USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at the end of the century : a history, Volume 1 > Part 27
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The year 1778 was the most important period of the Revolution in Rhode Island, as well as marking a crisis in the struggle throughout the country. The long standing antipathy of France toward England was about to be displayed in something more than expressions of friendliness and interest. After preliminary negotiations, two secret treaties were signed in Paris on February 6, one of them relating mainly to commercial relations, and the other for an active alliance between France and America contingent upon the beginning of war
Hist. Tract, no. 1); C. R. Williams, Lives of Barton and Olney; and C. J. Paul, Part borne by Sergeant Paul in the capture of Prescott. Barton's own original narrative of the capture is in R. I. H. S. MSS, iii, 13.
1The matter of the finances of the Revolution is neglected here, being treated in the Financial Chapter. During 1775 and 1776 Rhode Island had issued £150,000 in paper money. But the evil consequences arising from this system had led her, in December, 1776, to cease issuing bills and to rely upon loans and upon taxation.
2Prov. Gazette, Jan. 10, 1778.
eine
do acknowledge the UNITED STATES of AME- RICA, to be Free, Independent and Sovereign States, and declare that the people thereof owe no allegiance or obedi- ence to George the Third, King of Great-Britain; and I re- nounce, refufe and abjure any allegiance or obedience to him ; and I do that I will to the utmoft of my power, fupport, maintain and defend the faid United States, againft the faid King George the Third. his heirs and fucceffors and his and their abettors, affiftants and adherents, and will ferve the faid United States in the office of Maior
which I now hold with fidelity, according to the beft of my fkill and underftanding.
Miss Greene Maj General
Sworn beforeme the 23 May 178
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
between the French and the English. The consummation of these treat- ies caused great rejoicing throughout this country and was immensely influential upon her destiny.1 The British cabinet now assumed a different manner towards America and proposed measures of concilia- tion ; but they were indignantly rejected, as they would have left the country in a state of dependence. The patriots were resolved upon nothing short of freedom, and entered upon the campaign of 1778 with vigor and confidence.
The British were still strongly intrenched on the Island of Rhode Island. They annoyed passing vessels, plundered the surrounding country for provisions, and occasionally made sorties with more hostile intent. On May 25 the towns of Warren and Bristol were made to feel the heavy hand of the enemy. Both of these towns were visited by a force of about 600 men, who burned many buildings, pillaged stores, and capturing a number of prisoners, returned safely to New- port.2 This raid demonstrated clearly the defenceless condition of the state. But public anxiety was somewhat allayed when the French fleet arrived off the Delaware capes early in July, and on the 29th twelve ships of the line and four frigates entered Narragansett Bay. On the following morning two of the French vessels sailed up to the north end of Conanicut, and the British garrison on that island with- drew to Newport, where the whole army was awaiting reinforcements. It was the British forces, instead of the Rhode Island patriots, who were now blockaded. The fear of the enemy was somewhat allayed. Plans were forming for a general attack upon Newport. Troops were assembling, and by the 1st of August Generals Greene and Glover had arrived to assist General Sullivan.
During the month of August, 1778, plans were made comprehending an attack by the French fleet on the harbor side and an expedition of land forces from the northern end of the Island. The preparations were carried out upon a large scale. Washington sent two Continental brigades, volunteers poured in from all New England, and Rhode Island, by extraordinary effort, contributed one-half of all the militia in the state. The whole army amounted to not less than 10,000 men. Sullivan was placed in chief command, aided by Marquis de Lafayette and General Greene. Since the British had less than 7,000 men, and
'"Joy sparkles in every eye at the important news we have from France via Boston, and for a demonstration of the same, 13 pieces of cannon are to be discharged for each of the United States, and 13 pieces of cannon for each of the European powers who confirm our independence" .- Letter from Will- iam Allen to Theodore Foster, May 3, 1778. (R. I. H. S. Coll. vi, 213.) 2Prov. Gazette, May 30, 1778.
