Analytical Table

CHAPTER I.

CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN MASSACHUSETTS BAY AND PLYMOUTH COLONIES.—ARRIVAL AND BANISHMENT OF ROGER WILLIAMS.

The religious sentiment connected with the foundation of states, 1

Resistance to the doctrine of theocracy occasioned the settlement of Rhode Island, 2

1631. Ship Lyon arrived at Boston, bringing Roger Williams, 2

Early life of Williams, 2

Massachusetts in possession of two distinct colonies, 3

In Massachusetts Colony the clergy were virtually rulers, and they were extremely rigid, 3

Disputes between Williams and the authorities of Massachusetts Bay Colony, 4

Removal of Williams to Plymouth, 4

Williams makes friendship with Massasoit and Miantonomi, 5

Learns the Indian language, 5

Williams returns to Salem, 5

1635. He is persecuted and finally banished, 6

Articles of banishment, 6

CHAPTER II.

SUFFERINGS OF ROGER WILLIAMS IN THE WILDERNESS.—FOUNDS A SETTLEMENT ON THE SEEKONK RIVER.—IS ADVISED TO DEPART.—SEEKS OUT A NEW PLACE WHICH HE CALLS PROVIDENCE.

Attempt to send Williams to England, 7

His flight, 8

He is fed by the Indians, 8

He is given land on the Seekonk River by Massasoit and starts a settlement, 8

He receives a friendly letter from the Governor of Plymouth asking him to remove, 9

He starts with five companions in a canoe to find a place for a settlement, and finally lands at Providence, 9

CHAPTER III.

WILLIAMS OBTAINS A GRANT OF LAND AND FOUNDS A COLONY.—FORM OF GOVERNMENT IN THE COLONY.—WILLIAMS GOES TO ENGLAND TO OBTAIN A ROYAL CHARTER.

Early inhabitants of Rhode Island, 11

Williams makes peace between Canonicus and Massasoit, 12

He receives a grant of land from Canonicus and begins a settlement, 12

Compact of the colonists at Providence, 13

Experiment of separation of church from state tried in the new Colony, 13

The right of suffrage not regarded as a natural right. Illustrated by Joshua Verin and his wife, 14

1639. The first church founded in Providence, 15

Five select men appointed to govern the Colony, subject to the action of the Monthly Town Meeting, 15

Massachusetts Colony applied for a new charter to cover the land occupied by Providence, 15

1643. Providence in connection with Aquidneck and Warwick sent Williams to England to obtain a Royal charter, 15

1644. Williams returns in 1644 successful, and is received with exultation,, 16

CHAPTER IV.

SETTLEMENT OF AQUIDNECK AND WARWICK.—PEQUOT WAR.—DEATH OF MIANTONOMI.

1637. Anna Hutchinson arrived in Massachusetts and banished, 17

Nineteen of her followers under William Coddington and John Clarke, purchased the Island of Aquidneck and formed settlements at Pocasset and Newport, 17

Roger Williams proclaimed the right of religious liberty to every human being, 18

Samuel Gorton banished from Pocasset, 19

He denied the authority of all government except that authorized by the King and Parliament, 19

He, with eleven others, bought Shawomet and settled there, 19

He is besieged by troops from Massachusetts, is captured, imprisoned, and afterwards released, 19

He is appointed to a magistracy in Aquidneck, 19

Roger Williams prevented the alliance of the Pequots and Narragansetts, and formed one between the English and the Narragansetts, 21

Pequots rooted out and crushed, 21

Miantonomi treacherously put to death, 22

The Narragansetts put themselves under the protection of the English, 22

CHAPTER V.

CHARTER GRANTED TO PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.—ORGANIZATION UNDER IT.—THE LAWS ADOPTED.

1643. The charter granted to Providence Plantations, 23

Provisions of the charter, 23

1647. The corporators met at Portsmouth and in a general assembly accepted the charter, and proceeded to organize under it, 24

The government declared to be democratical, 24

President and other officers chosen, 25

Description of the code of laws, 25

Design for a seal adopted, 26

Roger Williams presented with one hundred pounds for services in obtaining the charter, 26

Spirit of the law, 27

CHAPTER VI.

FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC TROUBLES.—UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT AT USURPATION BY CODDINGTON.

Death of Canonicus, 28

Possibility of the doctrine of soul liberty demonstrated, 28

Dissensions among the colonists, 29

Troubles with Massachusetts, 29

Baptists persecuted in Massachusetts, 30

1651. Coddington obtained a royal commission as Governor of Rhode Island and Connecticut for life, which virtually dissolved the first charter, 30

Roger Williams sent to England to ask for a confirmation of the charter, 31

John Clarke, also, sent to ask for a revocation of Coddington’s commission, 31

1652. Slaves not allowed to be held in bondage longer than ten years, 32

Commerce with the Dutch of Manhattan interrupted by war between England and Holland, 32

Coddington’s commission revoked and the first charter restored, 32

CHAPTER VII.

MORE FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC TROUBLES.—CIVIL AND CRIMINAL REGULATIONS OF THE COLONY.—ARRIVAL OF QUAKERS.

Conscience claimed as the rule of action in civil as well as religious matters, 33

Contentions between the Island and the main-land towns, 34

1654. Court of Commissioners met and effected a reunion in the Colony, 34

Attempts of the United Colonies to make war on the Narragansetts, but they failed, as Williams had influenced Massasoit not to sanction it, 35

Qualification of citizenship, 36

Duties of citizenship ascendant over dignity of office, 37

Protection of marriage, 38

The Pawtuxet controversy settled by acknowledgement of the claims of Rhode Island, 38

Fort built for protection against Indians, 39

Quakers arrived. Difference of treatment of them between Rhode Island and Massachusetts, 39

1663. A new charter granted by Charles II. and accepted by the colonists, 40

CHAPTER VIII.

TROUBLES IN OBTAINING A NEW CHARTER.—PROVISIONS OF THE CHARTER.—DIFFICULTIES CONCERNING THE NARRAGANSETT PURCHASE.—CURRENCY.—SCHOOLS.

The new charter gave a democratic government, 41

Some of its provisions, 41

Religious liberty recognized by it, 42

Assembly and courts reörganized, 43

State magistrates chosen by the freemen, 44

Jealousy of Massachusetts, 44

Trouble concerning the ownership of Narragansett, 45

Attempt to dispossess Rhode Island of part of her territory, 46

The Narragansetts compelled to mortgage their lands to the United Colonies, 47

New charter obtained by Connecticut extending its bounds to the Narragansett River, 48

1663. The boundary line left to arbitrators who fix it at the Pawcatuck River, 49

The intrigues of John Scott for the purchase of the Narragansett tract, 49

Letter obtained from the King, putting the Narragansett purchase under protection of Massachusetts and Connecticut, 50

This was rendered null by the second charter of Rhode Island grant soon afterward, 51

Wampum used as money in the Colony, 52

Also used as an article of ornament by the natives, 52

1652. Massachusetts began to coin silver in 1652, 53

Rhode Island abolished the use of wampum ten years later, 53

1662. New England shilling made legal tender in Rhode Island, 53

1640–1663. First schools established at Providence and Newport, 53

Affirmation is declared to be equal to an oath, 54

CHAPTER IX.

TERRITORY OF RHODE ISLAND IS INCREASED BY THE ADDITION OF BLOCK ISLAND.—DISPUTES BETWEEN RHODE ISLAND AND THE OTHER COLONIES SETTLED BY ROYAL COMMAND.—STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE COLONY IN 1667.

