Proclamation of Governor Shirley and Admiral Knowles. His Grace, the Duke of Newcastle, having, in his letter to Governor Shirley, signified that His Majesty, finding it necessary to employ the greatest part of his forces to assist his allies, and defend the liberties of Europe, had thought proper for the present, to lay aside the prosecution of the intended expedition against Canada, and commanded him and Governor Knowles to discharge all the forces raised for that service (excepting such as they should judge necessary to be kept in pay for securing the Province of Nova Scotia,) and to thank the officers and men, in His Majesty's name for their readiness and zeal to enter into his service. In consequence thereof, we do hereby discharge all the said officers and men (except four hundred,) out of His Majesty's service, from the 31st of October, 1747, and they are hereby discharged, accordingly. And we do also thank them in His Majesty's royal name, for their readiness to engage in their country's cause against the common enemy; and though they are prevented at present, of revenging themselves on a cruel, perfidious enemy, it cannot be doubted but the same zeal and spirit will always animate them to serve again whenever they are called upon. Given under our hands, this 28th day of October, 1747. W. SHIRLEY, CHARLES KNOWLES. Thomas Hill to the Governor and Company of Rhode Island. Whitehall, June 8, 1748. Gentlemen :-I am directed by my lords commissioners for trade and plantations, to send you the enclosed heads of inquiry, and to desire your particular answer thereto, as soon as may be, together with your observations upon such points as you shall think necessary; and you are desired to make a return thereto every six months, that their lordships may be apprized of any alterations which may happen in the circumstances of your government. I am, gentlemen, Your most obedient servant, To the Governor and Company of the Colony of Rhode Island. Queries from the Board of Trade, to the Governor and Company of Rhode Island. What is the situation of the colony under your government; the nature of the country, soil and climate; the latitudes and longitudes of the most considerable places in it, or the neighboring French or Spanish settlements? Have those latitudes and longitudes been settled by good observations, or only by common computations, and from whence are the longitudes computed? What are the reputed boundaries; and are any parts thereof disputed, what parts, and by whom? What is the constitution of the government? What is the trade of the colony, the number of shipping, their tonnage, and the number of sea-faring men, with the respective increase or diminution, within ten years past? What quantity and sorts of British manufactures do the inhabitants annually take from hence ? What trade has the colony under your government, with any foreign plantations, or any part of Europe besides Great Britain? How is that trade carried on? What commodities do the people under your government send to, or receive from foreign plantations? What methods are there used to prevent illegal trade, and are the same effectual? What is the natural produce of the country, staple commodities and manufactures, and what value thereof in sterling money, may you annually export? What mines are there? What is the number of inhabitants, whites and blacks? Are the inhabitants increased or decreased within the last ten years, how much and for what reasons? What is the number of the militia? What forts and places of defence are there within your government, and in what condition? What number of Indians have you, and how are they inclined? What is the strength of the neighboring Indians? What is the strength of your neighboring Europeans, French or Spaniards? What effect have the French or Spanish settlements on the continent of America, upon His Majesty's plantations, especially on your colony? What is the revenue arising within your government, and how is it appropriated? What are the ordinary and extraordinary expenses of your government? What are the establishments, civil and military, within your government, and by what authority do the officers hold their places? Chambers Russell to Gov. Greene. Charlestown, July 8th, 1748. Sir:-The lords commissioners of the admiralty, having been informed that there was an iniquitous trade subsisting between the colony of Rhode Island and the King's enemies, under color of flags of truce, have directed me to make the most strict inquiry into the truth of it, and if I find the same to be fact, to make proper remonstrances to the government of Rhode Island against such illegal proceedings. I have, in compliance with their lordships' commands, made inquiry into the same, and find that there were the last year, above twenty sail of vessels commissioned as flags of truce, by the government of Rhode Island, to carry prisoners to the French West Indies; which vessels have carried but few prisoners; but under color of said commissions, have carried cargoes of fish and other provisions to the King's enemies, and in return have brought back the produce of the French sugar plantations. And also, that several French flags of truce came to Rhode Island, with cargoes of molasses, sugar and indigo; for which, they have carried back in returnprovisions. And as said trade is strictly prohibited by His Majesty's proclamation, and is a base prostitution of the King's commission, and has a tendency to distress His Majesty's subjects and succor the enemy, I doubt not but that you'll take the utmost care to prevent it; and will see that those who presume to carry on such illicit trade, for the future, are duly punished. I am, sir, your most obedient and most humble servant, To the Hon. William Greene, Esq., to be communicated to the General Court. Whereas, Josiah Arnold, Esq., and Mr. John Hull, both of Jamestown, and