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RHODE ISLAND IN THE REVOLUTION.
since the whole attack was so well considered and planned, success seemed certain. On August 9 the American army began to cross over from Tiverton to the northern end of the Island, in order to co-operate with the French fleet, which in the meanwhile had been cannonading the British batteries. Late in the day, however, Lord Howe, with thirty-six British sail, appeared in sight, and D'Estaing, the French admiral, desisted from the attack on Rhode Island to give him battle. A tremendous storm ensued which scattered both fleets. The Ameri- cans continued operations without the aid of the French, and on August 15 began their advance upon the British. While success was doubtful, confidence was restored by the sudden reappearance of the French fleet. But to the great consternation of the American officers, D'Estaing announced his intention of proceeding to Boston to refit. This he did, in spite of all remonstrances to the contrary. The army, through sickness and disaffection over the delay in proceedings, was now reduced to little more than 5,000 men. On August 28 a retreat was resolved upon, which, though conducted in a masterly manner, decided the fate of this unsuccessful and unfortunate expedition.1
The remainder of the year 1778 passed in comparative quiet in military affairs in Rhode Island. General Sullivan remained in command of the remnant of the American troops until the arrival of General Gates in April of the following year. As a result of the state's great exertions, many of the inhabitants were in great destitu- tion, and the suffering continued through the ensuing winter. The prices of all kinds of provisions and other household necessities were abnormally high, and there was great scarcity of food stuff, as well as of money. The Continental paper currency was rapidly approach- ing worthlessness and the state treasury was empty. Under date of Providence, August 31, 1778, Paul Allen wrote Governor Bowen: "The universal cry for Bread is very alarming in our streets. I believe I speak within bounds when I tell you that there are a hundred families in the Town who have not a mouthful of bread in their houses, nor can they get it with their money. Whenever a bushel of corn is brought in from the country, the owner extorts from the poor purchaser eight dollars-and were he to ask twenty he would get it-to remedy which I made application this day to the Council of War to
'This expedition has been briefly treated, since it is fully discussed in the Military Chapter. Printed references to the battle may be found in the bib- liography at the close of the last volume, and there is a bibliographical ac- count of both printed and manuscript sources in Winsor, Narr. and Crit. Hist. vi, 592-603. The R. I. Hist. Soc'y has several orderly books kept during this expedition.
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
solicit that they would permit some vessels to go to the westward for flour,-but as they had laid an embargo on all vessels they think that this plan would be opening too wide for the trading part".1 The writer entreated the Governor to lay this matter before General Sullivan.
The seareity of provisions finally became so great, and consequent suffering so widespread, that the general assembly took the subjeet into consideration in October and appointed a large committee, eonsist- ing of Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Conneetieut men, "to take a regular list of all persons and their families, who have already eome off, and shall hereafter eome off, from Rhode Island; and partieularly, of such as need assistance for support, and make returns to the general assembly or eouneil of war, from time to time, of their names, and in what towns they are received". This committee was authorized also to "solicit donations from the charitable inhabitants of our sister- states", and distribute them among the destitute families. Town couneils were requested to tell what number of persons they each eould accommodate with dwelling places during the approaching winter.2 Governor Greene wrote the Conneetieut authorities, by direction of the assembly, requesting that the embargo existing there upon food articles, might be so far removed as to allow of their exportation to Rhode Island. To add to these burdens, the conduct of speeulators, who were termed "forestallers", in buying up the necessaries of life for private gain, was so flagrant that Congress issued a eircular to all the states advising legislation to prevent such practices. Finally in February, 1779, Congress passed a resolution requesting both Con- neeticut and New York to repeal their embargo on bread stuffs for the benefit of Rhode Island, and a few weeks later the state was relieved from payment of $50,000 of her portion of the Continental tax.
Meanwhile, and during the ensuing spring and summer months of 1779, the eurrency question assumed the greatest importance and presented difficulties little less distressing to the people than the searcity and high priees of food. The rapid depreciation of the Con- tinental eurreney finally foreed Congress to resort to taxation. In May, 1779, they ordered a tax of $45,000,000 to be assessed on the United States and paid into the treasury by the first day of January, 1780. The portion of this to be raised in Rhode Island was $750,000. On June 1 General Greene wrote Ephraim Bowen, who was deputy
1R. I. Hist. Soc. MSS. vi, 113, in R. I. H. S. Lib'y.
