EXETER.

CHARLESTOWN.

CHARLESTOWN is a post The township is between six and township, situated 40 miles south-seven miles square, and nearly in a west from Providence; bounded on the north by Charles river, which separates it from Richmond, on the east by South-Kingston, on the south by the Atlantic ocean, and on the west by Westerly.

miles. These ponds are called, white and yellow pine. In the Charlestown, Conaquetogue, Pos-north section, the soil is generally quissett, Watchaug and Cochum- light, but carries tolerable crops of paug. The two first are salt wa- rye and Indian corn. ter, and the three latter fresh water ponds.

Between the two first mentioned ponds there are communications with the sea, which are occasionally closed by sand. The entrance into Conaquetogue pond is sometimes of sufficient depth to admit of vessels of from 15 to 20 tons; but that into Charlestown pond only admits of small open boats. In these ponds, and in the sea, considerable quantities of fish are taken; the most important are codfish, haddock, black fish, mackerel, blue fish, white fish, scupaug, (an Indian name,) bass, perch and alewives.

Charles river, which has its source in Warden's pond,in SouthKingston, washes the northern border of the township. This stream,|| after affording several sites for hydraulic works, unites with Wood river from the north, forming Pawcatuck river, which discharges its waters into Fisher's Island sound.

The agricultural productions consist of rye, corn, oats, barley, potatoes, beef, pork, butter & cheese.

There are no manufacturing establishments in this town, although there is considerable manufacturing industry. Large quantities of cotton cloth are usually wove here in families, for the manufacturing establishments in other towns. For several years past, about 3000 pair of coarse wool stockings have been manufactured here for the NewYork market.

The mercantile business is inconsiderable. There are six retail Stores, which employ but small capitals, and do but little business.

The population of the town, in 1810, was 1174; and there are about 220 Dwelling-houses, 170 Electors, and two companies of Militia.

There is one Religious Society of Baptists, which have two places for religious worship. There are ten primary schools usually maintained in the winter season; The township, as it respects its and in the summer there are sevesurface and soil, is considerably ral female schools for instruction diversified. Bordering upon the in reading, writing and needlesea, for about two miles in extent, work. It must, however, be acthere is a level tract, possessing a knowledged, that there is less atfertile soil, and affording a facilitytention paid to the subject of eduof cultivation. Back of this is a cation than its importance detract of about the same extent, mands. which is elevated and rough, being hilly and rocky; so much so as to render it in a great measure unfit for cultivation. It however affords valuable forests, which comprise oak of the various species, chesnut, walnut, maple, ash, birch, and

Having noticed what belongs to civilized man, we cannot pass over the aboriginal inhabitants. Here are the remains of the famous Narragansett tribe of Indians, once sovereigns of immense domains, once powerful in peace and terri

ble in war, not only to neighbour-[[however, is violated with impuniing tribes, but to the primitive ty. No process can issue against European settlements. Where is them for debt; and any officer isthis numerous and powerful na-suing such process is subjected to a tion, which once "possessed the fine. Negroes, intermarrying with earth?" They have passed away [the tribe, are allowed the same prilike a dream, and the places that vileges and exemptions. In some knew them know them no more. instances, their marriages are sancTheir fishing ponds have become tioned by conformity to the laws; ports of entry, and their hunting but in general they pursue the pri grounds fruitful fields. The re- mitive custom of "taking a wife" mains of this tribe at this place without ceremony. Several years amount to about 100, nearly all of ago, the most intelligent, active whom are intermixed with the and industrious emigrated to Oneiwhites and negroes. They are anda, where they had lands given abject race, strongly attached to them by that tribe. Those disposspiritous liquors, subsisting mise-ed to emigrate may lease their rably upon the rents of their lands, lands for ten years; after which, it which are all leased out, and occa-descends to the heir at law, which sional personal labour. They pos- is the next of kin. The Indians sess, however, some of the traits of choose annually, from among themtheir ancient character; they are selves, a council, consisting of five hospitable, and notwithstanding members, which, with the approtheir wretched situation, they are bation of an agent, appointed by seldom guilty of theft, although in the General Assembly, have hereother respects they seem to have tofore had the management of aflittle sense of moral principle. fairs relating to the poor, leasing They still own about 3000 acres tribe lands, and the lands of abof land, extending through the cen-sent individuals. But, from an tre of the town, north and south. accumulation of expense in the It is in a bad state of cultivation, agent's department, that office has and in general greatly impoverish-lately been discontinued; and the ed by a system of bad husbandry, council now have the sole manageand the mismanagement of tenants. ment of the affairs of the tribe. It is naturally good land, and adap- There are no distinctions of ted to a grain culture, and affords" chiefs" among them at the presat the present time tolerable crops ent time; but 50 or 60 years since, of corn and rye. some of them were invested with regal dignity, with considerable ce

They are governed by laws enacted by the General Assembly;remony. which, however, are distinct from Charlestown, including Richthe general laws of the State. mond, was separated from WesterTheir lands are secured to them, ly, and incorporated in 1738. The not being subject to be alienated; date of the first settlement is not and they are not allowed the pri-known; but perhaps was as early vilege of selling their wood and as the incorporation of Westerly, timber. This latter regulation, in 1669.

