825, to inquire into the evidence of the title of the town of Newport fo the Kewtown, or school lands, on the sub- ject of which lands a former Committee reported on the 16th of May last, from which report, and other representations then made, some of the freemen were induced to believe that the town received the aforesaid land as a gift, on condition to apply the whole income to the education of the youth of said town, and that the town was, in law and equity, bound for the faith-^ ful performance of the same ; and as the town had sold most of the lands in question soon after the Eevolutionary War, to pay the debts of the town, they must nOw make good by taxation the trust committed to them by the donor. It was also reported by that Committee, that the town was indebted to said education fund, in the sum of $51,283 34." The Com- mittee, after detailing sundry acts and resolutions of the town, relative to said Newtown or school lands, gleaned from the old mutilated records of the town, among which is a report of a Committee made to the town in 1763, which Committee say, " Upon examining the town records, we found that the said land was purchased by the town of one Bartholomew Hunt, the 17th day of December, 1661, for which they gave him in exchange a lot of one hundred acres, now lying in Middletown." They say, "Thus it appears that the town, in the year 1661, exchanged one hundred acres for the tract since called New- town, or school land, being the property in question. If your Committee were allowed in any conjecture respecting the hundred acres exchanged, they submit the subjoined extract, from ' Callender's Centenary Sermon,' acknowledging at the same time, that it is but a connection of remote and detached circumstances, resting as much on possibilities as probabilities." The extract from Callender's Sermon has been already noticed, in a former part of this work, showing that the town appro- priated one hundred acres of land, for a school, for the encou- ragement of the poorer sort to train up their youth in learning, &c., at an early period of the settlement. In 'March, 1827, the town passed an act to establish a School Fund, and appointed three Commissioners of said fund ; one to go out every year, and a new one to be chosen in his place, who are to receive all donations and bequests thereafter given for public schools, as also the bequest of the late Constant 282 HISTORY OF KHOBE ISLAND. Taber ; likewise all moneys received for licenses, auction tax, and estates taken by the town for want of known heirs ; and directed that the remainder of the said Newtown lot be sold, and the proceeds placed in the fund. During the January session of 1829, theGeneral Assembly of Ehode Jsland, appropriated $10,000 per ann.,for the support of public schools, to be paid over to the several towns, according to their respective population, under the age of sixteen years ; and authorizing the several towns to raise by tax, in each year, as the majority of the freemen in Town Meeting shall judge proper, a sum not exceeding double the amount to be received out of the general Treasury. The number of schools have since been increased. On July 4th, 1826, Major John Handy read the Declaration of Independence, from the steps of the State House, in New- port, that being the place where, fifty years before, it was read to the people by the sam^ gentleman. The steps were deco- rated with an arch of flowers. Major Handy addressed' the multitude as follows : " My respected fellow-citizens, — at your united request, I appear before you in this public station, at an age when it would seem advisable that I should remain a silent spectator of the performances of this day, a day which, half a century past, secured to us our independence and prosperity ; and no nation more prosperous ! My own feelings on this occasion I have sacrificed, to gratify your wishes. The recol- lection of past scenes of the last fifty years, rushes in succession on my mind, with a hope and belief that the mantle of charity will be thrown over my imperfections ; and under that impres- sion I shall proceed to the performance of the part required of me." After the Declaration was read, a hymn was sung in the tune of " Old Hundred," the whole multitude uniting their voices, with a fervency and zeal which gave it a most sublime and happy efiect. It is a most painful truth, and one from which the heart recoils with horror, that the course which has been pursued for a few years by a certain class, calling themselves Philanthro- pists, has had an indirect tendency to nearly, or quite, oblite- rate from the mind of the rising generation, all remembrance of the glorious events connected with American Independence. Such profess to have the entire monopoly of all the benevolence, OUR NATIONAL JUBILEE. 283 but which is rather the product of ambition, a desire of self- aggrandizement even at the expense of the liberties of the Union. The roar of cannon, accompanied with the soul-stirring sound of martial music, animating the heart of every true patriot, who loves liberty in preference to slavery, and the free exercise of his mind to all the vain honors and distinctions which wealth confers, if purchased by the relinquishment of his inalienable rights, dearer by far to him than even life itself — has no charms for such stoical minds. We have no hesitation in saying that the abolition of the Christian Sabbath, would not more effectively efface from the heart all regard to the precepts of Jesus Christ, and render the land a waste howling wilderness, and the people mere heathens, than the .forgetfulness and neglect of observing the national jubilee, would go to the overthrow of the liberties of this coun- try. It is by a recurrence to the event that the flame of liberty is fanned and made to bum more brightly on the altar of the heart. Auspicious day ! let the mind of every* American ascend to heaven in triumphant songs of praise ! Let the bugle sound loud and long, through the vallies and reverberate over the hills of our dear native Isle : " Independence now ! and IndependJ ence forever !" No day in the calendar ever gave us such intense delight, as the Fourth of July, when party spirit becomes merged in the one glorious event. It was the social meeting of the American brotherhood on the broad platfoi'm of universal liberty and the rights of man. But in some sections how changed the scene ! Shall the political horizon continue to be dimmed by one cloud to mar the festivities of the day ? Eather let us regard the views entertained by the elder Adams, the Colossus of Ameri- can liberty, and not suffer his prophetic language to fail of its accomplishment : " "When we are in our graves, our children will honor it. They will celebrate it with thanksgiving, with festivity, with bonfires, and illuminations. On its annual return they will shed tears, copious, gushing tears, not of subjection and slavery, not of agony and distress, but of exultation, of gratitude, and of joy." Let us prize this bulwark of constitutional liberty, and dis- countenance every attempt to undermine its foundation, in which consists our glory, our happiness and our independence: 284 HISTORY OP RHODE ISLAND. Major John Handy was a mercbant of Newport. He was tbe son of Charles Handy, Esq., a distinguished citizen of New- port. He entered the Revolutionary army, to defend the honor of his country, and was promoted to the rank of Major. He died in Newport in 1828, aged 72 years. The late Thomas Handy, Esq., brother of the Major, was a gentleman of dignified and courteous manners. He married Mary, the daughter of John Henry Overing, an eminent mer- chant of Newport. Mrs. Handy was truly a most estimable lady, endowed with those rare virtues and accomplishments which rendered her an ornament to society. Of a large and highly interesting family of children, but four survive her. Mary, who married her cousin, James Overing, of Westchester, N. Y. ; Matilda, widow of Mr. Levi of Philadelphia ; Eobert, of the U. 8. Navy ; and Augustus, the wife of Mr. Sinclair of the city of New- York, a Counsellor at Law. These reminiscences, though highly interesting in their char- acter, yet nevertheless recall to mind solemn and affecting thoughts on the ravages produced by time, in the domestic cir- cle, and should teach a salutary lesson of the fading and transi- tory nature of all earthly glory. As the Handy family held an important position in society, and was highly regarded, a mere glance at their history we view as important in a work of this kind. General Charles T. James, whose recent election to the Sen- ate of the United States has created such an unusual degree of interest in the public mind, stands intimately and prominently connected with Newport, and we have felt called upon to notice his origin. His grandfather John James, and his maternal grandfather, Charles Tillinghast, settled in Newport at an early period. His grandfather Tillinghast, was a devoted patriot ; he was in Sulli- van's expedition on Rhode Island, and was subsequently seized in his house at night by a band of British soldiers, and carried off. His sad fate was never satisfactorily known ; it was, how- ever, reported that he had died of the small pox. Silas James, the father of the General, was born in Newport, and although a lad, was also in the expedition with his grand- father ; he afterwards reptioved to West Greenwich, where he improved a farm, atod was repeatedly elected to represent that THE ASIATIC CHOLERA. 285 town in General Assemtly, and was also chosen Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, which office he held for many years. There were six of the name of James, engaged in Sullivan's .expedition, which proves them to have been men of the right stamp, and eminently fitted for that stormy period. *In 1827, the Newport Association of Mechanics and Manu- facturers, appointed a committee to receive donations in books, or otherwise, for the purpose of establishing a library for the use of the members, and the apprentices of members. For more than thirty years the funds of this Society, although never ex- tensive, have been invariably and zealously devoted to the most beneficial purposes. This Association, as far as its resources would permit, has clothed the naked, fed the hungry, and in- structed the ignorant. It has ever been rich in disposition to do good, given to hospitality, and distributing to the necessities of the indigent. THE ASIATIC CHOLERA. The Asiatic Cholera made its fir.st appearance in August, at Jessore, a considerable city about one hundred miles north of Calcutta. After desolating some of the fairest portions of Asia, it penetrated the northern part of Europe, and sweeping over a great part of that continent, reached the British Isles. It has mastered every variety of climate, has passed mountains and swept over seas, proving equally fatal amid the burning sands of Arabia, and on the frozen shores of the "White sea ; and in the space of less than fifteen years has swept off more than fifty millions of the human race ! This dreadful disorder, two or three years previous to its appearance on this continent, was scarcely known to exist by a great portion of the American people. It first began to attract attention here, when it was known to have reached England, and its destructive ravages in Paris created alarm ; but the hope was entertained that the Atlantic would prove a barrier to its approach. But when that barrier was passed, and it was known that this destroying angel had begun its march of death on this continent, a general consternation prevailed through the land. 286 HISTORY OP KHODE ISLAND. It soon reached Albany and New- York, from Canada, and shortly spread dismay and death among the inhabitants of many of our cities. At the June Session of the General Assembly of Rhode Island of that year, they recommended a public fast. The pre- amble of the act says : * " Whereas, That scourge to the human race, the Asiatic Cholera, has made its appearance on this continent, and as no human exertions can effectually resist the approach of this threat ening pestilence which ' walketh in darkness and wasteth at noon day,' it becometh us humbly and devoutly to "acknowledge our dependence upon, and to implore the aid of Him in whose hand our breath is, and whose mercies endureth forever ; there- fore, " Resolved, that Thursday, the 5th day of July next, be, and is hereby set apart, as a day of humiliation and prayer to Almighty God, that he would stay this plague, and avert the appalling visitations of his judgments," Newport was remarkably favored ; but few deaths occurred, and those originated from imprudence. And it was remarked that the health of our cities, other than this disor4er, was better than what is usually the case at the same season of the year. In 1 849, when this disease again made its appearance in this country, sweeping off very many in our larger cities, not one instance of death from the disease occurred at Newport. And when it is considered that there were some four thousand stran- gers visiting at Newport, which, added to her own population, made the aggregate of 13,000, it is most certainly an evidence of the remarkable healthiness of the climate. The present population of thelsland, according to the census of 1850, is 12,228, viz. : Newport, 9,963 ; Middletown, 832, and Portsmouth, 1,833. The fertility of the Island is, perhaps, un- exampled ; this is owing, in a great measure, to the facilities for obtaining manure, which consists of Menhaden fish and sea-weed, which are abundant, and which seem particularly adapted to the soil. The exports have consisted of potatoes, onions, apples, pork, &c. Farms distant from Newport, are usually from one hundred to one hundred and fifty dollars per acre, according to their location and the