1663 Block Island added to Rhode Island, 55

Regulations concerning its admission, 56

It is incorporated under the name of New Shoreham, 56

Four Commissioners sent to America to reduce the Dutch and settle all questions of appeal between the colonies, 57

The vexed questions of boundary line between Rhode Island and Plymouth; the Narragansett question and Warwick difficulties referred to the Commissioners, who referred the first to the King and decided the second in favor of Rhode Island, 57

The Indians removed from King’s Province, 59

Five propositions submitted by the Commissioners to the Rhode Island Assembly, 59

1st. All householders should take the oath of allegiance to the King, 59

2d. Mode of admitting freemen, 59

3d. Admission to the sacrament open to all well disposed persons, 60

4th. All laws and resolves derogatory to the King repealed, 60

5th. Provisions for self-defence, 60

1672. Trouble with John Paine concerning Prudence Island, 62

Members of the Assembly to be paid for their services, 63

Financial difficulties in the Colony, 64

1667. Preparations for defence against the French, 64

1672. Act passed to facilitate the collection of taxes, 65

CHAPTER X.

KING PHILIP’S WAR.

Wamsutta summoned before the General Court at Plymouth, 67

His death, 67

Indignation of the Indians, especially King Philip, 68

Condition of the Indians, 68

Attack on Swanzey, 69

The Indians pursued by the English, 69

Philip and his allies besieged in a swamp at Pocasset, 71

His escape, 71

The Indian attack on Hadley, 71

Goffe, the regicide, 72

Philip joined the Narragansetts, 72

Battle in the swamp, 73

Indians defeated, and their village destroyed, 74

Depredations in Rhode Island, 75

Death of Canonchet, 76

Death of Philip and end of the war, 77

Condition of the country after the war, 77

CHAPTER XI.

INDIANS STILL TROUBLESOME.—CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE.—TROUBLES CONCERNING THE BOUNDARY LINES.

Precautions against the Indians, 78

Troubles with Connecticut concerning Narragansett, 79

Two agents sent to England, 80

War party obtains power, 80

Foundation of East Greenwich, 82

Bitter controversy concerning the limits and extent of the Providence and Pawtuxet purchase, 82

1696–1712. Settled in 1696 and 1712, 83

CHAPTER XII.

DEATH OF SEVERAL OF THE MOST PROMINENT MEN.—CHANGES IN LEGISLATION.

The United Colonies still encroached upon Rhode Island, 84

Deaths of John Clarke, Roger Williams, Samuel Gorton, William Harris, and William Coddington, 85

1678. Financial condition of the Colony in 1678, 88

Changes in the usages of election, 89

Bankrupt law passed and afterwards repealed, 89

Law concerning disputed titles to lands, 90

1679. Law for the protection of servants, 91

Law for the protection of sailors, 91

John Clawson’s curse, 92

CHAPTER XIII.

COURTS AND ARMY STRENGTHENED.—COMMISSIONERS SENT FROM ENGLAND.—CHARTER REVOKED.

Disputes concerning the title of Potowomut, 93

1680. Power of the town to reject or accept new citizens, 93

Efficiency of the courts increased, 94

English navigation act injures the commercial interests of the Colony, 95

Commissioners appointed to settle the vexed question of the King’s Province, 96

Rhode Island’s position in New England in regard to the other colonies, 96

Trouble with the Commissioners, 97

Charter revoked, 98

Rhode Island returned to its original form of government, 98

CHAPTER XIV.

CHANGES IN FORM OF GOVERNMENT.—SIR EDMOND ANDROS APPOINTED GOVERNOR.—HE OPPRESSES THE COLONISTS AND IS FINALLY DEPOSED.

John Greene sent to England with an address to the King for the preservation of the charter, 100

Changes in the names and the boundaries of Kingston, Westerly and East Greenwich, 101

1687. Arrival of Sir Edmond Andros, 101

Taxes farmed out, 102

Marriages made illegal unless performed by the rites of the English Church, 103

Passport system introduced, 103

Composition of the council, 103

Andros’s commission enlarged, 105

The press subjected to the will of the Governor, 105

Title of Rhode Island to King’s Province again confirmed, 106

Persecution of the Huguenots, 107

Andros deposed, 107

CHAPTER XV.

CHARTER GOVERNMENT AGAIN RESUMED.—FRENCH WAR.—INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.—CHARGES AGAINST THE COLONIES.

Chief-Justice Dudley attempted to open his court, he is seized and imprisoned, 108

Return of the old form of government, 108

Legality of resumption confirmed by the King, 109

1690. The Assembly reorganized, 110

Town house built, 111

The colonists taxed to sustain the French and Indian war, 112

Coast invaded by French privateers, 112

New taxes levied, 113

Small-pox broke out in the Colony, 113

1691. Sir William Phipps appointed Governor of Massachusetts with command over all the forces of New England, 114

This command over the forces of Rhode Island restricted to time of war, 115

1693. First mail line established between Boston and Virginia, 116

State officers to be paid a regular salary, 116

Assembly divided into two houses, 116

Indians still troublesome, 117

Courts of Admiralty established in the Colony, 117

1697–1698. Trouble from enemies to the charter government, 117

Interests of trade fostered, 118

Smuggling common, 118

Charges made against the Colony by the Royal Governor, 119

Captain Kidd, 119

CHAPTER XVI.

COLONIAL PROSPERITY.—DIFFICULTIES OCCASIONED BY THE WAR WITH THE FRENCH.—DOMESTIC AFFAIRS OF THE COLONY.

1702. Prosperity of the Colony, 120

Providence the second town in the Colony, 120

Religious freedom, 120

Attempt to establish a Vice-Royalty over the Colonies, 122

1701. Better Laws enacted, 123

1702. Preparations for defence, 123

1703. Boundary line between Rhode Island and Connecticut finally settled, 124

The character and interest of the Colony misunderstood by England, 124

French privateer captured, 125

Further acts of the Assembly, 126

Slave trade, 127

1708. First census taken, 127

Public auctions first held, 128

Commercial and agricultural progress, 128

1709. First printing press set up at Newport, 129

Internal improvements, 130

CHAPTER XVII.

PAPER MONEY TROUBLES.—ESTABLISHMENT OF BANKS.—PROTECTION OF HOME INDUSTRIES.—PROPERTY QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUFFRAGE.

Issue of paper money, 131

Clerk of the Assembly first elected from outside the House, 131

Arts of peace resumed, 132

New militia laws enacted, 132

Laws concerning trade, 133

Troubles occasioned by paper money, 134

1715. Banks established in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, 134

Paper money question carried into election, 134

Improvements in Newport, 136

Criminal code, 136

1716. School-houses built in Portsmouth, 136

Punishment of slander, 137

Indian lands taken under the protection of the Colony, 137

Law concerning intestates, 137

1719. First edition of the laws printed, 138

Boundary troubles, 138

Industry of the Colony protected by loans and bounties, 138

1724. Freehold act passed, 139

1723. Pirate captured, 139

Evidences of the progress of the Colony, 139

1727. Death of Governor Cranston, 141

CHAPTER XVIII.

CHANGE OF THE EXECUTIVE.—ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY.—GEORGE BERKELEY’S RESIDENCE IN NEWPORT.—FRIENDLY FEELING BETWEEN THE COLONISTS AND THE MOTHER COUNTRY.

New Governor elected, 142

State of affairs in England, 142

1728. Revision of the criminal code, 143

Laws for the encouragement and regulation of trade, 144

1727. Earthquake, 145

1723–1724. Division of the Colony into counties, 146

George Berkeley, 146

Establishment of Redwood Library, 147

Laws concerning charitable institutions, Quakers and Indians, 147

1730. New census taken, 148

1731. New bank voted, 149

Commercial prosperity, 149

New edition of the laws published, 149

Fisheries encouraged, 150

Regulation concerning election, 150

William Wanton chosen Governor, 152

Depreciation of paper money, 152

1733. Marriage laws, 152

John Wanton chosen Governor, 153

Watchfulness of the Board of Trade, 153

1735–1736. Throat distemper, 154

Law against bribery at elections, 154

Arrival of his Majesty’s ship Tartar, 155

Means of protection against fire, 155

CHAPTER XIX.

