The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-01-31
MR.. JOHNSON'S SPEECH,
on THE JOINT RESOLUTIONS,
APPROVING THE CONDUCT OF THE KxEcurIvK
In TINE ptsNfssAL OF TRAScis lAMKs
JACKSON. tf
DECE.bBER 90, 1909. v
DECEJBBER 90. 1909.

dlspensablc duty TO address you, shall apol-
ogize neither tor the manner, nor the time
and, however feeble my powers, TO speak the.
sentiments OF those whose confidence aud
affections have placed me here is source of
happiness which l cannot describe. To be
silent on this occasion wonla do great inius-
tice to the love OF national honour and the
patriotism of the district represent, and in
fact ut the state in which live. The gcn-
tlemen in opposition to the resolution have
given an extent to this discussion which has
involved our foreign relations with all the
world. l may be permitted, therefore,
without being considered prolix, to embrace
in my remarks the .sisasowed arrangement
and the events subscqucnt--nor shall be
considered as wandering from the subject to
review the situation Of this country AT the
time of the disavowed arrangement, and to
mention the great events which pressed heav-
lily upon the eve of this period. What was
this situation and these pressing and impend-
ing events previous 10 the arrangement b
Our embarrassments had never been SO great
since the revolution, nor our injuries so nu-
merous, SO serious, so agrivated--the poiti.
Cal horizon was overshadowed with clouds
anc darkness---no commercial arrangement
existed between Great-Britain and the United
States ;----we were bound together by-no con-
yentional ties--by no treaty obligation. The
commercial part OF Jays treaty, which con-
ceded so much to England, and which has so
Justly incurred the execration of the friends
OF our independence, had expired. We
were afloat upon the ocean upon the broad ba.
sis of the laws of nations, under which for
few years we were growing in wealth and
happiness in manner that excited the jeal-
ousy of Great-Britain. She had failed to
gain the SANG advantages by another treaty
and She refused to enter into reciprocal and
liberal one. Failing in this attempt, the laws
OF nations were sregarded-changed by
mI0icipal regulations, and executed by the
British cannon. Power and necessity be-
came her code Of maritime laws, and our
commerce and our innocent and independent
citizens tell a sacrifice TO this system of in-
iquity. The subject Of impressmcnt, the
first IN the list OF injuries, the colonial trade
direct and circuitous, is an object Of blockade
by which the civilized world has been closed
to our commerce by procIamstions on paper,
the list OF ccptraband, the search of merchane
vessels, depredatlons in our waters, the attack
Oh the Chesapeake, where a number of our
citizens were murdered and sctne still held
in captivity, the British proclamation holding
out tArther pretentiops upon the subject of
impressment than have ever been exercised
with all of their nefarious practices, the Or
ders in couucil levied tribute, q tax, con-
tribution upon your soil and your property
These were the subjects ofdispute, the points
of controversy. Atonemcn, for the injuries
refu.ed, and negotiation on other points had
failed. The most sanguine among lis gave
up all hopes of better times. The crisis was
awful, which presented to the American peo-
pie the alternatives OF war, embargo, or dis
grace--our situation was rendered more per-
ilous by the internal divisions ut homo and
/ the opposition which constitutional laws met
with in many parts of the United States In
this hour of peril and danger, the disa-
vowed arrangement was announced to the
people Of the Uuited States by our Chief
Executive Magistrate--an arrangement which
made atoncment in part for the murder of our
conntrymen on board the Chesapeake, offer
ed prospect of restoring the men now in
captivity and exile-which rescinded the or
ders In council as they respected the United
States--with promise of sending a special
minister vested with full powers to conclude
atreaty Of peace. / cannot describe the feel
ipgs Of the American people at this welcome
news, when the agreeable surprizc permitted
reHection--the prospect of peace made their
Joy immoderztc. A political jubilee was pro-
claimed. 1t was fondIy hoped that pledge
had been given or disposition msnifestedto
obviate the insults and wrongs Of twenty
years in just an amicable arrangement
The effects of this disayowed arrangement
were universal, not confined to one party, nor
to one class Of citizens. The few who doubt
ed the faith of Grest-Britain were denounced
mo party or politician dared at that time to
say, and II could not. be said, that Grcat-Brit-
ain had surrendered any right, that she had
abandoned any principle of'cquity or the
laws Of nations nor that Great britain had
more than asoned Tor the injuries in which
reparation was rendered, nor that Mr.. Erskine
had been overreachcd, o. :ha; he had COM
promitted she honour Of his government.--
NJ QE;.;sh asza;.ss,.: