iii
(''^-y\^.A^ C^■o-^>^A■K? - v^ /CC
PROCEEDINGS
moth Inland iistorical Hocidg,
18 7 9-80
J)GiCA;.
iC'Crvi
^-^Qrat**
r-i
P R O V I I) P: N C E :
rillXTKD von TlIK SOCrKTY
1 S 8 .
PROCEEDINGS
I
l") ■ lii IIP C^r
'M\m\t \ liland tlistorical Socidii,
1879-80.
L 16610
P R V I I) E N C E :
I'lIIXTKU I'OU TIIK SOCIETY.
1880.
p^l
Conimiitec on PublicaiioH.
JOHN RUSSELL BAKTLETT,
J. LEWLS DLALAX,
EDWIN MARTIN STONE.
IMUNTKU HV THE I'lIOVlDENX'E PRESS COMl'ANV.
O F F I (J E P. S
OF TIIK
KMIODE ISLAM) inSTOJJKVAL SOCIKTV
Ei.i-XTKi) Januai!y ISrii, 1880,
Presidcnl.
SAMUEL G. ARNOLD,* - . . . . PoirrsMorrr,.
Vice Presidents.
ZACHAKIAH ALLEN, ..... p,,,vn>KN.K.
FRANCIS BRINLEV, - . . . Nkwpokt. '
i^ccrct'iry.
AMOS I'ERRV, PKovn.KxcK.
Treasurer.
RICHMOND V. EVERETT, .... l>,:,)vn>KNci.:.
Lihrnrinn and Cnlmiei Keeper of the Northern Deparlnieid.
EDWIN M. STONE, ..... 1>k.>v.i.knck.
* Dc-Lvasod since iiiiiiual iiRctiiiff.
4 RHODE ISLAKD HISTOKICAL SOCIETY.
Commiltee on Koyninalion of New Mtinhers.
ALBERT V. JENKS, Pijovidexck.
WILLIAM STAPLES, Puovidknck.
W. MAXWELL GREENE, - - - . Puovidkxck.
Committee on Leettires and I^iadinr/ of Papers.
WILLIAM GAMMELL, PitoviDEXCK.
AMOS PRRRY, Puovidkxck.
CHARLES W. PARSONS, . - . . PuovinKXCK.
Committee on rublicaiions of the Socidy.
JOHN R. BARTLETT, Puovidkxck.
J. LEWIS DIMAN, Pkovidkxck.
EDWIN M. STONE, - - - - - Phovidkxck.
Committee on Genealogical Researches.
HENRY E. TURNER, .. - .. Nkwpokt.
ZACHARIAH ALLEN, - - - Pkovidexce.
WILLIAM A. MOWRY, Pkoviokxce.
Committee on Care of Grounds and Duildiny.
ISAAC H. SOUTH WICK, - - . - I'iiovidence.
HENRY J, STEERE. Pkovidexck.
ROYAL C. TAFT, Pkovidkxce.
HENRY T. BECK WITH,
WALTER BLODGICT,
JOHN P. WALKER.
Audit Committee.
Pi:o\ll)EXCE.
Pkoviuexce.
PitOVIUEXCE.
Procurators.
GEORGE C. MASON, -
WILLIAM J MILLER, -
ERASTUS RICHARDSON,
HENRY F. SMITH,
CHARLES H. FISHER, -
GEORGE H. OLNEY,
Newpoht.
BiMSTOL.
WOOXSOCKET.
PaWTL'CKET.
SCITUATE.
HOPKIXTOX.
HOXOEAPvY MEMBERS.
Elected since January 1st, 1873.
(For complete list previous to tliis date sec Proceedings for 1872-73.)
July 1, 1873. *William Culleu Bryant, LL. D., New York City.
Oct. 7,1873. fHon. John Lothrop Motley, LL. D., London, Eng-.
.Tan. 20,1874. James Anthony Froiule, F. Ex. Col. Ox., " "
Nov. 10, 1874. +Hon. Brantz Mayer, Baltimore, Md.
Oct. 2,1877. Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, Boston, Mass.
Oct. 1, 1878. Don Jose Maria Latino Coelho, Sec.
Royal Academy Sciences, Lisbon, Portugal:.
April 1,187'.). Hon. Charles Francis Adams, Cambridge, Mass..