WAR WITH SPAIN.—NEW TAXES LEVIED BY ENGLAND.—RELIGIOUS AWAKENING AMONG THE BAPTISTS.

Preparation for war against the Spaniards, 156

Great expedition against the Spanish West Indies, 157

New taxes levied on importations by England, 157

Death of Governor Wanton, who is succeeded by Richard Ward, 158

Arrival of Whitefield and Fothergill, 159

Further provisions for the defence of the Colony, 159

Report of the Governor concerning paper money, 160

1741. Boundary line between Rhode Island and Massachusetts settled, 161

CHAPTER XX.

PROGRESS OF THE WAR WITH THE FRENCH.—CHANGE IN THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS.—SENSE OF COMMON INTEREST DEVELOPING AMONG THE COLONISTS.—LOUISBURG CAPTURED.

Privateers fitted out, 162

1741. James Greene started an iron works, 162

Changes of the jurisdictions of the courts, 163

Encroachments of Connecticut, 163

1741. Newport Artillery chartered, 165

Counterfeit bills troublesome, 164

1744. Lotteries legalized, 165

Rhode Island’s part in the capture of Louisburg, 165

Death of Colonel John Cranston, 166

Two privateers and two hundred men lost, 166

Sense of common interest and mutual dependence gaining ground, 166

Caution against fraudulent voting, 167

Disaster to the French armada, 168

1746. Close of the campaign, 168

Accession of territory, 168

CHAPTER XXI.

ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO SPECIE PAYMENTS.—CHANGES IN THE REQUIREMENTS OF CITIZENSHIP.—NEW COUNTIES AND TOWNS FORMED.—FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.—WARD AND HOPKINS CONTEST.—ESTABLISHMENT OF NEWSPAPERS.

1748. Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, 170

Hutchinson’s scheme for returning to specie payment rejected by Rhode Island, 171

Act against swearing revised, 172

Provisions concerning legal residence, 172

New census taken, 172

1748–1749. Death of John Callender, 173

Beaver Tail Light built, 173

Troubles from depreciation of currency, 173

1754. First divorce granted, 174

Kent County formed, 174

1752. Gregorian calendar adopted, 175

Troubles concerning the Narragansett land settled, 175

1753. First patent granted in the Colony for making potash, 175

Fellowship Club founded—afterwards the Newport Marine Society, 176

1754. Commissioners sent to the Albany Congress, 176

French and Indian war, 177

French settlers imprisoned, 178

Ward and Hopkins contest, 178

Providence court house and library burned, 179

David Douglass built a theatre at Providence, 180

1758. Newport Mercury established, 180

1762. Providence Gazette established, 180

Writs of assistance first called for, 181

1759. Death of Richard Partridge, 181

Freemasonry first introduced into the Colony, 181

Regulations concerning fires, 181

Towns of Hopkinton and Johnston formed, 182

CHAPTER XXII.

RETROSPECT.—ENCROACHMENTS OF ENGLAND.—RESISTANCE TO THE REVENUE LAWS.—STAMP ACT.—SECOND CONGRESS OF COLONIES MET AT NEW YORK.—EDUCATIONAL INTEREST.

Resumé of the progress of the Colony, 183

Reason for the enactment of the laws, 184

Rhode Island’s solution of the problem of self-government and soul-liberty, 185

Encroachments of England on the liberties of the colonies, 186

War had taught the colonies a much needed lesson, 187

Harbor improvements, 188

Parliament votes men and money for the defence of the American colonies, 188

Restrictions of commerce, 189

1764. Molasses and sugar act renewed and extended, 189

Resistance to the enforcement of the obnoxious revenue laws, 190

Action of the colonies in regard to the stamp act, 191

England is obliged to repeal the stamp act, 193

Resistance to impressment, 193

1765. Second Colonial Congress met at New York and issued addresses to the people, Parliament, and to the King, 194

New digest of the laws completed and printed, 195

1766. Free schools established at Providence, 196

Brown University founded, 196

Iron mine discovered, 197

CHAPTER XXIII.

