The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-06-19

and have hazarded "A war that had this been
the result, no apology could have been offer
ed for the Presiden,. THAT even il the En-
perour had been strongly suShccted of in,cn-
tional perhdy be-proclamalion was wise and
poliick as il was reyocable in such an e.
vent, and would thus have placed him con-
sficuouStu in the wrong. When these things
are considered, where was the impolicy or
injustice OF issuing the proclamation, or oi
renewing our commerce with France But
have the United States, and Grsat Bcifain, or
either OF these powers, authorized this " as.
sen,bhge" to be their umpire /? If not, by
what authority did il sit in Judgment on the
4 relative ,.uasures OF the two nations ! Ii
constitutes perhaps one part in four hundred
ot tho federal electors and is so small po,-
tion To govern the wno,e! The assemblape
had right, by the federal Constitution, not
% pass such resolutions, bur !" TO henti.n. for
a rehess OF grievances !" and il is the grea-
test OF all absurdities, and destructive of all
order, 20 admit, that three thousand of our
iellow-citizens, having only equal rights with
the rest, can be authorized in proclaiming
that our nationakrulers, in relation to a for
eisn power, 2" cannot Justify or even apollo
gize" for their conduct Did this " assem-
blasc" manifest quick discernment,"
pending a negotiation on which may rest our
future peace, thus to condemn our national
government, whilst supporting our just
claims and 10 encourage foreign power in
unjust demands which il persisted in mus,
snd will inevitably produce rupture Can
" on any ground, Justify or apologize" for
such imprudent conduct And how Will il
be viewed, when the measures of G.. Britain
towards us for series of years, have been
marked by every species of Insult, injury and
injustice
The A." assembage" affirm, that the frs,
ilagrant violation OF our neutral rights was
Inflicted by the BerHn decree" This decree
was undoubtedly manif ST violation OF our
neutra! rights {; but IL has heen demonstrated
10 the satisfaction OF the federal and generally
ot :he State Governments, that Great Britain,
Tor more than half IA century, hcs carried in
L. effect maritime rule of her own,. which
mas derogated essentially from our neutral
rights, as established by the law OF nations.
And 1t Is well known, that the armed neutral
iy, during our revolutionary war, was form
ed by European powers, for ihc express pur-
pose Of asserting thrir mari,.s.e rights, and
for opposing the violation thereof, on the
part OF Great Brit0ia And Of what consc-
qucncc Is 1t 10 the United States, which of
the Bclligercnts was foremost in depreda,ions
In municipal crimes, there is no disc,imina-
ton between convlcts, whether first, or last,
In robbiHg unohcndIng travellers. And
where is the difference, on the land or on the
ocean, between publick and private robbie
ry d; except, that the former is precmntnt in
ciiminailiy Again, it is stated that " no pro.
Al IN hone lS nG cI
ton of the vast property, un Justly surprizcd
by that pertidous (meanng the Frcnch) ma
ton Are the secrets then Of our National
Government, or ought hcy, in regard to
pending negociatons, 10 be pubick If not,
how can II be asserted, " that there Is no pro-
posai OF hope tor such restoration :" The
Government Of the United States, on every
occasion, 7vifh unrivaHed abiity, has conten-
ded for our national and Individual rights
and IS II no. surprizing, that tho " assem-
bage" should thus attempt to condemn our
national measures, without the least knowl-
edge oi them !
The assemblagc" have /" resolved"
lastly. That they consider, the statute of
Congress of the ID. Of March last as an un-
just, oppressive, and tyrannicsl act" and
that Z" the only means short Of an appeal TO
force" "to prevent It's calamitous effect, is
the election of such men 10 the various Off
ces, in the State Government, as will oppose
by pcdceable. but firm measures, the cxccu-
ton OF laws, sohich if persisted in must and
7pW be resisted'
The act Of Congress Of the lst of May,
1910, in,erdcted from and after the pas
Sage of 1t every British or French armed
vessel" with certain exceptions, from enter
ing our harbours and waters and provided
for It's ceasing to operate against either OF
those powers, who should revoke or mod
iiy to certain purposes, before the Sd Of
March, 1911, its obnoxious edicts, and also
for continuing in fuu force against the other
power, who should not within three months
threaftcr revoke or modify her cdicls in like
manner, certain provisions Of % an act to in
tcrCiut the commercial intercourse between