1747, contains an extensive and valuable collection of ancient classical and theological books. There are several other valuable circulating libraries, and more than twenty social libraries, the most respectable and extensive of which is that of Providence; having a reading room connected with it. It is gratifying to learn, that the importance of the general distribution of books, as a means of disseminating knowledge, seems to be justly appreciated; and that there is a general disposition to encourage literary exertions; most useful publications having received a liberal patronage in this State. The diffusion of knowledge, from books and periodical publications, has the most happy influence upon society; as without these sources of improvement, it is impossible to overcome the stubbornness of ignorance, or to guard against rudeness of manners upon the one hand, or levity and frivolity upon the other. - Religion. From the spirit of the people, the laws of this State have been remarkably liberal upon this subject; religion having from the first settlement been considered as a matter altogether abstract, and as no way connected with civil concerns. Under the influence of this just and fundamental opinion, the legislature has at all times disclaimed the right to interfere upon this subject; and consequently the laws have left religion where it always should be left, to stand upon its own foundation. In this respect, this State has made an important experiment, and affords an example of the justness of the principle which has been supported by some of the greatest and best men in the world, but unfortunately for a long time without any success, that Christianity will best answer the ends of its institution, and produce the most good in society, if left to itself. To the liberal character of the laws, and the prevailing spirit of the people, upon this subject, is in some measure to be attributed the great number of religious sects which for a long time have existed in this State. Of these sects, the Baptists have been and now are the most numerous, and the Friends or Quakers, the Congregationalists, the Episcopalians and the Methodists are numerous and respectable sects of Christians. Some of the Baptists profess the Arminian tenets, and others are of the Sabbatarian faith, and observe the seventh day, or the Jewish sabbath. Of the latter, the most numerous societies are in Hopkinton and Westerly. There are some few Unitarians; and it is supposed that this sect is increasing. There is one society of Moravians in Newport. All these different denominations have lived harmoniously together, each adhering to their own creed, and worshipping in their own way, but no one interfering in any way with the others. The clergy depend entirely upon individual contributions; yet it has been frequently and we believe very justly remarked, that they have geǹerally received a very liberal support, and at all times maintained a suitable influence in society. The number of religious societies and churches has of late considerably increased. There are now more than 100 religious societies in the State, of every description, most of which are accommodated with houses for public worship. History. The design of this work admits only of a succinct notice of the most important historical events. An ample history of this State, to be written from authentic materials, is an object worthy the attention of any citizens of the State, possessing the necessary leisure and scientific acquirements for such an undertaking. Such is the perishable nature of human things, that facts, however important, are liable, even in a short period, to be partially lost; and the subjects with which they are connected, involved in great obscurity, unless they are collected and embodied, and recorded in a manner calculated to insure their preservation. The country included within the limits of the State of Rhode-Island was originally principally occupied by the Narragansett tribe of Indians. Thiswas one of the mostnumerous and powerful tribes that inhabited the coast of New-England. The Wamponogs inhabited the country of the eastern shore of the Narragansett. The precise period at which the Europeans became acquainted with the country upon the borders of the Narragansett, is not known; but it is believed, that it must have been soon after the first settlement at Plymouth. The first evidence that has been transmitted, of the Europeans having been acquainted with this country, is that of the murder of Captain Öldham at Block-Island, by the Indians, in 1635. The first permanent settlement appears to have been commenced in 1636, by the persecuted and celebrated Roger Williams. The Rev. Mr. Williams was forced to quit his family, in the greatest severity of the winter, and to flee from his persecutors into the wilderness, and seek an asylum among savages; by whom, it appears, he was received and treated with kindness and hospitality. In a short period, many others, who were obnoxious to the unfortunate spirit which prevailed in Massachusetts colony, followed the example of Mr. Williams; and a regular settlement was soon formed, which received constant accession, being an asylum for the persecuted and disaffected of every description. From these causes, the infant colony began to flourish at an early period, and soon became a nursery of the principles of religious liberty. Newport was settled in 1638, by Mr. Coddington and his associates. In 1643, Mr. Williams was sent to England, to obtain a charter for the civil government of the colony. In this object he succeeded, and the government was organized accordingly, and continued under the authority of this charter until the year 1663, when the famous charter of Charles 2d was granted, which has remained the basis of the government of the State until the present time. This charter contained only the outlines or form of the government, leaving the colony to adopt its own local regulations. As a matter of necessary consequence, the spirit of the people would show itself in their