USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > History of Newport County, Rhode Island. From the year 1638 to the year 1887, including the settlement of its towns, and their subsequent progress > Part 34
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The act to encourage privateering by "letters of marque" was enlarged. A gunner was ordered for Fort Liberty (old Fort George), upon Goat island. The maximum price of Bohea tea was fixed at three-fourths of a dollar the pound, all persons charging more to be considered as "enemies to the American cause and treated accordingly," congress desiring to exclude all tea except that taken in prizes. The inhabitants on Block island were exhorted to remove. A bounty of three shillings a bushel was voted on salt manufactured in the colony. En- gagement was entered into with Massachusetts Bay to assist in their defense if invaded. Cannon were purchased and twelve eighteen pounders mounted on carriages sent to Newport. To prevent supplies to the enemy, fishermen at Block island were restricted to the Newport market, and any inhabitant of the island found in any other part of the island saving Newport to be confined to jail.
This assembly was also called upon to elect a second delegate to congress, in the place of Governor Samuel Ward, who died at his post in Philadelphia, on the 27th of March, of the small pox, in the fifty-first year of his age, in the very prime of his usefulness. Ile is justly entitled to be held in grateful memory as one of the founders of the American Union. No one of this time did more perfect service than he ; uniting vigor with pru- dence, ardor with conduct, the highest statesmanship with un- swerving patriotism. The student of American history who turns the pages which recite the services of the illustrious dele- gates to the famous continental congress of 1774, and that more
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illustrious, because constituent, congress of 1775-6, cannot but regret that death deprived Samuel Ward of that which he would have, living, held to be the sum of honor, the inscription of his name as a delegate from Rhode Island to the declaration of independence of the United Colonies. His love for his conntry cannot be better expressed than in his own words, written to his brother, in 1775: "No man living perhaps is more fond of his children than I am, and I am not so old as to be tired of life ; and yet as far as I can now judge the tenderest considerations and the most important private concerns are very minute objects. Heaven save my country, I was going to say, is my first, my last, and almost my only prayer."
The assembly, " in testimony of the respect due to his mem- ory, and in grateful remembrance of his public services, re- solved to pay his funeral expenses, and the delegates for the colony were instructed to erect a decent tombstone or monu- ment of marble, with such inscription as they shall think suit- able over the place where his body hath been deposited, at the expense of the colony." Samuel Ward was of an old New- port family. Thomas Ward, the first of the name in that town, came to it from Glocester, England, married and died in Newport in 1698. The most ancient residence of the family was on the south side of Market square, about half way between the main street and the market house.
William Ellery, of Newport, was appointed to succeed him for one year, and to him fell the honor of signa- ture to the immortal scroll, the charter of liberty. The same day that he was elected the assembly also named the officers of the Second regiment in the colony's brigade : Colonel, Christopher Lippitt ; Lieutenant-colonel, Adam Comstock ; Major, Christopher Olney ; Brigade-major, William Barton ; and it is noticeable that at the close of these proceedings, for the first time on the records, the formal prayer, " God save the King" is omitted. Where it was of custom in- scribed there is a blank. There was no sovereign authority as vet for whom the invocations could be made.
The assembly on the 10th of June, the second Monday, re- sumed its sessions in Newport. the town being free from the enemy. It proceeded to the confiscation of the entire estate of George Roome for the use of the colony. It must have been considerable. the records mentioning a tan yard in New-
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port with vats, leather and stock of hides and a lot of land with two dwellings on the south side of the Parade. In view of the " dreadful ravages made by the small-pox in the army before Quebec, which was a principal canse of raising the blockade of that city, and the danger of that dreadful distemper render- ing the city incapable of defense," the assembly passed an act permitting inoculation and establishing a hospital under sani- tary rules and isolated by heavy penalties. There was protest made by quite a number of leading men against this act for three reasons: because the consent of the people had not been asked, because it had not been permitted for any length of time and was now discontinued in the other New England colonies, and thirdly because no provision was made for the poor, the most numerous part of the community. Notwith- standing this the assembly were so satisfied of the importance of the measure as a protection, especially to the army, that they desired their delegates to move in congress that all com- mon soldiers and seamen thereafter enlisting be permitted to be inoculated at the expense of the united colonies in hospitals to be provided under proper restrictive rules.
