Rhode Island 



money, when the difference of exchange has been 

 1,200 per cent, he has afterward, under sanction of 

 the law, repaid only the same nominal sum in new 

 currency, when the difference has amounted per- 

 haps to 2,500 per cent. Such, alas! is the situation 

 and character of this colony. It is needless, after 

 this, to observe that it is in a very declining state, 

 for it is impossible that it should prosper under such 

 abuses. Its West Indian trade has diminished, 

 owing indeed, in some measure, to the other colonies 

 having entered more largely into this lucrative branch 

 of commerce : it has lost during the war, by the enemy, 

 above 150 vessels: its own privateers, and it has gen- 

 erally had a great many, have had very ill success: 

 having kept up a regiment of provincial troops, it has 

 also been loaded with taxes, and many of the people 

 have been oppressed by the mode of collecting them: 

 for, the assembly having determined the quota of 

 each township, the inhabitants have been assessed 



trade with the French, and to supply them with stores and pro- 

 visions. Two or three prisoners were sufficient to cover the de- 

 sign; and in order to have a store in readiness, they seldom carried 

 more. By this abuse both governors and merchants acquired 

 great riches. Very plausible arguments indeed might be adduced 

 against prohibiting, or even restraining a commerce of that nature: 

 but as the wisdom of government did think fit, and probably with 

 better reason, to forbid it, nothing could excuse the corrupt and 

 mercenary spirit of those governors, who presumed to connive at 

 and encourage it. The Honourable Francis Fauquier, lieutenant- 

 governor of Virginia, who, amongst some few others, never could 

 be prevailed upon to countenance it, refused at one time an offer 

 of near 200 1. for the grant of a permit to make a single voyage. 



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