Excerpt from The Rhode Island Declaration of Independence This celebration to-day is undoubtedly the first formal public recognition of the anniversary of the Rhode Island Declaration of Independence. In the northern part of the State the efforts of a single citizen, James S. Slater, have annually for several years directed attention to this important occasion. The National Society of Colonial Dames of America in Rhode Island, and the Bristol Chapter of the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, have also held their annual meet ings on May fourth, for a number of years, in honor of this anniversary. The adjustment of this question is not between our selves and our enemies. On the contrary, we now en gage in friendly examination of official records to asoer tain which colony was foremost in such formal action against the encroachments of parliament as to constitute separation from Great Britain. If any other colony substantiates, by unquestionable facts, claims prior to ours, however sad it may be to yield our position, let us remember it is relinquished to our friends and fellow countrymen. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.