Rhode Island in the Continental Congress

are those surviving of his college companions, who will remember him as the founder of the Phi Rho Epsilon Society, for the special cultivation of the Greek language and literature. It was a decided success under his close and careful management. I do not know that the society survived his graduation from the college. It probably did not; but at any rate, sooner or later, it shared the fate of the Philermenian and United Brothers Societies, those noble institutions which are represented as being now, through some strange untoward influence, substantially defunct; and their fine and well chosen libraries scattered to the winds.

During his college life, I believe Mr. STAPLES attended exclusively and constantly the Friends Meeting; and I have reason to believe that his religious sentiments were, at that time, substantially in accordance with those of the Friends' persuasion. But in conversations with him, within the last six months of his life, I felt that I had a right to infer that he had no controlling dogmatic belief. He professed the profoundest reverence for the great principles of human duty, and regarded Christianity as, in the highest sense, inculcating them. But it was evident to me, that any form of theology that gave to these but a secondary position in the relations of life, was, in his judgment, rather speculative than substantial; and, at any rate, involved in too much moral uncertainty, to justify intelligent belief. My last conversation with this remarkable and eminently good man, was mainly upon the philosophical writings of Cicero; and especial comment arose upon the Essay "De Senectute." His remarks were emphatic upon the closing paragraphs on the immortality of the soul. Independently of all other sources of opinion, the argument from these paragraphs, though necessarily strictly philosophical, seemed complete for his conviction.

The career of Mr. STAPLES, in all that belongs to industrial power, truthful demonstration, and manly decision of character, was a model for the adoption of any young man, who, eschewing the shams of life, would make the most of its realities; and who, most worthily fitting himself for its duties, would most certainly assure himself of its rewards.

Respectfully and truly yours, etc.,

REUBEN A. GUILD, Esq.

WILLIAM GREENE.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.-1765 TO MAY 1776.

CONGRESS OF 1765-Causes that led to it-Oppressive acts of Parliament
--Petitions from the Colonies-General Assembly Destruction of the
armed sloop Liberty in Newport Harbor-Boston Massacre-Schooner Gas-
pee boarded and burned on Namquit Point-Efforts of the British Govern-
ment to discover the perpetrators of the deed-Tea thrown into Boston Har-
bor-Boston Port Bill--Resolutions of the Freemen of Providence relating
thereto-Day of Fasting and Prayer appointed in Virginia-Action of the
General Assembly approving a Congress and appointing Delegates thereto-
Resolutions of the Massachusetts House of Representatives-Commission of
the Rhode Island Delegates-Meeting of Congress in Carpenter's Hall, Phil-
adelphia, September 5, 1774-Proceedings-Letter from Samuel Ward to
Governor Wanton-Return of Delegates-Report to General Assembly and
Resolutions thereon-Account of expenses of Ward and Hopkins as Dele.
gates to Congress-Proposition for a General Congress adopted by Provi-
dence in advance of any Municipal or Colonial action on the subject-Ward
and Hopkins appointed Delegates to another Congress-Instructions of the
General Assembly-Battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill-Commission of
the Delegates-Signed by Secretary of State-Joseph Wanton elected Gov-
ernor-Office of Governor declared vacant by the General Assembly, be-
cause of the Tory opinions of the incumbent Correspondence between
Wanton and General Assembly-Nicholas Cooke elected Governor in place
of Wanton-Remarks on proceedings against Governor Wanton-Meeting
of Congress, May 10, 1775 Proceedings-Character of the members-
Legislature of Rhode Island after the battle of Lexington-Army of Obser-
vation-Nathanael Greene appointed Brigadier General-Church, Hitch-

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