from
History of Providence County, Rhode Island
Edited by Richard M. Bayles.
In two volumes, illustrated. Vol. I.
New York: W. W. Preston & Co., 1891.
pp. 171 - 191. (part 3)
"The sentiments of the town of Providence, thus expressed, found response
in the assembly and were in substance passed by that body, and in most
respects similar resolutions were soon passed by others of the American
colonies. Providence may claim the proud honor of standing in the front
ranks of the patriot towns of America, if not a little in advance of others
in asserting the rights of the colonists. The repeal of the stamp act
followed in March, 1766. This was the signal for a general expression of
rejoicing in the colonies. Providence was not behind her sisters in such
jubilant demonstrations. The birthday of the king was chosen as the
occasion of public expression of rejoicing. The day was ushered in by the
ringing of bells and firing of cannon on the Parade. The court house was
beautifully ornamented with flags, and at a given signal the shipping in
the harbor flung their colors to the breeze. A general mass meeting
convened on the Parade at eleven o'clock, whence they marched in order with
drums beating and trumpets blowing and flags waving, to the Presbyterian
meeting house, where appropriate religious services were conducted,
including a prayer of thanksgiving and a discourse by Reverend Mr. Rowland,
from the words, 'The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are
glad.' After the hearty rendering of an appropriate anthem the line of
march was taken up on the return to the Parade, where his majesty's health
was drank by many hundreds under a royal salute of twenty-one cannon. At
four o'clock in the afternoon the people assembled and drank 32 of the most
loyal, patriotic and constitutional toasts, amidst the firing of
cannon. A grand pyrotechnic display followed in the evening, which
included 108 sky-rockets, a 'bee-hive' containing 106 'serpants', and
other
kinds of fire-works. At nine o'clock a boiled collation (modernly called a
'chowder') was served, and feasting continued until 11 o'clock, when the
company retired. A grand ball took place on the night following, at which
a narrator at the time declares 'there was the most brilliant appearance of
ladies this town ever saw.' The anniversary of this jubilee day was
celebrated in a similar manner for several years thereafter. It occurred
on the 18th of March.
In answer to the attempt of parliament to lay import duties on certain
articles of common use, in 1767, a town meeting was held in Providence on
the 25th of November, at which time it was determined to ask the people to
subscribe to an agreement not to import or use certain specified articles,
upon which the duty had been laid, after the first day of the following
January, and to discountenance the excessive use of certain articles which
could be manufactured in America, and to encourage home manufactures and
the raising of wool and flax. The signing of these articles of agreement
was almost, if not quite unanimous."
continued in part 4.