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[Illustration: STATUE OF ROGER WILLIAMS.]
A
SHORT HISTORY
OF
RHODE ISLAND,
BY
GEORGE WASHINGTON GREENE, LL.D.,
LATE NON-RESIDENT PROFESSOR OF AMERICAN HISTORY IN CORNELL
UNIVERSITY; AUTHOR OF "THE LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL
NATHANAEL GREENE;" "HISTORICAL VIEW OF THE
AMERICAN REVOLUTION," ETC., ETC.
[Illustration]
PROVIDENCE:
J. A. & R. A. REID, PUBLISHERS,
1877.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1877, by
ANNA MARIA GREENE,
in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
TO
Anna Maria Greene,
MY DEAR MOTHER:
You bear your ninety-three years so lightly that I invite your
attention to a new volume of mine with as much assurance of your
sympathy as when I crowed and wondered over my first picture book an
infant on your knee. For your sympathy is as quick and as warm as it
was then, and your memory goes back with unerring certainty to the men
and the scenes of almost a century ago. Your eyes have looked upon
Washington, and your tenacious memory can still recall the outline of
his majestic form.
The first time that I ventured to send forth a volume to the world,
I set upon the dedication page the name of my father. He has been dead
many years. You still linger behind, and long may you linger. Long
may those fresh memories which give such a charm to your daily life
continue to cheer you and instruct those who have the privilege of
living with you. They have seen life imperfectly who have not seen what
a charm it wears when the heart that has beat so long still lends its
genial warmth to the still inquiring mind.
REVERENTIALLY AND AFFECTIONATELY YOUR SON,
GEORGE W. GREENE.
Preface.
There are two classes of history, each of which has claims upon our
attention peculiarly its own. One is a sober teacher, the other a
pleasant companion. One opens new paths of thought, the other throws
new light upon the old, and both agree in making man the chief object
of their meditations.
Nearly two thousand years ago a Roman historian likened the life of his
country to the life of man. Time has confirmed the parallel. Nations,
like men, have their infancy and their youth, their robust manhood and
their garrulous old age. Their lives like the lives of men are full of
encouragement and of warning. Interpret them aright and they become
trusty guides. Misapply their lessons and you grope in the dark and
stumble at every step.
And both states and men have their special duties and were created for
special ends. The God that made them assigned to each its problem,
and to work this out is to work out His will. Of this problem history
is the record and the interpreter. It tells us what man has been, and
thereby aids us to divine what he yet may be.
If with the philosopher history reveals the laws of life, with the poet
she recalls the past and stirs human sympathies in their profoundest
depths. Man follows man on her checkered stage; nations rise and fall;
mysteries enchain us; imagination controls us; reason guides us;
conscience admonishes and warns; and first and foremost of all our
stimulants to action is our sympathy with our fellow-man.
I have attempted in the following pages to tell what the part of Rhode
Island has been in this great drama. A talent was entrusted to her. Did
she wrap it in a napkin?
To those who are familiar with the accurate and exhaustive work of
Governor Arnold, it will be needless to say that but for the aid of his
volumes, mine would never have been written.
GEORGE W. GREENE.
WINDMILL COTTAGE,
_East Greenwich, R. I., April 8th, 1877_.
Analytical Table.
CHAPTER I.
CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN MASSACHUSETTS BAY AND PLYMOUTH
COLONIES.--ARRIVAL AND BANISHMENT OF ROGER WILLIAMS.
The religious sentiment connected with the
foundation of states, 1
Resistance to the doctrine of theocracy occasioned
the settlement of Rhode Island, 2
1631. Ship Lyon arrived at Boston, bringing Roger
Williams, 2
Early life of Williams, 2
Massachusetts in possession of two distinct
colonies, 3
In Massachusetts Colony the clergy were virtually
rulers, and they were extremely rigid, 3
Disputes between Williams and the authorities of
Massachusetts Bay Colony, 4
Removal of Williams to Plymouth, 4
Williams makes friendship with Massasoit and
Miantonomi, 5
Learns the Indian language, 5
Williams returns to Salem, 5
1635. He is persecuted and finally banished, 6
Articles of banishment, 6
CHAPTER II.
SUFFERINGS OF ROGER WILLIAMS IN THE WILDERNESS.--FOUNDS A SETTLEMENT
ON THE SEEKONK RIVER.--IS ADVISED TO DEPART.--SEEKS OUT A NEW
PLACE WHICH HE CALLS PROVIDENCE.
Attempt to send Williams to England, 7
His flight, 8
He is fed by the Indians, 8
He is given land on the Seekonk River by Massasoit
and starts a settlement, 8
He receives a friendly letter from the Governor of
Plymouth asking him to remove, 9
He starts with five companions in a canoe to find
a place for a settlement, and finally lands at
Providence, 9
CHAPTER III.
