The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-11-18
RHoDEIsLAfyD REPUBLICAN
MEMOIR OF RHODE-ISLAND.
l7O9-IO.

I7O9-IO
The Assembly met at Newport the 2Sth of Feb
ruary l709l0. No business of interest was trans
acted
ReUie~ Of the military movements Of the last pO-
itieal year.
The Assembly received official information that
the Queen intended sending squadron of men of
war and transports with five regiments of regular
troops to be employed for the reduction of Canada.
They were to be in Boston by the middle of May,
and then to Cooperate with the Colonial forces for
the reduction of Canada, Arcadia and Newfound-
land.
BY the acquisitions of her majesty, the Colonies
east of Connecticut were to raise 1900 men, with
the necessary transports, boats officers and soldiers
with provisions for three months service. With this
force and the man of war and troops from England
1t was intended to make an attempt upon Quebec /;
at the same time 1900 men from the governments
OF Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and the
southern colonies to proceed by the way of
the Lakes and Upper Canada, and make descent
upon Montreal All the colonies, except Pennsyl-
wanna, furnished their quotas, and were ready in
season, and large force marched as far as Wood
Greek, there to wait until informed of the arrival of
the fleet at Boston-after which the two divisions
OF the English forces were to make their attacks at
the same time-the on Quebec and the other
on Montreal On the part of the colonies every
thing was in readiness in season, and even more
had been accomplished than the Queen had requir-
ed. In Rhode Island the Assembly mot in March,
and again in May; they ordered a tax of ElO0O
upon the craltowns, which with the proceeds of
lands sold in the Aarragansett country, was imme-
Glately applied to the intended expedition Some
vessels were purchased and some hired by the col
ony, and men enlisted impressed to the num-
Der of 200. Capt Edward Thurston was appointed
Commissary, and directed to furnish transports,
ammunition, arms and clothing for the soldiers. The
soldiers collected in Newport and bieted on
the inhabitants at 5s Cd per week. The provisions
for the expedition cost, for pork per barrel e3 0 ;
beef Ed 0 o; Bread l9s per hundred and -four los
per hundred, the currency reckoned IS per ounce
Thus the Rhode Island forces remained inactive
waiting for the arrival of the fleet at Boston, the
whole season, but the fleet never arrived. The de-
feat OF the Portuguese Zone of the allies of England
rendered it necessary for the fleet destined for Amer
lea to sail Immediately for the Tagus in conse-
quence of which divertion of the European force,
the expedition failed, and the colonial troops we're
principally disbanded. The troops at Wood Creek
and thereabouts, had been very sckly and that part
of the army lost full quarter part of their numbers
by DEATH In October the General Assembly of r.
Island ordered the troops to be forthwith discharged
and the vessels and provisions hand to be sold.
ITO.
The general assembly met at Newport the I'd
day of May l7IO, being the day before election
Present the Governor Dep Governor and assistants,
and the following named deputies from the towns:
Neuport.
John Wanton, Nathaniel Sheffield
Thomas Weaver, Edward Smith,
James Brown, Joseph Gardiner,
Providence.
Jonathan Sprague, Joseph whipple,
Andrew Harris, VIM. Hopkins.
Portsmouth.
James Cornell Thomas CoggeshaIl,
VIM. Anthony, George Cornell,
Taroick.
Job Greene, Simon Smith,,
Charles Holden, John Rice.
Westerly.
VIM. Champlin, John Lewis.
Neu ShOrehdm.
Simon Ray, Nathaniel Mott,
Kingston.
Edward Grlnman, Samuel Wickham,
Greenrick.
Thomas Fry, Thomas Spencer,
Jamestown,
'ohn Weeden, Nicholas Carr,
BY Election Nay 4th.
SAMUEL CRANSTON, Governor.
WALTER CLARKE, Dep. Gov.
Assistants.
Henry 'Tew, John Rogers.