USA > Rhode Island > The "Old Stone Bank" history of Rhode Island, Vol. III > Part 27
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drawn sleds. The fortifications at that point compelled General Howe to evacu- ate Boston and take his British forces to Halifax. This first score for the Americans in putting the enemy to flight was a bitter blow to British pride and a great en- couragement to the patriots, and it placed the war on a different basis.
Leaving behind a valuable supply of cannon, small arms, powder and other military stores, the British departed from Boston on March 17, 1776, and it was generally expected that the American forces would march to New York. The Rhode Island General Assembly, at its March session, sent a communication to General Washington, requesting that he dispatch some of his troops to or through Rhode Island, so that there would be armed forces present should the enemy decide to invade at that point. The Colony had an opportunity to discuss this matter and others of equal impor- tance directly with General Washington, for the following month he journeyed from Boston to Providence.
Governor Cooke of Rhode Island heard through General Nathanael Greene that Washington contemplated visiting Provi- dence, and, on April 4, 1776, sent a note to the General welcoming him to Rhode Island, and advised that accommodations in a private home had been provided for the entire official party. On the following day, Friday, the whole town turned out en masse to welcome the man whom they prayed would lead them to victory in the struggle for independence. General Wash- ington's route from Boston would natu- rally bring him through Dedham, Wren- tham, Attleboro and Pawtucket, there- fore a great procession of dignitaries and the general populace went out to meet him and his suite, and they waited his appearance in the vicinity of the Sayles Tavern, which is still standing on the east side of North Main Street near the Provi- dence-Pawtucket city line. This tavern is now called the Pidge House; it was for many years the regular stopping place for the New York to Boston stages, and is reputed to be the oldest house in Rhode Island at the present time.
The colorful assemblage that patiently anticipated the approach of General
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Washington on that pleasant spring day included the local company of cadets under the command of Colonel Nightin- gale, and the company of light infantry under the command of Colonel Mathew- son, both units being in their uniforms. Colonel Hitchcock's and Colonel Little's regiments, under the command of Briga- dier General Nathanael Greene, were also ordered to march out to join the parade of honor, and the latter contingent met General Washington on his way into Providence. Then a procession was formed which was lined up in the following order: Colonel Little's regiment, Colonel Hitchcock's regiment, the company of light infantry, the cadets, the Governor of the Colony, at whose right hand rode General Washington. Then followed a number of citizens on horseback, and in this order they proceeded into the town and to the residence of Stephen Hopkins, where Washington was to be entertained. The Hopkins home is still standing today, although it has been moved from its original site on South Main Street to its present location at the corner of Benefit and Hopkins Streets in the shadow of the new courthouse.
Stephen Hopkins was out of town when Washington came to Rhode Island on his second visit. He was then attending, as a delegate from Rhode Island, the Conti- nental Congress in Philadelphia, and thus it became the duty of Ruth, the step- daughter and also the daughter-in-law of Hopkins, to entertain the distinguished guest. Times have changed but little since then. All the neighbors generously offered Ruth their assistance and freely tendered their services in anticipation of the great responsibility with which she was to be confronted. Friends and rela- tives alike offered the loan of china, glass- ware, table linen and other household articles, but Ruth appeared the least per- turbed of all concerning the hospitality which the Hopkins home could offer. The house was small, the servants few, and Mr. Hopkins lived in a very plain and humble way. Therefore, Ruth proudly refused all these well-meant proffers with the remark that "What was good enough for her father was good enough for General Wash- ington."
People came from everywhere to catch a glimpse of General Washington. When the procession passed through the streets of the town, crowds of men, women and children cheered him and all activity ceased in his honor. An old account of the occasion reads, "The houses through the street were full of women, the eminences covered with men." The balance of the day was probably taken up with recep- tions and private conferences with the Governor, General Greene and others in official capacities, and there is no docu- mentary evidence to suggest that Wash- ington was not thoroughly satisfied with the hospitality and home comforts afforded him under the capable direction at the Hopkins residence.