WILLIAMS OBTAINS A GRANT OF LAND AND FOUNDS A COLONY.--FORM OF
GOVERNMENT IN THE COLONY.--WILLIAMS GOES TO ENGLAND TO OBTAIN A
ROYAL CHARTER.
Early inhabitants of Rhode Island, 11
Williams makes peace between Canonicus and Massasoit, 12
He receives a grant of land from Canonicus and begins
a settlement, 12
Compact of the colonists at Providence, 13
Experiment of separation of church from state tried
in the new Colony, 13
The right of suffrage not regarded as a natural right.
Illustrated by Joshua Verin and his wife, 14
1639. The first church founded in Providence, 15
Five select men appointed to govern the Colony, subject
to the action of the Monthly Town Meeting, 15
Massachusetts Colony applied for a new charter to cover
the land occupied by Providence, 15
1643. Providence in connection with Aquidneck and Warwick
sent Williams to England to obtain a Royal charter, 15
1644. Williams returns in 1644 successful, and is
received with exultation, 16
CHAPTER IV.
SETTLEMENT OF AQUIDNECK AND WARWICK.--PEQUOT WAR.--DEATH OF
MIANTONOMI.
1637. Anna Hutchinson arrived in Massachusetts and banished, 17
Nineteen of her followers under William Coddington
and John Clarke, purchased the Island of
Aquidneck and formed settlements at Pocasset and
Newport, 17
Roger Williams proclaimed the right of religious
liberty to every human being, 18
Samuel Gorton banished from Pocasset, 19
He denied the authority of all government except
that authorized by the King and Parliament, 19
He, with eleven others, bought Shawomet and settled
there, 19
He is besieged by troops from Massachusetts, is
captured, imprisoned, and afterwards released, 19
He is appointed to a magistracy in Aquidneck, 19
Roger Williams prevented the alliance of the
Pequots and Narragansetts, and formed one between
the English and the Narragansetts, 21
Pequots rooted out and crushed, 21
Miantonomi treacherously put to death, 22
The Narragansetts put themselves under the protection
of the English, 22
CHAPTER V.
CHARTER GRANTED TO PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.--ORGANIZATION UNDER
IT.--THE LAWS ADOPTED.
1643. The charter granted to Providence Plantations, 23
Provisions of the charter, 23
1647. The corporators met at Portsmouth and in a general
assembly accepted the charter, and proceeded to
organize under it, 24
The government declared to be democratical, 24
President and other officers chosen, 25
Description of the code of laws, 25
Design for a seal adopted, 26
Roger Williams presented with one hundred pounds
for services in obtaining the charter, 26
Spirit of the law, 27
CHAPTER VI.
FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC TROUBLES.--UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT AT USURPATION BY
CODDINGTON.
Death of Canonicus, 28
Possibility of the doctrine of soul liberty
demonstrated, 28
Dissensions among the colonists, 29
Troubles with Massachusetts, 29
Baptists persecuted in Massachusetts, 30
1651. Coddington obtained a royal commission as
Governor of Rhode Island and Connecticut for life,
which virtually dissolved the first charter, 30
Roger Williams sent to England to ask for a
confirmation of the charter, 31
John Clarke, also, sent to ask for a revocation of
Coddington's commission, 31
1652. Slaves not allowed to be held in bondage longer than
ten years, 32
Commerce with the Dutch of Manhattan interrupted by
war between England and Holland, 32
Coddington's commission revoked and the first charter
restored, 32
CHAPTER VII.
MORE FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC TROUBLES.--CIVIL AND CRIMINAL
REGULATIONS OF THE COLONY.--ARRIVAL OF QUAKERS.
Conscience claimed as the rule of action in civil
as well as religious matters, 33
Contentions between the Island and the main-land
towns, 34
1654. Court of Commissioners met and effected a reunion
in the Colony, 34
Attempts of the United Colonies to make war on the
Narragansetts, but they failed, as Williams had
influenced Massasoit not to sanction it, 35
Qualification of citizenship, 36
Duties of citizenship ascendant over dignity of
office, 37
Protection of marriage, 38
The Pawtuxet controversy settled by acknowledgement
of the claims of Rhode Island, 38
Fort built for protection against Indians, 39
Quakers arrived. Difference of treatment of them
between Rhode Island and Massachusetts, 39
1663. A new charter granted by Charles II. and accepted
by the colonists, 40
CHAPTER VIII.
TROUBLES IN OBTAINING A NEW CHARTER.--PROVISIONS OF THE
CHARTER.--DIFFICULTIES CONCERNING THE NARRAGANSETT
PURCHASE.--CURRENCY.--SCHOOLS.
