No Tea Party: Rhode Island Makes a Revolutionary Case

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ^ | 6-24-03 | CHARLES FORELLE

[SJackson]

WARWICK, R.I. -- On a leafy stretch of Narragansett Parkway, a boulevard that runs along the coast, it looked like the Fourth of July on a Saturday in June.

The air popped as children tossed fireworks into the roadway, awaiting the big parade. American flags on sticks sprouted from orange traffic cones. A fleet of trucks sold frozen lemonade.

[PistolPaknMama]

Interesting story. First time I ever heard that! Thanks for the post.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

It's nice that us Rhode Islanders are noticed for something other than our corrupt politicians, bad roads, the gay Survivor winner, and a horrible half-Boston/half-New York accent.

Go Little Rhodie! lol

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

In those days, Rhode's Islanders were called mooncussers, because they set up false beacons on dark stormy nights and lured ships into running aground where they were pillaged, just like the Gaspee.

They probably just pirated the ship then claimed they were patriots after they sobered up enough to realize they had pirated an English navy ship and there would be hell to pay.

The state hasn't changed a bit. Still run by a bunch of pirates.

[ctlpdad]

Thanks for the post, very interesting.

aside form the "horrible half-Boston/half-New York accent", the chowder is great. Besdies, it's nice to be able to drive through a whole state in less than an hour.

[Constitution Day]

Very interesting - this story is new to me!
I appreciate the post.

CD

[tbpiper]

Gaspee scholars claim that their shot drew the first British blood in the fight for freedom. “;It was the single, unifying military event,”;

Abraham Whipple, once a privateer, directed the rowers to approach the Gaspee from the front, where it could not aim its guns. (“;We think he was totally hammered on rum,”; says Earl Salisbury.)

I don’t think a raid led by a drunken ex-pirate qualifies as a ‘military event’. As far as it being a ‘unifying’ event, is there any evidence of follow up activity?

A program that has students re-enact Gaspee-era scenes

Does this include getting ‘totally hammered on rum’?

Knowing that in this little village the first battle of the American Revolution happened…

“Battle” overstates the action.

The attack infuriated King George, who issued a proclamation offering a reward of 500 pounds for the conviction of any Gaspee raiders

King George’s response is more in keeping with a criminal action than a battle. His response to the actions in Lexington and Concord where sober patriots took a deliberate stand against his army was to send more troops. I think Warwick just needed an excuse for a festival.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

...Abraham Whipple, once a privateer...

His good brother Nate, got a highway named after him. I live just off that road. Abe, only became an ex-pirate, after the war, when he was too old and besotted by rum to sail.

I think I have ancestors who were part of that raid. To their credit, the King thought all the original rebels were criminals, and wasn't Hancock a pirate and a smuggler?

[tbpiper]

wasn't Hancock a pirate

Naw, he ran an insurance company....oh, wait a minute....same thing. You're right.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

aside form the "horrible half-Boston/half-New York accent", the chowder is great.

Say it right, you savage! It's pronounced "chow-dah"! LOL

[ctlpdad]

I grew in western Mass. with parents from the midwest. While only an hours drive away, i still managed to grow up with my "r"'s intact, but you are certainly correct in pointing out my mistake because chowdah is the proper spelling for the pronunciation of those who make it best!

[ItsOurTimeNow]

My wife's from Indianer, and it ditn't take all dat long for 'er accent to be cerruptid by us Rhid-ilinduz.

"Jeet yet?"

"No, jou?"

"Wanna get a sangwiche and cawfee milk?!"

And, to ask for a Large coffe with cream and two sugars, she had to learn to say, "Gimme a lahge regalah!"

HAHAHAHAHAHA...oh, we're so quirky!

[nutmeg]

Thank you so much for posting this article, SJackson! My husband and I just read this article in the WSJ tonight. I wanted to post it, but we don't have access to WSJ's website.

We attended the Burning of the Gaspee event in Pawtuxet Village - a section of Warwick, RI - on Sunday, June 15. The costumed re-enactors were wonderful. This is an interesting chapter in our nation's history that few know about.

[nutmeg]

For much more information about the Gaspee Incident: The Gaspee Virtual Archives

[nutmeg]

It's nice that us Rhode Islanders are noticed for something other than our corrupt politicians, bad roads, the gay Survivor winner, and a horrible half-Boston/half-New York accent.

LOL! Aw come on... I know Rhode Island for beautiful beaches, parks and marinas, incredible ocean views, great Italian food in Federal Hill, Newport, the PawSox, and - yes - that fabulous "chow-dah". Providence certainly has risen from the ashes, too. It sure beats crummy Hartford, CT - hands down! :-)

[nutmeg]

Rhode Island history ping!

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[nutmeg]

ping!

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[nutmeg]

ping!

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[nutmeg]

ping!

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