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 45
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Be it enacted by this General Assembly, and by the au- thority thereof it is enacted, that the prayer of the petitioners be, and the same is hereby granted ; that the captain of Fort George enlist fifty men for the purpose, in said petition men- tioned.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that William Read, hire for the use of the colony, so much money as is at present necessary for carrying on the building of Fort George ; but nevertheless, he may not exceed the sum granted by the General Assembly, for that purpose.
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND [1756.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that the committee of war be, and they are hereby di- rected and fully empowered to issue warrants to the sheriff's of the several counties within this colony, to impress so many blankets as shall be necessary for the present expedition against Crown Point.
Whereas, a certain sloop (the master's name unknown to this Assembly) was lately cast on shore at Point Judith, in this colony ; out of which a person was buried, who died with the small pox, which the master concealed ; and as almost all the people belonging to said sloop, are taken down with said dis- temper, and the whole colony is in danger by said conceal- ment, ---
This Assembly do therefore vote and resolve, and it is voted and resolved, that the sheriff of the county of Kings county, or his deputy, take the said vessel with her cargo, into custody, and safely keep the same until all charges and damages be paid, which have, or shall arise by means of said vessel's bringing the infection into this colony, or until sufficient se- curity be given for the same, not less than £5,000; and that this act be forthwith proclaimed, and a copy thereof immedi- ately sent to said sheriff, by the secretary.
Published in Newport, May 8th, 1756, by THOMAS WARD, Secretary.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re solved, that all business lying before them unfinished, be, and the same is hereby referred unto their next session ; that the secretary publish in Newport, by beat of drum, all the acts and orders now made and passed, within ten days after the rising of this Assembly, which is hereby adjourned to the second Tuesday of June next.
God save the King.
495
AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
1756.]
Proceedings of the General Assembly, held for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, the second Tuesday in June, 1756.
The Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Governor.
The Hon. Jonathan Nichols, Deputy Governor.
Whereas, Gideon Northup, William Northup, Benjamin Da- vis, Stephen Watson, Caleb Watson, Ephraim Haszard, John Gardner, son of Ezekiel; Stephen Northup, son of Joseph ; Isaac Browning, Joseph Congdon, Jr., Jonathan Vaughan, John Greene, John Hill, Jeremiah Haszard, Thomas Douglas, Peleg Briggs, Samuel Browning, Alexander Huling, Richard Chad- sey, Christopher Allen, Richard Durfey and David Sprague, all of North Kingstown, in the county of Kings county, having taken the oath, or affirmation, by law prescribed against bribery and corruption in the election of officers, were admitted free- men of said town, since the general election, held at Newport, in May, 1755; but by accident, their names were not returned at the last general election, so that they have not been made free of the colony, ---
This Assembly, therefore, do vote and resolve, and it is voted and resolved, that all and every of the persons above named, be, and hereby are made free of the colony, and may therefore lawfully give their votes, not only to choose officers for their said town, but also in the choice of general officers.
Whereas, Abraham Sheldon, Jr., Jonathan Knight, Jr., Jo- seph Randall, the 3d, John Waterman, son of Richard ; Abiah Corp, Stephen Westcot and John Burton, Jr., all of Cranston, in the county of Providence, having taken the oath, or affirma- tion, by law prescribed against bribery and corruption in the election of officers, were admitted freemen of said town since the general election, held at Newport, in May, 1755, but by accident their names were not returned at the last gen-
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND [1756.
