USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I > Part 23
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T 7 HE Revolutionary period, as might naturally be expected in a community drawn together and built up on the basis of human freedom, more emphatically than any other community in the colonies of America, developed in Providence the strongest patriot- ism and most determined opposition to any eneroachments on the liberties of the people. In anticipation of the arrival of stamped paper a special town meeting was convened on the 7th of August, 1765. to consider what steps were necessary to be taken. A com- mittee appointed at that time reported on the 13th instructions to their representatives in the general assembly, which were unani- mously adopted. These instructions opened with the following pre- amble:
" As a full and free enjoyment of British liberty and of our own particular rights, as colonists, long since precisely known and ascer- tained by uninterrupted practice and usage from the first settlement of this country down to this time, is of unspeakable value, and stren- uously to be contended for, by the dutiful subjects of the best frame of government in the world, any attempts to deprive them thereof must be very alarming and ought to be opposed, although in a decent manner, yet with the utmost firmness.
"We conceive that some late resolutions of the Parliament of Great Britain, for taxing us without our consent, have a tendency to divest us of our most valuable privileges as Englishmen; and that the measures adopted by the ministry and the Parliament in this behalf,
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if carried into execution, will be a manifest infraction of our inherent rights as members of the British government and unspeakably in- jurious in the present distressedand involved state of the colony."
The instructions then proceeded to deny that the colonies were represented in parliament by British members; and to declare that the refusal of that body to hear petitions against the stamp act, the enlargement of the admiralty jurisdiction and the burdening of trade, were great grievances to the people here. and directly against their rights as subjects. The enlargement of the powers of the court of admiralty was declared to be in equal proportion a diminishing of their own natural rights. The deputies of the town in general assem- bly were then recommended to use their utmost endeavors to procure the appointment of commissioners by the assembly to meet with commissioners of the other colonies at New York in October follow- ing, to unite in a petition to the king for relief from the stamp act and other grievances. They were also to use their efforts toward postponing the introduction of the stamp act until the colonies could be heard in self-defense; and to procure the assertion by general as- sembly of the following facts in argument of their cause: I. That the first settlers of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations were Eng- lish subjects and brought with them to this country and transmitted to posterity all their rights as such, and all such rights and privileges had descended to the petitioners. II. That by the charter of Charles the Second it was declared and granted that the heirs and successors of those to whom it was granted should have and enjoy all the liberties and immunities of free and natural subjects the same as though they were born within the realm of England. III. That this colony had heretofore enjoyed the liberty of controlling its own matters of taxes and internal police, and had never in any way forfeited or yielded up that right. IV. That the right to lay taxes upon the inhabitants of this colony lay in the general assembly, and any attempt to vest such right in any other person or persons was unconstitutional. and its tendency would manifestly be to destroy British as well as American liberty. V. That the inhabitants of this colony were not bound to yield obedience to any law or ordinance designed to impose internal taxation of any kind upon them other than by authority of the gen- eral assembly. The deputies were further urged to advocate the passage of an act declaring that the courts of common law only, and not any court of admiralty rightfully have jurisdiction in all cases growing out of levying or collecting any internal taxes or in any way relating to that subject, and that all such cases should proceed as it had been customary for them to proceed in the past, and that no de- cree of any court of admiralty in such matters should be executed in this colony.
