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Gc 974.5 G83s 1420924
M. L
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01067 5418
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/shorthistoryofrh00gree_0
STATUE OF ROGER WILLIAMS.
A
SHORT HISTORY 1
OF
RHODE ISLAND,
BY
GEORGE WASHINGTON GREENE, LL.D.,
LATE NON-RESIDENT PROFESSOR OF AMERICAN HISTORY IN CORNELL UNIVERSITY ; AUTHOR OF "THE LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL NATHANAEL GREENE ;" "HISTORICAL VIEW OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION," ETC., ETC.
CHOPE
PROVIDENCE : J. A. & R. A. REID, PUBLISHERS, 1877.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1877, by
ANNA MARIA GREENE,
in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
2
1420924
TO
Anna Maria Greene,
MY DEAR MOTHER :
YOU BEAR YOUR NINETY-THREE YEARS SO LIGHTLY THAT I INVITE YOUR ATTENTION TO A NEW VOLUME OF MINE WITH AS MUCH ASSURANCE OF YOUR SYMPATHY AS WHEN I CROWED AND WONDERED OVER MY FIRST PICTURE BOOK AN INFANT ON YOUR KNEE. FOR YOUR SYMPATHY IS AS QUICK AND AS WARM AS IT WAS THEN, AND YOUR MEMORY GOES BACK WITH UNERRING CERTAINTY TO THE MEN AND THE SCENES OF ALMOST A CENTURY AGO. YOUR EYES HAVE LOOKED UPON WASHINGTON, AND YOUR TENACIOUS MEMORY CAN STILL RECALL THE OUTLINE OF HIS MAJESTIC FORM.
THE FIRST TIME THAT I VENTURED TO SEND FORTH A VOLUME TO THE WORLD, I SET UPON THE DEDICATION PAGE THE NAME OF MY FATHER. HE HAS BEEN DEAD MANY YEARS. YOU STILL LINGER BEHIND, AND LONG MAY YOU LINGER. LONG MAY THOSE FRESH MEMORIES WHICH GIVE SUCH A CHARM TO YOUR DAILY LIFE CONTINUE TO CHEER YOU AND INSTRUCT THOSE WHO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF LIVING WITH YOU. THEY HAVE SEEN LIFE IMPERFECTLY WHO HAVE NOT SEEN WHAT A CHARM IT WEARS WHEN THE HEART THAT HAS BEAT SO LONG STILL LENDS ITS GENIAL WARMTH TO THE STILL INQUIRING MIND.
REVERENTIALLY AND AFFECTIONATELY YOUR SON,
GEORGE W. GREENE.
Dreface.
THERE are two classes of history, each of which has claims upon our attention peculiarly its own. One is a sober teacher, the other a pleasant companion. One opens new paths of thought, the other throws new light upon the old, and both agree in making man the chief object of their meditations.
Nearly two thousand years ago a Roman historian likened the life of his country to the life of man. Time has confirmed the parallel. Nations, like men, have their infancy and their youth, their robust manhood and their garrulous old age. Their lives like the lives of men are full of encouragement and of warning. Interpret them aright and they become trusty guides. Misapply their lessons and you grope in the dark and stumble at every step.
And both states and men have their special duties and were created for special ends. The God that made them assigned to each its problem, and to work this out is to work out His will. Of this problem history is the record and the interpreter. It tells us what man has been, and thereby aids us to divine what he yet may be.
If with the philosopher history reveals the laws of life, with the poet she recalls the past and stirs human sympathies in their profoundest depths. Man follows man on her checkered stage; nations rise and fall; mysteries enchain us; imagination controls us; reason guides us; conscience admonishes and
vi
PREFACE.
warns; and first and foremost of all our stimulants to action is our sympathy with our fellow-man.
I have attempted in the following pages to tell what the part of Rhode Island has been in this great drama. A talent was entrusted to her. Did she wrap it in a napkin?
