Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/367

 COMPROMISE SPIRIT. 293 The leading citizens of all parts of the town seem to have acted as wisely and generously as men are accustomed to do under such diverse conditions and circumstances, and in 1768, the spirit of compromise or of resistance was so strong, that both deputies, Messrs. Allen and Humphrey, were resi- dents of the west peninsula. In 1769 leading citizens of both parts of the town took action for and against separa- tion. The village of Warren sent the following olive branch of peace across the troubled waters of the Great River, to their brethren on the western shore : Warren, November 6th, 1769. " We whose names are hereunder written, freemen of the town of Warren, being desirous for the future to live in peace and mutual fellowship with our townsmen on the west side of the Great River, and all others, do agree and promise for ourselves and all others we can persuade to come into the same mutual agreement, that the freemen on the west side of the Great River do nominate their proportion of officers in the town meetings, (provided they are agreed in such nomination,) they allowing us the same privilege, and we will use our endeavors to carry the same into prosecution, each using the other with mutual friendship and freedom. Signed : Sylvester Child, William Easterbrooks, Wm. T. Miller, Martin Luther, Shubael Burr, John Child, Ezra Ormsbee, Ebenezer Cole." All appeals for continued union to the people of old Bar- rington seem to be of no avail, and to them the endurance of great disabilities has ceased to be a virtue. The older citizens remember the independence of the Barrington of 1717 to 1747, while the younger are ambitious to enjoy the more favorable conditions and honors of a separate corporate life. Petitions were circulated for a division of the town of Warren into two towns.