The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-03-25
Providence river. as far as Fields Point
A WISE SELECTION.

etuoy INTO the topography OF both sides
OF the seekonk. he will very soon reoos-
nize the fact that Mr.. Williams selected
the best place for the beginning OF a
great town, because the lay OF the land
IL better suited for bunding purposes,
ana the river was much wider and deeper
than the stream formed by the Juno
ton OF the Moshassuck and woonas-
auatucket. II Il had not been for the
paroaric treatment OF the people of
Massachusetts, which forced him TO leave
their domain for the second time. East
providence and both sides OF the seekonk
river would undoubtedly today be dense
" settled as far as Pawtucket, the river
wouid long since have been dredged TO
the depth OF the Providence river and
wharves would have been built on both
sides as far az our neighboring city 10
the north. the extensive coal, grain and
otner maritime business would have been
handled here instead OF the present 70
cation, and 100 900 OF the present popula-
ton OF the city OF Providence would to-
day be dwelling within one mile OF the
banks OF this great water way, the See
konk river.
south Providence would have gwapped
places with East Providence In a com-
mercial sense. and the valley OF the Ten
MILE river would have attracted the SUI
puroen population instead OF the valleys
or the Woonasquatucket and the Moshas-
suck. Roger Williams avenue would
nave been Canal street. and a West
minister street would undoubtedly have
found its way from this thoroughfare
along the beautiful slope that borders
Narragansett bay as far as Riverside
The contemplated tunnel through College
NIL would hong since have beon com pleted
In order 10 provide an outlet for the com
merce along the harbor front. and what is
now designated as East Providence would
have been the very centre OF the city OF
Providence. Brown university would
have been built upon the east brow OF Col
lege hill, instead OF upon the west-fac-
ing eastward. The State House would
nave been built on Tockwotton hill fac
Ing the city towards the east instead OF
on Smiths hill. the Union station would
have been built near India Point and the
great manufacturing establishments like
Gorham company and Brown & Sharpe,
would more than likely have been estab-
lished along what would now be the main
line OF the Consolidated road at Rumford
or on Seekonk Plains. and Roger Williams
park would possibly have taken In all OF
that beautiful section of country border
ing on Narraganeett bay from Bullock's
TO Conimicut Point. What Interesting
possibilities for the town OF East Provi-
dence.
MORE THAN A DREAM
You may say this is a pleasant dream.
But " IL more than that. II was natures
own plan. which was set aside by those
bigots In and around Boston by ban1shing
for the second time the man who would
have laid the foundations OF the city OF
Providence IA we have designated. A
glance today at the docks at Red bridge
and the settlement at Phillipsdale Is evi-
dence OF what might have been In much
larger sense.
Is II any wonder that the people Of East
Providence were pleased when the state
OF Rhode Island got possession of the land
bordering on the east as we'll as the west
bank OF the Seekonk? They must have
that had robbed them Of their birth
right!
And again he chose this spot for his
dwelling place because there was a good
spring of water here that came bJbbling
out at the roots OF a wide-spreading oak
about a hundred feet from his log cabin.
and it was an ideal location because the
hill to the north afforded protection
against the wintry blasts. But while this
hill could shelter him from the storms.
IL was not sufficient to protect him from
the stormy passions Of those OF his own
blood. After he had finished his cabin
and his crop OF corn had reached the
point where IL required cuitivating and
attention. he was notified that ne was still
within the borders OF the state OF Massa-
chusetts. and again compelled to leave.
Very peaceably Mr.. Williams and his
companions sailed TO the other side OF
the river IN search OF another good 10
cation, and landed as you know on what
is known as Slate Rock, the Indians sa-
lutfns him with those words OF greeting,
.'What-cheer petop7 What-cheer?" ?"
which was as expressive as our Good
morning" or How do you do, friend -
They again embarked after having ex-
changed salutations with the Indians. and
then sailed around India Point and Fox
Point 10 the mouth OF the Moehassuck
river. where they found good spring OF
water and began the settlement of the
n good state of preservation, and is To-
Gated between Canal street and North
Main street about opposite St. Johns
church.
FORGIVENESS AND CHARITY.
now desire 20 call attention TO the
evenne-s OF temper and the spirit Of for
giveness and charity THAT Mr.. Williams
possessed and expressed towards his per-
secutors A disposition worthy Of emuia-
tion; and inheritance more valuable than
material wealth:
In less than four morths after they had
driven him forth. the Magistrates OF
Massachusetts, appealed 10 Mr.. Williams
TO use his good offices In preventing the
alliance that was being planned between
fhe Pequods and uhe Naxraeansetts with
the idea OF annAhilsting the whites OF
New ENGLAND Here n Mr. Williams let
ter relating TO this nSzftv;
Upon letters received from the govern
or and council at Boston. requesting me
TO use my utmost and specdiest endeavors
TO break and hinder tho league labored
for by the PeQuods and Mohegans against
the English, Cexcusins the not scnding OF
company and supplies by the haste Of the
business) the Lord helped me Immediately
TO put my Efe into my hands. and. scarce
my wife. to ship myself alone.
IN a poor canoe. and 10 cut through n
stormy wind, with great sens. every min
ute in hazard OF Me 10 the sachem's
house Three days and nights my business
forced me 10 lodge and mix with the
bloody pequod Ambassadors. whose hands
and swrns. methought, reeked with the
blood OF my countrymen. numbered and
massacred by them on Connecticut river.
and from whom could not but nightly
look for their bloody knives At my own