The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-12-21
MEMOIR OF RHODE-IsLAND.
i144.

i744.
The French, with great professions of
neutrality, had been secretly aiding Spain
in the war, and were themselves preparing
to take belligerant part as soon ns circuun-
stauces should favor that measure, and act-
ually commenced hostilities before war was
declared-whch was done by France on
the 4th of March-and bv England in the
same month. The Colonies were reused
TO a sense Of their danger, some time be-
fore they were officially informed of the de-
claration Of War. A French expedition
was fitted out at Louisburgh on ihe 18th of
May which surprised and took Canser, and
made an unsuccessful attact on Annapolis /;
which had been reinforced from Massachu-
setts and by that aid successfully defended
About this time the French Privateers
swarmed upon the coast of New England,
and made many prizes, which they carried
into Louisburgh. The New England fish
cries were abandoned and the Commerce
of the country generally restricted to such
only as sailed under CONVOY.
New England early took the alarm, for
in the month of January the Legislature of
Massachusetts being then convened, after
much delberation decided by majority of
one vote only, to invite the other Colonies
10 join for the purpose of reducing Louis
burgh, the Dunkirk of the French Ameri-
can Provinces. This was II bold and ~
gantic project, bur such was the enthusiasm
OF New Eng land that they all embraced the
proposition, and persevered to It's inul ac-
co,npishmen,. although the other English
Colonies all refused to join in it. Massa-
chusetts proposed to raise herself 5000
men--ihat Connecticut raise 500, and New
Hampshire and Rhode Island, 800 each.
On the 4rh day of March the II. Island
Legislature convened by adjournment At
East Greenwich. This assembly entered
fully ato the views of Massachusetts, and
their first business was the follow ing resolu-
ton, viz. Whereas the reducing the Is
land Of Cape Breton to the obedience oi
his mijesty, is of the utmost Importance to
all his mnjestiess donnions, and especially
to the Provinces aud Colonies in New En-
gland; and this Colony being willing and
desirous TO contribute ds mnrh ~ IN their
power, in joining the forces of the said Mas
sachusetts Bay, and the othel governments
concerned in the expedition, against said
place, and it being thought proper by this
assembly TO make an addition TO the forces
granted in, and by said act."
The Assembly then enact that $50 men
be raised for the land service exclusive Of
officers, to be divided into three companies.
The Colony sloop Tartar To be fitted with
ICON pliment of 80 men exclusive of officers,
and a suitable Ira sport to be procured for
the land forces. This Assembly also re-
ceived proposal from Godfrey Malbone,
agent for the Province of Massachusetts,
requesting permission 10 raise u regiment of
volunteers, in Il. Island, to he paid bv said
Province, which WAS granted to the extent
OF 3oO men, and as a further encourage
ment for the men to enlist, this assembly
generously voted to give each man all ud
dItional bounty Of forty shilIings.
The Assembly authorized the Gov. to in
rIte Connecticut to JOIN their land forces TO
those of r. Island so that the whole might
compose one regiment.
In the other Colonies a day of fast
ing and prayer was appointed, to implore
the divine blessing On the expedition, but
Rhode Island had not, then, come into thir
mode Of warfare.
September 18th l744, a distressing acci-
den, happened in Newport, by gun powder,
n, a store on Taylor's wharf, (now DevansO
three gentlemen, Suction Grant Esq, John
Gidley aud William Coddington, were all
So much injured that they all died in few
days. Mr.. Gldley was man Of business,
nnl had ut the time Of the accident, three
houses building in the southern part of
Newport, nameIy--;he one now belonging
to Capt Rodnau Gardner, in Pelham street,
one formerly belonged to Capt. Benjamin
Hicks IN Franklin.s,rcei, aud one now be-
longing to Mr.. Thomas Breese in Thames
street They were all highly respected
ond Mr.. GidIey whose tombstone now lies
IN the church-yard, was once Judge of the
Vice Admiralty Conr' IN Rh,dc-TsIsnd.