USA > Rhode Island > History of Rhode Island > Part 21
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During the war of the Revolution, although Newport, being in possession of the enemy, had but few privateers engaged in the deadly strife, still she furnished a number of distinguished naval commanders, and a greater number of marines, perhaps, than any other town in New England, in proportion to her size and population. It is supposed by those who lived in times that "tried men's souls," that Newport probably furnished a thousand men for the naval service in that war, and that one- half of these fell into the hands of the enemy, and died on board a man-of-war, the Forton prison, in England, or the old Jersey prison-ship, which for the loathsomeness and terror of its dun- geons, compared with the Black Hole of Calcutta.
A certain elegant writer, has said : "Happy, indeed, and thrice happy, were Warren, Montgomery, and Mercer ; happy those other gallant spirits who fell with glory in the heat of battle, distinguished by their country and covered with her applause. Every soul sensible to honor, envies rather than com- passionates their fates. It was in the dungeons of our inhuman invaders-it was in their pestiferous prison-ships that the wretchedness of our countrymen still makes the heart bleed. It was there that hunger, and thirst, and disease, and all the contumely cold-hearted cruelty could bestow, sharpened every pang of death. Misery there rung every fibre that could feel, before she gave the blow of grace which sent the sufferer to eternity. It is said that poison was employed ! No ! there was no such mercy there. There nothing was employed which could blunt the susceptibility to anguish, or which, by hastening death, could rob its agonies of a single pang. On board one only of these floating hells, above eleven thousand of our brave coun-
241
ANECDOTE OF JOHN MURPHY.
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trymen are said to have perished ! She was called the Jersey Deep and dreadful as the coloring of this picture may appear, it is but a faint and imperfect sketch of the original. You must remember a thousand unutterable calamities, a thousand in- stances of domestic as well as national anxiety and distress, which mock description. You ought to remember them ; you ought to hand them down in tradition to your posterity, that they may know the awful price their fathers paid for freedom."
The naval commanders in that war were John Grimes, Benj. Pierce, Joseph Gardiner, William Dennis, James Godfrey, Remembrance Simmons, Thomas Stacy, Oliver Read, Capt. Bently, Samuel Jeffers, John Coggeshall, William Finch, Capt. Jaquays, James Phillips, Ezekiel Burroughs, Isaac Freeborn, William Ladd, Joseph Sheffield, Capt. Gazzee, and John Mur- phy. These either sailed from Newport previous to its posses- sion by the enemy, or subsequently from other ports of New- England, West Indies, &c. The privateers, though small in numerical power and force, yet they constantly annoyed the enemy, took many valuable prizes, and achieved some splendid victories.
An anecdote is related of John Murphy, one of the command- ers, which is too good to be lost. A Mrs. Webber, who kept a boarding-house at the head of Stephens' Wharf, was a re- markable neat woman, which was one of the characteristics of the females of Newport in the past. It was her constant prac- tice to scour her floor every week, and sand it in diamond form. Paint was not generally in vogue at that period. She had on that very day completed her task, which proved to be rainy, and the streets of course muddy. Murphy, knowing the fact, and designing to play off a joke, sallied forth to the lower market, and announced with much earnestness to the country- men who had collected there, that there was a great curiosity to be seen at Mrs. Webber's, viz., a " Whistling Pig;" the crowd instanter rushed to her house, and bolted into the room, inquir- ing at the top of their voices, for the " pig," which brought for- ward the lady, who on discovering the condition of her floor, covered with mud, as may well be imagined, threw her into the greatest rage, and the green-horns had to make their exit with all possible haste, while Murphy amused himself with the joke, which he had so adroitly played off. He was the father of
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
the late Capt. John Murphy, long an enterprising shipmaster from Newport.
