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 33
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God save the King.
Governor Greene to the Agent of Rhode Island, in London.
Rhode Island, 4th June, 1752.
Sir :- This colony have lately received a letter from the lords commissioners for trade and plantations, enclosing the copy of an order of the King, in council, of the 11th of March last ; by which the said lords commissioners are directed and em- powered to present to His Majesty all officers that have been, or may be found ne- cessary, in any of the plantations ; a copy of which, is herewith sent you ; and though this colony entertain a grateful sense of His Majesty's just and equal gov- ernment, and from thence are led to hope that nothing is intended by the said order to the prejudice of the charter privileges of this colony ; yet, as the colony are ex- tremely fond of the valuable privileges they enjoy, and finding the said order run, in terms so very general, are in fear, that something may be intended by it to their disadvantage ; and their fears are further increased, by finding the said letter and order forwarded to them by Mr. William Bollan, and not by you, as is usual.
I am therefore directed by the General Assembly to desire you to make diligent inquiry about the design and intention of the said order, and if need be, advise with counsel about it; and if you find it is intended to operate in this colony, so as to take away, or any way lessen our charter privileges, immediately to advise the colony of it, and use all endeavors in your power to prevent any thing being fur- ther done in consequence thereof.
You will easily imagine how much uneasiness the very thoughts of losing our liberties, creates in the inhabitants of this colony, and how much dependence they must necessarily have on you, who have been so long their agent ; and who, they look
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND [1752.
upon by principle, as well as interest, so much a friend to liberty, that on such an occasion, you will exert yourself to the uttermost.
Having no further directions from the General Assembly, who rely wholly on your prudence, diligence and judgment in this matter, I eonelude, and am- Your true friend and humble servant, WILLIAM GREENE.
To Richard Partridge, Esq.
Proceedings of the General Assembly held for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, at Newport, on the third Monday in August, 1752.
The Hon. William Greene, Governor. The Hon. Joseph Whipple, Deputy Governor.
With the assistants and deputies from the several towns.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, and by the authori- ty thereof, it is enacted, that every person who shall drive a loaded cart or trucks upon any part of the pavement lately laid in Queen street, from the colony house, to the east side of Thames street, in Newport, shall forfeit and pay a fine of £5 for every offence ; to be recovered before any two justices of said town, by the town treasurer ; which fine shall be to and for the use of said town.
It is voted and resolved, that that part of the laws of the colony, which have been lately printed, be lodged with the general treasurer, to be sold at thirty shillings per book.
Whereas, Messrs. Robert Lillibridge, Stephen Richmond and Benjamin Brown, were, by the General Assembly, at their ses- sion in South Kingstown, on the last Tuesday of February last, appointed a committee to lay out highways in the town of Westerly, &c., and were directed to make report of their do- ings in the premises, &c. ; which province they undertook, and of their proceedings reported as followeth, to wit :
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Report of the Committee on Highways in Westerly.
Westerly, March 16, 1752.
Whereas, we, Robert Lillibridge, Stephen Richmond and Benjamin Brown, be- ing appointed a committee, by the General Assembly, at their last session, to lay ont highways in Westerly, agreeably to the petitioners of said Westerly, and make report to the next sitting of Assembly ; whereby we have, and do report, conform- ably to said appointment, as follows :
Firstly, from Wood River, through the north end of Westerly, to Exeter, accord- ing to the courses and distance, as follows : beginning at Wood River, adjacent to the highway that leads from said river, to the ferry, and thence west, eleven and a half degress north, twelve chains and sixty links, to a pine tree ; thence west, one and a quarter degrees north, nine chains and twenty-five links, to a pine tree ; thence north, fifty-six degrees west, eight chains and ninety-five links, to a pine tree ; thence north, fifty degrees west, twelve chains and fifty-two links, to a pine tree ; thence north, thirty-six degrees west, thirty chains, to a stake and stones, northi, forty-three and three quarters degrees west, twenty-five chains and fourteen links, to a stake and stones ; thence north, sixty-eight and a quarter degrees west, three chains and eighty links, to a heap of stones ; thence west, eighteen degrees south, thirteen chains and seventy-five links to a stake, sixteen foot off of the south- west corner of Benjamin Barber's house ; thence north, fifty-seven degrees west, fourteen chains and ninety links, to a rock ; thence west, eight and a half degrees south, thirty- three chains, to a white oak bush ; thence west, seven and a quarter degrees north, thirty chains, to a high rock ; thence north, fifty-eight degrees west, twenty-six chains, to a dry tree ; thence north, seventy-one and a quarter degrees west, six chains and seventy links, to a white oak tree ; thence west, eight and a half degrees north, three chains and eighty-five links, to a stake ; thence north, forty-six and three quarters degrees west, two chains and eighty-seven links, to a black oak tree ; thence north, sixty degrees west, four chains and sixty-two links, to a heap of stones ; thence north, seventy-two and three quarters degrees west, twenty-one chains and sixty-two links, to a black oak tree ; thence west, thirteen and one half degrees north, two chains and seventy-nine links, to a rock, north, sixty-two and one half degrees west, twelve chains and forty-nine links, to a stake ; thence north, thirty-five and one quarter degrees west, thirty-one chains and eighty links, to a stake ; thence north, forty-six and a half degrees west, thirteen chains and forty-two links, to a pine tree ; thence north, thirty-one and one quarter de- grees west, twenty chains, to a stake and stones about it; and thence the same course to Exeter line, &c. ; all which courses and distances, is of the northward side of the highways ; which highway is four rods wide, &c.
