USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I > Part 25
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News of the final treaty of peace between the United States and Great Britain arrived in Providence on the second day of December, 1783. The population of this town at that time numbered 4,306, of which 291 were negroes, mulattoes and Indians.
The war being ended, and the independence of the colonies being recognized by Great Britain, the questions of peace now came to the surface for adjustment. They presented some phases even more perplexing than the questions of war had been. The conditions upon which the colonies were to be united as states, so as to secure the imperative necessities of union and at the same time preserve the independence of each, was a question that puzzled the leaders of this state to a hazardous extreme. In the general sentiment in op- position to accepting the constitution of a government which most of the other states quite readily accepted, the town of Providence did not sympathize. On the contrary the prevailing sentiment here, as expressed in repeated public demonstrationsand instructions to their deputies and other action of the town, was decidedly in favor of adopting the constitution of the United States. The opposition in other parts of the state, however, was for a long time in the ascend- ency. The people of Providence expressed their sentiments of ap- proval by demonstrations of public rejoicing whenever the news ar- rived of the acceptance of the constitution by any of the sister states.
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On such occasions the schools were dismissed for the day, the church bells rung nearly all day and cannon fired at different hours of the day.
The 4th of July, 1788, was determined upon as the occasion of a great festive day, commemorative both of the adoption of the con- stitution by the nine states necessary to its going into effect, and the signing of the declaration of independence. A sumptuous pro- gramme had been prepared, including among its details the roasting of an ox entire. A table a thousand feet long was prepared under an awning. The scene of the jubilee and feast was at Federal Plain, on the land of Job Smith, at the head of the cove. Here it was esti- mated some five or six thousand people assembled and took part in the ceremonies. But there was an element of opposition in the sur- rounding country that, hearing of the proposed demonstrations of rejoicing, determined to interfere with it. To carry out their design about one thousand armed men assembled in the adjoining woods during the previous night, and sent a delegation on the morning of the celebration to forbid any demonstrations of rejoicing on account of the adoption of the constitution by other states. With a very com- mendable desire to preserve peace at this juncture of their history the people consented that the festivities in form should have refer- ence only to the celebration of the declaration of independence, and that no formal declaration of approval of the constitution and its adoption by other states as the object of rejoicing by the assemblage should be made. Upon this the men in arms remained quiet during the day, some of them perhaps taking part in the festivities as a patriotic celebration of the 4th of July or Independence Day.
But the spirit of sympathy with the adoption of the constitution was alive on the following day, when the news arrived that Virginia had fallen into line. Bells were rung, cannon fired, and about a thousand men paraded the principal streets. Again on the 29th of the same month, when the news that New York had adopted the constitution arrived, the popular rejoicing found vent in a similar outburst of demonstrative enthusiasm. On this occasion the south side of Weybosset bridge was decorated with eleven flags, to repre- sent the eleven states which had then adopted the constitution, while on the north side of the bridge stood two poles, one of which repre- sented North Carolina, inclined about 30 degrees from perpendicular, and bearing the motto. " It will rise;" while the other represented this state, being inclined at an angle of about 45 degrees, and bear- ing the motto " Rhode Island in hopes." Early in 1789, on the in- auguration of the new government of the United States, we find the people of Providence instructing and urging their deputies in general assembly to advocate a convention to consider the adoption of the constitution. In spite, however, of all the efforts the representatives of Providence could make nothing could be done, so strong was the
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sentiment in other parts of the state in opposition to the idea. In May this town again appealed to the assembly, this time by direct petition, to call a state convention to consider the adoption of the constitution. Strong arguments were enumerated in this petition against delay and refusai to join the eleven states already in the Union, but the assembly remained obstinate.
In August, 1789, Providence, in town meeting appointed a com- mittee to draft a petition direct to congress, which petition, duly at- tested, was transmitted to that body. In it the people prayed for the favorable consideration of congress, assuring them of their patriotism and fidelity to the cause during the war, and regretting their un- happy situation outside the Union, and particularly entreating con- gress to grant that for a reasonable time " the vessels belonging to the citizens of this state, may be admitted to entry in the ports of the United States, exempt from the payment of foreign tonnage in the same manner as vessels belonging to their own citizens." A similar petition in this particular was presented to congress by the general assembly in September, and in response to these congress consented to place for a limited time the vessels and goods of the citizens of this state on the same footing with like property of citizens of the United States.
