The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-11-05

Inc prohlptlon 10 DE set up IN the Narragansett.
Newport in the colony of II. l. and Providenc,
Plantations &c. Oct %, 1876 To all person:
whom these presents may concern. These are in
his majestys name, and by the virtue of the power
granted to in his gracious letters patents for
bid all persons, under what pretence soever to ex.
ercise jurisdiction in any part of the Narraganset
country, (alias Kings provinces) neither to trans
act in any manner of way as to disposition oflands
&c. but by order of the authority of this, our colony
of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation, fore
sayd, they will answer the penalty of what shall
be imposed on him, or them, by his majesty, or the
laws of this colony.
! Published by order of the General Assembly, of
his majesty's colony of II. |. and Providence Plan
taton, and sitting at Newport, Oct. 25, 1916.
JOHN COGGESHALL, Recorder.
The letter, addressed by this Assembly to the
government of Connecticut, shows, that they had
again attempted to establish their jurisdiction over
the Narragansett country. The letter is ably drawn,
and vindicates the superior claim of r. Island, in
clear, argumentave and determined tone intima-
ting, also, that they would not be deferred by
the application of force, if resorted TO by Connect-
cut. Rhode Island had greatly the advantage in
enforcing her jurisdiction, the settlers, especially
in Westerly were well affected to the II. Island in
terest and to their strenuous exertions, from the
early time of their first settlement, r. Island is main
ly indebted for, even, her present jurisdiction over
the whole of the Narragansett country Rhode Is
land had another advantage at the time ofwhich we
are speaking; nearly all the former inhabitants who
had fled from their homes in that quarter were then
on the Island, who together with many others, want
ing places of settlement, ready to occupy the
country, they might safely do so and this
being the termination of the war, in the Narragan-
sett country, by the total extermination of the
like savages, presented opportunity for the Gov
ernment of Rhode Island, to encourage settlements
in the disputed territory. r. Island therefore incor-
porated new towns, and, provided land for settlers
which induced many of the people, who had accu-
muated on II. Island from all the neighborhood,
for safety, to take up lands and locate themselves |
under the X. Island grants Such settlers from in
terest as III - ;..~';naton well ns~.~A 'n 'hn
X. Island jurisdiction and would submit to no oherI
without desperate struggle r.. Island constantly
threatened Connecticut, with an appeal to the klng,
and from the rising circumstances, and wealth of the
town of Newport and Portsmouth (who had engage
ed with all their strength in the cause) r. Island,
could sustain the expense of such an appeal, and
rial in England, perhaps at that time, with more
ease than Connecticut. Besides both parties were
conscious, that the King was more inclined to favor
R. Island than the other party.
An epidemic prevailed the Island which we
ind mentioned in the journal of a travelling quaker
preacher (Wilam Edmundson) follows.
Whilst staid at r. Island the heat of the In
lian War abated, for King Philip, the chief in that
var of the Indians was killed and his party destroy
I'd, and subdued presently sickness came which
proved mortal, and took many away; few families
On the Island, but lost some, in two three days
sickness. My friends died; yet | constantly visited
ck families of friends, although the smell of the
sickness was loathsome and many times would feel
Ill the parts of my body, as were, oadeu with it,
70 that would say to sick families, IL was much i
lid not carry their sickness aoay, I,oos tOaden
herewih. After some time it seized on me, with
uch violence, that was forced to keep my bed, at
" alter Newberry's at Newport"