July 1, 1870. Prof. K. Gislason, Sec. Royal Society
Northern Antiquaries, Copenhagen, Deni
Jan. 13, 1880. Hon. Carl Schurz, Sec. Interior, Washington, D. C^
Deceased. 187^.
t Deceased, 187
X Deceased,. 1879.
CORRESPONDING MEMBERS .
Elected since Apiul 1st. 1873.
(For complefe list previous (o this dnte .ce I'roa, dings for isrj-r;!.)
•Tuly 1, 1873.
Oct. 7, 1873.
Jan. ?0, 1874.
April 7, 1874.
•Tilly 7, 1874.
Nov. 10, 1874.
April G, 187u.
July G, 1875.
" u
Oct. 5, 1875.
'( ii
Jan. 18, 187G.
Kev. Thomas T. Stone,
Col. Albert IF. Iloyt,
William Chambers, LL. D.,
Prof. J. C. Hoist,
G. J. Bowles, Esq.,
Frederick Kidder, Esq.,
William J. Uoppin, Esq ,
Hon William Greenongh,
Jiev. Saninel Osgood, I). D..
Col. John Ward,
Alexander Duncan, Esq.,
Lyman C. Draper, Esq.,
Col. Percy Daniel,
Charles-H. Ru.ssell, Esq.,
Hon. J. Carson Brevoort,
Thomas F. Rowland, Esq.,
C. Mason Kinnie, Esq.,
Franklin B. Hough, M. D.,
Edmund B. O'Calligan, LL. D.,
Benjamin Greene Arnold,
Marcus D. Gilmaii, Esq., Lib. Vi
Historical Society,
Silas Bonfils, Esq.,
Bolton, ]\Tass.
Cincinnati, O.
Edinburoh, Scotland.
Christiania, Norway.
Quebec, Canada.
Boston, Mass.
New York City.
Boston, Mass.
New York City.
'* (( (,
England.
Madison, Wis.
Worcester. Mass.
New York City.
Brooklyn, N. Y.
San Francisco, Cal.
Low vi lie, N. Y.
New York City.
Montpelier, Vt.
Mentone, France.
COKRE.SrONDINC :\IEM15E1!S. 7
Jan. 18, l.S7(;. Pliinoas Bates, Jr., Esq., Boston, Mass.
" " "W. Elliott Woodward, Esq., " "
Oct. 3, 187(1. Bt. Bev. M. A. DeWolf Howe, Beading, Pa.
" " Hou. John S. Braytou, Fall Biver, Mass.
April 3, 1877. Hon. Bicliard A. Wheeler, Stoningtoii, Conn.
April 24, 1877. Bev. Elmer II. Capen, D. 1)., Sonierville, Mass.
Jan. 15, 1878. Asa Bird Gardner, LL. 1)., Prof.
U. S. Military Academy, West Point.
" " Major-Gen. George W. Cullnni,
U. S. A., New York City.
" " Brig-Gen. A. A. Hnmphreys,
Chief Eug Depart., U. S. A., AVashingtou, I). C.
Oct. 1, 1S7S. lion. Isaac N. Arnold, Prest.
Chicago Hist Society, Chicago, 111.
" " Hiram A. Huse, Esq., Lib. Vt.
State Library, Montpelier, "Vt.
April 2, 1878. Gen. Henssein Tevfik, Constantinople.
" " Hon. John Fitch. New York City,
" " Edward F. DeLancey, Esq., " " "
Jan. 14, 1879. Bev. Charies Bogers, LL. D.,
Sec. Boyal Hist. Society, London, Eng.
" " Col. 'i'hos. Wentworth Iligginsou, Cambridge, Mass.
" " Hon. Thomas C. Amor^^ Boston, Mass.
April 1, 1879. Bay Greene Hnling, Fitchbnrg, Mass.
A. W. Holden, M. D., Gleu Falls, N. Y.
July 1, 1871). Lt.-Col. Thos. L. Casey, U. S. A., Washington, I). C.
" " Hou. Edonard Madier de Montjau,
Prest. Soc. Ethnology Am., Paris, France.
Jan. 13,1880. Prof. Moses Coit Tyler, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
'• " Samuel Dnnster, Esq., East Attloboro, Mass.
^%fi*«^
R E 8 1 1) K N T M E U r> E R S
1880.
