The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-07-05
Doiiticat Misfeliamp.
For the REpuLIcAN.
THE RETROSPECT CONTINUED.

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Is Give honour unto 7yhom honour is due"
TIIE negotiations were thus broken off
by Mr. Canning & Co. and the subjects Cf
controversy were thus hung up in suspense
without sIsg reasonable prospect of an AMIGA
bic end 4 satisfactory adjustment. During
this pause, and on the 23d OF June, 1907,
our frigate the Chesapeake was attacked by
his Eritannick majcsty's ship Leopard, within
three leagues of Cape Henry. In this attack
three scainen, on board the Chesapeake, were
killed !; eight badly, and eight, with the Com
nodore atd a Tnidshiplnan, slightly wounded
Unpreparcd for resistance, IS unsuspectihg
any danger from those who were then enjoy
ing within.onr waters the rights Of hospitality,
the Chesapeake made no dcfence, and the A.
eric.n Eagle was struck TO the British Lion.
A u. itish officer boarded the Chesapeake, de-
xnanded from the purser his muster book,
mustered the crew, and took the three men
demanded at Washington, and one more.
The Chesapeake was then suffered to depart
in peace, Sac returned to Hampton Roads,
and prevented a mortifying spectacle to the
patriotick American. The Leopord also re-
,urncd .withM.our waters and joined the Brit
ish squadron.
The repeated Injuries and insults which
wc had before received lrosms British shirs Of
war within our waters the murder Of Pcarce
within mile of our dwellings, and the now
Nagrant outrage which filled 10 running over
the cup OF aggression, called Sor the Procla-
saation Of the President, which Torbid, WITH
certain exceptions, all British armed vessels
70 enter and remain within our watcrsss But
this sspiadron, as if we had net been sullicient-
ly injured and ins:iltcd, treated this pro6a-
ualion with contempt remained within thK
GApcs; fired upon;cycry vcssel coming in or
going out, and threatened 10 1,ombArc ID
tnWilof Norfolk unless they were supplieh
with what shcy wanted. We all rccollcct re
; iicc Of honest indignation which at this THE
SLED our bosolns, and which run like elSt-
tricity through our continent u seemed 3as
ifnothing but war would satisfy us. The
spirit Of party was for time sbUied, and all
!. We'd in demonstrations Of attachment to their
sountry, and of Indignation against the per-
Petrators Of these cc,A-blcodcd murders.--
Mcrcwas ine opportunity for Mr.. Jefferson,
Y had lie have been xle chciny OF England and
The partixan of Esance, TO hare involved his
country Ia Var withsthe former. But he
was calm sldidst the storm, his philosophick
eye was nhclouded by the mists of passion
lie looked beyond the present, he saw that
thc popular fefyour would soon suhsidc, and
hs1mcw that the true interest Of his country
was psatrAity and peace. His proclamation
was in-a great measure precautionary, and,
while it Justly denied hospitality to thoscNvho
had spahused its rights, it was wisely calcp-
lated to prevent the occurrence Of any further
similar outiagcs, which might have rendered
il altogether ilnpractical1c TO preserve the
peace OF the country. III this spirit, and with
this view, Congress, which many expected
would and wished might be called to meet
insmediateIys was called to meet at day suf-
kcicntly distant to admit of a reception oS the
explanations and ntonemcnt which the British
government might see fiji to make upon this
occasion; and, If none should be given, that
its measures might be taken uninflnence.l by
thc excitcments of the moment, and by the
ruling passion Of the day. This conduct of
Aft:: JcAe15cns wfiic It demonstrated the wis-
dom aa4 Tho cool philosophy ofhis. head, was
conhf fn>ati0n strong, to the candid mind, that
no iilcgitimatc passion Of hostility or attach.
mcnt towards either of the bc!iigcrents pos
sesscd his heart, md that the interest and the
'1ovc Of his country was his supreme law.
Instructions were sent to our ministers i'm
London TO demand an explanation and atonc-
,sscst for this outrage, and to press upon the
Bridsh gover.nent the necessity of entering
into some arrangements for the prevention
sf impscssmtnt, the exercise of which, and
Z in paslicaalar in the late fragrant manner, so
materially disturbed the peace Of the two
countsies. The British government tlisavow-
Cd the act of their officer, profcssed readi-
s bess 10 make satisfactory rcparation for thc
attack and injury, but declined entering at all
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