Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-11-25
THE RHODE ISLAND PIG AND THE
WAR OF 1872.

In reply to our suggestion that the
Providence Journal might possibly furn
ish the facts of the connection between
the pig lawsuit in Rhode Island and the
war with great Britain, the Journal says:
"The story has been often repeated,
and the dignity of the Rhode Island pig
that c-used the war with Great Britain
has been dwelt upon till it has become
one of the traditional glories of the
State, and we should hardly venture to
deny it, even if it were not true. The
acts are these: Mr.. James Rhodes, who
lived in this city, found on his land. in
Cranston, not for the first time, couple
of fat hogs that belonged to Caleb Will
liams, Of that town. He drove them out,
but not without great difficulty, the char
acteristic obstinancy of the animals max
ing them go in every direction but the
right one. The day was very hot, the
hogs were very fat and after the exer.
else. they died. The owner brought a
suit for their value. 1t was one OF
those will cases so famous in our courts
and all other courts, the temper of the
parties being excited to a degree far be-
yond the amount of the matter in con.
troversy. 1t was held that, although
Rhodes had an undoubted right TO
drive out the hogs, he had no right to
drive them in such a manner as to cause
their death. The prosecution was con-
Quoted by James Burrill, and the de-
feated party never forgave him, although
many overtures of reconciliation were
made.
"When the Senatorial election came
on, Mr.. Burrill had, upon the record,
one majority. But one of the members
elected to vote for his opponent. Mr..
Howell, who was elected by one msjOri-
ty. Mr.. Howell was a member of the
General Assembly, and voted for him
self When the declaration of war was
under consideration in the Senate mo-
ton was made TO postpone the question
till the next session, and this motion was
lost by one majority. Had the post
ponement prevailed. it is probable that
war would not have been declared, in
asmuch as, in the meantime, the order
in council had been repealed, and Eng
land had m ade overiures If reconciliation.
Thus it is assumed tha, Mr. HowelPs
vote caused the declaration. On the
final vote, which wss carried by six ma
jority, both our Senators voted in the
minority, although Mr.. Howell was one
of the strongest democrats OF his time
Why he separated from his party we
never heard.
The election of Mr.. Howell is IA
nous one in the annals of this S!ate.-
Governor Fenner presidid in the Grand
COmmi;te. By prece lent which had the
force of law, he had the casting vote in
case of lie. Not knowing the detection
of the member from Glocester, and sup
posing that Mr.. Burrill would have one
majority, he voted in the first instance
so as to make tie, and intending after
wards to give the casting vote. This.
as the event provec, was an unnecessary
exercise of power; for had he not voted,
he would have had the unquestioned
right to tn casting vote. Tae proceed
ing, however caused great excitement.
1t was denounced in the grand Commit
tee by Hunter, Hazard and others, and
the Governor ordered Mr. Hunter 10 take
his seat. A law subsequently, passed
defining the legislative power of the Gov
ernor within the limits that are now pre-
scribed by the constitution.