Chapter XXVI

ACTS OF THE BRITISH TROOPS.--DISTRESS IN RHODE ISLAND.--EVACUATION
OF NEWPORT.--REPUDIATION.--END OF THE WAR.

Disappointment of the Americans, 241

Wanton destruction of life and property by the
British, 241

Pigot galley captured by Talbot, 242

Scarcity of food in Rhode Island, 242

Steuben's tactics introduced into the army, 244

Difficulty in raising money, 244

British left Newport, 245

Town records carried off by the British, 246

Repudiation of debt, 247

Rhode Island's quota, 248

Preparations for quartering and feeding the troops, 249

An English fleet of sixteen ships menaced the Rhode
Island coast, 250

Assembly met at Newport; the first time in four
years, 250

1781. End of the war, 251

The federation completed, 251

CHAPTER XXVII.

ARTS OF PEACE RESUMED.--DOCTRINE OF STATE RIGHTS.

Name of King's County changed to Washington, 252

New census taken, 253

Question of State Rights raised, 253

1782. Nicholas Cooke died, 254

Armed resistance to the collection of taxes, 254

Troubles arising from financial embarrassment, 255

1783. Acts of the Assembly, 256

CHAPTER XXVIII.

DEPRECIATION OF THE CURRENCY.--INTRODUCTION OF THE
SPINNING-JENNY.--BITTER OPPOSITION TO THE FEDERAL UNION.--RHODE
ISLAND FINALLY ACCEPTS THE CONSTITUTION.

Desperate attempt to float a new issue of paper money, 257

Forcing acts declared unconstitutional, 258

First spinning-jenny made in the United States, 259

Bill passed to pay five shillings in the pound for
paper money, 260

Refusal of Rhode Island to send delegates to the
Federal Convention, 261

Proposed United States Constitution printed, 261

Acceptance of the Constitution by various states, 261

State of manufactures, 262

1790. Rhode Island declared her adhesion to the Union, 264

CHAPTER XXIX.

MODE OF LIFE IN OUR FOREFATHERS' DAYS.

Early condition of the land, 265

Agriculture the principal pursuit of the early
settlers, 266

Early traveling, 267

Early means of education, 267

Amusements, 268

CHAPTER XXX.

COMMERCIAL GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF RHODE ISLAND.

Rhode Island wiser on account of her previous
struggles for self-government, 270

Commercial condition of Rhode Island, 271

Trade with East Indies commenced, 271

1790. First cotton factory went into operation, 273

1799. Free school system established, 273

1819. Providence Institution for Savings founded, 274

Canal from the Providence River to the north line
of the state projected and failed, 274

1801. Great fire in Providence, 274

Visit of Washington to Rhode Island, 275

1832. Providence made a city, 275

Rhode Island in the War of 1812, 276