Rhode Island and Independence

Unlike the other colonies that existed in the late 18th century, Rhode Island was in a unique situation in regards to its political situation and its ties with the British Crown. In 1663, King Charles II granted Rhode Islanders with a Royal Charter. This Charter granted its citizens not only religious freedom, but freedom to govern themselves. They were thus enabled to vote for their own Governor, as well as their own Legislature. This situation was incredibly unique for British North America, save for Maryland, which also received a charter from Charles II.

This royal charter,however, did not save Rhode Island from the taxation which was imposed on their fellow colonies during the 18th century. As a colony that was predominately centered around maritime trade, Rhode Island was heavy hit by the Molasses Act of 1733, and the Sugar Act of 1764. Rhode Islanders not only felt as though these acts prohibited their right to freedom of commerce, but they also felt as though they should not be taxed whatsoever, as they possesed the Royal Charter.

The two major newspapers in Rhode Island, the Providence Gazette and the Newport Mercury were outspoken in their distaste for British imposition on the colony's commerce, and both provided a platform for the colony leaders to motivate Rhode Islanders to work against British agents who patrolled Narragansett Bay, eager to enforce both acts. This is evident in the publication of an essay by Governor Stephen Hopkins, entitled Essay on the Trade of the Northern Colonies, which spoke of the ramifications of these acts on a colony that revolved around the importation of molasses. The essay was first printed in the Mercury, and gained such widespread popularity that it was eventually reprinted in papers in New York and Boston.

The Mercury also provided an insight on how the common population of Newport reacted to taxation. In September 1765, they were not afraid to let their feelings known to British officials who were in town to enforce the Stamp Act, such as Martin Howard. "A Mob collected, and marched directly to Mr. Howard's ; and not finding the Gentleman there, they shattered some of the Windows, and went off. But not satisified with the Mischief they had done, they soon returned to the Charge with redoubled Fury, broke the Windows and doors all to Pieces, damaged the Partitions of the House, and ruined such Furniture as was left in it." Needless to say, Mr. Howard no longer felt welcome in Newport, and immedeatly left town (he had received word of the planned attack on his home, and sought refuge aboard a British sloop in Newport Harbor for the night).

By 1772, Rhode Island frustration over British taxation reached its boiling point when a British Navy schooner, the H.M.S. Gaspee, was boarded by 100 Rhode Islanders who were angered by the ships presence in Naragansett Bay, to prohibit smuggling. The Gaspee raid was organized by prominent families in Providence, Pawtucket, and Rehobeth. The ship was boarded in the dark of night, and the raiders were met with little resistance. Lieutenant Dudsington led the defense, but was shot in both the arm and groin, and the Gaspee was burned to the waterline.

The raid of the Gaspee was the first planned attack against the British military in the colonies, as well as the first intent to kill a British military officer. Rhode Island, without question, led the way in defiance against the Crown, both in terms of physical attacks, and political defiance. Rhode Island was the first colony to declare independence from Great Britain, on May 4, 1776.

As evident in this blog, from its inception in 1636, through 1776, Rhode Island was a colony that thrived on freedom, whether it be in terms of religious freedom, political, or commercial. It provided the first form of democracy in the colonies, and served as a political model for years to come. As a sidenote, the Royal Charter of 1663 that was granted to Rhode Island served as the state's constitution until November 1842. ___________________________________________________

British Parliament; Stamp Act. (10/28/1765). Newport Mercury