The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-06-07

transmitted to me, for revision, correction or
signature, as there might be occasion.
he yellow fever was expected, and we
were all Obliged to fly for our lives myself
and all my family to Quincy, and the heads
OF departments, with the publick Offices, to
Trenton.
had repeatedly endeavoured to impress
upon the mitd of the secretary of state, the
necessity of transmitting TO me as soon as
possible, his draught of the instructions, that
they might be finished and signed, and every
thing prepared for the departure of the en-
voys. l waited with much concern, expect
ing from day to day to receive the instruc-
tons ; but no instructions appeared. AT
length, instead Of them, received letter
signed by all five of the heads of departments,
earnestly entrcating me to SUSPEND the missionI!
was astonished at this unexpected, this
obstinate and persevering opposition to a
measure, that appeared SO clearly to me to be
SO essential to the peace and prosperity of the
nation, and the honour of the government, at
home and abroad i was not little surpris-
cd at the unanimity of the heads of depart
mehts, Tor two of them had always appeared
moderate and candid in relation to this mis-
sion. My instantaneous determination was
to go to Trenton, meet the gentlemen face to
face, to confer with them coolly on the SUBJ
ject and convince them, or bc- convinced by
them, could. On my way, called upon
Chief Justice Ellsworth, at his seat in Wind.
sor, and had conversation of perhaps two
hours with him. He was perfectly candid.
Whatever should be the determination, he
was ready at an hours warning to comply. If
1t was thought best. to embark immediately,
he-was ready. If it was Judged more expe-
dient to postpone it for little time, though
that might subject linn to winter voyage,
that danger had no weight with him. If it
was conclud Sd to defer it till the spring, he
was willing to wait. In this disposition /
took leave of him. He gave me no intima-
ton that he had any thought of a Journey to
Trenton. lodged at Hartford, not yet pur-
ified Of the yellow fever, and there caught
something very like it, or at least almost as
bad, most violent cold, attended with a con-
stant fever, which rendered me for six weeks
more tit for chamber and a bed Of sickness,
than for uncomfortable journeys, or much la
bour of the head or hands. However, would
not consent to be retarded on my Journey,
and reached Trenton, where Mr.. Hamilton
had arrived few hours before me. Cover
nour Davie had been there some time III
as was, / sent for the heads of departments.
Four of them were there. The attorney
general was gone to Virginia Many DAYS
were employed in conferences with them,
some e-t:tncs at my own apartments, and some-
times at their Offices.
The inhabitants Of Trenton had been
wrought.up to pitch of political enthusiasm
that surprised me. The universal opinion
appeared to be, that the first arrivals. from
Europe would bring the glorious news, that
Louis the Eighteenth was restored TO the
4tlarone of France, and reigning triumphantly
aat Versailles. Suwarrow, at the head of his
victorious Russian army, was to have march
ell from Italy to Paris, on one side, and Prince
Charles, at the head of an Austrian army,
was to have marched from Germany to Paris
ON the other, and detachments from both ar
niles were to march down to Havrc, TO re-
ceive the king, who was to be brought over
by British fleet and escorted with flying CO.
lours to Versailles. l could scarcely believe
my own senses when heard such reveries:
Yet the heads of departments appeared to
believe them, and urge them as decisive ar
gumcnts for suspending the embarkation Of
our ENJOYS till the spring. In vain did urge
the immense distances the two imperial ar
mics had to march, the great number Of
towns and cities in the route of both, in posi-
.tions chosen with great skill, fortified with
exquisite art, defended by vast trains OF hea-
wy ordnance, garrisoned by numerous troops
of soldierspcrfcctly disciplined, and animated
with all the obstinacy and ardour Of the revol-
utionary spirit. In vain did l alledge the
military maxim, which would certainly gov
crn both Prince Charles and Suwarrow, that
is, never TO leave a fortified city in the rear Of
your army, in Possession Of yonr enemy. That
the, siege of one town would consume the
whole scason.-That neither the Russians
nor Austrians were probably provided with
the mortars and heavy cannon necessary for
siegcs.-ANothing would do--Louis XVIII.
must be upon the throne of France.--Well,
suppose he is, what harm will there be in