Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1801-1806, 1804-09-13

unly hyperion to me, but even to your
own conceptions of yourfelf, my lord ,
nen before the fplendor of whole gen.
Jus and virtues | ihould bow with rel
peaful Difference, and who would
think tbemfelves dilhonored to be cal
led your friends, who would not dif-
grace themfelves by fhaking your
blood-ltainsd hand.... !,
Here be a0ds interrupted:
What, my lord, fhall you tell me.
on the paaage to that icaifold, which
that tyranny of which you are only
the intermediatory executioner has
erected for my murder, that | am ac-
countable fof all the blood that has or
will be fhcd in this ffrugglc of the op-
prefed againf the oppreflor, ihall you
tell me this /; and mutt be 10 very q
flave as not to repel it
/ do not fear to approach the ON
nipotent Judge, to anfwer for the con-
duct of my life; and am to be ap-
palled and falGfied by mere remnant
of mortality here; by you too, who,
if it were pofible to collect all the in
nocent blood that you have fhed in
your unhallowed miniltry in one great
refervoir, your lordlhip might fwim
IN it
There fbe judge interfsred. LET no
man dare when am dead TO charge
me with dilhonor let no man attaint
my memory by believing, that |
could have become the plant minion
of power in the opprenion of the milf
cries of my country the procla.
nation of the proviGonal government
Ipeaks for our views, no inference can
be tortured from il to countenance bar
= barity or debaiemcnr at home, or fub-
!, ieGtion or humiliation or treachery
/, from abroad would not have fub-
, mitted TO a foreign opprenor, for the
fame reafon that would reiilt the for
sign and domeitic opprefIor; in the
! dignity of freedom, ! would have
fought upon the threihold ofmy coun-
. try, andits enemy ihould enter only
. by paHing over my lifeleis corpfe.
And I, who lived but for my country,
and who have fubjeeted myielf to the
dangers of the jealous, and watchful
oppreHor, and the bondage of the
grave, only to give my countrymen
: their rights, and my country her in
dependence, am to be loaded with
caiumny and. not fuffered to relent,
and repel it !...No! God forbid!
If the fpirits of the ilufrious dead
participate in the concerns and cares
OF lhoie, who were dear to them in
this tranGtory life....O ever dear and
: venerated fhade ofmy departed father,
look down with ferutiny upon the
conduct of your fuffering lon and
fee if have even for a moment devil
ated from thole principles of morality
and patriotifm, which il was your care
. to initil into my youthful mind; and
for which l am now TO offer up my
life.
., My Lords...you are impatient for
the facri6ce.....he blood which you
ieek is not congcaled by the artificial
terrors which lurround your victim ;
!, it, circulates warmly and unrufiled
through the channels which God Gre
/, ated for noble purpofes. but which
you are bent to deitroy, tor purpoles
70 grievous that they cry to heaven....
!, be yet patient, | have but few words
more to fay....l am going to my cold
and filent grave my lamp of life is
nearly extinguiihed; my race is run I;
the grave opens to receive me, and |
fink into its boiom! | have but one
requelt to ak at my departur, from
from this world. 1t is the charity Of
It's filence a...Les no man write my
epitaph, for as no man who knows my
motives, dare noso vindicate them, let
not prejudice or ignorance aiperfe
chem .ef them and me Yepole in