USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > A discourse delivered at Providence, August 5, l836 : in commemoration of the first settlement of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Being the second centennial anniversary of the settlement of Providence > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
The greatest calamity which befel the colony in its first century, was Philip's war, which broke out in 1675. From a tradition which descended from those English who lived nearest to Philip, and from those of his tribe who survived the war, it would appear that he was averse to it, and that he wept at the news of the first English that were killed, foreseeing the destruction of his people .*
This war literally set all New-England in a blaze; this colony had no part in its commencement ; but it was soon brought to their doors. The women and helpless of Philip's tribe fled to the Narra. gansetts for shelter and sustenance. They were hospitably re- ceived, and when they were demanded by the United Colonies, Ca- nonchet, the son of Miantinomo, exclaimed, inspired equally with in- dignation and sympathy-" Not a Wampanoag shall be delivered up. No, not the pairing of a Wampanoag's nail." In this deter- mination he was supported by the whole nation, and even by Pum- ham, who, on this occasion, became re-united to the confederacy. At this refusal, the troops of the United Colonies poured into Nar- ragansett. In December, 1675, occurred what has been commonly called " the great swamp fight," in which the English fought with so much valor and success, and the Narragansetts were driven from their strong hold, (which contained their women and children, and their provisions for the winter,) their wigwams fired, and seven hun- dred of their warriors killed, besides women and children. Three hundred more died afterwards of their wounds, and very many per- ished from cold and hunger.
Canonchet, and some of his warriors, escaped to join their forces with Philip, and to execute vengeance upon all who had English blood in their veins. This great battle caused the destruction of this powerful tribe, whose friendship was so early and constantly
* Callender's Century Sermon, p. 73.
57
manifested to our fathers, and was so essential to their existence ; and who, according to the testimony of Roger Williams in 1655, had been true and faithful from the first, to the English of the United Colonies.
Our settlements had extended far into the Narragansett country, and along the bay, and Westerly and Kingston had been incorpo- rated. The General Assembly determined that the ability of the colony was not sufficient to enable them to maintain garrisons to de- fend the out plantations, and recommended that the inhabitants should come to Rhode-Island for protection. They stated, that "Newport and Portsmouth inhabitants have taken such care, that those of the colony that comes, and cannot procure land to plant for themselves and families relief, may be supplied with land by the townes. And each family so wanting ability, shall have a cow kept upon the com- mons." The security of the island was provided for by a marine force, which was constantly on duty. Most of the inhabitants on the main, fled to the island for safety, and their houses were de- stroyed and plantations laid waste, by the exasperated natives. Many of the inhabitants of Providence sought this asylum, and among the rest the family of Roger Williams. He remained at Providence, relying somewhat upon his influence with the Indians; but, in the last resort, upon his means of defence. We find him as Captain at the head of a train band; and though this has been doubted, on account of his age, the commission by which Captain Arthur Fenner was appointed Commander of the King's Garrison, then first established at Providence, at the request of the inhabitants, sufficiently proves it. This was dated June 10th, 1676, and states that the authority given him as "chief commander of the king's garrison at Providence, and all other private garrison or garrisons there, not eclipsing Capt. William's power in the exercise of the train band there," &c. And a vote of the Assembly, in the same month, speaks of Indians "sent to this island by Capt. Roger Williams, from Providence." Williams was now 77 years of age.
On the 14th March, 1675-6, every house in Warwick but one was burned ; the inhabitants having fled to the Island.
On the 29th of the same month Providence was attacked by the Indians, and twenty-nine houses burned in the north part of the town, being more than one third of the whole number which the H
.
.
58
town contained .* One of these contained the town records, which were partly rescued from the flames and thrown into the Moshas- suck, from thence they were afterwards taken, and sent to Newport for safe keeping.
There is a tradition that Roger Williams, on the approach of the Indians, walked out, with his staff, to meet them, and remonstrated with the Sachems, and warned them of the English power, but without effect ; that they expressed attachment to him, and guarded him, on his return to the garrison, lest he should be injured by their young men.