And here are the courses and distances of the second highway, as follows :
Beginning at a stake and stones about it, on the westward side of the abovesaid high- way, it being at the most northernmost turn in the aforesaid highway ; from thence south, thirty-one and a half degrees west, sixty-one chains, to a black oak tree ; thence south, ten degrees east, twelve chains and seventy-five links; thence south, six chains, twelve degrees east, twenty-eight chains and twenty-five links, to a black oak tree; thence south, twenty-seven degrees east, twenty-seven chains and fifty links ; thence south, six chains, &c., to a stake ; thence south, thirty-seven degrees west, twenty- seven chains and fifty links, &c. ; thence west, nine chains and ninety links to a
VOL. V. 46
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND
[1752.
white oak tree ; thenee south, fifty-five and a half degrees west, fourteen chains and seventy-five links, to an oak tree ; thence south, thirty-two and a half degrees west, three chains and fifty links, to a chestnut tree ; thence twenty-four and a half de- grees west, four chains and forty-one links to a walnut tree ; thence south, thirty- eight and a half degrees west, one chain and sixty-eight links, to a white oak tree ; thence west, thirteen and three quarters degrees south, seven chains and fifty-seven links, to a white oak tree ; thence west, one and one quarter degrees south, three chains and seventy-five links, &c. ; thence north, seventy-one degrees west, three chains ; and thence north, fifty-seven and a half degrees west, three chains and forty-three links, to a black oak tree; thence west, six degrees north, three chains and ninety-four links ; thence south, thirty-seven degrees west, two chains and twenty-three links, to a white oak tree ; thence south, sixty-three degrees west, one chain and nine links, to a black oak tree ; thence south, thirty-one and one half de- grecs west, five chains and twenty-two links, to a black oak tree ; thence south, seventeen degrees west, three chains, and eighty-one links; and thence south, sixty-four and a half degrees west, three chains and forty-seven links, to a black oak tree; thence west, ten and a quarter degrees south, three chains and ninety links, to a black oak tree; thence west, thirteen and a half degrees north, eight chains and three links, &c. ; thence the same course, four chains and thirty-five links, to a dry pine tree ; thence west, six degrees north, nine chains, to a pine tree ; thence west, seventeen and a half degrees south, three chains and eighteen links, to a rock ; thence west, fourteen degrees north, two chains and eighty-seven links ; thence west, four degrees north, one chain and sixteen links, to two chest- nut trees ; thence south, sixty-two degrees west, one chain and eighty links ; thence south, sixty-six degrees west, three chains and twenty-five links, to a rock ; thence south, thirty-two and one quarter degrees west, eight chains to a stake, through a cedar swamp; thence south, sixty degrees west, three chains and seventy-two links, to a chestnut tree; thence south, fifty-four degrees west, two chains and thirty-nine links, to chestnut tree; thence south, twenty-four degrees west, two chains and seventy links, to a bush ; thenee south, twenty-one and one quarter de- grees east, two chains and fifty links, to a black oak tree; thence south, six degrees east, one chain and eighty-seven links, to a heap of stones ; thence south, fifty- seven and a half degrees west, three chains and fifty-five links, to a white oak tree ; thence south, three and a half degrees west, two chains and seventy-five links, to a forked chestnut tree ; thence south, forty-six and a half degrees east, two chains and forty-one links, to a black oak tree ; thence south, forty-seven and a half de- grees east, five chains, to a high rock ; thence south, fifty degrees east, six chains and ninety-three links, to a white oak tree ; thence south, nine and a half de- grees east, two chains and twenty-five links ; thence south, thirty-nine degrees west, one chain and fifty links, to a black oak tree; thence south, forty-one and a half' degrees west, one chain and forty-four links ; thence south, eleven and three quarters degrees east, one chain, and ninety links ; thence south, fourteen degrees west, four chains and thirty-four links ; thence south, twenty degrees west, eleven chains and twenty-five links, to a rock ; thence south, eight and a half degrees cast, fourteen chains and ninety-three links, to a black oak tree; thence south, twenty- nine and a half' degrees east, four chains and seventy-one links ; thence south, twelve and a half degrees east, sixty-four chains, to a stake and stone about it ; thenee south, seven and one quarter degrees east, twenty-five chains and fifty links, to a stone heap ; thende south, twenty-seven degrees west, seven chains and