cral election, so that they have not been made free of the colony,-
This Assembly, therefore, do vote and resolve, and it is voted and resolved, that all and every of the persons above named, be, and hereby are made free of the colony ; and may there- fore lawfully give their votes to choose officers, not only in their said town, but also in the choice of general officers.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that Nicholas Easton, Robert Lawton, Esqrs., Capt. Ran- dall Rice, George Brown, Esq., Capt. William Mumford, and Mr. Samuel Ward, be, and they are hereby appointed a com- mittee, with power to inquire jointly and severally, whether any person or persons have been guilty of the breach of any of the acts of Assembly or laws of this colony, made to restrict or prohibit the exportation of provisions out of this colony ; and the said committee, or the major part of them, are hereby invested with power to send for any person or persons to come before them to be examined upon oath or otherwise; and also to send for any book, records, or papers within this colony, to be examined, and to make report to this Assembly, at this present, or their next session, of any breach of said acts or laws, that they shall discover.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that Col. Benoni Waterman, and Major Thomas Greene, be, and they are hereby appointed a committee to prepare a bill for the good government of our forces in the expedition against Crown Point, and present the same unto this Assem- bly as soon as may be.
Whereas. the town council of Newport preferred a petition, and represented unto this Assembly, that the General Assem- bly of this colony, at their session on the third Monday of March, 1750, made and passed an act for granting an excise upon wines and spirituous liquors, sold by retail in said town, which was to continue and be in force for five years ; and that the said act expired last March ; whereupon, they prayed it may be revived and continue in force for such a term of years as may be thought proper ;-
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AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
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On consideration whereof, be it enacted by this General As- sembly, and by the authority thereof it is enacted, that the act aforesaid be, and the same is hereby revived, and shall continue and be in force, for, and during the term of five years more, commencing from the day of its expiration.
Whereas, Benjamin King exhibited unto this Assembly an account by him charged against the colony, for making an in- strument to determine the latitude in order to run the dividing line between this colony and the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, which being duly examined,-
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that said account be, and the same is hereby allowed ; and that £300, the amount thereof, be paid the said Benjamin King, out of the general treasury.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that His Honor, the Governor, be, and he hereby is re- quested and fully empowered to receive the money granted this colony, by the Parliament of Great Britain, when the same shall arrive ; and if it shall happen to be brought to New York, or Boston, that His Honor cause it to be transported by land or water, to Newport, as he shall judge best, and most safe for the government, and cause it to be lodged in the general treas- ury, giving and taking receipts ; and that the said money be, and remain in the treasury, until further orders from the Gen- eral Assembly.
Be it enacted by this General Assembly, and by the authori- ty thereof it is enacted, that the forces already raised, or that hereafter may be raised by this colony, shall be under the same regulation, as to a general court martial, as the forces in the other governments are.
Be it enacted by this General Assembly, and by the au- thority thereof it is enacted, that the general treasurer be, and he is hereby directed to receive the bills of public credit last emitted by this colony ; and called lawful money in all pay- ments into the general treasury, at the same rate that they now pass; and that a rate of £100,000 be assessed and levied upon the inhabitants of this colony.
VOL. V. 63
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND [1756.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that George Brown, Esq., and Mr. Nicholas Brown, be, and they are hereby appointed a committee to prepare a bill for making the work house, in Providence, a house of correc- tion, also.
Be it enacted by this General Assembly, and by the au- thority thereof it is enacted, that all vessels coming into the port of Newport, which shall, after being hailed by Fort George, presume to enter the harbor without having first obtained lib -- erty from the captain, or gunner of said fort, shall be brought to by said fort, and be obliged to lie to, until liberty is ob- tained for entering the harbor ; and the master or commander of such vessel, shall pay into the naval office, £4 for the first shot, £8 for the second, and for every shot after, £12; and no such vessel shall be cleared out, until the same is paid ; and that the captain of said fort, or in his absence, the gunner, inform the naval officer of every shot that shall be fired, as aforesaid ; and that the captain of the fort, or in his absence, the gunner, shall not permit any vessel to sail out of the harbor of Newport without producing a pass to the captain, or in his absence, to the gunner of said fort ; woodmen and small fishing boats, excepted.
God save the King.
Proceedings of the General Assembly, held for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, at Newport, the 22d day of June, 1756.
The Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Governor. The HIon. Jonathan Nichols, Deputy Governor.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that the committee of war, be, and they are hereby di- rected and fully empowered, to provide fresh victuals, at the
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AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
1756.]
colony's expense, for such of His Majesty's troops coming from England, as shall arrive in this colony ; and likewise to furnish the officers who may have occasion to go from place to place, with all necessaries for travelling by land, in case there are no means of going by sea, agreeably to His Majesty's instructions now before this Assembly.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that James Honeyman, Thomas Cranston and Peter Bours, Esqs., be, and they are appointed a committee, to pre- pare a bill for preventing the depreciation of the paper cur rency in this colony, and present the same unto this Assembly at their next session.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that James Honeyman and Nicholas Cooke, Esqs., Col. Benoni Waterman and Mr. Samuel Ward, be, and they are hereby appointed a committee to prepare a bill for preventing the exportation of provisions and warlike stores out of this colony.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that James Honeyman and Nicholas Cooke, Esqs., Capt. Benjamin Wickham, George Brown, Esq., and Major Thomas Greene, be, and they are hereby appointed a committee, to pre- pare a bill for preventing the exportation of provisions and warlike stores out of this colony, that the French may not be supplied therewith, and present the same unto this Assembly, as soon as may be.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that Mr. William Thurston Gardner, be, and he is here- by chosen and appointed deputy commissary of the forces raised and to be raised by this colony, for the expedition against Crown Point ; that he assist Mr. Rufus Hopkins, the commissary of said forces, and be allowed £100, old tenor, per month, for his service.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that Samuel Albro, Esq .. Mr. Jonathan Nichols, inn- holder, Capt. Josiah Arnold and Capt. William Haszard, be, and they are hereby appointed . committee, to consider the
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND
[1756.
circumstances of the several ferries in this colony ; and also whether it be reasonable to raise the prices of ferriage, and if so, how much.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that one hundred men, exclusive of officers, be forth- with raised, by enlistment, to join the forces already raised by this colony, and sent upon the expedition against Crown Point ; and that Obadiah Brown, Job Randall, John Dexter, and John Walton, Esqs., be, and they are hereby appointed a committee to prepare a bill for that purpose, and present the same unto this Assembly, as soon as may be.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that the clerk of the lower house be, and he is hereby added unto the committee that was appointed to examine the accounts of those gentlemen that were appointed to pay the charges of the last expedition that was undertaken to reduce Canada unto the obedience of His Majesty ; and to receive the money belonging unto the colony, which is in the hands of said gentlemen.
An Act for raising, subsisting, and paying one hundred men, in addition to those already raised by this colony, and sent on the expedition designed to reduce the French forts on Lake Champlain, to the obedience of His Majesty.
Be it enacted by this General Assembly, and by the au- thority thereof it is enacted, that one hundred men, exclusive of commissioned officers, be forthwith enlisted into the service of this colony, divided into two companies of fifty men each, and sent and joined unto the forces already raised by said col- ony, and now in actual service, under the command of Col. Christopher Harris.
And for the more speedy raising, enlisting and conducting the said two companies,-
Be it further enacted, that the committee of war, or any two of them. be, and are hereby authorized and fully empowered to issue and grant enlisting warrants to such and so many per- sous as they shall think proper, to enlist the hundred men
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1756.]
aforesaid ; and that His Honor, the Governor, be, and he is hereby requested to commissionate one captain and two lieu- tenants for each company when enlisted, which captains and lieutenants shall be selected out of the aforesaid enlisting offi- cers, by the committee of war.
And for the encouraging one hundred men to enlist into the service, aforesaid,-
Be it further enacted, that there shall be given unto each able bodied man, that shall enlist, as aforesaid, the same boun- ty, wages, privileges, benefits and immunities as have been granted to those now in the service of this colony, and gone upon the expedition, aforesaid.
And be it further enacted, that the commissioned officers of the aforesaid companies shall have and receive the same wages and enjoy equal privileges, benefits and immunities with those of the same rank, that are already gone into the service, aforesaid.