quality df the soil. The farms generally are small, having been cut up and ASTLUM FOE, THE POOE. 287 divided from time to time. This, however, is preferable, as a few acres, well cultivated, will yield far more than a larger quantity, partially cultivated. It was the saying of Virgil, " great farms to look at, and small farms for profit." As an illustration of this truth, it may be found in the proceeds of the model farm of the late Judge Child, of Portsmouth, which contains about forty acres of land. It was stated to the author, that he had realized $1000 per annum, independent of his living. Farming is a most honorable employment, and the most inde- pendent which can possibly be followed. It is said that when the early Eomans praised a good man, they called him an agri- culturist and a good husbandman ; and that on a certain occa- sion, when a distinguished citizen of Eome was visited by a for- eign ambassador, he was found cooking his repast of vegetables raised by his own hand from his seven acre farm. It must appear obvious to the mind which has given the least attention to the subject, that more land is held in possession than is scientifically cultivated, and which is rather an expense than a profit to the owner. If the farms on the Island were still subdivided and parcelled out, it would not only increase the population, but also be far more productive, as there would be less land to manure, and a greater attention bestowed on the subject. Those seeking a country-place, may take for their creed, that Man wants but little land below, Nor wants that little dear. The town of Portsmouth, a few years since, purchased a farm containing about sixty acres of land, as an Asylum for the Poor. It is most delightfully located, and every necessary comfort is furnished the inmates, which their condition requires. It was- an act highly creditable to the town, as it went to ameliorate the evils of poverty, to which all are exposed in this world of viqissitude and change. Dyre's Island lays nearly opposite the Asylum. Since penning these thoughts, we have met with the Eeport of Thomas E. Hazard, Esq., on " The Condition of the Poor and Insane in Ehode Island," in which he has presented a moat ' melancholy picture of the treatment of the poor in the Ports- mouth Asylum. Por the honor of the town, if such be the pain- 288 HISTORY OP RHODE ISLAND. ful fact disclosed, we would indulge the hope that an ameliora- tion of their condition may at once be effected. Let it not be said, that in the nineteenth century, and more especially on the island of Ehode Island, where toleration has been so highly enjoyed, that a want of principle exists towards a class of unfortunate beings, who have such strong claims on our sympathy and compassion. All are liable to misfortune in this changing world, and the prosperous to-day may be in adver- sity to-morrow. This shows the necessity for those having the supervision of the poor, to treat them with that degree of kind- ness which they themselves would expect, were they in the same ijnhappy condition. And none can lay claim to the character of a Christian, who do not feel called upon to soothe and miti- gate the evils of poverty, so far as in them lie, which we con- ceive to be the test of Christian character, agreeable to the teachings of the Saviour, recorded in the 25th chapter of Mat- thew. Mr. Hazard has shown a commendable spirit, in thus devot- ing his time and attention to the investigation of this most im- portant subject ; which has already led to an improvement in the condition of the poor, in many of the towns in our State. God speed the day, when Ehode Island shall be found foremost in every good work to advance the happiness of man. "We take pleasure in being able to state that a marked improvement Bas taken place in the Portsmouth Asylum, since the publication of Mr. Hazard's Report, and to him belongs the credit. In 1808, a deposit of coal was discovered in Portsmouth, by Doct. Case, of Newport. It was worked for a time, and then abandoned. It was subsequently renewed by a company from Boston, but being impregnated with iron, it was found difficult to ignite. One of the proprietors called on a Jawyer of New- York, who was-rather of an eccentric character, to recommend the article, which he cordially did. But the certificate proved to be such a one as would not be likely to advance the sale of the article. It was as follows : " At the general conflagration of the universe, the most secure place to be found, would bo the coal mine at Portsmouth, R. I." More recently a company from Providence have taken it in hand, and have succeeded in finding a better quality of coal. For manufacturing purposes it is said to answer as well as the RECORD OP FIRES. 289 anthracite, and at far less expense. The excavations are very extensive. Many families in the neighborhood now burn it Since the mining 0{)erations were first commenced, a large amount of capital has been sunk in the enterprise. RECORDS OP FIRE DEPARTMENT. Heart Pire Club was established about 1790. The number of members was limited to fifty ; one captain, one lieutenant, a treasurer, and clerk. The object of this Association was to aid in the preservation of property in time of fire. An annual dinner was provided for the Association, and the expenses were defrayed by an equal assessment upon the members. No mem- ber was to be. excused, unless by a vote of the Club. The return of the anniversary was looked forward to with great interest, when all participated in the good things which a kind Providence had furnished. The evening was spent in the rela- tion of anecdotes and recitations, occasionally interspersed with songs, and was the means of strengthening the bond of union among the fraternity. Perhaps there is no town of equal size where the inhabitants are so careful of fire as Newj)ort, and where the firemen are more vigilant and active in suppressing it, whenever it occurs. The estimate of losses for the last hundred years, is compara- tively trifling, and when it is considered that Newport has been settled for more than two hundred years, that not a building was ever consumed in Thames-street, may well be looked upon as almost miraculous. "We question whether another such instance can be found on record. Insurance Companies may feel quite safe in taking riskes on property in Newport. We would suggest, that it would be good policy for the town to establish an Insurance OflBce, and hence retain the premiums, which now go to build up other places. John "W. Davis, Esq., Foreman of Engine Company, No. 1, has kindly furnished the following valuable information, being a statement, from the books of the Company, of all the Fires, of any consequence, which have occurred in Newport, for one hundred years, viz. : — • / 290 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. FIEES FROM 1749 TO 1848. 1749. December, Ellery house, on the Hill. 1759. December, Goddard's bouse, on the Point. 1762. February, Fire on Long "Wharf. 1763. September, Dillingham's shop. 1764. October 26th, Dr. Stiles' Meeting House, (the Central now,) and Trinity Church, both struck by lightning. 1766. June 7, Colonel Malbom's mansion, on the site of J. Prescott Hall's neysr house. October 1st, Green's sugar house. 1769. June 28th, Malborn house. 1770. June 21st, Green's sugar house. December 28th, Eodman and Dennis' houses. 1771. January 18th, Lyon's coopers' shop. Green's sugar house, and sundry other buildings consumed. August Ist, Cole's tanyard. 1763. February, Nicholas Easton's house. 1774. January 9th, Moore and Anthony's shop consumed. 1780. September 7th, Samuel Gardner's stock and fodder. 1781. July 13th, House of John Handy, in New lane, (now Mary-street.) 1784. September 2lst, Larken's barn, with five tons of hay and one horse burnt. 1786. March 24th, M. Hookey's house, in Cannon-street. 1787. December 11th, JohnHadwin's store, on Long Wharf. June 29th, David Melville's pewterer's shop, slight damage. 1788. October 15th, Ebenezer Eichardson's house, slight dam- age to the roof 1789. December 2d, Noah White's blacksmith's shop burnt down. 1791. April 16th, John Hadwin's and J. Eichardson's. 1792. January 21st, Tanyard and bark-house of William Tripp, and store of Governor Collin's consumed. 1795. November 17th, Jonathan Southwick's boat-builder's shop burnt down. November 24th, John Frazier's school house, slight damage. EECORt) or FIRES. 291 1797. August 7tl), Francis Brinley"'s ropewalk. December 22d, Job Oahoone'e house, in Thames-street, slight damage. 1798, December 6th, Blacksraith^s shop on TiOng Wharf cob- sumed, and a man named Lewis was burnt up ; also houses owned by Capt George and John Shaw ; Mr. Southwick''s boat builder's shop torn down. 1800. October 25th, Mr, Delano's house and shed destroyed ■ also a negro man, belonging to Mr. Delano. 1803. April 22d, Nicho!as Hart's barn burned down, corner of Church and Spring-streets. 1810. March 11th, Captain Thomas White's house, in Church- street, damaged. October 14th, Jas. "Westgate's bakehouse, ^ight damage. December 17th, Mr. Wilson's house on the Point, slight damage.' 1811. April 13th, Stable in Broad-street, owned by Mrs. Kt- man, occuped by Edward Simmons, burnt down. 1819. February 7th, W, 8. N, Allan's bakehouse, on Long WTiarf, slight damage. October 6th, Daniel W. Barker^ house, in south part of Spring-street, burnt down. 1822. April 7th, Pefeg Battle's house, on tine Point, slight August 16th, JohnCL Almy's barn and dwelling house, bdonging to A. Bobbins, on Long Wharf, coasumed. 1826. November 2ist, Boat builder's shop, and house of Jon, Bouthwidk, on Long Wharf, consumed. 1827. July7tb, Henry Ruggies' distillery, considerable damage. 1829. January 3d, Joseph Joslen's school bouse. Church street, slight damage. 1834. January Sth, Dr. R W. Case's boase, foot of Parade, slight damage. March 22d, House belonging to the Seventh-day Baptist Society, in Thames-street, slight damage. 1835. August Sth, Dry goods store, occupied by William P, HaB, and owned by heirs of William Lan^ey, and now occupied by Anderson's barber's shop, shght damage. October 1st, Newport steam factory, slight damage. 292 HISTORT OF RHODE ISLAND. 1836. June 28tb, Ihy goods Btore of H. E. Brewster, (now occupied by W. H. Peek,) goods damaged. 1838. February 23d, Carpenter's shop on Beach-street, owned by Josiab Tew, consumed. February 28th, Dwelling bouse in South Touro-street, owned by the heirs of Anthony Dixon, consumed. August 2d, Thomas R. Hazard's factory ; damage about $10,000. 1840. January 1st, House in Elm-street, occupied by ^Viiliam Greenman ; damage $350. February 17th, Store of D. S, Halloway, Ferry Wharf, damage $100. 1841. April 7th, Benjamin Chase's carpenter's shop, damage $200. November 11th, Silas H. Oottrell's workshop, Thames- street, damage $300. 1842. February 17th, John H. Gilliafs new house, Touro- street, damage $1000. May 27th, E, W. Lawton's wood-house, nearly destroyed. September 2d, Elder Henry Burdick's stable destroyed. September 6th, Thomas Townsend's barn destroyed, damage $600. September 23d, Tower's school house, rear of Clarke- street. September 24th, Building near Bath road, destroyed. December 16th, John Bigley's bouse. Bridge-street, damage $200. 1844. February 26th, Drying house, on "Woolen Mill Wharf, damage $250. March 21st, Same building, damage $300. 1845. March 13th, Wooleu factory, damage $600. August 3d, Ocean House destroyed ; loss $60,000. One life lost. 1846. January 9th, Woolen factory, damage $200. 1847. December 26lh, First Baptist Meeting-house, damaged $200. 1848., April 17th, Store on Ferry Wharf, owned by Samuel Oarr, damaged $250. May 19th, Store on Long Wharf, occupied as a boat- builder's shop, damaged $650, NAEEAGANSETT INDIANS. 293 1848, July 25th, Four boat builder's shops, and one dwelling- house, on Long Wharf, destroyed ; loss $5,500. October 4th, "William A. Handy's house in Fair-street, damaged $200. THE NARRAGANSETT TRIBES. We have in this work labored to present the most intOTesting events connected with the history of 'this Island. Undoubt- edly the lapse of time has buried much of value in oblivion. This was to be expected ; but sufficient has been recorded to show the reader the distinguished position which Newport occu- pied in the past, and of which there are some traces still re- maining. When it is considered that little more than two centuries have elapsed since this Island wae the residence of the red man, when the war-whoop rang through the valleys and re- verberated over the hills, when he stood erect in his own native dignity, with the bow and arrow, the weapon of his defence, and felt himself to be the rightful owner of the soil ; we ask, where now are the original inhabitants, the native " lords of the soil ?" Is the feeble remnant of the Narragansetts, now under the protection of the State, all that remains of this once noble race of men ? But where are they ? Where are the villages, and warriors, and youths? the sachems, and the tribes? the hunters and their families ? They have perished. They are consumed. The wasting pestilence has not alone done the mighty work. No — nor famine, nor war. There has been a mightier power, a moral canker, which, has eaten into their hearts' cores — a plague, which the touch of the white man communicated — a poison, which betrayed them into a lingering ruin. They know and'feel that there is for them still one remove farther, not dis- tant, nor unseen. It is the general burial-ground of their race. The colonizing of America at the expense of the sufferings and final extermination of the aborigines of this country, is painful and humiliating to consider, and detracts from that pleasure and satisfaction which" would otherwise be enjoyed. From the report of a committee on Indian affairs in Ehode Island, madfe to the General Assembly