Repouted by the Treasurer.
ELECTED. ELECT
1876. Adams, Charles P. 1878.
1874. Addemaii, Joshua M. 1872.
1874, Aldrich, Nelsou W. 184G.
1822. Allen, Zacliariah 1880.
1875. Ames, William 1870.
1875. Angell, Albert G. 1875.
187G. Angell, Edwin G. 1857.
1836. Anthony, Henry B. 1874.
1876. Armstrong, Cyrus C. 1876.
1875. Aplin, Charles 1878.
1874. Arnold, Olney 1874.
1844. *Arno.ld, Samuel G. 1878.
1877. Arnold, Stephen H. 1880.
1877. Babbitt, Edward S. 1859.
1872. Barrows, Edwin 1876.
1831. Bartlett, John R. 1873.
1876. Barton, Robert 1874.
1879, Barton, William T. 1874.
1849. Beckwith, Henry T, 1857.
1877. Bedlow, Henry 1880.
1858. Binuey, William 1872.
1873. Blodget, Walter 1879.
EU.
Bogmau, Edward Y.
Bowen, Holder B.
Bradley, Charles S.
Brayton, William D.
Brinley, Francis
Brown, John A.
Bi'own, Welcome O.
Brownell, Stephen
Biigbee, James H,
Bull, Samuel T.
Burnside, Ambrose E.
Burrough, Frank M,
Burrows, Daniel
Calder, George B.
Campbell, Horatio N.
Carpenter, Charles E.
Carpenter, Francis W.
Caswell, Edward T.
C'hambers, Robert B.
Chandler, William H.
Channing, William F.
Chace, Lewis J.
* Deceased, February 13, 1870.
"KESIDKN'T MEMBERS.
ELKCTED. EEECTK
18(J8. Cliacp, Thomas \V. 1874.
1873. Claflin, George L. 1878.
1880. Clarke, E. Webster 1870.
1878. Clarke, James M. 1878.
1873. Clarke, Sam AV. 1855.
1878. Clark, Thomas M. 1875.
1879. Clarke, William E. 1844.
1880. Coats, James 1875.
1877. Codiiiaii, Arthur 1880.
1879. Colt. LeBaroa 13. 1850.
1879. Colt, Samuel P. 1878.
1877. Coiiaiit, Hezekiah 1858.
1872. Coiigdon, Johns H. 1878.
1872. Cooke, Joseph J. 1878.
1874. Cranston, Henry C. 187G.
1877. Cranston, George K. 1874.
1879. Cross, William J. 18GG.
187G. Cushman, Henry I. 1877.
1874. Day, Daniel E. 1879.
1871. Dean, Sidney 1872.
1879. DeWolf, Winthrop 1872.
1874. Dike, Arba B. 1878.
18CG. Diman, J. Lewis 1879.
1877. Doringh, Cliarles H. K. 1878.
1877. Dorrance, Samuel K. 1874,
183G. Doirauce, William T. 1878.
1851. Doyle, Thomas A. 1877.
1875. Dnnnell, William Wanton 18^0.
1877. Dnrfee, Charles S. 1871.
1849. Durfee, Thomas 1873.
1838. Dyer, Elisha 1873.
1873 Eames, Benjamin T. 1874.
1872. E-iton, Amasa Af. 1874.
1878. Elliott, Albert T. 1874.
1S7G. I'Jy, James W. C. 1871.
18G2. Ely. William D. 1880.
187G. Ely, William 1843.
1858. Everett, Riehmond P. 18G7.
Fairbrother, Henry L.
Farnsworth, Claudius B.
Fay, Henry H.
Fisher; Charles H.
Gammell, Asa Messer
Gamniell, Robert Ives
Gammell, William
Gardner, Henry W.
Goddanl, Francis W.
Goddard, William
Godding. Alvah W.
Gorham, John
Gorton, Chailcs
Greene, Edward A.
Greene, Henry L.
Greene, Simon Henry
Greene, AVilliam
Greene, W. Maxwell
Greer, David H.
Grosvenor, William
Grosvenor, William Jr.
Hall, Robert
Hammond, Benjamin B.
Harkness, Albert
Harrington, Henry A.
Harris, C. Fiske
Hartshorn, Joseph C.
Hazard, Rowland G.