And for the more speedy payment of the bounties and wa- ges, aforesaid, and providing necessary stores, the committee of war is hereby empowered to draw out of the general treasury such sum and sums of money from time to time as they shall think proper ; and if there be not a sufficiency in the treasury, that the said committee of war and general treasurer, or either of them, be, and hereby is empowered to hire, from time to time, so much money as they shall think proper, giving no more than ten per cent. per annum, for interest.
Be it enacted by this General Assembly, and by the au- thority thereof it is enacted, that it is the true intent and meaning of the act made and passed at this session of Assem- bly, for the more effectual obstructing the exportation of pro- visions and warlike stores out of this colony, that fish is not comprehended in the article of provisions mentioned in said act.
God save the King.
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND
[1756.
Proceedings of the General Assembly, held for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, at Newport, on the fourth Monday of August, 1756.
The Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Governor.
The Hon. Jonathan Nichols, Deputy Governor.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that James Honeyman, Obadiah Brown, Jer. Lippitt and Job Randall, Esqs., with Messrs. Elisha Brown and Nicho- las Brown, be, and they are appointed a committee to take into consideration His Honor, the Governor's message unto this As- sembly, and prepare a bill agreeably thereto, and present the same as soon as may be.
That which follows, contains a copy of the message referred to in the preceding vote :
Governor Hopkins's Message to the General Assembly.
To the General Assembly :
Gentlemen :- Public affairs of the greatest importance to the honor and interest of this colony, must receive their determination from your resolutions at this time.
The money granted by the British Parliament to the colonies of New England, New York and New Jersey, being now arrived in America, the manner in which this colony's proportion of it shall be applied to the calling in and sinking the bills heretofore ordered to be sunk by it, must now be ascertained.
The bills of credit last emitted by this colony, being so much obstructed in their circulation by many, whose designs seem calculated to ruin the public credit of this colony, with which its constitution must also sink, it is become absolutely necessary either to call in and sink those bills immediately, or find some other expedient to give them credit.
The money already provided for carrying on the present expedition against Crown Point, being wholly exhausted, and our forces like to continue some time longer abroad, where they must be provided for ; and at their return, will reasona- bly demand their wages ; and many expenses already accrued, not being paid, some method must be taken to supply the general treasury with money sufficient for those purposes. These, with such other things as are in course before you, will come under your consideration at this session.
Council Chamber, Newport, 23d August, 1756. STEPHEN HOPKINS.
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AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
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Whereas, John Tillinghast, Thomas Cranston, James Shef- field and Peter Bours, Esqs., were, by the General Assembly, at their session, holden at South Kingstown, the last Monday of February last, appointed a committee to burn £11,208, at that time lodged in the general treasury, and having per- formed that service, presented this Assembly with the following report :
" Agreeably to an act of the General Assembly, passed at their session, in February, 1756, do report,-
That we have exchanged with the general treasurer, the £11,208, for Crown Point money (said money was part of the €25,000 rate), and have burnt the same.
As witness our hands in Newport, March 4, 1756.
JOHN TILLINGHAST, JAMES SHEFFIELD,
THOMAS CRANSTON, PETER BOURS, Committee. Test, BENJAMIN NICHOLS."
Crown Point money burnt : first £7,000
second
11,200
£18,208
And this Assembly, having duly examined and considered said report,-
Do vote and resolve, and it is voted and resolved, that the same be, and is hereby accepted.
Whereas, Thomas Cranston, Peter Bours and James Shef- field, Esqs., were appointed a committee to examine the £16 counterfeit bills, that were lodged in the general treasury, in order to be exchanged by the money paid in there, by John Coggswell, for that purpose, &c .; and having performed that service, presented this Assembly with the following report :
Report of the Committee appointed to examine counterfeit bills of public credit.
Newport, March 12th, 1756.
Agreeably to an act of the General Assembly, we, the subscribers, do report : That we have examined the £16 counterfeit bills that were lodged in the general
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND
[1756
treasury, in order to be exchanged for part of the good money paid into the general treasury, by John Coggswell, for that purpose.
