The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-10-04
political @isreitat,p.
From the AURoRA.
THE INFLUENCE OF BRITAIN.
No. II.

We have seen in the preceding num-
Der, that the influence Of Great Britain, in
the United-Statcs, after the conclusion OF the
war was--our receiving her manufactures,
Tor which we had not the means Of paying
her In our own productions more than one<
third the cost--and for the remaining two
thircs,we became her debtors,or in other words
her dependents and for lberating ourselves
from that debt, we placed our confidence on
commerce, of the precaviousness OF which
we now begin to nave experimental evidence.
lime, pregnant with great and momen-
tous events, began to present them to the
world In rapid and astonishing succession; and
without, at this time, psusing to discuss the
question, whether the occurrences during the
last twenty-five years, have, upon the whole,
really, substantially, and permanently advance
ed the benefit of the people OF the y. States,
shall endeavour to shew that they have had
the effect of rendering a considerable por-
ton OF the American community even more
servilc to the British government, than tho
people of England arc themselves.
shall by the way, take the liberty of de-,
nominating the merchants of Great-Britain
the British govegnment-for even the ercrae.-
&c and impertincnt George Canning has re-
Gently been forced to knuckie under to these
sugar and rum sellers--Gecrge wants money
they lend it to him---of course he is their
DEBTOR, and consequently under their influ-
ence.
The distinctions in France occasioned by
her revolutionary conflict, created distress
ing scarcity of grain and other commodities
which the United States supplied her with,
and in return drew considerable wealth into
the pockets of the farmers and merchants,
which 1t may be said was the first lift deserv-
ing OF notice, that the Americon agriculture
: allsts had received since the revolution.--
Heretofore the merchants had been selIine.
British manufactures to the farmers at extra
VACANT prices, whilst they allowed them onlv
from to dollars per barrel for -four, SIS
cents per bushel for their wheat, and for 9th
er produce in proportion. The trade with,
France, now advanced the price Of -four to
10, IL, and even Is dollars per barrel
Wheat to Island 90 shillings per bushel, and
in some cases were higher and those arti-
clcs might have continued at those rates to
this day, and for years to como, if the British.
government had cot usurpet, the right OF cap
turing American ships, laden with provisions
bound to France and her colonies, which
right was (shame to read it) subsequently,
confirmed to them by Jays treaty, f6r the
pi'ifui stipulation OF their paying for tie car,
goes at first cost commission, and freight.
This demonstrated to the people Of france,
that they could not place confidence ip re>
celving supplies from America, and sdmon,
ished them to turn their atteu.ion from ether
pursuits of traflick or manufactures, that they
were engaged in, TO that CT az ri i:uiture,which
fhev have i'm proved so succe Sc fsrllv.that bread
provision is cheaper in France at this day,
than il Is in the United States. - -
The consequence of this temporary ac--
ccssion Of wealth to the farmer, was the -ex-
tensiA Of agricultures neglect OF home
manufactures, and an additional consumption
of british goods-bnt what icnded very MS
tcfiellv to cncressc the vent for. them, was
the distracted and revolutionary state Of the
French and Dutcn West India islands, in con-
sequence Of the war wages ~ Gres,- -3riisin