The sentiments of the town of Providence, thus expressed, found response in the assembly and were in substance passed by that body,
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and in most respects similar resolutions were soon passed by others of the American colonies. Providence may claim the proud honor of standing in the front ranks of the patriot towns of America, if not a little in advance of others in asserting the rights of the colonists. The repeal of the stamp act followed in March, 1766. This was the signal for a general expression of rejoicing in the colonies. Provi- dence was not behind her sisters in such jubilant demonstrations. The birthday of the king was chosen as the occasion of public ex- pression of rejoicing. The day was ushered in by the ringing of bells and firing of cannon on the Parade. The court house was beat- tifully ornamented with flags, and at a given signal the shipping in the harbor flung their colors to the breeze. A general mass meeting convened on the Parade at eleven o'clock, whence they marched in order with drums beating and trumpets blowing and flags waving, to the Presbyterian meeting house, where appropriate religious services were conducted, including a prayer of thanksgiving and a discourse by Reverend Mr. Rowland, from the words, "The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad." After the hearty render- ing of an appropriate anthem the line of march was taken up on the return to the Parade, where his majesty's health was drank by many hundreds under a royal salute of twenty-one cannon. At four o'clock in the afternoon the people reassembled and drank 32 of the most loyal, patriotic and constitutional toasts, amidst the firing of cannon. the blare of trumpets and drums, and the loud huzzas of the people. A grand pyrotechnic display followed in the evening, which included 108 sky-rockets, a "bee-hive" containing 106 "serpants," and other kinds of fire-works. At nine o'clock a boiled collation (modernly called a " chowder ") was served, and feasting continued until 11 o'clock, when the company retired. A grand ball took place on the night following, at which a narrator at the time declares " there was the most brilliant appearance of ladies this town ever saw." The anniversary of this jubilee day was celebrated in a similar manner for several years thereafter. It occurred on the 18th of March.
In answer to the attempt of parliament to lay import duties on certain articles of common use, in 1767, a town meeting was held in Providence on the 25th of November, at which it was determined to ask the people to subscribe to an agreement not to import or use cer- tain specified articles, upon which the duty had been laid, after the first day of the following January, and to discountenance the exces- sive use of certain other articles which could be manufactured in America, and to encourage home manufactures and the raising of wool and flax. The signing of these articles of agreement was almost, if not quite, unanimous.
In July, 1768, the "Sons of Liberty" were called upon to attend the dedication of the " tree of liberty." Almost every town then had either its liberty tree or its liberty pole. The liberty tree of Provi-
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dence was a little north of the north side of Olney street, in front of a public house kept there by Captain Joseph Olney. The house was a large, old-fashioned, low studded house with a wing giving it an L shape. In the large front yard stood one of the largest elm trees ever seen hereabout, and up into this elm, about 20 feet from the ground, a perch and seat large enough to accommodate ten or twelve persons was adjusted upon four branches which put out from that part of the trunk. The seat was reached by a flight of wooden steps. The tree was appropriately dedicated on July 25th, 1768, an oration of the occasion being delivered by Silas Downer. After the oration the following dedicatory words were pronounced by the speaker, the people on the elevated perch meanwhile laying hands upon the tree:
" We do, in the name and behalf of all the true sons of liberty in America, Great Britain, Ireland, Corsica, or wheresoever they may be dispersed throughout the world, dedicate and solemnly de- vote this tree to be a tree of liberty. May all our councils and deliberations, under its venerable branches, be guided by wisdom and directed for the support and maintenance of that liberty which our renowned forefathers sought out and found under trees and in the wilderness. May it long flourish, and may the sons of liberty often repair hither, to confirm and strengthen each other; when they look toward this sacred elm, may they be penetrated with a sense of their duty to themselves and their posterity; and may they, like the house of David, grow stronger and stronger, while their enemies, like the house of Saul, shall grow weaker and weaker. Amen."
Meetings were held from time to time, by the Sons of Liberty as well as by the town, to consider means for more effectually carrying out the popular sentiment against importing goods upon which the obnoxious duty was laid. In October, 1769, a town meeting was held to consider action in regard to an expected arrival of forbidden goods. It would appear that several merchants of the town, notwith- standing they had subscribed to the non-importation agreements, were now expecting such goods by a vessel soon to arrive from Eng- land. What arguments or means of persuasion were used we are not told, but these merchants, it is said, cheerfully agreed to deliver up to a committee of three men appointed by the town meeting, all the expected dutiable goods, for those men to hold in safe keeping until the duty tax should be removed.