HOPKINTON is an interior only fisheries the town affords. post township, situated 30 miles There are several ponds in the southwest of Providence; bound-township.

ed northerly by the town of Exe

This town, possessing no naviter, easterly by Wood river, which gable waters, maintains but little separates it from Richmond, sou-commerce. There are seven mertherly by the town of Westerly and cantile stores engaged in the retail Pawcatuck river, and westerly by business. North-Stonington, in the State of Connecticut.

Its average length, from north to south, is more than 8 miles, and its mean breadth is about 4 miles, comprising an area of about 34 square miles.

The contemplated turnpike road from Providence to New-London will lead through the centre of this town.

The are some manufactories in the town. Two Forges have been erected upon Wood river. Besides which, there are 3 Woolen Factories, 2 Clothiers' works, 5 Grain Mills and 10 Saw Mills.

The population of the town, in 1810, was 1774; and there are 220 Freemen or Electors, 230 Dwelling-houses, and 3 companies of Militia, and one chartered company.

The north section of the town is rough and broken, and presents primitive geological features. The soil here is a gravelly loam, well adapted to grazing. The south section of the town is smooth and level, and the soil well adapted to a grain culture. Grass also grows well, and most other crops. In the north part, there is considerable wood and timber, of the deciduous species. There are many valuable apple orchards, and con-three of Baptists, and one of siderable quantities of cider are made.

The amount of taxable property is $250,000.

There are 4 Religious Societies,

Friends, all of which are accommodated with houses for religious worship, 6 regular Schools, besides several others which are occasion

Near the centre of the town, there is a small village, which is the seat of most of the commercial and mechanical business.

The principal waters of the town are embodied in Wood river, a small stream which washes its easternally maintained. border, and empties into the Pawcatuck at the southeast corner of the town. This is a valuable mill stream. A part of the southern border of the town is washed by the Pawcatuck, in which shad, alewives and many other kinds of small fish are taken; these are the

The first settlement of this town was about the year 1660; and it was incorporated in 1757.

NORTH-KINGSTON.

NORTH-KINGSTON, a weal-westerly from Providence; boundthy and flourishing maritime posted northerly by East-Greenwich fownship,is situated 20 miles south-and Warwick, easterly by Nar

ken.

Fagansett bay, southerly by South- || perch, smelts and alewives are ta-
Kingston, and westerly by Exeter.
Its average length is about 8 miles,

There is a safe and convenient from east to west, and its mean harbour at Wickford, having a sufbreadth about 7 miles, comprising||ficient depth of water, and situated about 56 square miles. 8 or 9 miles north of the Beaver Tail light-house, and so near the ocean as seldom to be obstructed by ice in the winter season. sides this, there are in the town two other harbours, Cole's harbour and Allen's harbour.

The face of the country is generally uneven, being diversified with hills and dales. The north-|| ern section, however, is level.

The geology of the township is primitive; and there are several quarries of excellent freestone, for building and other purposes.

The soil in the northern section is a sandy loam, well adapted to a grain culture, particularly Indian corn; and the southern section is a gravelly loam, affording good grazing.

Be

The fishing business forms a considerable interest in this town. It is carried on upon Nantucket shoals, the Grand Banks, the Streights of Belle-Isle, off BlockIsland, Sandy-Hook, &c. There are generally from 6 to 10 vessels employed in this business.

The agricultural productions There is considerable commerconsist of Indian corn, rye, wheat, cial and navigation business, the buck-wheat, barley, beans, peas, latter of which consists principalpotatoes and some others commonly of a coasting trade. There to this region. are from 15 to 20 vessels owned in the town; and there are 35 stores of every description.

There are some forests in the town,which afford a supply of wood and timber for ordinary uses, and for ship building, &c.

The manufacturing interests are considerably important. There This town enjoys the advantages are 2 Cotton Factories, containing, of the waters of the Narragansett both of them, 1164 spindles, one bay, which wash its eastern bor-Gin Distillery, situated in the vicider; and its interior is watered by ||nity of Wickford village, 2 Woolnumerous small streams, the most en Factories, 3 Clothiers' works considerable of which are the Pet- and 6 Grain Mills. tequamscust,orNarrowriver, which has its source in this town, and runs southerly thro' South-Kingston, and discharges itself into the ocean; the Annoquetucket, which is a valuable mill stream, and the seat of a number of mills and fac-interesting site, upon a peninsula tories; and Hunt's river, which or point of land. There are in runs upon the northern boundary the village about 90 Dwelling-houof the town. In the first of these ses, 30 Mercantile Stores, and a streams, large quantities of bass, considerable number of workshops

WICKFORD,in this town,is a large and flourishing village, situated on the west side of the Narragansett bay, about 22 miles southwest from Providence, and 15 northwest from Newport, having a pleasant and