On the following day, Saturday, the guest of honor and several other officers of the Continental Army were entertained at an elaborate reception held in Hacker's Hall, where many speeches were made, compliments exchanged, and a number of patriotic toasts were drunk. This enter- tainment was provided by "the Gentle- men of the Town," and the affair was undoubtedly one of the most brilliant ever arranged in the history of the town up to that time. Hacker's Hall stood on the east side of South Main Street between what are now Power and Planet Streets, and the structure was completely de- stroyed by fire in January 1801. Two of the candlesticks used to illuminate the reception hall on that historic occasion are today priceless treasures in the pos- session of the Rhode Island Historical Society. Washington remained in Provi- dence until the following day, Sunday, and then departed for New York, visit- ing Norwich and New London on the way.
While in Providence he conferred with Governor Cooke and the Council; a letter to Washington from the Governor dated April 23, 1776, says: "When I had the pleasure of seeing you here I laid before you very fully the distressed situation of the Colony." Washington wrote to the President of Congress from New York on April 15, 1776: "On the 4th instant I set out from Cambridge, and arrived here on Saturday last. I came through Provi- dence, Norwich and New London, in
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order to see and expediate the embarka- tion of the troops."
George Washington came to Rhode Island for the third time in 1781. Many stirring events had transpired since his previous visit in 1776, when he stopped over in Providence for two nights and enjoyed the hospitality offered by citizens, who entertained him in a manner befitting his honored position in the hearts and minds of American patriots. The Conti- nental Army had met the British in con- flict near New York City; Washington's men had crossed the ice-filled Delaware River on the historic dark and stormy Christmas night; Trenton had been seized; a splendid victory had been gained at Princeton, and the troops had spent a winter at Morristown. Washington had suffered reverses at Brandywine Creek and at Germantown, and the destitute and barefoot troops had survived the hardships of a freezing winter at Valley Forge. Burgoyne had surrendered at Saratoga.
The year 1778 brought the departure of Howe, and Sir Henry Clinton succeeded him. The next two years of war found the British again confined to New York City; Washington had returned to White Plains and there was no further effort on the part of the enemy to conquer the Northern States. The British next at- tempted to subjugate the South while continuing to hold New York against Washington's army, and all the while the undaunted leader struggled for a decisive victory, which finally came on October 19, 1781, when Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown. On November 20, 1782, Great Britain acknowledged the independence of the United States, and on September 3, 1783, a treaty of peace was signed at Versailles in France, and America was free.
On March 6, 1781, three months before the French army departed from Newport for Yorktown, General Washington visited Count de Rochambeau to consult with him concerning the operation of the troops under his command and to hasten the sailing of the expedition under M. Destouches, who had resumed direction of the fleet after the death of Admiral de Ternay, whose untimely death had oc-
curred in Newport several months before. Washington journeyed toward Newport on horseback as far as the Old South Ferry, about a mile to the south of what is now Saunderstown, and reached his destination by way of the Conanicut ferry. A resident of South Kingstown recorded in his diary that the General had passed through that section about ten o'clock on the same date, and that he was accom- panied by about twenty soldiers acting as a guard. On his way across the harbor he stopped to exchange greetings with the French generals who were assembled on board the "Duc de Bourgogne," and in the early part of the afternoon he was taken by barge to the landing, where he stepped ashore amid the plaudits of the admiring throng. The French fleet lying at anchor in the harbor fired a salute, and the army, numbering nearly seven thou- sand men, was lined up in a double rank on both sides of the street extending all the way from the landing point to the old State House on Washington Square. Passing through this imposing guard of honor, Washington proceeded first to the State House, where he was received officially, and then he continued on to the Vernon House, at the corner of Clarke and Mary Streets, Rochambeau's head- quarters, where Washington was to be the French general's guest.
