The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-03-29

tilat the CruerS shall continue. III fpfCe-
not only so long as tic French dtcreI
shall be mischit,ously operative, bus
until they shall lie unequiuocaily abanr
doEed, ard leaves a strong inference on
my mird, that they are not to be aban-
doned ON any terms and, believe, arc
intended TO become the permanent law
OF the land. II this point were clearly
ascertained, surely all America. would
eagerly unite in the war. But, sir, / shall
have occasion, again, in the course of the
observations | propose to make, to re-
mark further upon the contents of this
letter, Although this resolution is not
the one of my choice, and is, as gentle
men must now see, several points below
the ground, which in my judgement the
best interest Of the nation would author
ize and require us to take, yet Twill state
some ofthe effects, which iprcsume will
Row from it, m,d which, under all cir
cumstances, are the best that can now
be obtained. 1t viii put. the. destruc-
tive influence Of the orders of council to
the test of practical experiment, and thus
settle for us the question Of peace or war.
II viii be resumption Of our commerce
with Ill nations except the Eelligerents
having in force against us hostile orders
on etlicts, whilst it will be continual
protest against them. 1t will manifest
our attention to tic wishes and interest
of our eastern friends, who will not be
satisfied Of the destructive effects of the
orders in council upon their commerce,
by any inlefehces drawn from the obvi-
GUS r Gaming Of those orders, but insist
upon practical experiment upon them.
Their vessels may be put in motion, and
trade to al! countries where they can
trade without compromiting their own
and their country's honour. 1t will de-
monstrate the necessity ofput,ing the ma
tion into better state Of defence, whilst
it will postpone for time, the resort to
war in my judgment, the ultimate and
| only resort, now left us against belliger-
ent aggressions. 1t affords the last
chance Tor preserving peace. II will
leave no cliasm in orr protest against the
beIligerem orders and edicts, and thus
Tar save us from the disgrace OF submis.
sion.
am bound in charity to presume,
Mr.. President, that gentlemen must diff
essentially with me in opinion respec-
ting the causes Of war, or it is not possi-
bic thai; we should differ SO much as to
the propricty and necessity Of resorting
to it. l therefore propose to state with
openncss and and candour the real causes
Of our suaerings, the real causes ofwar..
These may principally be summed up in
the monstrous and extravagant claim set
up by Great Britain to the despotism OF
the ocean.--Tbc despotism claimed
upon the land by France, although equal
ly reprehcnsible, is less injurious to us.
1t is felt, no doubt, with great severity
by those nations whose situation has SUBJ
jected them to its inAuence---but il has
pleased Kind and bencfcent providence
to place us beyond the sphere Of its de-
structive influence, whilst the impotency
of France upon the ocean, relieves us.
from any great and serious injuries from
her upon that element.
Great Britain has assumed the princi-
pie Of the conquest Of the ocean, and as
reward Of that conquest, asserts and
maintains the right to carry OH herself
the commerce Of the world, or to pre-
scribe rules for conducting it by other
nations, and thus render it subservicnt to
her own views, and her own interest.
| This claim of exclusive dominion upon
the ocean by Great Britain, is hostility
against the rights of all other nations
upon that element. 1t is in fact war a.