L 
 
SERVICES 
 
 DEDICATION OF THE SCHOOL HOUSE 
 
 ERECTED BY THE 
 
 of tb* f$m0 
 
 AT 
 
 NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, 
 
 3Oth, 1863, 
 
 WITH AN APPENDIX. 
 
 NEWPORT: 
 
 PRINTED BY PRATT & MESSER, 
 1863. 
 
ADDRESSES 
 
 OF 
 
 W I L L I A. M C. OOZZENS, 
 
 Governor of JRhode Island. 
 
 WILLIAM H. CRANSTON, 
 
 Mayor of Newport, 
 
 A. HENRY DUMONT, 
 
 Chairman of the Public School Committee, 
 
 HENRY ROUSMANIERE, 
 
 Public School Commissioner. 
 
 Delivered at the dedication of the " Trustees of the Long 
 Wharf School House/' on the 20th of May, 1863,' 
 
 22 
 
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF LONG WHARF, 
 
 ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 13, 1863, 
 
 WITH THE DATE OP THEIR ELECTION. 
 
 1. Edw'd W. Lawton, 1822. 11. John D. Northam, 
 
 2. 
 3, 
 4. 
 5. 
 6. 
 7. 
 8. 
 9. 
 10. 
 
 John Stevens, 
 George Bo wen, 
 Isaiah Crooker, 
 John Y. Hammett, 
 Benjamin Finch, 
 William Sherman, 
 Samuel Engs, 
 George G. King,- 
 Win. C. Cozzens, 
 
 1822. 
 1829. 
 
 11. 
 12. 
 
 1829. 
 
 13. 
 
 1831. 
 
 14. 
 
 1833. 
 
 15. 
 
 1837. 
 
 16. 
 
 1837. 
 
 17. 
 
 1842. 
 
 18. 
 
 1845. 
 
 19. 
 
 1846. 
 
 20. 
 
 David G. Cook, 
 Samuel Brown, 
 Charles D evens, 
 Robert Sherman, 
 Robert S. Barker, 
 David J. Gould, 
 Samuel Allen, 
 Chas. E. Hammett, 
 Seth W. Macy, 
 
 21. Charles E. Hammett, Jr., 1863. 
 
 1847. 
 1847, 
 1847, 
 1849, 
 1849. 
 1855. 
 1855. 
 1856. 
 1862, 
 1862. 
 
 DAYID G. COOK, Chairman. 
 JOHN STEVENS, Secretary and Treasurer. 
 DAVID G. COOK* and ROBERT SHERMAN, Auditors. 
 
 GEORGE BOWEN, WILLIAM SHERMAN, WM. C. COZZENS, 
 
 Committee on Repairs of Wharf. 
 
 SAMUEL ENGS, DAVID J. GOULD, and ROBERT SHERMAN, 
 
 Building Committee of New School House. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The Trustees of the Long Wharf in Newport, having leased 
 their wharf to the Newport & Fall River Railroad Company, 
 who are now constructing a road from Newport to Fall River, 
 to connect with the Old Colony Railroad to Boston, granting 
 them for one hundred years (or more,) the entire use and con- 
 trol of said wharf, upon certain liberal conditions, specified in 
 contract (see Appendix); it seems a proper time for the 
 Trustees to make a permanent and substantial demonstration 
 towards carrying out that portion of the original designs of the 
 Trust, in its formation in the year 1795, by erecting a Public 
 School House and placing it in charge of the City Government. 
 
 In accordance therewith, they have erected a very fine, sub- 
 stantial edifice on the corner of Third and Willow Streets, in 
 the first ward. 
 
 The lot upon which the building stands is one hundred feet 
 square. The building fronts on Willow Street and measures 
 fifty-four feet on that street, and forty feet on Third Street. It 
 is built of pressed brick, the foundation and trimmings being of 
 freestone, two stories high, with slate roof, making it fire proof, 
 and of the most substantial character. The principal room in 
 each story is fourteen feet in the clear and thirty-six and a half 
 feet square, each room having seats for one hundred scholars, 
 with ample room for all other purposes. There is also a recita- 
 
 M185459 
 
6 . INTRODUCTION. 
 
 tion room in each story eleven by nineteen feet, amply provided 
 with seats, &c. The rooms are well ventilated and very light, 
 the windows being large, with glass three feet by two and a 
 half. The halls and stairways are large and commodious. The 
 furniture is of modern pattern, black walnut, and the seats and 
 desks have iron ends. In the basement, which is ten feet in 
 height, there is a good well of water, the floor is composed of 
 concrete, well under-drained and perfectly dry. The apparatus 
 for heating the building with steam is in the basement, and the 
 heat is conducted through the building by pipes which are invis- 
 ible, as they are placed, between the ceiling and outside walls. 
 
 The architect was George C. Mason, the masonry was by 
 John Freeborn, carpentering by Philip Simmons, painting by 
 George W. Green & Co., and the furnishing by Ernest Goffe. 
 
 The building being completed and ready for occupancy on the 
 first of June, the Trustees had previously voted that a celebra- 
 tion of the Trust and a dedication of the building should be 
 observed with appropriate ceremonies. Whereupon His Excel- 
 lency, William C. Cozzens, Governor of the State (one of the 
 Trustees), was invited to deliver an address, commemorative of 
 the event, placing the property in the hands of the Mayor and 
 City Council. David G. Cook, Esq., Chairman of the Board, 
 was invited to prepare an abstract from the records of the 
 Trustees, to accompany the address, in pamphlet form, as an 
 appendix; and Wednesday, May 20th, 1863, was appointed for 
 the celebration. The Building Committee, Messrs. Samuel 
 Engs, David J. Gould and Robert Sherman, with the addi- 
 tion of Charles E. Hammett, Jr., were appointed to make the 
 necessary arrangement for the celebration, all which was done 
 in an admirable manner ; and to accommodate a larger audience 
 than the. commodious room on the lower floor would seat, a 
 platform was erected outside the building, connected with the 
 
INTRODUCTION. 7 
 
 middle window, covered and decorated with our country's flag ; 
 the yard was filled with benches, and at two o'clock a large 
 assemblage of people were present to witness the ceremonies. 
 The inside of the house was occupied by the City Council, the 
 School Committee, Clergy of the city, Teachers of the Public 
 Schools, and many others, while a large number were seated on 
 the outside, in the yard, and in the streets adjoining ; the speak- 
 ers and the reporters occupying the platform. - 
 
 At 3 o'clock the assembly was called to order by David G. 
 Cook. Esq., and a most impressive and appropriate prayer was 
 offered by the Reverend Charles T. Brooks. 
 
 Governor Cozzens then delivered his address. The Chairman 
 of the Board of Trustees presented the keys to His Honor, the 
 Mayor, who responded and then presented the keys, with an 
 appropriate address, to the Chairman of the School Committee. 
 Doctor Dumont responded, after which Henry Rousnianiere, 
 Esq., State School Commissioner, made an address, and with a 
 benediction by the Rev. Wm. S. Child, Rector of Zion Church, 
 these interesting services were brought to a close. The day 
 was beautiful, and all present were able to hear the speakers 
 and highly gratified with this valuable addition to our school 
 accommodations. 
 
GOV. COZZENS' ADDRESS. 
 
 Mr. Chairman } Mr. Mayor, and Fellow- Citizens : 
 
 We have assembled this day, in and around this new and 
 beautiful building, to dedicate it to the sacred cause of learning ; 
 to celebrate a Trust, conceived in the heart and mind of 
 the merchants and philanthropists in the earlier days of our 
 history. They have indeed passed away, and now slumber in 
 yonder resting place, amid the countless throng who have gone 
 before us. 
 
 It is right and proper that we should make this occasion one 
 of general interest and rejoicing ; not only for the object itself, 
 but that we should, in thought and feeling, go back through gen- 
 erations of our ancestors, and stir up in our minds the noble 
 deeds which actuated them. 
 
 The history of Newport is full of the reminiscences of the 
 past, occupying, as it does, this portion of our beautiful island, 
 from which the State takes it name. We grew up and flourished 
 under our colonial connection with Great Britain, more prosper- 
 ously than any of her towns or provinces. T 0ur great and ac- 
 knowledged natural advantages for trade .and commerce, our 
 splendid harbor and bay, our proximity to the ocean, ease of 
 access with every wind and tide, have been the admiration of 
 all time and of all nations, and are, even at this day, almost 
 beyond comparison. 
 
ADDRESS. 9 
 
 One hundred years ago, Newport was approaching her zenith, 
 with a large and flourishing commerce, numberless manufac- 
 tories, a great domestic and foreign trade, with merchant 
 princes that outvied all other places on this Western Continent, 
 the seat of learning and refinement; indeed, with every ele- 
 ment to make a great, prosperous, and flourishing community. 
 As far back as the year 1729, the celebrated Bishop Berkley, 
 whose arrival and stay at Newport have been so often chroni- 
 cled in history, as connected with religious, historical, and liter- 
 ary events in our character, attracted by our facilities for com- 
 merce, splendid climate and ocean scenery, wrote to his friend in 
 Dublin that " The town of Newport is the most thriving place 
 in all America for bigness. It is very pretty, and pleasantly 
 situated. I was never more agreeably surprised than at the 
 first sight of the town and harbor." At this time, it contained 
 about 6000 inhabitants, and was rapidly increasing. From 1 740 
 to the period of the Revolution, the commercial prosperity of 
 Newport was unequalled. The statistics of our custom and 
 import business, show an amount of value almost incredible. 
 The history of those times corroborates the traditions of mem- 
 ory, handed down to us by our ancestors, of princely mansions 
 and princely fortunes in and around this town, that make even 
 much of these days dwindle into insignificance. The large and 
 profitable business of those colonial times made many very 
 rich, and all classes shared in the common prosperity ; every 
 trade and profession had its share, and Newport was rapidly 
 securing its title of the Eden of America. 
 
 It was generally conceded that Newport had every advan- 
 tage. Wealth had centred here, and was attracting capitalists 
 from every part of the world. Between 1750 and 1760, some 
 hundreds of wealthy Israelites, a most distinguished class 
 of merchants, removed here from Spain, Portugal, Jamaica, 
 
10 GOV. COZZENS' 
 
 and other places, and entered largely into business. One of 
 them, Mr. Aaron Lopez, owned a large fleet of vessels (rising 
 thirty at one time) in the foreign trade, and many more in the 
 coasting trade. The order boxes, or pigeon holes, as we 
 sometimes call them, with the names of his vessels on them, 
 are still to be seen in one of the old stores on the Lopez (now 
 Finch & Engs') Wharf. But I will not dwell on this now, but 
 in the course of what I have to say, will present some facts 
 showing more practically the extent of the business of this town 
 previous to the revolutionary war. Every element of success 
 was within our reach ; our imports attracted the attention of 
 merchants from New York, Boston and Salem ; indeed, from 
 every place of note in the then American Colonies. We were 
 growing rich and great, and building up a city, which, had it not 
 been interrupted and destroyed by the war of the Revolution, 
 might long ere this have covered this whole island, and been 
 to-day the metropolis of this Western World. That, however, 
 was not our fate ; the very elements of prosperity which had 
 built us up so early after the settlement of the country our 
 splendid harbor, and other facilities were the first attractions 
 of the war. We had rebelled against the usurpations of the 
 mother country, and we suffered for it. We had no fortifica- 
 tions to rely upon, except Fort George (now Fort Walcott); 
 that was unfinished, and we had no other means of defence. 
 The devastations of that war upon this fated town, were far 
 greater than upon any other, because of the importance of this 
 harbor and bay as a depot and rendezvous for their ships-of- 
 war a fact acknowledged by all the powers of the earth, save 
 only, perhaps, that of our own United States. 
 
 The natural consequence of this position was ruin to our 
 merchants, our town was depopulated, several hundred stores 
 and dwellings (some accounts say 480, some say 900) were 
 
ADDRESS. , 11 
 
 burnt and otherwise destroyed. Every wharf built of wood 
 was torn up for fuel. Houses, gardens, orchards, all were ruth- 
 lessly invaded, and every injury that could be done was done. 
 But I will not enlarge upon it here. Our business to-day is 
 with the Long Wharf in Newport. We meet to celebrate an 
 epoch in its history. It is, and always has been, one of the 
 institutions of the place, a public wharf. Its extreme length, 
 its formation, bounded south on the harbor for nearly one-third 
 of a mile, formed a more than usual interest by its general 
 location for boats and for fishing, and its bridge-way, through 
 which the tide has ebbed and flowed for near two hundred 
 years. The first town record we find of it, as a Long Wharf, 
 is April 29, 1685, when it is alluded to, in granting a privilege 
 to build another wharf into the sea between the lands of John 
 Tillinghast and others, on the same terms as the town had pre- 
 viously granted lands for the new Long Wharf. The record of 
 this first grant is no doubt among the mutilated portions of our 
 early history, that were under water so long at Hurlgate, near 
 New York, and cannot be recovered.* This wharf has, there- 
 fore, naturally been the most important and popular among 
 our many wharves, and its chequered history most interesting 
 to our community. In the year 1702. we find efforts were made 
 to rebuild it, it having suffered in severe gales, and was rapidly 
 going to decay. It was then called the Old Town Wharf; and 
 the town voted to offer it to certain persons, if they would 
 repair it and keep it in order, collect the wharfage, and thus 
 reimburse themselves for the outlay. At this time, March 16, 
 1702, the town voted rates of wharfage, etc., etc. Again, in 
 December, 1702, the proprietors paid up their assessments, 
 appointed a wharfinger, and again joined in the management 
 of the wharf. In October, 1739, these former proprietors were 
 not willing to widen and lengthen out the wharf, to meet the 
 
 * See Appendix A, relating to Town Records. 
 23 
 
12 . GOV. COZZENS' 
 
 demands of commerce, unless they should have a vote of the 
 town giving them the fee in said wharf, with certain other rights ; 
 whereupon the town voted the proprietors certain lands and 
 flats westward of Easton's Point, so called, eight hundred feet 
 in length and fifty feet in width, and from this time the Long 
 Wharf began to assume its present length. The reason for this 
 grant was thus expressed in their petition : " For the benefit 
 of the inhabitants according to the grant of the town, the lower 
 part of said wharf will be commodious for the lying of larger 
 vessels, which will greatly tend to encourage great commercial 
 interests. The building out of said wharf will employ a vast 
 number of tradesmen and other inhabitants, and when com- 
 pleted will, in addition to Queen street, (now the Parade,) form 
 nearly three-quarters of a mile in length, exactly straight, and 
 being in front of a magnificent Court House that is now erecting 
 there at great expense; the beauty and grandeur of which, 
 when completed, will appear the greatest in all New England, 
 be advantageous to the public and private interest, the com- 
 mittee being vested with power and authority to accomplish the 
 said design in the best manner for the glory and ornament of 
 the town and colony." 
 
 In the year 1746 the same proprietors obtained from the 
 General Assembly authority to set up a Ferry between Newport 
 and Jamestown, on certain conditions and restrictions, in regard 
 to other grants previously made. They established the Ferry, 
 and continued for some time to do a good business, although 
 there were several other ferry lines at the same time. 
 
 In 1769 the proprietors again petitioned the General Assem- 
 bly, representing that they were under covenant for building 
 out 170 feet more, westerly, on said wharf, and that they had 
 suffered very much by unexpected high tides, and by a disas- 
 trous fire consuming their warehouses, and asked a grant for a 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 lottery, which was obtained, allowing them to raise the sum of 
 thirteen hundred and fifty pounds lawful money. 
 
 Here let us stop for a while and examine the legislation of 
 Rhode Island, on the subject of lotteries ; for we find that from 
 1752 down to 1840, lotteries were one of the acknowledged and 
 most popular modes of raising money. Petitions were made to 
 the Legislature from every town in the State to raise money for 
 every conceivable object, beginning in 1752, with a grant to 
 raise means to pave streets in Newport ; the next to build a 
 fort on Goat Island, (Fort George, now Fort Walcott,) say 
 XI 0,000. From this time, lotteries became a real mania with 
 the people ; every court house in the State, every church, every 
 meeting house, or nearly so, parsonage houses, to pave streets, 
 build wharves, establish libraries, make roads, protect fish, build 
 bridges, build colleges, relieve bankrupt estates, and many pri- 
 vate objects, all were aided in this way to a greater or less 
 extent. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were allowed to be 
 raised, and it would seem that every individual in the State 
 must have participated in it, as we find citizens of the highest, 
 most respectable and religious character, engaged as commis- 
 sioners, or parties to it. Lotteries continued, without much 
 abatement, down to 1806, having been countenanced and pat- 
 ronized for over half a century, without discovering the gam- 
 bling character they were assuming. At this time, applications 
 became so numerous, and many which were unauthorized being 
 found in the market, that the Assembly passed a law to prose- 
 cute all that were not legal, but repealed it same year, next 
 session. Not until 1840, January Session, did the Legislature 
 fully realize their wicked and desperate character, when we 
 find a resolution relating to the great evils they were entailing 
 upon our State, morally and financially, and recommending their 
 discontinuance. In 1845 stringent laws were passed relating 
 
14 GOV. COZZENS' 
 
 to the sale of tickets. And now many years have passed since 
 this State has allowed lotteries, or permitted traffic in them a 
 wise result, remedying a pernicious and expensive evil. 
 
 We now return to 1769 in the history of the Long Wharf. 
 The amount raised by the lottery was expended on the wharf, 
 and it continued to prosper until destroyed by the British in 
 1779. The lower part being mostly built of timber, especially 
 the west end, it was burnt to the water's edge. Thus it 
 remained through all the disheartening years of the war, a 
 dilapidated shell, reflecting on its surface at low tide, the sad 
 history of a broken down, destroyed, depopulated town, shorn 
 of all its grandeur, its population reduced one-half with devas- 
 tation and ruin in every step, the very elements of our former 
 strength and power, everything that had contributed to our posi- 
 tion and growth turned suddenly to our disadvantage, our near- 
 ness to the ocean, the fear of continued wars, our liability to be 
 again and again destroyed, discouraged our capitalists, our busi- 
 ness men. And from that time many of them, yes, a great 
 many of them, and more especially those who had been tempted 
 by our supposed advantages to adopt this as their home, now 
 gathered up all they had left from the wreck of war, and leav- 
 ing this their idolized and beautiful home by the side of the 
 sea, retreated inland, or to less exposed places for business, 
 and there devoted their energies free from all the discouraging 
 sights, which our desolated place presented to their view. It is 
 true a few of our old native-born distinguished merchants still 
 remained, and though paralyzed in fortune and in spirit, they 
 clung to their loved home, and endeavored to resuscitate their 
 fallen fortunes and their unfortunate town. They met with 
 some success, for in 1795 we find that thirty-six of our most 
 honorable and distinguished merchants, then residents of New- 
 port, associating themselves together as a Board of Trustees of 
 
ADDRESS. 15 
 
 the Long Wharf, proposing to make one more effort to rebuild 
 this wharf that had been destroyed by the ravages of war, and 
 by fire, and was being washed away. The wood and logs of 
 which it was built that escaped the fire, though partly under 
 water, were being carried off by the poor for fire-wood, and 
 very soon it would have been back to its native condition, a 
 mere shore. They petitioned the General Assembly for an Act 
 of Incorporation as a Board of Trustees, and at the same 
 session obtained a grant for a lottery to raise $25,000 towards 
 rebuilding this Long Wharf, and for building a hotel, which was 
 supposed would be needed and be profitable ; and further rep- 
 resenting that all profits arising from said wharf and hotel, 
 should be appropriated to building one or more public free 
 schools, in such manner as the Trustees may direct. Thus it 
 appears that they had a twofold object, of rebuilding this 
 ancient and once flourishing wharf, for the benefit of commerce, 
 and to aid the great cause of education, by the support of pub- 
 lic schools. It would "seem, that the public notice of this 
 Act of Incorporation and the grant for a lottery to rebuild the 
 wharf and establish public schools, attracted the attention of 
 one Simeon Potter, a resident of Swanzey in the State of Mas- 
 sachusetts, who generously made a gift of two lots of land, with 
 a dwelling house and other buildings, on Easton's Point, in 
 Newport, to be combined with the fund to be raised and estab- 
 lished for public schools. In his deed of gift he uses the fol- 
 lowing most touching language: "Now I, the said Simeon 
 Potter, moved by the regard I have for the good people of the 
 said Town of Newport, and by the afflictions which they have 
 suffered in the late war, and wishing to promote their rise arfd 
 prosperity, and the education of their children of the present 
 and succeeding generation, do hereby in consideration thereof, 
 give, grant, &c. ; &c."* This liberal donation for the objects 
 
 * See his letter in Appendix, C. 
 
16 GOV. COZZENS' 
 
 above specified, was an act of kindness and benevolence worthy 
 of honorable mention. From the time of the gift until 1814, 
 the house was rented, and the income was spent on repairs and 
 betterments of the estate. During the years 1796 to 1800 the 
 wharf was rebuilt. The lottery yielded a handsome sum, 
 although the amount does not appear (probably about $12,000), 
 
 as one of the Treasurers books of that date cannot be found. 
 
 
 
 The Committee of the Trustees performed their duties most 
 honorably, in regard to rebuilding the wharf and the manage- 
 ment of the lotteries, without any charge for services, receiving 
 the thanks of the Board of Trustees. Here let me refer to a 
 copy of the record of the doings of the Trustees, from 1795 
 down to this present date, which has been condensed, and pre- 
 pared by one of the Board, David G. Cook, Esq., the present 
 highly respected Chairman of the Board of Trustees, which it 
 is proposed will accompany this address as an Appendix* and 
 will supply to a great extent any deficiency in the matter of 
 statistics in regard to the wharf since 1795, which may be 
 expected here. It will supply the names of all the Trustees, 
 and the time of their appointment, the report of the annual and 
 special meetings, in fact the entire record of this important 
 Trust, including an elaborate report made by the Hon. Wm. R. 
 Staples, late Judge of the Supreme Court of this State, to the 
 Trustees by their request in 1858, tracing the history, title and 
 rights of the Trustees in this valuable property. I mention 
 this so particularly, in this connexion, to account for any seem- 
 ing neglect on my part to explain and more fully represent the 
 doings of the Trustees from time to time. My part of the duty 
 being understood to be, to make the address with the public 
 history of the wharf, and its connection with the reputation and 
 business interests of the town. I most fully recommend the 
 
 * See Appendix, Note C. 
 
ADDRESS. 17 
 
 report here alluded to as a valuable history of the wharf, show- 
 ing the faithful observance of a Trust, its interest in public 
 schools, and the disposition of all concerned to make the wharf 
 useful, attractive and profitable. 
 
 In 1814, the Trustees by way of carrying out the conditions 
 of the Trust, and applying the gift of Mr. Potter, appointed a 
 committee to devise a plan for opening a free school for poor 
 children. They reported accommodations in the Potter House, 
 for a school of fifty or sixty scholars. At this time, they made 
 an estimate of the probable income for this purpose, and 
 decided to begin with twenty or thirty scholars, which was duly 
 organized; and thus was inaugurated the first public school 
 from this Long Wharf fund. Capt. Joseph Finch and his wife 
 undertook the charge of this school for a very moderate com- 
 pensation. In 1815 we find a report from this committee say- 
 ing that twenty-five of the boys had made much greater pro- 
 gress in their studies than was anticipated, and that the teachers 
 had done ample justice to their pupils. At the annual meeting, 
 1815, the committee was further instructed to enlarge the school 
 to accommodate forty scholars, and means were put in train to 
 obtain pupils from different parts of the town. The record 
 says, " that all may have an opportunity of experiencing the 
 happy effects of so valuable an institution." A School Commit- 
 tee was annually appointed, and the school continued to flourish 
 until 1829, when on the decease of Capt. Pinch it was changed 
 to a school for smaller children, under the care of his widow, 
 which continued until 1832, when it was given up. Public 
 schools under the direction of the town were then fully estab- 
 lished on a liberal and popular basis, and it was unnecessary to 
 continue this on its then limited scale. The house which had 
 been occupied, the gift of Mr. Potter, was ordered to be sold, 
 and the proceeds deposited in the Savings Bank, where it has 
 
18 GOV. COZZENS' 
 
 remained ever since, with its accumulations of interest, amount- 
 ing, when withdrawn to aid in the erection of this edifice, to the 
 handsome sum of twenty-two hundred and ninety-three T 3 8 <y 
 dollars. 
 
 The school we have just alluded to was held on Washington 
 Street, corner of Marsh Street, and was known as the Long 
 Wharf Free School, Among its scholars were some of . the 
 smartest boys in town, making good sailors, smart captains, and 
 good merchants. Some, I know, have risen to position and 
 wealth, yes, even to eminence j and some are now among our 
 most enterprising and liberal citizens. I well remember this 
 school from 1820 to its close, and shall never forget the novel 
 and most peculiar method adopted to give notice of school-time. 
 The teacher, having been an old sea captain, was more accus- 
 tomed to use his lungs than hand-bells, and as there was no bell 
 belonging to the school, the teacher with great punctuality 
 would go first to the west window on Washington Street (sec- 
 ond story), and call out at the top of his voice and that voice 
 was not weak or delicate three times, " Boys ! Boys ! Boys ! " 
 Then he would appear at another window on the east side of 
 the house, and repeat the same call " Boys ! Boys ! Boys ! " 
 This being on the side of the cove, with buildings on all four 
 sides, forming a hollow square at least a thousand feet across, 
 over the water, it would at times produce a most prodigious 
 noise, heard as far almost as a steam whistle in these days. I 
 have often heard it, in my boyhood days, while sailing about 
 the cove in a boat, echo in every direction, east, north, south, 
 and west. Sometimes the- second and third call would catch 
 the echo of the first, and with the roguish boys in their boat 
 joining in the general chorus, shouting at the top of their voices, 
 " Boys," too. Thus on many a bright morning, with a calm, 
 clear, atmosphere, has there been a confusion of sounds over 
 
ADDRESS. 19 
 
 that, at times, crystal sheet of water, far surpassing the efforts 
 of the most gifted ventriloquist. What effect these interfer- 
 ences of the boys, or the echoes, had upon the old schoolmas- 
 ter's disposition and temper, I never heard. His voice has long 
 been silent, but the echo of oilier voices can still occasionally 
 be heard on that same cove, although very soon the whistle of 
 the locomotive will take its place, and the cove, with all its 
 associations, will be converted into a railroad station, an evi- 
 dence of progress long desired. 
 