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eighty-one links, to a white oak tree; thenee south, forty-six degrees west, four chains and twenty-five links, to a black oak tree ; thence south, forty-six and a half degrees west, two chains and eighty-eight links, to a black oak tree ; thence south, sixteen and a half degrees west, three chains and sixty-four links; thence south, fourteen degrees west, ten chains, to two sapling oaks ; thence south, nineteen and a half degrees west, three chains, and twenty-five links, to a black oak tree ; thence south, thirty-seven and a half degrees west, three chains and fifty seven links, to the corner of Samuel Hill's land, all which courses and distances being on the north and west side of said highway, and is four rods wide, and the remaining part three rods wide ; continuing on the same side of the highway, &c. ; thenee south, two and and three quarters degrees west, nine chains and ninety-five links, to a black oak tree ; thenee south, eighteen and a half degrees east, four chains and forty-four links, to a black oak tree ; thence south, fifteen and a half degrees west, seven ehains and fifty links, to a rock ; thence south, nine and a half degrees west, three chains and twelve links, to a white oak tree ; thence south, two and three quarters de- grees west, ten ehains and fifteen links, to a bush ; thenee south, fifteen degrees west, two chains and fifty links, to a white oak tree ; thence south, fourteen and one quarter degrees west, one chain and eighty-eight links, a little east of a spring ; thence sonth, twenty-four and a half degrees west, five chains and fourteen links ; thence south, twenty-one degrees west, two chains, and sixty-one links, to two black oaks; thence south, two and three quarters degrees west, six chains and seventy-one links, to an oak tree ; thenee south, eighteen and three quarter degrees west, thirteen chains and eighty-six links; thence south, thirteen degrees west, sev- en chains and fifty links, to a stake and stones about it ; thence south, eighteen and three quarters degrees west, eight chains, to a dry tree; thence south, half a degree east, twenty-eight chains and eleven links, to a stake and stones ; tlience south, six and a quarter degrees west, six chains and forty-four links, to a stake and stones ; thence south, nine and three quarters degrees west, thirteen chains and seventy- five links, the same course, thirteen chains and sixty-six links, to a stake; thence south, sixty-five degrees west, seven chains and twenty-five links, to a stake ; thence sonth, ten degrees east, nineteen chains and six links, to a stake; thence south, thirty degrees east, one chain to a stake ; thence south, sixty degrees cast, and sixty-four links, to a stake ; thence south, thirty-one degrees east, three chains and seventy-one links, to a black oak tree; thence south, six and a half degrees east, nine chains and forty-six links, to do .; thenee south, fourteen degrees cast, seven chains and eighty-seven links, to a white oak tree; thence south, eighteen degrees east, one chain and seventy-eight links, to a stake ; thence sonth, fifteen degrees west, two chains and sixty-seven links, to a stake; thence south, thirty- three and a half degrees west, seven chains and seventy links, to a black oak bush ; thence west, one quarter of a degree north, ten chains and fifty links, to Capt. Maxson's corner ; thence south, nineteen and a half degrees east, three chains and fifty-five links, to a stake ; thence south, thirty-five degrees west, four chains and twenty-nine links, to a rock and stones on it ; thenee south, thirty de- grees west, twelve chains and twenty-five links, to a stake and stones ; thence sonth, two and a half degrees east, and five chains; thence south, twenty-two degrees west, five chains and sixty-four links, to an apple tree; thence sonth, thirty-one degrees west, four chains to a stone, and thirteen links, to the south of Capt. Max- son's door, &c. ; thenee south, forty-two degrees west, one chain and seventy-three links, to a gate post : thenee south, thirty-one degrees west, three chains and nine
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND [1752.
