The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-09-13
Political @isecilanv.
From the .AvRoRA.
THE INFLUENCE OF BRITAIN.


The epoch of the French revolution found
the people of the United States in the sober
enjoyment of the fruits Of their virtuous,
manly, and successful stru gglc for freedom
and independence.
The priyations Of various objects which
they had to endure during the war with u.
Britain had given an inihetns to manufactures.
Agriculture was their natural and successful
pursuit.--Commcrce was graduating on the
scale adapted to the wants and capacitics Of
the empire, and established on basis calcu-
lated for raising durable and advantageous
supcrstructure to those who were engaged an
it.
Industry and frugality were then in vogue,
and the influence OF banking and insurance
institutions, was not complained OF as injuri-
o,sly affecting political opinions. George
Washington was at that time president oil the
U.aited States-Thomas Jefferson was his
chosen secretary of state, and it was the gen.
eral opinion that no person in the nation, was
SO well qualified to fill the presidential chair,
when vacated by Washington, as the man who
had the spirit and the ability to pen the de-
claration of independence. The American
people had not yet forgotten the services and
assistance rendered to them by the French
nation, in fighting with them. side by side,
against the British, for the protection of their
homes---for their release from bondage--and
for their liberty and independence. 1t was
therefore with enthusiastick graduation that
they hailed universally the intelligence that
the people Of France had liberated them
selves from the acknowledged tyranny of the
house Of Bourbon.
The result of every contest is, that the VIC
tor can forgive more readily than the van
quished.
Descended from the same stock, speaking
similar language, and long habituatcd to a
close intercourse with Great Britain, the peo-
pie of the United States very soon forgot the
murder and devastation that had recently
been inflicted on their country by British SOL
dicrs, hired merccnaries, and savagcs of the
woods--and satisfied with yictory--they easi-
ly returned to the intercourse with friendly
sentiments, whilst on the part OF G.. Britain,
il was returned to, from motives of CONNER
cial intercst,with the seeds Of hatred ranking
! i'm the bosom OF her rulers, occasioned by
the modification of seeing the brightest gem
snatched from the British diadcm.
There were various articles of British ma
nufacture, which at the close of the war suit
cd the interests and convenience of the u.
States to receive, for which we gave them in
return small portion Of the value in arti-
cIes of American produce, of the first ncces-
siiy to them, and we paid them large bal
ance in specie. The trade yielded great
benefit to the British nation, and made the
fortunes Of the individuals who engaged in it.
The great capitals of the British merchants
and manufactures, enabled them to afford the
American merchants extensive crcditsswhich
etlcreascd the demand for their manufactures
in this country, and of coorsc cncrcascd the
number Of persons engaged IL, the -Brifish
frsas, and consequently cncreascd tht inhu-