a time,though it was taken from an event in their history,, necessary
and justifiable in itself, yet it was one which was not executed
without exciting much compassion; and those persons,
therefore, rather chose to pass the evening in asocial patriotic society.
Though the npost of the.se jovial festivals lasted to a very late
hour, and many of the different classes of inhabitants contributed a
liberal and spirited libation, in commemoration of the remarkable
event, there was not, however, the next day any .report of the least
unfortunate accident which happened.
The town of Providence is situated in Providence plantation, in
the state of Rhode Island: it has a pleasant aspect, the streets are
proportionably wide, and the houses neat; giving a happy characteristic
of the inhabitants, who seem to be equally distant from
meanness and luxury. There is nothing remarkable, in the public
buildings; some of the churches have fine steeples, but are built of
wood ; many-of the country housed in the vicinity of the town are
very elegantly built, but most of them are likewise of wood; those
which are situated on the surrounding hills enjoy a beautifnl view.of
Naragansett bay, while others are remarkable for their fine gardens.
The soil near the town is a light sand. I have seen here very few
corn fields, the rest mostly consists of meadows, which are said; ,to
yield a ton of hay per acre.
The exports of Providence, as well as of the rest of Rhode Island,
consist of goods brought from Massaehasets Bay and Connecticut,
and some other states; they send; also a good 'breed of horses and
mules, to South America and the West Indies. There has also recently
commenced here a trade to the East.Indies, which has proved
very advantageous.
Although my letter of credit which I had from Europe, was for
New York, yet as I had no expectation of touching at Providence,
I was not furnished with any letter of introduction for this town:
however, Mr. J. Tillinghast, to whom a part of the cargo pf the Vesta
was consigned, though he did not know H. Tb—, Esq. at New York,
to whom my letter af eredit is directed, supplied all my pecuniary
wants, and we have since recognised each other. I t was about seven
years: agb,. when I arrived with Gapt. Loring a t ^Gibraltar, that he
visited the captain;on board, to enquire the news; but though probably
we were; not at that time in company together above half an
hour, yet Mr. T’s. behaviour could not have been better if we had
been very oH friends/ :He has behaved to me with «he greatest hospitality,
«and Dr. JVJason likewise shews me muchciwility; and though
it seëras that : his; income is hot equal to his merits he *is happy in
his domestic concerns; the «father of »a slarge f a h i s childjes
are all daughters, and they, confirm inuch{ the; deserved reputation
in which the fair sexsof Praviden©e;are held. I have,also visited the
worthyfpapt. Petty, who is^ikewèe happily wartkd, but he has no
children, and enjoys a c©mfortableöfortune t*«so that it^is not to increase
it: that Ire goes sometimes to seay but from cbohm 1 could
not help remarking to the captain, thate l never had been iu
a ship, where there was more order, combined with the greatest
good will, chearfulness, and sobriety, among the crew; Dr. Mason,
who heard this, replied, that he was glad, of the testimony which ÜE
had given, and said, that these sailors were all the younger sons of
very good, though not wealthy,/families, and who have each a proportionate
«share in the cargo of the vessel} and bjethis means they
learn navigation, and become afterwards good supercargoes, increasing
their fortunes by degrees. I had an opportunity'of meeting
them here very genteely dressed, and going into;good company.
; The news here from Europe confirm the expectation, of an approaching
peace on that continent}: ,/I am, therefore, the more
anxious to get to New York, where some letters for me may have
been directed; bust as (Boston is only forty-five miles distant from
Providence, and as I was / not certain whether I should’ have, afterwards
so good an opportunity again, I resolved to go therefor a day,