The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-06-26

EtlctS OF the DelliBereAt powers each pro-
Tossing retaliation only on the other but
both violating the clearest rights Of the u.
States as a neutral nation. In this extraor-
dinary state OF things, the Legislature, will
ling 10 avoid resort to war, more espe Sially
during the concurrent aggressions Of two
great powers, themselves at war, the one
with the other, and determined ON the o.her
hand against an unqualified acquesc ence,
have cndeavoured by successive and varied
regulations affecting the commerce of the
parties, TO make it their interest TO be just.
In the act Of Congress out Of which the
existing non importation has grown, the state
OF commerce wasno otherwise qualified than
by provision, that in case either OF the bel
ligerents should revoke its unlawful Edicts,
and the other should fail to do the same, our
ports shopld be shut to the vessels and mer-
chandizc OF the latter. This provision which
like al our previous offers, repelled The very
pretcxt set up by each, that it's Edicts against
our own trade with the other, was required
by an acQuiesccnce in like Edicts Of the 9TH
cr, was equally presented to the attention of
both. In consequence Of the communication,
the French Government declared that its de-
crecs were revoked. As the British Gov
crnmcnt had expressed reluctance in issuing
its orders, and repeatedly signified wish to
find III the example OF its adversary, an oc-
casion for putting an end to them, the ex-
pcctation was the more confident, that the
occasion would be promptly embraced. This
was not done and the period allowed fo' the
purpose having elapsed, our ports became
shut TO British ships and merchandise Whe-
ther the conduct of the French government
has been, and will be such as 10 satisfy the
authorized expectations of the u. States ; or
whether the British government may have
opened, o. will open the way, for the exccu-
tive removal of the restrictions on British
commerce with the United States, which it
continue, in its power 10 do, by rcvoking its
own unlaw ful restrictions on our commercials
to be ascertaincd by further information
which will be received and employed by the
Executive, with that strict impa; tiality,
which has been invariably maintained toward
the two belligcrcnts.
Whatever may be the inconvenicnces re-
sulting in the mean time, from the non-im.
porta,ion act, it was not to have been suppos-
ed, that whilst it falls within the necessary
power AMI practice of regulating our COM
mercial intercourse with foreign countries,
according to circumstances, the act would be
regarded as not warranted by the cons,itu-
tion or that whilst il was partial restrc-
tion only, and had for its object, an entire
freedoms of our commerce, by Liberation of
it from foreign restrictions unlaw fully impos-
ed, it could be viewed as destroying COM
mcrcc and least of all, that likeness could
be seen between a law enacted by the repre-
sentatives OF the country with view 10 the
interest of the country; and acts of govern
mcnt in which the country was not represent.
ed, framed with view to the interest of ano-
ther country, at the expense of this.
If appeals to the Justice of the belligerenls,
through their interests, involve priva,ions OH
our part also; it ought 10 be recollected that
this is an effect inseparabe from every resort
by which the nation Can right itself against
the injustice of others.
If sacrifices made for the sake Of the whole
result more to some than to other district. or
descriptions of citizens, this also is an effect,
which tho always to be reg. etted, can never
be entirely avoided. Whether the appeal be
10 the sword, or to Interruptions or modifca-
tions OF customary intercourse, an equal opc-
ration on every part OF the community can
never happen. Nor would an unqualified ac-
quiescence in belliSerent restrictions on our
commcrce, If that could be reconciled with
what the nation owes 20 itself, be less une-
quail IN its effects on different local situations
and interests.
In estimating the particular measure which
has been adopted by the National Councils, it
may DC reasonably expected therefore, from
the candour OF enlightened citizens, that with
the peculiarly of the pubick situation, they
will be impressed also, with the difficulty Of
selecting the course most satisfactory, and
best suited to diminish its evils or shorten
their duration that they will keep in mind,
that resort to war must involve necessary
restrictions ON commerce and that were no
measure whatever opposed to the belligerent
acts against our commerce, it would not only
remain under the severe restrictions now i'm
posed by foreign hands, but new motives