Capt. Oliver Read of Newport, justly deserves a place in the history of these times. No sooner was intelligence received that the invaders of his country had commenced the work of destruc- tion in the environs of Boston, than he left the quiet retirement of home, and hastened to the rescue. He offered his services to his country as a volunteer, and joined the American troops in the vicinity of Boston. But the dull monotony of the camp was neither suited to the character or habits of Capt. Read. He soon left the army and sailed as the commander of a privateer. His bold, adventurous spirit exposed him to great dangers, and during the continuance of the war, he was often in the power of his foes ; but the same merciful Providence which watched over and directed the destiny of that event, watched over and pre- served this bold and fearless patriot. After having been several times taken prisoner, and suffered some ungentlemanly treat- ment from his enemies, he solemnly protested, if ever he com- manded another vessel, to make atonement for the insults re- . ceived. IIe was no sooner released from his confinement, than his friends purchased and fitted for him a new and well-built brig, called the Rochambeau. In this brig Capt. Read achieved several victories, and took many rich and valuable prizes ; but he was destined to see his favorite brig in the possession of his foes, and himself again a prisoner of war, by the chicanery of one of his youthful companions, who was a Loyalist, or, in common par- lance of that age, a Tory. Capt. Read and his companions were taken to New-York, and from thence transferred to the Jersey
prison-ship. He resolved, however, not to remain without attempting his escape, if he perished in the attempt. He com- municated his design to several of his companions, Capt. Isaiah Cahoone, and Capt. John Tower, of Providence, with one or two others, who, with the same bold, daring intrepidity, resolved to share the fate of Capt. Read. The only plan of escape which afforded the least hope of success, was to seize the boat of the prison-ship, and effect their escape under the guns of the vessel.
This plan, hazardous in the extreme, and full of danger, was finally agreed upon, and they waited only for a fit opportunity to present itself, when, at a concerted signal, they were to at- tempt its execution. After waiting with impatience for several
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243
RECAPTURE OF THE SPY.
days, Providence seemed to favor their design, and to grant them a favorable opportunity for attempting their escape. Just before night, the boat of the prison-ship returned from shore, and discharged her stores of provisions, when, at the given sig- nal of Captain Read, his companions leaped after him into the boat, cut away her painter, and made for the shore, amidst a volley of balls. The darkness of the night, accompanied with a driving snow-storm, which at that moment commenced, pre- vented the pursuit of their enemies, and they fortunately landed on Long Island during the night. Captain Read soon returned to Newport, with a heart burning with revenge, especially against his old school-fellow, Crandall, the notorious tory. It is said that when Read was delivered up by Crandall, to the officers of the Jersey prison-ship, he cast a withering look at that reckless being, and said, " A short life to one of us! If we meet again, and meet again we shall, one of us dies."
Capt. Read was soon in command of another vessel, of about an equal force with the Rochambeau, which was now com- manded by the infamous Crandall. It was not long before she was descried, although newly painted, and disguised. Read prepared for action, and, as he approached her, hoisted Ameri- can colors ; being hailed, he answered by a broadside, and at the same time showed himself to the astonished Crandall, who supposed him safely lodged in the Jersey prison-ship. The conflict lasted for several hours, until almost every man on board. the Rochambeau was either slain or wounded. And when taken possession of, the lion heart of even Captain Read was deeply affected. There lay the headless trunk of the treacherous Crandall, surrounded by his fallen companions, while the deck was literally covered with human gore. Cap- tain Read again entered his native port, accompanied by his favorite Rochambeau. The brig was immediately repaired and fitted for sea, when her bold commander again sailed on another cruise. Captain Read, having learnt off Sandy Hook that the brig Spy of Providence had been taken by his Majesty's ship Lyon, of sixty four guns, and ordered to New York, resolved if possible to recapture her. Accordingly, he moored his ves- sel in safety, and kept on the look out, near the Hook. The Spy soon came in sight under British colors, cast anchor, and waited for a pilot. Captain Read, with a few brave fellows to
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
man his boat, came alongside and offered his services as a pilot, to take her to New York. His services were readily accepted, and he took his position at the belm.
The wind favoring his design, he put her head for his native town, and let her drive; nor was the trick discovered until it was too late. For as they were approaching near the place of destination, the prize-master said to the pilot, " Sir, we are go- ing to New York, are wo ?" The pilot, bowing very respect- fully, answered laconically, " No, Sir ; no. We are going to Newport."
