Political Quotes

“And you can recognize the picture I just showed you, it is in the article, and it does quite a good job of putting into context this rebellious act by Rhode Island that took place nearly a year before the Boston Tea Party and yet is mostly overlooked by historians. Here is another version of the Gaspee aflame before it explodes, and here are the men in the longboats coming away from it having lit that fire. So it is important enough that I thought I might try a poetical hand to it. I have read this before, and I will read it again. Listen, my colleagues, and you shall see How Rhode Islanders blew up the dread Gaspee. Great Britain was fearsome, she ruled the sea, But Rhode Islanders burned with the fire to be free. So when George sent his frigate to tax our coast, And its arrogant captain was heard to boast That he'd soon have Rhode Island under his sway, Well, a course was set for a fateful day. Narragansett Bay sparkled bright and blue June 9 of 1772, The trading ship Hannah was making her way With cargo for Providence that fine day. King George's Gaspee pursued in chase, But the Hannah decided to give her a race. Away fled the Hannah with wind in her sails, As the Gaspee's cannon fired from its rails. Evading the Gaspee's cannon balls, The Hannah sailed for the Namquid shoals. Fast and light, Hannah crossed the shallow, But when the Gaspee attempted to follow, She ran aground on the Warwick shore, In a falling tide, and could move no more.…”