The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-01-03

great degree Of historical knowledge to as
certain, that in every war in which they have
been engaged, the American people have
been victorious. Their annals are extremely
pure, unstained by single act OF injustice.
In the sight Of God and Man, therefore, in
the two great points OF equity and successful
valour, the United States are super;our to q.
Britain. Why, then, should her minister
Munt them with the snecr thst the English
government has simply prohibited their
trade altogether :" Some of the British
Lords are well convinced that America in
arms is no contemplate foe, and that it is
easier for Great Britain TO say she will pro-
hibit the trade or this country entirely than
for her to do It. In truth, It is staggering
boast, seemingly vindictiyc and British am
bassadours should be cautious how they in
duIge in these rude saIics, lest il might be
supposed that Great Britain has not yet forgiy-
cn the Americans for conquering her.
The wide difference, SO teiy manifest, be-
tween what Mr.. Jackson represents TO be the
friendly disposition Of his sovereign and the
unpropitious complexion Of his own scnti-
mcnts, is either positive proof Of the un-
fitness Of the new envoy for the mission, or
conclusive evidence of his prevarication. 1t
is still hoped that the feelings Of the British
monarchy are in favour of peace But Mr.
Jackson is certainly involved IN disgraccful
dilemma for, IL the king and his ministry
are desirous Of reconciliation, then Mr.. Jack
son is an improper agent to effect it, and the
American administration is completely justi-
fed In discarding him and, ii the British
cabinet is not favouraby disposed to an even
tuAl adjustment of differences, that Mr.. jack
son has officially ayerrcd in that respect, what
is not true, and the government of the II.
States is equally justified.
In concl lusion, iIr. Jackson confcsscs in his
letter OF the ilth of October, that he is not
instructed " to propose to the government of
the United States any formal agreement to be
substituted for that which His Majesty had
been under the necessity Of disayowing," and
that, as the Orders in Council, 50 ii Is matter
of Indifference to Great Britain, whether the
Order in Council be continued or IN arrange
mcnt by mutual consent substituted i'll its
room" This, with his preceding obserya-
tons, furnished nearly complete tcvelope-
nicnt OF the nature and tendency of Mr. Jack
Sons mission. The total and unquali-
fed Introduction of all trade with the enemy"
he contcndcd TO be corrrct iii principle, de-
clared il to be doctrine which Great Britain
would never cease to maintain, admitted that
he had no new propositions to make, and that
his sovereign, adhcring 10 the spirit of the
Orders in Coun Gil, was totally Indifferent as
'to the form, but would by no means rclin-
quish the substance Of them or, in other
words, il the United States would by COM
part acccde to the provisions Of the Order,
then, indeed, His Britannick Majesty would
agree To substitute such compact for the Or
Gcrs in Council. So far from this being
repeal Of the Orders in Council, it was a de-
inand on the American government 10 ratiiy
them by law.
AZ this point OF the discussions, the Prcsi-
dent would have acted perfectly correct IN re-
linquishing all correspondence with Mr..
Jackson on the subject Of reconciliation. G.
Britain was resolved TO maintain her anti-neu-
,ral system, Mr.. Jackson had nothing new to
offer, he did not even come prepared to make
an explanation /; his style OF orrcspondcncc
was superciious, his predominant temper ir-
litating, and tho whole train Of his logick re-
pulsive to good understanding between the
two countries He was, to be sure, ii that
which he says be true, directed to receive and
discuss proposals which the Secretary OF
State might be authorized to make to him."
Ia other words, he was to constitute himself
a t,ibunial for deciding upon the propositions
Of the American government. He would
g receive and discuss proposals." just as the
war Office or post Office Of the United States
would receive and discuss proposals for sup
plying the troops with provisions or for carry
ing the mails and the sum total OF his in
structions seem to have been to ADVERTISE
the Secretary Of State that Mr.. Jackson would
thus receive ard discuss proposals, and by
hintly intimatipg that he was authorized
6 eventually 10 conclude convention, to
cnticc the President to bid up for contract.
Mr. Jackson would not come out forthwith
and declare what would be acceptable to him
bu. if Mr. Smith could reach his mark, IL he
could guess (for it amounts to this) what the
Instructions Of the new envoy were, then Mr..
Jackson won.d unfold the true objecr Of his
mission; he would contlesrcnd To omen his .