The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-08-16
From Me vfyeISlA .1scvs.


The cupidiy Of our merchants for gain
has partially subjected the United States to
species of maritime bondage which, Whilst We
are quarrelling about British perfdy, the citi-
zens of the u. s. in general do not appear to
be awareof. During the discussions relative to
our differences with England, the British min
istry continue to give laws to trade by means
Of their orders in council. The point which
they wish to establish is, that they shall have
the power of legislating for the whole COM
mcrcial world accordingly, on they go, let
what will take place, to issue those orders,
and to give direction to navigation just as they
please. 1t is thus that they hope 10 establish
their doctrine, by familiarizing the world to it,
thinking, perhaps, that II IL 10 permitted for
few years it will be always permitted. Un-
happily, they have too much reason 60 nattcr
themselves with sueeess, The merchants OF
the United States, whe ought % have made
long since glofieus stand Ia behalf of their
own rights, and who indeed have occasionally
made show OF fresistanee,appeaf with some
exceptions) TO have such an irFesistihle pro-
pensity for wealth, that, II Great britain will
not suffer them 10 eRiey the whole of tho
rights TO which they are entitled, they seem
perfectly eonteated 40 exercise a portion 81
them. So true IL this Fact, that certain part
of the commercial slsss ei the community
have made themselves completely ridiculous
by their capriciousnoss, Ono would think
that this description of men ought to risc now
nobly and unanimously in vindication Of their
own indisputable claims but, il is as true as
it is shameful, they do not When G. Britain
during the present war, began to practice up
on the rule of SO, we may all recollect how
the merchants assembled in our cities and
adopted eloquent and affecting memorials TO
Congress, pledging every thing dear TO them
to stand by the government in any and every
cxigency that might occur from resistance 10
the pretensions of the English ministry. Yet
when the time Of trial came, these enraged
and tongue-valiant memorialists showed very
plainly what reliance was to be placed on
their professions Of patriotism. They cham
ged their tune entirely {: {" for Gods sake
said they, " if we cannot obtain what is right
let us take what we Gang get" And so far
from risking their lives, they would not risk
very inconsiderable part of their fortunes
for, when the embargo CALLED them little
they screamed out like a coward who is put
to the torture. 1t is by such weakness as
this, that G.. B. is enabled TO usurp, by de-
grees, the domination of the ocean and, fin
ally may, by tolerence and custom, establish
EST tnCIOaCniTSntS as HldTltlIlC ldN. away,
away, with such pusillanin.ity and vile sub
mission to tarranny!
Whilst speaking on this subject, it is i'm
possible not to reChr 10 the recent pcrEdy OF
the British cabinet. A 'sdespatch" has been
ushered into the world as the instructions Of
Mr.. Erskire. 1t is most contemplate at
tempt at imposture TO endesyour TO persuade
the publick that that despatchlis the whole of
the instructions. 1t is not the despatch, the in
sulting despatch, that we want to see, but the
secret, confidential instructions sent to Mr..
Erskine, which we understand that Mr.. Oak
ley (the bearer of them) declares consisted Of
forty or fifty manuscript pages, and gave to
Mr.. Erskine the most unbounded latitnde.---
The despatch itself is convincing proof that
Mr.. Erskine had other orders for he had nd
motive that could induce him designedly to
misrepresent his instructions, and they are
too plain Gas stated in the despatch) for him
to have mistaken their meaning. Lctus then
have the secret instructions of Canning to
Erskine, and no more of the dulusive dcsI
patch.