Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-12-22
LOCAL TALES.


II has been a common source Of regret,
among the higher, as well as the humber citi-
zens Of Rhodc-Island, that the early history Of
the STATE, has not been carefully preserved;
and it hath been equally a matter of PONDER
men,, that those who are fond of historical re-
search, have not taken some pains to preserve,
for the benefit of posterity, the history of their
sires, their deeds Of glory, Of chivalry and Of
greatness.
With but one exception. the history Of the
numerous States, which form this great and
growing confaderacy, has been preserved, and
sorry are we TO add, that the exception we are
thus painfully compelled to make. is confined
to the republic Of Rhode-Island.
1t is probably, more a fault than a misfor-
tune, that our history has not been preserved.
and though we arc sensible, that our ancestors
were ~abundantly enabled TO record the events
Of their times. it is certain that they did not do
so, and for all the information we have thus
far derived concerning our earlier existence,
like the Normans and the primitive Saxons,
we are compelled to rely upon the legendary
tales, which have been handed down 10 us,
and over which we ponder with amazement
and incredibly.
HUME in his Introductory remarks TO his
History Of, England, whilst INDUCING in his re-
grets, that the chronicles Of that great nation,
were involved in partial obscurity, beautifully
remarked, in his happy and peculiar style,
that "thc curiosity, entertained by all civilized
nations, of enquiring into the exploits and adj
ventures Of their ancestors, ~eycites a regret,
that the history of remote ages should always
be so much involved in obscurity. uncertainty
and contradiction. Ingenious men, possessed
of leisure, are apt to push their researches be-
yond the period in which literary monuments
are framed or preserved; without refe Getting
that the history Of past events. is immediate.
ly lost or disigured, when entrusted TO mem.
ery ard oral tradition. and that the adventures
of barbarous nations, even If they were re-
corded could afford little or no entertainment
to men born in a more civilized age. The
commissions of a civilized State, usually COM
pose the most instructive and most interesting
part of its history; but the sudden, violent,
and unprepared revolutions incident TO Barba-
rians, are so much guided by caprice, and ter
inmate SO often in cruelty, that they disgust us
by the uniformity of their appearance; and it
is rather fortunate for letters, that they are
buried in silence and oblivion. The only GER
tain means by which nations can indulge their
curiosity in researches concerning their remote
origin, is 10 consider the language, manners
and customs Of their ancestors, and 10 compare
them with those of the ncighboring nations
The fables, which are commonly employed to
supply the place of history, ought entirely TO
he disrcgarded; or if any exception be admit
ted to this general rule. it can only he in favor
Of the ancient Grecian fctions which are 30
celebrated and so agreeable, that thcy will
ever be objects of the attention of mankind"
Admitting the truth Of the remarks Of Hume,
and admifing them as we do, it excItcs in us a
species OF regret, that we are not enabled to
present to those, who are pleased to p~atronizc
this humble and inefficient publication, hi,tori-
cal facts, based upon authentic data. In the
absence of this desirable information and data,
like the earlier historians of Scotland, we arc
compelled to depend upon the Legendary stories
of Ministries, and those traditionary accounts
which are reported by the Patriarchs OF the
day. Pursuing this course, W. continue our
Local Tales, promising, that though they are
undoubtedly based ON facts, they are probably
mingled with the ~fetions and fancies of the re-
porter Of the marvellous; and as slch, tlcy are
submitted to the reader.
FERDINAND DE CELESTRO.