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


open departure from the dignity Of their sta.
tions, and with secret and corrupt under
standing with Nj, Erskine.
II would be useless 10 gocxtcnsiveiy into the
exposure of tho cquivocalion which is mani-
tested by Mr.. Jackson, when he solcmnly de-
clares that Mr.. Erskine had but ONE paper OF
spatch from Mr.. Canning TO Mr.. Erskinc Tof
spatch by which the conditions were prescrib-
cd To Mr.. Erskinc for the conclusion of an
arrangement with this country on the matter
to which il relates" does not invalidatc the
fact, that, although there might have been no
other despatch which " prescribed' the con-
disions, there were dispatches or letters
Which modified them. or gave Mr., Erskinc
discretionary power in relations to them.--
ning's despatch of the 2Sd of january, 1902,
and that he had, in effect ON that sub.
jcct (" several letters of Instructions" II
point Of crcdihility, Mr.. Erskinc's cvidcns
is certainly as respectable and weighsy as III;
Of Mr.. Jackson. There may be those VIII
will think il more SO. The cunning whic
endcasours to weaken it bctrays its own d
signs. Mr.. Erskinc has never yet be
known rs the voluntary agent Of iniquity,
given the world cause to c.sl his vcracity
question. ~. 49,. ss.t
In the assertion that Mr.. Erskinc m
known TO Mr.. Smith The conditions Of his.
structions, there is also a verbal quibblc,
which Mr.. Jaclsouartflly enacavonrs iol
plex the understanding. lie speaks Of
conditions Us if they were the despatch Its
In no form whatever Was the despatch o,
communicated by Mr.. Erskine to the Ainc
can government and the conditions which
embraces and which were submitted for Co
sidcration TO Mr. Smith, were delivered ora
ly. This is what the Secretary of State cv.
dcntly means when he says the three condi
tions were made known to him.
In relation 10 the principle assumed by the
Orders in Council, Mr.. Jackson is explicit
and pcremptory. There can be nothing
more categorical. lie markedly maintains the
rights or the British cabinet TO blockade by
proclamation the whole coasts Of q. ligercnr
power, to cut of entirely all communication
between the colonies and parent country Of u
nation at war, and in fact, he substantially and
yncqpivocally asserts a prcrogatiSc in the
British Privy Collncils 10 erect itself into u
sovereign Legislative body to enact laws Cor
the regulation Of the commerce Of the world
in time Of war; This is precisely the doc
trinc maintained by MIR. Jackson, when nc
says" The total and unqualified intcrdiction
oil all trade with the enemy is correct IN prin-
ciple !" and this principle he boldly declares,
however occasionally mitigatcd in its appli-
cation, Great Britain can never cease to MAIN
tain"
After the jmpudcnt ayowal of doctrine SO
utterly subvcrsive Of all national law, of all
moral obligation 10 respect the rights Of
neutral power, il was but natural for Mr..
Jackson 70 proceed, as he has done, to cndea-
your TO persuade the American government
that the assumption Of SO dcspotick and tyran.
nical principle was on amcliorRtion Of an
odious feature of the Orders in Council Of
November, 1907. Hc might, however, have
very well spared the sncer which he iniper-
tinchtIy puts on when he informs the Sccrc-
tsiy of State that g ali trade with France and
Holland, and the kingdom of Italy, is simply
prohibited altogcther," because a snccr does
not como with the least grace In the world
from q Briton to an American. Had he COM
sultctl the Burgoyncs and the Cornwaliesscs,
they would have advised kim,bcttcr.
II, as Mr.. Jackson ayers in his letter OF the
ilth Of October, I" His Majesty Is very sin-
IN -
cercIy desirous Of maintaining arcrFcct and
cordial understanding with the United States"
it is very certain that the arrogance displayed
by His Najesty's representative was not at
all calculated to promote the views OF the
sovereign. The real dispositions of men are
commonly apparent in. their manner Of con-
ducting business When it Is desirable to
conciliate, a minister does not suffer trihts to
interfere with essential points in discussion
he smoothcs the way to pacifcation, by mild
and gentle language, by ameniy Of style, by
an unassuming temper, and by aIl those blan-
dishmenhts which soften the aspcrity OF con-
ficiing interests, and greatly assist in convert
ing rivals or enemies Into friends. Mr. Jack
sons dcmcanor ia exactly the reverse OF all
this when he assumes right and power for
his king, he does it with impcriousicss,
when he speaks Of relieving the v. States
r. - ILL.,.