Norwich bulletin., 1919-05-12

In the February isshe of the Daugh- ters of the Revolution magazine Mrs. E. M. Rogers og 99 Division street, the genealogist, brings to notice an impor- l tant bit of local history in Revolution ary times in an article written on Capt. Robert Niles of Norwich, who carried to France i'll ITS the official copy of the ratification of the treaty made between the United States and France.
 Captain Niles, in command of the schooner Spy, was selected by the government to take the treaty to France, and was evidently the right
 man in the right place. for he sue cessfully accomplished his mission, while two other captains who were given copies to take across at the same time were both captured by the British.
 Accompanying the magazine article was a cut of stone that marks the
 grave of Captain Niles in the old City cemetery of Norwich. The photograph was taken by Gerard L. Ranger. The magazine article by Mrs, Rog- CTS was in part as follows:
 While the delegates are gathering at Versailles for the peace conference, and our own president of the United States of America is to have prom 1 inent place in the council, the story of a. Connecticut captain who carried to France, during the war of independ- ence. a copy of the ratification of a treaty between the newly created Unit l ed States and France, is here recall 1 ed
 Robert Niles was born September 2, I1734, in Groton, Connecticut, the
 son of Nathan and Mary (Northrup)
 Niles of South Kingsrown. Rhode 1s- land and Groton, Connecticut. His early life was passed in Groton, and here. not far from New London and
 Stonington harbors, men busy mari time ports, he acquired his knowledge of ships ad seamanship. and early be- came a ship master in the merchant 1 marine service.
 ! So high a reputation did he attain in his chosen calling, that immediately after the beginning of the war of the ! American Revolution. sn the spring of 1 1775 Colonel. Mott the chief officer of 1 the engineers at Fort George, Ticon- ! deroga made a request to Governor ] TrumbuH of Connecticut, that Cap 1 tain Niles might be ordered to that l post. with a view of his taking com {! nand of one of the trrued vessels on ] the lake a very important service con
 nected with the defence ana protection ] or the post.
 l Put Cartain Niles. who was. then re- , siding in Norwich. at the head of nav { ication fourteen miles above New Lon don. was evidently needed in his owT colony
 Connecticut early in the war. real ized. the necessity Of war vessels tt protect her sea coast. and the genera assembly, ordered some to be obtained aud properly fitted ol.s At a meeting of the governor and council of safe tv. held August ?, 1775. it was decided
 ito charter and improve some ont i vessel of small burden and fas sailer. of about 20. 25 or 30 tons. anC to fix her with such warlike furni ture as may be proper; to be improv' cd chiefly as 8 spy vessel, to run ant course from place to place to discov CT the enemy and cary intelligenct etc." and Captain Niles Of Norwich was appointed cataIn of said smal
 vessel
 Captain Niles was present at th,
 meeting held August ', and received his commission that day signed by Governor Jonathan Trumbul1
 A week later. the committee appoint "d respecting small armed vessel reported that the only one at all suit ;llio for the purpose. belonged to ~foaington man. and could not b,
 chartered, but might be purchased fol