 Before we leave the matter of Public Schools, let us go back 
 in history, and see what/ was done by our ancestors, the early 
 settlers on this island, towards establishing popular education, 
 now so universally appreciated in this country. I find that 
 almost immediately after the settlement of the island, one 
 Robert Lenthal was admitted a freeman by the General Court; 
 and by a vote of the Town of Newport, August 6, 1640, was 
 called to keep a public school for the learning of youth ; and for 
 his encouragement, there was granted to him one hundred acres 
 of land, and four more acres for a house lot ; and it was also 
 voted that one hundred acres more should be laid forth and 
 appropriated for a school for the encouragement of the poorer 
 sort, to train up in learning ; and Mr. Robert Lenthal, while he 
 continues to teach school, is to have the benefit of said land. 
 In Judge Staples' Annals of Providence, I find the first move- 
 ment made in Providence, was May 9, 1663, when a grant of 
 land was made for that purpose of one hundred acres of upland 
 and six acres of meadow. The first schoolmaster in Provi- 
 dence was one William Turpin, who was there in 1684. But 
 their schools did not appear to have made much progress until 
 1750, and upwards. In 1697, April 28, Newport voted other 
 school lands for the benefit of a schoolmaster. In 1704, the 
 town built another school house at the public charge. The vote 
 24 
 
20 GOY. COZZENS' 
 
 describes place, size, &c. The town voted six acres of land to 
 be sold, proceeds to be used towards building the school house. 
 Also a tax of one hundred and fifty pounds for same object. 
 Another vote that the inhabitants living to the north and near 
 Middletown, shall not be liable to said tax, because they lived 
 too far off to send their children. Some delays were occa- 
 sioned by the difficulty of selling the land and deciding upon 
 the location; but a large and commodious school house was 
 finally built and finished August 18, 1709, Mr. William Gilbert 
 chosen schoolmaster, to have the benefit of the school lands for 
 one year. Here, again, is evidence of the progress of knowl- 
 edge. At a town meeting, October 4, 1710, a very respectful 
 petition from a Mr. Galloway, for the liberty of teaching a 
 Latin School in the two little rooms in the school house, is here- 
 by granted. 
 
 October 7, 1713, the town voted to establish another school, 
 and Benjamin Nicholson was chosen schoolmaster. A committee 
 was also appointed to repair the town school house. July 28, 
 1714, John Hammett was chosen a schoolmaster to officiate in 
 this office for nine years, on the same terms as others have been 
 paid. January 29, 1723, a further petition for a school house 
 in the eastern portion of the town voted 106 acres of land for 
 that purpose. Again, January 25, 1726, in town meeting, 
 " Whereas, there are some buildings in town, improved for 
 schools, which are of great advantage to the public, which, 
 unless repaired, will become useless, and particularly the great 
 school house, it is ordered that all the public school houses 
 in the precincts of Newport be repaired, and paid for out 
 of the public treasury." It will appear by the foregoing 
 extracts from our town records, that Newport was really 
 a pioneer in the establishment of public schools. I know of 
 no place where public schools were established so early after 
 
, ADDRESS. 
 
 the settlement of- the country, and on so liberal a scale. I find 
 no time on our records when education was not a very impor- 
 tant subject in our town legislation. It has, of course, like all 
 other important objects, expanded in our prosperity and suf- 
 fered by our adversity. From 1726 down to the time of the 
 revolution, we find the same devotion to the cause of learning 
 that characterized our early settlers; but evidently, private 
 schools monopolized a large share of the youth between 1740 
 and 1776, as their parents were in a flourishing business, and 
 could well afford to educate them according to their choice. 
 
 From 1776 down to 1825, but very little interest was mani- 
 fested in public, or even private schools. The disheartening in- 
 fluences of the war had paralyzed every effort, and many had 
 lost all their property, or nearly all, with a prospect of heavy 
 burdens and taxes. The school houses were turned into bar- 
 racks, and were literally used up by the enemy in possession of 
 the town. Consequently, public schools appear to have been 
 abandoned, and we discover no evidence of any effort being 
 made to restore them, until 1825. Thus it appears that the 
 only public school existing in the town during that time was the 
 Long Wharf Free School, supported by the Trust we this day 
 celebrate. Some private schools were established, and did 
 good service ; but the spirit of former days had departed, and 
 each child had to depend for an education on the ability of its 
 parents ; most of them were well educated for those times, as 
 the expense was comparatively small. Indeed, had the present 
 high prices of living existed in those days, with no more busi- 
 ness than we had then, we should, as was often said of us, long 
 since have eaten ourselves up. Since 1830 public schools have 
 again revived, and on a most permanent and substantial basis, 
 and at this time are equal to any in New England. I will not 
 weary you with any particulars, they are familiar to all I ad- 
 
22 GOV. COZZEN& 
 
 dress to-day, and in closing my review of public schools, I feel 
 proud to own them as a great element in our present character. 
 
 Having traced the history of the Long Wharf, and fully identi- 
 fied it with the history of Newport, in an important commercial 
 point of view ; having also* furnished you with considerable evi- 
 dence that Newport has, from her earliest settlement, been seri- 
 ously devoted to public schools and popular education, which 
 will in a measure account for so much being said in history 
 about this ancient seat of learning, social refinement, &c; 
 there can be no doubt, that while so much was done to educate 
 the poorer classes, the richer class must have had superior 
 schools for those early days. 
 
 The Trust we celebrate to-day, is the Long Wharf and Pub- 
 lic Schools, identical heretofore, inseparable hereafter. While 
 I have wandered through the records and histories of Newport, 
 to cull whatever seems appropriate to the object of this cele- 
 bration, I have found much beyond the immediate object of this 
 Trust, which, I doubt not, may be interesting to you, and to those 
 who may come after us. I shall therefore trespass upon your 
 patience while I relate some of those evidences or indications 
 of that early, high commercial character of Newport, during 
 the last century, and the causes of her decline ; rescuing, per- 
 haps, some things in history from being lost sight of. I find 
 much that is interesting, but the further limits of this ad- 
 dress will allow me only a brief recital. The earlier history 
 of Newport and of Rhode Island, as regards its first settlement, 
 its religious character, its contests for freedom to worship God, 
 and all the trials of its early life, have been often and most 
 elaborately presented, forming an interesting epitome of the 
 history of this State. An eminent historian* once said, " The 
 annals of Rhode Island, if written in the spirit of philosophy, 
 
 *Hon. George Bancroft. 
 
ADDRESS. 23 
 
 would exhibit the forms of society under a peculiar aspect. 
 Had the territory of the State corresponded to the importance 
 and singularity of the principles of its early existence, the 
 world would have been filled with wonder at the phenomena 
 of its early history." 
 
 I shall therefore proceed at once to exhibit such evidences of 
 our commercial character as I have been able to gather from 
 the storehouse of history, adopting only a few illustrations, lest 
 I should weary you and extend this address to an unreasonable 
 length. From the year 1700, the infancy of these then British 
 Colonies, Newport began to enjoy a most successful distinction 
 in attracting the attention of men of wealth and character. It 
 seemed designed by nature and position, to develop advantages 
 for commerce and manufacturing which few places then pos- 
 sessed, and from 1729 to 1742 a very considerable business 
 was done, both in navigation and manufacturing; but no partic- 
 ular history of those days is left us; what once existed, was 
 lost forever in the whirlpool of the revolution. One evidence 
 of a large shipping interest may be inferred from the establish- 
 ment of the Newport Marine Society, which originated in 1752 
 and was incorporated in 1754, under the name of the Fellowship 
 Club, and continued to bear that name until 1785, when it was 
 changed to the Marine Society. During tne first eight years of 
 this Soctety from 1752 to 1760, one hundred and twenty-five 
 sea captains were admitted members, showing a large commerce ; 
 from that time to 1800. one hundred and thirty-six more mem- 
 bers, and since then, a period of sixty- three years, only about 
 one hundred and fifty more. During the one hundred and 
 eleven years since its organization, this society has been most 
 honorably sustained, and has, to-day, a safely invested fund of 
 $20,000; the entire income is regularly distributed to the 
 widows and orphans of deceased members, and every dollar of 
 
24 GOV. COZZENS' 
 
 its income is applied to its legitimate uses, in aid of the poor 
 and unfortunate. 
 
 From our Custom House records, it appears that, during the 
 year 1763, there were 184 vessels cleared on foreign voyages, 
 360 odd in the coasting trade, a large number of fishing vessels, 
 and besides these a regular line of London packets. Two- 
 thirds of all these vessels were owned in Newport, requiring a 
 regular force of 2,200 seamen. Every year from this time the 
 shipping was increasing. In 1769, Newport appears to have 
 been at the height of her prosperity. The entries of arrivals 
 at the Custom House, during the two months of July and August, 
 were 64 vessels from foreign voyages, 17 whalemen, 134 coast- 
 wise. During the next three months among many other arrivals 
 were 16 cargoes of molasses, bringing over 3,000 hhds. These 
 vessels were all owned in Newport, and their cargoes were 
 imported here for manufacturing purposes. Many such cases 
 might be quoted, but this is enough to give an idea of the 
 commerce of that da'y. Now let us look at the business which 
 required so much shipping. The manufacture of sperm oil and 
 candles was introduced into Newport by the Jews, from Lisbon, 
 between 1745 and 1750, and from that time to 1760 there were 
 put in full operation 1 7 factories for these articles alone ; also 
 22 distilleries, 4 sugar refineries, 5 rope walks, and many large 
 furniture factories, shipping immense quanties of furniture to 
 New York, the West Indies, Surinam, and many other places. 
 In 1770 I find mention made of eighteen West India vessels 
 arriving here in one day. The great central position of these 
 factories and distilleries was in and around the vicinity of the 
 Cove and Long Wharf. At one time there were seven wharves, 
 eleven distilleries and several shipyards in the Cove. Many 
 vessels were built therein, some of considerable size ; one rather 
 celebrated sloop called the Rising Sun, was built by one Gideon 
 
ADDRESS. 25 
 
 Davenport. All vessels built in the Cove, as well as those land- 
 ing thfiir cargoes there, passed through the bridge, which then 
 had a commodious draw twenty-six feet wide. About this time 
 an effort was made to render the running tide in and out of the 
 Cove, available for power to run a mill. The privilege was 
 granted to John Hadwen, but I cannot find it ever amounted 
 to much. Another effort was made many years after with no 
 better success. 
 
 About the year 1770 the population of the town was said to 
 be not less than twelve thousand j with at least two hundred 
 vessels in the foreign trade, and four hundred in the coasting 
 trade, all owned in Newport.* 
 
 During this period in our history I see no mention made of 
 Insurance Companies. (First in this State was in 1799, one in 
 Newport, one in Providence.) Our merchants had to stand 
 their own underwriters, and some years they met with most dis- 
 astrous results ; one year in particular, there were a great many 
 shipwrecks, with loss of vessels and cargoes, and a great loss 
 of life, making, it is said, at least two hundred widows in one 
 year. 
 
 At this time, Newport was decidedly ahead of New York in 
 her foreign and domestic trade. Aaron Lopez, whom I have 
 before alluded to, with Godfrey Malbone, Henry Collins, the 
 Brinleys, Wantons, and many others, were among the largest 
 ship owners and heaviest merchants ; but the number of those 
 owning ten or twelve vessels and doing a large business, is per- 
 fectly incredible. Pardon me if I step aside to relate an inci- 
 dent which has been current for nearly a century, and worthy 
 to be handed down as a specimen of old fashioned shrewdness. 
 Old Christopher Almy, a Merchant of those days, having had. a 
 cargo of molasses landed on his wharf, now called the old Ham- 
 
 * See Historical Memoranda, Appendix A. 
 
26 GOV. COZZENS' 
 
 rnond Wharf, ordered one of his negroes to watch it at night 
 (they had slaves here at that time), and during one t)f the 
 nights, to try his faithfulness, he visited the wharf himself and 
 began to reconnoitre among the casks to draw some molasses, 
 when discovered by his faithful servant he endeavored to escape, 
 but being caught by him, Mr. Almy used every means to con- 
 vince the negro that he was his master ; but it was of no avail, 
 the watchman was inexorable and admitted no such plea. No 
 sir, said he, my massa no such fool as dat, to come down here 
 dis time of night to steal his own molasses ; and he therefore 
 proved his capacity to guard the property intrusted to his care 
 by dispatching the old man into the dock. His faithfulness no 
 doubt satisfied Mr. Almy, but his treatment was rather a 
 damper. 
 
 One more anecdote which is equally well authenticated, let 
 me relate, in passing, as it refers to about these times, showing 
 such a striking difference between Providence and Newport, 
 less than a hundred years ago, while Newport was engaged in 
 the extensive business we have been describing, and enjoying 
 that high position in the American colonies. When the mer- 
 chant from New York visited Newport to purchase goods 
 imported here, and wrote home to his wife saying what a large 
 and thriving place Newport was, expressing his hope that some 
 day " New York may rival Newport," then it was that Newport 
 was importing thousands of hogsheads of molasses per month, 
 and a goodly portion of it was landed on this Long Wharf. 
 Occasionally the Newport packet plying between here and 
 Providence would take from this said wharf a hogshead of this 
 good molasses, and, waiting a favoring breeze, start for Provi- 
 dence. On her arrival there the town crier would be employed 
 to perambulate their streets ringing his bell at every corner, and 
 announcing that the sloop Polly had arrived from Newport with 
 
ADDRESS. 27 
 
 a cask of most excellent molasses that would be retailed out on 
 
 board said sloop at price per gallon, and inviting all those 
 
 in want of some of it, to apply on board said sloop, before nine 
 o'clock the following day. I have this story related to me by a 
 near relative of one,* who, not many years ago, at a ripe old age, 
 honored and respected by everybody in Newport, his birth place, 
 as well as in Providence where he had lived eighty odd years 
 of his life, had often said that from the time of that announce- 
 ment by the crier, he had seen people of all ages and sizes 
 passing out of their houses and gateways with rundlets, jugs, 
 and kettles, wending their way to the Newport packet to secure 
 a portion of this delicious top-dressing for their cakes. I 
 mention this story only to show the primitive way in which 
 things were done in comparison with Newport, even in places 
 that since that time have outgrown us in everything that consti- 
 tutes a flourishing community. 
 
 Between the years 1770 and 1776, while our wharves and 
 harbor were filled with vessels laden with merchandise from 
 every part of the world, and everything was going on prosper- 
 ously, many English war vessels were sent here to aid in enforc- 
 ing the revenue laws, which had become very stringent and 
 obnoxious to our people, and were being daily resisted. At 
 one time in 1774, a whole fleet lay at anchor in our harbor. 
 From this time the incidents of the revolution surrounded us. 
 Such was our unfortunate position that our commerce, our man- 
 ufactures, and all the elements of a growing prosperity, made 
 us, of course, the chief object of attack. England became 
 jealous of our success, and inflamed at our boldness and inde- 
 pendence witness the destruction of His Majesty's sloop Lib- 
 erty in our harbor, 1769, and the Gaspee on the river, near 
 Providence, in 17*72. From this time we were closely watched 
 
 * The venerable John Rowland. 
 25 
 
28 GOV. COZZENS' 
 
 and guarded by some of their most powerful forces intended to 
 intimidate us. On the 20th July, 1776, they threatened to 
 bombard the town. Making preparations by the ships taking 
 their position, they put quantities of tar and other inflammable 
 matter into the ferry boats, in order as it was said, to set tire 
 to the town. After keeping up the alarm two days, they left 
 the harbor and sailed on a cruise. Great numbers of the inhab- 
 itants of the town, removed about this time, taking all they 
 could carry with them. Thus surrounded by ships-of-war, we 
 continued to assert our independence till December, 1776, when 
 the large British fleet arrived, commanded by Sir Peter Parker, 
 with an army of ten thousand men, English and Hessians, who 
 immediately took us captive, landing his army in the midst of 
 this community, creating a consternation that can be more easily 
 imagined than described. From this time our destruction com- 
 menced. They burnt our factories and our ships, tore up our 
 wharves, stores, and warehouses, depopulated our town, and 
 occupied or mutilated everything around us. 
 
 In July, 1778, a French fleet, consisting of eleven ships-of- 
 the-line, besides frigates and transports, under the command of 
 Count D'Estaing, arrived in our harbor and outside. These, 
 with the English frigates and ships, must have made exciting 
 times in our harbor and bay. 
 
 In 1778, November 12th, twelve more British ships and frig- 
 ates arrived. 
 
 About the 1st of October, 1779, there were indications of 
 an evacuation of the Island of Rhode Island. On the llth, a 
 fleet of fifty-two sail of transports arrived, and took off seven 
 thousand men and all their ordnance and military stores. On 
 their leaving, they burnt and destroyed everything within their 
 reach. The records of these times are filled with- the distress 
 which pervaded all things about us. 
 
ADDRESS. 29 
 
 In 1780, July 10th, another French fleet, consisting of forty- 
 four men-of-war and transports, under Admiral De Terney, hav- 
 ing on board six thousand troops, arrived from France. The 
 next day the troops landed, and were put in possession of the 
 forts. The arrival of this fleet inspired the people with new 
 'life; and although they were frequently exposed and liable to 
 renewed attacks from the English fleets, nothing more was 
 attempted. The history of these events, and these times, is 
 deeply interesting, but my time will not permit any further notice. 
 
 Between 1776 and 1782 the effects of the war and its prob- 
 able future upon the success of our people, reduced our popu- 
 lation one-half in numbers, and at least two-thirds in reality, as 
 those who left here were best able to establish themselves else- 
 where, leaving behind the poor and the ruined as a burden 
 upon the town. With this sad picture staring our people in 
 the face, with desolation stamped upon everything within us and 
 around us, but few had the heart and the energy to enjoy even 
 the glad tidings of the peace of 1783. For nearly ten years 
 had we been a prey to the invasions of a foreign foe, and were 
 becoming accustomed to it. Yet peace was a great relief; the 
 few of our distinguished merchants who remained, gathered up 
 the fragments that were left, and once more started on a career 
 of business, but it came hard, the spirit was broken ; the charms 
 of prosperity had vanished, still they struggled on. There was 
 a considerable revival of business. Gibbs & Channing, and 
 several others had embarked in new enterprises and were flour- 
 ishing, when, lo, again the sound of war reached our shores. 
 Many of those who had passed through the Revolution were still 
 alive and saw again in the sure future another devastation, and 
 so it proved. The embargo of 1808 was the precursor, sus- 
 pending all business. We again suffered; our people became 
 disheartened; threatened with all the horrors of the former war, 
 
30 GOV. COZZENS' 
 
 our town showed signs of again being invaded. In June, 1814 
 the General Assembly passed an Act authorizing the Town 
 Councils of the seaport towns to cause their shipping to be 
 removed from their wharves^ The Council of Newport ordered 
 the shipping here to be all removed from the wharves, lest it 
 should be an inducement for the enemy to visit Newport again. 
 Many of the vessels were sent up the river as far as they could 
 go, and a great many of our citizens packed up all their valua- 
 bles, in clothing, furniture, &c., our traders their merchandise, 
 our bankers their banks, our Town Council their records, which 
 were sent up the river or across the bay to more inland places, 
 remembering how their fathers suffered in the war of 1776. 
 This state of excitement was sooner relieved than was expected. 
 The fourteenth of February, 1815, will forever be remembered 
 by many now present when the blessed messenger of peace 
 reached our" town. Every demonstration of joy was evinced ; 
 our citizens began to breathe more freely ; they had suffered 
 much, yet they looked upon war as ever fatal to their prosperity 
 and depressing to their minds. 
 
 This very year, that had given us a peace, also brought us a 
 flood, with the ever memorable September gale, which occurred 
 on the 23d of September, 1815, and which added greatly to our 
 distress, doing an immense damage to our shipping, destroying 
 many of our wharves, with the old stores that had survived the 
 Revolution. The wreck of a great many of these old wharves is 
 still visible, at low tide, frequently grounding vessels and boats 
 as they approach our present docks. The tide daily ebbs and 
 flows over numerous wharves, that one hundred years ago were 
 loaded with merchandise. The Long Wharf suffered greatly in 
 this gale.* 
 
 From this period to the year 1832, Newport was gradually 
 
 *See appendix C. 
 
ADDRESS. 31 
 
 
 
 wasting away. There were still a few merchants left, who kept 
 up a moderate business in commerce, and two or three distil- 
 leries, but otherwise, there was nothing doing. Scarcely a new 
 building was erected between 1808 and 1832, save the new 
 Asylum for the Poor, in 1819, on Coasters' Harbor Island. A 
 few occasional spasms- kept us alive. Our ship owners gradu- 
 ally ran out, whaling languished, our packet system was super- 
 seded by the steam power of other places, and we were being 
 frittered away. Our young men were really the only article of 
 export to any extent, and it is universally conceded that our 
 contributions of this sort, to larger and more prosperous com- 
 munities, was very great. We see the Newport element largely 
 prevailing in many of the towns and cities around us. All of 
 you will recollect the re-union of 1859. What multitudes of 
 the native-born returned, on that ever-to-be-remembered jubi- 
 lee, to join with their parents and friends, whom some of them 
 had long since left. It is a source of sincere gratification, that 
 so many of them are occupying honorable and responsible posi- 
 tions in their adopted homes ; and while they may have a ven- 
 eration for the home of their youth, the discouragement of their 
 boyhood days naturally dwells upon their minds, weaning many 
 of them most effectually from that love of their birth-place 
 which a more prosperous condition would have given them. 
 This is true. I have seen many coming home and comparing 
 the energy and business of their new homes with ours; and 
 they and their children have lived long enough to wonder at our 
 want of enterprise, forgetting the causes that had weighed us 
 down. 
 
 The war, now raging with such unparalleled wickedness, 
 over many portions of our once happy country, is producing 
 the same terrible consequences on the enterprise and prosper- 
 ity of many of the once flourishing cities of the South, such as 
 
32 GOV. COZZENS' 
 
 r 
 
 we experienced in the war of the Revolution. I will only in- 
 stance New Orleans, in which I see a duplicate of the sad fate 
 that overtook Newport. From having a levee, full three miles 
 in length, piled up with merchandise and their great staples, 
 with three, and often four hundred ships arid many steamboats, 
 all loading or unloading their valuable cargoes, what do we 
 read ? That business is suspended ; there are no ships, and 
 but few steamboats, except those engaged in the war. The 
 business of a month now, does not equal the business of a day 
 two years ago. A late writer says, " Our little business consists 
 of a few hogsheads of sugar, a few barrels of molasses." With 
 no heart for trade, their only hope may be, that when peace 
 shall once more smile upon them, 'that the greater recuperative 
 power of these times may save them and restore their trade. 
 
 I have trespassed, I fear, upon your patience, and upon the 
 original object of this address, but finding the history of the 
 Long Wharf so closely, identified with the history of Newport, 
 I could not well separate the two. 
 
 In every town or city there are some trusts or gifts of a pub- 
 lic nature, designed by benevolent and liberal minds, to carry 
 out or perpetuate some favorite object, looking forward to 
 results long, perhaps, after they may have passed away ; reflect- 
 ing, oftentimes, in judicious care, consequences far more impor- 
 tant than their authors had ever imagined. Such may be the 
 case before us. The Long Wharf, in Newport, originating first 
 in the 17th century, was improved and enlarged in 1702, by 
 way of promoting the business of the colony and rendering aid 
 to commerce ; again, at sundry times, enlarged and rebuilt, un- 
 til 1796, when the Trust we this day celebrate was formed; and 
 after nearly seventy years under this organization, and almost 
 two centuries of existence, subject to all the vicissitudes and 
 changes of time, we are happy to announce its triumphant 
 
ADDRESS. 33 
 
 entrance upon a new career of usefulness and prosperity, with 
 a new lease of life upon a responsible basis, a contract* having 
 been completed with the Newport and Fall River Railroad 
 Company for the entire control of said wharf, and the rights 
 and privileges of said Trust Corporation, with liberty to enlarge 
 and improve it in any way they please, at their own expense ; 
 the sfid wharf to be continued in good order and at an annual 
 payment of fourteen hundred dollars, which amount (less 
 some small expenses) will be forever hereafter appropriated 
 to the cause of education. 
 
 It has been often said "that men cannot live after they are dead 
 by controlling what they leave behind ;" this is true to a great 
 extent, but men can live in the everlasting gratitude of their 
 fellow-men by a generous disposition of the means that God has 
 given them ; by a liberal founding of some institution of learn- 
 ing or some public benefaction by which their names may be 
 continued in perpetual remembrance by all who come after them. 
 Such is the case of many of those who have been our citizens ; 
 and the name of a Redwood, a Collins, a Touro, a King,f and 
 many others, some of whom have slept for a century, are this 
 day thought of and their noble deeds dwell upon our minds as 
 we celebrate this Trust. As our country increases, and with it 
 an ability to do good, we should encourage a liberal spirit by 
 guarding with paternal care every trust committed to our 
 keeping. 
 
 This Long Wharf Trust is now established upon a basis that 
 we hope will endure for ages. If I could look with a prophetic 
 eye into the future and see even this first lease with its one 
 hundred and forty thousand dollars expended in Public School 
 Houses and education (a result of this Trust), how gladly would 
 I now hold it up to your view, but by a wise Providence that 
 
 * See Appendix C. fSee Appendix, Note JB. 
 
34 GOY. COZZENS' 
 
 privilege is not allowed to mortal man, and happier far are we 
 that it is not. 
 
