The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-05-08
H7cxnosrs OK EahOdc-sszanS.
1903.


Al tbs. tins the Towns on tho Island
sonsa,hed about two shirds the popula-
sies Of the whole Colony the Lands
had been rapidly settled, trade and nav
isation had made some progress. and
the bold and chivalric character efthe
people, urged them to embark with the
mother County in the war against the
Dutch, This measure gave great Of
fence to the Towns on the main and
was the principle obstacle 10 their re-
union. The abundance of population
that had heretofore came to the Island
finding themselves Strengthened for
room, went in pursuis Of cheaper lands
to the eastern part of Long-Islnndr and
scttled about in the neighborhooj Of
East Hampton, yesterday, Flushing,
&c. This emigration consisted Of tho
friends and relatives of those who s.sid
behind; and to assist whom, was proba-
bly, the principle reason that induced
Rhode-Islnnd TO embark in the war !;
and that 90 at time when Massachu-
sets refused to do so, even when urged
by the other colonies Of the confedera-
ton, as their only means Of safety a.
gainst the Dutch and shs Indians.
The commissions granted 10 Under
hill Dyrs &c. by the Govsrnmeni nj of the
Island, TO act against the Dutch, was
perhaps Of moro Importance TO the Long
Islanders than the little aid afforded in
men and munitions Of war, as il enabled
them to smbody for thsir defence under
authority having their commission ns
from power recognized by the Dutch
as acting by authority ofthc Government
in England.
We extrac, the following from Woods
History Of Long Island page "a ms the
best account of,he part taken by Rhode
Island in defence Of their frisnds and
countrymen at Long Island.
The war in Europe, between the
Dutch and English, which continued
from 1861 to 1854, had an influence up
on their respective colonist.
In the spring Of 1859, j. was believed
that tho Dutch governmsat contempla-
ted the expulsion Of the English from
ihs territories which they claimed, ex-
tending from tho Delaware to Connecti-
oct rivsr,including the whole q Long
Island.
A Dutch fleet was expected from Eu-
rope, and tho Dutch governor was sus-
pected of tampering with the Indians,
to procure their corporation.
The Indians, in many places, sudden
ly began TO manifest hostile carriage
towards the English. Several chiefs on
Long Island sent a messenger to Hart
ford, to inform the English TINT they
had been offered guns, swords, ammu-
milton, and clothing, by the Dutch fiscal
or treasurer. If they would join them to
destroy the English. 1t seems also that
great efforts were made, and in somo
cases with success to iaduce them to re-
nounce their grand sachem the Montauk
chief, who was the unwayering friend of
the English.s
Z Captain John Underhill, who had the
principal command in the recent war of
the Dutch with the Indians, and had rem
dcred them essential service, had settled
at Flushing, and observed the change in
the di'posision Of the Indians. He OBJ
taincd from them the secret Of the Dutch
Vaccinations to enlist the Indians a.
gainst tho English, and communicated
the facts to the commissioners of the u
nitsd colonies
10 consequences Of the disclosure of
the inirigues of the Dutch treasurer With
eNorE.-The Dutch Governor d.
nied the existence of any such plan, or
ofnny concert with the Indians; and
proposed that persons should bs sent TO
examine into facis Three psrsons were
sent for this purpose, and he appointed