The assembly now sent out a request that the people of the differ- ent towns should instruct their representatives in regard to calling a convention. Providence now gave no specific instructions to her representatives, but directed them to act conscientiously in the mat- ter and according to their oaths of office, the people evidently believ- ing that no further instructions were needed. Doubtless the senti- ments of their representatives were well known before their election. The January session of the assembly was held in Providence and the motion for a convention was carried in the lower house. Excitement now became intense. The session held until Saturday evening, when the senate stood four in favor and five against. They adjourned to Sunday morning. One of the senators, being a minister, felt it his duty to return home to attend to his Sabbath services, and when the senate convened the motion received a tie vote. It now devolved upon the governor to decide, and he gave his vote to concur with the lower house. An uncontrollable burst of applause broke from the crowded house when the decision was reached. The convention was accordingly called at South Kingstown in March and adjourned thence to meet at Newport on the last Monday in May, where, after several days of the most intense excitement and prolonged discus- sion, the motion to adopt the constitution was carried by a majority of two. The delegates to this convention from Providence were Jabez Bowen, Benjamin Bourne, William Barton and John Innes Clark. The popular enthusiasm again found expression in the firing of salutes, ringing of bells, waving of flags and military parades, not
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even forbearing on account of the day, which chanced to be the Sab- bath, when the news arrived.
Thus the state was admitted to the Union, and the interests of the town of Providence shared in the common current of peaceful pros- perity, which from that time bore its history adown the decades with only now and then a disturbance upon its placid bosom. The popu- lation of Providence in 1790 was 6,380, and its shipping then consisted of 9 ships, 36 brigs, 20 schooners, 45 sloops, altogether 110 sail, aggre- gating a tonnage of 10,590, exclusive of river packets, boats and shal- lops. At this time Providence was claimed to be "a place of more navigation than any of its size in the union," and it was also declared in a petition to congress that there was a greater number of vessels belonging to this port than to New York. Such declarations made to so august a body as congress, and by a company represented by a man of so high standing as Welcome Arnold, are hardly to be doubted, incredible as the assertions may at first appear.
In August of this year (1790), President Washington visited Prov- idence. He came from New York in the packet " Hancock," Captain Brown, and was accompanied by Governor Clinton of New York. Thomas Jefferson, secretary of state, and several members of con- gress. The party were formally escorted from the wharf to their lodgings at the Golden Ball Inn, while the enthusiastic populace fired salutes, rang bells and paraded the streets. The college edifice was illuminated in the evening. On the following day the president was shown about town by Governor Fenner, and joined in a state dinner with a company of about three hundred. An address was presented to his excellency by a committee of the people, and was handsomely responded to.
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CHAPTER VII.
GROWTH OF PROVIDENCE TOWN AND CITY.
Business Enterprises and Prosperity .- Yellow Fever .- Presidential Visit .- War of 1812. -Great Storm of 1815 .- Visit of President Monroe .- Providence in 1820 .- Temper- ance Movements .- Riots of September, 1830 .- The City Charter and Government under it .- The Town Dissolved and the City Established .- Review of the new City. -Streets .- Finances .- The Dorr War .- Adopting the State Constitution .- A long Period of Prosperous Growth.
A S THE tide of peaceful business grew stronger, wealth began to increase and the various channels of business and social intercourse began to demand more particular attention. In 1791 efforts were made to establish a bank here, which resulted in the opening of the Providence Bank in October of that year, this being the first institution of the kind chartered in the state. The history of this and other similar institutions will be found elsewhere.
At the date above mentioned, John Carter was postmaster. The southern mails then closed on Mondays and Thursdays, and arrived on Tuesdays and Fridays. The eastern mails closed on Tuesdays and Fridays, and arrived on Mondays and Thursdays. News from Boston was received then when two days old.
