The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-09


The president. Mr.. Daniel A. Cook. pre-
sided. Mr.. Francis Gallagher served as
secretary. The record Of the previous
meeting was read. after which Rev.
Daniel A. Goodwin. Ph. D.. Of Bast Green
wich. was introduced and read a paper
entitled. Newport Immediately Before
Rnd Under British Occupation.
REV. MIR. cooDwINs PAPER.
On a certain summer morning long ago,
yn farm house situated half dozen
fniIes 10 the northward OF the spot upon
which we arc now assembled, sat q
young officer I'm the uniform Of a major
general quietly eGdns his breakfast.
He was a man OF commanding mien,
with a graceful form. a handsome coun-
fcnance and a massive head, raised high
and rounded above his brow.
Presently a house-maid entered the
room and excitedly exclaimed. Sir, II
YOU are not careful the enemy will have
YOU" But the officer. unperturbed. cool
Iy responded: "I think 1 will finish my
breakfast. FIRST" and deliberately pro-
did he go out, composedly, 20 join HIS
troops.
That day was the ssth ~ August. tT7s--
fhe day OF the Battle OF Rhode island--and
that calm young man Was Nathaniel
Greene. the Quaker general from Poto-
womuf. then commanding the right wing
of General Sullvan's little army and dec
tine1 to become the iiberator Of tho
South. the friend of Washington andnext
10 that peerless man himself. the most
august figure In the noble galaxy OF the
heroes OF the American Revolution
Like Won Moltks, on an immeasurably
broader field before the Franco Prussian
campaign OF 1870. Greene had already re-
connoitered the ground and located the
enemy and made his own dispositions and
was able. in the repose or genuine great
ness, 90 move as II he were engaged in
only rns pleasant avocations OF a sum-
rnerE holiday.
Sullivan's troops al first numbering
some 10000 men. had now shrunken, bv
che departure of those whose period Of
enlistment had elapsed. TO about 5000. Dis
appointed also by the failure 10 CO.
operate with them OF D'Estaing's Grip
.oled fleet. after the disastrous French
storm. the three generals commandine
the American forces on Rhode Island
Sullivan, Lafayette and Greene--what
shining constellation--were now attempt
ing no moro than 10 withdraw 10 the
mainland i'm good order abandoning, for
the time. their late ambitious scheme OF
-siriying the British invader into the sea.
GIN. GREENE y DUTY.
The duty assigned TO Greene at this
juncture was simply 10 hold the red
coats in check until the plans for cross
Ing the ferry had been perfected. Right
nobly. too. did the young general fulfil
The task, keeping the enemy AT bay and
winning such a victory that his action
earned for Sulivan's army a coneratnla-
tory order from General Washington.
Aithough the evacuation OF Newport
was postponed for still another tedious
year. yet the taste OF Yankee lead which
the Brtishers obtained that day proved
sharp enough 90 put them on their bet
ter behavior and keep them IN bounds for
the remainder OF the period
No doubt. likewise this DAYS exneri-
ence availcd 70 speed the hour when they
came 10 recognize that their position on
the island had become untenabie
indeed there steals down from those
FAR away days whisper that had the
bold counsel of Nathaniel Greene been
needed the queen City OF the Sea- might
even at that hour. by one daring and
impetnons coup. have been set free.
hut. ever since our Fellow towns,nAn
TOOK such stirring part In that August
Gay OF blood and ire. hard by your yates
NJ Portsmouth, have We dwellers over
there on the Warwick shore felt that we.
Zoo. had share in the three years hu-
thiIaiioH pl newport AZ WcU fn hgF
eventual GLORIOUS deliveranoe.
IL Is. then. cheriching the hone thar this
'lnwritten compact OF "a century and a
quarters standing between the two old
towns may still find gracious recocni.
ton in Newport that ! have been SO
presgmptuous as Ia come over TO-DAY
from the home OF Greene 60 try to re-
tell, In merest outline, the more thar
''twice-told tale" as Il has come down
10 us. OF The British orcttnation 80 ,hts
island
PROSPERITY or NEWPORT.
By comparison and contrast only Is ~
possible 20 realize the extent OF her IAN.
Let us FRY, then. first. 20 picture 20 our
selves a. vividly az We may, prs-revoiu-
uonary Newport, at the zenith OF her
fortunes suppose " 90 be summer
morning OF a day, like this in. let us say.
1s9o. We viii fancy ourselves as starting
Tor stroll through the quaint old town.
from this same state house in which wa
now are gathered. but which was then
called the Colony House, built some s0
Years before. In thore simple days. n
wan almost unrivalled In the land for
grace Of design. stateilness or aspect and
The substantial character OF its construc-
tion.
AZ We stand here on Thames stres,
much tempted are we 20 proceed north-
ward and visit some Of the houses OF tho
weli-to-do citizens. out that way ard
down on the Point. all CAV with old-fssh.
Toned flowers and ernbowered IN the foii-
age Of rare trees. although q Is. unhan-
ply. too late. now, 20 SEE the most mar
Veilous Of them al. up towards Codding-
toms cove. Godfrey Malbone's vast conn
Try house ~ stone. designed somewhat In
the massive style Of the Colony House
snd surrounded by its coo acres OF land
liut that was burned some four years
since and its princely owner aid not long
survive his loss.
in view of all these fair estates. a
rourtly and noble visitor from France has
exclaimed. with justice. other parts Of
America ar beautiful only by anticipa-
iion. but the prosperity 81 the island OF
Rhode Island IL already complete"
COMMERCE AND PROGRESS.
A. now w turn from Thames street 90
survey The water front OF the town our
Eyes are caught by some of the signs upon
The stone houfes we pass. s'Gibbs A.
cbanning." Henry Collins" Grant A
No-non." II. y. Mslbone." stephen Az
Ssuit," and John a wlllism Twecdy,"