Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1852-07-15

tive readers Of the reports OF the late
proceedings Of the Massachusetts Legis-
Ia'ure must have observed among the
tl,les Of the acts passed resolve direct
ing the 'Trcasurer nj the Commonwealth
10 collect D>c1aim due from the State Of
Rho>c1 1sland.' Being led, by the singu-
FAR title Of tins resolve, to inquire into
the nature OF the claim referred TO, We
find that il consists of a note, or cer!ifi-
rate, issued by the State OF Rhode is
land n numb.r OF years ago, for The
Paymen, Of n sum of money, consisting
Of AN amount due at the date on previous
notes or certificates, then taken up. IL
is payable to the Treasurer OF the State,
with interest, AT 4 per cent. per annum
two years interest having been paid
The amount 10 small, not lar exceeding,
We understand, including interest, four
hundred dollars.
Had this claim in behalf Of the State
Treasury stood alone, il is probable that
this resolution would not have been
passed. But it appears that il was
proved before the Committee of the Leg
i-lature, that IA number OF our citizens
hold certificates OF the same description
TO IA considerable amount, Of which pay
ment has been repeatedly demanded
without succets. The amount so held
10y citizens Of the Commonwealth, is sta
ted to exceed SIS, 900, and this fact b.
ug shown, il WAS thought that for this
reason the presenting OF The claim OF the
State ought not To be dispensed with. on
account Of the lnsigniliran;e OF the
amount.
The State Of Rhode Island embarked
with rririt in the war Of the Revolution
and more than a year before the dcclara-
tIon OF indeI endence, raised two rcgi-
meDts oi ,rools, Tor the support OF tie
cause Of The country. In the malnien
amce OF these troops, aud IN meeting the
many subsequent obligations which the
5 ate freely assumed, during the whole
war, she had u heavy burden to bear,
an in sustaining il the people submitted
to II very heavy taxation. Bills of cred
n, aud certificates OF loans, were issued
by authority OF the General Assembly,
from time to time, TO IA large amount,
m my which were redeemed by the
sue other notes or certificates. Al:
ter the adoption Of the Constitution OF
the United States, IA settlement was
made hetwerD Rhode Island and the
Federal Government, and all expcnd;-
lures and liabilities OF the State entered
into Oh account OF the continental gov
erIment. were assumed by the latter
and stocks Of the United States were is
sued TO the State, or to It's creditors, IN
lieu OF the obligations OF the State
Many OF the old obligations OF the State
were called in and new ones issued -
Such we believe is the consideration
Tor the obligations now outstanding, OF
whici, pay ymcnt has been repeatedly de-
mandcd IN vain. The obligations in
question, We believe, were all issued uE-
der the express sanction ofthe General
Assembly Of the Stale, and in the va
rious discussions which nave arisen in
relation to them in the journals Of the
State, we are not aware that any valid
reason has been given why they should
not be paid, or throwing the slightest
doubts over the proofs exhibited OF the
liability of the people If the State for
principal and interest. Ii has therefore
always seemed mystery, why State
80 patriotic and spirited, SO intelligent.
and so abundan,ly able, as the people
o; Rhode island. to meet an obligation
OF this nature, should az this time pcrsc-
we're in rcpudiaiing claims OF compara-
lively so small an amount when debts of
n similar character and TO n much great
,r amount had been cheeriully paid by
the people Of the State, when they were
tar less able than they arc al present.
Boston .idrertiser.