BRITISH SHIPS BOMBARD RHODE ISLAND AND STEAL LIVESTOCK
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BRITISH SHIPS BOMBARD RHODE ISLAND AND STEAL LIVESTOCK
Autograph manuscript, 4pp. 4to., Newport, [n.d], a contemporary report setting forth several notable attacks by the British Navy against towns on the Rhode Island coast, committed in retaliation for the efforts of Continental soldiers to keep food and other supplies from reaching English ships. It reads in part: "As the town of Newport was so much exposed to the assaults of the English navy, it was exempted from the severe penalty for supplying them with provisions which were enforced upon other towns in the state. But even here the friends of liberty often interfered and prevented the supplies which were collected by the Tories for the use of the army & navy, from reaching their destination ... The next day the ships took off the said Brenton's farms about 35 head of cattle & 150 sheep; on Wednesday they took 5 or 6 more cattle, then still being left on the farms of James, Jahleel & Benjamin Brenton, between 60 & 70 head of cattle. On Wednesday night and Thursday morning about 300 minutemen arrived here from the county of Providence, Tiverton & Little Compton, under the Command of Cols. Elenk Hopkins & William Richmond, and as soon as they refreshed themselves, they marched into the neck, & brought off 66 horned cattle, some sheep, hogs, & poultry, the ships at the same time lying within gunshot discharged several cannon at them, but without any effect. For this attempt to give aid and comfort to the enemy, the estates of several persons were sequestered by the House of Assembly the following month..." The writer goes on to describe the English commander's threat to bombard the town of Newport in retaliation for this action, and an incident in which the town of Bristol was bombarded when the citizens refused to provide the English with livestock and other supplies. At the conclusion, the writer provides a tally of Continental soldiers based in the area, and of the strength of various forts protecting Long Island Sound. The document bears minor chipping at the edges and corners, else very good. Includes a typed transcription.
Autograph manuscript, 4pp. 4to., Newport, [n.d], a contemporary report setting forth several notable attacks by the British Navy against towns on the Rhode Island coast, committed in retaliation for the efforts of Continental soldiers to keep food and other supplies from reaching English ships. It reads in part: "As the town of Newport was so much exposed to the assaults of the English navy, it was exempted from the severe penalty for supplying them with provisions which were enforced upon other towns in the state. But even here the friends of liberty often interfered and prevented the supplies which were collected by the Tories for the use of the army & navy, from reaching their destination ... The next day the ships took off the said Brenton's farms about 35 head of cattle & 150 sheep; on Wednesday they took 5 or 6 more cattle, then still being left on the farms of James, Jahleel & Benjamin Brenton, between 60 & 70 head of cattle. On Wednesday night and Thursday morning about 300 minutemen arrived here from the county of Providence, Tiverton & Little Compton, under the Command of Cols. Elenk Hopkins & William Richmond, and as soon as they refreshed themselves, they marched into the neck, & brought off 66 horned cattle, some sheep, hogs, & poultry, the ships at the same time lying within gunshot discharged several cannon at them, but without any effect. For this attempt to give aid and comfort to the enemy, the estates of several persons were sequestered by the House of Assembly the following month..." The writer goes on to describe the English commander's threat to bombard the town of Newport in retaliation for this action, and an incident in which the town of Bristol was bombarded when the citizens refused to provide the English with livestock and other supplies. At the conclusion, the writer provides a tally of Continental soldiers based in the area, and of the strength of various forts protecting Long Island Sound. The document bears minor chipping at the edges and corners, else very good. Includes a typed transcription.
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BRITISH SHIPS BOMBARD RHODE ISLAND AND STEAL LIVESTOCK
Estimate $300 - $400
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