A census of the inhabitants was ordered and a committee appointed for each town. For Newport, George Sears, Wil- liam Coddington and Gideon Wanton. The assembly addressed a memorial to the continental congress justifying themselves in a refusal to re-deliver to Commodore Hopkins the twenty pieces of cannon, the loan of which had enabled them to put Newport in such a state of defense that it was now "capable of being defended against all frigates in the British navy." The order for the removal of the cannon they supposed to have been given under the idea that they were just landed, whereas by great exertion they were already mounted and in position. Moreover they said that on receiving the twenty-six cannon from the commodore they had consented that the owners of Furnace Hope, with whom they had contracted for sixty pieces, should first supply the continental ships. And as thirty-six heavy cannon had been landed for the defense of New London, which could be defended with one-quarter of the number of pieces needed for Newport bay, town and harbor, they suggest that if the twenty pieces must be removed they be taken from that port. A third of the inhabitants they say were already re- moved from Newport and if a majority of the remainder had
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been indneed to temporize and "even to assume an appearance rather unfriendly to the united colonies," it was to be attrib- uted to their peculiar situation and not to the want of spirit or love of their country. They hoped, now that they were fortified, Newport would " at all times afford a safe asylum to the conti- mental ships and to privateers and their prizes as well as to other vessels " in spite of all the British fleet. "Take them (the cannon) from us and we cannot answer for the event. The town of Newport and the island of Rhode Island are lost. * It will be impossible for the inhabitants to defend themselves; they will not even attempt it. * % Leave us the cannon we can save Newport, which hath been induced in consequence of their arrival to take such steps as must bring upon them the British arms and who will be most cruelly treated in being de- prived of them."
The thanks of the assembly were voted to Washington for his friendly offices in behalf of the colony. Offices were estab- lished at Newport and Providence for entering and clearing vessels and an act passed regulating trade, two intendants of trade to be annually appointed by the assembly, one for each port. The colony salt was distributed among the towns, New- port receiving two hundred bushels. A test oath was adopted, to be administered to all suspected males above sixteen. Sundry principal inhabitants of Newport town were ordered to be re- moved to Glocester, there to have the limits of the town on parole of honor. Two hundred spears were ordered for the Newport batteries, Officers were appointed to command the trained bands or companies of militia of the town of Newport, viz. : First company : captain, William Tripp ; lieutenant, Caleb Carr, Jr .: ensign, Jonathan Simmons ; Second company : captain, Henry Wiles ; lieutenant, Robert Dunbar ; ensign, William Pendleton ; Third company : captain, Wing Spooner ; lieutenant, Stukely Wyatt ; ensign, Lee Langley ; Fourth com- pany : captain, William Downing : lieutenant, John Nichols ; ensign, Benjamin Hammett.
On the 20th of June Lord Howe, "one of the King's Commis- sioners for restoring peace to the Colonies," addressed a letter from on board the man-of-war "Eagle," off the coast of the province of the Massachusetts Bay, to the " Honorable Gover- nor Wanton, &c., &c., Rhode Island, or other Magistrate of the Colony," with a copy of his declaration that day issued. He
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notified his first object to be an early meeting with General Howe, who was joined with him in the commission, and re- quested a promulgation of his proclamation or declaration. There was no attempt to conceal this discreet document, which offered " free and general pardons to all those who, in the tumult and disorder of the times, may have deviated from their just allegiance, and promise of due consideration to the meritorious services of all persons who shall aid in restoring the public tranquility." But the door of conciliation was already and forever closed ; Rhode Island was an independent colony. The records of the proceedings of this assembly close with the prayer, "God save the United Colonies." The entire subor. dination of Rhode Island to the common interest, and the under- standing of the leaders of opinion were clearly shown in the request of the governor to Washington to name such general officers as he thought best to command the colony brigade on the continental establishment.
The assembly, which seems to have felt full confidence in the ability of Newport to make successful defense of town and harbor, adjourned till August. In fact, on the sailing of the ministerial fleet for Halifax, hopes of a quiet summer were gen- eral. It was not supposed that the commissioners, who were expected with offers of conciliation, would be accompanied by menace of war.