in 1833, " it appears that 294 HISTOKY OF KHODE ISLAND. the whole number of all grades and conditions of the once nu- merous and warlike tribes of Narragansetts (the only tribe now existing in the State), was one hundred and fifty-eight. Of thi» number, only seven were of genuine Narragansett blood,- and several of these have since died ; fourteen were half-blood, and one hundred and fifty-eight of different grades, less than half- blood, with twenty foreigners, who have no connection with the tribe, except by marriage and other promiscuous intercourse." Three thousand acres of land in Charlestown, now in their pos- sessien, is all that is left to them of their ancient domain. , " Canonicus, Miantonomu ! friends and benefactors of the colony, thy nation is no more. Simple sons of the forest, the lands of thy fathers have passed into the possessioD of the de- scendants of those men, whom, when weak, defenceless and distressed, ye clothed, fed, and protected. And thou too, mighty Philip, who fell fighting for thy native soil, the graves of thy fathers,, thy wives and children, and thy own loved Mount Haup, — the white man's foot now presses the soil once trodden by thee." ( The scene is too painful to dwell upon. We turn away from it in sorrow, deeplj' regretting their sad fate. "We have already alluded to the principles which influenced the minds of the early settlers of the Island. As Mr. Callender properly observes, " they fled not from religion, order, or good government, but to have liberty to worship God, and enjoy their own religious opinions and belief." Our fathers professed to believe that " There is in man an indivi^al sovereignty, Which none created might unpunished bind or touch, A sovereignty unhound, save hy the eternal laws of Sod, Aad onameDable to all below." And in matters relating to civil liberty, this great piinSiple was recognized and practiced. They admitted in their State sovereignty, that the true and legitimate source of power, from whence those in authority and places of trust derived theirs, to legislate for the common good of all, was derived from the peo- ple ; and by people, they understood not the mere appendages of wealth, which are possessed but by few, as giving an exclu- sive privilege to act, to the exclusion of the masses, but rather CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. 295 that moral and intellectual possessions were the true character- istics which went to make up the people. Incidental differ- ences in men's circumstances and conditions were not regarded as constituting a qualification, or disqualification, to act in the concerns of the government ; and this view of the case ren- dered the form of government purely democratic. "We are aware that the idea has become prevalent in the minds of a certain class, that the masses are unfit to govern ; but we apprehend no danger, where the peopJe are intelligent, and educated to believe that they are men — not merely in form, but intellectually and morally so — and bound to love, the insti- tutions of their beloved country, and to aid in their preserva- tion. Deny to them this right, and you at once generate a band of villains, the counterparts of the Ishmaelites, " who will be against every man, and .every man against them." It be- hooves us, then, to see to it that education is imparted to all, irrespective of rank or condition, and to be careful that honest poverty, where all the other requisite qualifications are pos- sessed, is not overlooked, and that wealth be not allowed a com- plete monopoly in all things. The notion of the iucompetency of the people to govern them- selves, has bad its origin on the other side of the water ; an(i its baneful influence and demoralizing effects have been severely felt, sufficient to alarm every true patriot and friend of human rights, and should act as an incentive to vigilance in guarding our liberties — the birth-right of high heaven — and never, never suffer them to be wrested from us by the rapacious cruelty and injustice of designing men, who take delight in lording it over the consciences of men. Oppression is contrary to the very nature of man's being. God created the mind originally free ; and it is an act of usurpation which should be frowned down most indignaiitly, whenever our natural rights are invaded. The original settlers of the Island possessed, in a very high degree, the principles of civil and religious liberty, and to their precept and example we may trace some of the same spiri'; which exists among the people at the present day. Our fore- fathers had not only felt the hand of oppression in the mother country ; but they had also experienced it from their lordly breth- ren in Massachusetts, and hence they felt constrained to flee to 296 HISTORY OP RHODE ISLAND. a spot where the standard of liberty could be unfurled, and under its broad shelter an asylum found for the persecuted and the oppressed of every clime. We trust that we shall not be chargeable with vanity or prejudice, in reasserting that the peo- ple of the Island were the most truly repubUcan in their man- ners, of any portion of the maritime, towns of New England. In this, we have the concurrence of enlightened minds, whose extensive observation of the world has given weight to their opinions. Among the earliest records of legislation in Ehode Island, we find an act guarding the right of private opinion, and free discussion. In the preamble, they say, " That to sufier the civil magistrate to intrude his power into the field of opinions, and restrain the profession or propagation of principles, on the supposition of their ill tendency, is a dangerous fallacy, which at once destroys all religious liberty ; because he, being judge of that tendency, will make his own opinions the rule of judg- ment, and approve or condemn the sentiments of others, only as they shall square with or differ frbm his own ; that it is time enough for the rightful purposes of civil government, for its officers to interfere when principles break forth into overt acts against peace and good order ; and finally, that truth is great and will prevail, if left to herself; that she is the proper and sufficient antagonist of error, and has nothing to fear from the conffict, unless by human power disarmed of her natural weap- ons, free argument and debate." Such sentiments are worthy to be inscribed, 'm. letters of gold, on our halls of legislation, showing the principles of liberty which were ingrained in the hearts of the early settlers of this Island. Grod gi-ant that we, their descendants, may cherish and perpetuate the same glorious principles, and never prove recre- ant to the sacred trust committed to our care. Nor were these rights, nor any part o'f them, relinquished by our venerable predecessors, when they entered the confederacy. They surrendered no inalienable rights ; they made no compro- mise of the liberty " to know, utter, and argue freely," any of the great principles of civil and religious freedom on which the colony was founded. And when Ehnde Island subscribed to and adopted the Constitution of the United States, the voice of freedom echoed from the halls of her convention, proclaiming, ASSENT TO THE CONSTITUTION. 297 ■with trumpet tongue, " that there are certain natural righrs of ■which men, ■when they form a social compact, cannot deprive their posterity, among -which are the enjoyment of life and lib- erty, -with the means of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety. That all men have an equal, natural, and inalienable right to the exercise of religion according to the dictates of their own consciences. That the people have a right to freedom of speech and of ■writing, and pubUshing their sentiments ; that freedom of the press is one of the great bulwarks of liberty, and ought not to be ■violated. " Under these impressions," say they, " and declaring that the rights aforesaid cannot be abridged, and that these declara- tions are consistent with the Constitution, ■we, the said dele- gates, in the name and in the behalf of the people of the State of Ehode Island and Providence Plantations, do by these pres- ents asserit to and ratify the said Constitution." Such sentiments as these are democratic in the highest sense of the term, and should admonish those -who ■would seek to cur- tail in the least the liberties of the people, that they have for- gotten their sires, and the sacred principles which they promul- gated. Their names should be inscribed high on the roll of fame, to be admired and esteemed by their descendants. As so, little has been said of Clark and Coddington, by ■writers ■who have undertaken to dwell on the history of Ehode Island, ■we have indulged more at length on their characters, in order to place their names in the front rank instead of in the rear. It is a most singular fact that the grave of Roger "Williams, the founder of the Plantations, is unknown to this day. In revie^wing the past mercies of God towards our fathers, ■we have abundant cause of gratitude, thanksgiving, and praise. They came to this Island to rear the temple of ci-vil and reli- gious liberty. No selfish purpose actuated them in lea-ving the fatherland ; it was not to increase their worldly honors that they sacrificed home, with all its endearments. Higher and no- bler considerations influenced them. It was to establish an asylum where liberty, the birth-right of man, might be more fully enjoyed than it was in the land of their birth. ' And the principles which they cherished in their own bosoms, and which they scattered broadcast among the people, have 298 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. been transmitted down to the present generation. Eeflections, however, have been cast on the want of intelligence among the peo- ple; as well as the looseness of ourreligious principles, by a class of bigots and sectarians. But the moral virtues which guided the inhabitants of the Island were as pure and as unmixed as those of any section of the country. Dr. Mather, a little more than a century ago, said, " Rhode Island was occupied by Antinomians, Anabaptists, Quakers, Ranters, and everything else, but Roman Catholics and Chris- tians; and if any man has lost his religion, he may find it in this general muster of opinions — in this G-awzzim of New Eng- land, this receptacle of the convicts of Jerusalem, and the out- casts of the land." Now, to us of the present day, such intolerant and abusive language, from a professed believer in Christ, sounds strangely in our ears ; yet the age in which he lived is some apology for his singular and unaccountable conduct. But no apology can now be offered for the sensorious remarks which have often been made in relation to our civil and religious institutions, by a class of unprincipled bigots, who view everything through a distorted medium. ' Considering her geographical extent, with the number of her inhabitants, Rhode Island can justly lay claim to having pro- duced as many distinguished minds as that of any section of the Union. Call it arrogance, if you please to indulge such a thought. We feel called upon to frown down with the most sovereign con- tempt, the interlopers who dare cast aspersions on her fair fame, whether they be agents of religious bodies,or school teachers whose pride has been elated by receiving the patronage of the people. Ignorance at home, where they are best known, is profound knowledge when the soil of Rhode Island is pressed ; and it is owing to this cause alone, of strangers having been preferred to enlighten the dark minds of Rhode Islanders, that the false im- pression has been given. We trust, for the honor of the State, this disgrace will soon be remedied, and the stigma of reproach wiped from our escut- cheon. We have no wish to deny that we had our birth and education on the Island of Rhode Island, where the glorious principles of liberty were first taught, and where none»is ac- counted a delinquent in matters of religion. Happy, thrice SOVEREIGNTY OP THE PEOPLE. 