In 1792 it became necessary to rebuild Weybosset bridge. The filling in of the shore now occupied by South Water and Canal streets made the channel about 30 feet narrower, and the eastern abutment was carried westward a corresponding distance. The cost of the bridge was about $900. Another bridge was built in the place of a former ferry over the Seekonk river. This was called Washington bridge, and the first team passed over the completed bridge on the 12th of April, 1793. Both these bridges were carried away in the great freshet of 1807.
An event of importance in the history of Providence was the visi- tation of yellow fever, which occurred in 1797. It commenced its ravages in August, and during that month and September 36 persons fell victims to the disease. It was confined principally to a small part of the south end of the town. This experience made so deep an im- pression upon the people that when they were called upon in the following year to sympathize with Philadelphia in similar suffering they readily contributed nearly $1,500 for the relief of the poor and destitute in that city. This act of humanity was reciprocated in 1800,
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when Providence received a second visitation of the same scourge. The fever appears to have broken out in about the same locality, but it did not rage with the same severity.
We may mention in passing that Providence received a second presidential visit in 1797. In August of that year President Adams passed through the town. He was escorted into town by the Provi- dence Light Dragoons, and welcomed, as usual on such occasions, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannon. He was tendered an address of welcome, to which he made an appropriate response, and in the evening the college building and some private residences were brilliantly illuminated. He proceeded on his journey in the morning, and was escorted to the Massachusetts line by several independent companies of military and many citizens.
In the great national questions which divided the American people in relation to the embargo, the non-intercourse, and the subsequent war with Great Britain, known as the war of 1812, the citizens of Providence were strongly opposed to the policy of the administra- tion. The news of the declaration of war was received on the 24th of July, 1812. Being regarded as a great calamity the expressions of the people took shape in the tolling of bells and flying flags at half- mast. On the 7th of August a town meeting passed the following resolutions, which show the position of this town in relation to the great questions of the day:
" Resolved, That it is the duty of every citizen promptly to aid in repelling all invasions of enemies, made for the purposes either of plunder, bloodshed, or devastation, or with any view to infract the rights, usurp the privileges, or interrupt the political freedom of any person whatever.
"Resolved, That we consider it most indispensably needful, at this time, to give all aid for suppressing all riots, tumults and mobs, believing that however horrible war may be, between nation and nation, his terrible features almost soften with mercy, when compared with the grim and bloody visage of civil commotion.
"Resolved, That we will, at the hazard of all things, aid in the support and complete execution of the laws, knowing that safety cannot be found, when law is trampled under foot, and believing that neither life, liberty or property can be secure, when once secret threats or open force have with impunity violated the freedom of speech, of the press, and of election.
"Resolved, That we do all pledge ourselves, promptly, and on all occasions, to resist, and if possible, repel, all hostile invasions from the enemy, that we will assist in quelling riots, tumults and mobs, and do all in our power to discourage and discountenance every thing tending to those direful conflicts, hereby guaranteeing to all persons, so far as our influence and the effect of our exertions can extend, the perfect protection of the laws, so that they may, at all
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times, in all places, and on all occasions, freely speak and publish their opinions, and nominate and elect their public officers, nor be amenable therefor to any man or collection of men, nor to any tribunal on earth, but such only as are established by the laws of the land.
"Resolved. That for obtaining the objects aforesaid, we do recom- mend to all persons, capable of bearing arms, forthwith to furnish themselves with arms and ammunition, and be ready at a moment's warning, to aid in defence of themselves, their families and their country."
There was, however, but little call for active work in defending their homes or property. Still they were not asleep to the possibili- ties of the hour. In the year 1814 there was some alarm lest the enemy might visit the town. A meeting of citizens was assembled and a committee appointed to superintend the erection of fortifica- tions and breastworks for the defense of the town. The citizens turned out without respect to age, social standing or business, and engaged in the work of fortifying the town. Differences of opinion on the causes and principles of the war were laid aside, and the people gave themselves earnestly to the work at hand. Citizens of neighboring towns also joined in the work, volunteering their ser- vices in behalf of Providence, as being situated upon the river. the most likely to be assailed by the enemy.
The news of the return of peace was received here February 12th, 1815. The enthusiasm of the people broke forth into demonstrative rejoicing. Amid the inauspicious conditions of weather, in keeping with the season, the people were in lively motion upon the streets expressing their rejoicing at the welcome news. Bells were rung, cannon fired, and a general illumination took place in the evening.