These and many other like delusions as to the spirit which possessed the king and the great body of the parliament, were dispelled by the news of the arrival at Sandy Hook, on Sun- day, the 30th of June, of the British fleet from Halifax, counted at one hundred and thirteen sail. The remainder arrived on the 2d of July, when the bay of New York swarmed with one hundred and thirty men-of-war, transports and tenders. They brought an army of ten thousand men, who were landed on Staten Island. This information of itself was enough to de- mand deliberative action, but further reason came a few days later, on the arrival of the news of the declaration of independ- ence. It reached New York on the afternoon of the 9th, and Newport probably on the 12th.
Newport, on the 11th, was the scene of a decisive action on the part of the officers of the colony brigade stationed on the island, to determine the position of some of the inhabitants of the town thought to "be inimical to their country." They lodged
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a complaint against abont twenty persons with Judge Metcalfe Bowler, one of the committee of safety of Newport county, re- questing him, as a member of the general assembly, to tender to these suspected persons the Test act passed at the June session. This they refused all but one, and were summoned to give their reasons the next day, which they did to the judge. Col. Chris- topher Lippitt then summoned about sixty more, but only two would subscribe, many no doubt induced by their friends the day before. As this action on the part of the military was based on no particular act but only general accusation, and, as was admitted, for "information only," the colonel could do no more than disarm the suspected. This state of affairs Col- onel Lippitt, on the 13th, communicated to the governor and urged their removal.
The general assembly met in special session at Newport on Thursday the 18th of July and " taking into the most serious consideration " the resolution of congress declaring independ- ence, approved the same and engaged their support to the generał congress. The act of approval was published the next day at noon by the secretary, in the presence of both houses of the assembly. It was ordered that thirteen cannon be dis- charged from Fort Liberty (Goat island) npon reading the said proclamation, and that the brigade be drawn up on the parade in thirteen divisions, and immediately npon the discharge of the cannon make a discharge of musketry, each division firing one volley in succession. The day set for this proclamation was Friday the 19th but according to the newspapers (and Arnold concurs), the declaration was celebrated at Newport on the " twentieth before a great concourse of people assembled in and about the State House. It was read by Major John Handy from the Balcony in front of the State House."
The style and title of the government was altered to " The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations." The col- ony's new gallies. the " Washington " and " Spitfire," were or- dered to New York and their captains directed to take the orders of General Washington. They did good service during that eventful summer. The committee appointed to determine where cannon should be placed reported an assignment of ean- non. There were one hundred and thirty-nine in the state, of which fifty-five were in Newport: five twenty-four-pounders, fourteen eighteen-pounders, twelve twelve-pounders, one nine-
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pounder, nine six-pounders, ten four-pounders and four three- pounders. The continental paper money was declared a legal tender, and an act passed to prevent its depreciation and that of all other current paper money of the states. An act was passed to punish persons who acknowledge the king of Great Britain to be their sovereign and a fine imposed of one hun- dred pounds. Another was passed requiring a test oath as a condition precedent to voting at any town meeting.
Eleven of the leading citizens of Newport who had refused to subscribe the required test, were ordered to be removed by the sheriff at their own expense, each to a different town in the colony; Governor Wanton to Jamestown, with the liberty of that town under the inspection of that commanding officer, with privilege under permission to visit under guard his farm on Prudence island and that only. Three of these persons de- clined to pay the expense of removal and were lodged in the Providence jail. One was fortunate enough to escape on a ves- sel to the West Indies. The remainder went quietly to their destinations.
Not forgetting their old-time courtesy, Henry Ward, the secretary, and Colonel Jonathan Arnold were directed to pre- pare an answer to the express from Lord Howe. This, signed by the governor, was a respectful acknowledgment and informa- tion to his Lordship, without comment, that copies of his letter and declaration would be transmitted to the " Most Honoura- ble the General Congress of the United States of America, to whom every application respecting the disputes between the said states and Great Britain ought to be addressed and must be referred." The records of the proceedings of this assembly close with the prayer " God save the United States."
