CHAPTER XXI.

ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO SPECIE PAYMENTS.--CHANGES IN THE REQUIREMENTS OF CITIZENSHIP.--NEW COUNTIES AND TOWNS FORMED.--FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.--WARD AND HOPKINS CONTEST.--ESTABLISHMENT OF NEWSPAPERS.

1748. Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, 170

Hutchinson's scheme for returning to specie payment rejected by Rhode Island, 171

Act against swearing revised, 172

Provisions concerning legal residence, 172

New census taken, 172

1748-1749. Death of John Callender, 173

Beaver Tail Light built, 173

Troubles from depreciation of currency, 173

1754. First divorce granted, 174

Kent County formed, 174

1752. Gregorian calendar adopted, 175

Troubles concerning the Narragansett land settled, 175

1753. First patent granted in the Colony for making potash, 175

Fellowship Club founded--afterwards the Newport Marine Society, 176

1754. Commissioners sent to the Albany Congress, 176

French and Indian war, 177

French settlers imprisoned, 178

Ward and Hopkins contest, 178

Providence court house and library burned, 179

David Douglass built a theatre at Providence, 180

1758. Newport Mercury established, 180

1762. Providence Gazette established, 180

Writs of assistance first called for, 181

1759. Death of Richard Partridge, 181

Freemasonry first introduced into the Colony, 181

Regulations concerning fires, 181

Towns of Hopkinton and Johnston formed, 182