The Rhode Island American, And General Advertiser

PROVIDENCE,
Tuesday, April 2, 1822.

TOWN OF PROVIDENCE.

A bird's-eye view of this town, will disclose numerous indications of thrift, which it is particularly gratifying to witness, while the enterprise of our citizens and their just political influence are subjected to the injurious operations of an illiberal policy. Relying on the industrious and judicious improvement of her stable resources and local advantages, Providence continues to advance, with a steady and healthful pace, and should she be exempted from the operation of extraordinary disasters, she may, without arrogance aspire to, and cannot fail to acquire, a conspicuous station among her sister communities.
The bustle and activity on our wharves, and in our principal streets, indicate not only that the circle of commercial enterprise is gradually enlarging, but that our intercourse with the country, through the various channels of communication, is increasing in a degree corresponding with an intelligent view of the advantages reciprocally imparted. The increase in the price of real property, the difficulty of obtaining dwelling-houses, the high rents which they command, the repairs which many of them are now undergoing, with a view to their improvement in appearance and accommodation, may also be remarked as among the decisive indications of our advance in wealth and population.
Measures are in train for the erection of many dwelling-houses and ware-houses in different parts of the town-the most valuable of the latter to be located on South Water-Street, which, from its various accommodations, promises to become the principal seat of commercial transactions.
Building materials, we learn, are in great demand, and most, if not all, of our industrious housewrights and masons have made contracts, which it is hoped will secure them the advantageous employment of their time for the approaching season.
As one of our most enterprising merchants has it in contemplation to build two ships, our shipwrights will also be advantageously employed.
The beauty of Westminster-Street, already famous for its rectitude, will be much improved by the ornamental and spacious Church, which the Universalist Society are preparing to erect, on one of the most eligible sites which could be selected. When this Church shall have been completed, the town will contain twelve houses of religious worship, nine of them built since 1808; they are all in good repair and some of them, as specimens of architectural skill, contribute, in no small degree, to ornament the town.
The erection of a spacious edifice for the accommodation of the increasing number of students, will constitute an interesting era in the history of Brown University. The new College is to be built of brick, 120 by 40 feet, 4 stories high, and to be located north of the present building-allowing an intervening space of 80 feet for an advantageous view of the Chapel which may ultimately be erected in the rear. The funds of the Institution will not be taxed by this literary enterprise, if report speaks truly in ascribing it to the liberality of a gentleman, whose zeal in favour of the interests of the University has heretofore been conspicuously manifested.
To these tokens of thrift and publick spirit, we should have been pleased to add the erection of a Hotel, on a plan corresponding in extent with our present and prospective wants.
It is a matter of regret, if not of reproach, that we should have remained so long without a commodious establishment of this sort, with which the comfort of travellers, the accommodation of our citizens and the interests of the community generally, are so obviously connected. Several of our publick-spirited citizens are now engaged in promoting this object, and if they succeed in awakening a corresponding zeal, the town will not long be subjected to the inconveniences incident to the want of a suitable Hotel.
There is, after all, no subject connected with the prosperity of the town, which appeals more forcibly to the attention of our citizens, than the removal from our harbour, of the mud, sand, &c. which already occasion serious embarrassments to our navigation. In respect to the importance of facilitating the arrival and departure of vessels, and their passage between different wharves in the harbour, no difference of opinion can be entertained; and if an economical and efficient plan to effect an object of such general and acknowledged utility, could be proposed, we cannot think its execution would encounter serious or extensive opposition.