Hazard, Rowland
Hidden, Henry A.
Hidden, James C.
Hill, Thomas J.
Holbrook, Albert
Hopkins, William H.
Hoppln, Frederick S.
Howard, Albert C.
Howland, John A.
Jenks, Albert V.
10
RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
ELECTED.
1879. Jillson, Charles D.
187-I. Joliusoii, William S.
1879. Joliiisoii, Elias H.
1880. Jones, Aiigustin«
1807. Keoiie, Stephen S.
1873. Kendall, Henry L.
187G. Kimball, James M.
1879. Knight, Edward B.
187G. Knowles, Edward V.
18G9. Lester, John Erastus
1879. Lincoln, John L.
1880. Lippitt, Christopher
1878. Lippitt, C. Warren
1872. Lippitt, Henry
1879. Loekwood, Amos D.
1873. Lyman, Daniel W.
1877. Mason, Charles F.
1877. Mason, Earl Philip
1877. Mason, Eugene W.
1877. Mason, George C.
1876. Mattcson, Charles
1878. Mauran, Edward C.
1878. Manrau, James E.
1867. Meader, John J.
1876. Metcalf, Henry B.. Paw
1875. Miller, Augustus S.
1873. Miller, William J.
1876. Moulton, Sullivan
1873. Mowry, William A.
1874. Mowry, William G. K.
1877. Mumford, John P.
1877. Munroe, Bennett J.
1880. Munroe, Wilfred H.
1880. Nichols, Amos G.
1876. Nickerson, Edward I.
1874. Nightingale, George C.
1865. *01dfie]d, John
* Deceased, January 8, 1880.
ELECTED.
1879. Olney, George H.
1862. Ormsbee, John Spurr
1878. Owen, Smith
1870. Pabodie, Benjamin F.
1874. fPabodie, Benjamin G.
1874. Paige, Charles F.
1867. Paine, George T.
1867. Parkiuirst, Jonathan G.
1847. Parsons, Charles W.
1875. Parsons, Henry L.
1873. Pearce, Edward
1877. Pearce, Edward D. Jr.
1849. Peckham, Samuel W.
1875. Pegram, John C.
1858. Perry, Amos
1880. Perry, Marsden J.
1874. Persons, Benjamin W.
1873. Philips, Theodore W.
1878. Porter, Emery H.
1880. Potter, Charles L.
1876. Rawson, Henry M.
1874. Richardson, Erastus
1877 Richmond, Walter
• 1878. Rider, Sidney S.
tucket, 1866. Roger.s, Horatio
1878. Russell, Levi W.
1877. Seabury, Frederic N.
1877. Seagraves, Caleb
1874. Shaw, James Jr.
1875. Sherman, William O.
1874. Shedd, J. Herbert
1879. Shepley, George H.
1876. Sherman, Robert
1877. Slater, Horatio N. Jr.
1876. Slater, William S.
Jr. 1875, Smith, Edwin A.
1873. Smith, Henry F.
t Deceased, January 25, 1880.
RESIDENT MEMBERS.
11
KI.KCIKD. ELKCT
18(J1). Southwick. Isaac 11. 1877.
1H74. Spencer, Gideon L. 1873.
1870. Spencer, Joel M. 1875.
1877. Stanhope, Frederick A. 1874.
1873. Staples, Carlton A. 1874.
18(!!). Staples, William 1874.
1878. Starkweather, Joseph IT. 1861.
18(58. Steere, Henry J. 1878.
187!). Stiness, John H. 18G8.
1848, Stone, Edwin M. 1868.
1873. Swan, Jarvis B. 1874.
18.->6. Taft, Royal C. 1877.
1874. Taylor, Charles F. 1876.
1878. Tilli-nghast, James 1880.
1871) Tibbitts, William T.
ED.
Thayer, Thatcher
Thurston, Benjamin F.
Trippe, Samuel G.
Turner, Henry E.
Wales, Samuel H.
Walker, John P.
Waterman, Rufus
Watson, Arthur H.
Weeden, William B.
AVestcott, Amasa S.
Whitford, George W.
Wilson, George F.
Woods, Mar.sha]l
Woodward, Royal
LIFE MEMBERS
Jan. l(i
1872.
Jan. 17
1872
Feb. 21
1872
April 3
1872
April 25
1872.