2R. I. C. R. viii, 475.
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quartermaster-general for Rhode Island: "I have received your favour of the 22d of May, and I am very sorry for your distress on account of cash, but how to remedy the evil, the Lord only knows". On June 3, Bowen replied: "It is astonishing to see the depreciation of the currency. Never did it fall so fast as at this time. A carpenter cannot be hired for less than 15 to 18 dollars per day, and all other labor in proportion". On the same date Governor Greene wrote to the Rhode Island delegates in Congress: "Considering the exhausted state of the Treasury that there is not £100 pounds of passable money in it, notwithstanding the inhabitants (who do not possess more than two-thirds of the State), have paid into the Treasury, by taxes, within
H
ELLERY HOUSE, NEWPORT.
The home of William Ellery, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
six months (except about £16,000 which is not yet paid in,) £92,000 exclusive of the £90,000 more ordered by Congress, the greater part of which is likewise paid; that there being such an amazing demand for money, owing to the want of the balance of said account due from the United States, and being under the necessity of supplying the pur- chasing clothier with money to supply the State troops already raised, they being very bare of clothing, and the large sum wanted to recruit the brigade, together with the incident charges of Government, makes our burthen heavier than the inhabitants can bear".1
1R. I. H. S. Coll. vi, 234-236.
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
Little more is needed in addition to these quotations to show the desperate circumstances of this state in regard to its finances. The general situation finally led to the holding of a convention of delegates from the various Rhode Island towns. This meeting, called in response to an earnest address by Congress, assembled at East Greenwich on August 10. Governor Grecne presided and various measures were adopted "for the purpose of carrying into effect the several interesting and important measures recommended by Congress in their late wise, sensible and animating address". Prices were fixed on staple articles, with penalties for their violation, and the several towns were "desired to regulate the prices of inn-holders, labour, teaming, manufactures, and other articles, in proportion to the rates of the necessaries of life here stated". A resolution was adopted recommending that the assembly at their next session should raise by loan £100,000, which was the state's share for the supply of the Continental treasury.1 In response, the assembly in September apportioned the amount to the towns, requiring the assessors to collect it from those best able to contribute.
Military events in Rhode Island, meanwhile, had not occupied so much of the public notice. The possibility of a British attack was always present, but it was evident that the enemy were using Newport chiefly as headquarters. For this reason, and on account of the neces- sity of concentrating the American troops elsewhere, the patriot army in Rhode Island had decreased by October, 1779, to about 1,500 men. But even this number made a severe drain upon her resources, entail- ing supply of provisions, quartering of troops and hospital service.2
The time finally came when the events of the war upon the British armies were such as to cause their cvacuation of Rhode Island. The seat of greatest military activity had been transferred to the south, in the neighborhood of Savannah, and Sir Henry Clinton prepared to transfer his troops to that point. A fleet of transports arrived off Newport early in October, and the embarkation of stores, the plunder- ing of inhabitants, and the burning of barracks soon showed that a general evacuation was in progress. When the day arrived for the actual embarkation, October 25, the inhabitants of the island were warned by the British to keep within doors during the day, on pain
1Prov. Gazette, August 14, 1779.
"The letters on the subject of supplies that passed between Quartermaster Bowen and General Green are in R. I. H. S. Coll. vol. vi, and several are listed in the Calendar of the Greene Correspondence in Am. Philos. Soc. Proc. xxxix, 163. Most of the papers connected with the Hospital establishment are in the R. I. H. S. Library.
do . that I will faithfully, truly and im- partially execute the office of to which I am appointed, and render a true account, when thereunto required, of all public monies by me received or expended, and of all ftores or other effects to me intrufted, which belong to the UNITED STATES, and will, in all refpects, difcharge the truft repofed in me with juftice and integrity, to the beft of my fkill and under- ftanding.