Seeing the determined opposition of the colonists to the duty on imports, Parliament repealed the obnoxious acts in part. This en- couraged those whose greed of personal gain was greater than their patriotism to engage in the importation and traffic in all the goods which had been under the ban of refusal. By the popular prejudice against these importations such articles had become somewhat scarce, and among those whose respect for the principles at stake was small there was a demand, to supply which was a tempting bait to the
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cupidity of mercenary dealers. So the charges of breaking the non- importation agreements were frequently made against the merchants of this and other cities of the colonies. The promulgation, discus- sion and investigation of these charges kept the patriotic spirit alive with frequent agitations. The non-importation agreements were re- vised to meet the conditions of the new modification of the act of parliament. Thus matters continued for several years.
The burning of the schooner " Gaspee " was one of the events of national importance, which have ever stood in bold relief among the historic remains of that eventful and interesting period. In attempt- ing to put a stop to the illicit trade, which had long been carried on in the different ports of this country, armed vessels had been placed in Narragansett bay, as well as in other waters adjacent to the ocean. The vigilance of the customs officers in this work had resulted in serious riots. Vessels suspected of being engaged in illicit trade had been seized by the customs officers and confiscated with their cargoes. The scene of the marine operations was mostly in the lower part of the bay. In 1764 the schooner "St. John" was sta- tioned in the bay for the purpose mentioned. In 1769 the sloop "Liberty " was commissioned in these waters for the same purpose.
The acts of the British commanders of these vessels were exact- ing. oppressive, and very obnoxious to the people who fell under their tyrannical surveillance. Their acts called forth decided outbursts of indignation, which arose sometimes to actual demonstrations of vio- lence. and indeed were ominous as to the possibilities of what con- tinued acts of the kind might bring about. In the early part of 1772, his majesty's schooner, the "Gaspee," carrying eight guns, and com- manded by Lieutenant Dudingston, was stationed in Narragansett bay, on a similar mission. He stopped all vessels, even including small market boats, without showing his authority for doing so; and even sent the property which he thus illegally seized to Boston for trial. Complaints became so numerous from those who had suffered from his acts, in which he even went beyond and in violation of his powers as limited by certain acts of parliament, that Governor Ses- sions obtained from Chief Justice Hopkins the opinion, "that no commander of any vessel has a right to use any authority in the body of the colony, without previously applying to the Governor, and showing his authority for so doing: and also being sworn to a due exercise of his office." Protests were made to the commander, and this correspondence was submitted to his superior officers, but, even while he seems to have been in doubt as to the legality of his acts, he still pursued his course.
On the 9th of June, 1772, Captain Benjamin Lindsey left Newport for Providence in his packet, about the middle of the day. The "Gaspee" started in pursuit. Following until they had reached Namquit point, about seven miles below Providence, the " Gaspee "
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drawing more water than the other, ran aground upon a shoal and there remained. On his arrival in Providence Lindsey spread the news of the position of the "Gaspee," and immediately eight of the largest long-boats in the harbor were provided with five oars each. the same being well muffled, and placed in readiness at Fenner's wharf. Soon after sunset the boats were manned by ship-masters and merchants of Providence, men of respectability and standing in society, and proceeded in the evening down the river. The men had gathered at the house of James Sabin, on the northeast corner of South Main and Planet streets, and at about 10 o'clock started on their uncertain and perilous undertaking. On approaching the "Gaspee " they were discovered, however, and as the commander was hailing the party a shot from one of the boats gave him a wound which dis- abled him, and the party boarded the vessel without opposition, de- manding her surrender. The crew were directed to gather up their effects, and were then put ashore at Pawtuxet. The vessel was then set on fire and burned to the water's edge.