The new charter gave a democratic government, 41
Some of its provisions, 41
Religious liberty recognized by it, 42
Assembly and courts reörganized, 43
State magistrates chosen by the freemen, 44
Jealousy of Massachusetts, 44
Trouble concerning the ownership of Narragansett, 45
Attempt to dispossess Rhode Island of part of her
territory, 46
The Narragansetts compelled to mortgage their lands
to the United Colonies, 47
New charter obtained by Connecticut extending its
bounds to the Narragansett River, 48
1663. The boundary line left to arbitrators who fix it at
the Pawcatuck River, 49
The intrigues of John Scott for the purchase of the
Narragansett tract, 49
Letter obtained from the King, putting the
Narragansett purchase under protection of
Massachusetts and Connecticut, 50
This was rendered null by the second charter of
Rhode Island grant soon afterward, 51
Wampum used as money in the Colony, 52
Also used as an article of ornament by the natives, 52
1652. Massachusetts began to coin silver in 1652, 53
Rhode Island abolished the use of wampum ten years
later, 53
1662. New England shilling made legal tender in Rhode
Island, 53
1640-1663. First schools established at Providence and
Newport, 53
Affirmation is declared to be equal to an oath, 54
CHAPTER IX.
TERRITORY OF RHODE ISLAND IS INCREASED BY THE ADDITION OF BLOCK
ISLAND.--DISPUTES BETWEEN RHODE ISLAND AND THE OTHER COLONIES
SETTLED BY ROYAL COMMAND.--STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE COLONY IN 1667.
1663. Block Island added to Rhode Island, 55
Regulations concerning its admission, 56
It is incorporated under the name of New Shoreham, 56
Four Commissioners sent to America to reduce the
Dutch and settle all questions of appeal between
the colonies, 57
The vexed questions of boundary line between
Rhode Island and Plymouth; the Narragansett
question and Warwick difficulties referred to the
Commissioners, who referred the first to the King
and decided the second in favor of Rhode Island, 57
The Indians removed from King's Province, 59
Five propositions submitted by the Commissioners to
the Rhode Island Assembly, 59
1st. All householders should take the oath of
allegiance to the King, 59
2d. Mode of admitting freemen, 59
3d. Admission to the sacrament open to all well
disposed persons, 60
4th. All laws and resolves derogatory to the King
repealed, 60
5th. Provisions for self-defence, 60
1672. Trouble with John Paine concerning Prudence Island, 62
Members of the Assembly to be paid for their
services, 63
Financial difficulties in the Colony, 64
1667. Preparations for defence against the French, 64
1672. Act passed to facilitate the collection of taxes, 65
CHAPTER X.
KING PHILIP'S WAR.
Wamsutta summoned before the General Court at Plymouth, 67
His death, 67
Indignation of the Indians, especially King Philip, 68
Condition of the Indians, 68
Attack on Swanzey, 69
The Indians pursued by the English, 69
Philip and his allies besieged in a swamp at Pocasset, 71
His escape, 71
The Indian attack on Hadley, 71
Goffe, the regicide, 72
Philip joined the Narragansetts, 72
Battle in the swamp, 73
Indians defeated, and their village destroyed, 74
Depredations in Rhode Island, 75
Death of Canonchet, 76
Death of Philip and end of the war, 77
Condition of the country after the war, 77
CHAPTER XI.
INDIANS STILL TROUBLESOME.--CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE.--TROUBLES
CONCERNING THE BOUNDARY LINES.
Precautions against the Indians, 78
Troubles with Connecticut concerning Narragansett, 79
Two agents sent to England, 80
War party obtains power, 80
Foundation of East Greenwich, 82
Bitter controversy concerning the limits and extent
of the Providence and Pawtuxet purchase, 82
1696-1712. Settled in 1696 and 1712, 83
CHAPTER XII.
DEATH OF SEVERAL OF THE MOST PROMINENT MEN.--CHANGES
IN LEGISLATION.
The United Colonies still encroached upon Rhode
Island, 84
Deaths of John Clarke, Roger Williams, Samuel
Gorton, William Harris, and William Coddington, 85
1678. Financial condition of the Colony in 1678, 88
Changes in the usages of election, 89
Bankrupt law passed and afterwards repealed, 89
Law concerning disputed titles to lands, 90
1679. Law for the protection of servants, 91
Law for the protection of sailors, 91
John Clawson's curse, 92
CHAPTER XIII.
COURTS AND ARMY STRENGTHENED.--COMMISSIONERS SENT FROM
ENGLAND.--CHARTER REVOKED.
