The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-05-22
CELEBRATION OF THE SECOND CENTENNIAL ANN
vERSARY OF THE SETTLEMENT or NEWPORT.

| thohni UT Int oe lltMtNl Uf htNPURI.
! 1.-THE following account of the proceedings on
this interesting occasion appeared las, week in
the Heraid Of the Times. We were prevented
from noticing the event by the great length OF
the trial Of Marsaud, which occupied all ou,
space.
On Sunday the 10Th instant, answering to
the lst day of May, Old Style, HESRr BULL,
Esq. and the Hon. ROBERT b. CRANsroN, the
Corgmiitee appointed by this town, some time
since, to erect Stone with suitable inscrip-
tion at the Grave Of WILLIAM CoDDISGToN,
the first Governor of Rhode-Island, and one of
the purchasers of the Island from the Native
Indians, who lies buried in the ancient Burial
place in Farewel-street, attended to the duties
assigned them, at about half pas; O'Clock in
the morning.
The Committee judcously deferred the
completion OF their duty until that day, which
being the 2O0th anniversary of the settlement
of the town Of Newport, seemed to be a suita-
bic time for carrying into effect the wishes of
the ireemen, and that hour Of the morning was
chosen as being about the time of dav that
Gov. Coddington and his associates landed, 300
years ago, for the purpose of commencing the
settlement of the town, after having spent the
previous night on Coasters Harbor (which they
then named,) on their way from the north end
OF the island, where, a little over year before,
they had commenced settlemcnt-but as Mr..
Callender remarks "many of their friends fol-
hat
so considerably increased that the mex, Spring
some of the heads, with others, came 10 the
Southern or Western end of the Island -
and memorandum in the hand writing of Pc
ter Easton, which has been preserved, shews
the exact time of their landing here.
After the setting Of the Stone, (the inscrip-
ton on which will be found belowO the Com.
mittee with the numerous asscmbagc of citi-
zens present. proceeded to the new Public
School House across the street. where Mr..
Bull after some preiaratory remarks, mostly for
the benefit of the youthful part of the audience.
as to the Former beginning of the wear which
in those days was March,-the change of style
Nc.-he read the above mentioned memoran.
dun OF Peter Easton,-the compact mr. ac,oe-
ment entered into by the first settlers or tho L.
land,-the Original Deed of the Isand-and
exhibited It to the audience; aud then gave f.,
biographical account of Gov. CoddinCton,-af.
ter which be recited poem, (which will no
found below,) composed by himself showing
the past and present state of the country. from
The time when the frail bark" which bors %
our shore the gem Of our civil and reIyiors
Iireedom, to the present exalted condition n,
our happy country.-lle then delivered n brio,
address, replete with the early history Of our
Island, aud with judicious remarks on the views
and feelings Of our ancestors. who fed from the
prosecutions of the prosecuted here TO cniov
freedom OF conscience. showed how carefullv
they guarded against the interference by the
civil magistrate with the worship of God.
After tho address. the Rev. Mr.. How,sn.
Pastor Of the I'd Baptist Church. returned
thanks TO Almighty God for his protecting care
and guidance Of our lorefathers. and invoked
the continuance OF the same protection and
guidance for their descendants to the Latest
generation.
The services were deeply interesting. and
calculated to remind Us OF the tolls. the di,f.