In this war Smithfield, also, was laid waste. The war ended with the death of Philip, in August, 1676 ; but nearly sixty years passed away before Providence recovered her former numbers and pros- perity. Many of her inhabitants, who had taken shelter on Rhode- Island, remained there, and Newport flourished at the expense of her elder sister.
In 1670 a rate of £ 300 was assessed on the several towns. Of this sum Newport was assessed £ 123; Providence £ 51; Ports- mouth £51; Warwick £ 32. The town of Westerly agreed to pay £ 65. Compare this with an assessment in 1678, two years after the war. In that year £ 300 was assessed on the several towns ;- on Newport £ 136; Providence £ 10; Portsmouth £ 68; Warwick £ 8; Westerly £ 2.
By comparing these different assessments we perceive how much the towns on the main were impoverished by the war, whilst those on the island were increased in their resources. The greatest dis- parity appears in Westerly, that before the war voluntarily paid 65 out of £300, and in 1678, wasassessed £2! But the reduction of Providence from 51 to £ 10, shows the effect on her of this calam- itous war.
The inhabitants of Narragansett, at the close of this war, found their lands claimed by Connecticut. " As the Rhode-Islanders had deserted the country (says Trumbull, in his history of Connecticut) in the war, and had done nothing in defence of it, and as the Con- necticut volunteers had driven the enemy entirely from that exten- sive tract, the legislature determined to plant and govern it, as part of this colony."
* When the war broke out, Providence contained between seventy and eighty houses.
59
To these pretensions the General Assembly replied in a letter to Connecticut as follows :
" Its well known, that the United Colonies did desert several of their out plantations, and some were by the enemy drove and neces- sitated so to do, for the safety of their lives. If for that cause only the colonys should loose their charter ritts, and particular persons their lands and privileges it would to them (and to all rational men) appear ridiculous, and without doubt disapproved by his majesty." They add in regard to the Narragansetts : " Neither was there any manifestation of war against us from them, but always the contrary, till by the United Colonys they were forced to war, or such submis- sion as it seems they could not subject to ; thereby involving us in such hazards, charges and losses, which hath fallen upon us in our out plantations, that noe colony has received the like considering our number of people."
This letter ably vindicated the rights of the colony, and intimated that such pretensions would be resisted by force, if necessary. Happily the chartered rights of this colony were not to be thus wrested from them; though there was no human tribunal to protect the Indian.
On the 20th April, 1676, died Mr. John Clarke, whose mem- ory should be held by the people of this State in lasting and grateful remembrance. His services to the Rhode-Island colony, in its infancy, and to the Narragansett colonies, after they became united, were great, and exceeded probably by none. He founded the second Baptist Church in the State, at Newport, of which he became the pastor, until his services were required to vindicate the rights of his fellow-citizens in England. Twelve years he remained in England, entrusted with the interests of the colony, which he protected with vigilance and great ability. He had the honor of soliciting and procuring the Charter of 1663, which quieted the fears of his fellow-citizens, enlarged the boundaries of the colony on the east, and contained those provisions for liberty of conscience, which have been so much admired. After his return from England, he was elected three years successively Deputy-Governor. He was a learned man ; in his will he bequeathed a Concordance and Lexicon, written by himself, the fruit of several years' study ; hav- ing no children, he gave a considerable portion of his property to relieve the poor, and to educate the children of the church which he had founded.
60
In 1663, this colony was troubled by the presence of Edward Cranfield, Governor of New-Hampshire, and others, in the Narra. gansett country, the government whereof he claimed under the king's commission, with authority to him and the others to deter- mine the disputes which existed between this colony and Connecti- cut. This colony refused to submit to their arbitration, or own his authority ; and a report was made by him and his associates in fa- vor of Connecticut. The subsequent troubles of Cranfield, in New. Hampshire, probably prevented this colony from being affected by this report.
