COLLECTIONS OF 8341 The Khode Island Historical Society. VOL. IV. PROVIDENCE: MDCCCXXXVIII, PREFACE. IT has, for several years, been the desire and intention of the Rhode-Island Historical Society to cause Callender's Historical Discourse, with appropriate notes and a selection of documents requisite for its illustration, to be embodied in their published Collections. The original edition of the Discourse, which was published in 1739, has long been out of print. Of that edition but few copies remain perfect, and even those are extremely rare. The propriety, and indeed necessity, of its republication has been rendered greater during each succeeding year, by the increased attention which has been paid to the early history of New-England, among the memorials of which, this work has ever been held in high and merited estimation. In the accomplishment of this object, it has been fortunate for the Society that the editorship of the present edition, with the task of preparing such notes and additions as it was desirable should accompany it, has been undertaken by one qualified to discharge it with so much ability. The original materials which Professor Elton has contributed, the information contained in the notes, respecting distinguished individuals whose names are connected with the history of the Colony during the first century, add much to the value of the work; and when it is considered how little has been known in relation to the life of Mr. Callender, we feel confident that every reader of the Discourse will be gratified to find so interesting a Memoir of its author. The Appendix of historical documents is extensive and well selected. All the papers which it contains, not only deserve a place in the Collections of the Society, but are also particularly valuable as explanatory of the facts narrated in the Discourse, conveying, as they do, full information on many points to which brief references only could be made in a work written for such an occasion. With regard to the manner in which these documents are here published, the Committee are happy in bearing testimony to the unwearied care and minute examination which have been bestowed in their preparation for the press. In every instance, they have been carefully compared with the originals, and no pains have been spared to ensure their correctness. In presenting this volume, the Committee can therefore speak with much confidence respecting the manner in which Professor Elton has met the wishes of the Historical Society. He is entitled to the thanks of that Society, for the valuable addition which he has made to their Collections, and deserves the grateful remembrance of the people of our State, for the satisfactory manner in which he has illustrated this history of their forefathers. For the Committee of Publication; ALBERT G. GREENE, WILLIAM G. GODDARD. Providence, April, 1838. AN HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, ON THE CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS OF THE COLONY OF RHODE-ISLAND. BY JOHN CALLENDER, M. A. WITH A MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR; BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF SOME OF HIS DISTINGUISHED CONTEMPORARIES; AND ANNOTATIONS AND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS, ILLUSTRATIVE of THE HISTORY OF RHODE-ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLAN TATIONS, FROM THE FIRST SETTLEMENT TO THE END OF THE FIRST CENTURY. BY ROMEO ELTON, M. A., F. S. U. S., Member of the Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries, at Copenhagen; one of the Vice Presidents of the Rhode-Island Historical Society; and Professor of the Latin and Greek Languages and Literature in Brown University. Nescire quid antea quam natus sis acciderit, id est semper esse puerum. SECOND REVISED EDITION. CICERO. PROVIDENCE: KNOWLES, VOSE & COMPANY. |