To those who are familiar with the accurate and exhaustive work of Governor Arnold, it will be needless to say that but for the aid of his volumes, mine would never have been written.
GEORGE W. GREENE.
WINDMILL COTTAGE,
East Greenwich, R. I., April 8th, 1877.
Analytical Table.
CHAPTER I.
CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN MASSACHUSETTS BAY AND PLY- MOUTH COLONIES .- ARRIVAL AND BANISHMENT OF ROGER WILLIAMS.
Page. The religious sentiment connected with the found- ation of states, . 1 ·
Resistance to the doctrine of theocracy occa- sioned the settlement of Rhode Island, ·
1631.
2 Ship Lyon arrived at Boston, bringing Roger Williams, 2
Early life of Williams, .
2
Massachusetts in possession of two distinct colo- nies,
3
In Massachusetts Colony the clergy were virtu- ally rulers, and they were extremely rigid, 3
Disputes between Williams and the authorities of Massachusetts Bay Colony, 4
Removal of Williams to Plymouth, 4
Williams makes friendship with Massasoit and Miantonomi, 5
Learns the Indian language, 5
Williams returns to Salem, 5
1635. He is persecuted and finally banished, 6
Articles of banishment, . 6
CHAPTER II.
SUFFERINGS OF ROGER WILLIAMS IN THE WILDERNESS .- FOUNDS A SETTLEMENT ON THE SEEKONK RIVER .- IS AD- VISED TO DEPART .- SEEKS OUT A NEW PLACE WHICH HE CALLS PROVIDENCE.
Attempt to send Williams to England, 7
His flight, 8
He is fed by the Indians, 8 .
viii
ANALYTICAL TABLE.
He is given land on the Seekonk River by Mas- Page. soit and starts a settlement, 8 He receives a friendly letter from the Governor of Plymouth asking him to remove, 9 1
He starts with five companions in a canoe to find a place for a settlement, and finally lands at Providence, .
9
CHAPTER III.
WILLIAMS OBTAINS A GRANT OF LAND AND FOUNDS A COLONY. -FORM OF GOVERNMENT IN THE COLONY .- WILLIAMS GOES TO ENGLAND TO OBTAIN A ROYAL CHARTER.
Early inhabitants of Rhode Island, 11
Williams makes peace between Canonicus and Massasoit, 12
He receives a grant of land from Canonicus and begins a settlement, . 12
Compact of the colonists at Providence, . 13
Experiment of separation of church from state tried in the new Colony, 13
The right of suffrage not regarded as a natural right. Illustrated by Joshua Verin and his wife,
.
14
1639. The first church founded in Providence, . 15
Five select men appointed to govern the Colony, subject to the action of the Monthly Town Meeting, · 15 Massachusetts Colony applied for a new charter to cover the land occupied by Providence, . 15
1643. Providence in connection with Aquidneck and Warwick sent Williams to England to obtain a. Royal charter, 15
1644. Williams returns in 1644 successful, and is received with exultation, 16
CHAPTER IV.
SETTLEMENT OF AQUIDNECK AND WARWICK .- PEQUOT WAR .- DEATH OF MIANTONOMI.
1637. Anna Hutchinson arrived in Massachusetts and banished, 17
ix
ANALYTICAL TABLE.
Page.
Nineteen of her followers under William Cod- dington and John Clarke, purchased] the Island of Aquidneck and formed settlements at Pocasset and Newport, . 17
Roger Williams proclaimed the right of religious liberty to every human being, 18
Samuel Gorton banished from Pocasset, . 19
He denied the authority of all government ex- cept that authorized by the King and Parlia- ment, 19
He, with eleven others, bought Shawomet and settled there, 19
He is besieged by troops from Massachusetts, is captured, imprisoned, and afterwards re- leased, . . 19
He is appointed to a magistracy in Aquidneck, 19
Roger Williams prevented the alliance of the Pequots and Narragansetts, and formed one between the English and the Narragansetts, 21 Pequots rooted out and crushed, 21
Miantonomi treacherously put to death,¡ ·
22
The Narragansetts put themselves under the protection of the English, . 22
CHAPTER V.