 And now, fellow-citizens, we have passed in review the history 
 of Newport since the year 1700, in regard to her business char- 
 acter, her prospects, her adversities, with its various changes, 
 and to-day we find ourselves engaged in the interesting duty of 
 dedicating this^ edifice to the high and noble purpose for*which 
 it was erected. We hail it as an auspicious epoch in our pres- 
 ent history. I hope and trust we are on the eve of an import- 
 ant change in the prosperity and character of Newport; those 
 halycon days, which from my earliest recollections have been the ( 
 theme of our constant and unceasing prayers, are beginning to 
 appear. In the adversities and vicisitudes of war, our people 
 lost faith in themselves and almost in their God, and were look- 
 ing forward with anxious solicitude for " somebody " to build us 
 up and set us agoing. I see before me many of our citizens, who 
 can well remember much that I refer to, having lived the allot- 
 ted period of man's life, three score years and ten, and even 
 some yet in their strength who are approaching fourscore years. 
 Yours, my friends, has been a checkered and eventful life ; com- 
 ing on the stage of action at that unfortunate and unhappy 
 period in our history when the ravages and desolations of war 
 had laid portions of your beautiful home in ashes, sacrificing all 
 the accumulations of your fathers, prostrating every enterprise 
 and encouragement to persevere. You naturally partook of its 
 depression and have lived through a long life trusting in " Hope " 
 (the acknowledged and appropriate motto of our State) that you 
 may live to see the dawn of a sure prosperity, in which your 
 descendants (if not yourselves) may realize, amid the unsurpas- 
 sed surroundings of your island home, opportunities for business 
 and success such as this town once before enjoyed. The rail- 
 road, destined soon to connect us with the rest of the world, we 
 
ADDRESS. 35 
 
 hope will do its part; it will save us from that complete 
 isolation which has sometimes befallen us ; it will give us many 
 of those advantages which have built up other places ; it will 
 put us in direct and more reliable communication with Boston, 
 the great central city of New England, and give us facilities for 
 reaching New York, also by railroad. It will help our commerce, 
 bring'to us men of capital to enjoy the thousand blessings which 
 are our portion here, and which have been the admiration of the 
 seeker for health or pleasure for more than a century. 
 
 A late distinguished scholar and orator* of Providence, some 
 twenty years ago, while delivering an address before the Legis- 
 lature and people of Rhode -Island, in speaking of Newport, its 
 general and political character, says " What touching memo- 
 ries does it awaken of the venerated and heroic dead, who once 
 adorned this ancient seat of wealth, and talent, and social 
 elegance, and who now slumber amid these scenes of placid and 
 imperishable beauty." Again, he says " In the vicissitudes of 
 human affairs, Newport has declined from her ancient wealth 
 and splendor ; but within her and around her are left sources 
 of enjoyment which mock the power of time and of change, the 
 living spirit of beauty which pervades her hills and vales, the 
 eternal sublimities which dwell around her shores." 
 
 God speed the time when Newport, with all these surround- 
 ings, may, in the future vicissitudes of human affairs, again 
 assume those early days of wealth and splendor ; and, amid the 
 attractions which live within her, may we not hope that we shall 
 catch the inspiration of the past, the renewed motive power of 
 the present, developing in a successful future this beautiful 
 island, studded all over with cottages and palaces the happy 
 home of a free, enterprising, virtuous, and heaven-protected 
 people. 
 
 * Hon. Wm. G. Goddaid, a Professor in Brown University. 
 26 
 
36 GOV. COZZENS' 
 
 At the conclusion of the foregoing address, Gov. Cozzens 
 turned to His Honor, Mayor Cranston, and the City Council, 
 and spoke as follows : 
 
 Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen of the City Council : 
 
 In the year 1795, thirty-six of the most distinguished merchants 
 of Newport, forming a voluntary association, united in a petition 
 to the General Assembly of the State, representing that the Long 
 Wharf in Newport having been destroyed during the war of 
 the Revolution, was lying waste, and trusting that in time the 
 business of the place may be in some measure restored, asking 
 authority 'as a Board of Trustees to raise by lottery (the pop- 
 ular and universal way to raise money in those days) the sum- 
 of $25,000 to aid in rebuilding said wharf and build a hotel; 
 proposing that all rents and profits that should accrue from said 
 Trust, should be devoted to public schools in Newport. In 
 1798, the town voted their rights in said wharf to the Trustees ; 
 the General Assembly made the grant; the organization was 
 perfected; in time, the wharf was rebuilt. The amount raised 
 by the lottery was not sufficient to build the hotel, nor was it 
 needed, the principal income being required to finish the wharf, 
 and has ever since been expended in widening and improving 
 the property. A small public school was supported by the 
 Trustees from 1815 to 1832, in the house given to the Trustees 
 by Mr. Simeon Potter. At this time, the town having fully 
 established public schools, this school was abandoned. Since 
 then many improvements have been ( made to the wharf, and to- 
 day the present Trustees have invited yon to participate with 
 them in this celebration, and in dedicating this new and sub- 
 stantial edifice to the sacred cause of learning. We have 
 erected it as a memorial in honor of those distinguished men 
 
ADDRESS. 37 
 
 (long since deceased) who originated this Trust, and to those 
 who have since aided in carrying out their benevolent designs. 
 
 We, their successors, to-day, rejoice to meet you in this beau- 
 tiful building and offer you its free use and occupancy so long 
 as it may be required for the purposes of education. We hold 
 that Trust in perpetual succession, and propose to continue our 
 organization, and to expend our means for the noble objects 
 designed by its founders in such a way as will best subserve the 
 cause of public schools, the requirements of the city, and do 
 honor to the memory of all who have so faithfully devoted 
 themselves to promote this most worthy object. 
 
 The Trustees have lately executed a lease of their wharf to 
 the Newport and Fall River Railroad Company for one hundred 
 years, with the privilege of further renewal, the lessees to keep 
 it in repair, and make all such improvements as their business 
 may require at their own expense, free from any cost to the 
 Trustees. So that hereafter, Mr. Mayor, when this building 
 shall all be paid for, we shall have over twelve hundred dollars 
 a year to devote to the general objects of education. 
 
 I have, therefore, the pleasure to inform you that the Chair- 
 man of the Board of Trustees will now place in your hands the 
 keys of this beautiful School House, with all its completeness, 
 trusting it will ever receive the liberal care of the City Gov- 
 ernment and School Committee of Newport, and prove a valu- 
 able addition to the school accommodations of our city. 
 
 PRESENTATION OF KEYS. 
 
 D. Gr. Cook, Esq., then presented the keys to His Honor, 
 Mayor Cranston, with the following rema'rks : 
 
 The Trustees of the Long Wharf, by their vote, have author- 
 ized and requested me, as their Chairman, to place in your 
 hands the keys of this building, which duty it now gives me 
 pleasure to perform. 
 
38 MAYOR CRANSTON'S 
 
 RESPONSE OF MATOE CRANSTON. 
 
 Gov. Cozzens, Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen of the Board of 
 Trustees of the Long Wharf: 
 
 In behalf of the City Council I receive from your Chairman 
 the keys of the noble and well arranged Public School House 
 in which we are assembled. You, as well as your predecessors, 
 are entitled to the thanks of the community for the faithful 
 manner in which your duties have been gratuitously discharged 
 for nearly three-quarters of a century. This building, so archi- 
 tecturally beautiful, and so admirably adapted in all respects for 
 the important purpose for which it is hereafter to be used, will 
 always be a proud monument, attesting the fidelity and liberal- 
 ity of the Trustees, and at the same time, be the educational 
 home where thousands of tender minds will be cultivated and 
 prepared for usefulness in all the duties of future life. Thus I 
 receive it in behalf of the city, and thank you and your associates 
 for all your disinterested labor. Your interesting account of 
 the Trusteeship will be a valuable contribution to the history of 
 our ancient city. 
 
 In proportion as the children are properly educated, will the 
 men and women of each generation be ennobled; as the mind 
 is judiciously cultivated, so is the heart purified, the soul enriched, 
 and the men and women made nobler instruments of God on 
 earth for the accomplishment of his original creative plans. 
 Life is the great alembic in which all the elements of human 
 
ADDRESS. 39 
 
 character are bein severely tried ; and the result of this last 
 great and fearful test will depend very materially upon how the 
 children are educated, and what use they make of that educa- 
 tion. We shall hereafter be, in a measure, responsible for the 
 nature and extent of the means which we provide for this pur- 
 pose; and the recipients will be equally answerable for the 
 manner in which they use the result of those means. Let us 
 earnestly hope that during long years to come, those who are 
 instructed within these walls, will so improve their rich oppor- 
 tunities, as to enable them to enter upon the active duties of 
 life, with the firm purpose to be faithful in all things, and ever 
 continue useful members of society. 
 
 At the conclusion of these remarks, Mayor Cranston turned 
 to the Rev. A. H. Dumont, D. D., Chairman of the Public School 
 
 Committee, and addressed him as follows : 
 
 if 
 
 Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Public School Committee : 
 
 Having received the keys of this noble edifice from the 
 Trustees of the Long Wharf, by whose faithfulness and magnifi- 
 cence it has been erected, it is my duty now, in behalf of the 
 City Council, to deliver them to you. This substantial and 
 admirably arranged building is to be used hereafter for educa- 
 tional purposes, under the management of you and your 
 successors, for years to come. You and your predecessors have 
 labored earnestly, faithfully and gratuitously, for many years, 
 in advancing the cause of education, and training the minds of 
 children, from early youth to early manhood, and thus prepar- 
 ing them to enter properly upon the discharge of the duties 
 which they but indefinitely anticipate, but which we fully realize 
 from experience. 
 
40 MAYOR CRANSTON'S 
 
 A substantial education is the only soli'd basis upon which 
 human character, in its noblest and most useful development, 
 can be established; educate the masses plainly, substantially 
 and thoroughly, teach them to love God and fear his dis- 
 pleasure, to obey willingly all laws, whether divine or human, 
 and forever be loyal on earth, and there will be a race who 
 will fully comply with the divine requirements, especially for 
 peace on earth and good will among men. 
 
 The character of the people of this country, for generations 
 to come, is daily being moulded and formed in the Public 
 Schools and the Sabbath Schools ; these invaluable Institutions 
 are the great earthly nurseries where these seeds of hope and 
 promise, these buds of immortality, are being expanded and 
 ripened into maturity, and prepared for that new garden of 
 Eden where the tempter and 'destroyer can never enter. The 
 responsibility of those to whom these children are entrusted, 
 for the formation and cultivation of their minds, is great and 
 fearful indeed. The hearts, as well as the intellects, of the 
 children should be carefully and thoroughly educated. If you 
 train only the mind if you perfect that, as far as perfection 
 can exist on earth, and neglect the cultivation of the heart, 
 neglect the Bible, neglect the Sabbath School, and desecrate 
 God's holy day of rest, you may raise a nation of intellectual 
 giants, but it will be a nation of moral monsters, whose acts, 
 deeds, and influences will equal, if not exceed, those who lived 
 on earth before the deluge. There is no vice which is so potent 
 and terrible, there is no licentiousness which is so captivating, 
 desolating, and fatal, as that which emanates from a strong 
 and polished mind, which recognizes no power above its own, 
 no paradise but earth, and no pleasure but that which is of the 
 passing moment. If* the people of this country should ever be 
 of that class, a more fearful doom awaits us than that which 
 
ADDRESS. 41 
 
 befel the ancient cities of the East. As you purify and ethereal- 
 ize the individual, so do you elevate and ennoble the national 
 character. There are national as well as individual sins ; and 
 the great Judge of the universe will punish the one as well as 
 the other. Childhood- is the sweet and happy portion of our 
 lives; then only little clouds hover over the delicate brow, and 
 but trifling troubles perplex the tender mind. These buds of 
 innocence have scarcely a care or responsibility, and when the 
 pleasures of the day are over, they lay their weary forms to 
 rest, and are soon lost in slumber, while their souls wander to 
 a beautiful dream-land, where all is fragrant as the blossoming 
 Spring. In the morning they awake, as the early notes of the 
 birds, which are God's little messengers of love and harmony, 
 are breaking upon their ears, making the air melodious with 
 echoes, as it were, of the perfect music of the new Paradise 
 and arise with the sun, refreshed by repose, and with light and 
 glad hearts commence the duties of the day. Thus they pass 
 the early morning of life, until they gradually approach the 
 years of manhood, when cares surround them and anxieties 
 perplex them. Then the whole scene is changed, for they 
 commence the arduous and responsible duties which are imposed 
 on all, and they must perform their part in the great and 
 thrilling drama of human life. The formation of the character . 
 is the most important and responsible trust that-is confided to 
 parents, guardians, and teachers ; and those who execute it with 
 scrupulous fidelity, discharge an onerous duty for which they 
 will be rewarded hereafter in that better land where there will 
 be but one infallible Teacher and one perfect school. 
 
 Into your hands, Mr. Chairman, I deliver these keys, and to 
 you, your associates and successors; entrust this building, with 
 entire confidence that the generosity of the donors will be fully 
 appreciated by all parties interested, and the rich fruits of that 
 generosity enjoyed by generations to come. 
 
42 REV. A. H. DUMONT'S 
 
 Response of Rev. A. H. Dumont, Chairman of Public School 
 
 Committee : 
 
 ^ 
 
 Mr. Mayor ancL Gentlemen of the City Council : 
 
 Among the difficulties which have, at times, surrounded the 
 School Committee, and have hindered their efforts to promote 
 the best interests of the Public Schools, not the least has been 
 that of procuring school-rooms in proper locatio-ns, and adequate 
 to the needs which existed. To this general rule this section of 
 our city has been no exception. 
 
 The inconvenient place, now and for some years, used by the 
 schools of this district, was, at its first occupancy, hailed by the 
 Committee and the people as a very great advance on any pre- 
 vious accommodation. You may easily fancy, sir, what was the 
 gratification and what was, I may add, the gratitude of the Com- 
 mittee and of the inhabitants, of this Ward, when it was 
 announced that the Trustees of the Long Wharf intended to 
 erect a convenient and beautiful house for their accommodation. 
 
 And now, to-day, when we here behold the full execution of 
 that purpose carried out with so much taste and such large lib- 
 erality ; and looking forward, as we well may, to results, which, 
 under the blessing of God, we have a right to expect, we may 
 well be pardoned if our emotions are too mighty for utterance. 
 
 Philanthropists, who, for successive years, are brought into 
 constant intercourse with young minds in their course of educa- 
 tion, and who have culture and intelligence enough to appreciate 
 the influence of comfort and beauty in the development of mind 
 and heart, must rejoice in the. help which such appliances as 
 these,, so artistically and tastefully arranged, will furnish for the 
 carrying on of the work of drawing out, improving and adorning 
 the mental faculties of those entrusted to their care. 
 
ADDRESS. 43 
 
 I can speak with knowledge and with confidence of the deep 
 solicitude with which these, my associates, have looked forward 
 to this hour and to these services which assure us that the 
 grand and holy purpose of these Trustees is completed. I can 
 vouch for their gratitude ; and I believe that, by this good work, 
 they will be stimulated to devote their best efforts to fulfil the 
 ultimate object of these generous givers, namely, the cultivation 
 of immortal minds for usefulness and happiness. 
 
 In the name of the Public School Committee, in the name of 
 the present and future generations of parents and children who 
 are to reap the benefits of this god-like act, I thank these 
 Trustees of the Long Wharf for what they have done ; and I 
 thank you, sir, and your associates of the City Council, for 
 what you have done, cheerfully done, and for what you are still 
 willing to do, for the blessed cause of Public Schools. 
 
 At this point, Governor Cozzens stated to the audience that 
 the State Commissioner of Public Schools, Henry Rousmaniere, 
 Esq., was present, a Newport boy, whom he well remembered 
 in his school days, and he took great pleasure, in introducing 
 him on this interesting occasion. Mr. Rousmaniere stepped 
 forward and addressed the audience as follows : 
 
 Ladies and Gentlemen : 
 
 I am here, as a native of Newport, to express emotions 
 which are as much yours as mine. I am here also, as a humble 
 brother in the great brotherhood of educators, to utter a few 
 words of congratulation upon the dedication of this noble tem- 
 ple. He, whose young heart deeply loved beauty in art and 
 nature, has a right in manhood to confess his love. Standing 
 in the midst of this attentive throng, and surrounded by this 
 27 
 
44 MR. ROUSMANIERE'S 
 
 beautiful scenery, my soul, growing warm under the sunshine of 
 the recollections of schoolboy pleasures, almost melts itself into 
 words as I speak. 
 
 It seems but yesterday that we were schoolboys together, 
 wandering during holidays over fields or on the beach. We 
 generally tried to excel in our studies. If occasionally lazy, 
 our teachers reminded us of the giants, all sons of Newport, 
 whose manly voices were then echoing in yonder State House, 
 or neighboring church. These appeals ran like a thrill of joy 
 through our jaded nerves. You, my young friends, are ad- 
 dressed by the same stirring voices. The same bright exam- 
 ples of genius, married to learning, appeal to your desire for 
 distinction. Listening to the traditions of your fathers, your 
 ears may still catch the polished language and classic sentiments 
 of a Hunter. The silence of the library is broken for you, by 
 the sainted Channing, as he discourses in a strain so etherial as 
 to lead good men to love the writer, though they do not sympa- 
 thize with his theology ; to listen to the preacher, though they 
 do not embrace his doctrines. 
 
 You, my young friends, are admonished to do your duty in 
 school, by the successful examples of many others, who were 
 once, as you are now, humble scholars ; but though their bodies 
 sleep quietly under the earth, yet their fame will know no 
 grave. 
 
 To-day, in your behalf, our mature minds send up blessings 
 to the Almighty Giver of light and grace, for this school-edifice, 
 so much more commodious than those which invited our school- 
 boy footsteps. To-day our heart of hearts rejoices that you are 
 to receive, within these spacious rooms, literary instruction far 
 more appropriate than that which partially moulded our young 
 minds. 
 
 I conjure you, the pupils of these schools, in the hearing of 
 
ADDRESS. 45 
 
 my voice, to achieve success in your studies. Lay down at 
 once a wise plan for the disposal of your leisure hours. Cling 
 to your books, as the greatest poet of Portugal clung to his epic 
 poem, clinching it between his teeth, as he swam from a sinking 
 ship, safely ashore. Perseverance will not always insure 
 wealth or happiness. But perseverance will create usefulness, 
 respectability, and power. Poverty may dog your steps. Lux- 
 ury may frown at you on the sidewaljks. School Committees 
 may pronounce you stupid. Even your teacher, tired by your 
 perverseness, may lose all sympathy for you. Yet, remember 
 that he who has a strong will holds his destiny in his own 
 hands, either for good or ill. Sixty years ago, there was a lad 
 in Massachusetts who was denounced as a hopeless reprobate 
 by the School Committee, by the Trustees, and by several 
 teachers. At last there came a new teacher ; he was advised 
 to turn this lad out of school. Even the father declared his 
 son was incorrigible. But the teacher had no little experience 
 in human nature ; he treated the castaway firmly, but gently. 
 He complimented him the first day of the term j the lad looked 
 up astonished, for he feared a rough blow, instead of kind 
 words. It is not necessary to narrate particularly the steps of 
 this scholar from despair to hope, from a bad to a good reputa- 
 tion. Do you not know the name of this unpromising scholar ? 
 It was the distinguished statesman of New York, William L. 
 Marcy,* so eminent as a Senator in Congress, so able a Secre- 
 tary of State in James K. Folk's administration. 
 
 Begin, my young friends, now to build up in yourselves the 
 elements of a substantial character. Another generation of 
 youth shall be inspired by your deeds to work bravely, and 
 speak honestly, for their native State and beloved country. 
 
 * This gentleman was at one time a teacher in Eleazer Trevett's school, in 
 Newport. 
 
46 ME. ROUSMANIERE'S 
 
 Never make a promise to be broken; never learn a fact 
 without ascertaining the cause of it. Never adopt a belief 
 without argument. Never dislike a person without cultivating 
 charity. 
 
 This, fellow citizens, is not a proper time to go into a minute 
 investigation of the errors in plans of instruction. I shall 
 allude to a few briefly. There is the old idea, not yet dead, that 
 the mind, like a log of wood, can be chopped into any form. 
 Such was the vagary of the Hindoos who made war on the 
 instincts of human nature by their system of caste, thereby 
 depriving individuals of happiness, and the nation of independ- 
 ence. The dreams of Plato for a state of perfection are sub- 
 lime in theory, but absurd in practice. Lancaster foolishly fan- 
 cied that he, by his flying artillery of monitors, could create 
 genius, change nature, and install mere art as the deity of the 
 school room. His scheme was a miserable abortion. Equally 
 disastrous will all efforts be to level the distinctions of genius, 
 and reduce the growth of immortal minds to a mere mechanical 
 routine. There is too much routine even in the best plans. 
 Too much homage is paid to the lifeless form of words, and too 
 little to the living soul of thought. The mere memory is often 
 honored with almost divine worship, while the analytic and 
 creative faculties make but a few proselytes. Instruction is 
 often levelled so as to render the higher faculties of children 
 almost stagnant. 
 
 True education fills the memory with facts, infuses a larger 
 life into the reason, and brims the moral affections with truth. 
 Education aspires to lead men to think well and act nobly. 
 How miserable that system of cramming which hurled Lord 
 Byron upon a world which he hated, and which in return hated 
 him. His passions were gorged, and his moral nature starved. 
 He was like a ship on fire on an ocean of gunpowder. 
 
ADDRESS. 47 
 
 What was the real value of the instruction which brought 
 forth Edgar Poe in agony, and nursed him with food so bitter 
 as to pervert his whole moral taste ? His sensual passions sank 
 him to a level with the brute, yet his imagination was so lofty 
 that no modern eagle has scaled its dizzy height. 
 
 The main aim of education ought to be to elevate the moral 
 affections, and thus promote the happiness of the race. The 
 cultivation of the memory, or of any single faculty, cannot avail 
 much. To achieve the desired result, knowledge must be per- 
 fumed with reason and baptized with conscience. Education 
 ought also to pour showers of light on all the practical affairs 
 of life. It ought to give dignity to labor and self-respect to the 
 laborer. Knowledge must be taught to work in low positions 
 without shame, and in high ones without vanity ; or, in other 
 words, nothing is low that is right, and nothing is high that is 
 false. Education ought not only to cause two blades of grass 
 to grow where but one grew before, but it ought to root the 
 weeds of avarice out of public opinion, so that it would be a 
 disgrace for one to grow rich by thrusting the roots of usury 
 into the calamities of our country. Education ought to develop 
 the individuality of each person, making his opinions his 
 own as much as his face is his own. Men ought to be taught to 
 think, not in mobs, not in masses, but singly, individually ; for 
 every man is an orb, revolving, not around other human orbs, 
 but, around a great central sun, and that sun is eternity. 
 
 Education ought to prove that there is a law of progress in 
 the human mind. The oracle of that progress is neither fash- 
 ion, nor faction, nor self. The law of progress cannot be 
 expounded by bigotry, nor analyzed by fanaticism. Progress has 
 its home in minds that have fathomed their weaknesses, hus- 
 banded their strength, and know how (whether it is fashionable 
 or unfashionable) to be magnanimous even to an enemy, chari- 
 
48 MR. ROUSMANIERE'S ADDRESS. 
 
 table of others' motives, .self-possessed in moments of general 
 frenzy, and heroic at all times. So far as education does not 
 seek to unfold the law of progress, it commits a grave error. 
 Education can show that progress is never visionary nor pre- 
 sumptuous. What is new, if not practical, is of little value. 
 The school house ought to be the vestibule of the structure of 
 progress. 
 
 May all the institutions of learning in this city send every 
 year into the community graduates grounded in every excel- 
 lence. To physical beauty may they add moral loveliness ; to 
 grace of body may they unite flexibility and grace of mind. 
 May these schools always be in practice, what they are designed 
 to be be in theory, the nurseries of good men and fair women ; 
 every hour being an advance toward virtue, justice, and patriot- 
 ism. When those who are now teachers shall be removed to 
 other stations, and those now scholars shall become teachers, 
 may the change, in each instance, be an increase of happiness ; 
 and when you assemble in the High School in Heaven, where 
 Jesus is the Teacher, may all look back to these schools as the 
 first step in the revolution whereby hope began to bud into 
 reality, knowledge blossom into faith, and time flower into 
 eternity. 
 
 The Rev. William S. Child, Rector of Zion Church, then pro- 
 nounced a benediction, when these deeply interesting services 
 were brought to a close. The citizens were then invited to 
 examine the different departments of the building, which elicited 
 general satisfaction. 
 
APPENDIX A. 
 
 HISTOKICAL MEMORANDA. 
 
 Historical reminiscences of Newport, which are alluded to in portions of 
 this address, with others of interest, considered appropriate in this 
 connection and ivorth preserving. 
 
 The first newspaper printed in this State, was the Rhode Island Gazette, 
 at Newport, in 1732; this was the fourth in New England. The first pub- 
 lished in New York, was in 1733, Weekly Journal. The Newport Mercury, 
 which is now in a more flourishing condition than ever, commenced June, 
 1758, and has been published ever since, excepting from December 2, 1776, to 
 January 5, 1780, about three years, while the town was in the hands of the 
 British, during which period it was suppressed. 
 
 In 1737, Newport contained seven churches, viz, one Episcopal, two Con- 
 gregational, two Baptist, one Seventh Day Baptist, and one for Quakers. 
 
 In 1742, the most elegant and expensive mansion in New England, if not 
 in America, was erected near Miantonomi Hill, on the spot now occupied by 
 the residence of the family of the late J. Prescott Hall. It was built for, 
 and occupied by, Godfrey Malbone, then doing an extensive business here ; 
 he was considered the wealthiest and principal merchant of those days on 
 this continent. The house was destroyed by fire on the 17th June, 1766, 
 during the preparation for a dinner party, to be given to a number of distin- 
 guished people, then on a visit to Newport. Mr. Malbone died in 1768. 
 
 In 1749, the clearances at the House of Customs on foreign voyages, were 
 one hundred and sixty, and entries of arrivals, seventy-five. 
 
 1750. October 20th. A remonstrance was sent from this town, passed in 
 town meeting, to the General Assembly, against the proposed emission of 
 paper money, stating that the town of Newport, the first and largest town 
 
50 APPENDIX A. 
 
 in the colony, did not see any necessity for any such emission of bills, and in 
 a most forcible, elaborate, and business-like document, portrayed its evil 
 consequences ; this paper covers several pages on the town records of 1750, 
 but is somewhat imperfect, in its being copied from the original record, which 
 was sunk at Hurl Gate, near New York, alluded to elsewhere. It was really 
 a very able document, and is well suited to the condition of our country even 
 at the present time. 
 
