USA > Rhode Island > The correspondence of the colonial governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775, Vol. II > Part 23
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Being anxious to have this debt, with the others contracted on the same account, honorably discharged, I have spoken to several of the Principal Members
1 Hamilton was governor of Pennsylvania from 1760 to 1763.
2 See instructions of the Assembly (Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 365), and Sherwood's letter of May 21, 1763.
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of our assembly respecting it: And as they all ac- knowledged the justice of the demand, I make no question, but that, at their next meeting for dis- patch of business, in Decem! or Januery, they will make effectual Provision for the discharge of the whole, to which I shall gladly contribute my assist- ance.1
I am with much respect Sir
Your most Obedient and most humble Servant JAMES HAMILTON
Honorable Governor HOPKINS
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
Esteemed Frd
I received thy Favour of 8th August,2 and had a Considerable time before sent a Copy of the return of Gen! Amherst for the Year 1761, by which it appears that our Colony both for Summer and Win- ter Service raised only 459 Men, I have Inclosed another Copy of the same return; upon which the Lords of the Treasury have Allotted £6082 to Rhode Island, being our full Proportion, according to that return with the rest of the Provinces; the money is not yet Issued but we Expect it soon, the Instant I receive it will send you Notice.
1 The Council of Pennsylvania passed an act for the payment of £10,947 to the dif- ferent colonies who had presented claims similar to those of Rhode Island. The House did not concur because, although the money remained undrawn, it had been " appropriated to the King's use." Penn. Col. Rec., IX. 125.
2 Not in the archives.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
I don't apprehend you will meet with any Diffi- culty in the Reimbursement from Pennsylvania,1 as to the Connecticutt Overplus I expect to receive it here.
I so lately received the Papers relating [to] the Sloop Kinnicut that I have nothing materially to say thereon, per this Conveyance except that I shall use my utmost Endeavours to obtain Justice, and write the Partys per next Oppurtunity.2
The Parliament meet about the middle of next Month, in which we Expect several matters to be moved relating to the Colonies.
You will have heard that a new Collector is Ap- pointed for Newport, the sole reason is a late Reso- lution which the Lords of the Treasury and Commis- sioners of the Customs have come into, that every Collector shall reside on his Benefice.3 I am with great regard
Thy respectfull Frd
JOSEPH SHERWOOD
AUSTIN-FRYERS. 31 Oct. 1763.
To The Gov'. and Company of the Colony of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations in New-England in America.
1 See note to preceding letter.
2 This sloop was carried into Trinidad by Spaniards and condemned as a prize, after the cessation of hostilities. For the particulars, see Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 437.
8 John Robinson of Newport was appointed collector and surveyor for Rhode Island in the place of one Thomas Clift, who was removed because he was not a resident of the colony. Arnold, Rhode Island, II. 246.
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Correspondence of the
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
Esteemed Frd
I yesterday received at the Pay Office £4082.65 and this day {2000 more in Exchequer Bills which I have disposed of, being your Proportion of the grant for 1761 as ment! before.
I have Inclosed my Account which together with my first Account I hope will be Settled and Ap- proved, of which I shall be glad to Receive Advise and cannot Conceive what delays the same. I have not time to add at present but that I am with great regard to thyself and the Gent of the General As- sembly Their and
Thy respectfull Frd
JOSEPH SHERWOOD.
25 Nov: 1763. To STEPHN HOPKINS Esq.
BILL OF EXCHANGE.1
LONDON 28 Nov: 1763. Exchange for £100 Ster :
Gent. .
Sixty days after sight of this my second Bill of Exchange (first and third of same Tenor and date not being paid) Pay to Joseph Clark Esq: General Treasurer of the Colony of Rhode Island or to the Treasurer of the said Colony for the time being or his Order One Hundred Pounds Sterling in a good
1 Sent by Sherwood to Hopkins.
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Bill or Bills of Exchange or in Gold or Silver equal thereto with or without further Advice from
Y: respectfull Frd
JOSEPH SHERWOOD.
