in the Colony and State of Rhode Island. The government in them from the outset, assumed to regulate civil things only. Their inhabitants denied that human government ought ever to assemble to do more. This heresy rendered the Colony of Rhode Island obnoxous to its neighbors. A decided belief that it was a deadly heresy impelled them to seek its suppression. A contrary belief, as decided, pervaded Rhode Island, and hence the jealousy before alluded to. It appeared in the watchful care exhibited from the commencement of the colony to prevent, and frustrated the attempts made to diminish its territory and to alter its distinctive policy. It was distinctly manifested in the instructions given in 1776, to its delegates in Congress, authorizing them to unite with the other Colonies in every means of defence against the common enemy, charging at the same time, "to take the greatest care to secure to the Colony in the strongest and most perfect manner its present form and all the powers of government so far as relates to the internal police and government of our own affairs, civil and religious." The same jealousy of interference appears also in the instructions to its delegates in 1782, when the State required them "to use their utmost exertions to prevent any infringement of the sovereignty and independence of the State." The discussion of State rights in 1782 and 1783, by the delegates in relation to the grant of the Five per cent. Impost, gave new impulse and power to this jealousy. The proceedings of Congress against their delegates in those years, the result undoubtedly, of their outspoken sentiments on this subject, added strength and poignancy to their arguments with their constituents. The men in this State who listened to them, treasured them up and repeated them during the discussion on the merits of the new Constitution. On that question the jealousy of other states had its influence. Further. The government of Rhode Island, both colonial and state, up to the adoption of the Constitution, was peculiar and somewhat patriarchal in its character. No officers held office longer than one year by one election. No salaries were so large as to make any office the object as well of avarice as ambition. The duties of all officers were generally discharged with less regard to form, than to substantial justice and the good of the community. Delegated power was effectually checked by low salaries and frequent elections. The General Assembly was as omnipotent as the British Parliament. But the annual election of the Governor and Senate, and the semi-annual election of the House of Representatives, insured the proper use of their omnipotence by shaping their legislation to a conformity to the popular will. As this system originated in the simple habits of the freemen of the Colony and State, it fostered those habits as well in the government as in the people. So far as the federal Constitution departed from these views, it came in contact with the established doctrines, practice and prejudices of the citizens of Rhode Island. These and other local and temporary causes, delayed the action of this State on the adoption of the Constitution. When brought to the test both in the General Assembly on the act for calling a Convention to consider it, and in the Convention on the question of adopting and ratifying it, the majority was very small. In both of these bodies, a majority of the members at the time of their appointment was against the measures finally adopted by them. Tradition says that appliances were used both in the Assembly and in the Convention to change the votes of members, not justifiable or excusable even, by the good results they produced. Let that rest in tradition to be obliterated by the hand of time. The Constitution became the supreme law of Rhode Island on the 29th day of May, 1790. Since that day we have been reaping untold advantages from it, in the prosperity that has overspread the whole land. It has lost none of the freshness of its strength by the lapse of time. It has proved itself competent and efficient for a breadth of territory and an increasing population far surpassing the thoughts of its framers. Recently treason has endeavored to overthrow it. The attempt recoiled in heavy vengeance on the heads of it authors, and so may it ever be. THE END. INDEX. NOTE. The following Index does not include the names of the freemen who voted in town meet- ACTIVE, Sloop, case of, referred to, 236. | ALLEN, Samuel, of Barrington, member Massachusetts in first General Con- AFFLAVIT DEUS ET DISSIPANTUR, quoted ALFRED, Ship, forms part of the first ALGERINE WAR with the United States, ALLEGIANCE to the King, inhabitants of Rhode Island discharged from, 66- 68. ALLEN, Elisha, town clerk of Middle- of the Convention that adopted the ALLEN, Col. Thomas, of Barrington, to the Constitution as AMERICAN CONGRESS, must eventually be ARNOLD, Benedict, agrees with the Brit- laid aside as useless, 825. tion of commenced, June 14,1775, 36. ANDREW DORIA, brig, forming part of tee of reconciliation between town ANNALS OF PROVIDENCE, by Judge Sta- ANNAPOLIS, new Congress assembles at, ANNUAL CONGRESS, recommended by mouth, 665, 672. ANTHONY, Burrington, of Portsmouth, member of the Convention that adopt- ALPIN, Mr., Attorney in behalf of Capt. APPEALS, appointment of Court of, 282. ARMED neutrality forebodes general ARMS, difficulty in procuring for Bri- commenced June 14, 1775, 36; Army ARMY OF OBSERVATION in Rhode Island, ish commander in Canada to an ex- ARNOLD, Benjamin, of Coventry, mem- ARNOLD, Dr. Jonathan, member of the House of Representatives from the gress in May, 1786, 570; elected a |