An eyewitness of this historic procession through the streets of Newport records his impressions of the scene as follows: "I never felt the solid earth tremble under me before. The firing from the French ships that lined the harbor was tremen- dous; it was one continued roar, and it looked as though the very Bay was on fire. Washington, as you know, was a Marshal of France; he could not command the French army without being invested with that title. He wore, on this day, the insignia of his office, and was received with all the honors due to one in that capacity. It is known that many of the flower of the French nobility were num- bered in the army that acted in our defence. "Never," continued this nar- rator, "will that scene be erased from my memory. The attitudes of the nobles, their deep obeisance, the lifting of hats and caps, the waving of standards, the
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sea of plumes, the long line of French soldiers and the general disposition of their arms, unique to us, separating to the right and left, the Chief, with Count Rochambeau on his left, unbonneted, walked through. The French nobles, commanders, and their under officers, followed in the rear. Count Rochambeau was a small, keen-looking man, not hand- some as was his son, afterwards Governor of Martinique. Count Noailles looked like what he was - a great man. But the resplendent beauty of the two Vios- minels eclipsed all the rest. They were brothers, and one of them a General in the army, who had the title of Count, too. Newport never saw anything so handsome as these two brothers.'
This same observing citizen continues: "But we, the populace, were the only ones that looked at them, for the eye of every Frenchman was directed to Wash- ington. Calm and unmoved by all the honors that surrounded him, the voice of adulation nor the din of battle had ever disturbed the equanimity of his deport- ment. Ever dignified, he wore on this day the same saint-like expression that always characterized him. There were other officers of inferior grade too that followed, and I afterwards saw them on horseback, but they did not sit on a horse like Wash- ington. The roofs and windows of every house in sight were filled with the fair part of creation; (that was nicely said and so was the following) and Oh ! the fluttering of handkerchiefs, and showing of favors. It was a proud day for Newport."
On the evening of the same day that Washington arrived in Newport, the buildings in the town and the ships in the harbor were brilliantly illuminated. The Town Council asked the citizens to purchase candles for the illumination, and requested that every house, large and small, should show a light. An evening parade through the principal streets featured the program of festivities on the day of arrival, and it is recorded that the procession was headed by a group of boys bearing candles attached to long sticks. Washington appeared in the line accom- panied by Rochambeau and other officers, their aides, and a great company of citi- zens. The evening was clear, and there
was not a breath of air to fan the torches. The marchers passed through the prin- cipal streets and finally returned to head- quarters in the Vernon House. This treasured structure is still standing today, in excellent state of preservation, and is occupied by the Family Welfare Society, an important social service agency in Newport.
Washington thoroughly enjoyed the company of charming ladies, and he had an immediate opportunity to meet and admire the fairest of the fair among the social lights of Newport's fashionable circles at an elaborate ball held in his honor in Mrs. Cowley's Assembly Room which then stood on Church Street. Both the American and French officers had frequented this popular rendezvous quite often during the preceding winter, and Washington found the place, the occasion and the guests most agreeable. The guest of honor opened the ball with Miss Margaret (Peggy) Champlain, noted for her beauty, charm and grace, and who selected the dance "A Successful Cam- paign," whereupon several of the French officers seized the instruments from the musicians and played for the General and his fascinating partner. The soft light from the silver candelabra was reflected in beautiful mirrors loaned from local mansions, and the gay party danced and promenaded beneath festoons of bunting looped with rosettes of swords and pistols.
A continuous round of social functions, and very likely many unavoidable con- ferences, occupied Washington's days and evenings in Newport until he took leave of his friends and colleagues on March 13 and journeyed overland to Providence. On his departure he was saluted by the French with thirteen guns and again the troops were drawn up in line in his honor. Count de Rochambeau escorted Washing- ton for some distance out of town, and Count Dumas with several other officers of the French army accompanied him to Providence. They passed through Bristol, Warren and Barrington, and a stop was made at Warren, where the General and his suite dined in the tavern of Shu- bael Burr, whose bill for entertaining amounted to £ 12.12, which item was later ordered paid by the General Assembly.
