USA > Rhode Island > Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England. Printed by order of the General Assembly, Vol. V > Part 19
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AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
1747.]
divided Tiverton from Little Compton, be extended easterly, to the colony line, and the whole to be dividing lines between said towns; and that part which has heretofore been a part of Swansey and Barrington, with a small part of Rehoboth there- to adjoining, with the inhabitants thereon, be incorporated into a township, by the name of Warren ; and that part which has been commonly called and known by the name of the Gore of Land, with the inhabitants thereon, be into a township, by the name of Cumberland ; and that the inhabitants of each respec- tive town, for the time being, shall have and enjoy equal liber- ties and privileges with the other towns in this colony, agreea. bly to our charter.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that a special justice of the peace, be chosen and appointed in cach of the above mentioned towns, to keep His Majesty's peace ; and to call the inhabitants of the respective towns together, by a warrant, to meet on the second Tuesday in February next, to choose such town officers as are directed by the laws of this colony ; and also deputies, to represent said towns at the ad- journment of this Assembly.
And that the said justices be commissionated by His Honor, the Governor, and to continue till the next session of the As- sembly ; and that the general treasurer furnish each of the above mentioned towns with a colony law book; and that the secretary send to each of the said towns a copy of the late act of Assembly, directing the manner of making freemen, and regulating the method of voting ; and that said law books and copies of said act, be delivered to the above mentioned justices as soon as conveniently may be.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that every man, inhabiting within the above mentioned towns of Bristol, Tiverton, Little Compton, Warren and Cumberland, who is possessed of lands or real estate, sufficient by the laws of this colony, to qualify him for a freeman, and the eldest sons of all such freeholders, be, and they are hereby declared freemen of the respective towns, and also of this colony ; and
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND
[1747.
to govern themselves in voting, agreeably to the laws of this colony.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the following persons be, and they are hereby chosen and ap- pointed special justices of the peace, for the above mentioned towns, viz. :
Jonathan Peck, Esq., for the town of Bristol ; John Man- chester, Esq., for the town of Tiverton ; William Richmond, Esq., for the town of Little Compton ; Matthew Allen, Esq., for the town of Warren ; and Job Bartlett, Esq., for the town of Cumberland.
God save the King.
Governor Shirley to Governor Greene.
Boston January, 5, 1746-7.
Sir :- This will be delivered you by Lieut. Wilkinson, from whom, as well as by a letter from Col. Kinnicutt, I am sorry to learn that the levies of your government are at length, by a train of cross accidents and disasters, prevented from going upon His Majesty's service to Annapolis Royal ; for which, both your government and the troops have shown so ready a disposition ; I can't say but that I think after having been so greatly weakened, and reduced by sickness and deaths, as I under- stood the three companies are, that your officers judged right in not venturing them upon a passage to Annapolis in so extreme and wintry a season as the present has proved ; since, in all probability, it would have destroyed many of the soldiers, and the few that had survived it, might have been rather a burthen than of service, to the garrison ; I heartily wish those of them, who are sailed for Newport, a safe arrival there ; and that the sick among them, and those left at Martha's Vineyard, may recover.
Mr. Wilkinson informs me that some deserters from your levies are suspected to be concealed in this government ; if there is any possibility of getting at them, I will take care they shall be secured for you, upon my being apprised when any of them may be apprehended.
I took the first opportunity of laying before the Assembly of this Province, the copy of Ilis Majesty's order in council, for settling the boundary line between the Prov_ ince and colony, together with the act of your government, appointing commission- ers to join with those of this government, in running and marking the line accord- ingly ; and of recommending to them forthwith to choose commissioners for that purpose ; which I hope they will readily do. When it is done, I shall transmit you the first notice of it, that I can.
I am, with due regard sir,
Your Honor's obedient humble servant,
fo His Excellency, Gov. Greene.
W. SHIRLEY.
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AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
1747.]
P. S. I hope that eight hundred of the Massachusetts levies are all, long before this, safely arrived at Annapolis, with a great quantity of snow shoes ; as also the two New Hampshire companies; and that they may be a force sufficient for the purposes of His Majesty's service there.
Proceedings of the General Assembly held for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, at Providence, the 17th day of February, 1746-47.
The Hon. William Greene, Governor. The Hon. Joseph Whipple, Deputy Governor.
With the assistants and deputies from the several towns.
Thomas Ward was chosen secretary, for the remaining part of the current year, in the room of the late James Martin, Esq., deceased, and engaged, according to law.
