The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-07-18
RHoDE-IsLAND REPUBLICAN.
MEMOIR OF RHODE-IsLAND.


On the I'd of August the British Man-of-
War Renown, of so guns, which was sta
toned in the West passage, off Dutch Is
land, was driven from her station by par
ty of Col. ElIiott's Regiment. who opened
fire upon her from two Is Founders. She
took new station further up the river.
On the 9th Of August party of about
200, principally refugees, landed on Nara
gansett, near The South and North ferries,
but being opposed by one company OF State
Artillery and the nelghboring Militia, they
re-embarked, taking with them some small
plunder, and two or three of the inhabitants,
prisoners.
August 9Th new Privateer Shi y the
Oliver Cromwell, Captain Chase, in attemp-
ting to escape tom Providence, by the East
passage, being bound for an Eastern port,
with only % men on board-was intercept
ed by the King Fisher, which compelled
Capt. Chase to run his ship on shore--the
hands escaped TO Seconet, but the ship was
burnt by the enemy. These predatory ex-
cursions were practced on both sides, but
principally by the British refugees, who
were often headed by noted refugee, nam
ed Bill Crosson. The Americans landed
on r. Island, Conanicut and Prudence,
taking occasionally a few prisoners and
some stock. When we consider the ample
fof of k. Ill L., &C
annoyance, we are surprised that they con-
tinued so inac,ive-they were, doubtless, a
bic to have destroyed the town Of Provi
dence, with the continental frigaies, aud
numerous other armed vessels, which lay
there nearly the whole year after tho En-
glish took possession of the Island.
In October, General Burgoyne surrender
ed his whole army to the American Gener
al, Gales this event was of the greatest
importance to both the beligerants. 1t an
nihiIlated the enemies whole force on the
Northern FrontIer 1t humbed' the pride
Of our invaders-it furnished the American
Army with all The spols of the conquered
it relieved the U. States Northern Army
from any more duty, Of consequence, in that
quarter, and enabled Washington to REIN
force the other points of defence. But, a.
bove all, it gave evidence TO the world that
the revolution IN America was ably conduc-
ted, aud powerfully sustained by the whole
country. 1t opened the way to important
negotiations, which terminated in alliances
with foreign powers, carrying in their train
disgrace, defeat and determination to the
British arms in America, and laying the
foundation of the practical Independence Of
the U. States.
The news of this happy event was secretly
sent to II. Island, aud circulated among the
friends Of America, secretly, for several
days. before il was made public, which was
done on the arrival Of flag of truce from
Providence.
In the fall of I777 General Spencer, who
commanded the American forces in Rhode
Island, received orders, or permission, to at
tempt the taking of r. Island by surprise,
and with that view concentrated large
body of troops at Bristol and Tiverton. lie
was induced by the circumstance Of large
bodies Of troops having been sentfrom New
port to reinforce the british in other parts.
The British, however, csuld not be kept in
ignorance of his design, and made all the
preparation for defence in their power.
The little river which rises in the Town of
MiddIetown and emptys itself at Green-end,
was damned up in several places, to raise
the water as barrier on the Eastern side,
while the Western approaches to the town
were guarded by redouts, in which heavy
cannon were plauted-and the diminished
number Of troops was attempted TO be sup
piled by enisiing the inhabitants, and form
ing them in:o local body for temporary
defence. This measure, the people Of the
Islsnd mostly declined for although the
power Of the King reigned triumphant on
the Island, still the hearts Of tho people
wcro by no means csp,ivated by the show
Of power constantly before their eyes. To
iu,i,nidate them the General caused mum
ber, amounting to between GO and 20, to
he imprisoned on board the Lord Sandwich
Prison ship, in the harbor of Newport.
lhese men were among that class most