The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-03-09
R. |. HISTORICAL
ASSOCIATION
HOLDS MEETING

regular meeting OF the Rhode Island
Citizens Historical association was held
yesterday afternoon at 2:3O IN the vestry
OF the Mathewson Street M. +. church.
After the reading and approval OF the
records by the secretary. the president
announced that new business would be
taken up. Mrs. Chafee presented a mem-
orial 10 the legislature 70 have the name
OF the society properly affixed TO the
charter Of the society, and members were
invited TO sign the same.
Mr.. Gallagher presented an amendment
10 the constitution, in Article VII adding
a librarian TO the officers. Mrs. Hall re-
ported from the committee that the prep
arations for the literary and musical en-
tertainment were nearly completed, and
inviting all to attend on Tuesday even
ing. March 10. at the parlors OF the Math-
ewson Street church.
Mr.. J. III. Brown, with few explana-
Tory remarks, offered the following reso-
luton:
Whereas: There il a great difference OF
opinion and dIssa tisfaction IN regard to
the election OF secretary on account Of
his having in two letters positively de-
clined the office Even IL his non-accep-
tance was not accepted, and on account
Of this change OF mind. and the action
OF the executive committee. Therefore,
Resolved, That In order that harmony
may prevail In this society, that a COM
mittee of three be appointed. consisting
OF Messrs Eaton, Arnold and Chafee.
and that they call meeting and ascer-
tain the facts, and hear all the parties
and witnesses, and members that wish TO
appear before them. and render a report
10 the society at the next meeting.
A resolution was offered and warmly
discussed pro and con. in regard TO the
destruction OF the board OF trade build
ing. and a small majority was declared.
on voting In favor OF its presentation.
The president then introduced Hon.
James n. Arnold, who delivered "A very
interesting, eloquent and lengthy address
on The origin OF the Continental Navy"
| At Mr. Arnod's close. remarks were
made by Messrs Collins, Arnold, Greene
| Dennis Brown, Hail. Bicknell and others.
| Col Collins spoke very eloquently and
| wittily several times and thought there
| should be fountain and a park adorned
| with roses and flowers and beautiful
| shade trees, and with the exception OF
the speeches and oratory OF Tristan
Burgess, the bald eagle Of Amerssas and OF
eloquent John Whipple, 1t had little his
toric character.
Mr.. Arnold thought the board OF trade
building should be preserved on account
OF the many exciting events occurring
within It's sacred walls. DIR. Greene said
that the United States engineers had also
declared Newport to be the best post tc
fortify on the Atlantic coast
Mr. Brown. whose relations owned the
Roger Williams house and lot neaI
Phillipsdale for over 200 years said that
he had heard one OF them say that they
owned the first store there at the cove
at Philipsdale tide waters and ran line
OF packets to New York for their West
Indian goods. supplying southern Massa-
chusetts and Rhode Island. and that a
British gunboat ran up Seekonk river
and levied on them for navy supplies.
and Il was probably the highest point
reached by them In these waters.
Mr. Bicknel said that they threatened
all points in the Narragansett bay, the
gunooat Gaspee being destroyed by John
Brown and his brave comrades when not
far from Providence. Mr.. Hall said that
the Market square building should be
| kept on account OF its antiquity and
! ancient character The forensic discus
sion was very spirited and exciting and
at it's close an executive NEE ting was
held A committee was appointed to CO.
operate with the Baptists in erecting q
monument 10 ohm, Miles in southern
Rhode Island.
Mr.. Arnold's paper appeared in yes
terday's News in full
1t is hoped Mr. Small may speak at the
next meeting. A vote OF thanks was
passed TO the speakers. and on motion
adjourned to April IS