The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-03-22

ports Of one.tenth part oil the coast, to en-
force it.
The Berli, decree of Buonaparte was issued
professedly in retaliation of this sham block
adc, and other violations of maritime law, on
the part of Great Britiin. This decree, it
is pretended by Great Britain, affords ustif-
able ground for issuing the orders in coun-
Gil, of Nov. | l, 1907. The nature and ex-
tent Of the DEGREES and orders of England
and France are not generally known in this
country. We will therefore describe them,
in as concise and plain terms as possible.
The French have declared the British isles,
their colonies and dependencies, in a state of
blockade, that Ill vessels sailing to and from
Great Britain, should be subject to con6sca-
ton.
MIR. Armstrong, the American, Minister
in Paris, demanded an explanation of this Ge-
cree of the French Minister of Marine; and
received tor answer, that it was not intended
to operate against AMERICAN COMMERCE.
This Interpretation Of the decree Was adj
hered to, until the last of the month OF Oc-
tobcr OF the following year. The ship Hori-
zon was the first and only American vessei
that was condemned under it, in the prize
courts OF France, previous to the issuing of
the British orders in council. 1t is proper to
notice, that the British orders in council were
Illuminated against the commerce OF the L.
nited States, before the official notice OF tie
condemnation of the Horizon Was known to
Mr.. Armstrong, and before it could he known
to the British government. The American
government remained ignorant of the fact, for
months after this British measure of pretend
ed retail 4tiOn.
SO great has been the pains taken by the
opposers OF the government, to conceal from
the people the purport, and even the exist
ence oil the British orders, th.t we fear the
n..ture of them is wholly unknown to many
well meaning of our fellow citizens. BY the
order of Nov. III, all American vessels bound
to France, or countries i'll alli~ncc with
France, including almost all the civilized
world, arc made liable to capture by the Brit
isn CruiZers, and to condemnation. There is
only one condition OH which the u. States
Can carry on trade with the continent OF Eu-
rope and that is SO degrading, Illuminating,
and insulting to our n,tionat character, that
we blush while we name it. On the condi-
ton of touching ut o British port, and paying
TRIBUTE into the treasury of Britain, we
are permitted most grAciously by his Nlajcs-
ty, to prosecute that trade, which, by the laws
of nations, we have an undoubtcd right to.
The aSaount OF TRIBUTE on the article Of
cotton, is nine-pcnce sterling per pound.
Thus larger sum is demanded for Tribute,
than the article is worth in our osyn Ports.
This TRIByTE is not exacted only on this
article, but the produce OF New-kngtsnd, our
BEEF and FORK, are subjected to it sn shCrt,
it is demapded Oh every article raised on the
American soil.
II the intentions Of the British government
could be perfectly carried into effect, ii A
merica would taynely submit to the degrade
ion of paying TRlBITE, the British govern
ment would draw an annual revenue OF THIR-
TY MILLIONS from this source alone. In Oh
der to save the United States from the hu-
initiation of submitting to Tribute and conhs-
cation of property, and to retaiiate upon In..-
land and France " the evils OF thei. own ill.,
iustice," the Embargo was laid. Although
the wise intentions oi the government in a.
doptng this measure, have been in some de-
gree thwarted in the violent oppositioh to, and
the sc,ndaleus violations Of the law, yet it has
produced good effects to the nltion, more than
| to countegbalance the severity of It's pres
sure upon the country.
1t has saved our property and seanen. II
has defeated the object OF the British Orders
and French DEGREES. 1t has saved us from
TRIBUTE. 1t has prevented War hitherto
and by Withholding from the bellig.rents our
valuable products, it has tared them to a lar
ger amount than they could have made by
| plundering our commerce.
Such have been the effects of the Embar-
SO. Ifthe government should not soon be
able to accomplish all the great objects aimed
at, higher ground in defence of our violated
rights, may at any time be taken, and probably
stronger measures viii soon be resorted to-
1t has been said by the opposers Of Govern
| mcnt that the British Treaty mighthave been
| ratified, and thus have saved all the troubles
we have experienced from a suspension OF
commerce. But we beg to impress this fact
upon the citizens of this county, that If the
treaty had been unexccptionable in other res