The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-04-05

( for the purpose of drafting the 400 men re-
quired. The requisition on the militia ot
Newport was 73 men, Portsmouth 10, Mid
dietown 7, jamestown 4, Tiverton l3, Lit
tie Compton l2, Providence 35, Smilhheld
30, Sctuate l6, Gloucester l6, Cumber-
land 10, Cranston 10, Westerly "a, North
Kingston IL, South Kingston I6, Charles
town 8, Exeter ii, Richmond 8, Bristol 10,
Warren IL, Warwick 10, East Greenwich
Is, West Greenwich IL, and Coventry I3.
The whole miiitia Of Newport mustered
in n large field, ou the high land eastward
from Broad-Streei. II was a time of great
panic aud alarm. The number of men
were drafted except such few as enlisted,
throughout the colony, and the next day
commenced their march for Albany. This
was the greatest effort, perhaps r. Island
had ever made by way of raising and for
warding troops The whole energies, not
only Of the Colonial Government, but OF
individuals of both sexes, were put in active
requisition from the time the order was re-
ceived to the departure of the troops. The
men were TO be armed and clothed indi-
viduals brought in their firearms, and lent
them for the use of the army; the women
were as actively engaged in furnishing and
preparing clothing, and the blankets of
private families constituted the principal
supply for the troops.
This was great effort for the little colo
ny of II. Island she had now one thou
sand men in arms, and in actual service
besides the number of seamen, and marin
ers who manned her numerous prvateers,
added to which were all such as had enlist
ed in the more immediate service of the
King, by land and by sea. Thus it Zap.
pears by reference to the census of 1855,
that about one fifth of the whole enrolled
militia, which consisted of the men from
l6 to 60, were on public duty and actually
employed out Of the bounds of the Colony.
The day after the draft took place, the
troops commenced their march under the
command of Col. Godfrey Malbone, on
their way for Albany, but while on the road
through Connecticut, the Col. received or
dcrs from head quarters, at Albany, coun-
termanding the former order, on which the
expedition returned home and the men were
discharged.
An incident occurred when the draft
took place which is worthy tn be mentioned
here. A young man was drafted who be-
longed to the town Of Portsmouth, named
/ Zachtus Chase. who was member of the
Society of Friends; he pleaded his scruples
of conscience, and the oath or affirmation
was rendered him which oath required him
to declare that he would not take the life of
n ruffian, even to preserve from his violence
the life of his father, or mother, or to pro-
tect the chastity Of his mother or sisters
Chase said he could not answer the question
in the affirmative, as he could not answer 70,
such an extraordinary trial of his consisten-
cy. A man Ivy the name Of Rarney in New
port, under similar circumstances, was al,u
1 drafted, who took the oath and was reIeused
! from the service. Chase was required Ia
proceed, but refused to take the arms into
his hands, or even to walk or do any other
thing which was required of him-he was
therefore taken by force and put on horse
back, and his legs tied to keep him there
and his nccoutrcments Of war was lashed TO
the saddle, aud in this manner, the horse
led by trooper, Chase was compelled to
accompany the nrny. After the troops had
gone, Barney's conscience upbraided him
the example Of Chase's frmness mortified
him, aud he took bis horse and started Il
overtake the troops, to offer some furthe
explanation or apology to the Col.-he o
vertook them in Connecticut, and approach
ed the Coll, informing him that he ha
been very unhappy ever since he took tn
oath and asked his forgiveness. Col Nal
bone answered him in the most contemptu
ous manner. by your oath you hav
sworn yourself to the devil now 90 an
fulfil your engagements to him But
you have really repented, and are wilIin
to take your gun and defend your countr,
, you have still the opportunity-but reco
'ee'' l am no Pope, I cannot pardon yor
! sins-and If could, should feel but li,,
inclination to do so." # Tradition