299 happy spot ! we will cherish in fond remembrance those sainted patriots, whose mouldering ashes now repose in the fairest gem of the ocean. The hallowed influence of their principles has leavened this mighty nation, and neutralized, if not subdued, the dark malignant spirit of bigotry and superstition, religious intolerance and persecution. , Our fathers understood the true principles of government — they acknowledged the sovereignty of the people. -This is the basis of a republican form of government, and should be guard- ed with the most scrupulous care, as on this hinge turns our political freedom. Abandon this vital principle, and our glorious temple of liberty, reared by the hands and cemented by the blood of our patriot fathers, would crumble to pieces, and its funeral dirge be chanted throughout the world. This is an admirable feature in our Constitution, that a re- dress of grievances lays with the people. Deny this position, and you at once hurl us back to the dark period, when the land was governed by a sovereign tyrant, at -^ose dictation the people must bow and do fealty ; and the conclusion to which we unavoidably arrive by admitting this political dogma, is, that our Eevolutionary forefathers were a body of insurgents, and throughout every step in the great moral and physical enter- prise of attempting to break the fetters which bound us to Great Britain, were wholly unauthorized by every principle of justice and equity — and as an dbt of atonement for past wrongs, should lead the nation at once to recognize the supremacy of Queen Victoria, as the legitimate and rightful sovereign of the land, and thereby wipe from our escutcheon the infinite wrongs of which we have been guilty. In the view of enlightened and liberal minds, they can never tolerate the idea, that absolute power should be vested in any one man, or body of men, to be exercised according to their discre- tion, over the rights and hberties of others. It is an assumption of power, which the light of science wherever enjoyed, will not for a moment sanction. It must, however, be admitted that there is a want of moral courage prevalent at this day, more especially in the New-England States, which often gives to minorities the complete ascendency. "We feel called upon to enter our solemn protest against such imbecility and weakness, derogatory to the character of man, which threatens the over- 300 HISTORY OP RHODE ISLAND. throw of our social, political, and religious liberties, which have been purchased at the expense of the blood of our fathers. . It is far better to suffer nobly the " pangs of outrageous for- tune," with a mind free and untrammelled, than to bask in the sunshine of worldly prosperity, a mere slave ; for slavery of the mind is far more to be deprecated than that of the body. "We are legally and constitutionally bound' to respect our rulers, whenever their acts are in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Constitution. But when the principles embodied in the Magna Oharta, are not complied with, that moment they tran- scend the power lodged in their hands, and disregard the wishes of their constituents, and render their acts obnoxious to the people, and vox populi should be raided that their places may be filled with better men,, who will labor to promote the interest of the whole people, and not legislate merely for the few. DISTRIBUTION OP PUBLIC LANDS. This age is distinguished in some measure by endeavoring to grant facilities to the poorer classes, to enable them to subsist more comfortably than they do at present ; hence the distribu- tion of the public lands to actual settlers is now strongly advo- cated by many whose patriotisnf extends beyond their own sel- fish interest. And it behoves the Legislatures of each of the respective States of the Confederacy to authorize their repre- sentatives in Congress to use their influence in bringmg about this highly important and meritorious object, and not permit the waste' land to be monopolized by speculators. Many of the States, to tVieir praise be it said, have^lso passed the Homestead Exemption Law, where the value does not exceed from five hundred to a thousand dollars. This is a humane and chari- table act, and should be followed by every state in the Union. It is for the people to straighten what is now crooked, and to right what is at present wrong. These should be made the test' questions in our future elections, as being of infinitely more im- Dortance to the interest of the people, than the tweedle-dum and tweedle-dee. Let not a craven spirit continue to influence the minds of the people of Ehode Island, for it is too humiliating to SALUBRITY OP THE CLIMATE. 301 witness man, elevated as he is above all the works of God, fear- ful of acting out the sentiments of his heart, for fear of the opinion whi6b some worm of the dust may entertain of him, which may possibly endanger his temporary interest. Let the language of David to his son Solomon, be regarded and prac- tised, " show thyself a man !" In bringing this work to a close, let me urge on the minds of the inhabitants of the island, the value and iniportaBCe of culti- vating a spirit of enlarged liberality. Suffer not the mind to be influenced by merely selfish considerations, which are opposed in their nature to the principles advocated by the early settlers. Keep their example in full view, which will act as a stimulus in urging you forward in the-sacred cause of justice. The spot which you occupy has been properly, called the " Paradise of America," in a physical point of view, arid in the. past it was so in a moral and intellectual point of view. But, alas ! " the gold has become dim, and the most find gold changed. " The vener- able Dr. "Waterhouse has remarked : " Newport will be — must be — the Bath of the TJnited States, to which rich invalids will retire for lost health. I often wish that I had some pleasant spot or farm on my native Island, to which, if not myself, my in- valid posterity might resort to enjoy peace, health, and liberty." Such were the views entertained by the venerable Doctor, and which have subsequently been realized in the vast crowds which now resort to Newport, to sp^nd a few weeks during the sultry heat of summer. Here the gentleman of leisure can find exemption from, the evils which exist in crowded cities, while a rich treat is furnished the lovers of pleasure which can no where else be enjoyed in the same- degree. This has turned the attention of the inhabitants to the build- ing of large and spacious hotels, for the accommodation of the numerous strangers who resort here, until it has in a very great degree excluded every'other kind of business from the place. Such precarious business should not, however, be the sole re- liance of the inhabitants, but secondary in importance. New- port, with her spacious and commodious harbor, should enjoy an extensive commerce. Her situation is admirably adapted to the whaling and fishery business, and it should be remembered that commerce was the means of her former pros- perity and glory, and its decay her downfall. 302 HISTORY OP RHODE ISLAND. "We are aware that great and important changes have been wrought in the country-places. Those once insignificant have sprung into being, as by magic ; still it does not necessarily fol- low, that Newport must remain forever in statu quo, satisfied with having the town a mere resort of strangers for a few weeks. If this be the manifest destiny, why of course, the people must passively submit. It must, however, appear obvious to the mind that has given the least attention to the subject, that the great depth of water at Easton's Point, the northern extremity of the town, presents facilities which are not enjoyed elsewhere. In many of the mari- time cities, they often meet with obstacles which cause delay, owing to the want of sufficient water to float the larger class of ships, while here, at low tide, from eighteen to twenty feet of water is found. In this age of progress there appears to be a demand for a still larger class of steamships, and it has been suggested that in the lapse of time Newport may become one of the principal depots for steam navigation. But this view of the subject is highly improbable, as there is no market to be found nere, and merchants would not be at the expense of freighting their mer- chandize to New- York, Boston, &o. The idea is too preposterous to be indulged in for a moment. If these natural advantages, which are possessed in so high a degree, are to be made sub- servient to the prosperity of the place, it must be effected by the enterprise of the inhabitants alone, and all Quixotic schemes abandoned forever. We have not, in this work, attempted to draw comparisons between the past and the. present, but have rather preferred to let the intelligent reader draw his own inferences ; for it must be confessed that the moral, intellectual, and physical condition of the place is so wholly and entirely changed, as to render it painful to contemplate. We can hardly realize that it is the same place ; and many, who after years of absence have re- turned, have found so sad a deterioration, that they have pre- ferred a residence elsewhere. In fact, it is only in the past that Newport appears interesting to a reflective mind. The houseless, wandering descendant looks at the mansion of his fathers and exclaims : LIST OP PRESIDENTS OP THE COLONY. 303 " Now thou standest In faded majestj, as if to moam The desolation of an ancient race.' We flatter ourselves that the work will be read with interest, more especially by the iijhabitants of the Island, as well as those who are in the habit of resorting there to admire the romantic and picturesque scenery, which is the great attraction of the place. It will assist the reader to while away his leisure hours in its perusal, and carry the mind back to the interesting period, when the highly eminent characters which we have presented figured on life's busy stage, who have long since retired to make room for others. A List of the Presidents of the Colony of Ebode Island and Providence Plantations, under the first Patent ; and the Governors under the second Charter. Collected from the State Becords. PRESIDENTS UNDER THE FIRST PATENT. Prom the year 1647 to 1648, John Coggeshall, „ „ 1648 to 1649, Jeremiah Clarke, „ „ 1649 to 1650, John Smith, „ „ 1650 to 16^2, Nicholas Easton. GOVERNORS UNDER THE FIRST CHARTER. From the year 1654 to 1657, Eoger Williams, , 1657 to 1660, Benedict Arnold, , 1660 to 1662, William Brenton, 1662 to- 1663, Benedict Arnold. » II GOVERNORS UNDER THE SECOND CHARTER. Prom the year 1663 to 1666, Benedict Arnold, „' „ 1666 to 1669, William Brenton, „ „ 1669 to 1672, Benedict Arnold „ „ 1672 to 1674, Nicholas Easton, „ „ 1674 to 1676, William Coddington. 304 , HISTORY OF IIHODE ISLAND. From th^ year 1676 to 1677, Walter Clarke, „ „ 1677 to 1679, Benedict Arnold, 1670 to 1680, John Cranston, 1680 to 1683, Peleg Sanford, 1683 to 1685, "William Coddington, 1685 to 1686, Henry Bull, 1686 to , Walter Clarke. The Charter was at this period superseded by Sir Edmund Andross, but it was again restored in 1689. GOVERNORS AFTER THE RESTORATION. From the year 1689 to 1690, Henry Bull, „ „ 1690 to 1695, John Easton, „ „ 1695 to 1696, Caleb Carr, „ „ 1696 to 1698, Walter Clarke, „ „ 1698 to 1727, Samuel Cranston, „ „ 1732 to 1734, William Wanton, „ „ 1734 to 1741, John Wanton, „ „ 1741 to 1743, Eichard Ward, „ „ 1745 to 1746, Gideon Wanton, „ „ 1747 to 1748, Gideon Wanton, „ „ 1762 to 1763, Samuel Ward, „ „ 1765 to 1767, Samuel Ward, „ „ 1768 to 1769, Josias Lyndon, „ „ 1769 to 1775, Joseph Wanton. APPENDIX HISTORY OF THE CHURCHES RHODE ISLAND. APPENDIX. TRINITY CHURCH NEWPORT. The following account is compiled from the Eecords of Henry Bull, Esq., with Notes by the Eev. Francis Vinton, and ad- ditional remarks. Until nearly the close of the seventeenth century, there were but two orders of Christians ' in the town of Newport, who were organized, ancj regularly met together for the purpose of worship, and those were of the denomination of Eaptists and Priends, or Quakers. The original founder, and first principal patron of Trinity Church, in Newport, was Sir Francis Nicholson. He was by profession a soldier ; was Lieutenant-Governor of New- York, under Sir Edmund Aadros, and at the head of the Adminis- tration of that Colony from 1687 to 1690, at which time he was appointed Governor of Virginia, and so continued for two years. From 1694 to 1699, he was Governor of Maryland, after which time he was again Governor of Virginia. He com- manded the British forces sent to Canada, in 1710, and took the important fortress of PortEoyal. In 1713 he became Governor of Nova Scotia, and in 1720, Governor of Carolina. He returned to England in June, 1725, and died in London in 1728. Mr. Lockyer, an Episcopal clergyman, commenced preaching in Newport about the close of 1698 ; and by that means a Church was gathered. He was doubtless procured by the 308 HISTORY OF KHODE ISLAND. instrumentality of Sir Francis Nicholson, who was then Grover- Dor of Maryland ; for the Eecords of Trinity Church fully sustain the fact, that Sir Francis was its founder. The people, and more especially the leading gentlemen of the town, were well disposed towards this new undertaking, and a considerable society was soon established, with suflBcient strength and zeal, aided by their generous patron, to build a handsome Church, which was completed in or before 1702. " Handsomely," as they say, '.' finished all on the outside, and the inside pewed well, but not beautiful." Thus far the Church had made its way without any aid from the mother country. In the year 1702, when the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, was established and incorporated in England, the Wardens of Trinity Church applied to the Bishop of London, soliciting the aid of the Society ; on which application the Eev. James Honyman was appointed Missionary, in 1704, and sent over to this station. The Society, as a further encouragement, sent also as a present to the Church, a valuable library of the best theological works of that day, consisting of severity-five volumes, mostly folio. Many of these books are still in the possession of the Church. Queen Anne presented the Church with the bell, which was received here in 1709 ; about which time, the Minister, War- dens, and-Vestry, wrote to the Governor of Massachusetts, and to the Rev. Samuel Miles, Minister of Boston, requesting each of them to forward money, left in their hands for the Church, by Sir Francis Nicholson, stating their present want of money, to enable them to prepare for and hang the bell but recently receive^d. Mr. Honeyman was a gentleman well calculated to unite his own society, which grew and flourished exceedingly under his charge, as well as to conciliate those of other religious denomi- nations, all of whom he " embraced with the arms of charity." In the year 1713, the Minister, Churchwardens, and Vestry, petitioned the Queen for the establishment of Bishops in America, setting forth the great benefit that would result to the church from such a measure. Mr. Nathaniel Kay, the Collector of the Queen's revenues in Ehode Island, who after- wards liberally endowed the school connected with this Church, was among the signers of this petition. ERKOTION OF A NEW CHTTRCH, 309 In the year 1724, Mr. Honyman writes to the Society in England, as follows : " That there was properly belonging to his church in Newport, above fifty communicaifta, who live in that place, exclusive of strangers. The church people grow now loo numerous to. be