Disputes concerning the title of Potowomut, 93
1680. Power of the town to reject or accept new citizens, 93
Efficiency of the courts increased, 94
English navigation act injures the commercial
interests of the Colony, 95
Commissioners appointed to settle the vexed
question of the King's Province, 96
Rhode Island's position in New England in regard to
the other colonies, 96
Trouble with the Commissioners, 97
Charter revoked, 98
Rhode Island returned to its original form of
government, 98
CHAPTER XIV.
CHANGES IN FORM OF GOVERNMENT.--SIR EDMOND ANDROS APPOINTED
GOVERNOR.--HE OPPRESSES THE COLONISTS AND IS FINALLY DEPOSED.
John Greene sent to England with an address to the
King for the preservation of the charter, 100
Changes in the names and the boundaries of
Kingston, Westerly and East Greenwich, 101
1687. Arrival of Sir Edmond Andros, 101
Taxes farmed out, 102
Marriages made illegal unless performed by the rites
of the English Church, 103
Passport system introduced, 103
Composition of the council, 103
Andros's commission enlarged, 105
The press subjected to the will of the Governor, 105
Title of Rhode Island to King's Province again
confirmed, 106
Persecution of the Huguenots, 107
Andros deposed, 107
CHAPTER XV.
CHARTER GOVERNMENT AGAIN RESUMED.--FRENCH WAR.--INTERNAL
IMPROVEMENTS.--CHARGES AGAINST THE COLONIES.
Chief-Justice Dudley attempted to open his court,
he is seized and imprisoned, 108
Return of the old form of government, 108
Legality of resumption confirmed by the King, 109
1690. The Assembly reorganized, 110
Town house built, 111
The colonists taxed to sustain the French and
Indian war, 112
Coast invaded by French privateers, 112
New taxes levied, 113
Small-pox broke out in the Colony, 113
1691. Sir William Phipps appointed Governor of
Massachusetts with command over all the forces of
New England, 114
This command over the forces of Rhode Island
restricted to time of war, 115
1693. First mail line established between Boston
and Virginia, 116
State officers to be paid a regular salary, 116
Assembly divided into two houses, 116
Indians still troublesome, 117
Courts of Admiralty established in the Colony, 117
1697-1698. Trouble from enemies to the charter government, 117
Interests of trade fostered, 118
Smuggling common, 118
Charges made against the Colony by the Royal
Governor, 119
Captain Kidd, 119
CHAPTER XVI.
COLONIAL PROSPERITY.--DIFFICULTIES OCCASIONED BY THE WAR WITH THE
FRENCH.--DOMESTIC AFFAIRS OF THE COLONY.
1702. Prosperity of the Colony, 120
Providence the second town in the Colony, 120
Religious freedom, 120
Attempt to establish a Vice-Royalty over the Colonies, 122
1701. Better Laws enacted, 123
1702. Preparations for defence, 123
1703. Boundary line between Rhode Island and
Connecticut finally settled, 124
The character and interest of the Colony
misunderstood by England, 124
French privateer captured, 125
Further acts of the Assembly, 126
Slave trade, 127
1708. First census taken, 127
Public auctions first held, 128
Commercial and agricultural progress, 128
1709. First printing press set up at Newport, 129
Internal improvements, 130
CHAPTER XVII.
PAPER MONEY TROUBLES.--ESTABLISHMENT OF BANKS.--PROTECTION OF HOME
INDUSTRIES.--PROPERTY QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUFFRAGE.
Issue of paper money, 131
Clerk of the Assembly first elected from outside
the House, 131
Arts of peace resumed, 132
New militia laws enacted, 132
Laws concerning trade, 133
Troubles occasioned by paper money, 134
1715. Banks established in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, 134
Paper money question carried into election, 134
Improvements in Newport, 136
Criminal code, 136
1716. School-houses built in Portsmouth, 136
Punishment of slander, 137
Indian lands taken under the protection of the Colony, 137
Law concerning intestates, 137
1719. First edition of the laws printed, 138
Boundary troubles, 138
Industry of the Colony protected by loans and
bounties, 138
1724. Freehold act passed, 139
1723. Pirate captured, 139
Evidences of the progress of the Colony, 139
1727. Death of Governor Cranston, 141
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHANGE OF THE EXECUTIVE.--ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY.--GEORGE BERKELEY'S
RESIDENCE IN NEWPORT.--FRIENDLY FEELING BETWEEN THE COLONISTS AND
THE MOTHER COUNTRY.
