The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-11-22
glDittelIailp.
sfassvcrs 20 Mr.. Kaikoen's Queries.
LETTER u.
.4msterdan', October 4, 1880.


YOU desire an exact and authentick infor-
nation Of tho present situation OF American
affairs, with previous concise account OF
their course, before, during, and after the
commencement of hostilities.
To give stranger an adequate idea of the
rise and progress Of the dispute between
Great Britain and America, would require
much time and many volumes il comprises
the history of England, and the Uuited States
Of America, for twenty years; that OF France
and Spain, for FIVE or six ; and that OF ell
the maratime powers Of Europe, for two or
three Suffice it TO say, that, Immediately
upon the conquest of Canada from the French
in the year 1889, Grcat-B Britain, seemed 10
be seized with jealousy against the Colonies,
aRd then concerted the plan of changing
their forms of government, of restraining
their trade within narrow bounds, and raising
arevenue within them, by authority OF Par
lament, for the ayowed or pretended pur-
pose of protecting, securing and defending
them. Accordingly, in the year 400, or
brs were sent from the Board Of Trade, IN
England, 10 the Custom -house Officers in
America, to apply to the Supreme Courts OF
Justice for writs of assistance, TO enable them
v carry into more rigorous execution, Ger.
hin acts Of Parliament, called the acts OF
trade, (among which, the famous act OF navi-
cation was one, the fruit Of the ancient Eng
ish jealousy Of Holland), by breaking open
houses, ships, or cellars, chests, stores, and
magazines, to search for uncustomcd goods.
In most Of the Colonies these wrils were re-
fused. In Massachusetts Bay, the question,
wethcr such writs were legal and consiitu-
tonal, was solelnnly and repeatedly urged
before the Supreme Court, by the most
learned counsel in the province.
The Judges Of this Cour, held their com
missions during the pleasure of thc COVER.
nour and council, land the chief justice ny
ing at this time, the famous Mr. Hutchinson
was appointed, probably with view OF de-
ciding this csusc in favour OF the crown !;
which was accordingly done. But the arg1-
ncnts advanced upon that occasion, by the
bar md the bench, opened to the people such
view of the designs of the British govern
ment against their liberties, and Of the danger
they were in, as made deep impression up
on the publick, which never wore out.
From this moment, every measure OF the
British Court and Parliament, and Of the
Kings goyernours and other servants, con-
irmed the people in an opinion Of settled
design to oycrturn those constitutions under
which their ancestors had emigratcd from
the old world, and with infinite toll, danger
and expense, planted new one. 1t would
be endless to cnumcrate all the acts OF Par
lament, and measures Of government: but
in 1864, Mr.. George GrensiIlc moved a
number Of resolutions in Parliament, which
passed, for laying vast number of heavy
duties upon stamped paper and in l765,
the act of Parliament was made, called the
Stamp Act upon this, there was an uni.
versai rising Of the people in every Colony,
compelling the stamp officers by force to re-
sign, and preventing the stamped papers
from being used, and, indeed, compelling the
Courts of Justice. to proceed in business
without thcm. My Lord Rockingham, per-
cciving the impossibility OF executing this
statute, moved, by the help Of Mr.. Pitt, for
the repeal Of it, and obtained it, which rcstor-
ed peace, order, and harmony to America (;
which would have continucd,to this hour, if
the evil genius of Great Britain had not
prompted her to revive the resistance OF the
people, by fresh attempts upon their liber-
ties, and new acts of Parliament, imposing
taxes upon them.
In 1867, they passed another act Of Par
isAthCh,, iayhS uuuco upOu yi"oo, P"PSi, "hH
painters colours, and tea. This revived the
discontents in America but government
sent over board Of commissioners, to over.
see the execution Of this act OF Parliament,
and all others imposing duties, with multi
tudc of new officers for the same purpose I:
ard In 1868, for the first time, sent four
thousand regular troops to Boston, to pro.
tcct the revenue officers in the collection Of
the duties.
10th to commence hos,ilitics, the people
had recourse TO non-importation agreements,
and variety Of other measures, which, IN
1870, induced Parliament to repeal all the
duties upon glass, and painters colours, but
left the duty upon tea unrcpcaled. his pro-
duccd an association not to drink tea. in
l77o, the animosity vctween the Inhabitants
OF Boston, and the Kings troops grew so
high, that a party of troops fired upon a
A e..