CHARTER GRANTED TO PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS .- ORGAN- IZATION UNDER IT .- THE LAWS ADOPTED.
1643. The charter granted to Providence Plantations, 23 Provisions of the charter, 23 .
1647. The corporators met at Portsmouth and in a general assembly accepted the charter, and proceeded to organize under it, 24
The government declared to be democratical, . 24
President and other officers chosen, 25
Description of the code of laws, 25
Design for a seal adopted, .26
Roger Williams presented with one hundred pounds for services in obtaining the charter, 26 Spirit of the law, ·
. 27
X
ANALYTICAL TABLE.
CHAPTER VI.
FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC TROUBLES .- UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT AT USURPATION BY CODDINGTON.
Page.
Death of Canonicus, 28 Possibility of the doctrine of soul liberty demon- strated, .
28
Dissensions among the colonists, . 29
Troubles with Massachusetts, 29
Baptists persecuted in Massachusetts, 30
1651.
Coddington obtained a royal commission as Governor of Rhode Island and Connecticut for life, which virtually dissolved the first charter, 30
Roger Williams sent to England to ask for a confirmation of the charter, 31
[John Clarke, also, sent to ask.for a revocation of Coddington's commission, 31
1652. Slaves not allowed to be held in bondage longer than ten years, 32
Commerce with the Dutch of Manhattan inter- rupted by war between England and Holland, 32 Coddington's commission revoked and the first charter restored, 32
CHAPTER VII.
MORE FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC TROUBLES. - CIVIL AND CRIMINAL REGULATIONS OF THE COLONY .- ARRIVAL OF QUAKERS.
Conscience claimed as the rule of action in civil as well as religious matters, 33
¿Contentions between the Island and the main- land towns, . 34
1654. Court of Commissioners met and effected a re- union in the Colony, . 34
Attempts of the United Colonies to make war on the Narragansetts, but they failed, as Wil- liams had influenced Massasoit not to sanc- tion it, 35
Qualification of citizenship, 36 .
xi
ANALYTICAL TABLE.
Page.
Duties of citizenship ascendant over dignity of office, . 37
Protection of marriage,
38
The Pawtuxet controversy settled by acknowl- edgement of the claims of Rhode Island, · 38
Fort built for protection against Indians, . 39
Quakers arrived. Difference of treatment of them between Rhode Island and Massachu- setts, . . 39 .
1663.
A new charter granted by Charles II. and ac-
cepted by the colonists,
. 40
CHAPTER VIII.
TROUBLES IN OBTAINING A NEW CHARTER .- PROVISIONS OF THE CHARTER .- DIFFICULTIES CONCERNING THE NARRA- GANSETT PURCHASE .- CURRENCY .- SCHOOLS.
The new charter gave a democratic government, 41
Some of its provisions, . 41
Religious liberty recognized by it, . 42
Assembly and courts reorganized, 43
State magistrates chosen by the freemen, · 44
Jealousy of Massachusetts, 44
Trouble concerning the ownership of Narragan- sett, 45
Attempt to dispossess Rhode Island of part of her territory, 46
The Narragansetts compelled to mortgage their lands to the United Colonies, . 47
New charter obtained by Connecticut extending its bounds to the Narragansett River, . 48
The boundary line left to arbitrators who fix it at the Pawcatuck River, 49
The intrigues of John Scott for the purchase of the Narragansett tract, 49
Letter obtained from the King, putting the Nar- ragansett purchase under protection of Mas- sachusetts and Connecticut, 50
This was rendered null by the second charter of Rhode Island grant soon afterward. . 51 Wampum used as money in the Colony, 52
1663.
xii
ANALYTICAL TABLE.
Page.
