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