 1753. It was estimated at this time that there were over three hundred 
 sail of vessels, from sixty tons and upwards, owned in Newport. 
 
 1755. Newport contained 6,754 inhabitants, not including all doing 
 business as seamen, who were absent at the time of taking the census. 
 Providence contained 3,159. 
 
 1758. August. To show the estimate that the General Assembly of the 
 Colony placed upon Newport, it appears that they voted an appropriation of 
 ten thousand pounds sterling towards building and fortifying Fort George, 
 provided the town of Newport would vote five thousand more. The town 
 meeting called for this purpose thought this very unreasonable, and appoint- 
 ed a committee to draw up an address, requiring the Assembly to appro- 
 priate more money, and show reason why Newport should be taxed so much . 
 
 1759. The Assembly ordered a State tax, in which Newport was assessed 
 2,200, and Providence 667. The members from Newport protested 
 against the assessment as unequal, and further representing that the 
 merchants of Newport had lost over two millions of money since the com- 
 mencement of the present war the French war. 
 
 1761. An account taken of the number of houses in Newport at this 
 time, shows there were 888 dwellings, and 439 warehouses and other build- 
 ings. 
 
 1763. The Jewish Synagogue, on Touro Street, being finished, was dedi- 
 cated this year on the 2d of December, to the God of Abraham, with great 
 pomp and magnificence, according to the custom of the Hebrews. There 
 were at this time over sixty families of Jews in Newport, among them many 
 merchants of great wealth and enterprise. 
 
 1769. The first act of violence and resistance to the British authorities 
 in America, took place at Newport this year, in the destruction of the sloop 
 Liberty, one of His Majesty's armed vessels stationed here. 
 
 1771. The English armed vessels stationed and rendezvoused at Newport 
 at this time, consisted of two frigates and nine ships of war. 
 
 1774. A census of the Colony this year. Whole number in the Colony 
 59,628, viz: 54,435 whites, 1,432 Indians, 3,761 negroes. Newport con- 
 
MEMORANDA. 51 
 
 tained 9,209 ; Providence 4,321 ; this only included persons actually in the 
 place at the time of taking the census. Seamen, of which so many belonged 
 to Newport, and all others absent, were not taken into the account ; those 
 added would have increased the population of the town to about 12 000. 
 
 Resolutions were sent this year to the town of Boston, in regard to the 
 order of Parliament, to shut up their port, when it was done ; a town meet- 
 ing was called, and it was voted to instruct our deputies to use their utmost 
 influence at the approaching session of the General Assembly to procure and 
 offer relief to the inhabitants of said town of Boston, making common cause 
 with their sufferings. 
 
 1775. The harbor and bay of Newport were at this time occupied by a 
 large number of vessels of war, which not only resorted here, as the most 
 commodious and convenient, but most important naval station on the whole 
 coast ; also with a view to a strict enforcement of the revenue laws at this 
 then most important port of importation. In view of the great danger now 
 being apprehended, large numbers of the inhabitants, including many of the 
 principal merchants, removed from Newport, and established themselves in 
 other and more inland places. 
 
 1776. On the first of December, seventy sails of British men-of-war and 
 transports arrived in Narragansett Bay, destined for Newport ; they came in 
 by the west passage, around the north end of Conanicut, and during the 
 week they landed eight or ten thousand men in Newport, or near by, at 
 Middle town ; several regiments landed on this Long Wharf; this was by far 
 the most serious affliction we ever experienced, remaining in Newport, and on 
 the Island, as they did, long enough to destroy everything around them. 
 During the operations of the hostile armies, a great part of the Island was 
 rendered a scene of desolation ; all the houses situated between the two 
 armies were burnt; orchards full of fruit trees were cut down, wells filled 
 up, and every damage that could be imagined was done, by order of the 
 British Commander. 
 
 1779. On the morning of Monday October 25, while the British troops 
 were preparing to evacuate the town, a proclamation was made, requiring 
 the inhabitants to keep within their houses during the day, on pain of death 
 for disobedience. 
 
 The French fleet that arrived here in July, proved a great acquisition ; at 
 every movement they made, the officers of the British vessels became alarmed, 
 and on one occasion three frigates and many other vessels were run on shore 
 and fired ; others were sunk for the purpose of obstructing the channel. 
 
 The particulars connected with the removal of the army, and all their ord- 
 28 
 
52 APPENDIX A. 
 
 nance and stores, together with the condition of the town, is deeply interest- 
 ing, and would make a chapter of itself. One of the most serious and wicked 
 acts, was removing all the Town and Probate records, which were taken 
 away in one of the transports. This act was ascribed to some of the Royalists 
 who it was supposed intended to hold them for the purpose of making their 
 peace at some future time. The vessel in which the records were shipped, 
 was sunk in Hurl Gate near New York, by which accident they were nearly 
 all destroyed, having laid a long time under water. 
 
 1780. The General Assembly met at Newport, for the first time after the 
 evacuation of the Island, in September, and the session was held in the 
 Redwood Library. The State House, having been -used for barracks, and 
 hospitals, was in shocking condition and needed repairs, etc. 
 
 This was the year also of the celebrated cold winter, for forty days ; the 
 poor and suffering inhabitants who had escaped the dangers of war, experi- 
 enced the greatest distress for fuel, which could not be had; the old buildings, 
 wharf logs, and every other expedient was resorted to ; the Long Wharf, 
 although previously destroyed to the water's edge, was this year stripped of 
 everything in the shape of a log, that would burn, even though under water 
 and very difficult to procure. 
 
 In 1782, the Town Council of Newport made application to Gen. Carlton, 
 in command of New York, for the return of the Town records, which had 
 been taken away at the evacuation of the town in 1779. In December they 
 were returned under a flag of truce, with a polite letter from Gen. 0., 
 expressing his sorrow for the damage they had sustained by the sinking of 
 the transport, and their having lain three years without examination. When 
 received, they were in such a dilapidated condition that there was not energy 
 enough in our people to attempt their restoration by re-copying ; occasionally 
 they were resorted to, by some persevering; patient seeker for establishing a 
 title, or proving a claim. It was not until December, 1857, the authorities 
 deemed it an object to make a thorough re-copy of all that could be saved 
 from the records of the Town Meetings, by which nearly one half has been 
 rescued, and that only in part, as portions of almost every line, and of every 
 page, are imperfect ; frequently five or ten pages together, perfectly unintelli- 
 gible. The real estate and Probate records, consisting of over thirty large 
 volumes, were so completely water-soaked, and rotted and matted together, 
 that when opened, they crumbled to pieces, and not a single leaf could be 
 made out perfect ; they are preserved in the record office in this shape, sick- 
 ening to behold, and almost useless, so far as proving any title, or being of 
 any ^service. 
 
MEMORANDA. 53 
 
 1784. A French squadron arrived here on the 22d September, and on the 
 24th October General Lafayette arrived as the guest of General Greene. 
 This year -the General Assembly instructed their delegates in Congress to 
 procure the consent of that body, to hold their next meeting at Newport, 
 and offered to furnish suitable buildings. On the 26th May, Mr. Ellery, one 
 of the delegates, moved that Congress adjourn to meet in Newport, on the 
 26th October. After some debate, Newport was stricken out, and Trenton, 
 New Jersey, was substituted. 
 
 1785. One John Goodrich, senior, an American refugee, arrived in 
 Newport soon after the peace, and asked liberty to settle here with his family, 
 and become an inhabitant of the town, offering, in case permission was 
 granted, to bring twenty sail of vessels which he owned, and establish himself 
 in mercantile business ; but as he had taken an active part during the war , 
 in fitting out privateers, etc., the town voted, by a large majority, that he 
 should not be allowed to settle in the place. 
 
 From 1775 to 1800 the newspapers contain a most wonderful amount of 
 obituary, and biographical notices of the death of the early merchants of 
 Newport; some of them of 'a very interesting character, showing their 
 position, the extent of their business, etc., and what is particularly noticea- 
 ble, the large number of them that died in other cities, and inland towns, 
 whither they had retreated during the troublous days of the Revolution. 
 
 1798. August 21. The frigate Constitution, Captain Barry, arrived at 
 Newport. This is the identical old ironsides, that is now stationed opposite 
 the end of Long Wharf, moored at Fort Wolcott, and used as one of the school 
 ships of the Naval Academy, looking as young as she probably did on her 
 first trip to Newport, sixty-five years ago really she is a veteran. 
 
 1805. A new line of packet ships was started again, to ply between here and 
 Charleston, South Carolina. From this time, also, there were many vessels en- 
 gaged in the Russia trade. Their cargoes of iron were principally landed on the 
 Long Wharf. Business generally seemed to be reviving, when it was sadly 
 interrupted by the embargo of 1808. From this time, a general depression 
 again came over our merchants, and for several years, they labored under 
 great disadvantages. During these years, the Long Wharf was very much 
 used. So many of the old wharves having been destroyed, this wharf, and 
 the stores that had been built thereon, were very much in demand ; but the 
 continued decline from 1812 to 1832, offers but few incidents sufficiently 
 important to notice in this connection. Since 1832, Newport has been im- 
 proving again, having attracted men of wealth from the surrounding cities. 
 They have been, and are purchasing lots, and building houses ; and in time, 
 
54 APPENDIX A. 
 
 we hope that they, or their children, will realize, in their adopted home, the 
 advantages of our harbor and bay for commerce, and thus aid in restoring the 
 commercial prosperity that Newport once enjoyed. 
 
 There are many very striking and interesting incidents in the history of 
 these times, that would, no doubt, give great satisfaction to the readers of this 
 Appendix. I have made a few selections which have a particular bearing upon 
 the Long Wharf, and other points suggested in this address, hoping that 
 some one may yet conceive the magnanimous idea of compiling and printing, 
 in book form, the historic, chronological account of material occurrences, 
 from the first settlement of Newport, collected and prepared by the late Hon. 
 Henry Bull, which has been inserted, in small doses, in the venerable New- 
 port Mercury, during the past few years, adding to it all matters of interest 
 that might be gathered from other sources. There is enough to make a book 
 that would be valued beyond calculation, and would serve to hand down 
 to future generations the events of two hundred years, with its traditions, the 
 character of the men who once lived, flourished, and died on this beautiful 
 island. I commend this object to the attention of my fellow citizens, hoping 
 it will be done, and well done. 
 
APPENDIX B 
 
 Abraham Redwood, the founder and liberal patron of the Redwood Library, 
 came from Antigua and settled in Newport early in the last century ; he 
 died March 8, 1788, at the age of 79 years. 
 
 Henry Collins, a distinguished merchant and native of Newport, was born 
 in 1699. Possessed of great liberality and enterprise, he was at the head 
 of every public improvement in Newport the extension of the Long Wharf, 
 the building of the Brick Market, &c., &c. His gift of the beautiful lot of 
 land on which the Redwood Library was erected, in 1748, will more, perhaps, 
 than any other of his liberal deeds, perpetuate his name and virtues through 
 unnumbered generations. One hundred and fifteen years have already 
 passed since that generous gift was made ; the parchment deed of which has 
 lately been framed, and suspended on the walls of the library. This library, 
 now enlarged, renewed, and placed on a more substantial basis than ever 
 before, may for hundreds of years to come continue to present, in ever living 
 freshness, the name of its munificent benefactor. Mr. Collins died in 1770. 
 
 Abraham and Judah Touro, both sons of Isaac Touro, were born in New- 
 port, Abraham in 1774, Judah in 1775 ; they were of the Jewish faith and 
 order. Abraham became an eminent merchant of Boston, and at his death, 
 in 1822, bequeathed liberal sums of money to keep in perpetual repair the 
 Jewish Synagogue in Newport, and the street which bears his name. Judah 
 established himself in New Orleans, became one of her heaviest merchants, 
 and most munificent benefactors. At his death, in 1854, he, too, remembered 
 the land of his birth, and the graves of his ancestors. The splendid fence 
 around the Jewish cemetery was built at his expense, and he bequeathed 
 ample means to keep it and the cemetery in repair forever. His bequest to 
 the City of Newport, of ten thousand dollars, towards the purchase of the 
 Stone Mill Lot, now Touro Park ; also gifts to the Redwood Library, and 
 an endowment to the Synagogue. These numerous instances of their benev- 
 
56 APPENDIX B. 
 
 olence and generosity will establish their lives and character beyond the 
 rust of time, and while Newport lasts, their names will never be forgotten. 
 Their remains were both brought to Newport, for interment in the Jewish 
 cemetery on Touro Street. 
 
 Charles B. King, a native of Newport, born 1786, died in Washington, 
 B.C., March, 1862, always retaining a strong affection for his birth place. 
 His magnificent donations and bequests to the Redwood Library, in Newport, 
 of all his books, his engravings and plates, with a gallery of upwards of 
 two hundred pictures ; besides one-quarter of all the residuary interest in 
 his estate ; yielding, as it will, nearly ten thousand dollars in cash, together 
 with an equal interest in his residuary estates (ten thousand dollars more) to 
 the Young Ladies' High School, in Newport ; are remembrances which his- 
 tory will ever perpetuate, when the marble tablet will be defaced and cor- 
 roded by time, and the pure interest of affection shall have outlived itself! 
 
APPENDIX C. 
 
 ABSTEACT 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 RECOED OF THE LONG WHARF TRUSTEES, 
 
 PREPARED BY DAVID G. COOK, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. 
 
 1795. January. The first Record in the book of the doings of the 
 Trustees of the Long Wharf, Hotel, and Public School, is a copy of the 
 Act of the General Assembly, passed at the January session, 1795. It 
 authorizes thirty-six persons, whose names are as follows : Henry Marchant, 
 George Gibbs, George Champlin, Christopher Champlin, James Robinson, 
 Peleg Clarke, Henry Sherburne, John Bours, Oliver Warner, John Handy, 
 Francis Malbone, Daniel Mason, Ethan Clarke, Christopher Fowler, Simeon 
 Martin, Thomas Dennis, John L. Boss, Samuel Vernon, Junior, Christopher 
 Ellery, Christopher G. Champlin, William Ellery, Junior, Daniel Lyman, 
 Isaac Senter, Benjamin Mason, Aaron Sheffield, William Littlefield, Silas 
 Deane, Audley Clarke, Constant Taber, Caleb Gardner, Nathan Bebee, 
 Moses Seixas, Nicholas Taylor, Walter Channing, Archibald Crary, and 
 Robert Rogers, to set forth a scheme to raise by Lottery $25,000 for rebuild- 
 ing the Long Wharf, in Newport, and for building a hotel ; and they were 
 authorized to appoint managers for said Lottery, and that they, or any eleven 
 of them, were authorized to appropriate the money so raised, for the rebuild- 
 ing of the Long Wharf, and hotel, and that the said thirty-six persons be 
 
58 APPENDIX C. 
 
 appointed Trustees, for the management and direction of the said Long 
 "Wharf and hotel, and for receiving the rents and profits thereof, the net 
 amount of which, after deducting the charges and repairs on the same, to be 
 appropriated to the building and support of one or more public schools, for 
 the use and benefit of the children in said town, in such manner as the said 
 thirty-six Trustees may direct. 
 
 In case of vacancy by death, resignation, or otherwise, of any of the 
 Trustees, the person or persons to succeed to such vacancy shall be chosen by a 
 majority of votes of the surviving Trustees ; provided, that no such choice 
 shall be made until the Trustees are reduced to a less number than twenty* 
 one, which is always to be the number of Trustees. 
 
 1795. February 14. At the first meeting of the Trustees, Henry Mar- 
 chant was Chairman, and Moses Seixas, Secretary, five of the Trustees were 
 appointed a Committee to report a scheme for a Lottery ; four others were 
 appointed to inquire into the rights by which the Long Wharf is held, and 
 in what manner a cession of the fee can be made to the Trustees. The Act 
 of the Assembly was ordered to be published in the Newport Mercury, and 
 the Trustees were to be notified to meet at Mr. Roger's Academy, the 
 next Wednesday, at 6 P. M. 
 
 February 18. Twenty-one Trustees met. Voted, That George Gibbs and 
 George Champlin be appointed Managers, and that they give bond to the 
 State, for the faithful performance of the Trust, and that they be reimbursed 
 their expenses, and compensated for their services. 
 
 Moses Seixas was appointed Secretary to the Board of Trustees, and to be 
 compensated for his services. It was Voted, That the quantum for com- 
 pensation to the Managers of the Lottery, and Secretary, shall be determined 
 by the Trustees. 
 
 William Marchant and Daniel Lyman were appointed to draft a Charter 
 for the Incorporation of the Trustees. 
 
 The Committee to examine into the rights and title to the Long Wharf, to 
 be continued, and as soon as they can ascertain the same, they are to consult 
 with Mr Marchant and Mr. Lyrnan as to the best mode of procuring the 
 cession of the fee to be invested in the Trustees, and that they report the 
 draft of cession, conveyance, and acts necessary, to the Trustees. 
 
 Voted, That a meeting of the Trustees be convened whenever the Secretary 
 and Managers, either of the- Committee, or eleven of the Trustees, may think 
 proper. 
 
 1795. Feb. 25. A committee was appointed to notify G. Gibbs and G. 
 Champlin of their appointment as Managers of the Lottery, and to make 
 
LONG WHARF. 59 
 
 report at the next meeting. The Secretary was directed to wait upon each 
 person appointed by the Legislature to set forth a scheme for the Lottery, 
 and those who have not met or acted, be requested to declare their acceptance 
 or rejection of their appointment. The thanks of the Trustees were voted to 
 Col. Robert Rogers, for the use of his academy. 
 
 March 2. At at a meeting of the Trustees, the Committee reported that 
 George Champlin and George Gibbs accept their appointment as Managers of 
 the Lottery. Five others reject their appointment, and three more were 
 absent, and were so previous to the meeting of the first Board. 
 
 Sept, 9. At a meeting of the Trustees, G. Gibbs and G. Champlin having 
 reported to the meeting that Simeon Potter, Esq. had, by Deed of Gift, made 
 a donation of two lots of land, on Easton's Point in Newport, with a dwell- 
 ing-house and store thereon, to be combined with the Fund to be established 
 by the Newport Long Wharf and Public School Lottery, for the support of 
 Public Schools in this town; it was therefore unanimously 
 
 Voted and Resolved, That G Gibbs and G. Champlin be requested to 
 present the thanks of the Trustees to Simeon Potter, Esq. for his liberal 
 donation, and to assure him that it shall be inviolably appropriated to the 
 establishment and support of Public Schools, he has so generously patron- 
 ized. 
 
 THE FOLLOWING IS A COPY OF MR. POTTER'S LETTER. 
 
 SWANSEY, May 16, 1795. 
 MESSRS. GEORGE GIBBS AND GEORGE CHAMPLIN: 
 
 Gentlemen: I saw in the Boston Centinel, a scheme of a Lottery, for the 
 laudable intention of rebuilding the Long Wharf in Newport, the building a 
 Hotel, and more especially establishing a Free School, which has determined 
 me to make a free gift of my estate on the Point called Easton's Point, 
 which came to me by way of mortgage, for a debt due from Hays and Pol- 
 lock ; if you will accept of it in Trust to support a Free School forever, for 
 the advantage of the poor children of every denomination, and to be under 
 the same regulations as you desired the Free School should be that you design 
 to erect. If you, gentlemen, will please to get a deed wrote agreeably to the 
 intentions here manifested, I will sign and acknowledge the same, and send 
 it to you for recording. I would only mention that if the situation is agree- 
 able to you, the house and garden would do for a schoolmaster, and the oil 
 29 
 
60 APPENDIX C. 
 
 house, which is large, might be fitted up for the school house. This as you 
 may think proper. There is no person here that understands writing such a 
 deed, or I would have sent it to you completely executed, 
 lam, gentlemen, with respect, 
 
 Your very humble servant, 
 
 SIMEON POTTER. 
 
 Voted, That Thomas Dennis and John L. Boss, be requested to take 
 charge of the house, store, and land, presented by Simeon Potter, lo rent 
 the same, and appropriate the rents to the repairs, in such manner as they 
 may deem most advantageous. 
 
 Voted, That G. Champlin, J. Robinson, and D. Lyman, be requested to 
 apply to the Society of Friends in this town, and solicit a relinquishment of 
 the quitrent on said lots. 
 
 The Managers of the Lottery proposed to fix the drawing of the Lottery 
 for the first Thursday of January next, which was agreed to by the Board. 
 
 1796. Nov. 20. At a meeting of the Trustees, in consequence of several 
 of the proprietors of the Long Wharf (east of Gravelly Point) having vol- 
 untarily offered, for themselves, and given encouragement that the whole of 
 the proprietors would relinquish to the Trustees, for the public uses they 
 were appointed for, all the right, title, and interest the present proprietors 
 have in and to that part of the Long Wharf from the west side of Gravelly 
 Point to the channel west of it, therefore, it is 
 
 Voted and Resolved, That, J. L. Boss and three others be appointed a 
 Committee to apply to said proprietors for a cession of the same to this 
 Trusteeship, to and for the public uses they were appointed for ; and that 
 upon such cession, with a legal title to that part of the wharf west of Grav- 
 elly Point, if the proprietors will stipulate to put and keep in good repair 
 that part of the Long Wharf eastward of Gravelly Point, which shall be 
 retained by them ; that then the Trustees will, immediately after the open- 
 ing of the spring, commence to rebuild the aforesaid part of the Long Wharf 
 so ceded to them, and keep the same in good repair. The Committee are 
 also to inform the said proprietors that unless a legal and absolute title or 
 cession shall be made to the Trustees, they cannot undertake the rebuilding 
 of the wharf. An immediate answer is required, in order that the Trustees 
 may govern themselves accordingly. 
 
 Adjourned to Monday evening, 5th December. 
 
LONG WHARF. 61 
 
 December 5. At the meeting, no quorum being present, no business was 
 done. 
 
 The Committee observe, that from the number of unsettled acounts, it is 
 impossible to ascertain what prizes have not been demanded within the time 
 limited by the scheme ; but when their accounts are finally closed, the Lot- 
 tery will be benefitted by the amount of all prizes which shall not have been 
 paid by the managers, or persons who have sold shares and tickets on account 
 of the Lottery. 
 
 The committee appointed to expend the rents of the school house in re- 
 pairs, report that there is now due $118.33. 
 
 Voted, That all the rents that may be due for six months for the school 
 house be expended in repairs, the balance to be paid from the funds of the 
 Lottery. 
 
 A committee was appointed to report apian for rebuilding the Long Wharf, 
 and an estimate of the cost. 
 
 The proprietors of Easton's Point released and quitclaimed the two lots 
 given by Simeon Potter from all demands for quitrent, by deed dated March 
 5, 1796, to the Trustees, called in the deed, " The Newport Incorporated 
 School Committee." 
 
 1798. March 22. At a meeting, the Committee to adjust the accounts of 
 the Managers of the Lottery, made the following report : 
 
 That they have examined and adjusted said accounts and find 
 
 there is deposited in the Bank of Rhode Island, $6,576 17 
 
 Balance of accounts and notes deposited in said Bank for collection, 5,973 97 
 
 Making, $12,550 14 
 
 There is no record of how much was realized from the accounts and notes 
 above mentioned, out of which there will be a small deduction for charges on 
 the sale of shares and tickets. They report that the Lottery, on the part of 
 the Managers, has been conducted with the most perfect regularity and 
 punctuality, and they have generously relinquished their commissions for 
 their management, and they, in the opinion of the Committee, highly merit 
 the thanks of the Trustees and the public. 
 
 The report was unanimously accepted and the substance ordered to be 
 published in the Newport Mercury, with the thanks of the Trustees to Messrs. 
 G. Gibbs and G. Champlin for their faithfulness in the management of the 
 Lottery, and for their generosity in declining to accept any commission or 
 compensation. 
 
62 APPENDIX C. 
 
 Resolved, That the moneys standing in the names of the Managers on the 
 books of the bank be transferred to the credit of the Trustees at said bank. 
 
 The Committee are also directed to receive all notes and unsettled accounts 
 of the Lottery, and to call for payment thereof, as soon as may be, and deposit 
 the cash as collected in the Bank of Rhode Island, in the name of the Trustees. 
 
 Resolved, That Messrs. Gibbs and Champlin be discharged from their 
 responsibility as Managers, an^ that application be made to the Legislature 
 that the bonds given to the State be surrendered to them and cancelled. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee appointed for obtaining the right and title 
 to the lower part of the Long Wharf be instructed to apply to the Town 
 Council for a meeting of the town to take into consideration the mode of 
 transferring the right of the lower part of said Long Wharf to the Trustees, 
 for the uses for which the money raised by Lottery is to be appropriated. 
 
 A Committee was appointed to prepare rules and regulations for the well 
 ordering and government of the Trusteeship. 
 
 1799. February 23. The Committee appointed to report a plan for re- 
 building the Long Wharf not having effected the purpose, S. Vernon and 
 S. Dean were added to the Committee. 
 
 April 15. Resolved, That the Committee advertise in the public papers 
 for propositions for building the Long Wharf by contract, to state the manner 
 in which it is to be built, the materials required, the depth of water, and 
 every particular in detail ; that they be authorized to divide the same into 
 several contracts in such manner as will facilitate the undertaking, and when 
 offers are received to lay them before the Trustees. 
 
 July 19. Resolved, That J. L. Boss, S. Vernon, T. Dennis, C. Fowler and 
 D. Lyman be a Committee to build the Long Wharf, and are authorized to 
 make contracts and adopt such measures as are necessary to complete the 
 same, keeping in view that they are not to exceed the amount of funds appro- 
 priated for that purpose, and that the said Committee be authorized to draw 
 on the Treasurer for such sums as may be necessary for the completion of the 
 Wharf. 
 
 Constant Taber was appointed Treasurer, and authorized to receive all 
 moneys on account of the Institution, and to pay all drafts drawn by any 
 three or more of the Committee, to build the Long Wharf. T. Dennis and 
 J. L. Boss authorized to expend the rentfc received for the house on the Point 
 in repairs, and settle their account with the Treasurer. 
 
