The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1809-12-13
Political @isretianp.
from the AURoRA.
TO TIE PEOPLE OF THE " sT.aTEs

Numerous are the essays that have been
addressed to you, calling on you and reques-
ting you to look at your stuation, and urging
you TO enquire and learn the cause why your
situation is what it is--had you attended to
this call, the strong probability is, you would
have discovered the cause and found q remc-
dy for it---but neglect has caused the evil
to increase, and more excrtions will now be
necessary to remove them than would have
been required, had you earlier attended TO
your interest, and let me say to your duty
the neglect you have shcwn is The less excu-
sable from the pains that have been taken to
persuade you to look at your situation, and
the information your executive has laid be-
fore you ON the subject.
Nothing on the part of your executive has
been omitted TO support your rights and de-
fend your honour, and c-ry step he has ta-
ken you have been apprized OF. Yet strange
though you see him struggling against usur-
pations, claiming rcparations for insults, and
restitution for the property you have been
plundcred of, you have looked with supine-
ness, and withheld your aid, when that aid
would have carried measures into effect
which would have removed the ills that now
threaten TO involve you in war. Should that
evil happen, and much it is to be feared it
shortly will, who have you to blame Alas !!
none but yourselves Had you been faithful
to yourselves, jealous as you ought to have
/ been of your own interest, your rights and
your honour--you long since would have re-
ccived reparation for the insults offered your
Hag--it would now be flying, respected, in
every sea, and your commerce more free and
extended than ever it was.
Look at what this intolence-this want of
cxertion-this neglect of supporting your cx-
ecutive, have reduced you to.
Deprived you of commerce and invited in
sui: abroad in every quarter, you are treated
with more insult than any other nation ever
bore, and at home in manner that marks
but too strongly the opinion that that nation
which has been the prime cause of all your
misfor.unes, entertains of you.
That you have greatly mistaken as well as
neglected your interests, believe, now as
dear 10 you, as that you have sacrificed much
character from Incidence on one hand, and q
love of commerce on the other. Had YOU
done your duty as you ought in the first in
stance, and firmly insisted on your rights oi
neutrality, as free and independent nation,
you would have becn in the full enjoyment OF
them at this day---a submission to the frs,
encroachment led to the second, and so on
Your first dcrcicrion from principle was
worse, and produced much if not all the e.
wills you now sufier.--To obtain some little
privilege Of commerce,you admitted the right
of prc-emption--this cession which is to be
| found in Mr.. jays treaty, has led to the cap.
lures and impressmcnts Great Britain has
| made ; and the insolencc with which you
have been treated by herr has induced other
nations to follow UP her example, to plundel
and ,nsult you. So far have matters now
been carried, though hitherto you have declin
| cd the advice that has been offered, urging
you to look at your situation--that you mus
now, per force, do it.-You cannot much lon.
ger remain in the position you now are, yor
must soon adopt some measures that will pro
ducc a chnngc--or sink into submission.---A
I short timc since 6rmncss in supporting you,
executive, would have preserved peace--nov
to tlo so, you mus. prepare for war, and to dc
fend your rights further concessions or sub
missions. YOU cannot makc--they would. an
swcr no purpcsc--you must then at once re