The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-10-03
RHODE -isLAND REPUBLICAN.
MEMOIR or RHoDE-IsLAND.
I779.
British eracuate Rhode Island.


About The lst Of October indications sp-
peared of an intention on The part Of the
British to evacuate the Is!end. They be-
gan BY Withdrawing the armanents und
military stores from the North end Of the
Island and leaving the military posts in that
quarter in neglected state. BY gathering
and bringing into Newport the potato crop,
and other roots fit TO harvest at that season.
BY their readily exchanging salt for potatoes,
bushel for bushel, and other articles Of for
eisn produce and Manufacture for the crops
then ready forInarket, and for beef and other
live stock. All these preparations were no
ticed by the inhabitants as indications of an
intention to evacuate, and on Monday the
lth of October feet arrived in the har-
Dor and anchored near Rose Island, con-
sisling of 50 sail of empty transports, 81 of
which were ships, conveyed by or A arm
ed vessels. These ships were sent from n.
York, to take off the Garrison, which then
consisted of about 1000 men, together with
ihe ordnance arms and military stores, rs
well as to carry off the Royaiss who chose
10 leave with their moveable property.
The slips hauled in alternately, and were
loaded with heavy ordnance and bulky COM
modities ofthe army, and goods ofthe Royal
lists, until that operation was completed, when
they bauled out aud moored in the outer har-
Dor, near Brenton's Point. OF the Royal
lists, about 30 or 40 Of the principal men
with their families and effects, embarked in
the fleet, and large portion of the negro
slaves, being offered their liberty, by so do
ing, also embarked in the fleet. The north
Battery was leveled and the platforms on
which the guns had been mounted we're
burnt. The building at Brenton's Point,
and the Lighthouse on Beaver Tail, were
burn, on the day Of the evacuation, but the
buildings at Fort George were spared. The
forage collected in the forage yard was left
uuinjured and number Of horses belonging
to the army were left behind. On the morn
NATION was made requiring the inhabitants
to keep within their own houses during the
day, on pain Of death for dsobedience.
The troops commenced their march the
same morning, and continued leaving the
town the whole day, and MS fast as they ar
rived at Brenton's Point they were embark
cd on board the ships-which when com
pletcd, the fleet, about sunset, all got under
way bound for New York. In the evening
20 breath the air of freedom, aud during the
night, and the following day, a number of
soldiers who had secreted themselves, and
staid behind, came out from their hiding
places. The American troops which had
been stationed in Tiverton and Bristol,
finding the fee, had sailed, came on TO the
Island, aud marched into the town, the
morning after the departure Of the feet.
The whole of the Town, and Probate
records, and 6les of papers from the Town
Clerks office, were taken nway and put on
board one of the ships for New York.
Tradition ascribes this act to Joseph
Wantou, Jr., superintendent Of Police, who,
as was supposed, intended to hold them as
rod over the Colony and Town, and use
it as occasion might afterwards offer, for
hi. own benefit or that of his immediate
friends.
TIE vessel in which those records we're
shipped was sunk in He'll Gate, with the
records &c. on board "by which accident
they we're nearly destroyed, having laid
long time under water They were after
wards restored, bu, in So damaged a con-
dition that bu, little can be CLEANED from
them"
Additional particulars respecting the oc-
cupancy Of tn. Island by the King's forces.
Capt JoHs CAHoosE, Master Of the U. S.
Revenue Gutter yigilsnt-al that time-be-
ing ia the year 1879, over seventy years Of
age-but possessed Of an uDinpalred mind,
clear and iu,elligen,--snd an uncommonly
reten,ive memory, related to the author of
these memoirs the following additional par
iievlar., Wit
Tha; the Town Of Newport was frs, ia.
Ken possession OF by the British, in the col.
owing manner. The Transport ship VII