The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-06-05
DIcmoirs OF Rh0de-Island,
1854.
1854.


union with the Towns on the Island
and discouraged the party who had pre-
vented such unison and thereby endan-
gered the whole colony, so much as to
produce the desired effect.
The Town met August, 27th 1864
when Mr. Williams had full hearing
on the subject. The great respect they
bore him, the great sacrifices he had
made on ,heir account, the great con-
fidence they had in his experience, Wis
dom and integrity together with the
recollection of his lberality turned the
tide of public opinion in the true chan
mel. He drew up an answer to Sir Hen
~ Vanes' letter, which now remains on
record, as follows -
PROVIDENCE, 9TH, 6rH NJ. C54) SO
"SlR,"
"Although we are nggrieved nt
your late retirement from the helm of
Public affairs yet we rejoice to reap the
sweet fruits Of your rest in your pious
and loving lines most seasonably sent
unto us.
Thus SIR, you sun when he re-
tires his brightness from the world yet
from under the very cloud we perceive
his presence and enjoy some light and
heat and sweet refreshing.
Sin your letters were directed to NIL
and every the particular Towns of this
Providence Colony. Surely SIR amongst
the many providences of the Most High
toward this Town of Providence and
this Providence Colony we cannot but
see apparently his gracious Hand provi-
ding your Honorable self for SO noble
and true friend to an outcast and des-
pissed people.
From the first beginning ofthis Prov
idonce Colony, occa stoned by the ban
Ishment of some in these parts from the
Massachusetts, we say ever since to this
very day we reap the sweet fruits of
your constant loving kindness and favor
towards us.
Oh SIR, whence then is it that you
have bent your Bow and shot your sharp
and bitter arrows now against US, whence
is il that you charge us with Divisions
Disorders, &c.
Sin we humbly pray your gentle ac-
ceptance Of our two-fold answer.
First, We have been greatly disturbed
and distressed by the ambition and cov-
etousness of some amongst ourselves.
SIR We were in complete order until
Mr.. Coddington, wanting that public
self-denying spirit which you commend
TO us in your letter, procured by most
untrue information a monopoly of part
of the Colony, viz Rhode Island to
himself and SO occasioned our general
Disturbances and-distraclions.
Second, MIR. Dyre with no less want
of a public spirit, being ruined by pri-
vate contentious with Mr.. Coddington,
and being betrusted TO bring from En-
gland the letter of the Council Of State
for our reuniting, he hopes for recruit,
10 himself by other Mems goods, and
contrary TO the States In ientions and
Expressions, plungeth himself. and
some others in most unnecessary and
unrighieous plundering otDutch, French
and English all to our great grief who
protested against such abuse Of power
from England and the end Of it even to
the sh,me and reproach of himself and
the very English name itself as all these
parts do witness.
Sin Our second answer is thar we
may not lay all the load upon other
mems backs that possibly sweet cup
hath rendered many of US wanton g. too
active,
For we have long drank of the cup of
I" great liberties as any people we can
hear ofunder Heaven.
we have not only been long FREQ to-
gether with all English from the iron
yokes Of wolfish bishops, and other pop.
''h ceremonies against whose cruel op-
pressione Cod .a;.oI 49,, ~,