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Count Dumas described the scene in Providence when the group arrived, as follows: "The whole population had assembled from the suburbs; we were sur- rounded by a crowd of children carrying torches, reiterating the acclamations of the citizens; all were eager to approach the person of him whom they called their father, and pressed so closely around us that they hindered us from proceeding. General Washington was much affected, stopped a few moments and pressing my hand said, 'We may be beaten by the English; it is the chance of war; but behold an army which they can never conquer.' '"
The Providence Gazette of March 17, 1781, reports as follows: "On Tuesday Afternoon arrived here from Newport His Excellency General Washington with his suite, accompanied by Major General Howe, and several other gentlemen of the army. He was met at the Lower Ferry by a number of Gentlemen and escorted to the House of the Hon. Jabez Bowen, Esq. (That building stood at the time on the site of the present Providence-Wash- ington Building on Market Square, and Washington remained there for two nights, March 13 and 14, 1781.) On his Excellency's Arrival he was saluted by a Discharge of Thirteen Cannon from the Continental Park of Artillery, from the shipping in the harbor and welcomed by the cheerful countenances of the inhab- itants.
"In the evening the town, the shipping in the harbour, were beautifully illumi- nated. On Wednesday an elegant Enter- tainment was provided at the State House (still standing on North Main Street) at which were present his Excellency, the military Gentlemen who attended him here, a Number of Inhabitants etc. After dinner thirteen toasts were drunk, under Discharges of Cannon; and the Evening concluded with a splendid ball which was honored by the Presences of his Excel- lency General Washington, General Howe, etc."
Early on Thursday morning Washing- ton left the town accompanied by Howe, a few officers and a number of private citi- zens, going in a westward direction with New Windsor, New York, as his destina-
tion. Private citizens paid for the enter- tainment provided during the stay in Providence, and it does not appear that the town authorities took any official recognition of the visit of the distin- guished guest, except for the bill of James Arnold in the town papers for £ 2. 10s. 8d. against the town for candles supplied the "Poor to Eluminate the Town for Gen'l Washington."
George Washington visited Rhode Island for the fourth and last time in 1790 when the smallest of the States finally ratified the Constitution. When the General became President of the young Republic which he had brought into being, he decided to make a complete tour of the entire territory comprising the United States. In the autumn of his first presi- dential year he started this plan by visit- ing New England between October 15 and November 13, 1789, omitting Rhode Island since she had not fallen in line with all the other States and come into the Union. However, when Washington received word that the last of the thirteen Colonies had joined with the others in May, 1790, he acknowledged the ratifica- tion as follows: "Since the Bond of Union is now complete, and we once more con- sider ourselves as one family, it is much to be hoped that reproaches will cease and prejudices be done away; ... if we mean to support the liberty and independence, which it has cost us much blood and treasure to establish, we must drive away the demon of party spirit and local reproach."
Upon adjournment of Congress, August 12, 1790, Washington made immediate arrangements to visit Rhode Island, and he left New York City for that destination on Sunday, August 15, going first to New- port by boat. He was accompanied by Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State; George Clinton, Governor of New York; Theodore Foster, Senator from Rhode Island; Judge Blair, of the United States Court; William Smith, Member of Con- gress from South Carolina; Mr. Gilman, Member of Congress from New Hamp- shire, and three gentlemen of his official family. This was the only sea voyage ever recorded by Washington, except the trip to the Barbados in the fall of 1751 when
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he accompanied his ill brother Lawrence who sought to regain his health in a warmer climate.
Washington was received with great enthusiasm by the people of Newport, where he remained for a day and a night. A huge throng greeted him at the wharf; he received many official salutes, and a long procession marched through the streets in his honor. He took a walk about the town and the day ended with a dinner at the State House, which was filled to overflowing with the enthusiastic and admiring populace. On the next day, August 18, the President departed for Providence after he had participated in a program of exercises which included addresses by prominent citizens and by the honored guest himself.
