The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-04-05
Coafinxcd.

:Sh feet is demanded. This demand is
grounded upon false suggestion. That
thc Danes had, by secret article in the
treaty u Tiisit, agreed to give up their
i!ees to France, to facilitate the invasion
Of Great Britain. This suggestion was
utterly false and unfounded, and so the
ministry were hatly told to their faces in
parliament afterwards, by lord Hutchin-
son, at That time minister at tine court Of
St. Petersburg. Upon the refusal this
iniquitous demand, Copenhagen was i'm
incdiatcly sacked, and proAigate and
indiscriminatc slaughter of men, women
and children cnsued. Tie Danish feet
was forcibly seized, and borne off i'll tri-
umph. But, sir, with their unhallowed
trophies, the British bore off the distrusts
and detestation of the world and left be-
hind them the hatred and the enmity of
Denmark. DO you believe, sir, that
the British ministry or the British nation,
have gained any solid advantage by this
wanton display of energy Do you be-
lieye, sir, that the loss of character and the
enmiy of Denmark, was compensated
Tor by the booty OF the Danish feet,
which Great Britain did not want No,
sir, the one might excite in the nation
thoughtless and transitory eXultation, but
the others are durable losses and stains,
which time itself cannot wipe away, SO
long as history shall remain 10 record the
acts of men and ofnations.
The next effort to display this energy
makes Its appearance in Sweden. A ma
ton fighting for its independence against
all Europe, and protected from their
lawless power more from the inaccessi-
bility OF the country, its lakes, morasses,
&c. than It's resources and arms. Un-
der these circumstances, sir ]. Moore, a
great military chief, is sent to offer to
the king ofSweden the aid of British CO.
operation, probably the admission of the
British fleet into Swedish ports. How
was this fiattering overture received by
that monarch in the depth of his distres-
ses Sir, he instantly saw the danger of
British perfidy, and he ordered the mes
sengerto be confined-to beincarcerated
but fortunately for him, he escaped in
disguise and disgrace. For this and
other acts, the king Of Sweden has been
called a madman; but sir, this act, in my
judgement, serves to shew that he is
stateman as well as a soldier. The Bri-
tish perGdy towards Denmark, was the
cause and justification of his conduct.
He had just seen the British upon a false
suggestion, seize upon the feet of his
neighbour, Denmark and he Justly con-
cluded that ii he admitted British feet
into his ports, his feet would also be seiz-
cd upon, and borne of whenever the con-
vcn;ence or interest of Great Britain
should require it. Here, sir, arc seen
some OF the fruits Of the pcrfdious ener-
gy practlsed upon Denmark. And in the
month ofJuly, 1908, sir John Moore re-
turned to London, to give some myste-
riousand unintelligible account of the dis.
graceful issue. of lis perGdious embassy.
About the same time, those generous
interposers in the affairs of other nations.
sent feet and army to Portugal, their
friend and ally, to aid the Portuguese in
cxpelling Or subduing a French army,
then in the bosom Of their country.
These wretched and devoted people, de-
serted by weak and impotent govern
ment, left almost without the smallest