July 11
1872
Jan. 29
1873.
July 11
1873
Jan. 26
1874
April 12
1875
Jan. 29
187G
April 1 1
1877
Jan. J 4
1879
July 8
1879.
Oct. IG
1879.
Jan. 7
1880
* Decta
sed.
George T. Paine,
Henry T. Beckwitli,
William Greene,
Rowland G. Hazard,
Holder Borden Bowen,
Aniasa M. Eaton,
James Y. Smith,*
Jarvis B. Swan,
Benjamin G. Pabodie,*
Albert G. AngcU,
William Ely,
Hezekiah Conant,
Samuel G. Arnold,*
Amos D. Lockwood,
lloyal Woodward,
Charles Gorton,
Providence.
Warwick.
South Kingstown.
Providence.
North Providence.
Providence.
Pawtuckct.
Portsmouth.
Providence.
Albany, N. Y.
Providence.
PROOEEDH^J-GS
RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
SPECIAL :meeting.
Providexce, January 28, 1879.
A meeting was held this evening at 7| o'clock, Vice Presi-
dent Allen in the chair.
A note was read from the Librarian, who was detained by
indisposition, announcing numerous donations made since the
last meeting, among which was a piece of the first Atlantic
Cable, with an original letter from Cyrus "W. Field, pre-
sented by Christopher Burr, Esq.
Hon. Abraham Payne then addressed the Society on the
Life and Times of Jonathan Edwards. Mr. Payne stated,
at the outset, that his object was not to present a sketch of
this most reiuarka])le theologian, l)ut simply to awaken inter-
est in his writings. He spoke for upAvards of an hour,
enlisting the close attention of his auditors.
At the" conclusion of his address, Rev. ]Mr. Stajdes related
several striking anecdotes illustrative of the eloquence and
14 EHODE ISLAND HISTOEICAL SOCIETY.
earnestness of the o;reat divine, and concluded his remarks
by offering a resolution thanking ]Mr. Payne for his eloquent
and interesting discourse, which resolution was seconded by
Hon. Thomas A. Doyle, and after some spirited remarks by
Vice President Allen, was unanimouslj^ passed.
Col. John AVard, of Xew York, was announced to read the
next paper on the 11th of February.
The meetino: was numerously attended, and the exercises
passed off in a most satisfactorA^ manner.
Adjourned.
Amos Pekky, Sec'y.
SPECIAL MEETING.
Providence, February 11, 1879.
A meeting was held this evening to hear a paper read by (Jol.
John Ward, of Xew York, Vice President Allen in the chair.
A list of donations received since the last meetino- Mas
read by the Secretary. Besides twenty books and pamphlets
was a relic of slavery in the form of a slave chain taken
from the body of a negro who was found chained with it to
a tree on the plantations of ]Mr. Belson, near Simmsport,
Louisiana, in May, 1863, by Capt. Peter Brucker, of the
Second Rhode Island Cavalry, and b\' him presented to the
Society.
Col. John "Ward read a graphic and succinct account of
the Siege of Harper's Feny by Stonewall Jackson in 1862,
PROCEEDINGS. 15
The reading occupied an hour and a half, and was listened
to with profound attention.
On motion of Prof. Diniun, Col. Ward received a unani-
mous vote of thanks for the highly interesting paper. In
offering the resolution, Prof. Diman paid a marked compli-
ment to the lecturer, and Vice President Allen added his
word of commendation.
Notwithstanding the rain-storm the room was well filled.
Dr. Henry E. Turner, of Newport, was announced to
read tlie next paper on the 2oth inst., to which time the
meeting was adjourned.
Amos Perry, Sedy.
SPECIAL MEETING.
Providence, February 25, 1879.
A meeting was held this evening at a quarter before eight
o'clock. Vice President Allen in the chair.
Dr. Henry E. Turner read a paper on Jeremiah Clarkt^
and his descendants, showing this family to have been
remarkable for the number of governors and deputy-govern-
ors it has furnished the State, and for the wide diflusion of its
blood through the old colonial families of various names.
The i)aper evinced extensive and thorough historical re-
search, and threw much light on a portion of our history
pertaining to the period of the Sir Edmond Andros usurpa-
tion. It vividly portrayed some of the leading characters
1(3 RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
of the Jeremiah Clarke family, and set forth in a clear li<>ht
the principles of the o})posing factions in the State.
