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


Blockading our ports, seizing vessels
entering therein, and sending them to
some neighboring port for condemnation.
Firing at, and detaining coas,ing YES
sels within our ACKNOWLEDGED jurisdiction,
numbering citizen in these acts ofwan-
| tonnesS.
Violating our neutrality by destroying
a French ship of war within our jurisdic,
ton, and thus entitled topro,ection.
Attacking publick armed ship or,he
u. States.
RiRing some, and numbering Others
other crew--or refusing atonemcnt for
these outrages, regulating and restraining
OF: commerce, co!oniZing and taxing us
by orders Of council, reduced 10 form of
law by an act ofparliament.
Interfering in our political concerns by
inviting our citizens to violate our laws,
and by publshinga a letter from the Brit
ish secretary of state, by way Of appeal
to the people against iher own govern
mcnt.
Forcing contraband trade with armed
ships.
Mr.. President, am mistaken in these
facts, or are they true ? If true, sir, is
there gentleman here present prepared
to tell the American people that all these
injuries and insults have been inflated
upon them by G.. Britain, and all atone
mcnt for them refused, and that there is
no cause Of war That their honour and
interest do not demand war, that they
are not yet sufficiently degraded, but
must wait for a greater accumulation of
injuries and insults F! But, sir, permit
me to press this enquiry still further.
Its importance demands it. 1t is of the
last importance, to the people TO under
stand it correctly that not doubt
should be suspended over the fact. Sir,
| have said twice before this session, and
l now say a third time, and beg gentle
men to answer me explicitly, yea or nay.
have twice said, and ! now say third
time, that Great Britain by her orders in
council, now reduced to the form of law,
has abridged the rights Of national sovcr-
eighty, that she has colonized and taxed
the people Of the United States. Here
let me stop, sir ; let me single ont these
acts alone, and ask gentlemen if they are
true Gentlemen have not denied them.
Gentleman cannot deny them.
We'll, sir, are gentlemen prepared to
tell the people Of United States that G..
Britain has abridged their rights of ma
tional sovereignty, that she has colonized
and taxed her, and perseveres is SO doing
and in the same breath, and at the same
time, to tell them there are no causes of
war, that they must wait for further in
juries and insults !! / have SO much
confidence in the intelligence and patriot
ism of the people in every section of the
union, that l do rot believe such language
would be justified or even tolerated in
any part of the United States. No, sir,
the people of Boston, cnvoloped as they
arc with prejudiccs, would repel the de-
grading expostulation if it were fairly
presented to their view and consideration.
But, sir, propose to press the examina-
tion ofthis subject still further. Ipropose
TO select two or three ofthe most formida-
bile & intolerable acts Of outrage from the
disgusting catalogue, * to bestow OH them
more critical attention. These will be acts
ofthe present energetick administration.
suppose that other gentlemen cannot un-
derstand the orders of council as do; if
they did, it would be impossible for an
American to offer an apology for, or even
palliation of them. They shall, there
fore receive my first attention First as
they effect our rights Of national sover-