The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-12-05
the surrender of your Charter


ed the governor, in "a quiet manner.
am prepared to enforce his commands.
J Will you yield your Charter, gentlemen p
he demanded in a determined tone.
Voluntarily, neper,' replied Governor
Treat, firmly.
NEVER = rung loudly through the hail.
Sir Edmund Andross waited until there
was silence; then casting glance triumph
antIy around the room, his countenance as
suned n significant expression, which ut
once drew attention and excited curiosity.
Deliberately taking the roll Of parchment
from under his short horsenan's cloak, he
said, anticipated your refusal, after the
answers you have invariably given to his
Msjesty's wrts, of which our mutual friend,
Edward Randolph, was the bearer. There
fore, to anticipate any abstraction or con-
cealment of your Charter, when my pres
ence in Hartford should be known, ! have
thought it expedient in compliance with His
Majes,y's wish thar, by all means, l should
possess myself of the patient, to secure u.
before appeared before you.-iiow have
got possession Of it, matters not. Ii is suf-
ficieut that | have it. This mockery of
asking its surrender was, graciously, 10 af-
ford you the opportunity of quietly resign
ing it, and in some degree thereby recover
ing his Majesty's esteem. Bat my kind
consideration for you has been thrown n
way, like pearls before--but, gentlemen,
| need not remind you of the text. BE-
hold your Charter y he added, holding oat
the parchment in one hand, and striking 1t
with the gloved finger of the other
In the name of His Majesty, james the
Second, and in this presence, declare the
Government under this Charter dissolved
A dozen swords gtlcred in the hands of
as many gentlemen the grenadisrs threw
themselves before their leader, who caught
half score of blades upon his own.
'Hold!' he cried 'your doors are guard
ed--yourselves are prisoners.-Onc word
from me and you will be cut to pieces
Base craven ! William Coward !"
were the epithets that assniled his car on
all sides.
'Forbear, gentlemen Let US act mild
. ly,' said the Governor.
r May it please you Sir Edmund An
dross,' he added, looking fxediy at the
: parchment the knight held in his hand, to
# unroIl that instrument, that all may be con-
y vinced,-for some doubt,--that you hold
our Charter
'Assuredly,' he replied with confidence.
, Casting an exulting look around, he un-
rolled the instrument and displayed il be-
, fore all eyes. The quiet smile thnt played
about the Governors mouth, and the broad
signs of merrimcat visible on the faces of
the rest, induced him to look closely at the
parchment, when n glance showed him
) that held he simply an Indian deed of hun
ting grounds. His proud and confident
! manner changed, not To one of morlliicn-
r ton aud disappointment, but to one of VIM
diciiye rage. lie gnas.ed his teeth; cruni-
pied the parchment in his hand; flung II
S To the earth and ground 1t with his heel.
= "By whatever interpostion Of Provi-
r dence your unjust intentions have been foil
q ed" said Governor Treat, With dignity
: strikipgly contrasted with the excitement of
= the other, "yon are properly punished for
z resorting TO s,ratngem. Those who have
:. deceived you have proved our friends"
: "Infernal woman !" muttercd Andross
: through his closed lips. "This is inten.
II tonal. Ho, Sir Puritan, or Sir Governor.
u am not to be ,hwarted thus. BY the holy
n cross If your patent be not given up
within the hour, you shall each be shorter
: by the head, than you now stand. l have
r arguments without think you will listen
y to-"
h Colonel WyIIis," said the Governor
r to n noble looking gentleman who stood by
d his chair, " have the goodness to report the
nature of these arguments"
d Doubtless of his complexion" he re-
IT piled, gIancing at the grenadiers. lie went
}. out, and the next moment returned with
: flashing eye.
n "By heaven it is true" he exclaimed
II with animation " / could not believe him
Il when he said it-and took his words for
n those of a biaggadocia. Before God, Sii
}, Edmund Andross," he said, fixing his eyes
upon his face US he came up to him,
II would have sworn and staked my life upon
e 1t, that yon could never be guilty OF so gross
II nn outrage. Gentlemen, fellow citizens, a
a troop Of horse and body OF Indians arc
drawn up before the door"
y This confirmation OF what they had been
e led to expect, but which they could scarce
ly credit, created new and Gercer excite
d ment throughout the assembly.
1--WE are but fifteen swords" cried Fitz
e Winthrop, looking round as if to measure
the strength Of his party, and then advafc-
d ing upon Andross.
d Were we but one to fifteen," cried n
r, determined voice at the door, Eve would
try passes with them, ere we surrendered
= our rights as free British subjects to tbs IT,
lied ninion Of tyrant."
All eyes turned toward the speaker, and
d rested on a handsome young man, enyelo-
ped 10 cloak, who had entered behind
l. Fitz Winthrop. With pale cheek--hls
dark eyes sparkling with exciteInen,-his
,e arms folded beneath his cloak, and with nn
y air Of cool decision, such ms marks man OF
bold and determined spirits, he walked
,e baughtily up the hall, As he passed Sir