To DANE and JOHN JENCKS Merch's at Providence
To STEPHN HOPKINS Esq! These.
GOVERNOR HOPKINS TO THE SHERIFF OF THE COUNTY OF NEWPORT.
To the Sheriff of the County of Newport, or to His Deputy Greeting
Whereas Application hath been made to me, by most of the principal Merchants and Traders of this Colony, and many others of considerable Note, pray- ing that the General Assembly might be called to- gether as soon as conveniently may be, in order to take into Consideration the State of the Commerce of the Northern Colonies; and, in Conjunction with them, to take such measures, and give such Orders and Directions to our Agents in Great Britain, as may, if possible, remove the Burthens which the Trade of these Colonies now labors under, and to prevent any new Impositions from taking Place,1 And Whereas I have recd a Letter from His Excel- lency Thomas Gage Esq: General, and Commander in Chief of all His Majesty's Forces in North Amer-
1 See the vote of the Assembly and the Remonstrance addressed to the Lords of Trade, in Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 378.
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Correspondence of the
ica,1 requesting this Colony to raise two Hundred effective Soldiers, to be employed against the Indian Enemies the next Campaign, and that the Troops may be ready and take the Field by the first of March next : For these Considerations I have ordered the General Assembly to be called together.
You are therefore commanded in His Majesty's Name George the third by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain &c. and to warn and to give Notice to every Member of the General Assembly within your County, that they meet at the Court House in South Kingstown on Tuesday the 24th Day of Janu- ary instant at three of the Clock in the afternoon then and there to Sit in General Assembly, to take into Consideration the Matters aforesaid, or trans- act any other Business which may be laid before them.
Whereof fail not and make true Return of your Doings to said Assembly.
Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms, at Providence this 13th Day of January in the 4th Year of His said Majesty's Reign 1764.
STEP HOPKINS Gov!
1 Printed in Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 376. Rhode Island did not raise the troops requested.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
NEWPORT Janu' 17 : 1764
I have Notified and warned according to Law the Following Members of the Honole General Assembly Viz his Honor John Gardner Esq Dep Gov!
James Honyman Esq Ass!
Cap" Gidion Wanton Jn' Dep!
Cap" William Reed . Do
Cap" John Wanton . do
Cap" Daniel Arrault . D°
at the town of Newport
M' George Hassard-Do
M' Benj" Green-Do
Henry Ward Esq :- Secretary
Augustus Johnson Esq Atty General
at James Town Viz Cap" John Gardner Depy M: Isaac Howland Do
Jamestown
To Give their Attendance at the time and Within Mentioned W HAMMOND. D Sheriff
THOMAS RICHARDSON TO JOSEPH CLARKE.1
PHILADA Octo: 27. 1764
Esteemd Friend Joseph Clarke
I wrote thee of this Date and per Post advising I had shipd the Money in my hands belonging to the Colony of Rhª Island2 per Capt Earle that thou mought if necessary get it ensurd. This serves to
1 Treasurer of the colony of Rhode Island.
2 See Governor Hamilton's letter of October 3, 1763.
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Correspondence of the
Cover my Accot with the Voucher for Money Paid [illegible] Doan and Capt Earles Bill of Ladeing for the Ballance being £706.10.27/2 which I wish safe to hand and desire Shoud please to give my Bro- ther Wm Richardson on Receiving the above sum from Capt Earle a Ret in full in which thou'l much Oblige
Thy Assured and Ready Friend
THO RICHARDSON
Endorsed : THOS RICHARDSON to Jos. CLARKE. .
