The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-04-17

me TO hear what had to say. told them
that was convinced that bread stuff was
very scarce and dear, and that had guam
lity of rice aud should sell it very low, and
if il was not sold should start il into the
sea, and that the vendue would be at 5 o.
clock. then returned with my drummer
and sent him into the Fort. II Twas not long
before large numbers Of men and boys col
lected around the Fort, and l had three
casks headed up and one head Of each
knocked in. ] then addressed the children
and told them to run home and fetch some
bags and baskets, and | would give them
what rice they wanted. i told them to tell
their mothers il was banyan-day, and they
must have rice pudding and butter ] kept
laughing and talking with them Ms familiar
ly as though We had been well acquainted,
and they filled their bags &c. and very soon
carried home the three casks Of rice. All
this time my friend was selecting the
best Pilots, and soon got the marks and
numbers of them. l went up to one OF
them who was moving off, said what price
will il be best to fix7 intend it shall 60
soon and very cheap. lifted my hat and
began 10 scratch my head as though had
some enemies there. looked Gil one side
and saw the barge coming ashore, and as
soon as she struck the shore, picked out
my three Pilots and informed them for what
purpose | wanted them, and pledged my
word and honor, that AS soon as they Csr-
ried the vessels over the Bar, would have
them landed. One and all declared they
were not Pilots. | ordered them immediate
ly into the barge, and opende,! n book of
hard names upon them, and they went on
board aud afterwards carried the three yes
sells safe over the bar.
then returned into the fort and began 10
spike the guus and break all the Hammers
and sponges, and destroy every rarllke
utensil. All our vessels we're over the bar,
except the sloop Providence, and she lay
with snis up and anchor short apeak for
two hours before could get all in readiness.
About 10 o'clock all our people were out of
the Fort. | left the two prisoner. confined
in the fort, to prevent their giving any in
formation until we got on board the sloop.
About ten minutes before got into the
barge a gentleman came with a message to
me from Capt. Chambers, of the English
PrIvateer before named, he being near at
hand. ut Mrs. Bunch's tavern, with a very
polite invitation 10 come up ard drink a
bowl Of punch with him, before ] went on
board (; and swearing at the same time That
no one should hurt me, aud proffcring n
great deal Of friendship. Not old enough
for Yankee yet sent back to Capt.
Chambers, by the polIteness Of The gentle
man-like man, an invitation TO come over
the bar and take the sloop Providence, and
then would take some punch with him. |
knew thar had left a bone Of contention
betwI1t the Wings and Tories, so called,
on account Of The Rice ! turned out TO en-
trap my pilots. After got them my ven-
due ceased, and | made out bills of sale Of
all the rice, and gave them away, to some
one cask and 10 others two, &c, therefore
It wns sold without money nr price to the
Wing party and made them take it a
way before l left the Fort. At the very
time we got under way to come over the bar,
Capt Chambers did the same, and anchored
where we left, and when he went on shore,
the inhabitants had got oil by the ears
fighting with each other; and they took up
Mr.. Gould and some offers and confined
them.
We soon got out over the bar, having ac-
complished every purpose we went there
for. We took a ship and brig, released
two schooners and 30 American prisoners,
and dismontled the forts, oil without any
blood being shed. This is the second time
have been at the taking of New Provi-
dence and there has not been dollar taken
from my Of the inhabitants, aud bu, one mr.
iicle Of private property, and that was 400
pounds Of powder, which I was informed
Mr.. Duncan, merchant, had, and sent
billet to him aud demanded the powder, and
that is all the property ever heard of being
takes from any one.
After diunsr that day, Capt. Rs,hboue
and Lieut.. vezea desired me to lay down
to get little rest, as none Of our men that
landed, nor myself had hardly any sleep
since the time we wen, on shore to take the
Fort; for when we relievd guards, we took
them from one part Of the fort, and march,