The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-02-21


when our government propose TO make the
revocation contemporaneous with the act of
reparation, this is refused. What else should
we have done Fought No--the County
would have rung with the clomourous
charge of French influence, ii war had been
advised. But peace, SO long as il could be
honoura5ly maintained, was the wish of our
government. Negociation is again attempt
ed, and the next intelligence We get from
England, is the Orders in Council, aimed at
the destruction of our remaining commerce.
Here then, We are again presented with "a
long train of abuses and usurpations, pursu-
ing invariably. the same object, eyincinB a
design" to annihiate our trade or reduce it
70 her control The wisdom Of our councils
forcsaw the prrmeditated blow, and prepar-
ed not only to avert il, but to make it in some
Edegree rsSoil upon the -asgrcssor. An Ens-
barge, measure that has been more than "a
ny other measure of our government, ieviieti
and resisted, was advised and adopted. But
had it been observed, with that spirit of pat
riotism with which it was sdviscd, we should
have seen before this day, all our disputes
with the British government, adjusted. And
gentlemen seem to overlook the history of
the times, when they tell us that this law af-
fscted no one but Ourselves. Were not the
West Indies reduced almost TO famine l--
The price of American produce was treble
to what was ever before known there. The
scarcity of American produce, not only made
an impression upon the merchants, but il af-
tected the government proclamation was
issued, inviting your citizens to violate their
own laws, to set their own government at de-
fance to relieve British distress, occasioned
by measure, which we are told operated on
ly upon the American people. Some few
were found so destitute of virtue and patriot
ism as to attempt to profit by the invitation -
When they arrived at Jamaica, they not only
found the people suffering for provisions, but
the government in want OF revenues. These
unprincipled violators of their own laws are
subjected to a new tariff Of duty. But of this
act of pcr6dy | do not complain, although
honour might have been expected, even a.
mong those common yioatsrs Of our laws |;
would not have found fault, If every vessel
and cargo, which violated the embargo, on
the faith of that proclamation, had been seiz-
cd and condemned as good and lawful prize.
But the effect of the embargo was neither
confined to America or limited to the West
Indies, il reached England. A Glamour was
system that compelled our government TO rs-
ain SO seriously. Ineed neither refer to the
popular tumut in England, or the speeches
and proceedings in Parliament, to shew that
British interest was materially affected by the
embargo. 1t was with view 10 be relieved
from the operation of this act, that MIR.
Canning ON the 9Th of Jan. last, tool. MIR.
Pinkney aside," and informed him thu. an
arrangement might, he believed, be made
for adjusting the differences between England
and America. Dispatches were then imrne-
diately prepared for MIR. Erskine, and upon
which he lost no time in proposing and max
ing the arrangement which took place be-
tween him and our government III April
This arrangement was not less gratifying to
England, than agreeable to all psrties here.
II was understood in England before MIR.
Oaklcy's departure, that AN arrangement
would soon be made with this country, and
the event appeared to be as anxiously desired
there, as it was promptly proposed and uni
versally approved here. When Mr. Oakley,
the bearer Of the dispatches, arrived in
New York, it was announced that all our diff
ferences with England, were in train of set
tlement, or about TO be adjusted. And here
l may ask, what could authorize the conjec-
ture Of this adjustment, if the despatch OF
tho 23j of Jan. was the only instruction upon
which the British Minister was to act! Our
government had never agreed to, nor could 1t
be supposed that it would consent to submit
to the conditions contained in that despatch.
But what was the arrangement 1t contain
cd no very valuable concessions on the part
Of the British. They agree to make US re-
paraton for the attack on the Chesapeake, to
revoke their Orders in Council, as they re-
spect our trade, and to send a Minister to
form treaty, upon oil the points in relation
between the two countries. We have by this
arrangement no treaty, nor even promise
Of one, only that Minister shall be sent
with full powers, &c. which is different from
q treaty. And what were the points in re-
lstion between the two countries TO be set