Also used as an article of ornament by the natives, . 52
1652. Massachusetts began to coin silver in 1652, 53 Rhode Island abolished the use of wampum ten years later, .
53
1662. New England shilling made legal tender in Rhode Island, . 53
1640-1663. First schools established at Providence and Newport, ·
· . 53
Affirmation is declared to be equal to an oath, 54
CHAPTER IX.
TERRITORY OF RHODE ISLAND IS INCREASED BY THE AD- DITION OF BLOCK ISLAND .- DISPUTES BETWEEN RHODE ISLAND AND THE OTHER COLONIES SETTLED BY ROYAL COMMAND .- STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE COLONY IN 1667.
1663. Block Island added to Rhode Island, . 55 Regulations concerning its admission, 56
It is incorporated under the name of New Shore- ham, · 56
Four Commissioners sent to America to reduce the Dutch and settle all questions of appeal between the colonies, . 57
The vexed questions of boundary line between Rhode Island and Plymouth; the Narragan- sett question and Warwick difficulties referred to the Commissioners, who referred the first to the King and decided the second in favor of Rhode Island, . 57 The Indians removed from King's Province, 59 Five propositions submitted by the Commis- sioners to the Rhode Island Assembly, . 59
1st. All householders should take the oath of allegiance to the King, 59
2d. Mode of admitting freemen, 59
3d. Admission to the sacrament open to all well disposed persons, . 60
4th. All laws and resolves derogatory to the King repealed, · 5th. Provisions for self-defence, . 60 60
ANALYTICAL TABLE.
xiii
Page.
1672.
Trouble with John Paine concerning Prudence Island, 62
Members of the Assembly to be paid for their services, 63
Financial difficulties in the Colony, 64
1667. Preparations for defence against the French, 64
1672. Act passed to facilitate the collection of taxes, . 65
CHAPTER X.
KING PHILIP'S WAR.
Wamsutta summoned before the General Court
at Plymouth, 67
His death, 67
Indignation of the Indians, especially King Philip, . · 68
Condition of the Indians, 68
Attack on Swanzey, · 69
The Indians pursued by the English, 69
Philip and his allies beseiged in a swamp at Pocasset, 71
His escape, 71
The Indian attack on Hadley, 71
Goffe, the regicide,
72
Philip joined the Narragansetts,
72
Battle in the swamp, .
73
Indians defeated. and their village destroyed,
74
Depredations in Rhode Island,
75
Death of Canonchet,
76
Death of Philip and end of the war, . 77
Condition of the country after the war,
77
CHAPTER XI.
INDIANS STILL TROUBLESOME .- CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE .- TROUBLES CONCERNING THE BOUNDARY LINES.
Precautions against the Indians,
·
78
Troubles with Connecticut concerning Narragan- sett, . · 79
Two agents sent to England.
80
xiv
ANALYTICAL TABLE.
Page.
War party obtains power, . 80
Foundation of East Greenwich, 82
Bitter controversy concerning the limits and extent of the Providence and Pawtuxet pur- chase, . . 82
1696-1712. Settled in 1696 and 1712, 83
CHAPTER XII.
DEATH OF SEVERAL OF THE MOST PROMINENT MEN .- CHANGES IN LEGISLATION.
The United Colonies still encroached upon Rhode Island, 84
Deaths of John Clarke, Roger Williams, Samuel Gorton, William Harris, and William Cod- dington, 85
1678. Financial condition of the Colony in 1678, 88 Changes in the usages of election, . 89
89 Bankrupt law passed and afterwards repealed, Law concerning disputed titles to lands, . 90
1679. Law for the protection of servants, 91
Law for the protection of sailors, ·
91
John Clawson's curse, . 92
CHAPTER XIII.
COURTS AND ARMY STRENGTHENED. - COMMISSIONERS SENT FROM ENGLAND .- CHARTER REVOKED.
Disputes concerning the title of Potowomut,
.
