The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-09
VETERAN CITIZENS HEAR
INTERESTING PAPER
Read byRev. DR.. Goodwin Newport
Immediately Before and Under
British Occupation

these Iast the largest importers ~ drugs
| in the American colonies.
| What busy scene Is now arresting our
| attention. A mile OF ample wharves
/ stretches from "RObinsons" on the
Point. 20 Covering =" on the extreme
| south, crowded with vessels lsding or un-
ladng, and filled high with merchandise.
far beyond the capacity or the ware
houses 10 receive. Sometimes craft is
forced 10 go the whole length of the
range before finding an empty berth in
which 10 discharge.
From 100 10 200 vessels engaged I'm the
foreign trade hail from this port, 10
say nothing of 500 or 400 coasters. To
Jonathan Nichols. who had his wharf near
his house, upon the Point, Ia ter known as
tho Hunter house." used 10 belong, be-
fore his death. few years since. not
less than 16 sail. Aaron Lopez this Is
his wharf where We are standing. nearly
opposite the foot OF donyman's lane
has % vessels or his own today.
People Will tell YOU. too. with perhaps
a pardonable exaggeration, that as many
as 200 seamen are now engaged in New
port trade. A line OF packets runs hence
tn London. IL may be we have chanced
TO make our visit on the famous record
day. when a West Indiaman Is said TO
have arrived In Newport harbor on an
sunset, rs in all
There il gathered n group OF purchas-
ers from Connecticut
They stopped first at Providence but
not finding in that great market what
they have needed, have came down here.
TO he sure Of H.
Some OF those coasters there are nm
loading the local produce OF New Haven
and New York and will shortly reload.
those Wi fi6
other kinds OF foreign merchandise. for.
not yet. has even the ambitious little city
at the mouth of the Hudson. although
bit larger than Newport gotten enuogh
upon her feet 10 import all the COM
rnodities she requires. while still aspiring.
some day. TO outrivai the Rhode Island
town, I'm commerce.
PLuNDERED BY BRITISH.
Now look al the other side OF the pic
ture. We pass on, half dozen years, 10
a day, at the beginning OF the winter OF
Ire
great hostile fleet has entered New
port harbor and Is just about 10 occupy
the town. with. at least 1000 soldiers.
man of them Hessian nerccnaries, with
their brutal ways.
Nearly all of the merchants OF highest
standing have sought a refuge i'm the
Interior The capital has been removed
from Newport 90 Providence or the
Hornets Nest" az the enemy are pleas
ed 20 call II.
Upon this point the movement has been
gradual and deliberate.
But now. sir Peter Parker and his
ships. swarning with Redcoats come i'm
from ths sea. panic takes the place OF
circumspection. The little American
force hitherto protecting the island. al
together inadequate To cope with the new
conditions, simply withdraws.
As soon as the British landed. they be-
gan the plunder OF the island Bvery-
thing which had been left behind by the
fugitives. sheep. grain. hay fowls. and
and the few horses and COWS disappeared
as in transformation scene except that
the change was To nothing pleasant. but
only To empty barns and hungry gran
aries. The barrack officers. too went on
his unwelcome rounds and quartered in
each commodious building. from ten 20
10 soldiers. There were no longer any
homes In Newport, but only houses.
Partly. perhaps. through wuntOnneSs
and partly for the sake OF procuring fire.
wood. countless houses, were destroyed.
II being estimated that there were left
standing in tho town from 5DD 20 9DO fewer
buildings in iTo than existed in i576. In
single day, when the French fleet was
lowering near, the British burned, upon
the west road. two niles from the town.
every house for mile. and for half that
distance upon the east road. The day
came when even the timber of the
wharves was seized 90 warm the unvol-
come guests and 10 cook their food.
Almost the only object in Newport
which received respectful consideration
was Trinity church. It's minister adhering
10 the royal cause.
Before the beginning OF the decline Of
population. Newport Is believed 10 have
numbered 1,00e or l2.op0 Inhabitants