The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-01-07
RHoDEIsLAND REPUBLICAN
PRINTING.
MEMOIR OF RHODE-ISLAND.
Fist imperfect statistical account of r. Island.

Il
The following various enquiries
transmitted by the Lords of the Committee of Colo
nies, disclose many remarkable particulars of the
state of those settlements at the expiration of five
and forty years, as related by themselves The
queries are implied in the answers, which are some
what abridged" Chalmers, page 2S2.
Whereas we, the Governor and Council of the
Colony of Rhode Island and Providence, have re-
ceived several heads ofinquiry from the Lords ofthe
Council, appointed committee for the Plantations; ;
make answer according to the best of our under
standings follows
Ist. The Councils and Assemblies are stated ac-
cording to his majesty's appointment in his gracious
letters patent: and courts of judicature
in the year, certain, appointed according to charter
and are carried on by judges and jurors
I'd. Concerning the Court of Admiralty,
have made provision, by act, according to the laws
of England, as well as the constitution of our place
will bear having but little occasion thereof.
Sd. The legislative power is stated in the As
sembly and the executive power ofthe government
is in the Courts of trials settled according the
charter
4th. The laws made according TO the char
gland.
9Th. That as for Horse Cavalry we have but
few but the chief of our militia consists of ten
panes of foot; being train bands under one COM
mander and their trelocks.
9th. That in the late Indian war, fortified
ourselves against the Indians necessity required
but as for Notifications against foreign enemy, as
vet we have had nooccason however, we have made
as good provision at present capacated
to do.
7th That our coast is little frequented, and not
at all at this present time with Privaeers or Pirates
Sh. The French seated in Canada, and upon
the Bay of Fundy, considerable number; as
we Judge about 1000: But for the indians, that
were inhabitants of this colony, they are generally
cut off by the late
9th. That as for foreigners, and Indians, we
have no commerce with them: But as for neigh
boring English, have, and shall endeavor to keep
good correspondence with them.
10Th. The boundaries of the colony declar-
ed by the charter.
llth.-l6th. The principle place for trade rs
Newport; where the generality of the buildings are
of wood, and small. We have nine towns or diyis-
ions. We have several harbors, of very good depth
of water, navgable for shipping The principal
merchandise that exported horses and pro-
visions and the goods, chiefly, imported are a small
quantity of the productions of Barbados for our
own use. We have several men who deal in buy
ing, and selling, though they cannot properly, be
called merchants; and, for Planters, we corrective
there are above five hundred, and about five hun
dred men besides We have no sat-petre.
I7th.-2Oth. We have lately had few, or no new
comers, either of English Scotch Irish, foreign
ors; only few blacks imported. There may be, of
whites and blacks about 200 born in year. We
have 80 marriages year. The burials for the last
seven years according to computation, amount to
four hundred and fifty-fve
2lst.-25th. We have few merchants but the
most of our colony live comfortably. by improynp
the wilderness. We have no shipping belonging 10
the colony, but only few sloops. The great OBJ
struction concerning trade the of merchants
men Of considerable estates among us A fishing
trade might prove very beneficial there men of
property willing to carry it on. As for goods ex-
ported, or imported, there very few and there is
no'custom imposed.
26th.-27th. Those people. who go under the
of Baptists and Quakers the most that
congregate together but there others of divers
Persuasions, and principles all which, together with
them, enjoy their liberty, according his majesys
gracious charter; wherein all our people. in
colony are to enjoy their freedom of conscience,
provided that liberty extend- not TO RIGHTEOUSNESS
But as for PaPists, we know Of none among us.
We leave every man to walk God shall persuade
their hearts, and do actively psssvely Yield obe