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
Esteemed Fried
I wrote thee the 9th Inst.1 fully, and now Inclose the Resolves mentioned therein, Petitions from the Assemblys of Virginia and Connecticut were pre- sented to the House of Commons but they were Rejected, and not one permitted to be brought up to the Table it being Contrary to the Rule and Estab- lished Practice of the House to receive Petitions against a Money Bill;2 several Members of the House Stood forth as the Advocates of the Colonys, but were Unable to render them any Effectual Ser- vices, the Bill has been read a third Time and will very Soon pass into a Law; I am sorry to be a Mes-
1 Not in the archives.
2 The Stamp Act, passed in March, 1765.
Colonial Governors of Rhode Island 36I
senger of News so Disagreeable to the Colonys as I fear this Will be, I am with Regard Thy Respectful Frid.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD
23ª February 1765
To STEPHEN HOPKINS Esq' Gov. of the Colony of Rhode-Island and Provi- dence Plantations in New-England in America.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND.
Esteemed Frd
I wrote at large the 9th and 23ª Feby The Papers and Letters and also the Address to the King has been delivered to the Secretary of State, that being the usual and proper Channel, I do not apprehend any Benefit can arise from Addressing the King on Affairs of Trade and Commerce 1 These Affairs are left to the Board of Trade and Parliament.
The Merchants of London have used their Endea- vours to Alleviate some of your Burthens, they have Solicited for the Lowering of the Molasses Duty, for Abridging the Extensive Powers of the Courts
1 A committee was appointed by the Assembly in July, 1764, to report upon the best means of securing a repeal of the Sugar Act of 1733, and of preventing the pas- sage of the Stamp Act. The result of their labors was a petition to the King in No- vember (Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 414), and a pamphlet by Hopkins, called The Rights of Colonies Examined. This was published in Providence in 1764 and 1765, and in London in 1766. It is printed in Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 416. See also Field, State of Rhode Island, I. 217, note.
=
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Correspondence of the
of Vice Admiralty and for other Relief, but without Immediate Effect, as to the Pamphlets sent me I have Endeavoured to apply them usefully but the Act being passed before they came to hand, no Ben- efit could possibly arise from Reprinting it here, many Pamphlets have been Published here on the Occasion, I shall pay due regard to the Intimation respecting Extracting the Quintessence of the whole and Printing for the use of the Members, but that must be a Consideration for the next Year as it is too late to carry into Execution a scheme of this sort this Session.
A Bill for Punishing Mutiny and Desertion in America is Carrying thro' the House, in which is con- tained a Cause Enabling the Justices, and in their default the Commanding Officer to Billet Soldiers in private Familys 1 many of the Members of the House oppose this measure as Arbitrary and Contrary to the natural Liberty of the Subject, I Beleive it will meet with a very warm opposition and I have Reason to hope it will be Rejected, I have taken some pains in this matter, and will Continue so to do, I am under Double Obligations to the Colony for their Confi- dence and good Opinion in this most interesting Season but I am not so Vain as to Insinuate that I can do anything Effectual towards preventing Mea- sures Resolved on by the Ministry.
I can Confidently Assure you after a Strict In- quiry that no such Petition as you Mention has been
1 This act required the colonists to furnish quarters, fire, candles, beds, vinegar, and salt for the troops residing among them.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
presented to the Ministry or any of the Publick Boards I am with great Esteem
JOSEPH SHERWOOD
II April 1765.
To The Governour and Co of the Colony of Rhode- Island.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR HOPKINS.
Esteemed Frª
Foregoing is Duplicate of my last, The Agents, with the Assistance of the Merchants of London, have made Strong and Vigorous Opposition, to the Unconstitutional and illegal Measure of Quartering Troops in Private Familys, as mentioned in the fore- going ; And it is Agreed by the Ministry, to leave out the Obnoxious and stinging part of the Bill, so that the Clause as it now stands is thus.