At the August session William Richmond was appointed colonel of the state brigade, and Christopher Lippitt recom- mended to congress for colonel of the Second regiment. Solomon Southwick was named intendant of trade under the recent act for the district of Newport. Dr. William Hunter, one of the eleven sent out of town at the last session, was authorized to re- turn from Smithfield to Newport and reside there during the pending illness of one of his children, but to return as soon as the situation of his family permitted. And here it may be prop- erly said that the student of this period makes a distinction be- tween those persons who, born in the old country, whether with
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
relatives and connections there or without, held their loyalty to the king and preserved a strict neutrality in the contest, and those who were active enemies to the country which had har- bored them.
The struggle now was for the possession of New York. In July Lord Admiral Howe joined his brother, the general, with the fleet and army from England, and on the 12th of August a fleet of sixty more vessels, having on board nine thousand Hes- sian mercenaries, brought up the British force on Staten Island and in New York harbor to twenty-two thousand men and twenty- five ships-of-war. On the 22d Howe began landing his troops on Long Island, and on the night of the 20th Washing- ton, unable to hold his position against the superior force, with- drew his army to New York.
The Rhode Island assembly met on the 2d of September and, receiving a request from General Washington, through Governor Trumbull of Connecticut, that a body of men should be thrown upon the east end of Long Island for the protection of the inhabitants and stock, ordered over the whole brigade of state troops, two regiments with a detachment of artillery and two gallies, under the command and direction of Colonel Lip- pitt. But on hearing of the evacnation of Long Island the movement was stopped. Great apprehensions were now felt for the safety of Newport, and the assembly sent a committee, consisting of Joshua Babcock, John Collins and Joseph Stan- ton, Jr., to confer with General Washington. All the cannon at Newport not mounted were ordered to the main for defense; the troops on Conanicut, and the cannon there, were brought over to Newport. There was correspondence between Rhode Island and Connecticut as to the feasibility of a joint movement to Long Island to bring off the stock with the aid of the con- tinental whale boats collected in Boston harbor. Trumbull had this expedition greatly at heart.
On the 3d of September congress wrote a pressing letter, ask- ing that aid be sent to New York. One of the continental bat- talions marched on the 14th, and Colonel Richmond had the other in readiness to proceed the moment the Massachusetts regiment of militia arrived to take their place. Orders were issued to raise seven hundred men to replace Colonel Rich- mond's battalion. Washington was gratified by the readiness of the assembly to meet his wishes. The Rhode Island com-
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mittee, which visited him in camp and was witness of the re- treat from the city of New York to the Heights of Harlem and the cheering fight of the 16th of September in which the Rhode Island regiments were engaged, had expressed their fear that Newport and Rhode Island must be evacuated; but Washing- ton was not of that opinion-not at least under any imaginary necessity.
The headquarters of the state forces was at Newport, and two regiments were constantly stationed on the island. But they were poorly supplied. Some of those ordered to Long Island were "bare of clothes, having neither shoes nor stockings to wear," and there was naturally "much grumbling." Congress now, however, undertook to fit them properly with blankets and clothing for winter service. In the first days of October Rhode Island had two battalions in continental pay, troops originally raised by the state : Colonel Varnum's, Colonel Hitelicock's and Colonel Lippitt's with Washington, and Colo- nel Richmond's, who was under orders for New London. In November, the time of enlistment of Colonel Richmond's reg- iment expiring, and the commissions of the field officers also, the organization was disbanded. A new regiment was ordered, and officers were appointed : Colonel, John Sayles, Jr .; lieu- tenant colonel, Benjamin Talman; major, Thomas Potter, Jr. The surgeon, Stephen Wigneron, was a distinguished practi- tioner, of a Newport Huguenot family.
CHAPTER VII. NEWPORT IN THE REVOLUTION (Concluded).
BY JOHN AUSTIN STEVENS.
British Occupation of Newport, 1777-9,-The Siege of Newport, 1778 .- The Fleets off Rhode Island .- The Battle of Rhode Island .- Evacuation by the British .- The French in Rhode Island, 1780-SI .- The Naval Engagement .- The March of the French.
