Rhode Island's part in the Continental Navy, 232 Convention of Eastern States to form a concerted plan of action, 233 Financial troubles, 234 Regiment of negroes raised, 234 1778. Tidings of the French alliance received, 235 Expedition against Bristol and Warren, 235 Attempt to drive the British from Rhode Island rendered unsuccessful by a terrible storm, and jealousy among the officers of the French fleet, 236 CHAPTER XXVI. ACTS OF THE BRITISH TROOPS.--DISTRESS IN RHODE ISLAND.--EVACUATION OF NEWPORT.--REPUDIATION.--END OF THE WAR. Disappointment of the Americans, 241 Wanton destruction of life and property by the British, 241 Pigot galley captured by Talbot, 242 Scarcity of food in Rhode Island, 242 Steuben's tactics introduced into the army, 244 Difficulty in raising money, 244 British left Newport, 245 Town records carried off by the British, 246 Repudiation of debt, 247 Rhode Island's quota, 248 Preparations for quartering and feeding the troops, 249 An English fleet of sixteen ships menaced the Rhode Island coast, 250 Assembly met at Newport; the first time in four years, 250 1781. End of the war, 251 The federation completed, 251 CHAPTER XXVII. ARTS OF PEACE RESUMED.--DOCTRINE OF STATE RIGHTS. Name of King's County changed to Washington, 252 New census taken, 253 Question of State Rights raised, 253 1782. Nicholas Cooke died, 254 Armed resistance to the collection of taxes, 254 Troubles arising from financial embarrassment, 255 1783. Acts of the Assembly, 256 CHAPTER XXVIII. DEPRECIATION OF THE CURRENCY.--INTRODUCTION OF THE SPINNING-JENNY.--BITTER OPPOSITION TO THE FEDERAL UNION.--RHODE ISLAND FINALLY ACCEPTS THE CONSTITUTION. Desperate attempt to float a new issue of paper money, 257 Forcing acts declared unconstitutional, 258 First spinning-jenny made in the United States, 259