The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-10-17

same"
"The great and small artillery landed by
our generous allies, and disposed of IN dill
ferent parts of this town and island, exceed
any thing of the kind ever seen here, They
have brass cannon from to As Founders,
anil in great plenty"
The forts were remoddled by the French
-embrasures filled up, and the cannon
made to play over the top of the ramparis.
We here give an extract from Marshalrs
Life of Washington,
"The squadron commanded by the chew
alier DE Ternay consisted of seven sail OF
the line, five frigates, and five smaller arm
ed vessels Thus was decidedly superior to
that of admiral Arbuthnot, who lay at New
York with only four ships of the line and
few frigates. But three days after De Ter
nay had reached Newport, admiral Greaves
arrived with six ships of the line, and thus
the superiority at sea was entirely reversed.
This change of circumstances prevented
of course any other than an eventual plan
for the campaign. De Ternay looked for
ward to the arrival of the second division of
his squadron from Brest, or TO a re-enforce-
ment from the West Indies where the count
De GuicIlen commanded fleet understood
to be much superior to that opposed to him
and therefore some fortunate event might
be counted on, which would enable him to
dctach part of it, or to sail with the whole,
and employ it for time on the American
coast.
On the one or the other Of these events
depended the practicability of his acquiring
the superiority at sea, aud acting Extensively
on that element.
On the arrival of rear admiral Grcaves off
the hook, Arbuthnot passed the bar with
four ships Of the line; and hearing that DE
Terney had reached Rhode Island, imme.
diately proceeded thither, and cruised off
the hsrbor. Two frigates were left to con-
voy the army, if sir Henry Clinton should
land and sea. On the first arrival of the
count De Rochambcau he had been put
into possession OF all the forts and batteries
in and about Newport, to the improvement
and strengthening of which his first atten-
ton was directed. Arbuthnot found the
French army in possession Of those fortlfi-
cations, aud their ships and frigstes moored
in line from Rhode Island to Conanicut
shore, so as to act in conjunction with the
land forces. Their position appeared too
formidable to be attempted by the fleet a.
lone, aud Arbuthnot continued on his sta
ton off Block-islund.
Sir Henry Clinton had meditated an at
tack on Newport, and had made prepara-
tions to embark six Thousand chosen troops
for that purpose; but, in consequence OF
delays in obtaining the transports necessary
for the expedition, the embarkation did not
take place for several days, by which time
all hopes Of success, by coup dc main,
had wasted away. On the arrival o'
the transports and frgates to convoy
, them he embarked his troops, and pro-
ceeded to Huntingdon bay, where ht
received communications from the adDlrn
, relative to the improved state of the fortifi
r cations on Rhode Island, which satisfied hin
, Of the impractcability of effecting any ,hinl
/ with the army alone aud j, appearing ,ha
Arbuthnot did not approve Of any combined
attack by sea and land, lie returned to bi
b former position, and deborkIng at White
e Stone, encomped near the shore, and re
r tanned the transports for any further enter
prise which might be deemed proper.
General Washington, who lay in Jerse,
T not far from Passaic, received early infor
! nation Of the designs of Sir Henry Clinton
t and communicated them to the count ID,
!, Roc chambeau. As it was impractcable fo
A him TO reach Rhode Island in time to unite
the American troops to those Of their ally
he determined to collect all the force h'
C could possibly assemble; and, making
Z rapid moyemen, against New York, to at
tack that place during the absence Of sI
d Henry Clinton. IL the enterprise should
: not be completely successful, Of which, how
: over he did not absolutely despair, he wnt
n sanguine in the hope Of being able to seIz'
e some strong points which would greatly IA
e ciIitate the future operations Of the slllec
:, armies; and Of compelling sir Henry Gin
ton to abandon my plans which be nigh
d have formed sgains, Rhode Island
y Having re-enforced wes, Pom, with
!. considerable body Of militia, aud ordere'