CHAPTER XXI. ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO SPECIE PAYMENTS.--CHANGES IN THE REQUIREMENTS OF CITIZENSHIP.--NEW COUNTIES AND TOWNS FORMED.--FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.--WARD AND HOPKINS CONTEST.--ESTABLISHMENT OF NEWSPAPERS. 1748. Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, 170 Hutchinson's scheme for returning to specie payment rejected by Rhode Island, 171 Act against swearing revised, 172 Provisions concerning legal residence, 172 New census taken, 172 1748-1749. Death of John Callender, 173 Beaver Tail Light built, 173 Troubles from depreciation of currency, 173 1754. First divorce granted, 174 Kent County formed, 174 1752. Gregorian calendar adopted, 175 Troubles concerning the Narragansett land settled, 175 1753. First patent granted in the Colony for making potash, 175 Fellowship Club founded--afterwards the Newport Marine Society, 176 1754. Commissioners sent to the Albany Congress, 176 French and Indian war, 177 French settlers imprisoned, 178 Ward and Hopkins contest, 178 Providence court house and library burned, 179 David Douglass built a theatre at Providence, 180 1758. Newport Mercury established, 180 1762. Providence Gazette established, 180 Writs of assistance first called for, 181 1759. Death of Richard Partridge, 181 Freemasonry first introduced into the Colony, 181 Regulations concerning fires, 181 Towns of Hopkinton and Johnston formed, 182 CHAPTER XXII. RETROSPECT.--ENCROACHMENTS OF ENGLAND.--RESISTANCE TO THE REVENUE LAWS.--STAMP ACT.--SECOND CONGRESS OF COLONIES MET AT NEW YORK.--EDUCATIONAL INTEREST. Resumé of the progress of the Colony, 183 Reason for the enactment of the laws, 184 Rhode Island's solution of the problem of self-government and soul-liberty, 185 Encroachments of England on the liberties of the colonies, 186 War had taught the colonies a much needed lesson, 187 Harbor improvements, 188