The Civil Magistrates in the Colonys, are to Quarter the Troops in the Barracks if any, if there are no Barracks, in Publick Houses as here, and in Case there are not sufficient Convenience of Barracks and Publick Houses, the said Magistrates are to Hire Empty Houses and Barns &c to Quarter the Troops, but there is to be no Billetting in Private Houses.1
The Colonys are under great Obligations to the Merchants of London, for their Assistance and In- fluence in this most Important Attack, had it not been for their Aid, I do beleive the Measure would
1 See note to preceding letter.
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Correspondence of the
have been carried; The Merchants in General seem Affected with the Complaints of the Colonys, and Determined to Assist them what they can, and I do hope further Relief and Ease will in some Measure be obtained by their means next Sessions.
Complaints have been Exhibited against the Col- ony, in regard to its Treatment of one Lieut Hill, you already have, or will, receive an Order of Coun- cel, requesting an Answer to those Complaints, I do hope upon the Receipt you will give a speedy and full Answer, that no Imputation may arise from Neglect or delay on your side.1
There is a Bill passing the House, Intitled an Act to Regulate the Trade of America, in which are contained several Alterations relating to Commerce, most of them I think in favour of the Colonys, as for Instance- The Restriction respecting Lumber is taken off; the Duty on Coffee Lowered; and a Bounty Granted on the Importation of America Timber,2 I shall send a more Particular Account of this Bill by the next Vessell.
The House have under Consideration A Regency Bill to provide for the Government of the Nation in Case of the Kings Death, during the Minority of his Successor.3
1 The British schooner St. John, Lieutenant Thomas Hill commander, was attacked by a mob, in consequence of the seizure of a cargo of smuggled sugar. Two of the ship's men were taken prisoners, and the guns of Goat Island battery were turned upon the vessel. The Order in Council and papers enclosed therewith are in Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 427-430.
2 5 Geo. III. c. 45.
8 This bill was passed in consequence of the King's serious illness in the preceding April, when symptoms appeared of that mental derangement to which he was after- wards subject.
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I am with great regard to the Gent of the General Assembly and thyself.
Their and Thy respectfull Frd.
JOSEPH SHERWOOD
WARNFORD COURT THROGMORTON STREET 2ª May 1765.
To The Governor and Company of the Colony of Rhode-Island
GOVERNOR WARD 1 TO JOSEPH SHERWOOD.
NEWPORT 28th June 1765
Sir
Your Favor of the 2nd of last Month 2 with a Du- plicate of a former Letter and some News Papers I have received by Cap! Carmar
The vigorous Opposition made by You and the other Agents to the intolerable Measure of quarter- ing Troops in private Families must give a general Satisfaction to the Colonies and We shall ever look upon ourselves under the Strongest obligations to the Merchants of London for their generous Assist- ance upon this important Occasion, their Opposition to this unconstitutional Measure was truly noble and patriotic and Time I believe will evince that it is the true Interest of Great Britain in General and of the Merchants in particular to have the Liberties and Privileges of the Northern Colonies continued
1 Hopkins was elected governor in 1763 and 1764, in the latter year by a very narrow margin. In 1765 the Ward faction triumphed, and since Newport was the stronghold of the Ward constituency, the moderation of the Assembly in dealing with the rioters may thereby be partly explained.
2 See preceding letter.
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Correspondence of the
inviolate to the latest Posterity.1 Your Advice with Regard to the Affair with Lieut. Hill is just, but as it will require some Time to prepare a proper State of the Case, the general Assembly will not meet until the second Monday in September next, I cannot trans- mit an Answer 'till their Meeting but shall embrace the first Opportunity after that to return one.2 in the mean Time I have acknowledged by this Convey- ance the Receipt of his Majesty's royal Order and as- sured the Lords of Trade and Plantations that all due and ready Obedeince shall be paid to it, a Copy of my Letter to the Board I have enclosed herewith.3
Your Intelligince of the Act of regulating the Trade of America 4 I am obliged to You for and when- ever any Thing new and interesting is on the Carpet your Advising Us of it will be very agreable
Under Cover with this You'l find a Duplicate of my last principally relative to the wished for Reimburse- ment of our Expences in 1756 And if any Thing can be obtained on that Account it will be extremely acceptable to the Government 5
I am With great Regard Sir Your respectful Friend and humble Servant
SAM: WARD
JOSEPH SHERWOOD Esq'
Agent for the Colony of Rhode Island At Lon- don
1 For an account of the position of the London merchants, see Lecky, England in the Eighteenth Century (ed. Appleton), IV. 84-86.