93
1680. Power of the town to reject or accept new citizens, 93 .
Efficiency of the courts increased,
94
English navigation act injures the commercial interests of the Colony, 95
Commissioners appointed to settle the vexed question of the King's Province, 96
Rhode Island's position in New England in re- gard to the other colonies, 96
Trouble with the Commissioners,
97
Charter revoked,
98
Rhode Island returned to its original form of
government,
98
XV
. ANALYTICAL TABLE.
CHAPTER XIV.
CHANGES IN FORM OF GOVERNMENT .- SIR EDMOND ANDROS APPOINTED GOVERNOR .- HE OPPRESSES THE COLONISTS AND IS FINALLY DEPOSED. Page.
John Greene sent to England with an address to the King for the preservation of the charter, 100 Changes in the names and the boundaries of Kingston, Westerly and East Greenwich, . 101
1687.
Arrival of Sir Edmond Andros, 101
Taxes farmed out, . . 102
Marriages made illegal unless performed by the rites of the English Church, . 103
Passport system introduced, 103
Composition of the council, . 103
Andros's commission enlarged, 105
The press subjected to the will of the Governor, 105 Title of Rhode Island to King's Province again confirmed, . 106
Persecution of the Huguenots, 107
Andros deposed,
. 107
CHAPTER XV.
CHARTER GOVERNMENT AGAIN RESUMED .- FRENCH WAR .- INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS .- CHARGES AGAINST THE COL- ONIES.
Chief-Justice Dudley attempted to open his court, he is seized and imprisoned, : . 108
Return of the old form of government, 108
Legality of resumption confirmed by the King, 109
1690. The Assembly reorganized, 110
Town house built, . . 111
The colonists taxed to sustain the French and Indian war, . 112
Coast invaded by French privateers, 112
New taxes levied, . . 113
Small-pox broke out in the Colony, 113
1691. Sir William Phipps appointed Governor of Mas- sachusetts with command over all the forces of New England, . 114
xvi
ANALYTICAL TABLE.
Page.
This command over the forces of Rhode Island restricted to time of war, . . 115
1693.
First mail line established between Boston and Virginia, . 116
State officers to be paid a regular salary, ·
116
Assembly divided into two houses, . 116
Indians still troublesome, 117
Courts of Admiralty established in the Colony, . 117 1697-1698. Trouble from enemies to the charter govern-
ment, . 117
Interests of trade fostered, 118
Smuggling common, 118
Charges made against the Colony by the Royal Governor, . 119
Captain Kidd,
119
CHAPTER XVI.
COLONIAL PROSPERITY. - DIFFICULTIES OCCASIONED BY THE WAR WITH THE FRENCH .- DOMESTIC AFFAIRS OF THE COLONY.
1702. Prosperity of the Colony, . 120
Providence the second town in the Colony, 120
Religious freedom, . . 120
Attempt to establish a Vice-Royalty over the Colonies, . 122
1701. Better Laws enacted, 123
1702. Preparations for defence, . 123
1703. Boundary line between Rhode Island and Con- necticut finally settled, 124
The character and interest of the Colony misun- derstood by England, 124
French privateer captured, - . 125
Further acts of the Assembly, 126
Slave trade, . 127
1708. First census taken, . 127
Public auctions first held, . 128
Commercial and agricultural progress, 128
1709. First printing press set up at Newport, . 129
Internal improvements, . 130
xvii
ANALYTICAL TABLE.
CHAPTER XVII.
PAPER, MONEY TROUBLES .- ESTABLISHMENT OF BANKS .- PRO- TECTION OF HOME INDUSTRIES .- PROPERTY QUALIFICA- TIONS FOR SUFFRAGE.
Page.
Issue of paper money, . 131
Clerk of the Assembly first elected from outside the House, . 131
Arts of peace resumed, 132
New militia laws enacted, . 132
Laws concerning trade, . 133
Troubles occasioned by paper money, . 134
1715. Banks established in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, . . 134
Paper money question carried into election, 134
Improvements in Newport, . 136
Criminal code, 136
1716.