Grace rune 2ml
the 23 4mg. Watherten
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
of death. The troops marehed from the town to Brenton's Point and were conveyed in boats to the ships. In the evening the fleet sailed and Rhode Island was free of the hated enemy.1
Newport was left only a shadow of her former importanee. More than 500 dwellings had been destroyed; three-quarters of the in- habitants had fled; the eommeree that was formerly so aetive and prosperous was ruined, and most of the merchants had begun business operations elsewhere. The British on leaving had taken away everything of value that was possible, ineluding the valuable manu- seript reeords of the town.2 Nearly fifty Tories and their families departed with the British troops, and in the same month an "Aet for the eonfiseating the estates of eertain persons therein deseribed",3 was passed by the assembly. Early in November General Gates was ealled away to join the main army, and the command here developed upon Brigadier-General Cornell. The Council of War ordered the estates of the Tories who had left with the British fleet to be taken in possession by the sheriff of Newport.
Notwithstanding the deplorable situation on Rhode Island when the enemy departed, there was a tide of joy and congratulation over the event. Yet this sentiment was mixed with sympathy for the exposed and distressed condition of the people. The winter of 1779-80 was one of great severity, the cold being so intense that the entire bay was frozen over during six weeks. There was extreme and widespread suffering on Rhode Island and particularly in Newport. Provisions and fuel were very searee and their priees astonishingly high. Wood sold for ten silver dollars a eord; eorn was worth four dollars a bushel, and potatoes two dollars. A general famine threatened and was not mueh relieved until the warmer months of the next year. A petition was presented to the assembly by deputies from Newport, stating that the poverty of many of the inhabitants was such that it was impossible
1Prov. Gazette, Oct. 30, 1779.
2The town records were carried off by Walter Chaloner, the Tory sheriff of Newport, in a small vessel accompanying the Bristol fleet. Passing Hell Gate, the vessel struck and sank and remained under water several days. Governor Greene complained of their loss to General Washington, who used his endeav- ors to recover them. They were finally rescued and deposited in a store in New York. They remained here unopened until the Newport Town Council, hearing of their whereabouts, sent on a request (July 29, 1782) for their re- turn. General Carleton replied that he did not know that they were in New York, and apologized for their detention. They were returned in December, 1782. (See Bull's Memoirs of R. I .; R. I. H. S. Coll. vi, 249, 251; R. I. H. S. Publ, i, 144; Newport MS. Town Records, 1779-1816, p. 59, 70; and Jackson's Antiquarian Map of Newport in the Redwood Library.)
3R. I. C. R. viii, 609.
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RHODE ISLAND IN THE REVOLUTION.
to supply the town with wood, and praying the assembly to "grant a sufficient sum of money out of the general treasury, to supply the poor inhabitants of the said town with two hundred cords of wood".1 In response to this appeal, 160 cords of wood were supplied to the town and £1,000 was appropriated to pay the cost. The quartering of the American troops, of whom about 1,000 still remained, was also a source of much anxiety and effort.
The spring of 1780 witnessed the American army in a most distressed condition. The surrender of Charleston early in May had been a serious blow. Disaffection and despair seemed to reign. The patience and resolution of Washington stood out in strong contrast. As a Rhode Island delegate wrote home to General Greenc: "The embarrassments under which the commander-in-chief now labors, is of such complicated, distressing nature that they could not be borne by a less exalted soul."? In view of the conditions, renewed demands were made upon the states for troops and supplies. The Rhode Island assembly, at their June session, voted a regiment of 610 men and also provided for the sending of a quantity of supplies.
The future of the American cause assumed a brighter prospect when the news arrived that a French fleet with numerous reinforcements was expected. Early in July this fleet, consisting of seven ships of war, two frigates, and thirty-five transports, with about 6,000 men, appeared off Point Judith, and on the 11th entered Newport Harbor. Very different feelings did its arrival excite from those aroused by the British invasion of over three years before. On this occasion the town of Newport, though shorn of much of its former glory, was brightly illuminated, and imposing demonstrations of welcome were made.3 The larger number of the French troops decided to pass the winter in Rhode Island, and again the state became a great camp.4
American liberty now seemed an assured fact. The states, realizing the value of a closer bond of union, entered into a new agreement on March 1, 1781, under the Articles of Confederation. With renewed spirit, the patriots entered upon the southern campaign of 1781-the last campaign of the war. Early in March the French fleet left
1R. I. C. R. viii, 637.
