The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-04-05
MEMOIR OF RHODE-IsLAND.
1856.
English &. Frenck.-War declared.

I"
Thus far the two nations had carried on
hosilities in America only. Great Britain
at length declared war against France on
the 18TH of May, and early in June the
French declared war also. Great expecta-
tions were entertained by the Colonies as
to the next camp1ign against Canada
Lord Lowden Peer of the Realm was ap-
pointed to the general command of all his
maies,y's forces in America, and General
Abercrombie, the next to him in command
The plan of The campaign was, that the
British troops together with the Provncials
of the northern Colonies were to attack Nj
agara, and Crown Point, to facilitate which,
another liody of troops was 10 proceed by
the Kennebec to alarm the capital of Cana
da. At the same time the forces of the
Southern Colonies with the aid Of Sc vera
regiments Of British troops, were to besiege
Fort Du Quesne, on the Ohio. If these
expeditions succeeded, then the plan was,
the next year, to strike the final blow, and
reduce the whole of The French Provinces
in America to his majesty's obedisnce.
The old commissioned officers in the
town Of Newport pctitioned the Assembly,
in February, to I've incorporated as an In
dependant Company, which petition was
granted on condition that none but persons
exempted from doing duty in any other
company should become members of said
Independent Company.
The Assembly voted to raise 500 men
for the expedition to Crown Poiut in Feb
ruary.
Crown Point Money.
The Assembly ordered fS,000 to be
issued in bills of credit, to enable the Colo
ny to enlist and forward the troops destined
for Crown Point. The bills were issued
mud by the act denominated Groom Point
Bills, but as they had on the face Of them a
design of human arm and hand, welding
sword, they were vulgnlarly, e. generally
called sp0rd in hand money. The condit-
ions on which they were issued, were, that
they should be red, emed within two years,
mt the rate Of 6s. 3d. for the ounce of silver,
Troy weight, or with gold equivalent, out
Of the first money that should be raised
from England on account of the the Colo
ny's claim on the King, or in the last alter
native by tax for tn at purpose.
This issue of paper money was received
al, i'll
and was finally redeemed in gold, out of a
future remittance received from England
by The Colony.
InsOluent Aet passed.
At,he June session the Assembly passed
ON Insolvent Act, by which, insolyent debt
ors by surrenderiug up ali their property
for the benefit of their creditors, were to be
exonerated from any accountability to their
creditors as to any debts contracted before
they took the beuefit of the said Insolven,
act
This act, under various notifications anc
practice has formed the basis of the law o
R. Island in cases Of Insolvency, ever sine,
it was passed.
In September the Deputy Governor
Jonathan NiehOls,) deceased during tn,
sessions of the Assembly, who ordered min
ute guns to be fired from Fort at the tim,
Of the funeral.
John Gardner was, by the Assembly, up
pointed Deputy Governor in the place O
Jonathan Nichols deceased.
Iteapaeity Of the British Commander
The expedition against Canada had bee,
so badly managed, principally by the inca
pacity, delays, and bad conduc, of the Bri,
ish commanders, that the general curren
Of the war in that quarter run against ,l
English arms. Fort Oswego cnpitulated I
the French, with grea, quantity Of stores
vessels of war &c, which caused the Lor
Lowden to make further requisition on th
Colonies for men, arms, and warlike stores
provisions &C., 70 enable him, a, least,
stop the tide Of French conquest until III
close ofthe campaign. The r. Island Leg
islasure met iu August, and again in Octt
Der, at which latter meeting 400 men wet
ordered tn be raised with sll possible exp,
dItion, andimmed'ateiy after sent to Alban,
for service Of two months On the 81
day Of October all the eompanie. Of miIni
horse and foot. were mustered on psr,.