2 In the September session the Assembly voted that since " sundry riots have been com- mitted in the town of Newport," the governor shall issue a proclamation for apprehend- ing the rioters, and shall " prevent any such riots for the future." Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 451.
8 This letter, of June 28, is in Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 444.
4 See preceding letter. 5 Printed in Col. Rec. of R. I., VI. 434.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
JOSEPH SHERWOOD TO GOVERNOR WARD.
Esteemed Fra
I received thy favour of 17th May, and intend to Answer it per next Oppurtunity it being Impossible for me to Embrace this.
I give you Joy on the Revolution in the Ministry, I hope it will produce some real Benefit to the Dis- tressed Americans.
The Duke of Grafton ) are appointed Secretarys and General Conway of State
Earl of Winchelsea
President of the Council
Marquiss of Rockingham Will™ Dowdeswell
John Cavendish
Esqrs
Lords Commission- ers of the Treasury
Tho: Townsend
George Onslow and Willm Dowdeswell Esq' is appointed Chancellor and Under Treasurer of the Exchequer.
It is confidently Asserted these Changes will pro- duce great Ease to the Inhabitants of America 1 I am with great regard to the Gent of the Gen! As- sembly and Thyself
Their and thy Assª Frd
JOSEPH SHERWOOD
WARNFORD COURT. THROGMORTON STREET. 16. July 1765.
1 The American situation had no influence whatever upon Grenville's downfall. He failed to make himself acceptable to George III., and was dismissed to make way for the short-lived Rockingham ministry. Conway was one of the few opponents of the Stamp Act in England.
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Correspondence of the
GOVERNOR FAUQUIER 1 TO GOVERNOR WARD.
WMSBURGH Aug: 8th 1765
Sir,
Soon after the Receipt of your Letter, some affairs of this Colony required that I should call a full Council ; at that board your Letter and the Deposi- tion of M! Morris were read and considered. Some of the Members said that they knew Captain Thomas, who had been long in the Employ of M: Newton of Norfolk,2 and that he was a Man who had always bore a very fair Character, and they were perswaded if I would lay the whole Affair before M: Newton that he would make enquiry into it, and that from the Knowledge they had of that Gentlemans Integrity, I might safely depend on what Information he should give me. I accordingly sent your Letter and other papers to M: Newton: his, and Captain Thomass Answers to them, and my Letter sent with them, I have inclosed to you for your full Satisfaction,3 as to what has been transacted in this matter: and shall only observe upon them, that to me there appears an air of Truth and Candor throughout Capt" Thomas's Narrative, which is descriptive of the Character given him by some Gentlemen of the Council. I do not perceive that I can go any further in this Business on the footing it now stands; for tho' M! Morris's In- formation may be a ground work for a prosecution, it must fall, for want of Evidence. If you think his Answer not satisfactory, you may be assured I shall readily give you all the Assistance I can legally do,
1 Fauquier was governor of Virginia from 1758 to 1768.
2 See Newton's letter, p. 371. 8 See the two following documents.
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
to bring this Affair into daylight, It being a Duty I owe to his Majesty and consequently to all his Sub- jects. I am Sir
Y: very hum : Serv:
FRAN : FAUQUIER
To SAME WARD Esq'
CAPTAIN THOMAS TO GOVERNOR FAUQUIER.1 NORFOLK July 26 1765 Sir.