His Honor, the Governor, presented two letters from His Excellency, William Shirley, Esq., Governor of the Massachu- setts, for the consideration of this Assembly ; who having duly weighed the same, are of opinion, that (notwithstanding they are desirous of contributing every thing in their power for His Majesty's service,) this colony cannot, as the case is circum- stanced, comply with His Excellency's request, for sending the troops of His Majesty, now in this government, to Hudson's River, to join the other troops there assembled, in order to make an attempt against Crown Point, because the colony has no provision or stores on said river, and the navigation thereof, is impracticable at this season of the year; neither can the troops be sent to Annapolis Royal, as desired by His Excel- leney, in His second letter, because the time by him proposed for their arrival there, is so very short, that it is impossible to procure transports, provisions, stores, &c., timely ; and also, the colony's sloop is much out of repair, and no hands belong to her, the late crew being discharged ; so that the troops, if sent, must go without convoy ; moreover, the troops them-
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[1747.
selves, are in no capacity of going, being greatly enfeebled, and lessened# in numbers by sickness and desertion, in the late attempt to go to Annapolis.
An Act incorporating the towns of Bristol and Warren into one distinct county, and for establishing a court of general ses- sions of the peace, and inferior court of common pleas, in said county, and ascertaining the times and places of holding the same.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of this colony, and by the authority of the same it is enacted, that the towns of Bristol and Warren, be, and they are hereby incorporated and made a county ; and shall be called and known by the name of the county of Bristol; and Bristol shall be the county town.
And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that there shall be held and kept yearly and every year, for said county, in the town of Bristol, on the first Tuesday in July, and first Tuesday in January, a court of general sessions of the peace, by the justices of the peace, of said county, any five of whom shall be a quorum; and an inferior court of common pleas, by five skillful persons, to be annually appointed by the General Assembly ; any three of whom, shall be a quorum ; said courts to be held in the same manner, and to have the same power in all respects, as the other courts of general ses- sions of the peace, and inferior courts of common pleas in this colony have.
And be it further enacted by the authority, aforesaid, that the town of Bristol shall send to the said court of general ses- sions of peace, seven grand jurors ; and to both said courts, six petit jurors ; and the town of Warren shall send six grand ju- rors to the said court of general sessions of the peace, and six petit jurors, to both said courts.
* On the 10th February, Gov. Shirley, wrote to Gov. Greene, that the government of New York had determined not to send an expedition against Crown Point this winter, an that he had, in consequence, countermanded his orders to the Massachusetts troops .- J R. B.
1747.]
AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS. 209
And be it further enacted by the authority, aforesaid, that there be annually chosen by the General Assembly of this col- ony, one clerk for said court of general sessions of the peace, and inferior court of common pleas, and one sheriff for said county.
An Act for annexing the towns of Tiverton and Little Comp- ton to the county of Newport, and Cumberland to the county of Providence.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of this colony, and by the authority of the same it is enacted, that the towns of Tiverton and Little Compton be annexed to the county of New- port ; and that the town of Cumberland be annexed to the county of Providence.
God save the King.
Governor Shirley to Governor Greene.
Boston, February 7, 1747.
Sir :- By my last advices from Albany, I find the condition of the troops of the Southern colonies, now on Hudson's River, as to their state of health and numbers, and the strong disposition of the Indians of the Six Nations to join with us in the attempt against Crown Point, and the danger of utterly losing these Nations, and their falling off to the French, (which will be of the most fatal consequence to all the Northern English colonies,) to be such, that I am now fixed in my resolution to push forward this enterprise with all imaginable diligence ; and as the government of Connecticut has declined to join their forces with ours, which will much lessen the numbers we expected, I must earnestly desire Your Honor to send forward to our rendezvous on Hudson's River, as many of the troops of your government in His Majesty's pay, as you can furnish out for this service.
The success of this enterprise being of the utmost importance, I trust you will do every thing in your power to promote it.
You have herewith enclosed, a copy of Mr. Johnson's letter to Mr. Lydius, and of the advice of our Assembly to me, in this affair.
I am, sir, Your Honor's very humble servant,
W. SHIRLEY.
To the Hon. William Greene, Esq.
VOL. V.
27
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND
[1747.
Sir William Johnson. to Mr. John H. Lydius.
Mount Johnson, January 26, 1746-7.