New Governor elected, 142
State of affairs in England, 142
1728. Revision of the criminal code, 143
Laws for the encouragement and regulation of trade, 144
1727. Earthquake, 145
1723-1724. Division of the Colony into counties, 146
George Berkeley, 146
Establishment of Redwood Library, 147
Laws concerning charitable institutions, Quakers
and Indians, 147
1730. New census taken, 148
1731. New bank voted, 149
Commercial prosperity, 149
New edition of the laws published, 149
Fisheries encouraged, 150
Regulation concerning election, 150
William Wanton chosen Governor, 152
Depreciation of paper money, 152
1733. Marriage laws, 152
John Wanton chosen Governor, 153
Watchfulness of the Board of Trade, 153
1735-1736. Throat distemper, 154
Law against bribery at elections, 154
Arrival of his Majesty's ship Tartar, 155
Means of protection against fire, 155
CHAPTER XIX.
WAR WITH SPAIN.--NEW TAXES LEVIED BY ENGLAND.--RELIGIOUS AWAKENING
AMONG THE BAPTISTS.
Preparation for war against the Spaniards, 156
Great expedition against the Spanish West Indies, 157
New taxes levied on importations by England, 157
Death of Governor Wanton, who is succeeded by
Richard Ward, 158
Arrival of Whitefield and Fothergill, 159
Further provisions for the defence of the Colony, 159
Report of the Governor concerning paper money, 160
1741. Boundary line between Rhode Island and
Massachusetts settled, 161
CHAPTER XX.
PROGRESS OF THE WAR WITH THE FRENCH.--CHANGE IN THE JURISDICTION
OF THE COURTS.--SENSE OF COMMON INTEREST DEVELOPING AMONG THE
COLONISTS.--LOUISBURG CAPTURED.
Privateers fitted out, 162
1741. James Greene started an iron works, 162
Changes of the jurisdictions of the courts, 163
Encroachments of Connecticut, 163
1741. Newport Artillery chartered, 165
Counterfeit bills troublesome, 164
1744. Lotteries legalized, 165
Rhode Island's part in the capture of Louisburg, 165
Death of Colonel John Cranston, 166
Two privateers and two hundred men lost, 166
Sense of common interest and mutual dependence
gaining ground, 166
Caution against fraudulent voting, 167
Disaster to the French armada, 168
1746. Close of the campaign, 168
Accession of territory, 168
CHAPTER XXI.
ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO SPECIE PAYMENTS.--CHANGES IN THE REQUIREMENTS OF
CITIZENSHIP.--NEW COUNTIES AND TOWNS FORMED.--FRENCH AND INDIAN
WAR.--WARD AND HOPKINS CONTEST.--ESTABLISHMENT OF NEWSPAPERS.
1748. Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, 170
Hutchinson's scheme for returning to specie payment
rejected by Rhode Island, 171
Act against swearing revised, 172
Provisions concerning legal residence, 172
New census taken, 172
1748-1749. Death of John Callender, 173
Beaver Tail Light built, 173
Troubles from depreciation of currency, 173
1754. First divorce granted, 174
Kent County formed, 174
1752. Gregorian calendar adopted, 175
Troubles concerning the Narragansett land settled, 175
1753. First patent granted in the Colony for making potash, 175
Fellowship Club founded--afterwards the Newport
Marine Society, 176
1754. Commissioners sent to the Albany Congress, 176
French and Indian war, 177
French settlers imprisoned, 178
Ward and Hopkins contest, 178
Providence court house and library burned, 179
David Douglass built a theatre at Providence, 180
1758. Newport Mercury established, 180
1762. Providence Gazette established, 180
Writs of assistance first called for, 181
1759. Death of Richard Partridge, 181
Freemasonry first introduced into the Colony, 181
Regulations concerning fires, 181
Towns of Hopkinton and Johnston formed, 182
CHAPTER XXII.
RETROSPECT.--ENCROACHMENTS OF ENGLAND.--RESISTANCE TO THE REVENUE
LAWS.--STAMP ACT.--SECOND CONGRESS OF COLONIES MET AT NEW
YORK.--EDUCATIONAL INTEREST.
Resumé of the progress of the Colony, 183
Reason for the enactment of the laws, 184
Rhode Island's solution of the problem of
self-government and soul-liberty, 185
Encroachments of England on the liberties of the
colonies, 186
War had taught the colonies a much needed lesson, 187
Harbor improvements, 188
Parliament votes men and money for the defence of
the American colonies, 188
Restrictions of commerce, 189
1764. Molasses and sugar act renewed and extended, 189
Resistance to the enforcement of the obnoxious
revenue laws, 190
Action of the colonies in regard to the stamp act, 191
England is obliged to repeal the stamp act, 193
Resistance to impressment, 193
1765. Second Colonial Congress met at New York and issued
addresses to the people, Parliament, and to the
King, 194
New digest of the laws completed and printed, 195
1766. Free schools established at Providence, 196
Brown University founded, 196
Iron mine discovered, 197
CHAPTER XXIII.
TRANSIT OF VENUS.--A STRONG DISLIKE TO ENGLAND MORE OPENLY
EXPRESSED.--NON-IMPORTATION AGREEMENT.--INTRODUCTION OF SLAVES
PROHIBITED.--CAPTURE OF THE GASPEE.