A notable storm occurred during September, 1815, which is one of the prominent features of the history of that time. It began on the 22d, and continuing to the 23d, became the most disastrous storm ever known in the annals of this town. The following account is from a Providence paper of September 26th, 1815:
"A storm of rain from the northeast commenced on Friday last. and continued with little intermission till Saturday morning, when the wind veered to the east. Between S and 9, however, it shifted to the southeast and continued to blow with increasing violence until half past eleven, when suddenly changing to the west, the progress of the calamity we now deplore was happily stayed. The tide rose to an uncommon and terrifying height, being twelve feet higher than spring tides, and inundated the streets in various parts of the town. It extended in Westminster street a considerable distance beyond the theatre. The lives of many families, particularly on the west side, were in imminent danger. Consternation and dismay were depicted in every countenance-all were eager to fly, but knew not where to find a place of safety.
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"Vessels were forced into the streets and threatened destruction to the surrounding buildings. Women and children were rescued from chamber windows, and men were seen buffetting the torrent in the streets, to save a friend or secure an asylum. Weybosset bridge was entirely carried away about 10 o'clock. Every vessel in port, with two exceptions, was driven from its moorings. Thirty-five sail. including 4 ships, one of them over 500 tons; 9 brigs, 7 schooners, and 15 sloops now form a melancholy, dismantled line at the head of the cove. One of them drifted within the limits of North Providence, and strange as it may appear, Pleasant street is now the anchorage ground of a burthensome sloop.
"Our wharves, on which were stored the riches of every clime, exhibit the most sad and repulsive aspect. Of the numerous and very spacious stores which crowded the wharves bordering on Wey- bosset street, scarcely a vestige remains. Most of those south of the Market House, to India Point, shared a similar fate. Many of our streets, which but a few days since were the theatre of virtuous and prosperous enterprise, are barricaded by an accumulation of lumber, scows, boats, &c., and peopled by busy sufferers who are anxious to identify, reclaim and preserve their property.
"The sufferings and losses of the inhabitants at Eddy's Point were very severe. Several dwelling houses were carried away, while others were divested, by the pitiless storm, of every article of pro- vision, clothing and furniture. The damage sustained at India Point was very extensive. The valuable distillery there is rendered in- operative for many months. Mill bridge, at the north end, is ren- dered impassable, except for foot passengers, and the upper works of the bridge at India Point are entirely gone.
"The third story of the Washington Insurance Office, occupied by Mount Vernon Lodge, was much injured, being perforated by the bowsprit of the ship 'Ganges,' when she rushed with impetuosity up the river. This handsome building was otherwise, though not ma- terially injured. The Rev. Mr. Williams' meeting house, situated in a very exposed place, received considerable injury, and had the tide continued to rise for a few minutes longer, would inevitably have swelled the catalogue of devastation.
"The Second Baptist meeting house, injudiciously located near the water, was totally destroyed by the winds and waves, and the fragments are scattered through our streets. Much damage was done also to the elegant fence enclosing the First Baptist meeting house, by the fall of surrounding trees, but, to the astonishment of every one, the magnificent spire of that superb edifice still towers sublime. We do not learn that any other public buildings have sustained material damage. Chimneys, trees, fences, &c., were prostrated in every direction.
"We are happy to state, that amid this war of elements and wreck
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of matter, only two persons were lost. Mr. David Butler and Mr. Reuben Winslow were unfortunately drowned at India Point. It is computed that five hundred buildings of various descriptions have been destroyed. The loss consequent upon this sad calamity is esti- mated at a million and a half of dollars."
Other accounts of the storm estimate the damage at about one million dollars. It is also said that the wind was so violent that the spray from the salt water was taken up and wafted forty miles through the air, being recognized by its salt taste where it alighted on window panes as far away as Worcester. The actual measurement of the tide above the highest tide that had ever been known before was seven feet five inches.
