The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-01-11
MEMOIR OF RHODE-IsLAND.
Freemen.


ery freeman was required to subscribe to an
oath against bribery and corruption, and
none were admitted to vote until they had
complied with that requisition.
Supreme Court remoddeled,
Previously 20 this time the Gown, Dep.
Gown and Assistants had been Ex-officio
Judges Of the Supreme Court, who had al
ways held their session in Newport; but in
February l746, the Colony was divided in
to four Counties, viz, Newport, Providence,
Kings and Bristol. The court to consist of
one chief, and four side Justices, TO be annu-
ally appointed by the General Assembly /;
and to hold their sessions twice a year in
each County.
Effects of the Reduction of Louisbu-gh.
The reduction of Louisburgh by the
British Colonies, wa. received in England
and France with equal surprise in con-
sequence Of which conquest, the former
contemplated no less than the entire con-
quest Of the whole French possessions in
America, and the latter, stung with shame
and stecled with resentment, contemplated
no less than the recovery of Louisburgh,
the conquest Of Nova-Scotia, and the de-
struction of the sea coast of the English col
onies from Nova-Scotia to Georgia. The
English flushed with an unexpected con-
quest and proud of the military character of
her transatlantic subjects-and France
stung with modification and disappoint-
ment, both prepared to prosecute the war,
in America, on grand scale the following
summer. The plan Of The English minis
try was, that eight batalions of European
troops with the Provincial forces TO be rails
ed in New England, should rendezvous al
Louisburgh, and from thence under con-
voy Of Admiral Warren's fleet, proceed up
the river ST. Lawrence to Quebec the
provincius from the colonies south of Con
necticut were to be collected at Albany,
and from thence to 90 across the country
to Montreal Each province was left at
liberty to raise what troops they pleased,
which caused very unequal contribution
among the several Colonies, viz. n. Hamp.
shire raised 300, Massachusetts $500, r.
Island 300, besides 100 to man the Colony
sloop, Connecticut 1000, New Jersy 500
Maryland 300, Virginia 100, Pennsylvania
400, without the aid of her government
making in all 5000 men. X. Island al
this time was not in possession of any terri
tory east of the Narraganset Bay.) The
troops embodied for the Canada expedition
in the several Colonies, did not pro ceed to
Louisburg and Albany, as intended, in con-
sequence of official information received
that the French were fitting a great expe-
dition at Brest destined for America, con-
sisting of feet of seventy sail of Men-of.
War and Transports, with numerous LAND
army, with the intention of re-taking Lou
isburgh, conquering Nova-Scotia, and ther
to proceed Soutl,ard, not for the purpose o
permanent conquest, but for destruction
plunder and slaughter, intending to b'
avenged for the injury Inflicted upon thel
nation, by the English Colonies, by thei
capture Of Loulsburgh the year before. Tn,
General Assembly of II. Island, in June
voted to raise immediately 800 men ant
send the same to Louisburgh; to engage
and equip transports for that service, ant
also that the Colony sloop accompany th'
expedition to Canada. In September tn,
Assembly ordered for, George, on Goa
Island, to be enlarged, and number o
cannon added, and also to be provided will
competent stock of ammunition, stores sc
The troops were collected at fort George
and there waited for orders to proceed tc
Lousburgli-bui such was the apprehension
from the Brest fleet, that no such order,
we're received-indecd the conquest Of Can
ada was lost sight of-in the more engros-
sing consideration Of the defence of the sea
coast. The Colonies felt aud confessed
their total inability to protect their mara
time frontier against the French feet, an,
the inhabitants of the seaport towns con
'empla,el nothing less than to behold thei
houses ia flames and their citizens butch
cred by an infuria,ed enemy sleeled to tn
most rigid execution of their bloody com
mission. The fleet hciuo daily c,prc,ed