School-houses built in Portsmouth, . 136
Punishment of slander, .
137
Indian lands taken under the protection of the Colony, . . 137
1719.
Law concerning intestates, 137
First edition of the laws printed, . 138
Boundary troubles, 138
Industry of the Colony protected by loans and bounties, 138
1724. Freehold act passed, . 139
1723. Pirate captured, 139
Evidences of the progress of the Colony, . 139
Death of Governor Cranston, 141
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHANGE OF THE EXECUTIVE .- ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY .- GEORGE BERKELEY'S RESIDENCE IN NEWPORT .- FRIENDLY FEELING BETWEEN THE COLONISTS AND THE MOTHER COUNTRY.
New Governor elected, . 142
State of affairs in England, 142
1728. . Revision of the criminal code, 143
B
xviii
ANALYTICAL TABLE.
.
Page.
Laws for the encouragement and regulation of trade, . 144
1727.
Earthquake, 145
1723-1724. Division of the Colony into counties, . 146
George Berkeley, 146
. 147
Establishment of Redwood Library, · Laws concerning charitable institutions, Quakers and Indians, . 147
1730. New census taken, 148
1731. New bank voted, . 149
Commercial prosperity, . 149
New edition of the laws published, . 149
Fisheries encouraged, 150
Regulation concerning election, 150 .
William Wanton chosen Governor, 152
Depreciation of paper money, . 152
1733. Marriage laws. .
152
John Wanton chosen Governor,
. 153
Watchfulness of the Board of Trade, 153
1735-1736. Throat distemper, . 154
Law against bribery at elections, 154
Arrival of his Majesty's ship Tartar, . 155
Means of protection against fire, . 155
CHAPTER XIX.
WAR WITH SPAIN .- NEW TAXES LEVIED BY ENGLAND .- RE- LIGIOUS AWAKENING AMONG THE BAPTISTS.
Preparation for war against the Spaniards, . 156
Great expedition against the Spanish West Indies, . 157
New taxes levied on importations by England, 157 Death of Governor Wanton, who is succeeded by Richard Ward, . 158
Arrival of Whitefield and Fothergill, 159
Further provisions for the defence of the Colony, 159 Report of the Governor concerning paper money, 160 Boundary line between Rhode Island and Mas- sachusetts settled, 161
1741.
xix
ANALYTICAL TABLE.
CHAPTER XX.
PROGRESS OF THE WAR WITH THE FRENCH .- CHANGE IN THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS .- SENSE OF COMMON INTER- EST DEVELOPING AMONG THE COLONISTS. - LOUISBURG CAPTURED.
Page.
Privateers fitted out, . 162
1741. James Greene started an iron works, 162
Changes of the jurisdictions of the courts,
163
Encroachments of Connecticut, 163
1741. Newport Artillery chartered, 165
Counterfeit bills troublesome, 164
1744. Lotteries legalized, . 165
Rhode Island's part in the capture of Louis- burg, 165
Death of Colonel John Cranston, . 166
Two privateers and two hundred men lost, 166
Sense of common interest and mutual depend- ence gaining ground, 166
Caution against fraudulent voting, 167
Disaster to the French armada, 168
1746. Close of the campaign, . 168
Accession of territory,
. 168
CHAPTER XXI.
ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO SPECIE PAYMENTS .- CHANGES IN THE REQUIREMENTS OF CITIZENSHIP. - NEW COUNTIES AND TOWNS FORMED .- FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR .- WARD AND HOPKINS CONTEST .- ESTABLISHMENT OF NEWSPAPERS.
1748. Peace of Aix-la-chapelle, . 170
Hutchinson's scheme for returning to specie pay- ment rejected by Rhode Island, 171
Act against swearing revised, 172
Provisions concerning legal residence, 172
New census taken, 172
1748-1749. Death of John Callender, 173
Beaver Tail Light built, . 173
Troubles from depreciation of currency,
173
1754.
