The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-04-26
political @isrettanp.
From The PHILADELPHIA .AuRoRA.
TO THE AMERICAN FARMERS.
Letter lfh


ALTHOUGH the remarks which / Ioffere
In my last letter, respecting the conduct q
Britain 10 the Dutch, afford but faint idea .
the policy Of its government, would not re
sort TO q further enquiry, if the peculiar stat
oil our foreign relations, and the Glamour of tn
advocates OF England, Gid not invite il. Il
the present letter, therefore, several instance
Will be noted,of the inaratime insolence an
perhdy, towards other states, particular
France, which have terminated in realism,
the threat OF Cromwell, that nc ilag but tina
OF England, should appear on the ocean.
Inc wars between England and France
originated IN the Norman conquest, in 1866
and in the claims of the former, to the sovcr
eignty OF the seas surrounding lis islands,
Possessing an important part of France, ant
iavoured by the turbulent dukes who hel,
iets undcrits throne, the ambition of the Nor
man-Engiish was excited to become master
OF the whole nation. To attain his purpose
fourteen wars were carried on against France
before the object was avowed. In 1927, Ed
ward III. assumed the title of king of France
AT this time little or no commerce was car
red on, either by the English or French tho
A'utch and the people of the Hanse Towns
were the carriers OF such trade as these states
could furnish. One Of the first acts of Ed.
ward, was to forbid all trade or communica.
ton whatever with France, with the ayowed
object or reducing it by famine and such
vessels, as were taken on their yoyagc TO
france, were destroycd.--Some idea may be
termed OF the weakness of France at this pe-
iiod' from the circumstance, that the English
possessed above q third part of its territory,
We - E~v
Brcst, Eordeaux and Bayonne.
In the interval, from 1927 to 1869, the
French recovered several Of their sea ports,
and even maritime ascendancy; and the
character OF the English became decidedly
commercial. The connection formed between
England and Spain, in 1854, created lust
of wealth, that stimulated the former to en-
gage in wars for its qualification. The CO.
lonies and ships of Spain, were p'undcred in
time OF peace, in the reign Of Elizabeth, and
all trade and intercourse whatever, forbidden
with that country in the port of Lisbon, 60
vessels belonging to the Hanse Towns, were
seized and condemned, and the vessels of all
other neutral states, met on their way TO Spain,
were treated in the same manner. With the
cncrcase of commerce, the animosity Of Eng
land against France, acquired additional
strength Elizabeth stirred up continental
and civil war, 90 check the maritime progress
Of that country, and in consideration of the as
s;stance she gave to one of the factions in
France, obtained the ports of Havrc and
Dicppc.
In 1904, Henry w. sent the duke of Sully
to England, to compliment James l. on his
accession to the throne. The vessel carrying
SuIly, was met at sea by an English cruizer,
which demanded the salute-this was no
sooner refused hy the French than broad
side was fired into their vessel. Sully then
ordered the flag to be struck, and, when the
English captain fame on board, complained
of the outragc--<.is answer was, that he had
instructions to compel every foreign vessel he
met, to give the honours due the sovereign of
the seas.
In 1925, ,during the war with Spain, Charles
!. ordered all the French vessels carrying
Spanish goods to be seized.
In l64o, the French, being at war with
Spain, retaIiatcd, and in answer to the re-
monstrances OF England, pleaded in excuse,
the precedent Of 1926. as
I'm 1855, Cromwell despatched feet, in
tirac of peace, to attack the Spanish colonies
Ind ;ntcrcep. the gallsons: the Spanish minis
ter,bccoming acquainted with the circumstance
asked an explanation, and Cromwell replied
that his object was 10 abolish the inquisition,
and compel Spcin to abandon her monopoly
the absurdity Of this excuse was only
cquaIlcd BY the ini9aity Of the act itself. The
colonies and the ships Of Spain were surpris-
cd and taken, and the plumber carried in tri-
umph through London.
In 1859, the English attacked the colonies
and commerce Of France, in time of peace,
and for the second time introduced the plan
for starving that country: SO little res oct
was entertained for the opinion Of the world,
this scheme was formally stipulated and G.