laws; and at an early period, the principles of religious liberty, and the rights of conscience were recognized and established, and have been ever since tenaciously maintained. A considerable portion of the first settlers became Baptists, and this has ever since remained the most numerous denomination of christians in the State. The colony continued to increase and flourish, and enjoyed comparatively a great portion of tranquillity, until the distressing Indian war, which was commenced in the year 1675, by the famous Indian sachem Philip, whose seat and residence was at Mount Hope. When the elements of war are once set in agitation, no human foresight nor prudence can guard against their extension. This war, which was by no means serious at first, being confined to a single tribe, was in its progress extended so as to embrace not only the Narragansetts, the most numerous and powerful tribe in New-England, but most of the other tribes in this region; it becoming a general war between all the European settlements, and with few exceptions, all the Indian tribes in New-England. From the threatening aspect of this war, uniting the hostility of almost all of the Indian tribes, the colonies were aroused to a sense of danger, to great exertion. Accordingly, in December 1675, the famous Narragansett expedition was organized, consisting of a detachment of troops from the several New-England colonies. This expedition terminated, after a most desperate and obstinate engagement, in the capture of the Indian fortress, and nearly the entire destruction of their forces. This battle was fought on the 19th of December, and was the most sanguinary, as well as the most successful and important, that ever occured in the early wars with the natives. The troops of the colonies fought with the most desperate resolution and bravery, and sustained a severe loss; the Massachusetts forces having 31 killed and 79 wounded; and the Connecticut troops had 91 killed and wounded, among whom were seven distinguished officers. Notwithstanding the severe loss of the Indians in this battle, it being estimated that 700 warriors were killed, and that about 300 died afterwards of their wounds, the war was not terminated until 1677; although Philip, who first engaged in it, and who instigated the other tribes to hostilities, was killed 12th of August, 1676. After the close of this war, this colony did not participate much in the subsequent wars with the Indians and French, owing principally to the circumstances of the colony's not being exposed, and the character of the inhabitants, a considerable proportion of them being Friends. In the revolutionary war, this State took an active part; having at an early period disclosed a spirit of resistance to the unwarrantable acts of authority of the British government, and a determination to defend the rights of the colonies. She furnished, from the commencement to the close of the contest, her full quota of men; and her soldiers, for bravery and perseverance, ranked among the first in the Union. She had the honour also to afford a number of excellent offìcers, at the head of whom was Gen. Nathaniel Green, one of the most distinguished officers of the age. This State suffered severely during this war; her capital was for a long time in the possession of the ene my; and at the peace, its population was 3,769 less, than at the commencement of the war; the loss of property was also immense, and its business had almost entirely declined. Subsequently to the peace, every kind of business here, as well as in most of the other States, experienced great languor, and a general state of embarrassment and distress ensued. Commerce having been diverted from its former channels, and suffering from the general embarrassment, could not recover its activity. Anxious to alleviate this distress, the legislature had recourse to some miserable temporary expedients, which increased the evils they were intended to remedy, and public and private confidence became nearly destroyed; which, however, were restored by time, the great corrective of all sublunary evils. Rhode-Island was the last of the original States which acceded to the constitution of the United States, which was not ratified until the 26th of May, 1790. The first bank was incorporated in 1791; since which, they have increased to 33. In 1804, the cotton spinning business first became an object of much attention in this State. In September, 1815, a tremendous gale occured, which did much damage to the towns upon the waters of the Narragansett bay. This State has had the honour of being the first in the Union, to repeal or modify its laws upon the subject of usury; thus affording an example of an enlightened policy, and a boldness of legislation; being the first to expunge from its statute book, laws founded in the prejudices of a barbarous age, and which are alike a violation of the principles of justice, and repugnant to sound policy. TOPOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL VIEW OF THE SEVERAL COUNTIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES IN THE STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND. PROVIDENCE COUNTY. er, and on the west by the State of Connecticut. PROVIDENCE, the most ex-||of Kent and the Narragansett rivtensive and populous county in the State, is situated in its northern section; bounded on the north by Its average length, from east te the counties of Worcester and Nor-west, is nearly 22 miles, and its folk, in Massachusetts, on the east||mean breadth, from north to south, by Bristol county, in Massachu-is more than 17 miles; comprising setts, on the south by the county an area of about 381 square miles. The following TABLE exhibits a statistical and topographical view of the several towns in the county; their situation, with relation to Providence; population, according to the census of 1810; number of dwelling-houses; religious societies; schools; banks, and post-offi ces. Towns. P. O. Pop. D. H. R. S. S. B. Providence. Dist. from 1 10,071 1300 8 5 7 Providence. |