First divorce granted,
174
Kent County formed,
174
XX
ANALYTICAL TABLE.
Page.
1752.
Gregorian calendar adopted. . . 175
Troubles concerning the Narragansett land set- tled, . 175
1753.
First patent granted in the Colony for making potash, . . 175
Fellowship Club founded-afterwards the New- port Marine Society, . 176
1754.
Commissioners sent to the Albany Congress, 176
French and Indian war, . 177
French settlers imprisoned, 178
Ward and Hopkins contest, . 178
Providence court house and library burned, 179
David Douglass built a theatre at Providence, . 180
1758. Newport Mercury established, 180
1762. Providence Gazette established, . 180
Writs of assistance first called for, 181
1759. Death of Richard Partridge, . . 181
Freemasonry first introduced into the Colony, 181
Regulations concerning fires, . 181
Towns of Hopkinton and Johnston formed, 182
CHAPTER XXII.
RETROSPECT. - ENCROACHMENTS OF ENGLAND. - RESISTANCE TO THE REVENUE LAWS .- STAMP ACT .- SECOND CONGRESS OF 'COLONIES MET AT NEW YORK .- EDUCATIONAL INTEREST.
Resumé of the progress of the Colony, . 183
Reason for the enactment of the laws, 184
Rhode Island's solution of the problem of self- government and soul-liberty, . 185
Encroachments of England on the liberties of the colonies, . 186
War had taught the colonies a much needed lesson, . 187
Harbor improvements, 188
Parliament votes men and money for the defence of the American colonies, 188
Restrictions of commerce, . 189
1764.
Molasses and sugar act renewed and extended, 189 Resistance to the enforcement of the obnoxious revenue laws, 190
Action of the colonies in regard to the stamp act. . 191
ANALYTICAL TABLE.
xxi
Page.
England is obliged to repeal the stamp act, . 193
Resistance to impressment, 193
1765.
Second Colonial Congress met at New York and issued addresses to the people, Parliament, and to the King, . : 194
1766.
New digest of the laws completed and printed, 195 Free schools established at Providence, . 196 Brown University founded, 196
Iron mine discovered, . 197
CHAPTER XXIII.
TRANSIT OF VENUS .- A STRONG DISLIKE TO ENGLAND MORE OPENLY EXPRESSED .- NON-IMPORTATION AGREEMENT .- IN- TRODUCTION OF SLAVES PROHIBITED .- CAPTURE OF THE GASPEE.
Collision between British officers and citizens, . 199 Dedication of liberty trees, 199
Laws concerning domestic interests, . 199
Transit of Venus, 200
Armed resistance to England more openly talked of, . 201
Scuttling of the sloop-of-war Liberty, . . 202
Non-importation of tea agreed to. . 203
Prosperity of Newport, . 203
1770.
First Commencement at Rhode Island College, 204 Further introduction of slaves prohibited, . 204
Governor Hutchinson advanced a claim for the command of the Rhode Island militia, . 205
Evidence of justice in Rhode Island,
206
Capture and destruction of the schooner Gaspee, 207
CHAPTER XXIV.
PROPOSITION FOR THE UNION OF THE COLONIES. - ACTIVE MEASURES TAKEN LOOKING TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE .- DELEGATES ELECTED TO CONGRESS .- DESTRUCTION OF TEA AT PROVIDENCE .- TROOPS RAISED .- POSTAL SYSTEM ES- TABLISHED .- DEPREDATIONS OF THE BRITISH .- "GOD SAVE THE UNITED COLONIES."
1774: Limitation of negro slavery, . . 210
Resolution recommending the union of the col- onies passed at Providence town meeting, . 210
B*
xxii
ANALYTICAL TABLE.
· Page.
1774.
Boston port bill passed, 211
Small-pox at Newport, . 211
Indication of popular indignation, 212
Activity of Committees of Correspondence, . 212
Publishment of the Hutchinson letters. 213
Franklin removed from his position as superin- tendent of American post-offices, 214
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