The trip from Newport to Providence must have been a tedious one since the passage required seven hours, but the well- planned reception which awaited him at the head of the Bay very likely banished all irritation caused by the lengthy boat ride and the late arrival. Two days previous the Town had made preparations to give Washington an official reception. The leading citizens of the community held a public meeting "to consider of the most proper measures to show the Venera- tion the Town hath of his Character and the Sentiments of Gratitude the Inhab- itants entertain for his rescuing America from the Prospect of Slavery and estab- lishing her Liberty upon the broad basis of Justice and Equity under a Constitu- tion the Admiration and Envy of the civilized World."
Among other things at this meeting it was voted to have all the windows in the Market House mended to help improve appearances of the business section, and Henry Ward, Dr. Enos Hitchcock, Wel- come Arnold, David Howell and Ben- jamin Bourne were elected on a special committee to prepare an address to be presented to the President. Another com- mittee was appointed to arrange the details of the official reception and all the inhabitants were requested to clean side- walks and streets adjoining their dwellings and have everything spick and span before noon of the day when Washington was expected to arrive. At a second meeting
on the following day the wording of the address prepared by the special com- mittee was approved, and Daniel Stillwell was ordered "to cause the State House to be handsomely illuminated on Occasion of the Arrival of the President of the United States."
From the contemporary accounts and private records of these eventful days in the history of Providence it is possible to arrange the various events; of the recep- tion program in their proper order. The packet bearing the President and his official party arrived in Providence about four o'clock in the afternoon, and as the ship approached the wharf, cannon salutes were fired from Federal Hill, and an im- pressive procession was formed to escort him to his place of lodging. The shouts of the crowds, the ringing of bells and the boom of the guns carried everyone to a high pitch of enthusiasm as Governor Arthur Fenner stepped aboard the packet and welcomed the President to Provi- dence. Then the procession, with various individuals and organizations lined up according to a previous arrangement, moved through the streets to Mr. Dag- gett's Tavern on Benefit Street (at present the "Mansion House" and formerly the "Golden Ball Inn"). Washington, with Governor Fenner on his right and Senator Foster on his left, followed the troops, music and state and city officials, and behind marched Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Judge Blair, and other distinguished figures present on the occasion. The program printed for this feature of the celebration is a most interesting document, and an original copy is now in the possession of the Rhode Island Historical Society.
When the President arrived at the door of the tavern he reviewed the entire pro- cession and saluted each unit as it passed. He enjoyed a typical family dinner and prepared for bed quite early. As he was about to depart for his night's rest he was informed that the students on the Hill had prepared a special illumination of the building now known as University Hall, and that they would be highly honored if he would visit the College and view the spectacle. Although it was raining slightly, and contrary to his usual custom
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of remaining indoors at night, he climbed the hill in company with a few friends and there beheld the college building com- pletely illuminated with candle lights in every window.
The following morning, Thursday, was cold and rainy. However, the weather cleared later and Washington took a walk about the town accompanied by several of his official hosts. This walk lasted until early afternoon and included a climb to the top of University Hall and a tour of a local ship yard where a large ship was on the stocks. Stops for refreshments were made at the John Brown residence (still standing on Power Street), at Governor Fenner's home and at Deputy Governor Jabez Bowen's. After a brief rest at the tavern, he received the addresses of the Society of the Cincinnati, Rhode Island College (now Brown University) and the Town of Providence. Then he went to the Town Hall, where a dinner had been prepared in his honor, and to this affair several hundred persons had been invited. An immense throng surrounded the hall
on the outside, and when a toast was proposed to "The President of the United States," the whole company within and without cheered loudly and indulged in a spirited demonstration of enthusiasm. Washington then rose and drank the health of the company present, and later gave the toast, "The Town of Provi- dence."
Other toasts followed, brief speeches were delivered, compliments exchanged, and the President quickly departed for the wharf where the same packet awaited him for the return journey to New York City. No doubt a great crowd went to the wharf to bid farewell to the one who had honored the town with his presence. That was the last time Rhode Islanders were to look upon Washington within the boundaries of the State, but the welcome which he received in 1790 was sufficiently warm and vociferous to im- press upon him for all times that the smallest State in the Union respected his valor, chivalry, ability to lead, his sound judgment and his inspiring character.
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