 1800. April 28. The Committee for building the Long Wharf were 
 directed to proceed in completing said wharf, in such manner as they may 
 
LONG WHARF. 63 
 
 think proper, and that the money raised by the rent of the wharf, or lease 
 of lots adjoining the same, be pledged for defraying the expenses incurred in 
 finishing the wharf, in addition to the moneys heretofore appropriated for 
 that purpose. 
 
 Resolved, That the use of the building presented by Simeon Potter, Esq. 
 be tendered to the town for a school house, on condition of the town repair- 
 ing the same, and paying such rent as may be agreed upon, provided it is 
 appropriated for a school, conformably to the act of the Assembly for estab- 
 lishing free schools, and that it be called the Public School. 
 
 1801. May 11. At a meeting, the Committee to build the Long Wharf 
 represented that the funds were expended, and that a large sum of money 
 was yet required for completing the wharf; it was, therefore 
 
 Resolved, That the Treasurer be authorized to borrow from the Bank of 
 Rhode Island, in addition to what is now due said bank, $1,800, at bank inter- 
 est, which sum is appropriated towards completing the wharf, to be paid on 
 the orders of the Committee. 
 
 Voted, That the Long Wharf, its rents, and profits, are hereby pledged to 
 the Bank of Rhode Island, as security for the payment of principal and 
 interest, of whatever may be due said bank. The Committee at the next 
 meeting to report a statement of the account and contract, and that they, 
 with G. Gibbs, G. Champlin, and Caleb Gardner, be a committee to examine 
 the state of said Long Wharf and to direct what is needful to be done, and 
 that they provide a plan for leasing the lots, and report to the next meeting 
 of the Board. 
 
 1802. July 19*-*-The propriety of the Trustees taking any shares in the 
 Company forming for carrying water down the Long Wharf was debated, and 
 unanimously determined in the negative. A committee was appointed to 
 procure a wharfinger. Thomas Dennis was authorized to sell at public 
 auction, after tRree weeks' notice, the materials which composed the building 
 to the eastward of the Potter House, and to have the lot fenced. A com- 
 mittee was authorized to examine the Long Wharf and to direct what is 
 needful to be done. They were also authorized to lease or sell the building 
 lots on the north side of Long Wharf belonging to the Institution, giving 
 them full power to do whatever appears to them proper in the premises. 
 
 February 26. At a meeting, a committee was appointed to apply to the 
 Legislature to authorize the Treasurer to convey by deed, to the purchasers 
 of building lots on the north side of Long Wharf, all the title which the 
 Trustees have to the lots on the day of sale. 
 
64 APPENDIX C. 
 
 1805. February 13. At a meeting a committee was appointed to audit 
 the account of Jesse Barlow, wharfinger, and the said Committee were 
 requested to devise a plan for making an addition to the south side of the 
 wharf, with an estimate of the cost, and report to the next meeting, accom- 
 panied with a report of repairs, which the said wharf requires, and the cost. 
 
 Resolved, That Thomas Dennis be authorized to have the aqueduct water 
 carried into the Potter House, and obtain from the tenants the best consider- 
 ation he can for the convenience. 
 
 Voted, That Gibbs and Channing have permission to suspend the erection 
 of any building on the easternmost lot on the Long Wharf, until they think 
 proper, unless the Trustees should require it. Gibbs and Channing to lay a 
 platform for landing goods, and to pay wharfage on goods for their own use, 
 the same as if landed on the north side of their store ; they are not to make 
 said lot a place of deposit, but are to remove the goods as soon as they 
 conveniently can, other goods landed there to pay wharfage. 
 
 August 26. At a meeting, the Committee to audit the account of Jesse 
 Barlow, wharfinger, reported the sum of $439.76 due from said Barlow. It 
 was Voted, That the Treasurer collect payment of said Barlow, also the 
 balance of rent due on the Potter House. 
 
 Caleb Gardner was appointed Superintendent of Long "Wharf, to make such 
 repairs as he may deem necessary ; said Superintendent to appoint a wharfin- 
 ger to be under his control. 
 
 Resolved, That yearly, and every year, the Trustees will meet on the second 
 Monday of April for the transaction of business that may be necessary, the 
 accounts of the past year to be exhibited, and the Superintendent to report 
 what repairs and regulations may be necessary for the succeeding year. 
 Rates of wharfage fixed, except that when whole cargoes are offered, circum- 
 stances may require a deduction therefrom. 
 
 1807. June 15. A committee was appointed to audit tne wharfinger's 
 and Treasurer's accounts, G. Champlin was appointed Superintendent with 
 the powers of the former Superintendent. Another committee was appointed 
 to prepare a plan for widening the south side of the wharf, with an estimate 
 of cost, etc. The Treasurer was directed to sue Jesse Barlow if he does not 
 pay up the balance due. 
 
 June 29. The Committee to audit accounts reported that the Treasurer's 
 account shows a balance due the Bank of Rhode Island, 17 June, 1807, of 
 $2,207.68, William Roberts' wharfinger's account shows a balance due from 
 him of $186.18, for which he has given his note on demand. Thomas 
 
LONG WHARF. 65 
 
 Dennis's account of the Potter, House shows a balance due him of $5.92. 
 The Treasurer is directed to sign the account with the Bank of Rhode Island, 
 showing the balance $2,207.68 as reported, to be due, also to sign the record. 
 The Superintendent was directed to require the wharfinger to settle his 
 account, in future, on the first Monday in January, April, July, and October, 
 to cause such regulations about fires on the wharf, and in stores, as may 
 conduce to the general safety. All packets and coasters which lie at the 
 wharf twelve hours, and whatever they may land or take off, shall be subject 
 to wharfage, passengers' baggage excepted. The Secretary to make a list of 
 Trustees, and that Simeon Martin call on each, and request those who accept 
 the trust to write against their names, Accept, and those who decline will 
 enter against their names, Resign, in order to know who serves, and that the 
 vacancies be filled up, and report the same to the meeting to be held on 
 Tuesday next, to which time this meeting is adjourned. 
 
 1807. July 8. S. Martin reported that he had called on each of the 
 Trustees ; that nineteen Trustees accepted, but that John Bours, Archibald 
 Crary, and Henry Shurburne had resigned. C. G. Champlin and G. Gibbs 
 were elected Trustees to keep the number of twenty-one full. The Superin- 
 tendent to have the Potter House painted, and he was authorized to adjust 
 and settle the wharfage bill of ship Mount Hope on equitable terms. The 
 question of widening the Long Wharffco be considered at the annual meeting. 
 
 ' Mem. There is no record of meetings from July 8, 1807, to July 8, 1811. 
 This was the period of the embargo, preceding the war of 1812. 
 
 1811. July 8. At a meeting, Christopher Rhodes, William Engs, William 
 Marchant, S. T. Northam, and Jonathan Bowen, were elected Trustees in 
 the room of G. Champlin, F. Malbone, and Moses Seixas, deceased, and 
 Daniel Lyman, and George Gibbs, removed out of town ; William Engs was 
 appointed Superintendent, and William Marchant, Secretary ; R. Rogers to 
 notify persons elected Trustees, and to obtain the signature of each declaring 
 whether he accepts or resigns. Also to call on John Handy, Nicholas Taylor, 
 C. G. Champlin, and William Littlefield, to know whether they are Trustees, 
 and if so, to request their punctual attendance at meetings when notified. 
 The meeting adjourned to Monday next. 
 
 July 15. The Committee to examine accounts made a Report, that the 
 balance due the Bank of Rhode Island was $1,274.01. The Treasurer was 
 directed to certify the same. R. Rogers reported that he had called on the 
 newly elected Trustees, who all accept ; also on John Handy, and C. G. 
 Champlin, who resign ; also on Nicholas Taylor, and William Littlefield, who 
 
66 APPENDIX C. 
 
 continue in the Trust. Robert Roberson, and Edward Martin were elected 
 Trustees, in place of 0. G. Champlin and John Handy, resigned. 
 
 William Engs appointed to take charge of the Potter House, and, with three 
 others, as a committee, to call on the present occupants, and say to them that 
 they must remove or pay the rent. R. Rogers and W. Marchant to examine 
 into the claim against Jesse Barlow, and report to the Trustees. Another 
 committee was appointed in relation to widening the wharf, eastward of the 
 jog, and to report the probable expense thereof. 
 
 July 22. At a meeting, the Committee on the claim of Jesse Barlow made 
 their report. The Committee on widening the wharf eastward of the jog 
 reported, and the subject was postponed. 
 
 Mem. No record of meetings from July 22, 1811, to August 14, 1814. 
 This was also during the war. The wharf was used, but the energy to keep 
 up the meetings was lacking. 
 
 1814. August 14. At a meeting, a committee was appointed to examine 
 accounts, and report at the next meeting, and, when prepared, to cause 
 Trustees to be notified to meet. 
 
 August 19. At a meeting convened by the Committee on accounts, they 
 reported a balance due the Bank of Rhode Island, from Long Wharf, of 
 $7.85. The account of William Engswas found correct, he being allowed 
 25 per cent on receipts. A committee was authorized to engage William 
 Engs as Superintendent for the ensuing year. Gilbert Chace and John G. 
 Whitehorne were elected Trustees, in place of James Robinson and William 
 Marchant, resigned. R. Rogers was elected Secretary and Treasurer for the 
 year. A committee was authorized to devise a plan for the commencement 
 of a school, taking into consideration the present limited funds. 
 
 August 25. The School Committee reported a plan for the commencement 
 of a school for poor children as follows : Five Trustees to be appointed a- 
 School Committee, to rent the Potter House to a suitable person to keep a 
 school, for such a number of boys belonging to families in the town who are 
 unable to educate them; that they be instructed in reading, writing, and 
 arithmetic, necessary for ordinary business and navigation ; the Committee 
 to superintend and adopt a code of rules for the government thereof, to be 
 rigidly observed. As many boys admitted as the funds will support. 
 
 The Committee report that they have visited the Potter House, and find a 
 room fifteen by forty feet with two fire-places, which, at sillall expense, can be 
 converted into a good school room sufficiently large for fifty or sixty scholars. 
 
LONG WHARF. 67 
 
 and the tenants, Joseph Finch and wife, who occupy the chambers keeping a 
 school, who will undertake to instruct twenty or thirty children in reading, 
 and find the necessary fire wood at $1.80 each, per quarter, a plan which 
 the Committee recommend to be adopted for the ensuing winter, preparatory 
 to enlarging the plan at the annual meeting, should the funds then admit. 
 Job Gibbs, a carpenter who occupies the first floor, and is largely in arrears 
 for rent, can be employed for making the necessary repairs for the accommo- 
 dation of the pupils, on enlarging the establishment under the direction of 
 an instructor in the higher branches. 
 
 J. L. Boss and four others were appointed a committee to carry the same 
 into effect, and they are to have the sole charge of the Potter House, renting 
 the same to the best advantage, to receive the rents either in tuition, labor, 
 materials requisite for repairs, or money. The room for the school to be 
 fitted up in such manner as they think proper. The Committee to make up 
 quarterly accounts of expenses, and receipts for the house, tuition, books, 
 and stationery ; are authorized to draw on the Treasury for the balance, and 
 to make a report of the same to the annual meeting, or any other meeting of 
 Trustees; to keep a record of the pupils admitted, time of admission and 
 dismission, books and stationery furnished. They are also authorized to call 
 a meeting of the Trustees. 
 
 The Committee authorized to contract with William Engs, to continue Su- 
 perintendent of the Long Wharf, are to engage him to remain until the 
 annual meeting in April, except as to the Potter House. 
 
 Resolved, That the Secretary make out an account against Samuel Vernon 
 for wharfage of brig Hannah, for six years at six cents per day, $131.46. 
 
 August 29. The Committee before mentioned, reported that they had 
 agreed with Capt. Benjamin Cozzens, as Wharfinger and Superintendent of 
 Repairs, he to receive twenty-five per cent of receipts, and to have liberty to 
 resign in case of peace between Great Britain and the Unite'd States. 
 
 1815. January 26. Capt. B. Cozzens having gone to sea, the Committee 
 were authorized to procure another wharfinger. 
 
 April 10. The Committee are to direct all claims for wharfage to be put 
 in suit by the Secretary. 
 
 W. Ennis, B. Hadwen, J. R. Sherman, and W. C. Gardner, were elected 
 Trustees in place of C. Rhodes, W. Ellery, T. Dennis, and W. Engs, 
 resigned. 
 
 Resolved, That the school be extended to a number not exceeding forty, at 
 the discretion of the Committee ; notice to be given in both newspapers. 
 30 
 
68 APPENDIX C. 
 
 1815. May 1. The Committee appointed August 14, reported that all 
 the moneys advanced by Bank of Rhode Island for the wharf, were re- 
 imbursed, except $7.50. 
 
 A committee was appointed to devise a plan for commencing a school 
 agreeably to the original intention of the grant, of the General Assembly. 
 Owing to the limited funds arising from wharfage, it was deemed advisable 
 to commence a school with a small number of boys, in the house presented 
 for that purpose by Simeon Potter ; a contract was accordingly made with 
 Elizabeth Finch, who tenants a part of the house, and on the 10th October, 
 1814, school commenced, consisting of twenty-five small boys, who, on exam- 
 ination by the School Committee from time to time, and more particularly at 
 the expiration of the second quarter, were found to have made greater pro- 
 gress in their learning than was anticipated, and that Mrs. Finch, with the 
 assistance of her husband, had done ample justice to the pupils. 
 
 At the annual meeting, April 10th, the Committee were directed to enlarge 
 the school to the number of forty, from a belief that the probable increase of 
 the funds would authorize such augmentation ; and measures were put in 
 train to carry said resolve into effect, by obtaining pupils from different parts 
 of the town, that' all may have an opportunity of experiencing the happy 
 effect of so valuable an institution. The Trustees flatter themselves that the 
 next annual report will not only be gratifying, but highly satisfactory, to all 
 who feel an interest in promoting the welfare of the poor and necessitous. 
 
 July 10. The Committee who had the matter in hand were authorized to 
 settle with Mr. Vernon, by reference. William Hunter was elected a Trus- 
 tee in place of Walter Channing, resigned. 
 
 October 10. The report of the School Committee was received and 
 approved. Samuel Vernon andrTohn L. Boss were appointed a Committee 
 to superintend the repairs requisite for the wharf (which has been materially 
 damaged by the" late disastrous storm of September 23, 1815), which they 
 are requested to attend to without delay ; and they are authorized to take up 
 money on loan at the R. I. Union Bank, and Bank of Rhode Island, on such 
 terms as may be agreed upon. 
 
 October 27. Resolved, That, the Treasurer is hereby directed to sign a 
 note or notes at such banks where the Committee appointed on the 10th 
 inst. shall obtain loans of money sufficient for the repairs directed by said 
 vote, and that the Long Wharf and the funds arising therefrom be and are . 
 hereby pledged for the payment of said notes. 
 
 The undersigned agree, as of a special meeting of the Trustees, that the 
 
LONG WHARF. 69 
 
 Secretary enter on the records the above vote, as if done and passed at the 
 meeting of the 10th October, 1815. 
 
 John L. Boss, William Ennis, Jonathan Bowen, Constant Taber, Simeon 
 Martin, Silas Dean, Christopher Fowler, Stephen T. Northam, Robert Robin- 
 son, Gilbert Chace, Robert Rogers. 
 
 1815. September 23. The following account of the gale of September 23d, 
 is from the Newport Mercury : 
 
 AWFUL AND DESTRUCTIVE STORM. 
 
 On Saturday last, 23d inst., this town was visited by one of the most 
 awful and destructive storms ever experienced here, sweeping away and laying 
 prostrate almost everything in its course. The gale commenced early in the 
 morning at north east and continued increasing in violence (the wind varying 
 from N. E. to S. E. and S. W.) until 11 A. M., when it began to abate, and 
 about one o'clock all danger from the wind and tide was over and the after- 
 noon was fair and mild, forming a striking contrast with the war of the 
 elements which had existed but a few minutes before. The tide rose three 
 and a half feet higher than it had ever been known before. At Providence 
 it rose seven feet higher than ever before. 
 
 To attempt to particularize the suffering, to estimate the losses, is impossi- 
 ble. Two dwelling houses and nine stores and workshops on the Long Wharf 
 were carried away by the violence of the wind and tide, and those that with- 
 stood the gale are rendered almost untenable by the vessels, lumber, &c. 
 being driven against them. Several of the stores carried away contained a 
 considerable amount of property in West India and other goods, which was 
 nearly all lost. One of the houses swept from the Long Wharf was occupied 
 by Mr. Andrew V. Allan, and such was the rapidity and violence of the 
 storm that every attempt to save his family was in vain ; they all perished, 
 his wife, three children and a girl that lived with them. 
 
 The wharves on the Point, with most of the stores, stables, &c., on them 
 were carried away. The wharves in other parts of the town, with the stores 
 on them, also sustained very considerable injury, and everything movable on 
 the wharves was swept' away. In some of the stores the water was four feet 
 deep. The Long Wharf has sustained great damage and the stores on the 
 head of the wharf are much shattered, and their contents (flour, sugar, corn, 
 tobacco, &c.) damaged by the tide. The large three-story store of Gov. 
 Martin was removed nearly six feet from its foundation. A large three-story 
 
70 APPENDIX C. 
 
 store on Rhodes & Cahoone's Wharf, containing hemp and flour, was taken 
 from its foundation and floated into the harbor. 
 
 The town, after the gale, was a scene which defies description. Many of 
 our streets were rendered impassable by the quantity of goods, lumber, wood, 
 spars, wrecks of houses, vessels, trees, &c., lying in every direction. The 
 steeples of the first and second Congregational Churches were partly blown 
 down, the roofs of the Episcopal Church and First Congregational were 
 partly carried away, and other public edifices have sustained considerable 
 injury. We dare not venture to risk a calculation as. to the amount of 
 damage sustained, but it is very great. Many poor families have lost their 
 all and were happy to escape with their lives. The scene was such as was 
 never before witnessed by our oldest inhabitants. The uprooting of huge 
 trees, some of which had braved the fury of the elements for nearly a cen- 
 tury, part of the town inundated 'the wind blowing a hurricane, a prodigious 
 swell running, some buildings falling to pieces, the sea beating against others 
 with a fury surpassed only by the breakers of our sea shore ; and amidst all 
 these horrors were seen families struggling to escape from their houses, and 
 persons striving to save their property. After the storm the outside of the 
 windows in the town was found coated with a fine salt which, it seems, was 
 conveyed from the ocean through the air, and the leaves of the trees, from 
 this cause, as is supposed, are curled and crisped as with a general blast. 
 
 Two brigs were driven on the tops of Jhe wharves; four sloops were driven 
 on the top of the Long Wharf; a sloop with wood was carried over the Long 
 Wharf on to the Point ; another was driven into the cove, and two sloops 
 were sunk at Long Wharf. Much damage was done to the towns situated 
 on the Narragansett Bay and along the shores, and a number of lives were 
 lost in this disastrous gale. 
 
 1816. January 8. At a meeting, a committee was appointed to report a 
 plan for widening the wharf, with an estimate of the expense. Benjamin 
 Hadwen was appointed Wharfinger. 
 
 April 8. The Treasurer was ordered to put the demands against Thomas 
 Dennis and S. Vernon in suit unless adjusted before 25th April. W. Ennis 
 and W. C. Gardner to be a committee to audit the Treasurer's accounts. 
 
 July 8. Resolved, That, all vessels lying at the Long Wharf six hours be 
 subject to one day's wharfage. A committee was appointed to revise the rates 
 of wharfage and to report to the Wharfinger ; the same to be adopted by him 
 until the next quarterly meeting of the Trustees. 
 
LONG WHARF. 71 
 
 October 11. Lewis Rousmaniere was elected a Trustee. The Wharfinger 
 to put in suit all accounts due and unpaid. 
 
 1817. April 21. At the annual meeting the Committee on the rates of 
 wharfage made their report of rates to be charged, which was adopted, 
 except that all vessels taking a berth, or fastening to a post, six hours to pay 
 a day's wharfage, altered to twelve hours. 
 
 Voted, That a committee be appointed to audit the Treasurer's accounts. 
 
 1818. January 12. Resolved, That the Treasurer be authorized to obtain 
 a loan of $400 at either of the banks. A committee was appointed to settle 
 all accounts against the Long Wharf and to draw on the Treasurer for the 
 balance due. 
 
 Resolved, That the school be reduced to the number of ten scholars, to be 
 selected by draft from the whole number. A committee was appointed to 
 revise the rates of wharfage. 
 
 July 13. A committee was appointed to settle the accounts of the 
 Wharfinger. 
 
 1819. January 15. A committee was appointed to settle with S. T. 
 Northam for damage to a scow. The Committee on Wharfage made a report 
 which was accepted ; that the deduction allowed on landing cargoes or parts 
 of cargoes be repealed, and that, on landing whole cargoes, ten per cent be 
 allowed. Wharfinger to remove vessels not engaged in discharging or 
 loading. 
 
 April 12. At the annual meeting, Resolved, That the Wharfinger shall 
 receive 25 per cent on receipts up to $200, over $200, 20 per cent. 
 
 A committee appointed on the question of building an addition to the 
 wharf. A committee to superintend the school was elected for the year. A 
 committee to superintend the wharf was elected. Benjamin Had wen was 
 elected Wharfinger. A report from the School Committee was received. 
 
 July 12. A report of the School Instructors was referred to the School 
 Committee, who were directed to inquire into the causes of the absence of 
 those who are reported as delinquents, and to dismiss at their discretion, 
 and have their places supplied with such as will be more punctual. The 
 Committee on building an addition to the wharf were discharged from any 
 farther consideration of the subject. 
 
 October 11, George Engs was elected a Trustee in place of Simeon Martin, 
 resigned. S. Fowler Gardner was elected in place of Silas Dean, deceased. 
 
72 APPENDIX C. 
 
 William Hunter was appointed one of the School Committee in place of S. 
 Dean, deceased. 
 
 1820. January, 10. J. L. Boss was appointed to take charge of Long 
 Wharf, in place of B. Hadwen, wharfinger, during his sickness. J. L. Boss 
 to receive terms and report an estimate of cost of repairing Long Wharf and 
 the ways and means to carry the same into effect. Stephen Gould was elected 
 Trustee, in place of Gilbert Chace, deceased. J. R. Sherman and G. Engs to 
 audit Treasurer's accounts. The School Committee to notify Job Gibbs to 
 settle the rent due, or leave before 1st April. 
 
 January 24. John L. Boss was authorized to make a contract with 
 Durfee and Friend for repairing the wharf on the best terms he can. 
 
 Resolved, That the Treasurer's account be audited annually, or oftener ; 
 all moneys to be deposited in bank and no payments to be made except by 
 checks ; and that the cashier cause the name of every person paid to be 
 entered on the book, said bank-book to be balanced quarterly and the Treas- 
 urer to balance his account quarterly ; the Treasurer to be allowed $10 
 annually for his services. 
 
 July 10. A committee was appointed to audit and settle the accounts of 
 the Treasurer and Wharfinger, J. L. Boss and J. Bowen were appointed a 
 Committee to contract for repairs of Long Wharf. Samuel Whitehorne was 
 elected a Trustee, in place of L. Rousmaniere, deceased. 
 
 April 10. -r- At the annual meeting the Treasurer was authorized to obtain 
 a loan of $50 at either bank. That from this date the Wharfinger shall be 
 allowed 15 per cent on wharfage collected. Robert Rogers was elected 
 Secretary and Treasurer for the year ensuing. A committee to superintend 
 the school for the year was elected. A committee to superintend the wharf, 
 and B. Hadwen, Wharfinger, were elected. A report of the instructors of the 
 school was received and the balance due Joseph Finch directed to be paid by 
 the Treasurer. 
 
 1821. January 8. Benjamin Pierce was elected a Trustee, in place of 
 S. Whitehorne, who declined. James Stevens was elected a Trustee, in place 
 of John R. Sherman, resigned. 
 
 April 9. Annual meeting. The Wharfinger directed to make a statement 
 at every quarterly meeting o'f all sums due from persons or vessels for wharf- 
 age. R. Rogers re-elected Secretary and Treasurer. A new school committee 
 chosen and B. Hadwen elected Wharfinger. A committee was elected to 
 superintend the wharf. 
 
LONG WHAEF. 73 
 
 July 9. The Wharfinger was authorized to employ R. K. Randolph, as 
 attorney, to attend to suits brought against R. Potter, and others, for 
 wharfage. 
 
 1822. January 7. Nathaniel S. Ruggles was elected a Trustee, in place 
 of Edward Martin, resigned. Edward W. Lawton was elected a Trustee, in 
 place of W. C. Gardner, resigned. 
 
 April 8. Annual meeting. R. Rogers re-elected Secretary and Treasurer 
 and B. Hadwen, Wharfinger. A school committee and a committee to 
 superintend Long Wharf were appointed. 
 
 October 7. Committee to superintend Long Wharf authorized to make 
 necessary repairs. A committee was appointed to ascertain the best mode of 
 repairing the wharf, to make it more convenient for small vessels to discharge, 
 and to report the expense. 
 
 1823. January 13. The Committee on repairing the wharf was contin- 
 ued and directed to report at the annual meeting. The account of Benedict 
 Dayton was referred to Committee superintending the Wharf. 
 
 April 14. R. Rogers re-elected Secretary and Treasurer. A school com- 
 mittee of five appointed for the year ensuing. Robert Stevens, Jr. was 
 elected Wharfinger ; his commission to be 15 per cent. The Committee to 
 superintend the wharf were re-elected. 
 
 1823. July 14. The Committee for repairing the wharf, were discharged. 
 J. L. Boss and G. Engs, were appointed a Committee to repair 'the school 
 house. Robt. Stevens, Jr. was elected a Trustee, in place of Benjamin 
 Pierce deceased. 
 
 October 13. R. Rogers was .added to the Committee for repairing the 
 school house. The Wharfinger to adjust the account against owners of brig 
 Brutus. 
 
 1824. January 12. Treasurer directed to pay interest and $20 principal 
 on notes at Bank, and renew said notes. 
 
 October 11. David King was elected a Trustee, in place of J. L. Boss, 
 deceased. R. Rogers re-elected Secretary and Treasurer^ and Robert Stevens, 
 Jr., Wharfinger. A School Committee was elected, and a Committee to 
 superintend the wharf and to make such repairs as may be necessary. 
 