I am informed by M: Thomas Newton that it is represented to you by some in the Northern Gov- ernment, that I Clandestinly or by force carried off several free men from the Coast of Africa at the time I was there in his Vessel. It gives me much concern that I should be accused of an Action that I shou'd Condemn in another, and that I did bring off one man which I believe might be free born I readily own, and at the same time I took him on Board was really to serve the Person without advan- tage to my Owner. One Blackney of the Brigantine Catherina from the Island S! Thomas's2 had a man left on Board him as a pawn, and as he was going off the Coast before I could leave it which was about the first of May I gave him two Slaves for him, and as he pretended to be one of great Credit I did not in the least doubt but the Person who left him as a pledge for Goods received wou'd redeem him before I left the Coast, and that I did use my utmost En-
1 Enclosed with Fauquier's letter of August 8, 1765.
2 In the West Indies.
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deavours to get him of my hands is a real truth, but whether I was imposed on by the Captain, or that his friends wanted to get clear of him I am yet igno- rant off. Being in great distress for want of Pro- visions from the ill Treatment I received from some of the Natives who took from me sundry Merchan- dize and cou'd get nothing from them I made my Case known to King Peter who sent his son young Peter, second King of that Country on Board to see further into the particulars I had informed off, he voluntary left one of his Friends on board as a Secu- rity for his promise that he wou'd either Compel them to make Satisfaction or bring as many as he cou'd get and deliver them up as Spoilers of their Country ; accordingly on or about the 27th April 1763 he brought off three men tyed and delivered them according to their Custom as Slaves and he together with Robert Gray, (who both before and after) I had Considerable dealings with put them in Irons. from [that] time to June 3ª I traded without being mo- lested, my Boat being every day a shore and often myself in her, and Endeavoured to get them redeemed as my Officers can Testifie were they here, but so far from getting clear of them that the Natives abused them every time they came to trade. This Sir is a faithful account of the whole Affair and that I was justifyable as it is commonly practised, other Vessels having the Natives on Board on the same footing. I am Sir
Your most obed! Hble Serv:
CHARLES THOMAS
To The Honble FRANCIS FAUQUIER Esq:
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Colonial Governors of Rhode Island
THOMAS NEWTON AND CO. TO GOVERNOR FAUQUIER.1 NORFOLK July 27th 1765
Siv.
Your favour of the 22ª Instant I recd, also M! Ward's Letter and M: Owin Morris's Deposition setting forth that Capt : Charles Thomas brought from the Coast of Guinea several free Negroes, Capt: Thomas sailed from Virginia in Sloop belong- ing to Mess's Sparling Bolding and self, sometime in November Seventeen hundred and sixty two, he arrived here with his Slaves in October 1763, soon after went up James river and there sold them, which is all we know of the matter. Capt: Thomas is in Town shall desire him to inform your Honour more fully of the Charge against him, we shall be very sorry that any person or Persons should suffer by his disconduct, we are Sir Your most humble Serv
THOMAS NEWTON AND CO
To The Honble FRANCIS FAUQUIER Esq.
THE LORDS OF TRADE TO THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF RHODE ISLAND.
WHITEHALL August 23. 1765.
Gentlemen,
His Majesty having appointed us His Commis- sioners for promoting the Trade of this Kingdom, and for inspecting and improving His Majesty's foreign
1 Enclosed with letter of August 8, 1765.
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Correspondence of the
Colonies and Plantations, it is our Duty to acquaint you therewith, and to desire, that you will, from time to time by every Opportunity that offers, transmit to us an exact and faithful Account of all Occurrences within the Colony under your Government.
We are, Gentlemen,
Your most humble Servants,
DARTMOUTH JOHN ROBERTS.
J. DYSON WM FITZHERBERT
Gov! and Company of Rhode Island.
GOVERNOR WARD TO MESSRS. JOHN ROBINSON1 AND JOHN NICOLL.2
NEWPORT 29th Oct 1765
Gentlemen
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