Governor Wanton, on the 12th, issued a proclamation command- ing all officers in the colony to use the utmost vigilance in appre- hending the perpetrators of this outrage, and offering a reward of £100 sterling for the conviction of the guilty party or parties. The British Government offered a further reward of £500 for the discov- ery of any person engaged in the affair, and $500 in addition for the discovery of the leader of the party who did the work of destruction. A special court of investigation was afterward held, but neither re- wards nor judicial investigation ever led to any discovery of the guilty parties. But now that long years have passed, and the rewards for their discovery are no longer offered, we may without any offense or injury to them expose their names. And this the more especially since for many decades their names have been all the more honored and respected because of their connection with this affair. The lead- ers in the enterprise were John Brown, then the leading merchant in the colony, a prominent citizen, and one of the founders of Brown University: Abraham Whipple, a captain of a merchantman engaged in the West India trade, formerly commanding an active privateer during the French war, and afterward a commander in the American navy during the revolution: John Mawney, a man of literary inclina- tions, who had been educated in medicine, but never practiced to any great extent, his estate, where he closed his long life, being that part of the present city now known as Elmwood; John B. Hopkins, a son of Commodore Esek Hopkins and member of the family represented by Governor Stephen Hopkins, signer of the declaration of inde- pendence, and himself afterward commander of the ship "Cabot" in the revolution: Benjamin Page, a prominent ship-master and for many years commander of a ship in the East India trade; Joseph Bucklin, a restaurant keeper in South Main street; Turpin Smith, a
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young man who afterward became a prominent and successful ship- master, and Ephraim Bowen, afterward a colonel in the revolution, and the last survivor of the party, he living until the year 1840. The commander of the party was Abraham Whipple.
Thus it may be claimed, with the facts recited, that the war began in Rhode Island, and that the first gun of the revolution was fired by a Providence man, and the first bloodshed was scarcely beyond the limits of the present city. So Providence may boast of early and important revolutionary honors.
Events followed in thickening succession, ripening the sentiment which in due time was to break forth in the great struggle for Ameri- can independence. No occasion offered itself to demonstrate the readiness with which the people of Providence would have followed the example of Boston in relation to the importation of tea, but the following expressions, passed by a vote of the town at a town meet- ing for the purpose held at the court house on the 19th of January, 1774, Jabez Brown, moderator, present a good picture of the senti- ments entertained at the time:
"Inasmuch as the British Parliament have undertaken to raise a revenue in the American colonies, by a duty upon tea: we, the free- men of the town of Providence, legally assembled in meeting, cannot be silent on so interesting and alarming an occasion. Should we, in this case, omit to assert and express the firmest resolutions to vindi- eate our rights, it might be construed as a cession of them into the hands of those who have wantonly invaded them in this instance.
"We do therefore, in justice to ourselves, our posterity, and the sister colonies, openly and publicly make the following declarations, hoping that by a vigorous exertion, in conformity thereto, we may in some measure contribute towards escaping the dreadful train of evils which must be the consequence of a tame submission to any inva- sions of American freedom.
"We lament any seeming acquiescence which hath at any time heretofore been made in these colonies, under parliamentary usurpa- tions of our liberties; but as any such tacit concessions were made through fear, inattention, or without a due consideration of our rights, we strongly protest against any precedent being made thereby, to our disadvantage.
"When we consider that many of our ancestors removed from Britain and planted themselves here; that the religion. language and customs of the two countries are mostly similar, and that there hath been a long intercourse of trade and commerce between them, we are willing, and even desirous of a continuance of connexion between the colonies and Britain, if it may be on terms in any measure equal.
"Upon full consideration of the matter upon which we have met, we do resolve, ---
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"I. That the disposal of their own property is the inherent right of freemen; that there can be no property in that, which another can, of right, take from us without our consent; that the claim of Parliament to tax America, is in other words, a claim of right to levy contributions on us at pleasure.
"II. That the duty imposed by Parliament upon tea, landed in America, is a tax on the Americans, or levying contributions on them without their consent.
"III. That the express purpose for which the tax is levied on the Americans, namely; for the support of government, administration of justice, and defence of His Majesty's dominions in America, has a direct tendency to render Assemblies useless, and to introduce arbi- trary government and slavery.
