The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-01-30

war upon us, lor the act under consideration,
the nation, ] have no doubt, viii be wiling
10 meet the VIZ. But the gentle man reminds
Us that Il. Britain. the .tiy "a Spain, nrsy bc
Obliged by her 'onnt ctioh with Spin 10 tsks
part with her .gainsi us, and To consider this
measure of the President as justiiying an ap-
peal to arms. Sir, is the time never 10 arr
rive when We MAY msDage cur own affairs
without the fear II insulting His Biitannick
Majesty is the rod oil British power 10 be
forever suspended over our heaos |! Does Con.
gress put OIL an embargo TO shelter our right.
full commerce against the piratical depreda.
tions committed upon 1t on the Ocean We
are immeoistei warned of the indignation II
offended England.-Is q law of Don-inier-
course proposed he whole navy of the
naughty mistress OF the seas is made to thun-
der in our ears. Does the President refuse
to continue "a correspondence with minister
who violates the decorum belonging to his di-
plomatick character, by giving and deliLer-
ately repeating an affioni TO the whole nation
We are instantly menaced with the chastise-
ment which English pride will not fail to in
fliCt. Whether We assert our rights by sea
or attempt their maintensnce by land-with.
ersoever We turn ourselves, this phantom in
cesantly pursuts us. Already has il had 100
much influence on the councils of the nation.
1t contributed 10 the repeal OF the embargo
that disbonourable repeal which has so
much tarnlshsd The character of our govern-
men,. Mr.. President, have before said on
this floor, and now take occasion again 10 re-
mark, that | most sincerely desire peace and =
amity with England that | even prefer On
adjustment of all differences with her before
one with any other ns ton. But if she per-
ssts in denial of justice to US, or if she d.
walls herself OF the occupation of w. Florida
to commence war upon us, trust and hope
that all hearts will unite lin bold and vigorous
vindicatlon OF our rights. / do not however
believe in the prediction that war will be the
effect OF the measure in question.
1t is asked, why, some years ago, when the
interruption of the right of depot took place
at n. Orleans, the government did not declare
war against Spain and how it has happened
that there has been this long acquiescSnce in
the Spanish possession of West Florida |! I lie
answer is obvious. 1t consists In the genius If
the nation which is prone TO peace in that
desire to arrange, by friendly negotiation, our
disputes with all nations which has constantly
influenced the present and proceeding admin>
lstratlons and In the jealousy ol armies with
which we have been inspired by the melan-
choly experience of free states. But a new
state of things has arisen Negociation has
become hopeless. The power with whom it
was 10 be conducted, if not annihiiated, is in
situation that precludes it !; and the subject
matter OF 1t is i'll danger of beins snalched for
ever from OUT power. Longer delay would be
construed into dereliction of our right, and
would amount to treachery to ourselves May
ask, in my turn, why certain gentlemen, now
80 fearful OF war. we're SO urgent for it with
Spain when size held .he the right of deposit
and still later, when in 1905 or this very
subject of actual limits of Louisiana was be-
fore Congress will not say, because do
not know that ] am authorized to say, that
The motive is to be found in the change of re-
l.,ion between Spain and other European
powers since those periods.
Does the Hon gentleman from Delaware
really believe that he finds in St. Domingo q
Case parallel with that of West Florida and
that our government, having interdicted an
illicit commerce with the former ought not
to have interposed in relation to the latter IL
Is scarcely necessary TO consume our time ny
remarking that We had no pretensions to that
Island that 1t did not menace our rcpose nor
did the safety Of the United States reGuiEe
that they should occupy it. 1t became there
fore our duty to attend to the just remon-
STRANGE OF France against American citizens
supplying the rebels with the means Of re-
sistlng her power.
am not, Sir, in favour Of cherishing the
passion of conquest. But l must be permit
ted to conclude by declaring my hope to see,
ere long, the new U States Cf you will allow
me that expression) embracing no, only ths
old thirteen States, bu, the entire country r.
of tho Mississippi, including East Florida,
and some of the territories TO the north OF US
also.