The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-08-21
MEMOIR OF II. ISLAND.

NJ Portsmouth the TON nihTch to4o
By the election Of the body the off,
GERS of the State were elected as they
stood the former year, excepting the
Sergeants who were James Rogers for
Newport and George Parker for Ports
month.
Mr.. Baulston Treasurer ofPortsmouth
exhibited his Treasury accounts this
present court and by the court was al
lowed and the said Mr.. Baulston dis
charged of the said accounts for the
.ime past and what surplus remained
&c.to be transferred TO the other ac-
counts.
1913. This is the memorable aera Of
the first union Of the New-England Col
onies. This confederacy had been in
agitation several years, ms early as the
year 1858, articles of union between the
four colonies Of Massachusetts, Ply
mouth, Connecticut and New Haven,
for amity, offence and defence, mutual
advice and assistance on oil necessary
occasions were drawn up and referred
to future time for consideration.
Difficulties however occurred, which re-
tarded the execution ofihe designed until
tho present year, when commissioners
appointed 10y those Colonies completed
aud signed the articles Of union at Dos
ton on tho nineteenth Of May. The
reasons assigned for this union were the
dispersed state ofthe Colonies, the vicin-
ity of The Dutch, Swiss and French who
were Inclined to oncroachmeLts, the
hostile disposition of the neighboring
Indians, the appearance of general
combination Of these savage tribes, TO
exterpate the English Colonies, the
commencement. Of civil contests in the
parent Countrywide impossibility ofobtain-
ing hid from England In any emcrgence
and in fine tho alliance already formed
bctween these colonies by the sacred ties
Of religion. The commissioners declar-
ed that as in nation and religion SO in
other respects they be and continue ono,
and henceforth be called by the namo Of
the United Colonies Of New England.
The members of this league were
deemed by all their neighbors as one
body with regard to their public transac-
tions though the peculiar affairs of each
continued to be managed by its own
courts and magistrates. Rhode-Island
peti,ioning to be admitted member Of
it was absolutely refused unless by sub
mi,ting TO the jurisdiction of Plymouth
it should cease to be a separate Colony.
1t preferred however tho Anttering ben
Gifts Of independence TO all tho advan-
tagss Of dependent union.
Hcimses Annals Vol. page 326.
The Massachusetts General Court or
dered that wampum peag should pass
current in tho payment Of debts to the
amount Of forty shillings, the white n,
eight penny, tho black at four. except.
ing in payment Of country rates.
"This year Myantonomy the grea,
Sachem Of the Narragansetts,w was take
prisoner by Uncas Sachem Of the Mo
heags, and sometime after slain and al
some of the English say, after quarter
and promise Of life was given. Thi.
excited his subjects TO revenge his death
but the terror of the English Mt the Mas
sachusetts kept them quiet, and SO ii,
saidthatsevsny years after there were cm,
commotions stilled by the same terror
likewise in 1858, &c. &C."
Calender page ~.
We shall not enter into all the detail.
respecting the claim Of jurisdiction sci
up by Massachusetts, TO all the lands in
and about Providence, ms well MS those
ofthc Sachcms Pumham and Sochonoco
Suffice it to say that having set up such
claim they attempted to enforce it, by
many acts Of injustice and usurpation,
the principal object Of which was to
spread their ecclesiastical laws over the
inhabitants. Attbat time the Jurisdiction
Of the Island was not disputed, aud Mr..
Coddington was on moro friendly terms