 1825. April 11. Annual meeting, W. Ennis and G. Engs were appointed 
 Auditors. R. Rogers was re-elected Secretary and Treasurer, and the School 
 Committee were re-elected. A committee including ,R. Stevens, Jr., was 
 
74 APPENDIX C. 
 
 appointed to superintend the -wharf and to make such repairs as may be 
 necessary, for the preservation of the same. 
 
 October 10. A Committee was appointed to fix the rates of wharfage, and 
 to advise with wharfinger. 
 
 1826. April 10. Russell Coggeshall was elected Trustee, in place of John 
 G. Whitehorne resigned. Nicholas G. Boss was elected a Trustee, in place 
 of William Hunter, removed from town. R. Rogers was re-elected Secretary 
 and Treasurer. Robert Stevens, Jr., was elected wharfinger. A School 
 Committee and a Committee to superintend the wharf, were appointed. 
 
 1827. February 15. At a meeting, S. T. Northam, Moderator, and 
 George Engs, Secretary pro tempore, a Special Messenger was appointed to 
 wait on the Secretary and request his attendance with the books. Mr. Engs 
 reported that he could not find him ; wherefore it was 
 
 Voted, That, whereas by the last Will of Constant Taber, he has be- 
 queathed to the Long Wharf Free School, a certain sum of money, it there- 
 fore becomes our duty to recpver and receive said legacy ; that S. T. Northam 
 and N. G. Boss, be a Committee to engage to support the interest of this 
 Board in any legal contest. 
 
 Voted, That, the Chairman address a note to Mr. Rogers to call a meeting 
 of the Trustees to-morrow at 11 o'clock, A. M. 
 
 February 16. The meeting assembled at the call of Mr. Rogers, Secretary, 
 at the time appointed. It was stated, that whereas constant Taber by his 
 last Will, bequeathed to the Trustees of the Long Wharf, for the benefit of 
 the Public School, thirty shares of U. S. Bank Stock, which legacy is 
 annulled by a codicil, executed in March, 1826, and which codicil is contested 
 as being illegally executed ; the Trustees deem it their duty to prevent the 
 right of the Long Wharf Free School from being infringed. A Committee 
 was appointed to attend the Court of Probate on Tuesday next, to employ 
 counsel if necessary, and take such steps as may be proper, and report to the 
 next annual meeting. It resulted in the employment of Mr. Randolph as 
 counsel and the payment to him, for his services, of the sum of $60. Noth- 
 ing was recovered under the will. Mr. Rogers entered on the Record a dec- 
 laration that he was not applied to to issue a notice or call for a meeting, 
 and was not to blame in the matter. 
 
 April 9. Annual meeting. Richard K. Randolph was elected a Trustee, 
 in place of Constant Taber, deceased. A School Committee and two Auditors 
 were elected. R. Rogers was re-elected Secretary and Treasurer, and Robert 
 Stevens, Jr. Wharfinger. ' A committee to superintend the wharf was elected. 
 
LONG WHARF. 75 
 
 April 12. David M. Coggeshall was elected a Trustee, in place of Richard 
 K. Randolph, who declines. A committee was appointed to revise the 
 rates of wharfage. R. K. Randolph's account for services $60, ordered to 
 be paid. A Committee of Observation was appointed in relation to 0. Ta- 
 ber's Will. W. Ennis was appointed to apply to the General Assembly for 
 an act regulating the Long Wharf, in removing vessels, &c. 
 
 July 27. At a special meeting, the rates of wharfage reported by the Com- 
 mittee were adopted, and one hundred copies ordered to be printed. A com- 
 mittee was appointed to petition the Legislature for an Act authorizing the 
 wharfinger to remove vessels whenever he may think proper. A committee 
 was appointed to ascertain the expense of clearing both sides of the wharf 
 from stone and gravel, and to have the same done without delay, at an 
 expense not over $200. 
 
 1828. April 14. Annual meeting. James Phillips was elected a Trustee 
 in place of James Stevens, absent from the State. Auditors and School Com- 
 mittee re-elected. R. Rogers, Secretary and Treasurer, and R. Stevens, Jr., 
 Wharfinger, re-elected. A committee to superintend^ the wharf and to make 
 repairs, was appointed, also to repair the fence of School House Lot. Trea- 
 surer authorized to hire from either bank, any sum not over $200, at the 
 discretion of the Committee, to have the stone and gravel cleared from the 
 sides of the wharf. 
 
 1829. April 13 Annual Meeting. Henry Bull was elected in place of 
 Nicholas Taylor, Trustee, deceased. Thomas Bush, in place of Robert Rob- 
 inson, Stephen Bo wen, in place of Jonathan Bowen, John Stevens, in place 
 of Stephen Gould, removed from town, were severally elected Trustees. Au- 
 ditors and School Committee were appointed. R. Rogers, Secretary and 
 Treasurer, and R. Stevens, Jr., Wharfinger, were re-elected. 
 
 Vote.d, That Mrs. Finch, widow of Joseph Finch, shall continue in the 
 house, of which the rent is to be paid in schooling small children of both 
 sexes, under the superin tendency of School Committee. 
 
 A committee was appoiated to settle with Newport Bank, and if requisite, 
 to hire money of either of the other banks, to pay the Newport Bank. A 
 committee was appointed to apply to the General Assembly for more extensive 
 powers, in relation to Long Wharf. A committee was appointed to super- 
 intend the Long Wharf, and make necessary repairs. Another committee 
 was appointed to call on the proprietors of the upper part of the wharf, 
 respecting repairing the same, and also to lay the subject before the town at 
 the next Town Meeting. The Secretary to furnish the Chairman of each 
 31 
 
76 APPENDIX C. 
 
 Committee, with a copy of the votes, specifying their appointment, and the 
 business to which they are to attend. 
 
 July 13. At a quarterly meeting, Voted, That the School Committee make 
 an arrangement with the widow Dennis for schooling small children, for the 
 rent of the house belonging to the Trusteeship. 
 
 H. Bull and J. Phillips were authorized to make a contract with the 
 proprietors of the steam packets, for the use of the head of the Long Wharf, 
 in conformity to the Act of the Assembly, May session, 1829, and were author- 
 ized to make such additions or repairs, as are required by the steamboats, or as 
 they may think advisable, for the interest of said wharf. George Bowen was 
 elected a Trustee in place of Stephen Bowen, deceased. 
 
 1830. April 12. Annual meeting. The School Committee were again 
 empowered to contract with Mrs. Dennis, or some other person, for the rent 
 of the house, to be paid in schooling small children, under the direction of 
 the Committee, the Committee appointed for the year. A committee was 
 appointed to superintend and repair the wharf. 
 
 The Committee appointed to call on the proprietors of the upper part of the 
 wharf, respecting repairing the same, were requested to urge the propriety 
 of its being done. The Superintending Committee to adjust the unsettled 
 account of the steamer Chancellor Livingston as they may think proper. 
 R. Rogers elected Secretary and Treasurer for the year, to receive $20 annual 
 compensation. R. Stevens, Junior, was elected Wharfinger. Samuel Allen 
 was elected a Trustee, in place of Christopher Fowler, deceased. 
 
 July 12. At a meeting, the Superintending Commiptee were directed to 
 continue the repairs on the wharf, as far as requisite, for the interest of the 
 Trust ; the Treasurer to hire at R. I. Union Bank a sum not exceeding $600, 
 as may be required by the Committee to pay the bills. 
 
 1831. April 11. At the annual meeting, Richard K. Randolph was 
 elected a Trustee in place of Russell Coggeshall, resigned. Henry Bull 
 resigned, and Isaiah Crooker was elected a Trusteed his place. 
 
 Voted, That David M. Coggeshall's account for $60, for superintending 
 repairs, be allowed and paid by the Treasurer, and that $30 be paid to James 
 B. Phillips for services in superintending repairs. 
 
 A school committee was elected and directed to rent a house for schooling 
 children. D. M. Coggeshall was appointed Superintendent of repairs on 
 Wharf and School House. A committee of vigilance was appointed to press 
 the proprietors or Town Committee to complete the repairs on the road lead- 
 ing down the Long Wharf. R. Rogers was re-elected Secretary and Treas- 
 
LONG WHAEF. 77 
 
 urer, and G. Engs and G. Bowen, Auditors. R. Stevens, Jr. was elected 
 Wharfinger, to use all diligence in collecting balances due from steamer 
 Chancellor Livingston and settle on the best terms he can. 
 
 July 11. At a meeting, the Treasurer was authorized to borrow a sum 
 not exceeding $140, to pay off the demands against the wharf. The Super- 
 intendent to advise with Audley Clarke, Moderator, respecting further 
 repairs on the wharf. 
 
 October II, The Treasurer reported that bills amounting to $797.87, 
 approved by the Superintending Committee, were all paid ; that the Board is 
 indebted to R. I. Union Bank, by note, $1050, the interest paid to 1st 
 January, 1831, and that there is a balance in the Treasury of $42.82. 
 
 1832. April 9. Annual Meeting. Voted, That the school under the 
 care of Mrs. Dennis be discontinued, and that the house deeded by Simeon 
 Potter to the Trustees be rented, and the rent appropriated to the repairs of 
 said house, and that George Bowen is appointed to carry the same into effect. 
 
 Voted, That the bill of David M. Coggeshall of $30, for superintending 
 repairs, be allowed and the Treasurer is directed to pay the same. 
 
 R. Rogers re-elected Secretary and Treasurer and the Auditors re-chosen 
 for the year. Treasurer to examine and report at the next quarterly meeting 
 the sums collected and balances due. 
 
 Voted, That the Wharfinger be allowed eight per cent on all sums 
 collected from steamboats, and twenty per cent on all wharfage from 
 other sources ; and that it shall be the duty of the Wharfinger to superintend 
 the common and necessary repairs for the preservation of the wharf, and that 
 in his account he shall specify the articles and persons from whom he 
 collects wharfage. Theophilus Topham was appointed Wharfinger in place of 
 Robert Stevens, declined. George C. Mason was elected a Trustee in place 
 of William Ennis, deceased. 
 
 1833. AprilS. Annual Meeting. R. Rogers was re-elected Secretary 
 and Treasurer, and Theophilus Topham was appointed Wharfinger. Auditors 
 were re-appointed. George Bowen was appointed to rent the Potter House, 
 and pay the same into the Treasury. A committee was appointed to make 
 an estimate of the expense of extending the south wall eighty feet and to 
 advertise for proposals for doing the same. John V. Hammett was elected a 
 Trustee in place of James B. Phillips, deceased. 
 
 June 3. The committee in relation to extending the south wall reported 
 verbally, that they had received proposals from William Vars, which were 
 submitted, and it was 
 
78 APPENDIX C. 
 
 Resolved, That a committee of three be authorized to contract with Wil- 
 liam Vars to widen the Long "Wharf one hundred feet in length, extending 
 from the jog, on the terms proposed, and not exceeding the sum named ; that 
 the said work be done under the inspection of said committee. 
 
 Resolved, That the Treasurer be empowered to hire money for carrying into 
 effect the foregoing Resolution, on such terms as the committee shall direct, 
 and that the Long Wharf and the funds arising therefrom be, and are hereby, 
 pledged for the payment of the money borrowed. 
 
 That G. Engs and the Wharfinger be authorized to procure suitable ladders 
 to reach to the ridge of the stores, to be kept in readiness on said wharf in 
 case of fire ; also to procure twelve good buckets for the wharf, and to have 
 the roofs of said stores whitewashed, as may be necessary, to guard against 
 fire, consulting the owners on the expediency of the measure and whether 
 they would join in defraying the expense. 
 
 Resolved, That G. Engs and G. Bowen be a committee to sell the house 
 presented to the Trustees by the late Simeon Potter at such time and in such 
 manner as they may think most advisable. 
 
 1834. April 7. Annual meeting. R. Rogers, Secretary and Treasurer, 
 and T. Topham, Wharfinger, re-elected. Auditors re-elected. Treasurer to 
 notify them to audit his accounts for the past two years. G. Engs and G. 
 Bowen authorized to sell the Potter house, and if not sold, to let the same ; 
 also to collect the back rents due. Thomas Bush to have the bad places on 
 the wharf levelled and filled up, expense not to exceed $25. The Wharfinger 
 directed in future not to collect wharfage on baggage, or carriages and 
 horses of passengers, or on baskets of fruits and furniture brought for family 
 use and not for sale. 
 
 April 22. The committee authorized to sell the Simeon Potter house 
 reported that they had sold the same at auction, previously advertised, to 
 George Tilley, the highest bidder, for the sum of $505, payable in a note at 
 ninety days, wherefore, it was 
 
 Voted, That Robert Rogers be authorized to convey to the said George 
 Tilley all the right of the Trustees to the said lot and buildings thereon for 
 the sum of $505. 
 
 A committee was appointed to dispose of the money received for the sale 
 of house and lot. Treasurer to pay expenses of sale and to pay the bill of 
 Narragansett Bay Company. 
 
 July 14. The committee on disposal of the proceeds of house and lot 
 reported and recommended the money to be placed in Savings Bank on inter- 
 
LONG WHARF. 79 
 
 est. Report received and the Treasurer directed to deposit the money in 
 Savings Bank. A committee appointed to procure a portable gangway for 
 landing passengers, &c. Thomas Bash authorized to draw on the Treasury 
 for a sum sufficient to complete the repairs. 
 
 1835. April 13. Annual meeting. Secretary and Treasurer, Wharfinger 
 and Auditors re-elected. Thomas Bush a committee to complete the repairs 
 already commenced. Stephen A. Robinson was elected a Trustee in place of 
 Samuel Vernon, deceased. 
 
 September 14. George C. Mason was elected Secretary and Treasurer in 
 place of Robert Rogers, deceased. G. Bowen and John Stevens a committee 
 to receive books and papers from the administrator of Robert Rogers, late 
 Secretary and Treasurer, and deliver them to George C. Mason. Robert P. 
 Lee was elected a Trustee in place of Robert Rogers, deceased. A committee 
 was appointed to examine and report what repairs are necessary for the Long 
 Wharf. 
 
 April 12. Annual meeting. George C. Mason was elected Secre- 
 tary and Treasurer. Theophilus Topham, Wharfinger. G. Engs and G. 
 Bowen, Auditors were re-elected. A committee of six were appointed to 
 examine and report what repairs are required, and whether it is advisable to 
 make any addition to the wharf ; also to call on the captains of the steamboats 
 and request them to be more careful of fire than heretofore while at the Long 
 Wharf. 
 
 July 11. -y A committee was appointed to place a chain across the head of 
 the wharf to prevent passengers from being incommoded by hacks. 
 
 September 30. A committee was Uppointed to confer with Mr. George 
 Curtis, relative to a letter addressed by him to the Treasurer, in regard to 
 Long Wharf. The Treasurer was directed to place the money on hand at the 
 end of the quarter in Savings Bank. 
 
 1837. January 10. At a meeting, Samuel Barker, Benjamin Finch and 
 William Sherman were elected Trustees in place of Benjamin Hadwen, David 
 King and N. G. Boss, deceased. Treasurer to place funds on hand in Savings 
 Bank, provided said Bank will allow interest on the same. 
 
 April 11. Annual meeting. G. C. Mason was elected Secretary and 
 Treasurer, and Theophilus Topham, Wharfinger; G. Engs and G. Bowen, 
 Auditors ; T. Bush, J. Stevens and G. Bowen, a committee to examine wharf 
 and make such repairs as are absolutely necessary. 
 
 July 17. Voted, That the Wharfinger put so much gravel on the wharf 
 
80 APPENDIX C. 
 
 as is absolutely required. Theophilus Topham to be allowed $30 for services 
 as Superintendent of Repairs on Wharf. 
 
 September 4. The Wharfinger directed to prohibit all drivers of carriages, 
 drays, &c., from going to the westward of the chain across the wharf while 
 steamboats are landing or taking off passengers, and a committee was 
 appointed to assist him. 
 
 1838. January 9. No quorum present. 
 
 April 9. Annual meeting. George C. Mason was elected Secretary and 
 Treasurer and T. Topham, Wharfinger ; S. Barker and G. Bowen, Auditors. 
 The Treasurer was directed to place the funds in his hands in Savings Bank, 
 if interest is allowed. 
 
 July 10. The Secretary was directed to furnish a copy of the Charter of 
 this Corporation to the committee appointed by the town, to report upon the 
 expediency of building a new Public School House. George Bowen, a com- 
 mittee to make an estimate of the cost of building a new wall on the south 
 side and west end of the wharf, and that he draw upon the Treasurer for such 
 money as shall be necessary. 
 
 October 8. G. Bowen and S. F. Gardner were appointed a committee to 
 apply to the Town Clerk for the loan of the Report of the School Commit- 
 tee, made to the Town of Newport at a town meeting held October 6, 1838. 
 The Treasurer was ordered to place in Savings Bank $500, if the Bank 
 allows interest. 
 
 I 
 
 1839. January 8. Voted, That H. Bull's bill for railing, &c., on stores 
 be paid. A committee to purchase twelve leather buckets was appointed. 
 
 AprilS. George C. Mason, Secretary and Treasurer, and T. Topham, 
 Wharfinger, re-elected. Auditors re-appointed and a committee on repairs 
 of the wharf appointed. 
 
 July 8. No quorum. G. Engs reported that the steamboats having left 
 the wharf, the committee appointed do not deem it necessary to make any 
 other repairs but such as the Wharfinger is authorized to make. 
 
 1840. April 13. Annual meeting. The Secretary and Treasurer and 
 Wharfinger re-elected ; Auditors re-appointed. 
 
 Voted, That all steamers coming to or going from Long Wharf shall shut 
 their dampers, or so regulate their fires, as to prevent the fire issuing from 
 the chimneys while the boat is within a cable's length, or one hundred and 
 twenty fathoms of the wharf, and that a copy of this vote be forwarded to the 
 
LONG WHARF. 81 
 
 President of the New Jersey Steamboat Company, and also to each of the 
 masters of the steamboats ; and the Superintendent is directed to report any 
 breach of said rule. 
 
 July 13. Voted, That the Treasurer pay D. M. Coggesh all's bill, $12.16, 
 and Finch and Engs', $35.43. 
 
 Voted, That $100 be given to the proprietors of the stores on the wharf 
 towards the expense of plastering on the roofs, under shingles, provided the 
 whole can be done. At this time all steamboats were using pine wood for 
 fuel, and the sparks blowing on the roofs frequently set them on fire. 
 
 1841. April 15. Annual meeting. G. C. Mason, Secretary and Treas- 
 urer, T. Topham, Wharfinger, were re-elected. G. Bowen and S. Barker, 
 Auditors, re-elected. Treasurer directed to deposit in Savings Bank the 
 balance not needed for repairs. 
 
 1842. April 11. Annual meeting. The Secretary and Treasurer,. 
 Wharfinger and Auditing Committee re-elected. Samuel Engs was elected a 
 Trustee in place of Robert Stevens, resigned. A committee of three was 
 appointed to make repairs, not to exceed $1,000. 
 
 October 14. The committee appointed in April last, on repairs, reported, 
 and said report being read, it was voted that the same be accepted, and the 
 committee directed to complete the repairs. 
 
 1843. April 11. Annual meeting. The Secretary and Treasurer, 
 Wharfinger and Auditors were re-elected. The committee to repair the 
 wharf directed to receive from Mr. Covill a release of his part of the wharf 
 opposite his shop. 
 
 1844. April 15. Annual meeting. David M. Coggeshall was elected 
 Secretary and Treasurer ; T. Topham, Wharfinger ; S. Barker and G. Bow- 
 en, Auditors. Peleg Clarke was elected a Trustee in place of Audley Clarke, 
 deceased. Benjamin A. Mason was elected a Trustee in place of George C. 
 Mason, deceased. The committee reported that a deed, from Mr. Covill had 
 been received and left with the Town Clerk to be recorded. 
 
 The executor of Henry Bull, deceased, presented a claim of $50 for plas- 
 tering roof of store ; it was contended that he agreed to attend to the plas- 
 tering of all the stores and to receive from this Corporation $100 in full of 
 all claims against the Long Wharf. G. Bowen and S. Barker were directed 
 to show Mr. Bull's executor the records as to plastering the stores. R. P. 
 Lee and B. Finch, a committee to examine the account of the Committee on 
 
82 APPENDIX C. 
 
 Repairs, and it was voted, that the latter receive the thanks of this Corpora- 
 tion for the faithful discharge of their duties. 
 
 Voted, That John Stevens and G. Bowen have authority to repair the 
 highway leading from the market to Covill's shop wherever it may require it. 
 
 1845. April 21. Annual meeting. D. M. Coggeshall, Secretary and 
 Treasurer, T. Topham, Wharfinger, G. Bowen and S. Barker, Auditors, were 
 re-elected. George G. King was elected Trustee in place of S. A. Robinson, 
 who never accepted. The balance in the treasury ordered to be deposited in 
 the Savings Bank. 
 
 1846. April 14. Annual meeting. No quorum. It was recommended 
 that the Treasurer deposit $500 in Savings Bank. 
 
 July 14. D. M. Coggeshall, Secretary and Treasurer, T. Topham, 
 Wharfinger, G. Bowen and S. Barker, Auditors, were re-elected. William 
 C. Cozzens was elected a Trustee in place of S. F. Gardner, deceased. 
 
 Voted, That the Treasurer deposit $250 in Savings Bank and in future, 
 whenever the sum in the treasury amounts to $100 ; the same to be deposited 
 to the credit of the Trustees. J. Stevens and G. Bowen, a committee to make 
 repairs on the highway to Covill's shop, and about the wharf. 
 
 1847. April 12. Annual meeting. S. T. Northam was elected Chair- 
 man for the year. David M. Coggeshall, Secretary and Treasurer; T. Top- 
 ham, Wharfinger ; G. Bowen and S. Baker, Auditors ; John Stevens and G. 
 Bowen, Committee on Repairs, were elected. John D. Northam and David 
 G. Cook were elected Trustees, in place of George Engs and Nathaniel S. 
 Ruggles, deceased ; and Samuel Brown was elected in place of R. K. Ran- 
 dolph, removed from town. 
 
 J. D. Northam, D. G. Cook, and S. Brown, were appointed a Committee 
 to confer with the proprietors of the no.rth side of Long Wharf, in regard to 
 building a wall in-front of their buildings, provided the Trustees will place a 
 good sidewalk the whole distance, and to obtain quitclaims to any individual 
 rights they claim on -the south side, except for landing articles for their own 
 use, in case the Trustees should decide to widen the wharf, from Sherman's 
 Wharf to Gravelly Point, say fifteen or twenty feet, and said Committee to 
 report to the next meeting. J. Stevens and G. Bowen to fill any vacancy in 
 the Committee from the Board of Trustees. The Treasurer directed to 
 doposit in Savings Bank the balance in his hands. 
 
 Voted, That all steamers coming to, or going from Long Wharf, shall shut 
 their dampers, or so regulate their fires as to prevent the fires from the chim- 
 
LONG WHARF. 83 
 
 neys from doing damage while the boat is within a cable's length, or 120 
 fathoms of the wharf. 
 
 April 28. A letter received by D. G. Cook from Capt. J. J..Comstock, of 
 steamer Bay State, to the Trustees, was presented, asking for higher fenders 
 to be placed at the corners of the wharf, also two fenders of same height 
 midway of the head of the wharf, all to be twelve feet above a usual high 
 tide, or perhaps fifteen feet above. As it is possible there will be a perma- 
 nent line daily, it is necessary to have every facility for landing and receiving 
 passengers with safety and dispatch. Also asking permission to erect a 
 dolphin, at their own expense, at the north of the wharf; also if something 
 could be done to preserve order during the landing of passengers, their com- 
 fort would be promoted. G. Bowen and J. Stevens were appointed a Com- 
 mittee to carry the foregoing into effect* as fajr as regards the fenders. D. G. 
 Cook and D. M. Coggeshall were appointed a Committee to apply to the 
 Legislature at their next session, for a grant to erect a dolphin, as requested. 
 
 July 12. The Committee on widening the wharf reported favorably to the 
 project, which was accepted, the estimated cost $13.15, which was agreed to 
 be carried into effect, and G. Bowen and J. Stevens, the General Committee 
 on Repairs, were instructed to do it, and also to make repairs in the way of 
 sidewalks, as they may think best, on the north side. 
 
 Voted, That D. G. Cook be a committee to answer the Captain of the Bay 
 State, in regard to building the dolphin ; the same and Mr. Finch are 
 instructed to lay before the Council, the request of Capt. Comstock, in rela- 
 tion to the trouble and confusion of landing on the arrival of the boats, and 
 ask them to take such measures as they may deem expedient, and inform Capt. 
 Comstock. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee on Repairs be authorized to draw on the Treas- 
 ury, from time to time, as money may be wanted. 
 
 The following document was presented : 
 
 The undersigned, proprietors of lots on the north side of Long Wharf, in 
 case the Trustees of the lower part of the wharf should adopt the plan of 
 widening it, by building out on the south side, opposite our lots, as far 
 down as the bridge, hereby agree to relinquish all our right to occupy or use 
 the ground in front of our lots respectively, except that we are still to retain 
 all our rights and privileges to the wharf-front, the same as we now enjoy, to 
 the extent of twelve feet north, from the south edge of the wharf, the 
 remainder of the space to be thereafter entirely free and unobstructed as * 
 highway, for the use of the public, the same as any other street in Newport, 
 32 
 
84 APPENDIX C. 
 
 it being understood that the proprietors of the lots are to keep up the north 
 wall, or line of their lots, on the street or highway, and in such repair that 
 the Trustees may lay a sidewalk on the north side of such highway, if they 
 should see fit to do so, the Trustees to have the right to land all materials for 
 construction or repairs of the wharf, wherever they may think proper. 
 
 E. TREVETT, 
 CALEB S. KNIGHT, 
 W. D. SOTJTHWICK, 
 
 her 
 
 PENELOPE M KNIGHT, 
 mark 
 
 BENJAMIN EDDY, Agent for S. Gray. 
 