accommodated with seats in the old church, and many more oflfered to join themselves to the church communion." Mr. Honyman proposed to the church members, the building of a new church, and subscribed £30 himself for that purpose. The people heartily concurred, and he soon after obtained subscriptions amounting to £1000 of the currency of the country ; but it was estimated the building would cost twice that amount. However, a sufficient sum was raised, and, in the year 1726, the church was completed, and Mr. Honyman held the service in it. The body of the building was seventy feet long, and forty-six wide. It had two tiers of windows, was full of pews, and had galleries all round to the east end. It was acknowledged by the people of that day to be the most beautiful timber structure in America. The old building was given to the people of "Warwick, who had no chbroh of their' own. We have every reason for believing that the new building was erected on the site of the old one, for the old one appears to have been disposed of by gift, to make room for the new, which would not otherwise have been done in a town rapidly increasing in population, and in want of more buildings. At the time of which we are writing, 1724 to 1726, there were Quakers and two sorts of Anabaptists in Newport, yet the members of the Church of England increased daily ; and although there was not to be fotand alive at that time, four of the original promoters of church worship in this place, yet there was then above four times the number of all the first. Mr. Honyman had under his care at this time, the towns of New- port, Preetown, Tiverton, and Little Compton. The history of this Church has been, thus far, principally derived from the publications of the»Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, and from Letters from the Minister, Wardens, and Vestry, to Queen Anne, to the Bishop of London, and to Sir Francis Nicholsonj. copies of which have been pre- served in the first parish records of the Church. The first 'book of the corporation records having been lost, is a ciroum- 310 HISTORY or KHODE ISLAND. stance miicli to be regretted. The second book commences with the date 1731. A letter, written in Newport, and published in the " New England Journal," Boston, September 3d, 1729, says, " Yester- day, arrived here, Dean Berkley, of Londonderry, in a pretty large ship. He is a gentleman of middle stature, of an agree- able, pleasant, and erect aspect. He was ushered into the town with a great number of gentlemen, to whom he behaved himself after a very complaisant manner. 'Tis said he proposes to tarry here with his family about three months." The connection of Dean Berkley with Trinity Church, calls for a passing notice of his sojourn in Newport, where he arrived by a circumstance purely incidental. He, with other gentle- men, his associates, were bound to Bermuda, with the intention of establishing there a college, for the education of the Indian youth of this country ; a plan, however, which wholly failed. The captain of the ship in which he sailed could not find the island of Bermuda, and having given up the search after it, steered northward, until they discovered land unknown to them, and which they supposed to be inhabited only lay savages. On making a signal, however, two men came on board from Block Island, in the character of pilots, who, on inquiry, informed them the harbor and town of Newport were near ; that in the town there was an Episcopal Church, the Minister of which was Mr. James Honyman, on ^ which they proceeded for Newport, but an adverse wind caused them to run into the west passage, where the ship came to anchor. The Dean wrote a letter to Mr. Honyman, which the pilots took on shore at Conanicut Island, and called on a Mr. Gardner and Mr. Mar- tin, two members of Mr. Honyman's Church, informing them that a great dignitary of the Church of England, called a Dean, was on board the ship, together with other gentlemen passen- gers. They handed them the letter from the Dean, which Messrs. G-ardner and Martin brought to Newport, in a small boat, with all possible dispatch. On their arrival they found Mr. Honyman was at church, it being a holyday, on which divine service was held then. They then sent the letter by a servant, who delivered it to Mr. Honyman in his pulpit. He opened it, and read it to the congregation, from the contents of which it appeared the Dean might bd expected to land in BEQtTEST TO YALE COLLEGE. 311 Newport, every moment. The church was dismissed with the blessing, and Mr. Honyman, with the wardens, vestry, church, and congregation, male and female, repaired immediately to the ferry wharf, where they arrived a little before the Dean, his family and friends. The foregoing tradition we have given as we received it, but other traditions vary a little from that ; some of which say that "the ship made no land until she arrived in the East or Sachuest river, from which she came round the north end of Ehode Island to Newport." It has also been stated that Col. Godfrey Malbom, being out in his pleasure yacht, on discovering the ship, made towards her, and on being informed that the Dean and suit were on board, he took them to his magnificent country-seat, now the property of Prescott Hall, Esq., where they tarried until morning, and then started for Newport. The Dean purchased a farm of about one hun- dred acres in the town of Newport, adjoining one of about the same extent belonging to the Eev. James Honyman, on which Mr. Honyman resided. The Deaa built him a house on his farm for his residence, which he called White Hall, which name it still retains. 'The house is still standing. It is situated in what is now the town of Middletown, about three miles from the State House in Newport, and a little back of the road which runs eastward from the town, near a beautiful little water course, which runs southward towards Sachuest Beach. This White Hall estate he gave to Yale College, in Connecticut, which still owns the fee. The White Hall estate was sold soon after it came in posses- sion of Yale College, on a lease of nine hundred and ninety-nine years, at a rent of one hundred ouncjes of silver per annum. The mansion house is still standing, and is in the occupation of Mr. Abraham Brown, the present owner of the lease. It re- mains the same as when Bisfeop Berkley occupied it. We would suggest the importance of repairing the front, &c. He continued here about two years, perhaps a little longer. He was certainly here as late as September, 1731, as appears by a supplementary inscription on the tomb-stone of Nathaniel Kay, Esq., which is as follows : " Joining to the south of this tomb, Ues Lucia Berkley, daughter of Dean Berkley, Obit, the 5th of September, 1731." His preaching was eloquent and forcible, and attracted large 312 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. congregations to Trinity church. When he was called to a sphere of greater usefulness in his native country, he was not forgetful of a residence which was endeared to him by many pleasing recollections ; and which, moreover, possessed for him a melancholy interest, from the circumstance of its containing the ashes of his infant daughters, who had died during his so- journ in Newport. After his return to England, he sent as a donation to Trinity Church, in the year 1733, a magnificent organ. This organ is surmounted by a crown in the centre, supported by two mitres, one on each side. Mr. Nathaniel Kay, who came from England to Ehode Island as collector of the King's customs for the colony of Ehode Island, was the most liberal patron, as to the amount of his pecuniary aid, that the church has ever had. His house stood on the site now occftpied by the dwelling-house of the heirs of the late George Engs, Esq., on the hill, near the head of Touro- street. It was, when built, one of the most spacious'^ and ele- gant private dweUings in town. No apology can be offered for the neglect of the church, in suffering it to be destroyed. It was a piece of modern vandal- ism, which we can never cease to regret. Since the revolution, it was occupied by a Mrs. Pollock, a lady from South Carolina, who kept her carriage, and lived in a style of affluence, befitting her rank and station. At the time of the embargo, when busi- ness was suspended, and no employment was to be had for the laboring classes, she, like a true philanthropist, opened a scywp- house, and daily supplied the poor inhabitants throughout the winter. At his death, he devised and bequeathed to the church as follows : " I give and bequeath my dwelling house and coach house to my wife, during the term of her natural life ; after which I give and baqueath both, with my lots of land in Ehode Island, and £400 in the currency of New Eng- land, to build a school house, to the minister of the church of England (Mr. Honyman), and the church wardens and vestry for the time being— that is to say, upon trust and confidence, and to the interest and purpose, benefit and use of a school to teach ten poor boys their grammar and the mathematics, gratis ; and to appoint a master at all times, as occasion -or vacancy may happen, who shall be Episcopally ordained, and assist the DEATH OP MR. HONYMAN. 313 minister (Episcopal) of the town of Newport, in some proper office, as they shall think most useful." Mr. Updike, in his his- tory, has attempted an apology for the loss of the estate thus kindly bequeathed by Mr. Kay to Trinity church. It only proves that property disposed of in this way, fails to be canned out according to the wish of the donor. The Eev. Theodore Deher took charge of the parish, as minister, in 1797.' His gentlemanly deportment and conciUatory manners, his pulpit eloquence, his mild disposition, and his sound piety, soon brought back the wandering sheep to the common fold. The church was again filled with a numerous congregation, ear- nestly engaged in social worship. In 1762, the edifice was greatly enlarged, by moving the east- erly part about thirty feet, and adding as much in the middle. This was done at the expense of forty-six gentlemen, who took the pews they added in full satisfaction for the expense of said enlargement. In the same year that the organ was presented (1733), Jahleel Brenton, Esq., presented the clock in the tower — and we would suggest that, in memory of the donor, it should be put in repair. In 1740, the bell presented by Queen Anne was cracked; it was taken down and sent to London to be recast. In 1741, the first school house was built, and Mr. Cornelius Bennett ap- pointed schoolmaster. In 1750, the Eev. Mr. Honyman died at' an advanced age. He was buried at the expense of the church, on the south side of the passage from the gate to the church, where his tomb- stone now lies. His salary was £70 per annum. In July, 1751, the Church agreed to ask the Society to send them Mr. Beach as minister. On the 27th of August, 1752, a committee was appointed to collect, by subscription, a sum suffi- cient to purchase a parsonage. Their success was such, that in December the house was purchased for the purpose aforesaid. Mr. Thomas Potter arrived in 1754, having been sent by the Venerable Society as missionary. In November, Mr. Potter left. The church, being destitute of a minister, called the Eev. Marmaduke Brown, of Portsmouth. He accepted the call, and arrived in December. In 1768, the old tower was taken down, arid a new one built, eighteen feet square, and sixty feet high. In 1769, Mr. Brown 314 HISTORY OP RHODE ISLAND. went to England on a visit. During his absence, Mr. Bisset supplied his place as minister. Oct. 27, 1770, there was a severe gale of wind, in which the spindle on the steeple was broken off below the ball. The Easter-Monday after the death of Mr. Brown, the con- gregation chose Mr. Bisset their minister, until the Venerable Society should be heard from. On Sunday, the 8th of Decem- ber, 1776, the British fleet and army took possession of the Island of Ehode Island, which event gave a new character to everything here of a local nature. Mr. Bisset continued with the church until the evacuation of the Island, which took place October 25th, 1779. Many of the leading members of Trinity Church were of the royal party, who went with them to New York; and among the number was the minister, Mr. Bisset, who left his wife and child behind, in the most destitute circumstances. His furni- ture was seized by the State of Ehode Island ; but afterwards, upon the petition of his wife to the General Assembly, it was restored to her, and she, with her child, was permitted to go to her husbaad in New York. A few days after the British left Newport, some young men of the town, and among them two American officers, entered the church, and despoiled it of the altar-piece, consisting of the Kind's arms, the Lion and the Unicom. They were highly or- namented, and were placed against the great east window. After trampling them under foot, they were carried to the north battery, and set up for a target to fire at. The other emblems of royalty, being out of reach, were allowed to remain. They consist of one royal crown on the spire, and another on the top of the organ. This structure has never been subjected to the band of modem vandahsm, and we trust that the inhabitants of the ancient town will guard it with the most scrupulous care. The interior is now the same as when Dean Berkley preached in it, and the pulpit is now the only one in America ever graced by the occupancy of that distinguished prelate. The church was, at the time of which we are speaking, without a minister. As it had been nursed by the high church party in England, it was unpopular with the mass of the people, who were writhing under the scourge inflicted by that very party. .The church edifice, too, had been spared by those ruthless invaders who DISSENSIONS IN THE CHURCH. 