The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-12-25
Hmerican PoLiticks.



MR.. PORTER said that the House were
probably expecting from the Committee oi
Foreign Relations some explanations of their
views in reporting the resolutions now under
consideration, in addition to the general ex-
position OF them contained in the report it
self. The committee themselves, felt that
such explanations were due, nasmuch as
they hae only reported in part, and had inti-
mated their intention TO follow up these re-
solutions, should they be adopted, by the re-
commentator OF ulterior measures.
The Committee, MIR p. said, after exam
ining the various documents accompanying
the Presidents message, were satisfied, as
he presumed every member Of the House
was, that all hopes of accommodating our
differences with Greet Britain by negotiation
must be abandoned,-.W they looked at
the correspondence between the two govern
men,s } when they observed the miserable
shifts and evasions for they were entitled to
no better appellation) to whithG Britain re-
sorted 10 excuse the violation Of our mari.
time rights, il was easy to perceive t,at her
conduct towards us was not regulated even
by her own sense Of justice. but solely by a
regard TO the probable extent Of our forbear-
ance. The last six years had been marked
by series of progressive cncroachments on
our lights ; and the principles by which she
puoiickly Upheld hcs aggressions, were as
mut Abie as her conduct. We had seen her
one year advancing doctrines, which the year
before she had reprobated. We had seen
her one day capturing our vessels under pre-
texts, which on the preceding day she
would have been ashamed Or afraid TO ayow.
Indeed, said Mr.. =. she seems to have been
constantly and carefully feeling our pulse, to
ascertain what poNons we would bear and
1t We go on submitting to one indigaity after
another, IL will not be long before we shall
Sec British subjects, not only taking our pro-
perry in our harbours, but trampling ON our
persons in the streets Of our cities.
Having become convinced that all hopes
from further negociatio were idle, the
committee, Mr.. p. said, were led to the con-
slderstioo of anotncr question, which was
whether the maritime rights which Great
Britain is violating were such as we ough, 10
support at the hazard and expense Of war
And he believed he wa. correct in stating
that the comTittee was unanimously OF the
opinion that they were. The committee
thought that the Orders in Council so far as
they go to interrupt our direct trade that is,
the carrying of the productions of this coun-
try TO market in the ports Of friendly ma
thcm--ought to be resisted by war.-IIow far
tions, and returning with the proceeds Of
We ought to so in support Of what is com.
monty called the carrying trade. although the
question was agitatcd in tho committee, no
defnitivc opinion was expressed. 1t was not
deemed necessary, at this time, to express
such an opinion, inasmuch as the injury we
sustain by the inhibition of thi, trade is merg-
cd in the greater one 10 our dircc, trade.
The Orders in Council, Mr.. p. said, OF
which there seemed now to be no prospect
of a speedy repeal, certainly none during the
continu ince OF the present war, authorized
the Capture or our vessels bound to and from
ports where British commerce is not favour
ably received :--and as that nation is at war
with most OF the civilized world, the effects
was Gas ne understood from those who had
much better inform alton on tho subject than
Inc could pretend TOY 10 cut up, at ancc, about
threc-fourths OF our best and mort profitable
commerce. 1t was his opinion, that going
upon the ground Of mere pecunary calcu-
lation, a calculation of profit and loss, it
would be for our interest to so to war to re-
move the orders In couacil, rather than SUBJ
mi. to them even during the term Of their
probable continuance.
But there was another poin, in view in
which the subject presented itself to the COM
nittee, and that was as re garded the charac-
e. Of the country. We were young. na-
ion, and he hoped we cherished little
bride and spirit, as we'll as great deal of
uslice and moderation. Our situation was
'ot unlike that OF young man just entering
nto life, and who, if he tamely submitted TO
<tAl, s,~ta ,,ls
nj yht safely calculate to be kicked and cutied
or the whole of the remainder of his life
Or, 1t he should afterwards undertake to re-
rievc his character, must do il at ten times
he expeuse which it would have cost him at
irst to supper, it. We should clearly under
stand end define those rights which as na-