 October 10. R. K. Randolph, not intending to resign his Trusteeship, the 
 vote electing Samuel Brown in his place was rescinded, and Samuel Brown is 
 elected in place of David M. Coggeshall, deceased. Robert P. Lee was 
 elected Secretary and Treasurer, for the remainder of the year, in place of 
 D. M. Coggeshall, deceased. 
 
 It was Voted, That the Committee to repair the wharf, be authorized to 
 build such a shed on the end of the wharf as they may think necessary and 
 proper for the accommodation of the steamboat passengers and freight. 
 
 1848. April 10. Annual Meeting. Stephen T. Northam, Chairman for 
 the ensuing year ; Robert P. Lee, Secretary and Treasurer ; Theophilus Top- 
 ham, Wharfinger ; S. Barker and G. Bowen, Auditors ; John Stevens and 
 G. Bowen, Committee on Repairs, were severally elected. Christopher G. 
 Perry was elected a Trustee in place of Thomas Bush, deceased. 
 
 1848. May 15. Mr. Bowen, from the Committee on Repairs, stated that 
 from the damage done by steamboats, in addition to the ordinary wear and 
 tear, to the head of the wharf it would require considerable expense to put 
 it in such order as the steamboats would require, and that, in the opinion 
 of the Committee, the steamboats do not pay sufficient wharfage to warrant 
 the expense of such repairs. After discussion, it was 
 
 Voted, That John Stevens and George Bowen, the Committee, be author- 
 ized to confer with the owners of the steamboats, and endeavor to agree with 
 them for such additional wharfage for the future as may be proper. 
 
 Three proprietors of lots on the north side of Long Wharf, west of the 
 bridge, in order that the improvement already carried into effect as far west 
 as the bridge, shall be continued, in order to form a better thoroughfare for 
 the use of the public, have, for that purpose, agreed to keep the space 
 
LONG WHARF. 85 
 
 in front of their lots free, reserving their right to the wharf front, leaving 
 the highway twenty-eight feet wide, the proprietors to keep up the wall on 
 the north side of the street, so that a sidewalk may be laid the Trustees 
 to straighten the south wall as may be necessary, and place curb-stones and 
 a paved gutter on the north side. Their agreement signed by Proprietors, 
 November 12, 1847. 
 
 WILLIAM SOUTHWICK. 
 
 STEPHEN SOUTHWICK. 
 
 JOSEPH SOUTHWICK. 
 
 1849. April 18. Annual Meeting. C. Devens was elected a Trustee in 
 place of B. A. Mason, removed to New York ; Robert Sherman, 2d, was 
 elected a Trustee in place of R. K. Randolph, deceased ; J. D. Northam, 
 Chairman ; R. P. Lee, Secretary and Treasurer ; T. Topham, Wharfinger ; 
 S. Barker and G. Bowen, Auditors ; J. Stevens and G. Bowen, Committee 
 on Repairs, were elected for the ensuing year. 
 
 The Committee to agree with steamboat owners, in regard to future regu- 
 lations, made a verbal report, that they had agreed that the Trustees would 
 put the wharf in complete order, and after that the steamboat owners agree 
 to repair all damages they may cause. 
 
 The Committee on Repairs made a written report, which was accepted. 
 Jf Stevens and G. Bowen, the Committee, presented their bill for services, 
 $300. The bill was read, and no motion taken on it ; but it was Voted, 
 That Mr. Stevens and Mr. Bowen be paid $100 each in full compensation. 
 
 Voted, That from and after this day, no person on any committee shall 
 receive any compensation for his services, unless specially agreed upon at 
 the time of his appointment. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee on Repairs be requested to make a full and 
 more detailed report of the repairs done under their direction than in the 
 report read to-day, and report to the next meeting. 
 
 1850. April 10. Annual Meeting. The Chairman, Secretary and Treas- 
 urer, Wharfinger, Auditors, and Committee on Repairs, were all re-elected 
 for the ensuing year. 
 
 The Treasurer was directed to deposit in the Savings Bank any moneys he 
 may have on hand. 
 
 1851. April 10. Annual meeting. All the Officers of last year were re- 
 elected for the present year. 
 
 Voted, That Samuel Brown and Christopher G. Perry be a Committee to 
 inquire into the Original Trust of the Trustees of Long Wharf, and Public 
 
86 APPENDIX C. 
 
 School, and also to inquire into the Trust relating to establishing Free 
 Schools, and report at the next meeting. 
 
 1852. April 10. Annual Meeting. All the Officers of the past year 
 were again elected for the year. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee on Repairs be authorized to lay a sidewalk 
 and build a close board fence on the north side of Long Wharf, between 
 Smith & Covill's boatbuilders' shop and the store belonging to the heirs of 
 the late Henry Bull (formerly S. Martin's store), several small sheds having 
 recently been erected on the south side of Long Wharf, eastward of Grav- 
 elly Point, which the Trustees deem to be a trespass, and not allowed 
 according to the charter of the Proprietors. The Secretary of the Trustees 
 is requested to represent the matter to the Treasurer of the town, and if 
 such sheds are placed there without a legal right to do so, to request said 
 Treasurer to have them removed. 
 
 August 9. Special Meeting. In consequence of the death of Theophilus 
 Topham, Wharfinger, it was 
 
 Voted, That John Hull be Wharfinger for the balance of the year. 
 
 A committee was appointed to inform Mr. Hull of his election, and to 
 ascertain whether his custom-house duties would interfere with his office of 
 Wharfinger. 
 
 1853. April 14. Annual Meeting. S. T. Northam, Chairman ; R. P. 
 Lee, Secretary and Treasurer ; John Hull, Wharfinger ; S. Barker and G. 
 Bowen, Auditors ; W. Sherman, G. Bowen and W. C. Cozzens, Committee 
 on Repairs, were elected for the ensuing year. 
 
 The Committee on Repairs were requested to advise with the Wharfinger, 
 in regard to rates to be charged for wharfage, and in such other matters as 
 relates to his duty. 
 
 The Committee on Repairs are requested to take into consideration the 
 propriety of widening the head of the wharf, on the north side, and to make 
 an estimate of its cost ; also to procure an Act from the State Legislature 
 for that purpose. 
 
 1854. April 10. -Annual Meeting. The Chairman, Secretary and Treas- 
 urer, Wharfinger, and Committee on Repairs, were re-elected for the ensuing 
 year, and Samuel Barker and Robert Sherman, 2d, Auditors. 
 
 Voted, That the Treasurer inform the Fall River Steamboat Company that 
 after May 1, 1854, they will be required to pay $1,200 for the same accom- 
 modation as the past year. 
 
LONG WHARF. 87 
 
 The Committee on Repairs were directed to extend the sidewalk on the 
 north side of the wharf, to the west end of the lower store, and around the 
 corner to the steamboat office. 
 
 The same Committee were directed to contract with the Gas Company, to 
 light the wharf, provided they can make a satisfactory arrangement. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee be authorized to widen the wharf, on the south 
 side, from the Messer estate westward to meet the southeast corner of the 
 present projection, if they deem it expedient to do so. 
 
 1855. April 12. Annual meeting. The Chairman, Secretary and Treas- 
 urer, Wharfinger, and Committee on Repairs, were re-elected for this year, 
 and D. G. Conk and R. Sherman 2d, Auditors. 
 
 Voted, That Robert S. Barker and David J. Gould be Trustees, in place of 
 Samuel Barker and Christopher G. Perry, deceased. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee on Repairs, be directed to light the Long 
 Wharf from Thames Street, to the west end of the wharf. 
 
 Voted, That "the Committee on Repairs be instructed to extend the sidewalk 
 on the north side of the wharf from Washington Street to meet the walk 
 already laid, and to make a walk in all such other places as may require it, 
 on said north side, between said Washington Street and the estate of Miss 
 Richardson. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee on Repairs, be directed to confer with the 
 proprietors of the Fall River Steamboat Company, and ascertain what alter- 
 ations and improvements, if any, they require for the accommodations of 
 their boats and passengers, and if they can make a satisfactory bargain for 
 the use of the additional accommodation, to make such alterations and 
 improvements, in their discretion, and draw on the Treasurer for the cost 
 thereof. Mr. Samuel Allen stated that he resided in Middletown, and there- 
 fore wished to resign his place as Trustee. It was voted not to fill the place 
 of Mr. Allen until the next meeting. 
 
 1856. April 10. Annual meeting. Charles Devens was chosen Chairman 
 for the year, R. P. Lee, Secretary and Treasurer, John Hull, Wharfinger, 
 D. G. Cook and R. Sherman, Auditors, W. 0. Cozzens, William Sherman, 
 and G. Bowen, Committee on Repairs. Whereas the Committee on Repairs 
 have erected a new depot building on the end of the wharf, and have 
 insured $3,400 on the same, in the Providence Mutual Company for seven 
 years from October 4, 1855, it is hereby 
 
 Voted, That the Trustees sanction said act. 
 
 Voted, That the renting of the new depot be left entirely to the discretion 
 of the Committee on Repairs. 
 
88 APPENDIX C. 
 
 June 5. A special meeting. E. "W. Lawton, Chairman, pro tern. ; C. 
 Devens, the standing Chairman, not present at the commencement of the 
 meeting. The Secretary stated that he had called the meeting by request of 
 the Committee on Lighting the Wharf, for the Trustees to receive a commu- 
 nication from the Gas Company, stating the terms on which the Company 
 would light the Wharf. The communication was read, and the Trustees de- 
 clined the proposal. It was then 
 
 Voted, That the Committee on Repairs agree with the Gas Company to 
 light ten posts on the wharf, at a price not exceeding $33 per post, per 
 annum ; the Trustees to furnish the posts and lanterns and to keep them in 
 repair. 
 
 The Committee on Repairs are authorized and requested to attend to any 
 business that may come before the State Legislature, in which the Trustees 
 of the Long Wharf are interested, and they are empowered to employ counsel 
 if they deem it necessary. 
 
 1857. April 10. Annual meeting. All the officers of the past year were 
 re-elected for the present year. 
 
 July 31. A special meeting. The Committee on Repairs were author- 
 ized to make any contract with the Bay State Company in regard to commu- 
 tations of freight landed from said Company's boats which they may deem 
 best for the interest of the Trustees. 
 
 The Committee on Repairs made a report, that in consequence of an appli- 
 cation from the Bay State Company for a lease of- the wharf and depot build- 
 ing, they had contracted with the agent of said Company for the use of the 
 head of Long Wharf, for the use of their boats, and for the occupancy of the 
 depot building, they paying at the rate of $1700 per year for the Wharf and 
 building. The lease to continue from July 1, 1857, to July 1, 1859. It was 
 
 Voted, That the above report be accepted, and that this Board approve and 
 ratify said contract. 
 
 1858. April 10. At the annual meeting, all the officers of the past year 
 were re-elected for this year. Judge William R. Staples, who was employed 
 by the Trustees to examine all the papers, books, and acts of the Trustees, 
 from the commencement in 1795 to 1857, in order to determine the exact 
 situation of the Trustees with the Long Wharf and Public School, made his 
 written report. 
 
 It was Voted, That the said report be accepted, arid that the Secretary 
 record the same in the Book of Records of the Trustees and place the origi- 
 nal on file. 
 
L0NG WHARF. 89 
 
 It was Voted, That Robert P. Lee, Secretary and Treasurer, have for his 
 services fifty dollars per year. 
 
 Voted, That the Treasurer be authorized to place in the Savings Bank of 
 Newport all the money that he has now on hand, and all that he may receive 
 from time to time which he may deem sufficient to deposit. 
 
 The Committee on Repairs are authorized to make good ^nd substantial 
 fences across the gaps or openings between the stores on the wharf, west of 
 Gravelly Point, provided the owners of the stores will agree to have them do 
 so. 
 
 1859. April IS. Adjourned annual meeting. The officers of last year 
 were re-elected for this year. 
 
 Voted, That-the Committee on Repairs be authorized to continue the ser- 
 vices of Mr. John Hull, Wharfinger, after the 1st of July next, in case they 
 arrange with the Bay State Company for commuting the wharfage, at a 
 salary of $100 per year and 20 per cent on all wharfage from other sources. 
 
 Voted, That the salary of the Secretary and Treasurer be $75 instead of 
 $50 per year. 
 
 The amount of funds in Savings Bank, arising from sales of Potter Estate, 
 so called, up to January 1, 1859, was $1,810.56. 
 
 July 23. John Hull, Wharfinger, resigned, and John Stevens was 
 appointed Wharfinger for the remainder of the year. The Committee on 
 Repairs to inform Mr. Stevens of his appointment. 
 
 The Trustees are indebted to the Report of Judge W. R. 
 Staples, for the following items of the history of the Long 
 Wharf, he having been applied to for an opinion as to the 
 rights and powers of the Trustees, and of their doings since 
 their appointment, under the Act of the General Assembly of 
 January, 1795: 
 
 The town of Newport, before the year 1702, owned a wharf where the 
 Long Wharf now is ; probably the space was originally left by the pur- 
 chasers for a public landing place, and that it passed to the town with other 
 undivided lands, when the purchasers relinquished their title to such undi- 
 vided lands to the towns. Before 1702 there had been a wharf built at this 
 place, a town wharf, which was probably like the original landing place, 
 open to all, and that it was built and maintained at the public expense. 
 
90 APPENDIX C. 
 
 The Wharf in 1702 had gone much to decay, and at that time there was 
 no likelihood of its being repaired again. The town therefore agreed that 
 " them persons in company (as they were called) that shall repair the 
 Wharf, and keep it in repair, shall have the power to choose a Wharfinger, 
 and take the usual custom of wharfage, both for wood and for other things 
 landed thereory" See vote of the town, April 29, 1702. 
 
 The object of this vote was to secure to the inhabitants the advantages of 
 a wharf at that place, and, at the same time, to free the town from the 
 expense of repairing it, that burden being shifted from the town to the 
 persons who used it. It had ceased to be a free wharf. A right to collect 
 wharfage on goods landed on it became vested in " them persons in com- 
 pany," and became theirs so long as they kept it in repair. It does not 
 appear that they forfeited that right. See vote of the town, October 3, 
 1739. 
 
 It is inferred from this vote, that the public required greater wharf accom- 
 modations at that place, both in width and length, than the old town wharf 
 afforded, and that " them persons in company " were not able or willing to 
 make the outlay required for that purpose. It appears, however, that there 
 were other individuals* more venturesome, 'or more public spirited, who would, 
 and the town, on their petition, granted to them the old town wharf, the 
 unoccupied lands adjoining north and south on Thames Street, the flats 
 westward to Easton's Point, the right to build the wharf across Easton's 
 Point, the flats west of Easton's Point, 800 feet, and the water-right, 45 
 feet in width, on each side of the wharf. 
 
 The petitioners were to agree with the owners of the town wharf, and 
 with the owners of land at Easton's Point. They were to build a wharf 50 
 feet in width, the whole length from Thames Street, of the granted prem- 
 ises, leaving a channel- way through it into the Cove, with a draw-bridge, on 
 the south side of the wharf. They were to leave a way open 30 feet in 
 width, for the better landing of wood and merchandise. The effect of this 
 vote was a divesting of the town of all right in the old town wharf, in the 
 unoccupied lands on Thames Street, and in the flats to the westward ; and 
 whatever rights they had became invested in the petitioners, for the pur- 
 poses of the grant, that is, for the purpose of building and maintaining a 
 wharf thereon, of the dimensions before stated. 
 
 The petitioners entered into possession of the granted premises ; and that 
 they agreed with the owners of the town wharf, and lands on Easton's Point, 
 may be inferred from other facts in the history of the wharf. They applied 
 to the General Assembly in 1769 for leave to raise 1,350 by lottery, to 
 
LONG WHAEF. 91 
 
 enable them to complete their agreement with the town of Newport, by 
 extending the wharf 170 feet further west, and also to pave the east end 
 near Thames Street. The petition was granted, but the petitioners were 
 required first to pave the east end of the wharf, and to extend it westward 
 with the balance of the avails of the lottery. As the paving was not done, 
 it is believed the wharf was not extended. By a map of Newport, engraved 
 in 1777, this wharf appears less than 700 feet in length at that time. It 
 therefore appears the proprietors received nothing from the Lottery Grant ; 
 they had, however, built a wharf, which if it did not conform exactly with 
 the one contracted to be built, was accepted and used by the public. 
 
 There is no evidence that any complaint was ever made against it, by the 
 town. That the wharf was suffered to decay during the War of the Revolu- 
 tion, that it was not repaired during that contest, and that it was ruthlessly 
 destroyed by the British soldiery for fire-wood, while in possession of New- 
 port, are facts beyond controversy. It is not probable that it received much 
 attention during the disastrous period which followed the Revolutionary War, 
 up to the adoption of the Constitution of the United States by the State. 
 No complaint was made, however, about it, at this or any other time, while 
 in their hands, up to 1795. 
 
 THE ACT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, JANUARY, 1795. 
 
 Without petition or complaint from any one, on motion, the Assembly 
 authorized thirty-six persons, citizens of Newport, who are named in the 
 Act, to set forth a scheme to raise by lottery twenty-five thousand dollars. 
 
 They were to appoint Managers of the Lottery, who were to give bonds to 
 the General Treasurer, for .the faithful performance of their Trust as Managers. 
 The powers conferred on them were very broad. How the wharf should be 
 rebuilt, after a title to it had been procured, what kind of a hotel and where 
 to be located, are left to the discretion of these Trustees, who are to act 
 without bond or oath, in discharge of their part of the Trust. 
 
 After the wharf and hotel were completed, the Trustees were to apply the 
 rents and profits arising from them to such a Public School for the children 
 of Newport, and in such way and manner, and under such regulations as the 
 Trustees should impose. And the Trust to last through all time, the right 
 of filling vacancies in the number being specially conferred on the survivors. 
 The Board of Trustees originated with the Assembly ; the funds which they 
 were to raise and appropriate, were provided by the Assembly. No person 
 33 
 
92 APPENDIX C. 
 
 was compelled to contribute toward the fund, and no person was compelled 
 to be benefitted by it. 
 
 This Act of the Assembly did not affect the title or ownership of the Long 
 Wharf; it did not pretend to do so, nor did the Trustees created by it so 
 understand it, as at their very first meeting they appointed a committee to 
 ascertain by what means they could obtain the fee of it they seemed to 
 suppose there would be no difficulty in obtaining it at once. This expecta- 
 tion was probably based on the situation of the wharf at that time, requiring 
 to be rebuilt and yielding no adequate return for the use, to which, as 
 Trustees, after being repaired or rebuilt by the avails of the Lottery, they 
 were to apply the net rents and profits. 
 
 Their first meeting was on the 14th February, 1795, the proceedings were 
 as per Book of Records of the Trustees, p. 3. 
 
 On the 22d March, 1798, the Trustees resolved that they -would put the 
 wharf in repair, as soon as they could get a deed of the same ; at the same 
 time they invoked the town to aid them in procuring a title to the wharf. 
 Urged Ijy the Trustees, a Town Meeting was held 29th March, 1798, at which 
 a committee was appointed to inquire into the situation of the wharf, and in 
 relation to the title to it. This committee reported to the Town Meeting in 
 April, but the report is not on file. 
 
 The subject came before the Town Meeting in June, 1798, and the Town 
 Resolved, That inasmuch as the proprietors of that part of the Long Wharf 
 west of Gravelly Point had for many years neglected to comply with the 
 conditions contained in the original grant, and thereby had forfeited all right 
 to the same, and as the rebuilding of the same would be both ornamental 
 and useful to the town, they voted, that all the right of the town in the Long 
 Wharf west of Gravelly Point be transferred to the Trustees of the Long 
 Wharf Hotel and Public School Lottery for the purpose, contemplated in the 
 Act of Incorporporation, " on condition of their rebuilding the same, and 
 keeping it in repair, agreeably to the original grant to the proprietors of the 
 Long Wharf." 
 
 Six months were allowed to the proprietors of the other part of the Long 
 Wharf to put that in repair. The Town Treasurer was directed to make a 
 deed to the Trustees of that part granted, but no such deed is on record. 
 
 But when it is shown that the Trustees entered into the possession of the 
 premises voted to w them, and continued in possession from that time to the 
 present without legal objection from the proprietors of the Long Wharf, 
 there is every necessary presumption to support the title of the Trustees ; 
 and when it is evident that the Trustees, on taking possession, proceeded 
 
LONG WHARF. 93 
 
 immediately, with all speed of their times, to rebuild the wharf, and expend 
 large sums of money on it, within sight and cognizance of the proprietors 
 and the town ; that on the 23d February, 1799, they appointed a committee 
 to survey the wharf. 
 
 On the 5th April they voted, To advertise for proposals to rebuild it. 
 
 On the 19th July appointed a committee to rebuild it, and on the llth 
 May, 1801, had expended all their funds derived from the Lottery Grant, and 
 authorized their Treasurer to borrow $1,800 to complete the work. 
 
 Any Court of Equity would mulct the complainant in costs, who should 
 now move it to declare no title in the Trustees. A Court of Law, too, would 
 not hesitate to adjudge the title good, under a plea of possession, accom- 
 panied with such circumstances. It is therefore assumed that the Trustees, 
 by virtue of this vote of the Town and their acts and possession, and the 
 silence and acquiescence of the proprietors under it, are the owners of that 
 part of the Long Wharf to the westward of Gravelly Point. 
 
 The Trustees appointed by the General Assembly, were a body, by the Act 
 which created them, fully authorized to fill vacancies in their Board, and so 
 perpetuate their existence ; they had no need of a Charter of Incorporation. 
 But it was not so with the grantees of the Town in 1739 ; they retained their 
 individual character. Upon the decease of one of them, his interest passed to 
 his heirs, and hence it was that in 1801 , when, on the division of the wharf 
 between them and the Trustees, they had become possessed of a valuable 
 property that they felt the necessity, and applied to the General Assembly, for 
 an Act of Incorporation. 
 
 In answer to the question of what were the rights of the Trustees under 
 this vote of the town in 1798, it is to be said that they were to hold the 
 part granted, for the purpose contemplated in the Act of Incorporation, on 
 condition of their rebuilding the same and keeping it in repair, agreeably to 
 the original grant to the proprietors of the Long Wharf. They then had it 
 in trust, with no pecuniary advantage to themselves, except what they might 
 have in common with other inhabitants of Newport, in the use of the wharf 
 on paying wharfage, and the advantage arising from a public school. There 
 is no provision in the Trust Deed, or Act of the Assembly, for any pay for 
 any services as Trustees, and of course they are not entitled to any. 
 " Charges and Repairs " are alone to be deducted from the rents and profits. 
 They were to rebuild and keep in repair that part of Long Wharf agree- 
 ably to the original grant. If by original grant reference is had to the town 
 vote of 1702, the conditions are very loose ; no length or breadth of the 
 wharf is required ; simply to repair the old town wharf ; and for this they 
 
94 APPENDIX C. 
 
 were to receive wharfage for wood and any other thing landed thereon. If 
 reference is meant to the grant of 1739, there is more exactness and cer- 
 tainty in the terms imposed on the grantees. They were to build a wharf 
 50 feet wide, extending 800 feet west of Gravelly Point from low water mark, 
 a good and substantial wharf, and always leaving 30 feet in width of the said 
 wharf on the south side free and clear of buildings and other incumbrances, 
 for the better landing of wood, lumber, &c., for the benefit of the inhabi- 
 tants, according to the grant in the year 1702. This reference to the Act of 
 1702 must have been to bring into view the clause of the Act granting 
 wharfage on wood, and other things landed on the wharf; this however was 
 hardly necessary, as the fee of the land, as far as it could be, was trans- 
 ferred to the grantees. 
 
 The Trustees did build a wharf of the required length and width, without 
 any unnecessary delay. They kept it in repair, whenever injured by storm 
 or flood, or accident ; it has been repaired and rebuilt. They were to build 
 a hotel also, from the avails of the lottery grant. This they have not done. 
 It seems from the records before referred to, that more than all the avails 
 from that source were used in repairing the wharf. Taking it for granted 
 that this is so, they surely are not in fault in not building the hotel. All the 
 funds put into their hands is this Lottery Grant. It is not declared which 
 shall be built first, the wharf or the hotel, and if the whole amount ex- 
 pected from that source had been realized, both would probably have been 
 completed. 
 
 But they did not, and probably could not, raise it all, and they elected as an 
 object of the greatest importance, the rebuilding of the wharf, rather than 
 the erecting of the hotel. The General Assembly saw their course of pro- 
 ceeding ; the town of Newport, the proprietors of the Long Wharf, were all 
 cognizant of it ; and there is no evidence of any fault found with them by 
 any one. The silence ratified the selection of the Trustees, and justified their 
 proceedings in relation to the wharf and hotel. 
 
 THE ACT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MAY, 1829. 
 
 This Act, too, was passed at the mere motion of the Legislature. It is 
 not based on any petition of the Trustees or any other person. The General 
 Assembly assumed, by the first section, to appropriate the west end or head 
 of this wharf, to the exclusive use of the steamers plying between this State 
 and New York, and makes it penal for any other vessel to make any use of 
 that part of the wharf, or of any part of the sides so as to interfere with 
 
LONG WHARF. 95 
 
 that exclusive use of the head by said steamers. The object of this Act is 
 very apparent ; it was to facilitate steamboat communication between New- 
 port and New York. 
 
 The wharf being a public wharf, as before stated, in the sense there inti- 
 mated, these steam packets had a right in common with all other vessels to 
 stop at it, without an Act of the Legislature ; it might not be in the power 
 of the owners of such a wharf to give a preference in the use of the wharf, 
 to one class of vessels over another. The advantages which would result 
 to the State from such a line of steamboat communication, and the increased 
 safety to passengers on such a route by such legislation, might induce the 
 General Assembly to grant this power to a wharf owner. A similar exclu- 
 sive use of the ferry wharves in this State is vested in the ferry owners. 
 
 The Trustees, by the second section, are empowered to make a contract 
 with the owners or agents of such steamers, for the exclusive use of the 
 head of the wharf; for it is only when such contract is in force, that it is 
 penal for other vessels to use the head of the wharf. Being so empowered, 
 it would seem necessarily to draw after it the power to make such further 
 limitations to the use of the wharf as a public wharf, as would ensure the 
 successful use of the part exclusively contracted for, and without which this 
 would be imperfect. This would, therefore, authorize the Trustees to shut 
 up the thirty-foot way at the head of the wharf; the language of the Act is 
 broad enough to embrace it : " The west end of the Long Wharf in Newport, 
 to wit," across the head thereof, is exclusively appropriated to these steam- 
 ers, " and the power to contract with the agents or owners for the head of 
 the wharf as aforesaid." 
 