315 had vrorshipped in it, while they had desecrated the other pla- ce's of worship in the town, by converting them into hospitals, etc.; and every part of them but the shells, they had demol- iBhed. nThere was no service in the church immediately after Mr: Bisset left, and the minister of the " Sixth principal Baptist So- ciety" of this town, the Eev. Gardner Thurston, was allowed to occupy the church, with his numerous congregation, until their own place of worship was repaired — from 1781 to 1786 — at which period the Eev. James Sayre was engaged and settled as minister. He took upon him the duties of that office on the Ist of Oc- tober. In 1787, the pews built in the west aisle of the church were taken down, and the passage from the north to the south doors again laid open. In 1788, Mr, Bours and a majority of the congregation ■came to an open rupture vnth Mr. Sayre. They charged him with " refusing to put a vote in the vestry, which he had pre- viously agreed to da'" It appears Mr. Sayre soon left the church ; but by what means they got rid of him — ^whether through the means of Bishop Seabury, whose mediation had been requested by a por- tion of the congregation, by his voluntary relinquishment of his charge, or by compulsion, the records do not inform us. By a vote of May 5th, 1789, the Eev. "William Smith, of St Paul's Church, Narragansett, was invited to visit the church every other week, which invitation he accepted, with the con- sent of his own churchy and in December following, he was called to become the minister of Trinity church, which he ac- cepted." The Eev. Mr. Smith vras not agreeably settled, inasmuch as the society were divided. The feuds which had originated be- tween Mr. S-ayre and Mr, Bours had not been healed, and many of the minority refused to attend church under the preaching of Mr. Smith, but preferred holding meetings of wor- ship in their private houses. Mr. Smith received a call from the church at Norwalk, Conn., which he accepted, and em- barked for his new station April 12, 1797, The church; on the 14th of May, invited the Eev. John S. J. Gardner, assiatant minister of Trinity church, Boston, to come 316 HISTOKT or RHODE JSLANU. to Newport, and spend a few Sundays. In Mr. Gardner's answer to the church, dated September 17tb, he calls it " a scattered church, and a divided people." Por these reasons, and because his own church, rather than part with him, had raised his salary to $800, he declwied the invitation, but recom- mended to the church, a young man named Theodore Dehor, On the 8th of October, 1797, Mr. Dehor was chosen minister, and requested to obtain orders. November 19th, his salary was fixed at $700'per annum, with the use of the parsonage and lot, and other perquisites of said office. On the 7th of January, 1798, he entered upon the duties of his ministry. Mr. Dehor proved very acceptable to the society, which again united in the bonds of harmony and Christian fellowship, flourished and increased to an overflowing congregation. In 1798, a vestry was built in the north east corner of the church ; in this spot a full length portrait of Mr. Honym-an hangs. In 1799, a new school-house was erected on the lot where the old one formerly stowd. The oM one had been pulled down, aa we have reason to believe, in the hard winter of 1780, and given to the poor of the church for fuel. In 1804, the church bell' which had been fn use sixty-three years cracked, and was again cast over. In November of the same year, the new bell cracked and was still again re-cast. Th& affairs of the church having been settled under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Dehor, but little worthy of notice took place until 1809. Por about ten years previous to that time, many mem- bers of the corporation h^d been anxious the church should pos- sess a fund, to be invested, and the interest arising to-be exclu- sively appropriated to the minister's salary. This year they set themselves to work in earnest to accomplish the desirable pur- pose. On- the 2d of June, the vestry appointed a committee to report a plan/to raise a permanent fund, and in August the said committee- made a report which was not adopted. A new committee was appointed, which reported in Decem- ber, 1810', whose report being adopted, measures were taken for carrying it into effect. The members of the congregation Were- solicited to subscribe such sums as they were willing to contri- bute tovvards the fund ; no one being obliged to pay until ^the- whole sum subscribed should amount to six thousand dollars. lb ai short time a list of six thousaad and fifty doUass was ©b-' MINISTERIAL CHANGES. 317 tained. The subscribers being thus held for the amounts sub- scribed, agreeably to the terms of their subscriptions, the money was collected and invested in bank stock — the dividends on which were to be regularly invested until the capital Should amount to ten thousand dollars. After which the yearly in- come was to be applied to the payment of the. minister's salary, and for no other purpose. This was fully accomplished in due time, and one thousand dollars added by the bequest of Mr. Samuel Brown, of Boston, a native of Newport, making the per- manent fund eleven thousand dollars, at the original cost of the stock. In February, 1810, the Eev. Theodore Dehor resigned the rectorship of the church, but tendered his services until the ensuing autumn. On the 28th of October, he preached his last sermon to the congregation, and proceeded to exercise the Epis- copal offices of Rector of St. Michael's, Charleston, and Bishop of South Carolina. When Mr. Dehor retired, the Eev. Samuel Wheaton, who married the sister of Mr. Dehor, and who had been previously engaged to preside over the church, arrived here from New- Haven, and took charge of the parish. The Eev. Mr. "Wheaton presided over the church for thirty years, when he resigned, and the Eev. Francis Vinton, was chosen Eector, and entered on his duties at Easter, 1840, and was instituted Eector April 14th, 1841. It is a subject of regret that Mr. Wheaton could not have continued to preside over the parish until his removal by death, for he was a devdted servant of Christ, and endeared himself to the people of Newport by a blameless life and godly conversa- tion. His resignation was not voluntary but compulsory, and continued to be a source of bitterness to his mind, until his re- moval to higher honors in the church triumphant in heaven. ^ The present officiating minister is the Eev. Mr. Brewer. It has been intimated that there is an organ in Brooklyn, New- York, which bears the inscription as being the gift of Bishop Berkley ; now Bishop Berkley never presented but one organ, and that was to Trinity church in Newport. If the old pipes, which were removed when the organ was repaired, were taken to Brooklyn, and worked into an organ, this does not make it the gift of Bishop Berkley. The reader can draw his own in- ferences. 318 HISTOJir OF RHODE ISLAND. Mr, Kay, of whom particular mention has beren made as a benefactor to Trinity church, also made a liberal bequest to St. Michael's church, Bristol, of 160 acres of land on Pappoose Squaw Neck, to sustain a grammar school. What disposition has been made of the income, we are not properly apprized, but would hope that the wishes of the donor have beea complied with, though such is not apt to be the case. The disregard which has too frequently been paid to the wishes and intentions of donors, should put man on his guard, in devising property to churches. THE FIRST AND SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES. In January, 1696, Mr. N'athaniel Clap, of Dorchester, in Massachusetts Bay, a graduate of Howard, College, by the advice of the minister of Boston, came to Newport and preached till his death. It was not, however, till the year 1720, that a church was gathered and organized, and Mr. Clap was ordained and installed its pastor. November 20th, the church consisted of the following fourteen male members, viz. : Nathaniel Clap, John Reynolds, Thomas Brown, Culbert Campbell, Ebenezer Daven- port, WilUam Sanford, Eichard Clark, Job Bisset, Joshua Stat- son,' Kendal Nichols, (he was an influential merchant of Newport, and died Sept. 18, 1767, aged 81 years,) John Mayhem, James Carey, Nathaniel Townsend, and John Labeer. The church under Mr. Clap's ministry fiourished, and addi- tions were gradually made to its numbers for about three years, when the sacrament of the Lord's Supper ceased to be admin- istered by the pastor, and at the same time he refused to admin- ister the ordinance of Baptism to a child of Mr. Kendal Nichols, who with his wife were communicants of the church. He thought his church was not pure, and that its members were " not of sufficiently holy eonversatiou" for the holy ordinance. In the original correspondence, (still extant,) between Mr. Clap and Mr. and Mrs. Nichols, on the subject of his refusal to baptize the infant of the latter, there is assigned no reason for such refusal, but a distrust on the part of Mr. Clap, of th» Christian state of Mr. and Mrs. Nichols. FIUST AND SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES. 319 This course on the part of Mr. Clap gave great offence, and was the commencement of a fire that continued to burn for many years. The church and congregation revered their pas- tor, and admired him as a truly evangelical apostolical preacher, but were displeased with his rigid course of discipline and church government. In July 20th, 1724, the church addressed a respectful appli- cation to their pastor, soliciting his consent to have recourse to other churches for sacramental privileges, if bodily weakness was the only reason of his denying or withholding -them, but without success. Mr. Clap, in answer to a remonstrance from B. Ellery and S. Vernon, Esq., said: " I came here by the advice of the Eev. minister of Boston. I have continued here by his advice ; I have preached the Gospel here. As for you who are trying to drive me away, I would have you to consider the awful account you will have to give for the damnation of the souls that will be lost for the want of my preaching." Although Mr. Clap was not inclined to assign a plausible reason, or one that was satisfactory to the church, in the singu- lar course which he took in refusing to baptize the child of Mr. and Mrs. Nichols, and subsequently in suspending the holy ordi- nance of Communion, yet tradition has informed us, that there was a valid reason in his mind, which led him to pursue such a course. It was owing to a remark made to him soon after his taking possession of the parsonage, which he understood was built expressly for him by Mr. Nichols. A female member of his church, who called upon him soon after he was quietly set- tled in his new home, on learning his gratification of ftie favor which had been conferred upon him by Mr. Nichols, she very indiscreetly remarked, that as long as he remained the pastor of the church, the house was his. On Mr. Clap's interrogating her where she had derived her information of this fact, she replied that she had it from Mr. Nichols. This, no doubt, led him to suspect that a possibility existed of an attempt to dissolve the connection, which at that period was viewed as solemn and as sacred as the marriage contract. The least allusion to such an event was considered in the light of a gross insult. And it has been also said that on Mr. Nichols calling upon Mr. Clap, 320 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. he was received with coldness, and that he at once put the question to Mr. Nichols, wishing to know of him whose house this was. On being told it was his, he then requested Mr. Nichols at once to leave it. This shows that he retained a degree of self respect, however his conduct may be viewed by the pigmies and dwarfs of the present day. In the view of Mr. Clap, it looked like an invasion of his rights, which if not checked in the bud, might lead to dis- astrous consequences to the church and to the ministry. This is the most probable reason which can be assigned for his siit gular conduct. In the year 1745, Mr. Oallender published a discourse occa- sioned by the death of his friend, the Rev. Mr. Clap, in which he pays a high tribute of affectionate veneration to his memory. Mr. Callender's sermon was founded on Hebreys xiij., 7, 8. The prominent traits in his character are faithfully delineated in the following extracts from this sermon : " The main stroke in his character, was his eminent sanc- tity and piety, and an ardent desire to promote the knowledge and practice of true godliness in others. As his understanding was above the common level, so was his learning, though he studiously concealed it. He thought his station required more than common instances of innocency, self-denial, and caution. He abounded in contrivances to do good, by scattering books of piety and virtue, not such as minister questions and strife, but godly edifying, and put himself to a very considerable ex- pense, that he might by this method awaken the careless and secure, comfort the feeble minded, succor the tempted, instruct the ignorant, and quicken, animate, and encourage all. He abounded in acts of charity to the poor and necessitous, to whom he was a kind father and guardian. In fine, he was a public blessing, as an able minister of the New Testament, an example of unspotted piety, and an honor to religion. There are two things in which he excelled in so remarkable a manner, that I must not omit them : his care about the education of children, and his concern for the instruction of servants. ". The conclusion of his life and ministry, was a peaceful and happy death, without those raptures which some boast of, but with perfect resignation to the will of God, and good hope