George W. Babcock, of Narragansett, who sailed from New- port, was another distinguished hero, and was engaged in some of the most obstinate battles during the war. In the spring of 1779, he sailed from Boston, and on the 16th of May he fell in with, and succeeded in capturing after an obstinate engagement, a British privateer called the Tartar, a few days from Cork. The Tartar mounted twenty-six guns, with a complement of one hundred and fifty men; but having previously taken and manned several prizes, the actual number in the engagement could not have exceeded one hundred and twenty men. The crew of the Mifflin were principally from Newport and Narra- gansett. Her first lieutenant, Mr. Timothy Coggeshall, was an inhabitant of the Island. The battle raged with increasing vio- lence for several hours, at a very short distance, and before the deadly conflict was hushed, the vessels were so near each other that they could readily leap from one to the other. But the British flag finally came down, and Capt. Babcock took pos- session of the Tartar.
Two days previous to this engagement, he had fallen in with and captured the British store-ship Elephant, which was con- veying to England a large number of invalids, both officers and privates. When Captain Babcock approached the Elephant, and demanded that her colors be struck to an American priva- teer, her proud and haughty commander, although he knew he could make no effectual resistance, refused to comply.
It is said that Babcock reasoned with him, and remonstrated against the unnecessary effusion of blood his obstinacy would inevitably involve, for several minutes before he ordered his men to fire. The engagement lasted but a few moments, before the flag of the Elephant was struck ; but those moments proved
245
A PRIVATEER BURNED.
fatal to her commander, who fell, with six of his crew by his side. The success of Captain Babcock and his brave crew had nearly proved fatal to them. The number of their prison- ers had now so increased, as to render their situation far more hazardous than the roar of the British cannon. The only alter- native of safety that presented itself, was the dismissal of a large number of them. Accordingly, after having received a bill from the British officer, acknowledging the receipt of so many prisoners of war, Captain Babcock put them on board a prize-ship, and left them to pursue their voyage. The Mifflin, after the engagement, sailed for France, and the Tartar was sent to Boston, where she subsequently arrived in safety.
It was not Newport and the Island merely, that suffered from the British depredators ; but Tiverton, and Seconnet river, also experienced the horrors of war. The . English vessels that guarded the entrance of the Seconnet river, and occasionally came up nearly where the Stone Bridge now is, were a great annoyance. Sometimes, however, they would get aground on the Tiverton or Little Compton side, where the water is very shoal, and occasion much trouble to themselves; and, at one time, a' large privateer of the enemy was run aground on the shore at Little Compton, just below the farm of Beacon Brownell, when the enemy were obliged to burn her and make their escape. Tiverton witnessed much suffering of a domestie nature during the time the enemy were in possession of Rhode Island. The people were often called to share their morsel with the suffer- ing inhabitants, who from time to time came over, and who came off' at the surrender of the town of Newport, and lingered about the opposite shore in hopes their stay might be short, and they be permitted to go back and collect the remnant of their property. A venerable and respected citizen of Portsmouth, who had held many important offices, remarked, "I was but seven years old when the British entered Newport; yet I dis- tinctly recollect the state of alarm and constant excitement dur- ing that period. My father occupied a small house, built on his own land, about three miles equal distance from Bristol and Howland's ferry. I have but little recollection of what took place, particularly, until one day when the Americans under Sullivan were retreating from Rhode Island. A party of the enemy came up to the house of an aged man, and commanded
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
him to draw water for them; and while the venerable man tot- tered to the well, they barbarously shot him in the back."
The Cory family seemed peculiarly a patriotic one ; two of the brothers, Samuel and Pardon, were among the capturers of Prescott. His son, Thomas Corey, married a daughter of Lieutenant Wilcox, one of those who went ahead in the enter- prise of taking Prescott.
Fogland Ferry, at the period of the Revolution, had a house of entertainment near the end of the point, kept by Mrs. Sarah Gray. Exposed as they were, the house was often the resort of the British officers and soldiers, and their insolence was such that Mrs. Gray often had occasion to exercise her authority to keep them in subjection. She was a woman of uncommon nerve, and never daunted by the threats of the enemy. A Hes- sian soldier, on one occasion, inquired for West India rum. He was told they had none, but they could furnish him with some East India. He replied that he would have a glass.
