Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1801-1806, 1803-07-09

There was conftqusntly TOO much reafon TO
fuppofe, that the rea objed oftheir milton was
by no means Of commercial nature and this
iuppoGtion was confirmed, not only by the cir-
cumftances thar foune of them were military men,
but by the actual difcovery that fevera OF them
were furnifhed with inftrp6fions to obtain the
oundings OF the hsrbors, and 10 procure militia
" furvcys. His Msjeay felt il to be his duty
70 prevent their departure TO their refpsetive pla-
css Of deftination, and feprefented TO the French
Government fhe necefity of Withdrawing them !;
and il cannot be denied that the circumesnces
Under which they were. .fent, and the inAruetions
which we're giseo TO them, ought TO be conGd-
cred AZ decihve indications OF the difpoltions &
intentions OF the government by whom they
were employed.
The conduit of the French government with
refpeGt TO the commercial intercourfe between
the two countries, mutt therefore be conGdersd
as i'll fuited 10 fate OF peace, & their proceed
ings in their more general political relations, As
well a. in rhoie which Immediately coneern bis
MajeRy's dominions, appear 10 have been alto
eether inconhltent with every principle OF good
faith. moderation. and juHce. His Majeay had
entertained hopes. IN cooiequence of the repeated
1fofances and profeiiions OF the French Goyern-
nienf, thar they might have been induced TO
adopt fyftem Of policy which, If il had not in.
fpired other powers with confidence, might at
lcst have allayed their je,ouGes. II THE French
Government had really appeared to be a6iuated
by due attention 70 iuch iytcm II their diff
petitions had proved 70 be eGentially pacific, al
lowances would have been made for the hiuation
in which new government NUT be placed after
10 dreadful and exteniive convufon as that
which has hen produced by the French revolo-
tion. Bot his MajeRy had unfortunately had too
much reaion 70 oblerse aud TO lament that the
iyfein OF violence, aggreihon, and aggrsudize-
nent which Characterised the proceedings OF the
ditf,rent governments OF France during the war,
has been cootinued with little dilguiie iince its
termination They have continued 10 keep
French army in Holland againR she y III, and
in defiance of the rcmonitTances of the Batavian
government, and IN repugnsnce 10 the letter OF
three folemu treaties. They have in period Of
peace, INVADED the territory, and violated the in
dependence OF the S~iis nation, in defiance of
the treaty OF Luneyille, which had tiipulsted the
Independence OF their territory, and the tight OF
the inhabitants 10 chooie their own form of gov
eminent. They have annexed TO the dominions
OF France, Piedmont, Parma, and placenis, and
the Hand OF Eiba. without a!lotting any provi-
fon 10 the King of Sardinia, whom they have
deiPoilcd OF the mott valuable part of his terrific
ry, though they were bound by iolemn engage
ment to the Emperor of Rulia, TO attend TO his
inteIeas, and to provide for his eitab.ilhment.-
IL may, indscd, with truth be aherted, that the
period which has clapfed fiocc The conc'uGon of
the dehnitive treaty, has been marked with one
continued ferries OF aggreiEon, violence, and in
iult on the part ot Rrcnch government.
In the month o, her lat, his Msjefy
was induced, in confcqucn II the earnefi foli-
citation of the Swifs nation, 10 make an effort,
by representation TO the French government,
TO avert The evils which were then impending
over that country. y.---This representation was
couchcd 10 the moa temperate terms and mea-
fofes were taken BY his Maeay for afcenaining,
endef the ciTcumfinces which then exiRed, the
real ffoa,icn &'wiihes Of the Swifa Canton., -
well as thc fentimen,s of the other cabinets of
Europe. His MajeRy learned, however, with
the utmoh reg.et. that 40 difpoGtion to counter
ad thefe repeated infrae.ons cf treaties and acts
of violence was msnifeaed by any Of the pow ers
moa Immediately intereRcd in preventing them
And his Majeay therefore felt. that, with refpett
TO thefe objects, his fngc efforts could not be-
expected to produce any contidersble advantage
TO thoie IN whole favor they might be exerted.
~ Was aUVut tii's tftic lukt tNS rIcnCN gov
eminent fra diainaly advanced the principle,
that his Majeay had no right to complain of the
conduct, OF to interfere with the proceedings of
France, on any point which did nor form part
OF the Ripu!s,ions OF the treaty of Auiens.--
That treaty was unqueaionably founded upon
the fame principle every other antecedent trea-
ty or convention, on the aIumption Of the fate
OF pcdcfion, 4 Of engagements fubfifting at the
time OF its concluiion: And il that fate of pof.
fci'icn and OF engagements is materially affected
by the voluntary act Of any of the parties. 20 as
to prejudice the condition on which the other
party ha, entered into the contract, the change,
70 made, may be con6dered as operating virtually
as breach of the treaty itfef, and as giving the
party segrieved right to demand fatisfaeaion or
compensation for any fubfautial difference which
fuch acts may have e6etied in their relative ftu-
ations; but whatever be the principle on which
the treaty is TO be conGdcred ~ founded, there
IL individually general law of nations, which,
tho liable to be limited; explained, or reRraincd
by conventional Law, Is antecedent to il, g. that
law or rule of conduct which all fovereign, and
fafcs have been accufomed 70 appeal vhcre con- !