links, to a stake; thence south, sixty-three and a half degrees west, five chains and fifty-two links, to a stake and stones; thence; sonth, seventy-four degrees west, seven chains, to a heap of stones ; thence sonth, twenty-two [degrees west, one chain and fifty links, to the same course, seven chains, to a chestnut tree ; thence sonth, twenty-five degrees west, ten chains and fifty-six links, to a stake ; thence south, fifty-two and a half degrees west, two chains and ninety-three links, to a white oak tree : thence south, fifty and a half degrees west, six chains and forty- two links, &c .; south, fifty-one and one quarter degrees west, sixty-seven chains and eighty-eight links, to a stake ; thence west, sixteen degrees south, three chains and eighty-six links, to a cherry tree ; thence south, thirty-nine and a half degrees west, two chains and sixty-one links, to a cherry tree; thence south, twenty-six and a half degrees west, two chains, and seventy-five links, to a stake and stones; thence sonth, five degrees west, four chains and thirty-eight links, to a stake and stones ; thence south, seventeen degrees west, four chains, to a stake and stones; thence south, twenty-six and a half degrees west, six chains"and fifty-nine links, to Esquire Randall's land ; thenee south, twenty-eight and a half degrees west, seven chains and fifteen links, to a white oak tree ; thence sonth, thirty-six degrees west, three chains and nine links, to a birch tree ; thence south, twenty-nine degrees west, one chain and eighteen links, to a stake ; thence south, thirty-two degrees west, two chains and ninety links, to a black oak tree ; thence south, fifteen de- grees west, three chains, to a stake ; thence south, nine and three quarters degrees west, ten chains and seventy-two links, to a stake ; thence south, seventeen and a half degrees west, four chains and thirty-four links, to a stake ; thence sonth, fifteen and a half degrees west, nine chains and thirty-four links, to a stake; thence south, twenty-four degrees west, two chains and eighty links, to a stake ; thence south, thirty-eight degrees west, eight chains and fifteen links, to a stake and stones ; thence south, twenty-six and a half degrees west, twelve chains and ninety-five links, to a stake and stones ; thence south, twenty-nine degrees west, eight chains, the same course, eight chains and twenty-five links more ; thence sonth, twenty- seven degrees west, six chains and eighty-eight links, to a stake; thence south, fifty-two degrees west, and five chains and seventy-five links, to a white oak tree ; thence south, sixty-four degrees west, five chains, to a stake; thence south, sixty- one degrees west, two chains and twenty-nine links, tola stake ; thenee west, thir- teen degrees south, sixty-nine links, to a rock ; thence west, eighteen degrees north, three chains, to a stake, by the river ; thence south, twelve degrees west, over the river, to the west side of the bridge, by Crandall's Mill.
The following is the quantity of land taken up in the said highways, and prized to the proprietors, that we could not agree with, &c .; and in the following manner the proprietors' names are subscribed to the right hand of his quantity of land, and valne thereto.
[Here follows a list of the several parcels of land, with the valne affixed thereto.]
£ s. d.
Second highways total
.349 2 10
First
50 4 09
£399 7 07
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Proceedings of the General Assembly held for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, at Providence, the last Wednesday in October, 1752.
The Hon. William Greene, Governor. The Hon. Joseph Whipple, Deputy Governor.
With the assistants and deputies from the several towns.
[The following Public Laws, passed during the year 1752, are printed at length in the volume of publie laws, published in the year 1767, unless repealed previous to that time.]
An Act empowering the freemen of the town of Providence to take up a conven- ient piece of land for building a pest house. (February.)
