The Rhode Island American, And General Advertiser

THE AMERICAN.

at Providence, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1814.

Patriotick Meeting.

Yesterday a numerous meeting of the citizens of this town and its vicinity was held on the State-House Parade, for the purpose of concerting measures of defence against menaced invasion. James Burrill, jun. Esq. was appointed Chairman, and Thomas Burgess, Esq. Secretary. After the objects of the meeting were lucidly explained by the Chairman, Tristam Burges, Esq. made an eloquent and animated appeal to the patriotism of the assembly--and the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:--

Resolved, That this meeting do fully approve of all the measures adopted by the government of this State, for the defence and security thereof; and that it is incumbent on every citizen, in the present very alarming situation of publick affairs, to devote his personal exertions and services to the defence of the country, and to aid the Executive in the discharge of his arduous duties.

Resolved, That in order the more effectually to unite our exertions, for the general defence, a Committee, to be called the Committee of Defence, shall be now appointed, who shall be authorized, in behalf of this meeting, to offer to his Excellency the Governour the labour and services of such citizens as may voluntarily tender the same to said Committee, in erecting such sorts of entrenchments and fortifications, as shall be directed by the Governour or other proper military authorities--and shall also be authorized to receive pecuniary or other contributions, for the same purposes, from all patriotick citizens who may be disposed to proffer the same to said Committee, and shall expend and apply the said contributions for the same objects.

Resolved, That it be recommended to said Committee to divide the town and its vicinity into convenient districts, and to solicit, within the same, by means of District Committees or otherwise, the contributions of all the inhabitants, in money, entrenching tools, provisions and labour; and that said Committee be authorized and requested to correspond with our brethren in other points of the State, and the adjacent parts of Massachusetts, who may be disposed to co-operate in the measures to be adopted by said Committee.

Resolved, That the inhabitants of the town and vicinity, now present, deeply impressed with the danger of invasion by an enemy who has avowed his intention to lay waste all assailable parts of the coast; and impressed also with a sense of the sacred duty of defending, at the risk of life and fortune, their homes, their families, their inestimable civil and religious institutions, and the freedom and independence of their country, do pledge themselves to aid and support the civil and military authorities with their labour and property, and with the steady and persevering exertion of all their talents, faculties and powers, and that this meeting do earnestly request the zealous co-operation of their fellow-citizens.

Resolved, That Daniel Lyman, Nicholas Brown, Samuel G. Arnold, Cyrus Butler, Edward Carrington, Samuel Aborn, Samuel Thurber, Richmond Bullock, James Pettey, Caleb Earle, Sullivan Dorr, Ephraim Talbot, William Church, Charles Dyer, Christopher Rhodes, John S. Dexter, Tristam Burges, James Fenner and Henry Smith, be the said Committee of Defence; that they be authorized to fill vacancies, and if necessary, to increase the number of said Committee.

JAMES BURRILL, jun. Chairman.

Thomas Burgess, Secretary.