Sir :- By yours, received last night, by Brant, I find you intend shortly to leave for Boston ; and as I cannot have the pleasure of seeing you before you set off, I wish you a prosperous journey, and safe return.
Two days ago, I received a letter from Mr. Clinton, telling me the forwardness of the New England troops, and desiring me to prepare as many Indian warriors as possible, to assist our forces in the reduction of Crown Point, which I heartily wish to see ; and should not make the least doubt of it, were our people so active as our neighbors, the New Englanders, who daily set us good examples, had we the grace to follow it.
I have now sent several of my officers among the Upper Nations, to prepare them, but have fixed on no certain time, fearing a disappointment ; I had the two next castles assembled yesterday, and do assure you that nothing could give me more plea- sure, than to see the willingness they showed, of joining us, whenever required ; the sooner they say, the better ; for they are almost in despair, or out of patience so long waiting.
I make not the least doubt of bringing as many in the field as will be sufficient for that enterprise ; I only wish our forces were all so ready and willing. I am much hurried ; so haveonly time to assure you of my best wishes for you, Mrs. Lydius, &c. ; and am, sir,
Your most obedient humble servant. WM. JOHNSON.
To Mr. John H. Lydius, at Albany.
Gor. Shirley to Gor. Greene.
Boston, February 9, 1746-7.
Sir :- I have this morning received adviees from Lient. Governor Mascarene, that Mons'r Rawson, who was posted at Manis, with above six hundred Canadians, and Indians, was, upon the arrival of the reinforcement sent from hence, retired to Sekenecta ; and Col. Noble, with a body of about five hundred men, consisting principally of some of those troops I sent from hence, is now at Manis ; but the re- ports of the number of the enemy (being represented as much superior to Col. No- ble,) makes him cautious of pushing them without some further reinforcement.
I am informed that the enemy will not be able to get off before April ; and 1 hope our troops will be strong enough to hinder their retreat till the English can have some further strength from these colonies.
It appears to me, by what advices I have had, that it' it had not been for the mis- fortune that happened to the companies from your colony, and my last company, bound to Annapolis Royal, who were cast away at Mont Desert, and above one half of them drowned and frozen ; and the New Hampshire company, under Capt. Mitch- ell, (instead of returning to Annapolis, from St. Johns, according to order,) going back to New Hampshire, our troops would have either entirely drove the French forces into the woods, where they must perish if they stay long, or have made them all prisoners of war.
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AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
1747.]
And as Your Honor is sensible this is a matter of the utmost importance to the safety of Nova Scotia, and for securing our conquest of Cape Breton, and the sea- son is advancing when the navigation in those parts will be much safer than it has been in the months past, I must earnestly desire Your Honor, that in case you find any difficulty in sending your troops in the King's pay to Crown Point, you would not fail of sending them as soon as they may be got ready, to Annapolis Royal, for this necessary service.
And I must urge this with greater importunity, because (having already upwards of seven hundred men in Nova Scotia,) I am not able to spare a man more; the re- mainder of our troops, being absolutely necessary to be employed for the reduction of Crown Point, to which place I have given orders that they should march with all possible expedition. I shall also press the Governor of New Hampshire to order the companies (raised there for the expedition,) to Annapolis Royal.
If we can make ourselves strong enough, I hope your soldiers will be detained but a short time upon this service. However, I shall continue my troops here, in hopes of a reinforcement from you.
The ready spirit which the government of Rhode Island showed, for assisting in this important service, upon my first application to Your Honor for that purpose, leaves no room to doubt, but that they will exert it now with equal vigor, and not let slip so fair an opportunity of employing the same companies, or what may be left of them, so beneficially for His Majesty's service, and the general good of the colonies ; and so acceptably to His Majesty, as the sending these companies to An- napolis Royal, would be, at this most critical juncture.
If the troops arrive there by the second or beginning of the third week in March, it would be in time, though the sooner the better; they need not stay at Annapolis long.
I am with due respect, sir, Your very humble servant, W. SHIRLEY.
To the Hon. William Greene.
Gor. Greene to Gov. Shirley.
Providence, 20th February, 1746-7.
Sir :- Immediately on the receipt of Your Excellency's letter of the 7th current, pressing that His Majesty's troops, in this colony, might be sent to Hudson's River, in order to join those of the Southern colonies, &c., in an attempt against Crown Point, I issued out my warrant, to summon the General Assembly to meet at this place on the 17th instant; but before they met, I had the honor of Your Excellency's let- ter, of the 9th, expressing your desire, that the troops here, may be sent to An- napolis Royal, if I should find any difficulty in sending them to Crown Point.
