Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/418

 334 THE HISTOKY OF BAEEINGTON. Lieut. Viall Allen Draw a sufficient Quantity of powder out of the Town Treasrs' Hands to make cartridges for the In- habitants of Barrington." "Voted, "That each inhabitant of the Town may draw twelve cartridges out of the Town stock and keep the same safely untill there is a necessary occasion for using the same against our Common enemy, under the penalty of one shill- ing for each cartridge wasted or missing, when demanded by Military Authority, the same to be paid by the delinquent to the Town Treasr ; to purchase more powder to deposit in the Town Treasrs Hands for the use of the Town, each person giving his receipt for the cartridges drawn as aforesd in due equality Drawing as aforesd find their own ball and cary the same to sd Lieutenant Allen that the cartridges may be well fitted to the firelock and that the Treasr Deliver the same powder when Demanded by Lieutenant Allen." The War for our Independence had actually begun in stern- est fashion, though hostilities had not yet been declared. The autumn of 1775 was an active season for Rhode Island men to prepare for the general defence. While our raw mil- itia was at Boston defending that town, a greater danger threatened nearer home. We had in Rhode Island 130 miles of unprotected coast line, with two navigable rivers. Not only was the navigation of our Bay impeded by British ships of war, but the towns were exposed to attack, pillage, and burning ; cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry, grain and fruit were constantly liable to seizure, and the homes of the people were threatened with destruction. Newport, Bristol, Warren, Bar- rington and Providence were under threats of bombardment frequently, unless the demands of the commanders for food and other supplies were furnished. As an illustration of the dangers to which our towns were exposed, Captain Wallace, with fifteen sail, anchored in line in Bristol Harbor, October, 1775, sending his barge to the shore, Wallace demanded that four of the magistrates should come off to the fleet, which was refused. A cannonade was at once made on the town. The night v^ras dark and stormy, and a severe epi-