The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-04-26

OF this refusal was made known by lord Chat
ham, who did not hesitate to declare in the
house OF lords, that g France should not OBJ
tam peace, unless she signed the destruction
OF her marine that il was enough, if the
coasting trade was allowed and, that England
should reserve 20 itself the sovereignty of the
ocean" And, Il further proof were necessa.
ry, II was given in the house Of commons
during the war of our urrcyolution Mr.. Adams
said the success of The last war was the cf.
feet of bold measure adopted by the former
administration, who, before war was declared
against France, seized all her merchant ships,
and by taking her seamen rendered it impos-
sible for her to equip her fleets "a stroke
from which that nation did not recover, ,lu-
ring the continuance of hostilitics." Smol-
let vol. $, p: 4s2, speaking ofthe refusal TO
restore the plundcred property, says, the min
istry made no secret OF their issuing the DR.
ders for capture before the war.
In the war Of our revolution, If the English
did not fully pursue their usual policy, il was
because their resources were drained, and the
continental powers, instead of lcaguing with
her, showed a due sense OF her shameless
disregard OF all rights. The British plumber.
ed dncutrals, and seized, contrary "a the prac-
tlcc of nations, all the French fishermen they
could snprixc. On these points, the conduct
of France again afforded an honourahlc con-
trast instead Of retaliating, the French min
istry sent special orders TO their cruizers, di-
rcctlng from humanity, and in consideration
of those who have no other means Of subsis-
tcnce than commerce and fishing, the COM
manders OF French vessels are forbidden 60
disturb or stop the vessels of English fisher
men ;-and, In relation To neutral trade,
France proposed, in 1873, to exempt from
capture all merchantmen whatever laden with
innocent goods the English answered, that
Britain could do without neutrals, and would
continue to capture them.
When these traits in the character OF both
nations are considered, who can wonder at
the armed neutrality that followed the cxccu.
uon OF this threat and is 1t not matter of
asstonlshment, that the states OF the continent
did not again unite against England, until
after an experience Of fourteen years further
periidy, and contempt the rights of nations
The opinion that necessarily follows perus-
al OF these instances Of bad faith, cannot be
better expressed than in the language of Axu-
nj, celebrated writer on maritime law
England has'always fclicitated herself ON
her superiority at sea I; but how >shamcfully
has it been acqu ircds; by the. violation Of
the sacred principles of the laws or nations /; \
t,y SssPa rs nary f-fcnc6 scaman 10 pcfrsti
in her prisons. Ii the British government
desires to disturb the peace of the world, il
calculates chances, il watches the moment
when perfect security induces tho citizens Of
other countries to engage in commercial spec
A Iofi fr y~sto sko,r 80
try--it then commences war hostilities pre-
cedc any declaration and the seamcn become
its prey"
Such, in fact, is a faithful picture of the
British government. For about three CEN
turics, it has had but one object, which it has
now at length obtaincd-no commerce but its
own is safe ON the ocean. The states Of Eu-
rope have been alternately corrupted and be-
traycd by it; their substance has been drain
ed, the flower Of their youth cut of, their
growth stunted, and thcirindustry destroyed
for no other end, but that Britons alone should
be the carriers Of commerce, tho Britons
alone should supply the world with manuiac-
lures And, under what frivolous pretences,
have they been thus duped into ruin and dis
grace:
Elizabeth pretended that the world was in
danger of being overwhelmed by the Span
ish armaia yet she drove every neutral
dag from the ocean.
Cromwell, that the true faith was in danger
yet he was the most faithlcss OF men.
Charles III. that Holland was avaricious--yct
! he sold every thing he could acquire, and
was pcnsioner of France.
William Ill. the usurpcr, that Europe want
ed reposc--yct proposed to starvc France.
Queen Anne and her successors--ncw pre-
texts for every war, and all Of them equally
absurd
England has constantly clamourcd respect
ing the ambition or usurpations Of those,
whom she wished TO weaken and destroy, but
has never relaxed in her own system Of uni
versal monopoly, or ceased to sggrandizc her.
self by the enslavcmcDt Of thirty millions Of
Asiaticks. She did not oppose the usurpations.
r. "a. - 81 txxss