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Letter to Editor
August 10, 1819
Daily National Intelligencer
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
A subscriber named Querist inquires about the origins of thousands of carved initials on the 'Slate Rock' along the Seekonk River in Providence, Rhode Island, believed to commemorate Roger Williams' landing. The Providence American notes possible confusion with modern inscriptions. The rock is on Hon. James Fenner's estate.
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FROM THE PROVIDENCE AMERICAN.
The following communication is inserted at the request of a subscriber. We know little of the rock to which he alludes, having visited it but once. We think it very probable, however, that 'Querist' may have mistaken some of the inscriptions which men of modern date have left upon the rock, for the records of 'olden times.'
There is now lying, on the west side of Seekonk river, between Central and India Bridges, a large rock, known generally as the 'Slate Rock.' Upon this rock are carved the initials of a number of names,* commemorative, I have been told, of the landing of our great forefather, Roger Williams. These names have certainly been inscribed there upon some remarkable occasion, but what it was I am at a loss to determine, and should be gratified to be informed.
This rock lies upon the Eastern boundary of the hon. James Fenner's estate.
QUERIST.
*I have lately had the curiosity to count them, and found they numbered three thousand five hundred and eighty, exclusive of a great number which have been nearly effaced by the rising and falling of the tides.
The following communication is inserted at the request of a subscriber. We know little of the rock to which he alludes, having visited it but once. We think it very probable, however, that 'Querist' may have mistaken some of the inscriptions which men of modern date have left upon the rock, for the records of 'olden times.'
There is now lying, on the west side of Seekonk river, between Central and India Bridges, a large rock, known generally as the 'Slate Rock.' Upon this rock are carved the initials of a number of names,* commemorative, I have been told, of the landing of our great forefather, Roger Williams. These names have certainly been inscribed there upon some remarkable occasion, but what it was I am at a loss to determine, and should be gratified to be informed.
This rock lies upon the Eastern boundary of the hon. James Fenner's estate.
QUERIST.
*I have lately had the curiosity to count them, and found they numbered three thousand five hundred and eighty, exclusive of a great number which have been nearly effaced by the rising and falling of the tides.
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
Historical
Reflective
What themes does it cover?
Religion
What keywords are associated?
Slate Rock
Roger Williams
Seekonk River
Inscriptions
Querist
Providence
What entities or persons were involved?
Querist
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Querist
Main Argument
inquires about the remarkable occasion for the numerous carved initials on the slate rock, believed to commemorate roger williams' landing.
Notable Details
Counted 3,580 Initials Excluding Effaced Ones
Located On West Side Of Seekonk River Between Central And India Bridges
On Eastern Boundary Of Hon. James Fenner's Estate