The Assembly met accordingly, when I recommended both of Your Excellency's letters to their consideration ; but they came to a resolution, that, as this colony has no provisions nor stores on Hudson's River, and the navigation of that river is in - practicable at this season of the year, it is not possible to send the troops thither, as desired.
As for sending them to Annapolis, the Assembly is of opinion, that the time pro- posed by Your Excellency for them to be at Annapolis, is so short, that we cannot procure transports, provisions, &c., in time.
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND
[1747.
What increases this great difficulty, is, that the troops are greatly enfeebled and lessened in numbers, by sickness and desertion, in the late attempt to go to Annap- olis. Moreover, the people of the colony's sloop are discharged, and the vessel it- self so much out of repair, that it cannot go for convoy ; for which reasons, the troops cannot be sent to Annapolis at this juneture.
This is the determination of the General Assembly, which I am directed to in- form Your Excelleney of, and am, with due respects,
Your Excelleney's very humble servant, WILLIAM GREENE.
To Governor Shirley.
The Secretary of Massachusetts Bay to Governor Greene.
Boston, March 5, 1747.
Sir :- I am directed by the General Court here, to apprise Your Honor of the advice we have from our agent, by the ship from London, yesterday, that a grant was made in Parliament, on Friday, the 4th of December last, of £10,200,000, for the current year ; £800,000 of which, is for paying the charge of taking and keep- ing Cape Breton, by the people of New England ; and the charge of raising forces for the expedition that was designed against Canada.
There have been some proposals and endeavors, that the payment might be made by debentures ; nothing seems so likely to prevent it, as applying the money grant- ed to redeem and finish our fatal paper currency, so absoluely necessary to the es- tablishment and preservation of justice in our commerce, and so much for the in- terest of Great Britain, as well as ourselves.
This, we are very sensible cannot be done effectually, without the meeting of the several Assemblies, interested in this grant ; it is therefore hoped that Your Honor will call your General Court together as soon as may be, that the meeting of commis- sioners may not be put off beyond the time proposed, viz. : the 12th of April next, in order to their being assured at home very soon, that this money will be so wisely applied, and for a purpose so absolutely inconsistent with debentures, or any dila- tory methods of payment.
I am, with great respect, sir, Your Honor's most humble and most obedient servant,
JOSIAH WILLARD.
To the Hon. Governor Greene.
P. S. The agent's letter was dated the 10th December, and sent to Ports- mouth a few days before the ship sailed.
[The following Public Laws, passed during the year 1746, are printed at length in the volume of public laws, published in 1747, unless repealed previous to that time.]
. An Act for suspending the execution of Nathaniel Alcock. (May.)
An Aet in addition to an act, entitled " An act for regulating appeals to His Majesty in council, in Great Britain." (July.)
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1747.] AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
An Act directing the manner of admitting freemen, and for preventing bribery and corruption in the election of public officers, in the colony. (August.) An Act in amendment of an act, for preventing bribery and corruption. (Sep- tember.)
Proceedings of the General Assembly, held for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providenec Plantations, at Newport, the 5th day of May, 1747.
The Hon. William Greene, Governor. The Hon. Joseph Whipple, Deputy Governor.
ASSISTANTS.
Mr. Abraham Redwood,
Mr. Philip Greene,
Mr. Stephen Brownell,
Mr. Daniel Coggeshall,
Mr. Robert Lawton,
Mr. Jeoffrey Watson.
Mr. James Arnold,
Mr. Sam'l Wickham, speaker, and Mr. Josias Lyndon, clerk.
The persons whose names here follow, having taken the oath, or affirmation, prescribed by the law of this colony against bribery and corruption, are hereby admitted to give their votes to choose officers for their respective towns ; and also to give their votes for the choice of the general officers in the colony.
[Here follow many hundred names, which are omitted.]
God save the King.
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND [1747.
Proceedings of the General Assembly, held for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, at Newport, the first Wednes- day of May, 1747.
The Hon. William Greene, Governor. The Hon. Joseph Whipple, Deputy Governor. With the assistants and deputies from the several towns.
DEPUTIES.
Newport.
Mr. Samuel Wickham, Capt. Walter Chaloner, Mr. Thomas Cranston, Mr. John Channing, Capt. Jonathan Nichols, Mr. James Sheffield. Providence.