The East River was often the scene of conflict. The Amer- can troops stationed at Little Compton brought two cannon to bear, one twelve and one cighteen-pounder, and poured so de- structive a fire on the British frigate Cerberus, which was then at anchor there, as to compel, her to slip her cables and to make her escape.
On the return of peace, the town of Newport was in ruins. The storm of war had beat heavily upon her, and in the lan- guage of Dr. Waterhouse, " she resembled an old battered shield, long held up against the common enemy." According to the estimate of a committee appointed by the General Assem- bly for that purpose, it appears that the loss sustained by the inhabitants of Newport, in the destruction of dwelling houses, warehouses, &c., amounted to £124,798 13s. 5d., silver money. This estimate includes only the loss of private property sus- tained by individuals. By an estimate of the number of inhab. itants in Newport, taken by order of the General Assembly in 1782, there were at that time 4,912 whites, and 618 colored, in- cluding 69 Indians-making the whole population 5,530.
This estimate, compared with that made by order of the General Government in 1774, shows a decrease during the war of 3,679. That estimate gave to Newport a population of 7,917 whites, 1,246 blacks, and 46 Indians-making the sum
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A VOTE OF THE TOWN.
total of 9,209. And this was supposed to fall considerably below the actual number, being underrated for the purpose of escaping greater requisitions for men and money. If, as is sup- posed, Newport once numbered 12,000 inhabitants, about one- half that number was dispersed by the Revolution.
No town had greater occasion of indignation towards the British Government, than Newport. When she surveyed the desolations brought on her once prosperous town by modern vandals, it was not to be supposed that she should give the least countenance to a class of men who had deserted her in the hour of peril, and given their influence in support of the enemy. It is a matter of pain to the patriot, that so many traitors to the cause of liberty were found in Newport. They had vainly in- dulged the idea that victory would yet dawn on the British arms, and their prosperity follow as a necessary consequence. But happily, they were disappointed, and their names cast out as evil. After the peace, and when business began to resume its former prospects, these refugees, who had fled their country when their services were required, manifested an anxiety to re- turn to Newport and resume their former position in society. John Goodrich, sen., an American refugee, arrived at Newport soon after the peace, and solicited liberty to settle there with his family, and become an inhabitant of the town-offering, in case permission was granted, to bring twenty sail of vessels, and establish himself in mercantile business. But Goodrich having taken an active part during the war, by fitting out priva- teers, and other obnoxious acts against his countrymen, the town voted by a large majority, that he should not be allowed to set- tle in the place. He afterwards settled in Bermuda.
Many at this day would be ready to condemn the action of the freemen of Newport, when the principle which governs man in all his acts is founded on dollars and cents. But higher. and weightier considerations influenced their conduct ; they had been engaged in a righteous cause, in defending their fire- sides from the ruthless invaders of their peace, and they could not readily forget the aid and comfort which had been furnished the enemy, by a band of traitors, who were legally and const .. tutionally bound to put forth their efforts in the cause of liberty and human rights.
It was no trifling matter which urged our fathers forward, in
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
resisting British oppression, as every one must be sensible, who has taken pains to investigate the subject. An able writer has well remarked, " But these were not the beggarly and servile conflicts between a red rose and a white one; not whether a weak and inglorious bigot, or a wanton and aban- doned debauchce, should be king ; they were not these tem- porary bursts of misery, which now and then agitate the wretched inhabitants of Constantinople, and which an execution will allay without exhibiting any evidence of its justice. They sprung from that unbroken spirit, that wild and unfettered boldness, that restless, that uncontrollable, that sublime love of liberty, which sometimes, indeed, mistakes its means, but never loses sight of its object, which, while it seems to endanger, often secures that object, and which burns with undiminished force, while one generous sentiment lingers in the human breast to support it."