At the close of the reading, which occupied an hour and a
half, some spirited and highly complimentary remarks were
oflered by Messrs. Denison, Allen and Perry, and a unani-
mous vote of thanks was passed to Dr. Turner for his
exhaustive and instructive address, which, it Mas remarked,
should be printed and widely circulated.
Notice was given that John Austin Stevens, Esquire, Edi-
tor of the Magazine of American History, would read the
next paper, March 11, on the French in Khode Island.
The meeting was then adjourn(HL
xVmos Perry, Sec'y.
SPECIAL MEETING.
Providence, ]\Iarcli 11, 1<S7!).
A special meeting was held this evening, Vice President
Allen in the chair.
The record of the last meeting was read and approved.
Also, a list of contributions received 1)V the Librarian was
read.
John Austin Stevens, Esquire, Editor of the Magazine of
American History, was then introduced and proceeded to
read a paper on the French in Rhode Island during our
Revolutionary War. Opening with ex[)ressions of satisfac-
tion that the French nation has established a republican
rROCEEDlNGS. 1 7
tonn of oovernineiit, ^iv. Stevens j)r()eee(Ie(l to oive a full
iiiid exceeding-ly interestiiiii- history of the French troops in
Khode Island from the ori>anization and arrival of the tirst
expedition under Count d'Estaino- to aid the United States in
estal)lishini»- their indeju'ndenee, till the departure of the
.second expedition under Count Uoehanibeau, after the sur-
render of Cornwallis at Yorktown, which eh)sed the Kevolu-
tionarv A\'ar.
The paper gave a detailed account of the French occu})a-
tion of our State and of their military and civic relations
with the o-overnment and the })eo})le, and moi'e especially
with the inhabitants of New})ort and Providence, l)y whom
the French allies were Avarmly welcomed as the friends of
our republic, then struii'o'lino; into existence, and entertained
with a cordial and generous hospitality as champions of the
American cause. Personal sketches were also given of
prominent F'rench otKcers of both expeditions and of many
l)olitical and social mo\ cments and events with which they
were connected during their residence in this State and
country.
The Historical Cabinet was tilled with an audience of
ladies and gentlemen who listened to the reading of the
])aper with deep interest.
Mr. Stevens received the thaidvs of the Society, embodied
in a resolution ofiered by l\t. l\ev. Thomas ]\I. Clark and
seconded b}- Prof. J. Lewis Diman. Some highly interest-
ing; reminiscences were added bv A'ice President Allen, and
critical remarks l)y Messrs. Clark, Diman and Denison.
Adjourned.
Amos Peimiy, /Srri/.
18 KHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
QUARTERLY MEETING.
PijoviUENCE, April 1, 1(S79.
The quarterly meeting of the Society was held this even-
ing, at a quarter before eight o'clock. Vice President Allen
in the chair.
The Secretary read the record of the last meeting and of
the last annual meeting. lie also announced the reception
of letters from Don Jose ]\Iaria I^atino Coellio, Secretary of
the Royal Academy of Sciences of Lisbon, Portugal,
accepting with thanks his election as an honorary member ;
and from Hon. Thomas C. Amory, of Boston, his election
as a corresponding member of the Society. The Secret:iry
then laid ])efore the Society the following connnunication :
ri!ovn)i';NCK, K. I , April 1, lS7t).
Mr. Amos rerrij, Secretart/ It. I. Historical Society:
Deak Sh! :— I hereby present, through you, to the Ilhode Ishiiitl Histori-
cal Society tiie accompanying watch, which was the property of my late
luisbaiid, Captain Joseph Herlitz, Commander of the great ship Ganges,
when she was driven up to the head of the Cove'by the great gale of Sep-
tember 23, 1815. It was worn by him at that time. It has always been an
excellent time keeper, and in running onler up to a recent time, when it
was injured by .scune repairs.
Its manufacturer was Richard Farrell, of Dublin, Ireland, and it came
into my husband's possession at the close of a voyage, — a gift from the
owner of the vessel. Since his death, December 18, 1817, it has naturally
been a most precious memento to me of by-gone days and events, and
now feeling the thread of life to be nearly run, — being In my eighty-third
year,— I desire to deposit the watch in the safekeeping of your honorable
Society, that it may be handed down to future generations as an interesting
relic and memorial of olden times.
