The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-01-31
MEMOIR OF RHoDE-IsIAND.


patton of that town by standing army, af-
forded the Revolutionary party great facili-
sy in making converts to their cause. The
port of Boston being closed, the laboring
people there were deprived of the means Of
subsistence by the avals of their labor,
which called loudly on the other parts oi
the country for their sympathy. Large COL
lections of money, grnIn, provisions &c.
were made for the relief of the poor of Bos-
ton; and towns, companies and individuals,
wed with each other in the liberality of their
donations. While every effort was made to
relieve the poor of Boston, the country
strove to deprive the army stationed there,
OF all the fresh supplies of meat, vege-
tables, and every thing else which they
stood in need Of This occasioned frequent
plunderng Of farms by the numerous ves-
sells of war stationed on the Coast of New
England; and although they usually paid
for what they took, such was the bitter
feelings of the country against them, that
frequent skirmishes and contests took place.
and in such cases payment was often re-
fused, or if rendered, as often rejected.
An apprehension was entertained that all
the fortified places along the coast would
next be taken into the hands of the British
forces, and garrisoned, or the arnaments
carried off by them, to prevent their being
used by the Americans in defending their
liberties. Independent companies were
forming, and the militia called out TO learn
the art of war throughout New England; ;
and general struggle between the Colo
nial forces and the Kings troops a, Boston,
was fully determined on, by the leaders of
the Revolutionary party, as soon as the
necessary preparations could be made.
Under these circumstances the guns in the
Fort at Newport were taken thence and car
ried to Providence, leaving the town Who'll
ly defenceless and within the power of the
smallest vessels of war to insult, and to
threaten, and lord it over the people
whenever they pleased. On the 9th and 10Th
days Of December, IVA, in consequence,
as it is said, of movement by those high
in authority-a great number Of volunteers
from the town of Newport "look all the
caunon- belonging TO Fort George, except
four, and carried them to Providence, with
the shot &C." This fact was barely notic-
ed in the Newport Mercury of Dec. 18th,
l774. That paper of January I'd, I775,
contains the following extract from New
York paper, and remarks on the same, viz
The following lying extract of letter
is copied from the New York Gazette of
December 20th."
F" Extract Of a letter from Newport, dated
December IAN.
The people here have, think, openly
declared themselves against government,
and in such a manner, as surely must be
pronounced rebellion.-Is it possible that
people without arms, ammunition, money,
or navy, should dare to brave nation,
dreaded and respected by all the powers on
earth What black irgrati,ude to the pa
rent state, who has nourished, protected,
and supported them from infancyl What
eau these things Indicate but civil war
Horrid reflection! AID such as freezes tie
blond of every humane heart.
There has been most extraordinary
movement here few days ago.-The pub
lie authority Of the colony have dsmantlcd
the Kings fort, and moved all the cannon
and stores TO Providence, in order, as it is
said, to assist the Bostonians agains, the
Kings troops.
Underne ath is list Of the cannon.
,s y I, fOnnGe S1,o given by the late King to the fort
e I diaO di,iO belonging to the colony
God send us better times. Yours, &C."
VIC call the above extract lying ono,
because, the people Of this country have
arms, ammunition and money because !,
Is not true, but an absolute faisehood, to
Say that the above mentioned "a, and Is
- Founders. were given Go the Fort by the
lah King; for il appears by the records Of
this colony, they were purchased by this colo
nv, and upward Of tbousa nd pounds sterling
paid for them; and because we might point