The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-02-14
RHoDE-IsLANp REPUBLICAN.
MEMOIR OF RHoDE-IsLAND.
i775.

This year general resort 10 arms 'oot
place in New England, for the purpose o
defending the sea coast against the British
Ships Of War. and, also, for investing tn
town of Boston, where the principle part o
the British fleet and army, in America
were stationed. The Northern Colonies
threw off all pretence of acknowledge!
their obedience to the crown, under existin.
circumstances war and revenge was the or
der of the day. Several skirmishes tool
place in Massachusetts, between the milit-
ia and the British troops, which compelled
the latter to keep within their strong hold.
in and about Boston, which was, in The end
closely be esieged by the American army, tc
the command of which General Washing
ton was appointed by Congress.
The situation of Rhode-Island became
every day more critical, aud more espec-
tally the town of Newport, with her ex-
tensive commerce, and her exposed and
defenceless situation. Congress author
lied the capture of British vessels carry
ing supplies to the British army, or bound
to places In their possession in this coun-
try, and general hostility by sea and
land could not fail to take place, and
was momentarily expected. The people
of the town of Newport had been the chie
instruments in disarming the forts which
HaH fba ha rhnr III, Il,
ed three companies of volunteers for the
general defence (; such was the enthusiasm
Of the most numerous class of the people
while at the same time those who sided will
the King and Parliament, were by no mean.
few in number, and were wealthy and high
ly respectable, and influential, IN their pri-
vate characters. The town had now to
meet the most trying period of her existence
Her extensive commerce was to be the i'm
mediate victim of the times, and consequent
ly with the loss of her commerce, tvery
means of sustaining her population.
In the months of June and July of IVA
there were entered at the Custom House in
Newport, from foreign voyages, ga ves-
sells, Coasters 1874, and Whalemen IL +;
making an aggregate of 2l5, in the space
of two months In the months of June snd
July l775, there were entered at the Gus
tom House in said town, from foreign voya-
ges, only % vessels, Coasters As, Whale
men ID; making an aggregate of only 81.
In the month of September, the same year,
and only two months after, there were on
ly 5 arrivals from foreign parts, 2 Coasters
and Whaleman, making an aggregate OF
eighl-but in the same month there were
cleared out, at the Custom House, l6 ves-
sells for foreign ports and Z Coasters.
From this time forward the commerce
Of the town seems to have become annihil-
ated. Vessels in foreign ports were many OF
them sold, some arrived into the Colonial
ports, and were, by the course of events,
valueless, and others were captured or de-
stroyed, until the whole commerce Of the
town was swept away.
A number Of British ships occupied the
waters of this bay, waylaying the Coasters
and Market-boats which supplied the town
with provisions, fuel &c. The town author
itIeS entered into treaty with Capt. Jane.
Wallace, who commanded the fleet station
ed here, of which Treaty much remains to
be said.
81 barrels Of -four were tsken, by the
people, from the store Of George Rome at
the Point, e. deposited in the Brick Market,
to prevent his shipping the same to Boston
for the use Of the British. A guard Of ma
rines attempted to prevent this from being
done, but without effect
Las, Sunday" [" 1t being reported that
two American vessels Of force we're lying in
Narrsganseti Bay, Capt. Wallace Of the
ship Rose. Capt. Ascoueh Of the Swan,
end a tender, came to sail, and first beat out
within about 9 miles Of the Ligh,-Hou
when they bore away, and run up the RIVER
rs far as Connanicut Point, and took specp
dowa the Narrsganseit Bay; but no, dis
covering any vessels they returned io their
ststion in this Ilsrbor while they were on
this short, and unsuccessful cruise, q num-
ber Of people boarded and carried Of vcs.
sells which these Men or War had taken,
and left riding IN the road"