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

II
with hers, no man who has any regard fol
the happiness Of the people of this country
| would venture TO advise such measure. Al
I the fame and glory which the British navy
| has acquired at sea, have been dearly paic
| for in the sufferings and misery of the ill-fat
ed people at bome--suifeIings occ asloned ir
| great measure by the expense of that stu.
pendcus establishment. But without such
navy the United States could make serious
impression upon Great Britain, even at sea
We could have, within six months after the
declaration Of war, hundreds OF privateers in
every part Of the ocean. We could harrass
if not destroy the vast and profitable com.
merce which she is constantly carrying on 10
every part OF tins continent. We could des-
troy her fisheries 10 the north We could de-
prcda.e upon her commerce 10 the w. India
Islands, which is passing by our doors ; we
could annoy her trade along the coast OF ).
America 1--WE could even carry the war 70
her own shores in Europe But, Mr.. p.
said, there was another point wnere W. could
attack her, and where she would feel our
power still more ssnsiby We could de.
psive her Of her extensive provinces lying a.
long our borders to the north. These prov
themselves, but almost indispensable 10 the
existence of 9 Britain cut of as she now is
in great measure from the north of Europe.
lie had been credbiy Informed that the ex-
ports from Quebeck alone amoaDtcd, during
the last year, 10 near six millions OF dollars,
and most of these too III articles OF the first
necessity-in ship tinber and in provisions
for the support of her fleets and armies. By
carrying on such war a5 he had described,
at the pub!ick expense, on land, and by indl-
ydval enterprise at sea, we should be able in
a short time to remuncra.; ourselves tcnfod
for all the spoialions she has committed on
our commerce.
1t was with view 20 make preparations
for such war, that the committee had oNcr-
ed the resolution on the table Whether the
means recommended were adequate 10 the
object, or whether they were tcst adapted
TO the end, il would be for the House, when
they come 10 discuss, to determine. For him
self, Mr.. P said, and he presumed such
were the feelings Of all the members OF the
committee, he should have no objections to
any notifications of them which might be a.
grccable to the House, SO that the great OBJ
jec, was still retained. II these resolutions,
pass it was then the intention of the COM
mitec, as soon as the force contc mplated TO
be raised should be in any tolerable state OF
preparation, to recommend the employment
of them for the purposes for which they
shall have been voted, unless Great britain
shall, in the mean time, have done us justice.
In short, it va, the determination of the
committee 10 recommend open AMI decided
war--a war as vigorous and effective as the
resources of the country and the relative Sit
uation of ourselves and our chcmy would en-
able us 10 prosecute.
The committee, Mr.. r. said, have not re-
commended this coarse of measure withou,
full sense of the hlgh responsibility when
they have taken upon themselves. They are
aware that war, even III It's best and islrest
form, is an evil deeply 10 be deprecated:
But il Is sometimes, and on tew occasions
perhaps more than on this, a necessary cy!!.
For myself, confess, | have approached the
subject not only with dihidence, bu, with
awe But | will never shrink from my duty
because il is artluous or unpleasant and
can most relgiously declare that never act
cd under stronger or clearer convictions of
duty than I do now in recommending these
mately in recommending war, in case Great
Britain shall not have rescinded her Orders
in Council, and made some satisfactory ar
rangcmcnts in respect to the imprcssmcnt OF
our scamen. If there should be any Cen
t.cmen in the House who were not satisfied
that we ought to go to war for our maritime
rights, Mr.. p. earnestly entrcated that they
would not vote FOR tho resolution. DO not,
said he, let us raise armies, unless we intend
to employ them. If we do not mean TO
support the rights and honour OF the country,
let us not drain it Of its resources.
Mr.. Z. said he was aware that there were
many Gentle men in the House who were dis
satisfied that the committee had not gone
further and recommended an Immediate de-
claration OF war, or the adoption OF some
measure which would have instantly precipi-
n.,, h. oh