 The Trustees are the legal owners of the wharf in question, not only 
 having the right as wharf owners, but by the Act of their appointment, it 
 is their duty to collect wharfage on wood and any other goods that are 
 landed on it, whether they belong to the State, to the City, or to individuals. 
 They have the same right over the wharf, and its use within the. conditions 
 contained in the Act appointing them, and subsequent Acts of the Legisla- 
 ture, as other wharf owners have over their wharves. 
 
 Between February, 1803, and February, 1805, deeds were made by the 
 Treasurer of the Trustees, of lots on the north side of the wharf west of 
 Gravelly Point, by virtue of a Resolution of the Assembly, February, 1803. 
 The resolution is in the handwriting of John L. Boss, Jr., Clerk of the 
 House, but there is no petition on file, nor is it referred to. 
 
96 APPENDIX C. 
 
 We now continue the report from the Record. 
 
 1860. April 10. At the annual meeting the officers of the last year were 
 all re-elected. 
 
 1861. April II. At the annual meeting the officers of the past year 
 were all re-elected. 
 
 Voted, To remit the wharfage bill against ship Mechanic, in consequence 
 of injury sustained by that vessel while laying at the wharf. 
 
 May 23. At a special meeting, C. Devens, chairman, 
 
 It was Voted, That a petition be presented to the General Assembly at the 
 May session, asking for power to lease the Long Wharf, and dock adjoining, 
 to any railroad company which may build a railroad from Fall River to New- 
 port. W. C. Cozzens and D. G. Cook were appointed a- committee to make 
 such alterations as may be desirable to the petition read before the meeting 
 and to present the same to the General Assembly. 
 
 1862. January 18. At a meeting, William C. Cozzens, Chairman, 
 Benjamin Finch, as President of the Newport & Fall River Railroad Company, 
 presented a communication asking the terms for a long lease of the wharf to 
 the Railroad Company ; whereupon it was 
 
 Voted, That the wharf be leased at $1400 per annum on a long lease, the 
 Railroad Company to keep it in repair and pay all expenses, with leave to 
 enlarge the wharf as they may think proper. 
 
 R. Sherman, S. Engs and S. Brown were appointed the committee. John 
 Stevens was elected Secretary and Treasurer for the remainder of the year in 
 place of Robert P. Lee, deceased, at the salary of the former Secretary and 
 Treasurer, pro rata. The Treasurer is directed to deposit the funds, now on 
 hand, in the Savings Bank, if interest will be allowed from to-day. $50 to 
 be allowed the heirs of R. P. Lee, as his portion of the salary for the year. 
 Capt. Charles E. Hammett was elected a Trustee in the place of R. P. Lee, 
 deceased. 
 
 April 14. At the annual meeting, B. Finch, Chairman, and J. Stevens, 
 Secretary. D. G. Cook was elected Chairman and J. Stevens, Secretary and 
 Treasurer. . The Committee on Repairs of last year and the Auditors were 
 re-elected. The Treasurer presented his account, in which he credits $1210.- 
 89 as the balance received from the administrator of R. P. Lee, deceased, 
 late Treasurer, and continues the account to this date, showing a balance in 
 his hands of $108.69 now in the hands of Mr. Stevens, due the Trust. 
 
 A verbal report was made by the Committee to lease the Long Wharf, that 
 
LONG WHARF. 97 
 
 the lease had been drawn but not yet executed, being left in the hands of the 
 Railroad Company for consideration; subsequently the lease being duly exe- 
 cuted, a copy of it is herewith presented, as follows : 
 
 COPY OF LEASE OF LONG WHARF, NEWPORT, 
 
 TO 
 
 NEWPORT & FALL RIVER RAILROAD COMPANY. 
 JUNE 5, 1862. 
 
 Whereas, The General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Provi- 
 dence Plantations, at their May Session, A. D. eighteen hundred and sixty- 
 one, passed a certain act, a portion whereof is in the words and figures 
 following, namely, " It is enacted by the General Assembly, as follows: 
 
 "SECTION 1st. The Trustees of the Long Wharf in Newport are hereby 
 authorized to make and execute a lease of the exclusive use of their Wharf 
 and Docks in Newport for such time, and upon such terms and conditions as 
 they may think proper, to any Railroad Corporation which may construct a 
 Railroad from Newport to Fall River." 
 
 " And Whereas, At a meeting of said Trustees of Long Wharf and Free 
 School, held at Newport, in the State aforesaid, on Saturday, January the. 
 eighteenth, A. D. eighteen hundred and sixty-two, it was voted as follows : 
 
 " That the Wharf be leased at fourteen hundred dollars per annum, on a 
 long lease, and that a committee of three be appointed to make a contract for 
 a long lease to the Newport and Fall River Railroad Company ; the Railroad 
 to keep it in repair and pay all expenses, with leave to enlarge the Wharf as 
 they may think proper. Robert Sherman, Samuel Engs, and Samuel Brown, 
 to be the Committee." 
 
 Now, therefore, this Indenture, made at Newport, in the County of New- 
 port and State of Rhode Island, aforesaid, on the fifth day of June, A. D. 
 eighteen hundred and sixty-two, by and between the Trustees of the Long 
 Wharf and Free School aforesaid, by Robert Sherman, Samuel Engs, and 
 Samuel Brown, a committee duly authorized and appointed for this purpose, 
 as aforesaid, of the first part, and the Newport and Fall River Railroad 
 Company, a Corporation legally created by act of the General Assembly of 
 
98 APPENDIX C. 
 
 our said State of Rhode Island, of the second part, Witnesseth, That said 
 parties of the first part, for and in consideration of the rents and covenants 
 herein reserved and contained, on the part of said parties of the second part, 
 to be paid and performed, do hereby demise, lease, and to farm let, unto said 
 parties of the second part, the exclusive use of said Long Wharf and the 
 Docks thereof, and all the right, title, and interest of said parties of the first 
 part in and to the same premises, with full leave, liberty, and privilege to 
 enlarge said Wharf, at the cost of said parties of the second part, in any 
 manner and to any extent in or to which it would be lawful for said parties 
 of the first part, at any time hereafter, if this lease had not been made, to 
 enlarge the same. 
 
 To have and to hold said premises, with the appurtenances thereof, unto 
 said parties of the second part, their successors and assigns, for and during 
 the term of one hundred years from the first day of July, A. D. eighteen 
 hundred and sixty-two, with the privilege and right, to said parties of the 
 second part, their successors and assigns, at their own option to renew said 
 lease, at the expiration of the term aforesaid, for the further term of one 
 hundred years, at the same rent and upon the same conditions herein reserved 
 and contained ; yielding and paying therefor, during said term, the annual 
 rent of one thousand and four hundred dollars , in equal quarterly payments in 
 each and every year of said term, the first of which payments is to be made on 
 the first day of October, A. D. eighteen hundred and sixty-two. 
 
 Provided, That if said rent, or any part thereof, shall be behind and 
 unpaid on any day of payment, as hereinbefore specified, and shall remain 
 unpaid for the space of six calendar months thereafter ; or if default shall be 
 made in any of the covenants, on the part of said parties of the second part 
 herein contained, and such default shall continue for the space of six calendar 
 months, then said parties of the first part, or their successors, may, at their 
 option, and without previous notice, or demand, determine this lease, and 
 re-enter upon said demised premises, and the same repossess as of their former 
 estate. 
 
 And said parties of the second part, for themselves, their successors, and 
 assigns, do covenant with said parties of the first part, and their successors, 
 in manner following, namely : 
 
 That they, said parties of the second part, their successors and assigns, 
 shall and will pay the rent aforesaid, in manner aforesaid ; And will, at their 
 own cost, at all times during the continuance of this lease, keep said demised 
 premises, and all enlargements and additions thereto, which may be here- 
 after made, in good, sound, and serviceable repair. And will, yearly, and 
 
LONG WHARF. . 99 
 
 every year during the continuance of this lease, pay and discharge all taxes, 
 assessments, and levies, which, at any time during said period, shall be law- 
 fully taxed, assessed, or imposed on said premises, or on any part thereof, 
 or on said parties of the first part, or their successors, on account of the 
 same. And will pay all expenses, costs, and charges, of every kind whatso- 
 ever, incident to the ownership of said premises, or which said parties of the 
 first part would themselves otherwise be bound and liable to pay. And will 
 always, during said term, light said wharf, in the night time, with gas lights 
 (or with such other lighting apparatus and material as for the time being 
 may from time to time be found most proper and advantageous) from Thames 
 Street down to the west end of said Wharf, to an equal degree and to the 
 same extent, in all respects, as said wharf has heretofore been lighted by 
 said parties of the first part, or by their tenants. 
 
 Provided, That whenever, hereafter, some other convenient and commodious 
 street or way shall be provided and established for public travel to and from 
 the premises hereby demised, then 'such street or way shall be lighted by said 
 parties of the second part, their successors and assigns, in manner as aforesaid, 
 and the obligation to light said wharf, as above said, shall cease and 
 determine. 
 
 And will, at the end of said term or of the renewal thereof, or other sooner 
 termination of this lease, peaceably surrender said demised premises to said 
 parties of the first part, or their successors, in good order and repair. 
 
 And said parties of the first part, for themselves and their successors, do 
 hereby covenant and agree to and with said parties of the second part, their 
 successors and assigns, as follows : 
 
 That they, said parties of the second part, may, at any time during the 
 continuance of this lease, enlarge said wharf hereby demised, at the cost of 
 them, said parties of the second part, in any manner and to any extent, in or to 
 which said parties of the first part, as the owners and occupiers of said 
 premises, might lawfully enlarge the same. 
 
 That they, said parties of the second part, their successors or assigns, shall, 
 if they so devise, renew this lease for a second term of one hundred years, as 
 hereinbefore provided and set forth. 
 
 And that they, said parties of the second part, performing their covenants 
 herein contained, and paying the rent as aforesaid, shall and may lawfully, 
 quietly, and peaceably hold and occupy said afore demised premises for and 
 during said term of one hundred years, and for and during the renewal hereof, 
 herein provided, without lawful let or hindrance of any person whatever. 
 
 In witness whereof, said parties of the first part have caused these presents 
 34 
 
100 . APPENDIX C. 
 
 to be executed by their Committee aforesaid ; and said parties of the second 
 part have caused their President, Benjamin Finch, to affix their corporate 
 seal hereunto and to subscribe his name hereunto for the perfect execution 
 hereof, on this fifth day of June, A. D. eighteen hundred sixty-two. 
 
 ROBT SHERMAN, ) [L. s.] 
 
 SAMUEL ENGS, > Committee. [L. s.J 
 SAM. BROWN, ) [L.S.] 
 
 Executed and delivered in > 
 presence of $ 
 
 FRANCIS B. PECKHAM, JR. 
 
 NEWPORT & FALL RIVER RAILROAD Co. 
 
 By BENJ. FINCH, President. 
 
 STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, &c. > 
 Newport, ss. $ 
 
 NEWPORT, June 5th, 1862. 
 
 Personally appeared the aforenamed Robert Sherman, Samuel Engs, and 
 Samuel Brown, and acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be the free 
 act and deed of themselves, and of the Trustees of the Long Wharf and Free 
 School in Newport. 
 
 Also personally appeared the aforenamed Benjamin Finch, President of 
 the Newport and Fall River Railroad Company, and acknowledged said 
 instrument to be the free act and deed of said Railroad Company. 
 
 Before me, 
 
 FRANCIS B. PECKHAM, JR., 
 
 Justice of Peace. 
 
 April 14. Seth W. Macy was elected a Trustee in place of Peleg Clarke, 
 deceased. 
 
 Voted, That a committee be appointed to purchase a suitable lot for a new 
 school house, to be erected in the First Ward by the Long Wharf Trustees ; 
 that said Committee confer with the Joint Committee of the City and School 
 Committee as to the location of said lot, and invite them to furnish plans of a 
 school house such as they would approve. 
 
 Samuel Engs, Robert Sherman and David J. Gould were appointed the 
 committee and authorized to draw on the Treasurer for the amount required 
 to pay for the lot, and when purchased they are requested to report to the 
 Trustees with such plans for the proposed building as they may obtain from 
 the Joint Committee before mentioned. 
 
LONG. WHARF. 101 
 
 May 20. At a special meeting of the Trustees, the Commiteee appointed 
 in relation to the proposed new school house, to be erected in the First Ward, 
 made a report, stating that they had purchased a lot 100 feet square, on the 
 corner of third and Willow Street for $850, and had paid for the same ; they 
 also presented plans and drawings of a school house, together with a letter 
 from George C. Mason, in which he estimates the cost of such a building at 
 $9,000. Mr. Finch offered the following resolution, which was passed. 
 
 Voted, That the plans for a school house,, drawn by George C. Mason and 
 approved by the Committee, be adopted, and that the same Committee be 
 continued in power, and they are requested to have specifications drawn in 
 accordance therewith, and that they advertise in the newspapers, inviting 
 sealed proposals for building said school house, and when such proposals are 
 received they are to be opened and read only in the presence of the Trustees, 
 at a meeting to be called by the Committee for that purpose. 
 
 John Stevens was re-appointed Wharfinger until the lease of the Long 
 Wharf to the Railroad Company goes into effect. 
 
 June 26. At a special meeting, the committee appointed in relation to 
 the proposed new school house in the First Ward, presented the proposals 
 which had been received, and were opened in the presence of the'Trustees. 
 After debate it was 
 
 Voted, That the proposals be returned to the Committee as being entirely 
 above our means, and that they be required to ascertain from the architect 
 in what manner the cost of the building can be reduced to a sum not exceed- 
 ing $11,000, to include heating apparatus for the house, desks, desk-seats, 
 grading and fencing the ground, and everything complete for the reception of 
 the scholars, also to include lightning rods. 
 
 1862. July 3. At a Special Meeting, D. G. Cook, Chairman, a Report 
 was made from the Committee in relation to the proposed new School House, 
 with reduced estimates, but still showing that the house could not be built 
 upon anything near the original plan, even with the reduction proposed, for 
 much, if anything, less than $13,000, to cover every expense. Mr. G. C. 
 Mason being present, explained what the proposed reductions would do 
 towards lessening the cost, and stated that he expected some further pro- 
 posals from New York ; and it was stated by the Committee that another 
 proposal, for the whole building complete, might be expected to be made, in 
 addition to the proposals already received, and which have been to-day laid 
 before the meeting. On motion of Robert Sherman, it was 
 
 Voted, That the School House shall be built in accordance with the reduced 
 
102 APPENDIX C. 
 
 plan presented, provided the whole expense does not exceed $13,000, to in- 
 clude everything required to make it complete in all respects. 
 
 That this meeting will adjourn to meet again on Wednesday next, July 9, . 
 at 3 P. M., to hear the Report of the Committee, as to any additional pro- 
 posals to build the School House, and also as to whether a loan from any 
 bank in this city can be obtained, of the amount required to complete the 
 building, upon a pledge of the property, together with the rent arising from 
 the lease of the Long Wharf to the Newport and Fall River Railroad Co. 
 
 July 9. At a Special Meeting of the Trustees, a written report was 
 made by the Building Committee, showing the various proposals which had 
 been made under the reduced estimates, whereupon it was 
 
 Resolved, That the Building Committee be, and they are hereby, author- 
 ized to contract with Philip Simmons to build the proposed School House, 
 in accordance with the plans and specifications adopted by the Trustees, for 
 a sum not exceeding $11,900 ; and to contract for the heating and providing 
 desks and seats for said School House, on the most favorable terms. 
 
 Voted, That Samuel Engs, David J. Gould, and Robert Sherman, be the 
 Building Committee, and they are hereby authorized to make all contracts 
 and terms of payment, and to draw on the Treasurer, from time to time, for 
 such sums of money as may be necessary to fulfil the contracts, and for 
 other purposes connected therewith. 
 
 Voted, That the Treasurer be hereby authorized to withdraw from the 
 Savings Bank the amount realized from the sale of the old Long Wharf Free 
 School House, and its accumulations, which are now on special deposit in 
 the Savings Bank, and to apply the same, and other funds in said Savings 
 Bank, towards the building of the new School House. 
 
 Voted, That the Treasurer be, and he is hereby, empowered and authorized 
 to hire, on. account of the Trustees, such sum or sums of money as may be 
 necessary, after using the funds now on hand, or belonging to the Trustees, 
 to pay the orders of the Building Committee, and to give his note or notes 
 therefor. 
 
 Voted, That the Chairman and William 0. Cozzens be a Committee to 
 arrange for an address., containing an historical account of the Long 
 Wharf and its Free School, to be delivered at the dedication of the new 
 School House. 
 
 The Chairman reported that he had prevailed upon Governor Win. C. 
 Cozzens, to deliver an address on the occasion of the dedication of the new 
 School House, and that he had prepared an abstract from the records, to be 
 printed with the address as an appendix. 
 
LONG WHARF. 103 
 
 1863. April 13. At the Annual Meeting, David G. Cook was elected 
 Chairman for the ensuing year ; John Stevens, Secretary and Treasurer; D. 
 G. Cook and Robert Sherman, Auditors. Charles E. Haminett, Jr., was 
 elected a Trustee, in place of Joseph Paddock, deceased. 
 
 The Building Committee made a verbal report, that the School House was 
 nearly completed, with the exception of the desks and seats, and they were 
 authorized and requested, in concert with the Committee appointed July 9, 
 1862, to arrange for an address to be delivered on the occasion of the dedica- 
 tion, and to make all necessary arrangements for the dedication, to take 
 place about the 20th of May. The said Committee" 1 to cause five hundred 
 copies of the proceedings at the dedication, together with an abstract from 
 the records, to be published. Charles E. Hammett, Jr., was added to this 
 Committee. 
 
 The Treasurer's account for the year was presented, received, and accepted, 
 showing a balance of forty cents in his hands, and an overdraft on the R. I. 
 Union Bank of $1,211.82. 
 
 Adjourned. 
 
 At a Special Meeting of the Trustees, on Wednesday, May 20, 1863, at 
 2.30 o'clock P. M., at the New School House, previous to the dedication 
 services, it was 
 
 Voted and resolved. That Governor William C. Cozzens be and he is hereby 
 authorized and requested, in his address, to make a formal presentation to the 
 Mayor and City Council, of the possession, use, and occupancy of the New 
 School House recently erected on Third and Willow Street for a Public 
 School of the City of Newport ; the said building to continue under their 
 entire control so long as the said city authorities shall maintain a Public 
 School therein. 
 
 Voted and resolved, That David G. Cook, Chairman of the Board of Trus- 
 tees, is hereby authorized and requested to present to the Mayor of the City 
 of Newport the keys of the said School House. 
 
 Voted, That a marble tablet, containing the names of the present Trustees, 
 be placed on the wall of the New School House, together with the names of 
 the Committee, the Architect, and Builders, with date of its erection ; and 
 that Benjamin Finch and William C. .Cozzens be a Committee to attend to it. 
 
 Voted, That this Board now adjourn to attend the dedication services. 
 
104 
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 
 NAMES OF TRUSTEES OF THE LONG WHARF FROM 
 1795 TO 1862. 
 
 The first ninety-six were appointed by the General Assembly of Rhode Island. 
 All others were appointed by the Board at their Annual or Special Meetings. 
 
 Appointed. 
 January, 1795. 
 
 Names. 
 
 Henry Marchant, 
 
 George Gibbs, 
 
 George Champlin, 
 
 Christopher Champlin, 
 James Robinson, 
 Peleg Clarke, 
 Henry Sherburne, 
 John Bours, 
 Oliver Warner, 
 John Handy, 
 Francis Malbone, 
 Daniel Mason, 
 Ethan Clarke, 
 Christopher Fowler, 
 Simeon Martin, 
 Thomas Dennis, 
 John L. Boss, 
 Samuel Vernon, Jr. 
 Christopher Ellery, 
 Christopher G. Champlin, 
 "William Ellery, Jr. 
 Daniel Lyman, 
 Isaac Senter, 
 Benjamin Mason, 
 Aaron Sheffield, 
 William Littlefield, 
 Silas Dean, 
 Audley Clarke, 
 Constant Taber, 
 Caleb Gardner, 
 Nathan Bebee, 
 Moses Seixas, 
 
 Died, resigned, or removed. 
 died, August 30, 1796. 
 removed July, 1811, f m t'n. 
 died July 8, 1811. 
 died April 25, 1805. 
 resigned August 14, 1814. 
 died December 3, 1803. 
 resigned July 8, 1807. 
 resigned July 8, 1807. 
 died November, 1799. 
 resigned July 8, 1807. 
 died July 8, 181.1. 
 died September 24, 1797. 
 died September 30, 1833. 
 died April 12, 1830. 
 resigned October 11, 1819. 
 resigned April 10, 1813. 
 died October 11, 1824. 
 died April 13, 1835. 
 died December 2, 1840. 
 resigned July 8, 1811. 
 resigned April 10, 1811. 
 rem'dfm town July 8, 1811. 
 died Dec. 20, 1799. 
 died. 
 
 died Octocer 4, 1796, 
 died November 21, 1822. 
 died October 11, 1819. 
 died April 15, 1844. 
 died February 15, 1827. 
 died October 26, 1806. 
 died in Nantucket. 
 died July 8, 1811. 
 
TRUSTEES. 
 
 
 105 
 
 Appointed. 
 January, 1795. 
 
 July 8, 1811. 
 
 July 11, 1811. 
 August 19, 1814. 
 April 10, 1815. 
 
 July 10, 1815. 
 October 11, 1816. 
 October 11, 1819. 
 
 January 10, 1820. 
 January 8, 1821. 
 ii 
 
 January 7, 1822. 
 ii 
 
 July 14, 1823. 
 October 11, 1824. 
 April 10, 1826. 
 April 9, 1827. 
 April 12, 1827. 
 April 14, 1828. 
 April 13, 1829. % 
 
 July 13, 1829. 
 April 12, 1830. 
 April 11, 1831. 
 
 Names, 
 
 Nicholas Taylor, 
 Walter Channing, 
 Archibald Crary, 
 Robert Rogers, 
 Christopher Rhodes, 
 William Engs, 
 William Mar chant, 
 Stephen T. Northam, 
 Jonathan Bowen, 
 Robert Robinson, 
 Edward Martin, 
 Gilbert Chace, 
 John G. Whitehorne, 
 William Ennis, 
 Benjamin Hadwen, 
 John R. Sherman, 
 William C. Gardner, 
 William Hunter, 
 Lewis Rousmaniere, 
 George Engs, 
 S. Fowler Gardner, 
 Stephen Gould, 
 Benjamin Pierce, 
 James Stevens, 
 Nathaniel S. Ruggles, 
 Edward W. Lawton, 
 Robert Stevens, Jr. 
 David King, 
 Nicholas G. Boss, 
 Richard K. Randolph, 
 David M. Coggeshall, 
 James B. Phillips, 
 Henry Bull, 
 Stephen Bowen, 
 Thomas Bush, 
 John Stevens, 
 George Bowen, 
 Samuel Allen, 
 Richard K; Randolph, 
 Isaiah Crocker, 
 
 Died, resigned, or removed, 
 died April 13, 1829. 
 rem'd i" m town July, 1815. 
 died in New York, 
 died September 14, 1835. 
 resigned April 10, 1815. 
 resigned April 10, 1815. 
 resigned August 19, 1814. 
 died April 10, 1856. 
 rem'd fm t'n Apr. 13, 1829. 
 died April 13, 1829. 
 resigned January 7, 1822. 
 died January 10, 1820. 
 resigned April 10, 1826. 
 died April 9, 1832. 
 died January 10, 1837. 
 resigned January 8, 1821. 
 resigned January 7, 1822. 
 rem'd f m t'n Apr. 10, 1826. 
 died July 10, 1820. 
 died April 12, 1847. 
 died August 2, 1845. 
 rem'd f m t'n Apr. 13, 1829. 
 died July 14, 1823. 
 rem'd fm t'n Apr. 14, 1828. 
 died April 12, 1847. 
 
 resigned April 11, 1842. 
 died January 10, 1837. 
 died January 10, 1837. 
 removed from town, 
 died October 10, 1847. 
 died April 8, 1833. 
 resigned April, 1831. 
 died July 13, 1829. 
 died April 10, 1848. 
 
 resigned April 12, 1855. 
 died April 18, 1849. 
 
106 
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 Appointed. 
 April 9, 1832. 
 April 8, 1833. 
 September 14, 1835. 
 January 10, 1837. 
 
 April 11, 1842. 
 April 15, 1844. 
 
 April 21, 1845. 
 
 July, 14, 1846. 
 
 April 12, 1847. 
 
 
 
 October 10, 1847. 
 April 10, 1848. 
 April 18, 1849. 
 
 April 12, 1855. 
 April 10, 1856. 
 
 January 18, 1862. 
 April 14, 1862. 
 April 13, 1863. 
 
 Names. 
 
 George C. Mason, 
 John V. Hammett, 
 Robert P. Lee, 
 Benjamin Finch, 
 Samuel Barker, 
 "William Sherman, 
 Samuel Engs, 
 Peleg Clarke, 
 Benjamin A. Mason, 
 George G. King, 
 William C. Cozzens, 
 John D. Northam, 
 David G. Cook, 
 Samuel Brown, 
 Christopher G. Perry, 
 Charles Devens, 
 Robert -Sherman, 2d, 
 Robert S. Barker, 
 David J. Gould, 
 Samuel Allen, Jr. 
 Joseph Paddock, Jr. 
 Charles E. Hammett, 
 Seth W. Macy, 
 Charles E. Hammett, Jr. 
 
 Died, resigned, or removed, 
 died Dec. 23, 1843. 
 
 died June, 1861. 
 died April 12, 1855. 
 
 died March, 1862. 
 removed from town. 
 
 died April 12, 1855. 
 died April, 1863. 
 
 died March, 1863. 
 
I 
 
 YC 56022 
 
 M185459 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 I