The part which the inhabitants of Newport took in the great struggle for liberty and independence, renders their character worthy of all praise. They had been early instructed in the principles of liberty ; the minds that had colonized this island, were imbued with the spirit of freedom, and labored to impress it indelibly on the hearts of the people. They could not passively submit to political outrages ; they felt that they pos- sessed inherent rights, which could not be trampled on with impunity, and in the majesty of their strength they resolved to conquer or to die. It was a noble resolution, worthy the name of Rhode Islanders; and by their zeal and devotion, aided by Omnipotent power, they triumphed. And it is now the " land of the free, and the home of the brave."
The return of peace, once more, gave promise of prosperity ; the inhabitants of Newport had the satisfaction of knowing that they were free and independent, and that a motive now existed for them to put forth their energies in endeavoring to recover their former prosperity. Commerce once more resumed its former activity, and the wharfs, which had been deserted, were again in requisition ; the sound of the hammer was now heard, giving encouragement to labor. But so heavy had been the blow which had fallen on the ancient town, that the inhabitants could not well flatter themselves of being able to arrive to that commercial distinction, which she had once enjoyed.
249
ELECTION OF CORPORATE OFFICERS.
In 1784, Newport was incorporated as a city, and on the first day of June, of that year, the first choice of city officers was had ; the following gentlemen having been chosen on that occasion, viz. :-
George Hazard, for Mayor.
George Champlin, ~
Samuel Fowler,
Aldermen.
Peleg Clarke,
Oliver King Warner,
Henry Bliss,
Samuel Freebody,
John Slocum,
Common Council.
Robert Stephens,
George Sears,
Nich. P. Tillinghast,
Peleg Barker, City Clerk.
This form of government being found more expensive, was soon abandoned, and the old form of town government again resumed, in March, 1787, which was a highly sensible and judicions move.
An attempt was made a few years since, to revive the charter form of government, but the freemen of the town, in Town Meeting assembled, settled the question, and we would hope, for ever.
It now became necessary to form a system of government, embracing the great interest and common welfare of the several Colonies. But in order to this, it became requisite for each State to surrender a portion of their power to the general government ; and this must ever be the case, in a confederated form of government.
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In conformity to a resolution of the General Congress, all the Colonies, except Rhode Island, chose delegates, to meet in Philadelphia, in General Convention, for the purpose of deliberating upon, and framing a Constitution.
It was owing to the state of party feeling in Rhode Island, that she was not represented in that body. The motion made in the General Assembly, for the appointment of delegates to meet in General Convention, having been lost, by a majority
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
" of twenty-three against it. The opposition lay principally in the northern part of the State.
The course pursued by Rhode Island, in her refusing to come into the Union, is a gross reflection on her character ; and we would hope, for the honor of Newport, that none of her citizens aided in so rebellious an act, having given such convincing evidence of her patriotism and love of country.
Unhappily for the State, a certain class have been found, opposing liberal principles, setting up a standard of their own, which was in direct conflict with the spirit of republican insti- tutions, and which, they flattered themselves, would ultimately triumph. Hence, a want of co-operation has been remarkably illustrated, in the various attempts at political reform, which have so highly distinguished the age, and which God grant may never cease, until the rights and liberties of every Ameri- can citizen are secured.
At a meeting of the freemen of Newport, held agreeably to the Act of the Assembly, on the fourth Monday in March, 1778, the day appointed for the several towns in the State to hold town meetings, to consider the proposed Constitution, the business of the meeting was prefaced by the Moderator, by reciting the Acts of Government which were referred to the decision of the people.
The Constitution was then read ; and the Moderator stated the proceedings of the General Assembly upon it, since it had been transmitted to them. He also informed the town of the uniform conduct of their representatives, in endeavoring to obtain the appointment of a Convention.
Several gentlemen entered into an investigation of the Act of Assembly ; altering the mode of decision from that recom- mended by the General Convention to Congress, and while they paid all possible respect to the Legislature who passed the act, most unqualified terms. The meeting appointed a Committee to draft instructions to our representatives, to endeavor to have a Convention called. The meeting was composed of be- the principle on which it was founded was reprobated in the tween three and four hundred freemen, yet eleven persons only voted on the question, TEN against, and only ONE in favor of the Constitution.
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