The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-10-16

assert the lndep~ l.Uc8{y OF n cir
country.--I WISHED TO PROCURE FOR NY
COUNTRY THE cuARANTEE wnIcH WASH
iNGTON PROCURED FOR AMERIcA.---ro
procure an aid which would, by its example,
DC asimportant as ITS valour---djscipline, rs-
liant, pregnant with science and with cxpeli.
ence ;--allies who would perceive the gccc,
and, in our collision, polish the rough points
OF cur character ;---thoy would come TO us
as strangers and leave US as friends, after
sharing in our perils, and eieyating our des-
tiny my objects were, not to receive new
task-masters, but to expel old tyrants--thcse
where my views, and these only became ir-
ishmen. Il was for these ends sought aid frcm
Francc.--becausc, France, even as an cnen,.r,
could not be more impacabic than an enemy
already in the bosom Of my country!
Here he was interrupted by the court.]
have been charged with that importance,
in the efforts to emancipate my country, as
to be considered the keystone Of the comhi-
nation OF lrishmen, or as your lordship cx-
pressed it, /" the life and blood of the con-
spracy." You do me honour over-much--
you have given TO the subaltern all the credit
OF a supcriour there are men engaged IN
this conspiracy, who are not only supcriour
to me, but even TO your own conceptions OF
yourself, my lord---mcn, before the splend-
our OF whose genius and virtues should bow
with respectful Difference, and who would
think themselves dishonoured to be called
your friond---who would not disgrace them
selves by shaking your blood stained hand-----
Here he was interrupted.
What, my lord, shall you tell me, on tho
passage to that scaffold, which that tyranny
of which you are only the intermediary exc
cutioner, has erected for my murder, that
am accountable for all tho blsod that has and
will be shcd'in this struggle Of the oppress'
ell against the oppressor, shall you tell me-
this, and must be SO very slave as not 10
repel it
I, who fear not to approach the Omnipo.
tent Judge, 70 answer for tho conduct Of my
whole lie--am to be appalled, and falsiied
by mere remnant of mortality hereby
you too, who, If il were possible to collect
all the innocent blood that you have shed, in
your unhallowed ministry, in one great rcser.
volr, your lordship might swim in 1t -
icrc tho Judge intcrfcrred.]
Let no NAV dare, when am dead, ia
charge me with diohono0r--let no man at
taint my memory, by believing that could
engage in any cause but that OF NY country's
liberty and indcpendencc----or that 1 s.ald be-
come the plant minion Of power in the cp-
preston or the miseries Of my countrymcn ;,
the Proclamation of the provisional governs
mcnt speaks for my views no inference can!
be tortured iroCl it TO countenance barbarity
or dcbascncnt sat home, or subjection, hu-
initiation, or trcachcry from abroad--l would
not have submitted to a foreign invader, for
the same reason that would resist the do
mestick opprcssor In the dignity OF free.
dom, would have fought upon the thrcs-
hold of my country, and Its enemy should
enter only by passing over my lifeless corpse
And am 7, who lived but for my country,
who have subjected myself to the dangers OF
the jealous and watchful opprcssor, and now
to the bondage of the grave, only to give my
countrymen their rights and my country her
independence, to be loaded with calumpy,and
not suffered to resent and repel 1t !---No
God forbid
If the spirits OF the illustrious dead parti-
cipatc in the concerns and cares of those who
were dear to them in this transitory liic--O
ever dear and vencra,ed shade of my depart
ed father, look down with scrutiny upon the
conduct OF your suffering son, and see II I
have even for moment deviated from those
principles of morality and patriotism which it
was your care 10 instl into my youthful mind
and for which / ain now to offer up my life.
My lords, you seem impatient for the sac
rifce--,he blood for which you thirst, Is nct
congcalcd by the artificial terrours which
surround your victim it circulatcs warmly
and unrifflcd through the channels which
God created for noble purposes, but which
you are bent to destroy for purposes so gre
vious, that they cry to Heaven--Bc yet pa'
tient have but few words more to say
am going to my cold and silent grave my
lamp Of life is nearly extinguished my race
is run the grave opens 10 receive me- ana
sink into its boson--I have but one request
to ask a, my departure from this world it is
the charity Of its silence. no man write
my epitaph for as no man who knows ny
motives dare now vindcate them, let not pre-
judce or ignorance asperse them.--Lct then
and me ren,sc in obscurity, and my tomb rc-