And do further report, that we find the number of said bills lodged, to be one hundred and forty-seven ; and the money paid in by said Coggswell for their re- demption, to be £1,600, out of which, the treasurer, by act of government, is al- lowed five per cent., which is £80 for his trouble ; the remaining sum of £1,520, divided by one hundred and forty-seven, the number of bills lodged, leaves for every £16 counterfeit bill £10 6s. 9d., in good money, which the treasurer is pay- ing, and is ready to pay any one who hath a right ; a list of the names of the per- sons' being lodged in the office.
We also have burnt the one hundred and forty-seven counterfeit bills.
THOMAS CRANSTON, JAMES SHEFFIELD,
PETER BOURS, Committee.
And this Assembly having taken the said report and ac- count into consideration, and duly examined them,-
Do vote and resolve, and it is voted and resolved, that the said report be, and it is hereby accepted ; and that £9, the amount of the account, be allowed and paid the said Thomas Cranston, Peter Bours and James Sheffield, out of the general treasury.
Whereas, the proprietors of the ferry places in Newport, Jamestown, North Kingstown and South Kingstown, preferred a petition and representation, that since the General Assembly made the last act for regulating the prices of the ferriage, the currency hath greatly depreciated ; provisions of all sorts, as well as canvas, rigging, iron work, tallow, and all other necessa- ries, for keeping their boats and wharves in a condition suitable to the purpose that they were procured and made for, having risen to more than double the prices they stood at when the act, aforesaid, was made ; and thereupon prayed the prices of ferriage may be augmented ; on consideration whereof,-
Be it enacted by this General Assembly, and by the au- thority thereof it is enacted, that the prices of ferriage between Newport and Jamestown, and between Jamestown and North Kingstown, and South Kingstown, be raised, and stated at the following prices, to wit :
For a man and horse, six shillings ; for a draft horse, six shillings ; a single person, three shillings; an ox, or neat creature, eight shillings ; a hog, calf, or sheep, one shilling ;
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AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
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and for a horse and chaise, or chair, twenty-four shillings ; the owners of every ferry, taking leases of the committee that shall be appointed for that purpose; and giving bond for their due and faithful performance of such their leases.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that Nicholas Easton, Obadiah Brown, Jeremiah Lip- pitt and John Walton, Esqs., together with Mr. Samuel Ward and Col. Benoni Waterman, be, and they are hereby appointed a committee to prepare a bill in amendment of, and addition to, the several laws of this colony, regulating the public rates and taxes thereof.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that the committee appointed to lease out the ferries, give leases of the same for four years.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that a public lottery be set up by this colony, for rais- ing the sum of £10,000, to carry on the building of Fort George ; and that Edward Scott, Esq., with Messrs. Augustus Johnston and Martin Howard, Jr., be, and they are hereby ap- pointed a committee to prepare a bill for that purpose, and pre- sent the same unto this Assembly as soon as may be.
Whereas, William Pelsue, exhibited unto this Assembly, an account of £2 10s., by him charged against the colony, for his horse hire and time, in going to His Honor, the Deputy Gov- ernor, by order of James Honeyman, Esq., to get a warrant, for proclaiming His Majesty's declaration of war against France ; which being duly examined,-
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that thirty shillings of said account be allowed and paid the said William Pelsue, out of the general treasury.
This Assembly do vote and resolve, and it is voted and re- solved, that Mr. Caleb Carr, be, and he is hereby chosen lieu- tenant of Fort George, and be allowed the monthly wages of £60, he finding himself, and attending there constantly, both night and day.
And that twenty soldiers, being good and able bodied men, be enlisted for said fort, to reside there, also, both night and VOL. V. 64
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RECORDS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE ISLAND [1756.
day, and be allowed £30 per month, they finding themselves ; and that said soldiers be employed in building the fort, at all times when their other duties will admit of it; and the lieu- tenant hereby is directed to take particular care to see the same performed.
Whereas, Joshua Babcock, Jeremiah Lippitt and Benjamin Nichols, Esqs., exhibited unto this Assembly, the following ac- count,-
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