An Act in addition to an act, entitled " An act to prevent the spreading of the small pox, and other contagious diseases, in this colony." (February.)
An Act to prevent the small pox [from being] brought into the colony by strangers and travellers coming from infected districts. (May.)
An Act in addition to an act, regulating and establishing a just and equal method of gauging, in and throughout the colony. (May.)
An Act regulating the proceedings in cases of bastardy. (June.)
An Act enabling the justices of the inferior courts of common pleas to hold special courts on certain occasions. (June.)
An Act exempting sundry persons from making oath or affirmation, notwithstand- ing the general laws of the colony, made about sueing out executions. (June.) An additional Act for the establishing and regulating of fees. (August.)
An Act for stating and better regulating the several ferries in this colony. (August.)
An Aet for raising money by way of lottery, to reimburse what money was ad- vanced by Obadiah Brown, David Whipple, John Dexter and Paul Tew, in building a bridge over Pawtucket River, and for completing said bridge. (August.)
An Act to prevent detaining fines from the proper offices to which they belong. (August.)
An Act for regulating appeals from judgments obtained upon notes of hand, in any of the inferior courts in this colony. (October.)
An Act to empower the town councils of the respective towns in the colony to ex- change highways. (October.)
An Aet in addition to an aet, entitled " An act directing the method of receiving petitions into, and acting thereon, in the General Assembly." (October.)
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND
[1753.
Proceedings of the General Assembly, held for the Colony of Rhode Islund and Providence Plantations, at Providence, the last Tues- day in February; 1752-53.
The Hon. William Greene, Governor. The Hon. Joseph Whipple, Deputy Governor.
With the assistants and deputies from the several towns.
Whereas, a number of gentlemen and others, inhabitants of the county of Kent, have represented unto this Assembly, that in consequence of an act made and passed at their session, in June, A. D. 1750, whereby E. Greenwich, Warwick, W. Green- wich and Coventry were made a distinct county, provided the inhabitants of said towns would, by free contribution, erect and build a court house in East Greenwich, near the bigness of the court house in Providence, fit to hold a court in, by the last day of October, then next ensuing; they have, with others, erected and built said house, agreeably to said act, which was signified to the General Assembly, at their session in Provi- dence, October, A. D. 1750 ; and that said house is unfinished within, which renders it uncomfortable in the winter; in the coldest part of which season, one court is held at said court house ; and that the inhabitants of said county, though they have cheerfully contributed towards the building said house, find they are not able to complete it, although it is absolutely necessary to be done ; and therefore have prayed this Assem- bly that a lottery may be granted them, as the easiest method to raise money sufficient for finishing said court house ; and now, this Assembly, taking the premises into considera- tion,-
Do vote and resolve, and it is voted and resolved, that there be a lottery set up, for finishing the court house, in the county
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of Kent, aforesaid ; and for erecting a fence around the jail, in said East Greenwich.
An Act for naturalizing Stephen Decatur, now residing at New- port, in this colony, late a subject of the French king.
Whereas, the said Stephen Decatur, hath represented unto this Assembly, that he has for some time resided in Newport, aforesaid ; and sailed from the said place in the employ of several merchants ; and has also married a wife in said Newport, and is willing to become a subject of His Brittanic Majesty ; and therefore prayed this Assembly, that an act of naturaliza- tion might be passed, rendering him a subject of His said Majesty, as fully and amply to all intents and purposes, as if he were born so ; on consideration whereof,-
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, and by the authori- ty of the same it is enacted, that the said Stephen Decatur be, and he is hereby naturalized, and for ever hereafter shall be adjudged and taken to all intents and purposes to be natural- ized ; and is rendered and made equal in all respects to a free born subject of this colony ; provided, he take the state oath, and all other oaths by law required.
God save the King.
Petition of the Governor and Company of Rhode Island to the King.
To the King's Most Excellent Majesty :
The petition of your loyal subjects, the Governor and Company of the colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England, in America. Most humbly showeth ;-
That Your Majesty's royal predecessor, King Charles the First, in the fourth year of his reign, granted a charter to the colony of the Massachusetts Bay, in Ncw England, and bounded the said colony on the south, by a certain place or point, which was three English miles south of the southerly part of a certain fresh river there, commonly known by the name of Charles River ; and by a line commencing at the said place or point, and running due west, through the continent.
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