In April, 1683, Roger Williams died, aged 83, and was buried with military honors, having held a military commission, and with all the other honors that the town of Providence could bestow. He was buried in his own grounds ; but where, alas! who can tell ? The man who has given us a name and a place, has no place for his name among us; no memorial tells where his ashes repose ; no monumental marble proclaims his services and our gratitude ! My fellow-citizens, this ought not so to be. If we cannot find the place of his burial, we ought to find a place where we can honor and perpetuate his memory, in a manner that shall tell our children's children how much we appreciated his principles, and how they should appreciate them. He has surrounded our little State with a glory which belongs not to empire ; let us manifest that we are worthy to participate in his fame. Let not the distinguished stran- ger, as he wanders over our City, or as he surveys from our proud- est height the bay, the cove, the halls of science, the temples of religion, and the extended line of population, from east to west, and from north to south-let not his eye wander in vain, let him no longer inquire in vain, for the Monument of Roger Williams.
In February, 1685, died Charles II., and James II. was duly proclaimed, at Newport, the succeeding April. The common ad- dresses were presented, intended to propitiate a new king, whose favor was so important to the colony. But we had as little reason as the nation to rejoice in his reign.
In 1685, Massachusetts, New-Hampshire, Maine, and the Narra- gansett country, were placed under the government of Joseph Dud- ley, of Massachusetts. This commission arrived at Boston, in May, 1686. In December, of that year, arrived Sir Edmund Andros, with a commission from the king, for the government of all New.
61
England. Previously to this (in June preceding) a writ, of quo war- ranto, was served upon the colony, in consequence of certain articles of misdemeanor which had been exhibited, by Edward Randolph. He was the accuser-general of the colonies, and, in consequence of like proceedings against Massachusetts in 1684, a judgment was ren- dered in chancery annulling her charter. The people of this colo- ny thought it not prudent to contend with the king, and submitted themselves and their charter to his mercy, petitioning for favor and forgiveness, if through ignorance they had erred.
In December, 1686, Andros dissolved the government of Rhode- Island, broke its seal, and admitted five of its inhabitants into his legislative council, and Rhode-Island formed a county under his gov- * * ernment. Andros's government was deemed oppressive by us, but was particularly obnoxious to Massachusetts. Sir Edmund, for the purpose of introducing the church of England into Massachusetts, was ordered to grant universal toleration in religion. This was as offensive to Massachusetts, as the like attempt of Charles II. to the Parliament of England. If he had done nothing worse than this, he would not have deserved to have been transmitted to posterity as a tyrant ; a character to which he is entitled as Governor of New- England.
His tyranny did not last long. The revolution of 1688, caused the fall of his master; and when tidings reached Massachusetts which rendered this event probable, Sir Edmund was imprisoned, and with difficulty saved from the rage of the people.
The people of Rhode-Island resumed their chartered rights, on the ground that no judgment had been rendered against them. At an assembly of the freemen of the colony at Newport, May 1, 1689, a vote was passed unanimously, confirming the former Governor, Walter Clarke, and the former Deputy-Governor and Assistants, who were in place in 1686, at the coming over of Sir Edmund An- dros. Though there was this unanimity at this meeting, there were doubts as to the propriety of this course in the colony. Walter Clarke, who had been one of Andros's council refused to act as Governor, and but six of the former Assistants attended the next meeting of the Assembly. Christopher Almy was elected by the General Assembly, Governor, in place of Clarke, but he also re- fused to serve, and Mr. Henry Bull was elected Governor. He was one of the first purchasers and settlers of the island ; though at this
62
time advanced in age, he had firmness sufficient to accept of the of- fice to which he was elected, to preserve the government and the chartered rights of the colony. The doubts which at first existed, as to the propriety of proceeding under the charter, after the seal liad been broken and the government dissolved by Andros, subsided when it was found that no objection was made by the government of England to the course which had been adopted ; and the govern- ment under this Charter has continued to the present time.
In 1691, a new Charter was granted to Massachusetts, which included Plymouth under the same government.
The various wars that ensued from this time until the peace of 1763, between England and France, required the colonies to unite their forces with those of the mother country, against the French dominions in North America. This bound the colonies together by interest and sympathy, and Rhode-Island, though, in former days, she was not allowed to enter the confederacy of the New-England colonies, was soon found of sufficient importance to be consulted, and her aid required.
In the General Convention of the Colonies, holden at Albany in 1754, Rhode-Island was represented by Stephen Hopkins. He was one of that Committee which drew up the first plan of union for the colonies.
