103. Whale,

*104. Redfin perch,

105. Sun fish, two sorts, 106. Pickerel,

107. Portuguese man of war,

108. Horse-foot,

109. Razor-handle clam,

110. Fresh-water clam, *111. Fresh-water sucker, 112. Star fish, or five finger.

Mr. S. subjoins to this list the following observations:"Some of the fish named in the above schedule have been seen here but seldom. The horse mackarel formerly frequented this coast in immense numbers, and in the season were constantly to be found in the market. But about the close of the revolutionary war they forsook our waters, and have not made their appearance since. They were esteemed a great delicacy, and are the largest of the mackarel species. I have prefixed an asterisk to the names of those which have been found fit for the table. Those annexed to the following numbers are in their season generally to be found in the Newport market. No. 3, 4, 5, 11, 14, 18, 30, 31, 33, 36, 38, 42, 48, 49, 52, 53, 62, 72, 88, 90, 92, 93, 94, 95, 101, 104.

On a skirt of this town is the foundation of a wind-mill, erected some time in the seventeenth century. The cement of this work, formed of shell lime and beach gravel, has all the firmness of Roman mortar, and, when broken off, frequently brings with it a part of the stone. Time has made no impression on it, except to increase its firmness. It would be an improvement in the art of building in this country, if mortar, made in the same manner, were to be generally employed.

Newport has always been esteemed one of the healthiest spots in America. The air of this island is almost absolutely sea air, is damp, often replenished with mists, less cold than the neighbouring continent in the winter, and less warm in the summer. The temperature resembles in some degree that of England. Whatever is the cause, it has long enjoyed this reputation, and has accordingly been a place of great resort, especially from the southern states and the West-Indies.

Newport has ever subsisted by commerce, and is still to a considerable extent employed in various kinds of commercial business. It is the port of entry, if I mistake not, for most of the trading towns in the state, Providence excepted.

FIRST SETTLEMENT OF NEWPORT.

47

The following is an abstract of the duties collected here

This town was settled in 1639, by Mr. William Coddington, and seventeen others. These men, together with Mr. Vane, afterwards Sir Henry Vane, favoured the peculiar tenets of Mrs. Hutchinson. As these tenets became more and more unpopular, Mr. Coddington, who had been a councillor in the colony of Massachusetts'-Bay, and been held in much reputation, was unwilling to continue in a country where his character and influence had materially declined. In the year 1637, he and his companions purchased this island, then known by the Indian name of Aquidnec, or Aquetnec. Here he soon after settled himself, with several of his associates. Mr. Hutchinson speedily followed him with his family, and, by the zeal and activity of his wife, was chosen governor in the place of Mr. Coddington, whom this restless, turbulent woman, incapable of any enjoyment unless when controlling both the civil and ecclesiastical affairs of the community in which she lived, persuaded the inhabitants to lay aside. Mr. Hutchinson died in 1642, and Mrs. Hutchinson removed to Manhattan, afterwards New-York. Mr. Coddington was then reinstated, and continued to be respected until his death. From the effects of Mrs. Hutchinson's conduct on himself, he probably learned moderation and wisdom. The colony does not appear to have been molested by the Indians. In truth, the inhabitants were secured by the strength and bravery of the other colonies, which, however, placed no confidence either in them or in their neighbours at Providence, and would never receive them into their union.

I am, Sir, &c.

LETTER VII.

Battle between the Americans under General Sullivan and the British commanded by Sir Robert Pigot. Stone Bridge. Tiverton. State of Rhode-Island. Its Boundaries and Divisions. Original Settlement. State of Religion and Learning. Common Schools.

DEAR SIR;

TUESDAY, September 23, we left Newport after dinner, and rode to Tiverton, twelve miles. In our journey we passed through almost the whole length and the whole breadth of the island of Rhode-Island. Everywhere we found the same finely rounded swells, elegant slopes, and handsome vallies; which, beginning as a characteristic feature at South Kingston, and continuing through Canonicut, terminated here. Except a few cliffs, which in some places form the shore, and are hanging and solemn, the surface is everywhere easy and graceful. The soil also is excellent, and especially fitted for grass. From thirty to forty thousand sheep are annually fed here, beside many neat cattle. The island abounds also in orchards; and yields a considerable quantity of garden fruit, particularly pears, of many varieties; some of them very fine. Peaches are neither excellent nor prosperous. They are injured by the peach-worm. In the spring, the sea winds are supposed to chill and shrink, and sometimes to destroy every kind of fruit. The inhabitants, therefore, surround their orchards and fruit yards with a shelter of forest or other hardy trees. Among these, cherry trees are found firmly to resist the influence of the winds. They are said to bear well; but many of those, which we saw, still exhibited evident marks of British ravages during the late war.

BATTLE BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND AMERICANS. 49

The fences on this island are generally stone walls, moderately well-built, and in tolerable repair. The wood was chiefly cut down by the British. In some places it has grown again to a considerable height. We passed the remains of several British works.

In a valley just below the hill, called Meeting House hill, and sometimes Quaker hill, a battle was fought between the Americans under General Sullivan and the British under Sir Robert Pigot. The Americans had crossed the river with an intention of attacking the British force in Newport; while the French fleet, under the command of the Count D'Estaing, was expected to second their efforts by sea. The count being drawn from his station by the address of Lord Howe, put to sea in pursuit of the British fleet. Here he was overtaken by a violent storm, August 11th, and suffered so severely, that he concluded to return to Boston with his fleet. A small number of his ships, only, came up with the British, and those were roughly handled. Thus the enterprise was abandoned by the French admiral. Had the Americans marched for Newport immediately after they had landed, or had D'Estaing returned to Newport after his pursuit of Lord Howe was ended, it is not improbable, that the British force might have been obliged to surrender, especially as they were ill supplied with provisions. Neither of these efforts was, however, made. Lord Howe, in the mean time, having sailed back to NewYork, took on board 4,000 additional troops, and proceeded as fast as possible for Rhode-Island. The American general, having received intelligence of this measure, resolved to retreat as early as he could do it with safety. To cover this design, he employed his men in throwing up works, and made the appearance of continuing his operations with spirit. On the 28th he withdrew his army from the neighbourhood of the British works in the evening, and at three the next morning had reached his destined position, near the north end of the island, without molestation or loss. At seven the British, who, as soon as they discovered the retreat, pursued them, began a brisk fire upon an advanced body of their troops in this valley. Detachments were sent out from both armies, until the battle became in a great measure general. At the close of the engagement the advantage lay on the side of the Americans.