Collision between British officers and citizens, 199
Dedication of liberty trees, 199
Laws concerning domestic interests, 199
Transit of Venus, 200
Armed resistance to England more openly talked of, 201
Scuttling of the sloop-of-war Liberty, 202
Non-importation of tea agreed to, 203
Prosperity of Newport, 203
First Commencement at Rhode Island College, 204
1770. Further introduction of slaves prohibited, 204
Governor Hutchinson advanced a claim for the
command of the Rhode Island militia, 205
Evidence of justice in Rhode Island, 206
Capture and destruction of the schooner Gaspee, 207
CHAPTER XXIV.
PROPOSITION FOR THE UNION OF THE COLONIES.--ACTIVE MEASURES
TAKEN LOOKING TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE.--DELEGATES ELECTED
TO CONGRESS.--DESTRUCTION OF TEA AT PROVIDENCE.--TROOPS
RAISED.--POSTAL SYSTEM ESTABLISHED.--DEPREDATIONS OF THE
BRITISH.--"GOD SAVE THE UNITED COLONIES."
1774. Limitation of negro slavery, 210
Resolution recommending the union of the colonies
passed at Providence town meeting, 210
1774. Boston port bill passed, 211
Small-pox at Newport, 211
Indication of popular indignation, 212
Activity of Committees of Correspondence, 212
Publishment of the Hutchinson letters, 213
Franklin removed from his position as superintendent
of American post-offices, 214
1774. General Gage entered Boston as Governor, 215
Sympathy of Rhode Island for Boston; East Greenwich
the first to open a subscription, 215
Hopkins and Ward elected delegates to Congress, 216
1774. Congress met in Philadelphia; adopted a declaration
of rights; recommended the formation of an American
Association, 217
Distribution of arms, 218
Exportation of sheep stopped; manufacture of
fire-arms begun, 219
Tea burnt at Providence, 219
Troops started for Boston, 219
Army of Observation formed with Nathanael Greene,
commander, 220
Rhode Island troops on Jamaica Plains, 221
Articles of war passed, 221
Capture of a British vessel by Captain Abraham
Whipple, 221
Rhode Island Navy founded, 222
William Goddard's postal system went into operation, 222
Colony put upon a war footing, 223
Bristol bombarded and the coast of Rhode Island
plundered, 224
Part of the debt of Rhode Island assumed by
Congress as a war debt, 225
Rhode Island in the expedition against Quebec, 226
Depredation of the British squadron, 226
Battle on Prudence Island, 227
Evacuation of Boston, 228
Death of Samuel Ward, 228
The Assembly of Rhode Island renounced their
allegiance to the British Crown, 228
CHAPTER XXV.
RHODE ISLAND BLOCKADED.--DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE INDORSED BY THE
ASSEMBLY.-- NEW TROOPS RAISED.--FRENCH ALLIANCE.--UNSUCCESSFUL
ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE BRITISH FROM RHODE ISLAND.
Islands and waters of Rhode Island taken possession
of by the British, 229
Quota of Rhode Island, 230
Inoculation introduced, 231
Treatment of Tories, 231
Declaration of Independence indorsed by the Assembly, 232
Rhode Island's part in the Continental Navy, 232
Convention of Eastern States to form a concerted
plan of action, 233
Financial troubles, 234
Regiment of negroes raised, 234
1778. Tidings of the French alliance received, 235
Expedition against Bristol and Warren, 235
Attempt to drive the British from Rhode Island
rendered unsuccessful by a terrible storm, and
jealousy among the officers of the French fleet, 236
CHAPTER XXVI.
ACTS OF THE BRITISH TROOPS.--DISTRESS IN RHODE ISLAND.--EVACUATION
OF NEWPORT.--REPUDIATION.--END OF THE WAR.
Disappointment of the Americans, 241
Wanton destruction of life and property by the
British, 241
Pigot galley captured by Talbot, 242
Scarcity of food in Rhode Island, 242
Steuben's tactics introduced into the army, 244
Difficulty in raising money, 244
British left Newport, 245
Town records carried off by the British, 246
Repudiation of debt, 247
Rhode Island's quota, 248
Preparations for quartering and feeding the troops, 249
An English fleet of sixteen ships menaced the Rhode
Island coast, 250
Assembly met at Newport; the first time in four
years, 250
1781. End of the war, 251
The federation completed, 251
CHAPTER XXVII.
ARTS OF PEACE RESUMED.--DOCTRINE OF STATE RIGHTS.