T HE military occupation of Boston was dictated by politi- cal, not by strategic considerations. The earliest English port in the northern colonies, it was necessary to maintain it if possible, and moreover, as the place where the first overt resist- ance to the measures of the government was made, it was politic that it should receive the first punishment. That it was un- tenable was soon practically demonstrated, and its evacuation was a military advantage to the British.
New York, at the mouth of the great dividing river, was the natural key to the northern section of the inhabited country, and Newport the natural key to the New England portion of that section. New York and Newport, with their great harbors, in either of which vast fleets conld find safe anchorage and easy defense. and Long Island sonnd, with its sheltered communica- tion between the ports, offered a base for military operations unequalled in its advantages for an offensive naval power. The English commanders quickly recognized this, and immediately after the reduction of New York turned their attention to Newport. The fall of Fort Washington, on the 16th of No- vember, 1776, seenring the British position and leaving a large force disposable for offensive operations. the establishment of a post at Newport was resolved upon as a basis for the operations which Lord Howe contemplated against Boston in the spring campaign.
On the 14th General Charles Lee, from the camp at North Castle, Westchester county, where he was in command, Wash-
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ington being with the main body of the army in the Jersies, informed Governor Cooke of Rhode Island that a considerable force was "being embarked or about to embark on Staten Island," and that though South Carolina was given out as the place of their destination, it was " not impossible or improbable that they may have some designs against Rhode Island either on a pillaging scheme or perhaps with a view of establishing winter quarters for a part of the troops, as they find them- selves straightened at New York." This letter Governor Cooke enclosed to Governor Trumbull of Connectiont on the 18th. with a request for assistance.
The general assembly met at East Greenwich on the 21st (November), and among their various orders for the government of the military, directed that in order to keep open the passage at Bristol and Howland ferries two strong fortifications be erected at each and sufficient cannon taken off from Rhode Island to arm the batteries. It was directed that one eighteen ponnder and two twelve pounders be left in the fort at Bren- ton's point; that one twenty-four pounder, two eighteen pound- ers and two twelve pounders be left in Fort Liberty; and that one twenty-fonr pounder, two eighteen pounders and two twelve pounders be left on the North Battery; that all the cannon monnted on field carriages be also left on Rhode Island; and that all the rest of the cannon be removed to the main land; namely three of the heaviest cannon to Bristol ferry and three to Howland's ferry. The remainder were ordered to the battery on Fox point, near Providence; a committee was appointed to distribute the shot and cartridges.
The British preparations completed, the expedition was made up at the watering place off Staten Island, where the heavy ships lay, and on the 25th and 26th of November, sixty-five hundred troops, British and Hessian in abont equal proportions, were embarked on sixty transports, mostly East India Com- pany's ships. The command of the expedition. Lord Howe assigned to Sir Henry Clinton. Admiral Sir Peter Parker was in command of the fleet. On the 27th the expedition left New York, and sailed down the sound in three divisions, each es- corted by three men-of-war, one in advance and one on either flank. Commodore Hotham covered the rear. Sir Peter Par- ker, with seven men-of-war and four frigates, took the outside passage, and appeared off Block Island on the 2d of December.
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Turning westward he sailed up the sound to meet the incoming vessels.
Alarmed by the movement of the ships, Governor Cooke, on the 3d, sent a despatch to Governor Artemas Ward, of Massa- chusetts, askingimmediate help, and was at once answered that marching orders had been given to the militia of three counties. The committee of safety, consisting of the governor, three of his council, and eleven members of the assembly, which had full power in the recess of the assembly, on the 4th advised Commodore Hopkins, who commanded the continental fleet, to get all the vessels which belonged to it ont of the harbors of the state to sea as quickly as possible with safety; but he re- plied that it was impossible, as he could not enlist sufficient men. An embargo was laid on all the privateers and merchant- men in port to help the manning of the navy. On the 5th or- ders were issued to draft another regiment, of which Joseph Stanton was appointed colonel. A regiment of Providence county militia volunteered for service on the island pending the drafts, and was placed under command of Col. Chad Brown. General West was made brigadier of the troops on the island. The women and children were advised to move with their fnr- niture from Newport and the other towns on the bay to the interior for safety. The prisoners of war were sent on board of Commodore Hopkins' vessels, or into the country, for safe keeping. The stock on Rhode Island and Conanicut was driven off.
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