Mr. George Brown,
Mr. Elisha Brown,
Mr. Stephen Hopkins,
Mr. Ezekiel Warner. Portsmouth.
Mr. Benjamin Tucker,
Mr. Joseph Martin, Mr. Gideon Freeborn, Jr .. Mr. Benjamin Hickes. Warwick. Mr. John Greene.
Col. Benoni Waterman.
Mr. John Holdon.
Mr. Joseph Lippitt. Westerly.
Mr. Joshua Babcock.
Capt. William Pendleton.
New Shoreham. Capt. Robert Hull, Mr. John Littlefield. North Kingstown. Col. Immanuel Northup,
Mr. Edward Dyre, Jr. South Kingstown. Capt. Robert Hassard, Mr. Benjamin Peckham, Jr. Eust Greenwich. Capt. Joseph Nichols, Mr. John Spenser, Jamestown. Mr. Thomas Carr, Mr. John Martin. Smithfield.
Mr. Thomas Lapham, Mr. Jonathan Arnold. Scituate. Capt. Job Randall. Mr. John Fisk. Glocester.
Mr. Richard Steere. Mr. Abraham Tourtellott.
1747.]
AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
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DEPUTIES.
Charlestown.
Col. Joseph Stanton,
Capt. William Clarke, Jr. West Greenwich.
Mr. Jeremiah Ellis, Mr. John Spencer, 2d. Coventry. Capt. Thomas Stafford,
Capt. Abel Potter. Exeter. Capt. John Weight,
Mr. Benoni Gardner. Middletown.
Mr. Robert Nichols,
Mr. John Taylor.
Bristol. Mr. Thomas Greene. Tiverton.
Capt. John Manchester, Mr. John Howland. Little Compton. Capt. John Hunt, Mr. William Wilbore. Warren. Mr. Matthew Allen, Mr. Samuel Miller. Cumberland. Mr. Job Bartlett, Mr. Samuel Bartlett.
Mr. Sam'l Wickham, speaker, and Mr. Josias Lyndon, clerk.
The following officers declared elected, were duly engaged.
The Hon. Gideon Wanton, Governor.
The Hon. William Robinson, Deputy Governor.
ASSISTANTS.
Mr. Benjamin Haszard,
Capt. George Wanton,
Mr. William Rhodes,
Mr. Jonathan Randall,
Mr. Benjamin Tucker,
SECRETARY. Mr. Thomas Ward.
ATTORNEY GENERAL. Mr. Daniel Updike.
Mr. Gideon Durfey,
Mr. Joseph Edmonds,
Mr. Ephraim Gardner,
Mr. Jeremiah Niles.
Mr. William Richmond.
GENERAL TREASURER. Mr. John Gardner.
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND
[1747.
It is voted and resolved, that the colony's sloop Tartar, be immediately put in commission, and manned with ninety able bodied men, including officers ; and that their wages be as fol- loweth, to wit:
Those of the officers, the same as when last stated ; those of such of the foremost men, as are seamen, at £14 per month ; and such others of them, as are not scamen, at £12 per month.
And that the said sloop shall cruise in consort with the Con- necticut colony sloop, according to the order and instructions which shall from time to time be given the captain ; and His Honor, the Governor, is hereby requested to give His Honor, the Governor of Connecticut, information hereof, forthwith.
It is voted and resolved, and the captain of Fort George is hereby directed to enlist, as soon as may be, thirty men, to serve as soldiers, at said fort, upon the same monthly wages, as were allowed the soldiers there last year, with an allowance of twenty shillings per week, board wages, for cach of them ; and in case a sufficient number of men be not enlisted, in fifteen days, from the rising of this Assembly, the field officers of the county of Newport shall have granted them a warrant from His Honor, the Governor, and thereby cause so many men as will make up and complete that number, to be impressed in the county of Newport, for that purpose.
God save the King.
Governor Shirley to Governor Wanton.
Boston, May 18, 1747.
Sir :- This goes to inform Your Honor, that by despatches I have received from Albany and Northampton, I find that the Indians of the Six Nations are gen crally spirited to go to war against the French of Canada ; that divers parties are now out, and others daily offering themselves, which is a point the governments of New England (especially those of the Massachusetts and Connecticut,) have been laboring to carry ever since the first of the war ; and if this spirit be duly cherished and properly managed and directed, it may, by the blessing of God, prove of un- speakable benefit for the safety of these colonies.
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