Vinton, Francis; Curtis, George William. An Oration on the Annals of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, by the Rev. Francis Vinton, D. D., and A Rhyme of Rhode Island and the Times, by George William Curtis, Esq., delivered before The Sons of Rhode Island in New York, May 29, 1863. New York: Printed for the Association, by C. A. Alvord, 1863. First Edition. [11222]
Black leather spine with black marbled boards, much of the surface of the spine abraded with loss of gilt title, 9 1/2 x 6 inches, joints good with firm boards, 80 clean pp. Separate half-title for the Rhyme; continuous paging. Rhode Island Historical Society perforated stamp on the title page. Gift inscription by Benjamin Cozzens, one of the executive committee, on the front half title page. Good. Hardcover.
The occasion for these presentations was the anniversary of Rhode Island adopting the US Constitution and the first anniversary of the founding of The Sons of Rhode Island in New York. The Oration tells of the history of the first settlements, colonial times, the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Dorr Rebellion, and some exploits of Rhode Island troops in the American Civil War, then ongoing. The author, Francis Vinton, D.D., was president of the society and the assistant minister of Trinity Church, New York.
The Rhyme by Curtis treats with Great Britain and her allegiance with the Southern Rebellion, her shameful exploits in China and the Crimea, and the moral superiority of the small Rhode Island over the vast island of John Bull. The triumphs of Rhode Island's men during the American Revolution are reviewed, as well as their present bravery in battle during the American Civil War.