Name of King's County changed to Washington, 252
New census taken, 253
Question of State Rights raised, 253
1782. Nicholas Cooke died, 254
Armed resistance to the collection of taxes, 254
Troubles arising from financial embarrassment, 255
1783. Acts of the Assembly, 256
CHAPTER XXVIII.
DEPRECIATION OF THE CURRENCY.--INTRODUCTION OF THE
SPINNING-JENNY.--BITTER OPPOSITION TO THE FEDERAL UNION.--RHODE
ISLAND FINALLY ACCEPTS THE CONSTITUTION.
Desperate attempt to float a new issue of paper money, 257
Forcing acts declared unconstitutional, 258
First spinning-jenny made in the United States, 259
Bill passed to pay five shillings in the pound for
paper money, 260
Refusal of Rhode Island to send delegates to the
Federal Convention, 261
Proposed United States Constitution printed, 261
Acceptance of the Constitution by various states, 261
State of manufactures, 262
1790. Rhode Island declared her adhesion to the Union, 264
CHAPTER XXIX.
MODE OF LIFE IN OUR FOREFATHERS' DAYS.
Early condition of the land, 265
Agriculture the principal pursuit of the early
settlers, 266
Early traveling, 267
Early means of education, 267
Amusements, 268
CHAPTER XXX.
COMMERCIAL GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF RHODE ISLAND.
Rhode Island wiser on account of her previous
struggles for self-government, 270
Commercial condition of Rhode Island, 271
Trade with East Indies commenced, 271
1790. First cotton factory went into operation, 273
1799. Free school system established, 273
1819. Providence Institution for Savings founded, 274
Canal from the Providence River to the north line
of the state projected and failed, 274
1801. Great fire in Providence, 274
Visit of Washington to Rhode Island, 275
1832. Providence made a city, 275
Rhode Island in the War of 1812, 276
CHAPTER XXXI.
THE DORR REBELLION.
The Right of Suffrage becomes the question of Rhode
Island's politics, 277
Inequality of representation, 278
No relief obtainable from the Assembly, 278
Formation of Suffrage Associations, 279
Peoples' Constitution, so called, voted for, 279
1842. Thomas Wilson Dorr elected Governor under it, 280
Conflict between the old and new government, 280
Attempt of the Dorr government to organize and
seize the arsenal both failures, 281
End of the War, 281
Dorr tried for treason and sentenced to imprisonment
for life; afterwards restored to his political and
civil rights, 281
New Constitution adopted, 282
Freedom of thought and speech the foundation of
Rhode Island's prosperity, 282
CHAPTER XXXII.
LIFE UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.--THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.--THE
CENTENARY.
Life under the Constitution, 283
The War of the Rebellion, 283
Rhode Island's quota, 284
The Centennial Exposition, 285
APPENDIX.
King Charles' Charter, 291
Present State Constitution, 301
Copy of the Dorr Constitution, 317
State seal, 333
Governors of Rhode Island, 334
Deputy-Governors of Rhode Island, 337
Members of the Continental Congress, 339
Towns, date of incorporation, &c., 340
Population from 1708 to 1875, 345
State valuation, 348
The Corliss Engine at the Centennial Exposition, 349
A Short History of Rhode Island.
CHAPTER I.
CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN MASSACHUSETTS BAY AND PLYMOUTH
COLONIES.--ARRIVAL AND BANISHMENT OF ROGER WILLIAMS.
The nations of antiquity, unable to discover their real origin, found
a secret gratification in tracing it to the Gods. Thus a religious
sentiment was connected with the foundation of states, and the building
of the city walls was consecrated by religious rites. The Christian
middle ages preserved the spirit of Pagan antiquity, and every city
celebrated with solemn rites the day of its patron saint. The colonies,
which, in the natural progress of their development, became the United
States of America, traced their history, by authentic documents, to
the first Christian cultivators of the soil; and in New England the
religious idea lay at the root of their foundation and development. In
Plymouth it took the form of separatism, or a simple severance from the
Church of England. In Massachusetts Bay it aimed at the establishment
of a theocracy, and the enforcement of a rigorous uniformity of creed
and discipline. From the resistance to this uniformity came Rhode
Island and the doctrine of soul liberty.
On the 5th of February, 1631, the ship Lyon, with twenty passengers and
a large cargo of provisions, came to anchor in Nantaskett roads. On the
8th she reached Boston, and the 9th, which had been set apart as a day
of fasting and prayer for the little Colony, sorely stricken by famine,
was made a day of thanksgiving and praise for its sudden deliverance.
Among those who, on that day, first united their prayers with the
prayers of the elder colonists, was the young colonist, Roger Williams.