and humble confidence in Christ Jesus, who was the sum of his doctrine, and the end of his conversation." THE REV. MR. CLAP. 321 While he was eminently pious, he was at the same time very eccentric. " The administrator of his estate informed the writer, that he found among the papers and dust of his atuhy, which be never allowed to be swept, several hundred dollars, in many little parcels, wrapped in orange peel or paper, which had probably fallen from his table, without observation or sub- sequent search ; 'and likewise, another sum of considerable amount, on the shelves of his closet, in paper, and orange-peel. " There was likewise a barrel, almost full of tops, which he had purchased of boys in the street, to show his disapprobation of the vain sport. It was his custom to walk out in a black velvet cap, and in a gown girded about his loins. In one side of it he would carry books, and in the other cakes, and with one or the other of which he would generally succeed in pur- chasing of boys their tops, and would give them kind advice, so that instead of fleeing from him, they loved to see him ap- proach." — Reminiscences of Hopldns. Their next step, July, 1725, was to propose a colleague, as a means of allajdng all uneasiness ; this, Mr. Clap declined. The church and congregation were determined, and the senaces of Mr. Bass were obtained for a short season, and after him, Mr. John Adams ; this must have been some time in 1727. Mr. Clap, after a while, utterly refused any association vrith Mr. Adams, and entirely occupied the pulpit on the Lord's day, not giving opportuiiity. to the other to preach. This exasperated the people to such a degree, that nearly half of both churches and congregations withdrew, and met in a separate place, under Mr. Adams' ministry. In 1728, an eoo-parte Council of Churches was convened on < the 3rd of April, which, after solemn supplication to God for his gracious presence and direction, came to the following result, unanimously agreed in, upon mature deliberation. The Council then went on to say, " that as Mr. Adams had received a valid call to the coUeagueship with Mr. Clap, they affection- ately advised Mr. Clap and his friends to consent to Mr. Adams' ordination ; and if they would not, they recommended the aggrieved party to use the same house of worship, for the time being, one in the morning and the other in the evening, with their respective pastors." Mr. Clap persisted in having no intercoursfe with Mr. Adams. 322 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. Tradition informs us, that when the Council had assembled at the parsonage, to endeavor to adjust the differences which existed between a portion of the church and Mr. Clap, he came from his study with a plate in his hand, containing as many figs as there were ministers present, and after handing them round, until he came to the last, remarked, " here is a fig for you all;" and immediately retired to his study. This illustrates the moral courage of the ministry at that day. A new church was organized, and Mr. Adams ordained their pastor, April 1 1th, 1 728. The Lord's Supper was ad- ministered on Lord's day. May 11 th, 1728. The place of worship where Mr. Clap then preached, was situated in Tanner-street, and its occupancy by Mr. Adams, contrary to his wishes, was so displeasing to him, that he would not consent to preach in it again. A new house was erected, wljiph at present is occupied by the Unitarian Society, under the pastoral care of the Eev. Mr. Brooks. When the house was completed, and they had brought him the key, the first question he asked, was,> " Is it paid for ?" On being informed that a small balance remained unsettled, he handed back the key, and not until the debt was cancelled would he consent to occupy the house, which was quickly done. Such was the moral principle of that day. Mr. "Whitfield, in his Journal, in his remarks on Mr. Clap, says, " His countenance was very heavenly, and he prayed most affectionately for a blessing on my coming to Ehode Island. I could not but think I was sitting by one of the patriarchs." Dean Berkley was intimate with Mr. Clap, and often spoke of his good deeds, and exemplary character. He said, " Before I saw Father Clap, I thought the Bishop of Eome had the most grave aspect of any man I ever saw ; but really, the minister of Newport has the most venerable appearance." The Eev. Mr. Clap continued his pastoral care over the First Church, until his death, though he abandoned the house, as before remarked, to Mr. Adams and his Church. 1733. This year, the Second Congregational Church built a new meeting-house, in Clarke-street. . The Eev. Mr. Adams was dismissed, February 25th, 1729 — 1730. DISPERSION OF THE CONGEEGATIONS. 323 April 2l8t, 1731, the Rev. James Searing was ordained over the Second Church. He died January 6th, 1755, aged fifty years. May, 1740, the Rev, Joseph Gardner was ordained co-pastor with Mr. Clap, over the First Church, and was dismissed June 10th, 1743. / June 20th, 1744, Jonathan Helier was ordained co-pastor with Mr. Clap, over the Pirst Church, and died May 27th, 1745. He was a very ingenious and excellent man. October 30th, 1745, the Rev Nathaniel Clap died, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. His remains lay in the Arnold burial ground, at the rear of the Unitarian Church. October 29th, 1745, the Eev, William Vinal was ordained pastor of the First Church, and was dismissed September 21st, 1768. April 11th, 1755, Eev. Samud Hopkins was intalled pastor of the First Congregational Church. October 22d, 1755, Eev. Ezra Stiles was ordained pastor of the Second Congregational Church. It was a most curious coincidence that two such minds should have been settled over Newport churches the same year. At the settlement of these distinguished divines, Hopkins and Stiles, over the churches in Newport, they were in a flourishing condition, and continued so many years, and many additions were made to them ; but, in 1744, the difficulties connected with the relations that existed between Great Britain and her American Colonies, began to give warning of the conflict that ensued. Newport began to decline, commerce forsook her wharfs, many dwellings were emptied of their inhabitants, and the churches were in a great measure forsaken. Dr. Hopkins had removed his family ; and, in 1776, he himself left, and returned to reside with his family in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Orf the 23rd of October, 1 775, the remnant of the Second Society met, and determined it to be inexpedient to continue public worship during the winter, in consideration of thd tumul- tuous and evacuated state of the town. In the following March, their pastor left Newport, and these churches were ■destitute of ministers, and their members acattered abroad. 324 HISTORY OP RHODE ISLAND. Both the houses of worship, during the war, had been used as barracks for the soldiers. The bell of the First Church was carried to England, and the pulpit, pews, and fixtures, were demolished. The Second Church fared but little better ; for, though the pulpit was left standiug, the enemy had put up a chimney in the middle of it, and destroyed the pews below, and in the gallery. In the spring of 1780, Dr. Hopkins returned to his parish, tw witness a scene of desolation and misery; some of tne inem- bers of the ehurch and congregation had died, many had sought other homes, and those that remained, were so im- poverished and dispirited, that only a few bad the moral courage to think of reviving their ehurcb. But they were eventually able to succeed. It has already been remarked, that the enemy had completely destroyed the interior of the church, and their limited resources prevented their refitting it, only in a plain manner. For years> there was no paint on the pews, and the impression was visibly seen in the aisles, w^bere the British soldiers had struck the> muzzles of their guns. The people of Taunton very kindly gave them the pulpit, which continued to be graced with. Hopkins, and his successors, so long as the place of worship was used by the society. But although there was no outward adorning, yet an amount of piety existed at tba(t period, which more than supplied its place. The female members of his church were many of them eminently pious. There was Madam Osborne, Susannah An- thony, Hannah Johnson, Mrs. Donely, with many others, " whose praise is in all the churches." The writingg of Madam Osborne and Susannah Anthony are to be met with in the Sab- bath School libraries of the land. They were the " poor of this world, but rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which God hath prepared for them that love him." They were tO' Doctor Hopkins what Aaron and Hue were to Moses, they stayed up his hands, and encouraged hia heart under the con.- flicts and trials which, as a soldier of tbe cross, he was called to endure. At that period, there was something witnessed like the primitive times, when love bound the church together as one. Tbe world had not then the complete ascendency in the EEV. SAMUEL HOPKINS. 325 V human heart. There was a renunciation of " the world, the flesh, and the devil," and a childlike spirit seemed to charac- terize the church. During the war, Di;. Stiles had accepted the presidency of Yale College, although he was not formally dismissed from the pastoral eharge till after the peace ^ coneequently, on their re- turn to Newport, the Second Oliurch found themselves without a pastor, and continued in that state till the 24th of May, 1786, on which day the Eev. William Patton was ordained their min- ister. President Stiles was one of the most learned men that our country has ever produced. Ae a scholar, he was familiar with every department of learning. He bad a profound and criti- cal knowledge of the Latin, Greek, French, and Hebrew lan- guages ; in the Samaritan, Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic, he had made considerable progress, and he had bestowed some atten- tion on the Persic and Coptic Ho had a passion for history, and an intimate acquaintance with the rabbinical writings', and with those of the fathers of the Christian Church. As a preacher, he was impressive and eloquent^ and the excellence of his sermons was enhanced by the energy of his delivery, and by the unction which pervaded them. His catholic spirit em- braced men of every nation, sect, and party. In the cause of civil and religious liberty, he was enthusiastic. In his discourse on Christian union, he says : " There ought to be no restric- tions on the conscience of an honest and sober believer bf reve- lation." The following appropriate remarks are from the pen of Ohan- celor Kent, one of Dr. Stiles' pupils. " A more constant and devoted friend to the Eevolution and independence of his country, never existed. He had anticipa- ted it as early as the year 1760, and hie whole soul was enlisted in favor of every measure which led on gradually to the for- mation and establishment of the American Union. He was distinguished for the dignity of his deportment, the politeness of his address, and the urbanity of his manners." President Stiles was for more than twenty years a resident and distin- guished ornament of Hhode Island. December 20th, 1803, Eev. Samuel Hopkins, D.D., died aged 82 years. In his death, the church sustained a heavy loss. 326 HISTORY OF KHODE ISLAND. Though not eloquent, as was Dr. Stiles, yet there was a solem- nity in his preaching which carried conviction to the under- standing and heart, and shewed the sincerity of his mind, as one in whom you could rely. . Decision of character was preemi- nently conspicuous in hjs whole character — a trait seldom to be met with at the present day. His theological views were some- what peculiar, and gave great offence, though his opponents were constrained to admit his honesty. He was atarget at which the arrows of malice were thrown, but he stood, as he remarked, " like a brazen wall, un- hurt." Charles Cahoone, who was skeptical in his views, and rather eccentric, was disposed to annoy the Doctor by sending persons to him to buy brimstone. Such conduct was highly displeasing to the Doctor, but it naver deterred him from preaching what he believed to be the truth. Cahoone was si carver, and a specimen of his work may be seen on the roof of the house of Engine No. VI., at the head of King-street. It represents old Breton, an English rigger, dressed in his pet- ticoat, trowsers, and cocked hat, with the pig-tail tobacco hang- ing out of his pocket. It is a, fac simile of the person. " Dr. Hopkins was a distinguished divine. His mind was discerning, and his application was almost unequaled. He sometimes devoted to his studies eighteen hours in a day. One of his peculiar sentiments, was that the inability of sinners is moral, not natural ; but this is only saying that their inability cdnsists in disinclination of heart, or of opposition of will, to what is good. Combining the Calvinistic doctrine that G-od has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, with his views of the nature of sin as consisting entirely in the intention or dispo- sition of the mind, he inferred that it was no impeachment upon the character of the most righteous Disposer of all events, to say, not ofily that He had decreed the existence of sin, but that He exerted His own power to produce it. The design being be- nevolent, be contended that no more iniquity could be attached to this act, than to the bare permission of sin. This is another of his peculiarities. From bis view of thenature of holiness,as con- sisting in disinterested benevolence, he also inferred that a Christian should be willing to perish forever, to be forever mis- erable, if it should be necessary for the glory of God and the good of the universe that he should encoianter this destruction. MINISTERIAL CHANGES. 