2R. I. C. R. ix, 113.
3Prov. Gazette, July 15, 1780. Scarcely had this force been in Newport a week, when the sudden appearance of several British sail threw all hands into consternation. They disappeared, however, as suddenly as they came. (See R. I. H. S. Publ. vii, 199-202.)
4The details of this French occupation of Rhode Island are given in Stone's French Allies, 198-415, and Mag. Am. Hist. iii, 393.
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Newport to co-operate with the American forces in Virginia, and three months later the French army departed on the same mission. The ability of Washington and this effective foreign aid combined to give the patriot army a great vietory. At Yorktown, on October 19, 1781, the English commander, Cornwallis, surrendered with 8,000 men. The British attempt to repress the colonics was forever lost. Realizing the hopelessness of continuing the contest, she yielded, and henceforth the chief matters of dispute were over the terms of the peaee.
Through all the series of sueeesses and reverses leading up to this grand vietory, Rhode Island had taken her proper share. Her patriot son, Nathanael Greene, had brought fame to himself and his state by being appointed seeond in command to Washington. In most of the battles of the great struggle-at Red Bank, at Springfield, at Yorktown-her officers and soldiers had shown striking valor and courage. She had emerged from the war with her commeree and industry paralyzed, her property despoiled, and her people poverty- stricken and destitute. But all this misfortune and distress she eon- sidered as nothing when compared with the inestimable jewel of liberty which she had helped to win. Hopefully did she look forward to the dawn of a brighter day.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CONSTITUTION.
The defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown in October, 1781, was practically the end of the Revolution. In the following year, a Whig ministry, realizing the hopelessness of continuing the confliet, and desirous of peace, eame into control of affairs. A provisional treaty was signed, acknowledging the absolute independence of the United States, and favoring her ambassadors in most of its terms. It was not till September 3, 1783, however, that the definite treaty was made.
During this period and until the adoption of the constitution in 1789, the State was under the Congress which had been ereated in 1781 by the Articles of Confederation. The problems that beset this newly organized government were manifold and trying. The outlook in financial matters was especially gloomy. The Continental Congress,
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THE STRUGGLE FOR THE CONSTITUTION.
despairing of obtaining sufficient income from its depreciated currency and from the requisitions on the states, had proposed, on February 3, 1781, that the states should allow Congress to levy an import duty of five per cent., the funds so raised to be used for the payment of the interest on the public debt. In little over a year twelve states had either accepted or shown favorable disposition to this reasonable proposal ; but Rhode Island alone stood out.
The causes for Rhode Island's refusal to accede to this request formed the groundwork of her whole attitude upon the federal ques- tion for the next decade.1 Since the beginning of English oppression, she had shown herself not only willing, but eager, to further all move- ments leading towards a more perfect union of the colonies. Just as she had thus been anxious to resist aggression upon her liberty and welfare, so now she was determined to resist any project whereby her privileges were to be curtailed by her sister states. She had signed the Articles of Confederation with the understanding that she should not be molested in the conducting of her own affairs, and she did not now intend that her power of levying taxes should be interfered with by any other jurisdiction.
In no place is Rhode Island's attitude on this point better shown than in the newspapers of the day. One writer, fearful of the future of Rhode Island commerce, contributed over the signature of "Dixit Senex" a long letter to the Providence Gazette, in which he asserted that "Congress may call upon us for money, but cannot prescribe to us methods of raising it; that is within our sovereignty, and lies solely in the power of our own legislature".ª General Varnum, one of Rhode Island's delegates to Congress, then returned and through the medium of the public press, endeavored to obtain a favorable consideration of the proposed law. His argument was, of course, strongly a federal one. Dilating upon the necessity of union, asserting that the honor and independence of America depended upon some regular form of a public tax, and claiming that the right of collecting duties from vessels that sailed on the high seas was a national rather than a local one, he stated a doctrine that was rather too liberal for his provincial fellow- citizens to understand.
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