"IV. That a virtuous and steady opposition to this ministerial plan of governing America, is absolutely necessary, to preserve even the shadow of liberty; and is a duty which every freeman in America owes to his country, to himself, and to his posterity.
"V. That the resolution lately entered into by the East India Company to send out their tea to America, subject to the payment of duties on its being landed here, is an open attempt to enfore this ministerial plan, and a violent attack upon the liberties of America.
"VI. That it is the duty of every American to oppose this attempt.
"VII. That whoever shall, directly or indirectly, countenance this attempt, or in any wise aid or abet in unloading, receiving, or vending the tea sent, or to be sent out by the East India Company, while it remains subject to the payment of a duty here, is an enemy to his country.
"VIII. That no tea belonging to the East India Company, or any other persons, subject to a duty, or dutied tea, shall be unladed here, or brought to land.
"IX. That this town will co-operate with the other towns in this colony , and with all the other colonies, in a resolute stand, as well against every other unconstitutional measure, calculated to enslave America, as the tea act in particular.
"X. That Samuel Nightengale, Esq., Jabez Bowen, Esq., and Messrs. John Brown, John Updike, John Jenckes, John Mathewson, and Daniel Cahoon, or the major part of them, be a committee to correspond with the towns in this and the neighboring governments, on all such matters as shall be thought to affect the liberties of America.
"Voted. That this town highly approve of the proceedings of their brethren of Boston, Philadelphia and New York, in their spirited and resolute opposition made to the introduction of tea, while sub- ject to a duty laid by Parliament; and that our thanks be given them for the same.
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"Voted, That the committee wait on all the importers of English goods in this town, and inform them of the resolutions which the town have entered into respecting tea, while subject to a duty; and if any of them have ordered any tea to come next spring, that they be desired to send counter orders immediately.
"Voted, That the foregoing proceedings be published in the next Providence Gasette."
The committee found on investigation, that only one chest of tea had been ordered by the merchants of Providence, and that order had been promptly recalled before the town meeting. Only nine chests on which a duty had been paid had been imported here since the non-importation agreement was rescinded. In the general sympathy with Boston which was manifested throughout the colonies Provi- dence led the van, being first to pass a resolution expressive of that sympathy. At a town meeting held here May 17th, 1774, resolutions were passed declaring that this town would join with the other colo- nies in such measures as should generally be agreed upon for protect- ing and securing their natural rights and privileges and transmitting them to posterity. The deputies were called upon to use their influ- ence in general assembly in favor of calling a congress of the colonies. The opinion was put forth that a suspension of all trade with Great Britain and its dependencies would be the best expedient for securing the speedy reinstatement of Boston to its former privileges.
The general assembly acted in accordance with the desires of the people, and in June appointed Stephen Hopkins and Samuel Ward delegates from this colony to a continental congress. At the town meeting last referred to this town also passed a resolution directing their deputies to endeavor to secure the passage of an act in assembly prohibiting the importation of negro slaves into this colony and also making negroes born here in slavery free after attaining a certain age.
In 1774 the town of Providence contained 4,321 inhabitants, who were grouped in 655 families, and domiciled in 421 houses.
In August of that year the town instructed its deputies to en- deavor to procure the passage of an act making a grant for the assist- ance of Boston. The instructions declare, " Their cause is our cause, and unless aid and succor be afforded them, they may be discouraged into a hurtful submission, and ministerial vengeance may be next directed against this colony, and in the end alight upon all." The patriotism of the people of this town at that time was no burst of spread-eagle enthusiasm, to flash and soar with the parade of a holi- day. It was a deep, pervading sentiment, founded in principle and taking root in the hearts and lives of the people, prompting them to lay hold of the situation with an earnest grasp that meant to stay to the bitter end, whatever that end might be. Many of the people from Boston, when the port was closed and business thus made stag- nant there, removed to other places. Among those who came to
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