In 1765, when a convention of the colonies at New- York declared their rights and grievances, in consequence of the Stamp Act, and other acts which taxed the colonists without their consent, Rhode- Island was there. The first forcible act of resistance to these laws was by the men of Providence, in the destruction of the Gaspee. Captain Whipple beat up for volunteers, who flocked to the whale boats ; and one* who is now here can tell the sequel-"all of which he saw, and part of which he was."
Nor was Rhode-Island backward in the contest : she was among the foremost to provoke. In May, 1775, she raised three regiments, called an army of observation, and appointed to their command Gen. Nathaniel Greene. They were soon placed at the disposal of Con- gress.
To the heroic Declaration of Independence, were subscribed the
* Colonel Ephraim Bowen. The enterprise, it is said, was planned in the house of the late Welcome Arnold, Esq. of this town ; now the residence of his son.
63
names of Stephen Hopkins and William Ellery. The hand of Hopkins trembled,* but not his heart; this was as firm as when he wrote " The rights of the colonies examined."t
At Roxbury, Trenton, Princeton, Red Bank, and Yorktown, the sons of Rhode-Island redeemed the pledge her statesmen had given.
And let it never be forgotten, that, in the darkest hour of that eventful contest, when all but a Washington would have despaired, and he but for his trust in Heaven, when our island and the waters of our bay were in possession of the enemy, the troops from this State (whose proportion was one fiftieth) constituted one seventh of that little army which held the bridge of Trenton against a numer- ous foe ; which conquered at Princeton, and revived to new energy a desponding people. It was in this hour of danger and suffering, amidst the snows of December, and hunger, and nakedness, that the Rhode-Island troops offered themselves again to their country at the call of patriotism, when their term of service had nearly expired, and they were desirous of defending their own shores. We have also here a living witness who can tell of Colonels Lippitt, Hitch- cock and Varnum, and of the sufferings and services of the Rhode- Island regiments.
We might speak of Captain Nicholas Cook, who took command of the good ship Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, when the storm was approaching and her commander had deserted, and brought her in safety around the Cape of Good Hope.§ We might tell
" Of moving accidents, by flood and field :
Of hair-breadth 'scapes i' the imminent deadly breach ;"
of Hopkins, Talbot, Whipple, Thomas ; of Barton, Cornell ; of our Greenes and Olneys ; and of others, equal in noble daring.
" Whoe'er, amidst the sons Of reason, valor, liberty and virtue, Displays distinguish'd merit, is a noble Of Nature's own creating. Such have risen, Sprung from the dust, or where had been our honors ?"
* From a paralytic affection.
t This was printed here by order of the General Assembly, and in Eng- land it was reprinted and presented to the King.
# John Howland, Esq. President of the Rhode-Island Historical Society.
§ Nicholas Cook, Esq. was elected Governor in place of Governor Wanton, whose principles were adverse to the Revolution.
64
We could speak of a State in arms, and, for several years, ex. posed to continual depredation and alarm. Newport has not re- covered from her losses,* and the island will never again see her beautiful groves. Many of the inhabitants of Newport removed to Providence, and experienced the same sympathy and kindness which was extended to the inhabitants of Providence, by Newport, in Phil- ip's war.
Rhode-Island history is rich in character and incident, and thoughi I have detained you long, the half has not been told you.
At the return of peace, Rhode-Island was exhausted by the strug gle ; the State, and many of her citizens, were deeply in debt, with nothing to pay. In this emergency, were adopted those paper mo- ney and tender laws, which produced, in their day, so much conten- tion and reproach, but which probably saved us from civil war.
From the dissensions which followed, and the distresses of the State, we refused to grant the impost which Congress had requested. We had no lands to look to, for revenue, but depended on com- merce ; we wished not to surrender our all, while other States, whose services had been proportionally not so great, were made rich in territory by the result of the contest. This probably pre- vented Rhode-Island from sending delegates to the Convention which formed the federal Constitution, and caused her to be the last of the thirteen to adopt it. She will now be among the last of the twenty-six to desert it. It is her sheet anchor, and, under God, her best hope. Her early history has taught her the necessity of look. ing abroad for protection, and, without the protection which the Constitution affords to her commerce and manufacturing industry, she is now sensible she would be as poor as most of her soil, and of no more account than her territorial jurisdiction.
