AN ADDRESS ΤΟ THE PEOPLE OF RHODE-ISLAND, DELIVERED IN NEWPORT, ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1843, IN PRESENCE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ON THE OCCASION OF THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF RHODE-ISLAND, BY THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION, WHICH SUPERSEDED BY WILLIAM G. GODDARD. PROVIDENCE: KNOWLES AND VOSE, PRINTERS. CORRESPONDENCE. NEWPORT, April 15, 1843. DEAR SIR:-At a numerous and respectable meeting of the citizens of Newport, convened at the Town Hall in this place, on Friday the 14th inst., the enclosed resolutions were unanimously adopted. In fulfilment of the duty entrusted to us by our townsmen, and in compliance with their unanimous wishes, we respectfully request that you will consent to be the organ of their feelings and sentiments on the occasion referred to, which your thorough acquaintance with our ancient and proposed systems of government so well qualifies you to perform. We are, with great respect, your friends and fellow-citizens, WM. G. GODDARD, Esq., Providence. At a meeting of the citizens of Newport, R. 1., convened at the Town Hall on Friday evening, April 14, 1843, to take into consideration the propriety of adopting measures to commemorate the approaching change in the civil institutions of this State, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted: Whereas, for more than two centuries since the settlement of our ancestors on this Island and Continent, the Colony and State of RhodeIsland has enjoyed, under institutions framed by those venerable men, an unequal degree of civil and religious liberty-with few interruptions, great worldly prosperity-and all the other fruits of a wise and well ordered frame of government:-And whereas, in the progress of things, the time has now arrived, when the system which has hitherto so happily effected these objects, is about to be superseded by a new form of government to which the people of this State, in a lawful and peaceable manner, have given their full and free consent: Resolved, That the occurrence of a change in our political system of so important a character, under circumstances which have eminently developed the firmness, prudence, and prevailing good sense of our citizens, is deserving of a respectful commemoration, and should be celebrated in a spirit congenial to the temper which this trying and eventful crisis has called forth. Resolved, That S. Fowler Gardner, Richard K. Randolph, William B. Swan, Christopher Grant Perry, and Nathaniel S. Ruggles be a committee to make the necessary arrangements for a proper commemoration of the cessation of the old, and the installation of the new government; and that they be authorized to invite some distinguished citizen of this State to express our sentiments on the occasion as to the important results to be deduced from this eventful era of our history. Resolved, That these resolutions be signed by the Chairman and Secretary. EDWARD W. LAWTON, Chairman. JOHN W. DAVIS, Jr., Secretary. PROVIDENCE, April 17, 1843. GENTLEMEN, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 15th instant, enclosing sundry resolutions, passed at a meeting of the citizens of Newport on the evening of the 14th, in relation to a respectful commemoration of the important change which, under very peculiar circumstances, is about to take effect in the frame of our civil government; and likewise requesting me to be "the organ of their feelings and sentiments," on an occasion which is intended to commemorate "the cessation of the old and the installation of the new government." To be selected as the organ of the sentiments of the citizens of conservative Newport, upon an occasion designed to celebrate the triumph of great conservative principles, I shall never cease to prize as a solid distinction, of which any man, however unambitious, may well be proud. While I signify my acceptance of the invitation which, in behalf of your townsmen, you have tendered to me, allow me to thank you, personally, for the very courteous and obliging terms in which that invitation is conveyed. I am, gentlemen, with high respect, Your friend and fellow-citizen, To Messrs. RICHARD K. Randolph, NATHANIEL S. RUGGLES, C. G. PERRY, WILLIAM B. SWAN. WILLIAM G. GODDARD. NEWPORT, MAY 4, 1843. DEAR SIR,-We enclose a copy of a resolution passed by the General Assembly, at its present session, in relation to the highly interesting Address delivered by you on the third instant. We have much pleasure in performing the farther duty assigned to us, by requesting a copy of that Address for publication; and we beg leave to express a hope that you will comply with this request, as soon as your convenience will permit. We are, with sincere respect and regard, Your friends and obedient servants, WILLIAM G. GODDARD, ESQ. ALBERT C. GREENE, RICHARD K. RANDOLPH. STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND AND In General Assembly, May 3d, A. D. 1843— Resolved, That the thanks of this General Assembly be presented to WILLIAM G. GODDARD, ESQ, for his very able and interesting Address in commemoration of the change of government in this State, deliv ered this day in presence of the General Assembly: and that Albert C. Greene, and Richard K. Randolph, Esquires, be appointed a Committee to communicate to Mr. Goddard a copy of this Resolution, and to request a copy of said Address for publication; and that they cause not less than two thousand copies thereof to be printed, and draw upon the General Treasury for the expense thereof. True copy-witness, HENRY BOWEN, Secretary. NEWPORT, MAY 5, 1843. GENTLEMEN,-Acknowledging, with just sensibility, the honor conferred upon me by the General Assembly, I hereby comply with the request so courteously communicated to me in your note of yesterday. Let me hope that I shall not too far presume upon the indulgence of the General Assembly, by adding to the Address a few historical notes which, from the limited time allotted to me, I have, thus far, been unable to prepare. I have the honor to be, with sincere respect, WILLIAM G. GODDARD. HON. ALBERT C. GREENE, RICHARD K. RANDOLPH. |