The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-02-28

have been their administration Ii the gen
tlemau'. declaration be correct, and / am not
disposed to question the truth OF il, they must
have pursued the same measures, which
have been adopted for their only objection
Is that they were not the authors oi those
measures. And understand the arguments
of the gentlemen in the opposition now SO to
appreciate the course the government has
pursuod for scme years past They would
not GO to war, at least since 1901. II is
calamity, of which they cannot think, but
with horror. They would not submit they
declare, and as they would not have been a.
Bile, by treating, to have made the belllgerents
respect the laws OF nations, and the rights OF
OF neutras they would have adopted the
only remaining policy, that which the admin
istrato has pursued. That opposiuon
should DC made to the administration OF our
governments ought not to surprize us, more
than it should, 10 hear of ships encounter
ing adverse winds in navigating the ocean
but there are certainly times and measures,
which ought TO command union and energy.
Aud W. are told by the gentlemen that War
viii unite us. But, Sir, are We to wait to see
the enemy landing upon our shores, unturling
the banners, hear the m beat to arms, and pro-
Claim TO the disaHected invitations to Join in
round the standard OF our government /
had hoped, and will still hope, that we are
not yet so iost 10 d sense OF what concerns
the honour and safety OF our common coun-
try.
But, sir, we are told by gentleman flem
Connecticut, (Mr. D.na) VINO opposes this
resolution, that although he might vote for a
resolution ~ appreciate the conduct OF the
ne he nf c..n.
ing because it might be productive of iniu-
ry the to country Win not opposition 10 this
resolution in effect censure the Executive,
and approve the conduct OF the British min
lister ann unable to view il in any other
light That gentleman is also opposed to
the resolution, because il affects the reputa-
ton of the British minister! Sir, while
gentleman are so tender Of his reputation,
will they forget the character OF the Execu-
tive of their own government ! Mr.. Jack
son ought to have remembered that he came
no, only with character, but to character,
and to character not to be triHed with and
dlsgraced by him or his nation.
But this resolution amounts 10 a declara-
ton that we intend 20 sustain our government
against the British, says that gentleman. Is
il for this, he opposes it ! II this we're the
sole object of the resolution, no considera-
tons of expedency should induce me to OPP
pose it. trust there is no hesitation among
the American people upon this point. They
are ready to sustain their gQt eminent III
gainst the British They have done it onct,
with success. And II il shall become neceJf
sary, they would exhaust the last cent OF
their treasure. and the last drop of their blood,
before they would submit to British insolence
and outrage. And although the gentlemen
reminds us OF the exhausted state of the
treasury, that is neither sufficient cause for
submis siNn OF OF alarm. The genius of our
government does not conlinc our resources TO
the treasury department f; they are to be
found with the people, and will be ready when
re luireG.
But, Sir, the principal argument OF the
gentleman from Connecticut, upon which he
grounds his opposition to this resolution, If
understand him, is, that TO have authorised
the arrangemen. made by Mr.. Erskine, a
general letter of credence was not sufficient,
q full power was requisite, that our govern
ment ought to have required copy or sight
of this full power, and not having done So,
they had mistaken their duty, which justified
the disavowal of the arrangement. Sir, this
argument goes very wide of the question be-
fore us, which is whether the insinuations
or charges against our government are inso-
lent !; and on what ground that government
made the disavowI. But the argument of
the gentleman places this upon different
basis from what Mr.. Jackson or Mr.. Canning
have attempted to put it. In recurring to the
letter Of Mr. Jackson, addressed to the Sec
rctary Of State, 4th Nov. Page II, MIR. Jack
son says, {" Never did imagine, or any were
attempt, to rest the right Of disavowal upon
that circumstance Individually his agreement
would nevertheless have been ratified, had
not the instructions, which in this case took
the place Of u full power, been violated" Mr..
jackson here gives conclusive answer, l
think, to the gentlcman's argument.
But that gentleman has told us, he opposes
the resolution, because he considers it war