Mr. John Gardner, of South Kingstown, were by the General Assembly, appointed a committee, they, or the major part of them, to purchase for the colony's use, the two ferry places on the west side of Jamestown, with the two ferry boats, and all other appurtenances, if the same might be had at a reasonable rate, and cheaper than to build new, &c., and having undertaken, and gone through that work, made the following report of their doings, &c,: Pursuant to an act of the General Assembly of this colony, held at Newport, by adjournment, the 28th of August, A. D., 1748, we, the subscribers, do report as followeth, viz.: That we having met and duly considered the expense of buildings suitable for ferrying from the west side of Jamestown to the main, and the season being so far spent that we had no hopes of completing the same, so as to accommodate the country this winter, thought it best to buy those already erected there, and have purchased the same of William Martin, for the consideration of £3,155, in bills of public credit; and have taken a deed of the same, made to the Governor and Company of the colony of Rhode Island; which deed we have lodged in the clerk's office, in order to be recorded; but the same cannot be done at present, there being no money in the treasury to discharge those bonds and mortgages, for which the land is surety, or we should have presented Your Honors with the deed; £155, of the above sum, being in tenth bonds, the remaining sum of £3,000 we have given bond for payment, in two months, with interest at ten per cent.; which we hope Your Honors will take into consideration, and order the money raised to discharge the same, lest we should be sufferers in the affair. We also acquaint Your Honors, that we have agreed with Thos. Spencer to keep the ferries two months, at the rate of £200 per annum, he being a person, who we well know, is capable of tending and taking proper care of the boats in stormy weather; and as Your Honors are well sensible that the purchasing the ferries was for the better accommodating the public, we doubt not but Your Honors will be of opinion that not every person who may appear eager to give the greatest rent for the ferries, and perhaps for want of care and judgment in the affair, may lose one or both the boats, will be suitable to serve the public, as one who is capable of carrying passengers with safety, and taking that due care of the boats, which sometimes requires a good deal of judgment in bad storms. We would further inform Your Honors, that both the wharves want some repairs; the northernmost not being sufficient to land at low water; so that all the boats are obliged to come to the south wharf; which oftentimes is attended with a good deal of difficulty, by running each other on shore; and passengers obliged to jump their horses into the water, and oftentimes land, and take on board through two or three boats; so that travellers' horses are many times lamed by that means; all which we thought proper to inform Your Honors of. JOSIAH ARNOLD, Which report being duly considered, this Assembly do vote and resolve, that the same be, and it is hereby accepted; and that the committee, aforesaid, be still continued; that they make such repairs at the aforementioned ferry places, as are necessary at present; that they let out said ferry places until the session of the Assembly, in May next; and draw money out of the general treasury, and discharge the aforesaid bonds. and mortgage of the premises, as well as the rest of the purchase money. God save the King. [The following Public Laws, passed during the year 1748, are printed at length in the volume of public laws, published in 1767, unless repealed previous to that time.] An Act in addition to an act, entitled "An act enabling the town council of each town to grant licenses for the retailing strong liquors," etc. (February.) An Act enabling the several towns to make such town acts, as may seem to them meet, for the raising of monies to defray the charges of each town. (February.) An Act in addition to an act directing the attendance of petit jurors, as witnesses. An Act directing of gaining a legal settlement in any town in the colony, and for the removal of poor persons from their illegal to their legal place of settlement. (June.) An Act to prevent profane cursing and swearing. (August.) An Act to render the session of the General Assembly less precarious than it hath been hitherto. (August.) An additional Act to prevent the spreading of the small pox, and other contagious sickness in the colony. (October.) Proceedings of the General Assembly, held for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, at Providence, the 3d day of January, 1748-9. The Hon. William Greene, Governor. The Hon. William Ellery, Deputy Governor. With the assistants and deputies from the several towns. It is voted and resolved, that Robert Gibbs, Stephen Hopkins, Daniel Jenckes and George Brown, Esqs., be, and they are hereby appointed a committee to take into consideration the letter from His Excellency, Governor Shirley, with the other papers relating to the paper currency, and make report thereon to this Assembly, at their next session. God save the King. Proceedings of the General Assembly, held for the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, at Newport, the 27th day of February, 1748-9. The Hon. William Greene, Governor. The Hon. William Ellery, Deputy Governor. With the assistants and deputies from the several towns. It is voted and resolved, that the committee, who were appointed to pay off the soldiers raised for the expedition intended against Canada, render an account, upon oath, unto His Honor, the Governor, how much sterling money hath been by them paid to the said soldiers; and that His Honor, the Governor, draw bills for the same, on the lords of the treasury, payable to the agent of this colony. |