I am respectfully yours,
Louis.v (Lu'pitt) Ukulitz.
The following resolutions oft'ered by Rev. E. M. Stone,
were then unanimously passed :
PROCEEDINGS. 19
Jiesolrrd, Tliat tlie tluniks of this Society arc licrohy presented to Mrs.
Louisa Lippitt Ilerlitz for tlie very acceptable donation of a watcli, worn
by her late husband, Captain Joseph Herlitz, Commander of the great ship
Ganiies ^vhen driven by the great gale of September 23, 1815, and the
force of an extraordinary tide, against the Washington Building, and
there stranded.
Ix'csolvcd, That in accepting the gift of Mrs Herlitz this Society begs
leave to assure her that it shall be preserved with great care among its
articles of virtu.
The Lil)rarian annouiK-ed niimorons donations and ox-
cliano'os since tlie last niec^ting.
Mr. R. P. Everett otiered the following resolution, Avhioh
was seconded by Rev. E. M. Stone Avith a brief eidogy of
Mr. Williams, after which it was adopted inianimously :
Resolved, That by the death of William Greene Williams, the Society
has been deprived of one of its oldest, most active and devoted members,
and that in view of his long and useful services, a record of this event be
made by tl>e Secretary, and a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the
family of the deceased.
Mr. A. Y. Jenks, chairman of the Committee on Nomina-
tion of Xew ^Members, reported in favor of the election of
the folloAving gentlemen, and they were acconlingly elected :
Kksident Mkmhers.— John II. Stiness, Charles D. Jillson, Wintlirop
DcWolf, Edward B. Knight.
CoiJUKsPONOiNG Mkmi5E1!.s. — Ray Greene Huling, Fitchburg, Mass., Dr.
A. W. Holden, Glenn's Falls, N. Y.
HoxoRAHY Mkmhkij.— Hon. Charles Francis Adams, Cambridge, Mass.
Mr. George T. Paine read a detailed report, in behalf of
the Committee appointed a year ago to keep the Cabinet
open, and })roseciite the work of cataloguing the effects of
the Society, together with the Act of the (icneral Assembly
granting annually to the Society five hundred dollars for the
care, preservation and utilization of the State property in
charge of the Society. The Act, which was formally
accepted, reads as follows :
20 RHODE ISLAND HLSTORICAL SOCIETY.
\_rassed at the January Session, 7S79.~\
CHAPTER 7U.
AX ACT IX AMEXDMEXT OF CHAPTER 24 OF THE GEXEUAL STATUTES
"OF THE STATE LIBRAUY."
(Passed Marcli 7, 1870.)
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows :
Section 1. The sum of five luindred dollars is anminlly appropriated,
to be expended under the direction of the Rhode Ishmd Historical Soci-
ety, for the care and preservation and the cataloguing of the i)roperty of
the State in its keeping, and for purchase and binding of books relating to
the liistory of the State, and for copying and preserving the records in the
several towns of the State.
Skc 2. The Rhode Island Historical Society shall annually, at tlie May
session, make report to the General Assembly of the manner in whicli the
above appropriation has been expended.
Skc. 3. All books and papers belonging to tlie State, in the keeping of
the Rhode Island Historical Society, or which may be purchased under
the above appropriation, shall be plainly marked as the property of the
State, and shall at all seasonable times be for the use of tlie citizens of
the State.
Skc. 4. This act shall take effect from and after its passage.
The report was {iccepted, and the followitiir resohilioii,
recommended by the Committee, was th(Mi adopted :
Resolved, That be a Committee who shall arrange with
the General Treasurer for the payment of the money appropriated by the
Legislature of the State to the annnal use of the Historical Society, and
shall, in their discretion, disburse the same in accordance with the pro-
visions of the act.
Messrs. John H. Stiness, Charles W. Parsons and George
T. Paine were nominated and elected as the Committee })ro-
vided for by the above resolution.
A recommendation for the appointment of a (V>inmittee
on Criticism failed to pass.
Mr. George T. Paine otfered several pro})osed amend-
PROCEEDINGS. • 21
inents to tho (\)iistitnti()ii, wliicli were road, and oontimuMl