The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-01-31

No. VII.

Notice ef Mr.. Poffer's Sfeech, IN the HoSse q
Refresensafives offhe United States, On t1s
Su6jscf af Mr. Gaes' Resolution. -
We find (says Mr.. Potter all the head,
of department, although not altogether, ye,
separately, and about the same time, in con-
yersation with the British minister on the
same subject, and holding nearly the same
language what was the result of all this
II appears that MIR. Erskinc communicated
what he honestly understood to be the mean
ing and intention of our administration 10 MIR.
Canning, Who then transmitted him the des-
patch Of the 23d of January, containing those
three propositions which he had supposed
would. be acceptable here, and would form
the basis of a treaty. This, sir, is the man.
ner in which the difficulty originated, and il
would have been we'll for the parties in this
conversation, as well as for this country, il
this conversation had been reduced to writ
ing" Mr.. Potter has clearly shewn the
manner in which all our difficulties originAt-
ed they arose from conversations between
the heads of departments and the British min
ister. Amidst the zeal and enthusiasm with
which he has advocated the cause " Enylznd,
he has not been sufficiently Careful in con-
forming to the language oil her minister II
was long a matter OF coatention with Mr.
Smith and Jackson, whether written comnu-
nications should be substituted in the Place of
verbal ones. You make no hesitation in de-
claring your preference for written ones.
The federal party throughout the continent
have denounced Mr.. Smith for prcferring
written ones. You, sir, belong 10 the federal
phalanx; you are reduced to the pisiful alter
native of either renounCing the sentiment
which you have here avoweu, or OF rendering
yourself liable Of being denounced ny your
party. The argument which you nave drawn
from the sale of land, shall not notice this
cornu argunient1n OF yours has been already
canvassed You have shewn Yourself to be as
ignorant of the rules which guide men in
common conyeyances as of other matters
more essential to Representative in Con-
grcss. Your ignorance ON this subject, mas
surprized all who have read your speech, or
been acquainted with your character. Your
acquaintance have with no hesitation decar-
ed, that if there be any one subject upon
which Mr. Pottcr's talents will appear con-
spicuous, 1t must be that of hand spec ulation.
For yourself you say, Mr.. Potter, that you
cannot see any insult that Is offered to our
government. Happily for the Anne rican peo-
pie, they have the privilege Of seeing, of read
ing, and rejecting, as we'll. as Mr. Potter.
Mr.. Potter is professional man, and gentle.
men Of the bar have the lie palmed upon
them very often, without considcringit an in
suit. No wonder then that one solitary lie,
in they eyes OF Mr. Potter, should not appear
an insult.>..-- ,,t ,'~t~ 81"
You tell us,Mr. Potter that you see no in.ult,
Shall we infer from this, that you consider an
Indirect lie an insult, or shall we not (! fla
lie in your eyes be not considered an insult,
you should have subjoined note, in which
would be given your opinion on this subject
we might then be able to understand you.
But presuming that a majority of civilized
men consider lies of some weight, will, in
three or four quotations from the printed doc.
uments shew that lie was given by Jackson
to the Executive and to Mr.. Smith. will
make the quotations without comment.
Mr.. Smirh to Mr.. jackson, Der. l9fh, 1909. 3
The declaration that the despatch from
Mr.. Canning to Mr.. Erskine Of the 2ad Of
January is the only despatch by which the
conditions were prescribed to Mr. Erskine
Tor the conclusion of an arrangement on the
matter to which it relates, is now for the first
time, made to this government
Ineed hardly add, that if the despatch had
been communicated at the time Of the arr
rangement, or If it had been known that the
contained i'm il and which were
at first presented by Mr.. Erskine, were the.
only ones OH winch he was au rorizcd to make
AN arrangement, the arrangement would not
have been made"
Mr.. Jackson TO Mr.. Smith, 23d Oct. 1909.
"I have no hesitation in informing YOU,
that his Majesty was pleased to disavow the
arrangement concluded between you and Mr..
Erskine, because il was concluded in viola
lation OF that gentlcman's instructions. These
Instructions were At that liMe made known
10 you."
Mr. SmifA TO M. jackson, .Ssv. l, 1909.
II would be improper to conclude the few
to which parposely limH my.