TRANSIT OF VENUS.—A STRONG DISLIKE TO ENGLAND MORE OPENLY EXPRESSED.—NON-IMPORTATION AGREEMENT.—INTRODUCTION OF SLAVES PROHIBITED.—CAPTURE OF THE GASPEE.

Collision between British officers and citizens, 199

Dedication of liberty trees, 199

Laws concerning domestic interests, 199

Transit of Venus, 200

Armed resistance to England more openly talked of, 201

Scuttling of the sloop-of-war Liberty, 202

Non-importation of tea agreed to, 203

Prosperity of Newport, 203

First Commencement at Rhode Island College, 204

1770. Further introduction of slaves prohibited, 204

Governor Hutchinson advanced a claim for the command of the Rhode Island militia, 205

Evidence of justice in Rhode Island, 206

Capture and destruction of the schooner Gaspee, 207

CHAPTER XXIV.

PROPOSITION FOR THE UNION OF THE COLONIES.—ACTIVE MEASURES TAKEN LOOKING TOWARDS INDEPENDENCE.—DELEGATES ELECTED TO CONGRESS.—DESTRUCTION OF TEA AT PROVIDENCE.—TROOPS RAISED.—POSTAL SYSTEM ESTABLISHED.—DEPREDATIONS OF THE BRITISH.—“GOD SAVE THE UNITED COLONIES.”

1774. Limitation of negro slavery, 210

Resolution recommending the union of the colonies passed at Providence town meeting, 210

1774. Boston port bill passed, 211

Small-pox at Newport, 211

Indication of popular indignation, 212

Activity of Committees of Correspondence, 212

Publishment of the Hutchinson letters, 213

Franklin removed from his position as superintendent of American post-offices, 214

1774. General Gage entered Boston as Governor, 215

Sympathy of Rhode Island for Boston; East Greenwich the first to open a subscription, 215

Hopkins and Ward elected delegates to Congress, 216

1774. Congress met in Philadelphia; adopted a declaration of rights; recommended the formation of an American Association, 217

Distribution of arms, 218

Exportation of sheep stopped; manufacture of fire-arms begun, 219

Tea burnt at Providence, 219

Troops started for Boston, 219

Army of Observation formed with Nathanael Greene, commander, 220

Rhode Island troops on Jamaica Plains, 221

Articles of war passed, 221

Capture of a British vessel by Captain Abraham Whipple, 221

Rhode Island Navy founded, 222

William Goddard’s postal system went into operation, 222

Colony put upon a war footing, 223

Bristol bombarded and the coast of Rhode Island plundered, 224

Part of the debt of Rhode Island assumed by Congress as a war debt, 225

Rhode Island in the expedition against Quebec, 226

Depredation of the British squadron, 226

Battle on Prudence Island, 227

Evacuation of Boston, 228

Death of Samuel Ward, 228

The Assembly of Rhode Island renounced their allegiance to the British Crown, 228

CHAPTER XXV.

RHODE ISLAND BLOCKADED.—DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE INDORSED BY THE ASSEMBLY.— NEW TROOPS RAISED.—FRENCH ALLIANCE.—UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE BRITISH FROM RHODE ISLAND.

Islands and waters of Rhode Island taken possession of by the British, 229

Quota of Rhode Island, 230

Inoculation introduced, 231

Treatment of Tories, 231

Declaration of Independence indorsed by the Assembly, 232

Rhode Island’s part in the Continental Navy, 232

Convention of Eastern States to form a concerted plan of action, 233

Financial troubles, 234

Regiment of negroes raised, 234

1778. Tidings of the French alliance received, 235

Expedition against Bristol and Warren, 235

Attempt to drive the British from Rhode Island rendered unsuccessful by a terrible storm, and jealousy among the officers of the French fleet, 236

CHAPTER XXVI.

ACTS OF THE BRITISH TROOPS.—DISTRESS IN RHODE ISLAND.—EVACUATION OF NEWPORT.—REPUDIATION.—END OF THE WAR.

