410 ' RHODE ISLAND. 



dance, and in perfection ; cheese and cider are made for exportation. 

 The north-western parts of the state are but thinly inhabited, and 

 are more rocky and barren than the other parts. 



Population. ..The state of Rhode Island in 1790, contained 68,825 

 persons, of whom 948 were slaves. In 1801, the number of inhabi- 

 tants was 69,122, of whom 580 were slaves. By the census of 1810, 

 the population amounted to 76,931, of whom 108 were slaves. The 

 increase of population in this state is insignificant, owing to exces- 

 sive emigx'ations to Vermont and other new states. 



Chief towns. ...The principal towns in the state of Rhode Island, 

 are Providence and Newport. The former is situate at the head of 

 Narraganset bay, on both sides of Providence river, over which is a 

 bridge 1 60 feet long and twenty-two wide. It is a large and hand- 

 some town, containing several elegant buildings, and about 10,000 

 inhabitants. 



Newport is situate at the south-west end of Rhode-Island. The 

 harbour (which is one of the finest in the world) spreads westward 

 before the town. The entrance is easy and safe, and a large fleet 

 may anchor in it, and ride in perfect security. Newport contains 

 about one thousand houses, principally of wood, and about 8000 in- 

 habitants. 



Trade and manufactures. ...The town of Bristol carries on a 

 considerable trade to the West Indies, and to different parts of the 

 United States ; but by far the greatest part of the commerce of Rhode 

 Island is at present carried on by the inhabitants of the flourishing 

 town of Providence, which had, in 1791, 129 sail of vessels, contain- 

 ing 1 1,942 tons. The exports from this state are, flax-seed, lumber, 

 horses, cattle, beef, pork, fish, poultry, onions, butter, cheese, barley, 

 grain, spirits, cotton, and linen goods. The imports consist of Euro- 

 pean and West Indian goods, and log-wood from the bay of Hondu- 

 ras. Upwards of 600 vessels enter and clear annually at the different 

 ports in the state. The amount of exports from this state to foreign 

 countries for one year, ending September 30, 1791, was 470,131 dol- 

 lars ; in 1794, 954,573 dollars, and in 1802, 2,433,263 dollars. The 

 citizens of this state have distinguished themselves in manufactures. 

 They not only carry on a great number in their own state, but are 

 proprietors of others in Connecticut and Massachusetts.* There are 

 upwards of sixty cotton factories in different parts of. the state. Jeans, 

 fustians, denims, thicksets, velvets, &c. are here manufactured, and 

 sent to the southern states. Large quantities of linen and tow-cloth 

 are made in different parts of this state for exportation ; there 

 are also very considerable manufactures of iron, such as bar and sheet 

 iron, steel, nail-rods and nails, implements of husbandry, stoves, pots, 

 and other household utensils ; the iron-work of shipping, anchors, 

 and bells. 



Government... .The constitution of Rhode Island is founded on 

 the charter granted by Charles"TI, in 1663 ; and the frame of govern- 

 ment was not essentially altered by the revolution. The legislature 

 of the state consists of two branches, a senate, or upper house, 

 composed of ten members, called assistants, besides the governor 

 *.nd deputy -governor, and a house of representatives, composed of 

 deputies from the several towns. The members of the legislature 

 are choseu twice a year ; and there are two sessions of this body 



* Parish's Geography- 