The bridges carried away by the storm were as soon as practicable replaced. A new bridge across the river near Weybosset was com- pleted in 1828, being built by the Providence Washington Insurance Company. About the same time another bridge, occupying the space between this and old Weybosset bridge, and connecting the two, was built by the same corporation. Weybosset bridge itself was rebuilt in 1839, at a cost of $25,000, its width being increased to 140 feet.
In the summer of 1817 the hospitality and patriotic enthusiasm of the people were again aroused by the visit of a president. On Mon- day, June 30th, President Monroe arrived in the steamer " Firefly." The usual bell ringing, cannon firing and illumination attended his reception and entertainment, and he was escorted by the military, received by a ponderous committee and presented with a formal ad- dress. Another formal reception of note was that of Lafayette in 1824. News of his coming was received with the usual noisy demon- strations of joy. A town meeting called for the purpose, appointed a committee of arrangements to prepare for his reception. Ephraim Bowen, one of his old companions in arms, was sent to meet him in Connecticut. Lafayette was met at Olneyville by the committee, about noon of August 23d. He was escorted to the court house by a very long procession of military companies and citizens, and was everywhere met by demonstrations of welcome and cordial recogni- tion. Waving handkerchiefs greeted him on every hand. On arriv- ing at the foot of the state house parade he alighted from his car- riage and walked up to the state house steps between two lines of girls dressed in white, who strewed his path with flowers as he passed. At the western entrance of the state house stood the old veteran, Captain Stephen Olney. As he and Lafayette recognized each other they sprang mutually forward and stood clasped in each other's arms, while tears of joy at meeting softened their eyes as well as the eyes of many who beheld the affecting scene. An address of admiration and esteem was presented and appropriately answered, the general received the people for a few hours, in the senate cham- ber, and the i proceeded on his way to Boston.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
By the census of 1820 Providence contained 11,745 inhabitants. Of this number 6,627, including 705 colored persons, were on the east side of the river, and 5,118, including 270 colored persons, were on the west side. At that time the census found but nine foreigners, not naturalized, on the west side of the river, and thirty on the east side. A glimpse of the increase of the wants of the town in its use of vegetables and fruits may be seen in the fact given by a writer of the time, that 107 wagons loaded with such things could be counted at market, while six years before less than half that number was considered an unusually large showing. Before this it was not un- common to meet persons in the evening wending their way through the streets, over the uneven sidewalks, by the flickering light of a hand lantern. In 1820 the streets were lighted by public lamps, and in 1821 the sidewalk commissioners began the work of smoothing and straightening the footways of the town. In the same year a fire hook and ladder company was established, and in 1822 a hydraulion was purchased for the protection of the people against fire.
A comparison of the appearance of the city at that time with its appearance at the present day, would exhibit a wonderful change. Indeed there are but few landmarks by which the Rip Van Winkle who went to sleep at that time would be able to recognize his locality on awaking now. Standing then on the campus in the rear of Brown University and looking eastward, the eye rested upon a broad ex- panse of fields until it reached the Seekonk river, and the only houses passed in following Angell street to Red bridge were a small dwel- ling and a tan yard near Hope street, the residence of the late John J. Stimson, and the Moses Brown farm house. On Smith's hill but few dwellings were to be seen after passing the Smith mansion. Federal hill, to the west of the John P. Jones mansion, then standing on its eastern brow, was a broad plain, and on High and Cranston streets population had reached but little if any west of Knight street, then known as Love lane. Broadway was not then opened. South Providence was but a sandy plain. Elmwood was unknown, and Cranston was a distinct town, with miles of open country lying be- tween it and Providence. The tide had a free flow up the Woonas- quatucket river nearly to Richmond's Print Works, and the marsh on both sides was flooded at its full. The basin then was bounded on the east by Canal street. on the south by the front line of buildings on Exchange place, while on the north its waters washed the south- ern slope of Smith's hill. Aborn's wharf was in this basin, at the foot of Washington street, and the record of rise and fall of tides at that point was kept for many years after that date. The town coun- cil in 1820 consisted of William Richmond, John Carlile, Richmond Bullock, Walter R. Danforth and Zachariah Allen. Other officers of the town were: Nathan W. Jackson, clerk; James Hammond, ser- geant: John Howland, treasurer; Benjamin Clifford, Samuel Ames
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