inoculated, were so careless as to put the inhabitants in danger of taking the disease on their return. The uneasiness increased so much, that the town, having convened several times on the occasion, at length caused a remonstrance against the inoculation to be sent to the Governor, requesting his aid to suppress it. This put a stop to the business for a time, but it was resumed in 1778, when the town again took measures to put a stop to it, and at length agreed with the doctor, he relinquishing the business, to buy his buildings at cost, which they accord-. ingly did, and paid him the amount of his bills, viz.: £1072 17s. 6d. old tenor.

From the best information that can be obtained, ten persons have been hanged on the island, since it was settled by the English. They were all native Indians, and the crime of each was murder. The first execution, of which we have any particular account, took place in 1704, the last in 1769.1

The putting to death of these persons was, of course, in accordance with the requirement of the law of the land, and cannot be considered as expressing the opinion. of the inhabitants on that mode of punishment. We believe the sentiments of this community are, and always have been, strongly against capital punishments.

Taking the lives of human beings, as an expiation for the most heinous crimes, has so long been practised throughout the world, that the greater part of mankind have become reconciled to the measure: they seem to

Their names were as follows: Finch, 1704; Sabo, Jo Nobby, 1736; Heppy Comfort, 1739; John Comfort, 1745; Henry Jude, 1750, Tom Ichabod, Joel Elisa, Simon Hews, Nathan Quibby, 1769.

have become fully convinced that this punishment is absolutely necessary for the safety of society, and justifiable in the sight of God. Notwithstanding this practice has been long established, and has often been supported by the authority of the Old Testament, we think it not amiss to state our conviction that it is altogether wrong. The subject is one of great importance, and we trust, that a few remarks upon it will not be deemed improper in this place. We are fully sensible, that it is not an easy matter to convince mankind of their error, if it be such, neither is it our expectation to bring about so desirable an object but we think it is quite time for the rulers of the land, particularly those of the denomination of Christians, to make a pause, for we are persuaded that much depends on them to govern and lead the people aright. It appears, by the laws of England, that there were one hundred and sixty offences, not long ago, punishable with death, while in the United States the number does not exceed ten; how is this difference reconciled, when both nations profess to be led by the same unerring example and precepts of our Saviour.

When a criminal is deprived of life, by the laws of his country, he is either in a good or bad state, as to his neverdying soul. If he has become truly penitent, and received full assurance of forgiveness for his past sins, of which, in some instances there can hardly be a doubt, how awful is it, that his life should be taken from him, by the power of man, in that state of innocency. Perhaps, if permitted to live, he would become a useful member of society, and contribute to the wants of his family and friends, who, besides being benefited by his services, would be rescued from that reproach, which an ignominious death, however

unguilty, entails upon the descendants of the culprit, even unto the fourth generation. On the other hand, if he is deprived of life in a state of wickedness, how much more awful is the case, taking the truth of the subject into view, that a soul will thus be hurried to perdition to satisfy a law, which is not warranted by any part of the New Testament. Shall we act counter to that guide, by which we profess to be governed, and yet say, that we do so under a sense of religious duty. Let us, for a moment, reflect, how much more commendable it would be, in the sight of Him who rewards us for every good deed, to restrain the criminal of his liberty, and use our utmost endeavors to reconcile him to his fellow man, and restore him to peace with his Maker. "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

Much might be said on this very interesting subject, but it is not our intention to enlarge this work by discussing matters that may be considered irrelevant to it. We leave the subject for more able writers, with strong desire that a reform may take place, not doubting that it would prove a blessing to society, and be productive of increased harmony, to wholly annul the laws by which criminals are deprived of life.

CHAPTER V.

In

BETWEEN the years 1770 and 1775, the whaling business increased to an extent hitherto unparalleled. 1770, there were a little more than one hundred vessels engaged; and in 1775, the number exceeded one hundred and fifty, some of them large brigs. The employment of so great and such an increasing capital may lead our readers to suppose, that a corresponding profit was realized; but a careful examination of the circumstances, under which the business was carried on, will show the fallacy of such a conclusion. Many branches of labor were conducted by those who were immediately interested in the voyages. The young men, with few exceptions, were brought up to some trade necessary to the business. The rope-maker, the cooper, the blacksmith, the carpenter, in fine, the workmen, were either the ship owners or of their household; so were often the officers and men who navigated the vessels and killed the whales. Whilst a ship was at sea, the owners at home were busily employed in the manufactory of casks, iron work, cordage, blocks, and other articles for the succeeding voyage. Thus the profits of the labor were enjoyed by those interested in the fishery, and voyages were rendered advantageous even when the oil obtained was barely sufficient to pay the outfits, estimating the labor as a part thereof. This mode of conducting the business was universal, and has continued to a very considerable extent to the present day.

Experience taught the people how to take advantage of the different markets for their oil. Their spermaceti oil was mostly sent to England in its unseparated state, the head matter being generally mixed with the body oil; for, in the early part of whaling, it would bring no more when separated than when mixed. The whale oil, which is the kind procured from the species called "right whales," was shipped to Boston or elsewhere in the colonies, and there sold for country consumption, or sent to the West Indies.

The first manufactory of sperm candles in this country was established in Rhode Island, a little previous to 1750, by Benjamin Crab, an Englishman. His candle-house was burnt in 1750 or 1751. In 1753, Obadiah Brown, (the father of Moses Brown, a distinguished member of the Society of Friends, now living,) erected candle-works at Tockwotten, now India Point, in Providence, and engaged the above-mentioned Benjamin Crab, to conduct the business. After this, in 1754 or 1755, Moses Lopez engaged in the same business, but not extensively, at Newport. Collins & Reveria, Aaron Lopez, John Mausley & Co., Thomas Robinson, and others soon followed. Obadiah Brown, in 1753, manufactured about three hundred barrels, which was nearly all that was in that year saved separate from body oil, and not sent to England. He was disappointed of the information which he expected to receive from Crab, and was obliged to learn the secret of refining by his own experiments. In 1761, there were eight manufactories in New England, and one in Philadelphia.

The candle manufactories gave just enough for head matter to encourage its being separated. Their art was