Disappointment of the Americans, 241

Wanton destruction of life and property by the British, 241

Pigot galley captured by Talbot, 242

Scarcity of food in Rhode Island, 242

Steuben’s tactics introduced into the army, 244

Difficulty in raising money, 244

British left Newport, 245

Town records carried off by the British, 246

Repudiation of debt, 247

Rhode Island’s quota, 248

Preparations for quartering and feeding the troops, 249

An English fleet of sixteen ships menaced the Rhode Island coast, 250

Assembly met at Newport; the first time in four years, 250

1781. End of the war, 251

The federation completed, 251

CHAPTER XXVII.

ARTS OF PEACE RESUMED.—DOCTRINE OF STATE RIGHTS.

Name of King’s County changed to Washington, 252

New census taken, 253

Question of State Rights raised, 253

1782. Nicholas Cooke died, 254

Armed resistance to the collection of taxes, 254

Troubles arising from financial embarrassment, 255

1783. Acts of the Assembly, 256

CHAPTER XXVIII.

DEPRECIATION OF THE CURRENCY.—INTRODUCTION OF THE SPINNING-JENNY.—BITTER OPPOSITION TO THE FEDERAL UNION.—RHODE ISLAND FINALLY ACCEPTS THE CONSTITUTION.

Desperate attempt to float a new issue of paper money, 257

Forcing acts declared unconstitutional, 258

First spinning-jenny made in the United States, 259

Bill passed to pay five shillings in the pound for paper money, 260

Refusal of Rhode Island to send delegates to the Federal Convention, 261

Proposed United States Constitution printed, 261

Acceptance of the Constitution by various states, 261

State of manufactures, 262

1790. Rhode Island declared her adhesion to the Union, 264

CHAPTER XXIX.

MODE OF LIFE IN OUR FOREFATHERS’ DAYS.

Early condition of the land, 265

Agriculture the principal pursuit of the early settlers, 266

Early traveling, 267

Early means of education, 267

Amusements, 268

CHAPTER XXX.

COMMERCIAL GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF RHODE ISLAND.

Rhode Island wiser on account of her previous struggles for self-government, 270

Commercial condition of Rhode Island, 271

Trade with East Indies commenced, 271

1790. First cotton factory went into operation, 273

1799. Free school system established, 273

1819. Providence Institution for Savings founded, 274

Canal from the Providence River to the north line of the state projected and failed, 274

1801. Great fire in Providence, 274

Visit of Washington to Rhode Island, 275

1832. Providence made a city, 275

Rhode Island in the War of 1812, 276

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE DORR REBELLION.

The Right of Suffrage becomes the question of Rhode Island’s politics, 277

Inequality of representation, 278

No relief obtainable from the Assembly, 278

Formation of Suffrage Associations, 279

Peoples’ Constitution, so called, voted for, 279

1842. Thomas Wilson Dorr elected Governor under it, 280

Conflict between the old and new government, 280

Attempt of the Dorr government to organize and seize the arsenal both failures, 281

End of the War, 281

Dorr tried for treason and sentenced to imprisonment for life; afterwards restored to his political and civil rights, 281

New Constitution adopted, 282

Freedom of thought and speech the foundation of Rhode Island’s prosperity, 282

CHAPTER XXXII.

LIFE UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.—THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.—THE CENTENARY.

Life under the Constitution, 283

The War of the Rebellion, 283

Rhode Island’s quota, 284

The Centennial Exposition, 285

APPENDIX.

King Charles’ Charter, 291

Present State Constitution, 301

Copy of the Dorr Constitution, 317

State seal, 333

Governors of Rhode Island, 334

Deputy-Governors of Rhode Island, 337

Members of the Continental Congress, 339

Towns, date of incorporation, &c., 340

Population from 1708 to 1875, 345

State valuation, 348

The Corliss Engine at the Centennial Exposition, 349

A Short History of Rhode Island.