327 " Instead of the Galvinistic doctrine of the strict imputation of Adam'a sin, and of the righteousness of Christ, he chose rather to adopt the language of Scripture in saying, that on account of the first transgression, men were made or constitu- ted sinners, and that men are justified on account of the right- eousness of Christ, or through the redemption which there is in him. Another of his pecuUarities is, that all sin consists in sel- fishness." He was a man of large stature, and well proportioned ; dressed in the costume of thfe age, with a full bottomed wig, he presented an imposing appearance. Sept. ,12, 1804, Eev. Caleb T. Tenney was installed pastor of the First Church, and was dismissed May 29th, 1815. Aug. 23d, 1815, Eev. Calvin Hitchcock was installed over the First Church, and was dismissed August 23d, 1820. July 25th, 1821, Eev. Samuel Austin, D. D,, was installed pastor of the First Church, and was dismissed in 1826. Dr. Austin, previous to his coming to Newport, had been Presi- dent of Burlington College, Vermont. He was an able exposi- tor of the Scriptures. He was succeeded by Eev. William Torrey, January, 1827, who was dismissed in May, 1829, rather unceremoniously. March 24th, 1830, Eev. William Beeoher was ordained pas- tor of the'First Church, and dismissed June 23d, 1833. April 18th', 1833, Eev. William Patten was dismissed from his pastoral charge over the Second Church, after having min- istered to his people for the long period of forty-seven years. If great success did not attend his ministrations, if additions were not as numerous as in some instances, nevertheless he was a pious and devoted servant of Christ, and was strongly en- deared to the members of his Church. Dr. Patten was a fine classical scholar. There was no at- tempt at display in the pulpit ; he delivered the truth, and left it with God to apply it to the hearts and consciences of his hearers. The reason assigned for his dismission, was that the Church had been long in a declining state. This was not of sufficient weight to dissolve a connection which had existed for nearly half a century. Dr. Patten had spent the energies of his youth in their service ; he had reared up a large family in their midst r.nd all his dearest associations were there. It was 328 HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND. painful to his mind to he iinder the necessity of turning his back on the people of his charge, and to take up his residence in a spot where the changes had been so great in the period of nearly half a century, that he scarcely knew any of the inhabi- tants. It would have been far better, had the church and society proposed a colleague, and allowed the venerable servant of God to have lived and died in their midst. Dr. Patten, though dignified in manners, and ^commanding the respect of all, was yet very companionable, and at times highly amusing. A Mrs. K., a lady from the South, and con- nected with some of the first families, became insane, and was placed in the family of Eev. William Patten. She was rather disposed to sneer at his pretensions to the ministerial oflBce, which he pleasantly submitted to. Subsequently, Brown Uni- versity conferred on him the degree of D. D. Mrs. K. contin- ued her attacks, when the Doctor remarked, " Why, Mrs. K., T am really surprised that a lady of your rank and dignity, will condescend so low as to insult a Doctor of Divinity." She ap- peared greatly surprised at the announcement. " You a D. D. ?" " Yes, madam ; do you require my credentials ?" " No, sir,'' she replied ; and from that moment, as he informed the author, she was always respectful. The Doctor jocosely remarked that this was all the benefit he derived from the Doctorate. For many years, the Second Church was destitute of a single male member, and was indebted to the Deacons of the Pirsi Church for the duties which pertain to that office,- in the cele- bration of the Lord's Supper. In 1833, a project for uniting these two churches in one began to be talked of, and gradually gained favor, until at length, on the 24th of May, 1833, the work was consummated. On the 26th of Sept., 1839, the Eev. A. Henry Dumont was installed, by an Ecclesiastical Council, the first pastor of the United Church. The societies being united in one, deemed it expedient to erect a new house of worship, which was accordingly done. This house was solemnly dedicated to the worship of the Tri- une God, on the 4th of June, 1834. The present pastor is the Eev. Thatcher Thayer, who suc- ceeded the Eev. Mr. Dumont, and who is highly esteemed by - his people. KEV. SAMUEL HOPKINS. 329 The two Congregational Churches, up to the time of the death of Dr. Hopkins, enjoyed the most entire harmony. So pure and deep was the sympathy of the two pastors, that they called each other by the appellations oi father and son. The last time that Dr. Hopkins walked out with Dr. Patten, who at that time was comparatively a young man, and accompanied him home, Dr. Hopkins said, " What need have I any more of a cane, since I have your arm ;" and gave his cane or long staff, mounted with ivory, into the hands of Dr. Patten, who used it afterwards, and reckoned it among his choice things. They were like David and Jonathan, " pleasant and lovely in their lives," and in their resting place on earth they are not divided. They repose in front of the Spring-street church. A strong desire is expressed by the family of the late la- mented Dr. Patten, that a monument be erected to his memory, and we trust, for the honor of the town, that no obstacles will be thrown in the way of the accomplishment of the object. At the same time, the church and society over which Dr. Hopkins presided for so many years, should erect a suitable monument to his memory, or join with the family of Dr. Patten in the praiseworthy undertaking. The estimation in which Dr. Hopkips' writings were held in ■ Scotland, led the College at Edinburgh to confer on him the degree of D.D. It vras a high honor, and showed that they highly appreciated his talents as an able theologian. Dr. Hopkins' salary, for many years, did not exceed $200 per annum, and the parsonage house, which is still standing. His study would only admit of a table, with just sufficient room to move round it ; it was there he wrote his System of Divinity, which cost him ten years' labor, and for the copyright of which he obtained $800. A wealthy lady of his church, Mrs. Wright, was in the habit of furnishing himself and wife, which then comprised his fam- ily, dinner three times a week from her own table ; and he and his companion would often take tea out, with some of his pa- rishioners, who were always gratified with the visit of their pastor. Dr. Hopkins often remarked that he would not ex- change his situation for an increase of salary, so delighted was he with Newport, and the aflfectionate church over which he ministered. 330 HISTORY OP RHODE ISLAND. But fe* such Belf-sacrificing spirits are to be met with ia this world. It was the flock, and not the fleece he was after. He had consecrated himself to the work of the Gospel ministry, and in that service he labored until removed by death. He looked for higher honors than earth could possibly confer, as the reward of his labors and toils in the service of his Lotd and Master. A faithful minister will proclaim the truth to both saint and sinner ; he will not shun to declare the whole counsel of God. The commission which he professes to have received, binds him to the faithful performance of this duty. His office is not one of earthly appointment, if well understood — though many at this day seem to view it so, by the cautious manner in which they wield the weapons of the Gospel, lest the minds of their hearers should be disturbed. It was not so with Hop- kins and his associates ; they believed that the investiture was from Jehovah, and that obedience was required of all who bore the vessela of the sanctuary. They put their trust entirely in God, and not in man for a blessing on their labors of love. Such were the divines Clark, Callender, Stiles, Hopkins, Brown, Clap, Thurston, and Patten, who graced the pulpits of that day. 1787. — Last Saturday night arrived here Capt. Benjamin Pearce, in the brig Ehzabeth, sixty-three days from Copenhagen, bringing a bell of about 1,100 lbs. weight, for the Second Con- gregational Church of the City of Newport. " The City of Newport'' is cast on the bell. It is now in the belfry of the Union Congregational Church, in Spring-street. THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN NEWPORT, AND THE FIRST IN AMERICA. The First Baptist Church in Providence having arrogated to itself the honor of being the first in the State and in the country, it wastaken for granted that their claim was a valid one, and none attempted to deny to them the honor. But recently the subject has undergone a thorough exa'mination, which has resulted in giving an entire new version to the subject. A com- mittee was appointed by the church at Providence, to investi- • FIRST BAPTIST CHUKCH IN NEWPOET. 331 gate the matter, of which Eev. T. 0. Jameson was Chairman, wherein they report that they " are of the opinion that the Baptist church at Newport was formed certainly before the 1st of May, 1639, and probably on the 7th of March, 1638." , In- stead of submitting to the report, which, according to parlia- mentary usages, they should have done, they came out with a review of the doings of their committee, and finding themselves driven to the wall by. the weight of evidence furnished of the priority of the First Church in Newport, labored to show that it was not in its commencement Anna-Baptist,butP8edo-Baptist. May 11th, 1639. The existence of this church was matter of public record in Massachusetts : " 1639. The people of Aquedneck, gathered a church in a very disordered way, for they took some excommunicated per- sons, and others who were members of the church of Boston, and not dismissed." " The church of Boston sent three brethren .with letters to Mr. Coddington, and the rest of our members at Aquedneck, to understand their judgment in divers points of religion formerly maintained by all, or divers of them, and to require thetn to give account to the church of their unwarrantable practice, in communicating with excommunicated persons, &c. When they came, they found that those of them who dwelt at Newport, had joined themselves to a church there, newly constituted, and therefore refused to hear them as messengers of our church, or to receive the church's letters. Whereupon, at their return, the elders and most of the church would have them cast out, as refusing to hear the church, but all not being agreed, it was de- ferred." — Winihrop's Journal, \st month, (March) 24, 1639-40. From this extract, it appears that this church, from its or- ganization,- rejected infant baptism, the supervision of the civil magistrates, &c., and was in fact a Baptist church. On what other ground can we possibly reconcile the conduct of the church at -Newport," in thus refusing to receive the messengers which were sent from Boston ? Most certainly, if they had been at this period Psedo-Baptist, they would never have rejected those of the same faith and order, but would have extended, the right hand of fellowship to their brethren. It is well-knovra that infant baptism at that day among Psedo-Baptists, was the miequanon,2xA all who differed in this grand essential were 332 HISTORY OF KHODE ISLAND. viewed as heretical and worthy to receive thirty stripes, which were subsequently inflicted on Mr. Holmes and others with great severity. The charge preferred against this church was " in their com- municating with excommunicated persons." Now, it is not probable that the church in Newport would receive into their communion, persons of immoral character, but rather individ- uals that had thought proper to exercise their own private judgment in matters of conscience. This was a point which gave offence to the churches in Massachusetts, and led them to view the church in Newport, as unworthy of their fellowship, having abandoned a vital principle of Christianity. There is displayed a spirit of dictation by the Congregational churches of Massachusetts towards this church, which preeminently characterizes their history. They came to Newport to brow- beat this church, but the church would not recognize them as brethren of the same faith and order with themselves. They were ^nna-Baptists as early as this period, for in no other sense can we reconcile their conduct towards the churches of Massachusetts, whic'fi is well-known were Paedo-Baptist, and held to the ordi- nance of infant sprinkling as a matter of infinite importance. The First Baptist Church in Providence has assumed two points, which she is unable to maintain : First, her existence being prior to that of the church at Newport ; secondly, that the church was founded by Roger WiUiams. Comer, the first, and for the early history of our denomination, the most reliable of writers, ascribes distinctly and repeatedly, this priority to the Newport church. He had formed the design, more than a hun- dred and twenty years ago, of writing the history of the Ameri- can Baptists, and in that work which he only lived to commence, but which embraces an account of this church, he says in one place, that it is the first of the Baptist denomination ; and clos- ing his history of it, he says : " Thus I have briefly given some account of the settlement and progress of the First Baptist church on Rhode Island, in New-England, and the first in America." . From the way in which he asserts it, the priority of the New- port church must have been a universally conceded fact. He was careful to excess, not to record as certain, that on which any suspicion rested, an