* In 1770, the population of Newport was 9,029. Providence then had but 4,321 inhabitants. Seven years after the revolutionay war, in 1790, New. port had 6,716 inhabitants, and Providence 6,380. In these twenty years, Newport lost 2,493, and Providence gained 2,059 inhabitants.
The population of Newport, in 1830, was 8,010 ; and that of Providence, 16,832. So that in 1830, Newport had not so many inhabitants as she had five years before the revolutionary war, by one thousand and nineteen. This gives us a view of only a portion of the losses Newport sustained by the rev. olutionary war. We trust, her delightful climate, and the power of steam, which has already given an impulse to her manufacturing industry, will soon present us with another picture.
65
The wonder-working power of machinery, so intimately associ- ated with the name of Slater, is among us, and though it cannot en- large the bounds of the State, it has extended the territory of its cit- izens, and promises to do for us, in some degree, what it accom- plished for our father land, giving to it the ability to subsidize Eu- rope, and contend with Napoleon in arms.
But it is not wealth which constitutes a State-
" No; men, high minded men ; Men, who their duties know,
But know their rights, and knowing dare maintain, Prevent the long aimed blow,
And crush the tyrant while they rend the chain ; These constitute a State."
Such have been the men of Rhode-Island, and, if we use our riches to extend the knowledge of these duties and rights, and to counteract the evil tendencies of superfluous wealth, we may hope that such men will continue to inhabit the land of the Narragansett pilgrims.
Men of Providence! did the heart of Roger Williams overflow for the mercies here afforded him in the wilderness, and have we no cause for gratitude ? On every side we behold evidences of the successful enterprise of our Merchants, Manufacturers and Mechanics.
This temple,* erected in 1775, bears testimony to the prosperity of the town at that period, and proclaims the architectural skill and taste, as well as the pious munificence of hist descendants who was
* The First Baptist Meeting-House, where the Discourse was pronounced. t Rev. Chad Brown, one of the earliest of the second comers to Providence. He signed the covenant for "town fellowship" in August 1637, (see ante page 25,) and was ordained Pastor of the First Baptist Church in 1642. His grand- son, the Rev. James Brown, was ordained Pastor over this church, October 28, 1732. The four brothers, Nicholas, Joseph, John, and Moses Brown, were grandsons of the Rev. James Brown. Nicholas Brown died in 1791. His survi- ving children are Nicholas Brown, the munificent patron of Brown Universi- ty, after whom it was called, and Mrs. Hope Ives, relict of the late Thomas P. Ives. Joseph Brown made the draught agreeably to which the First Bap- tist Meeting-House was built. He was distinguished for his philosophical attainments, and was Professor of Natural Philosophy in Rhode-Island Col- lege. John Brown laid the corner stone of the College in 1770, and was dis- tinguished for his mercantile enterprise and success, and his enlarged and lib- eral views in relation to the improvement of the town. The first India voy- age from this town was made in his ship.
Moses Brown, the youngest of the four brothers, yet survives, having lived
I
66
a pastor and one of the founders of the church ; and yonder halls of science* shall bear the name to succeeding generations, while they whose riches " perish with the using," or are reserved for heirs they know not who, are
" Unwept, unhonored and unsung."
We are surrounded with numerous memorials of the same piety and liberality which erected this, which have since successively arisen.
Our public schools are numerous, and supported with a wise lib- erality, sensible as we are, that freedom without morality and intel- ligence, must end in anarchy.
We have abundant reason to be thankful for the ample provision which is here made for the great interests of religion and learning.
We rejoice that our disputes with our neighbors are nearly ended, and that what remains,t is to be determined by a tribunal, in whose justice and intelligence we have full confidence. We now behold our neighbors on the Roger Williams platform, and congratulate them on the change; and we rejoice that the children of the same puritan fathers are one, and we trust, indivisible.
For civil and religious liberty ; for our beautiful shores and un- rivalled bay ; for peace in our borders, and plenty and health in our dwellings ; for the various blessings of civilization and government, we should thank Him who hath numbered all the hairs of our head, and without whose notice not a sparrow falls to the ground.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.