Thomas Jefferson visited Rhode Island on two occasions.
In 1784, Jefferson visited both Newport and Providence when he and his daughter, Martha, traveled through Rhode Island on their way to Boston, where they would sail for France. Evidently, Jefferson visited Ezra Stiles, President of Yale, along the way.
This trip to Rhode Island was part of a larger visit that included Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, where Jefferson hoped to gather information before traveling on to Europe.
1784 June 8. (Extract from the Diary of Ezra Stiles). "His Excelly. Govr. Jefferson of Virginia visited me with a Letter from Mr. Sherman at Congress. ... He is on his way with Col. Humprys, Secretary to the Commissioners to Rh. Isld., Bo. and Piscataqua to survey these Eastern States, and take passage at Bo. for France."[1]
1784 June 14. "Pd. ferrge. to Newport 6/-gave boat man 1/4."[2]
1784 June 16. "Pd. entertt. at Almy’s, Newport £4-4-ferrge. from the island 8/."[2]
1784 June 17. "Pd. entertt. Chace’s Providence £2-14-6."[4]
1784 July 1. (Jefferson to James Madison). "After visiting the principal towns through Connecticut, Rhode-island, this state and N. Hampshire in order to acquire what knowlege I could of their commerce and other circumstances I am returned to this place [Boston] and shall sail the day after tomorrow ...."[5]
As Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson was a member of George Washington's party to Newport and Providence to celebrate Rhode Island's recent ratification of the U.S. Constitution. The party included David Humphreys, New York Governor George Clinton, William Loughton Smith, Supreme Court Justice John Blair, and others. They left New York City aboard the packet Hancock on August 15, sailed through Long Island sound, and arrived in Newport on the morning of the 17th. The day was filled with tours, ceremonies, and an evening banquet at Town Hall. While in Newport, they lodged at Mrs. Almay's boarding house.
Following addresses by religious and fraternal groups, they left Newport early on the morning of the 18th and arrived in Providence that afternoon after a seven hour trip. They were met at the wharf by Governor Arthur Fenner and were escorted to their lodgings at the Golden Ball Inn with troops and music. As in Newport, there were tours, toasts, and ceremonies before the group left Providence the next afternoon, to arrive back in New York City on the 21st.[6]
1790 August 14. (Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph). "I am setting out on a trip to Rhode-island with the President tomorrow, by water."[7]
1790 August 15. "Set out for Rhode island with the President."[8]
1790 August 21. "Retd. from do. to New York."[9]
1790 August 22. (Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph). "The last letter I recieved from you was of the 2d July. In mine of the 14th. inst. to Mr. Randolph I informed him I should set out the next day to Rhode island with the President. I did so, and returned yesterday, after a very pleasant sail of two days going and two days returning thro the Sound. We visited Newport and Providence, where the President was received with great cordiality."[10]
- Gaye Wilson, 1/99
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