Little is known of the early history of Roger Williams, except that he
was born in Wales, about 1606; attracted, early in life, the attention
of Sir Edward Coke by his skill in taking down in short hand, sermons,
and speeches in the Star Chamber; was sent by the great lawyer to
Sutton Hospital, now known as the Charter House, with its fresh
memories of Coleridge and Charles Lamb; went thence in the regular time
to Oxford; took orders in the Church of England, and finally embraced
the doctrine of the Puritans. Besides Latin and Greek, which formed
the principal objects of an University course, he acquired a competent
knowledge of Hebrew and several modern languages, for the study of
which he seemed to have had a peculiar facility. His industry and
attainments soon won him a high place in the esteem of his religions
brethren, and although described by one who knew him as "passionate
and precipitate," he gained and preserved the respect of some of the
most eminent among his theological opponents. The key to his life may
be found in the simple fact that he possessed an active and progressive
mind in an age wherein thought instantly became profession, and
profession passed promptly into action.
When this "godly and zealous young minister" landed in Boston, he
found the territory which has long been known as Massachusetts in
the possession of two distinct colonies, the Colony of Plymouth,
founded in 1620, by the followers of John Robinson, of Leyden, and
known as the colony of separatists, or men who had separated from
the Church of England, but were willing to grant to others the same
freedom of opinion which they claimed for themselves; and the Colony
of Massachusetts Bay, founded ten years later by a band of intelligent
Puritans, many of them men of position and fortune, who, alarmed by the
variety of new opinions and doctrines which seemed to menace a total
subversion of what they regarded as religion, had resolved to establish
a new dwelling place in a new world, with the Old and New Testament
for statute book and constitution. Building upon this foundation the
clergy naturally became their guides and counselors in all things, and
the control of the law, which was but another name for the control
of the Bible, extended to all the acts of life, penetrating to the
domestic fireside, and holding every member of the community to a rigid
accountability for speech as well as action. Asking for no exemption
from the rigorous application of Bible precept for themselves,
they granted none to others, and looked upon the advocate of any
interpretation but theirs as a rebel to God and an enemy to their peace.
It was to this iron-bound colony that Roger Williams brought his
restless, vigorous and fearless spirit. Disagreements soon arose and
suspicions were awakened. He claimed a freedom of speech irreconcilable
with the fundamental principles of their government; and they a power
over opinion irreconcilable with freedom of thought. Neither of them
could look upon his own position from the other's point of view. Both
were equally sincere. And much as we may now condemn the treatment
which Williams received at the hands of the colonial government of
Massachusetts Bay, its charter and its religious tenets justified it in
treating him as an intruder.
The first public expression of the hostility he was to encounter
came from the magistrates of Boston within two months after his
arrival, and, on the very day on which the church of Salem had
installed him as assistant to their aged pastor, Mr. Skelton. The
magistrates were a powerful body, and before autumn he found his
situation so uncomfortable that he removed to Plymouth, where the
rights of individual opinion were held in respect, if not fully
acknowledged. Here, while assiduously engaged in the functions of his
holy office, he was brought into direct contact with several of the
most powerful chiefs of the neighboring tribes of Indians, and among
them of Massasoit and Miantonomi, who were to exercise so controlling
an influence over his fortunes. His fervent spirit caught eagerly at
the prospect of bringing them under Christian influences, and his
natural taste for the study of languages served to lighten the labor
of preparation. "God was pleased," he wrote many years afterwards, "to
give me a painful, patient spirit to lodge with them in their filthy
holes, even while I lived at Plymouth and Salem, to gain their tongue;
my soul's desire was to do the natives good."
This was apparently the calmest period of his stormy career. It was
at Plymouth that his first child, a daughter, was born. But although
he soon made many friends, and had the satisfaction of knowing that
his labors were successful, his thoughts still turned towards Salem,
and, receiving an invitation to resume his place as assistant of Mr.
Skelton, whose health was on the wane, he returned thither after an
absence of two years. Some of the members of his church had become so
attached to him that they followed him to the sister colony.
And now came suspicions which quickly ripened into controversies,
and before another two years were over led to what he regarded as
persecution, but what the rulers of the Bay Colony held to be the
fulfillment of the obligation which they had assumed in adopting the
whole Bible as their rule of life. In 1635 he was banished from the
colony by a solemn sentence of the General Court, for teaching:
"1st. That we have not our land by Pattent from the King, but that
the natives are the true owners of it, and that we ought to repent of
such receiving it by Pattent.
2d. That it is not lawful to call a wicked person to swear, to pray,
as being actions of God's worship.
3d. That it is not lawful to heare any of the Ministers of the Parish
Assemblies in England.
4th. That the civil magistrates power extends only to the Bodies and
Goods and outward state of man."
For us who read these charges with the light of two more centuries of
progress upon them, it seems strange that neither the General Court
nor Williams himself should have perceived that the only one wherein
civilization was interested was that to which they have assigned the
least conspicuous place.