The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-09-18

And as an example in support of that fact,
Will mention, that during my diplomatick
functions in America, on the judcious repre-
sentations of the federal government, have
caused TO be returned 10 the owners, the
English vessel the Grange, richly loaded, ta-
ken by the trigatc of the French republick,
the Ambuscade, beyond the line Of projections
described by Mr.. Jefferson, but within the
dne Of dominion Of fhe United States.
The law OF nations is not as particular as
the civil law, to constitute full right, and
possession may be maintained If the right has
been claimed and defended, when practicable
at amy time. 10 maintain our right, TO our
most important mariti,ne dominion, nothing
then is wanted than to be. firm, spiritcd
and united, and to prove to the government
OF Great Brnain, that we are nortreated as
their cunning traders manage The unskilful
Indians.
The principle Of our maritime dominion
being undeniable according TO the old and
modern law OF nations, and the east bounda-
ries OF the American empire, within which
the English sloop of war committed her fres.
fdSs, being ascertained, the task which T
have pledged myself to fulfill, will be accom-.
plished when have proved, that agreeable
TO the military rules and customs oil all ma
tions in time Of peace, or In time Of war, the
proceedings Of our Commodore have been
regular and honourabe.
Armed vessels, stationed in the ports,
roads, bays, or on the coasts Of their Country,
TO enforce the execution of its laws, protect
its commerce, maintain its neutrality, and
guard against unforeseen attacks or invasions,
are, with respect to prerogative, whse forts,
garrisons, and scntres arc on the land they
are portion OF the military iorcc of tho
country, and In pursuance OF their orders,
are entitled TO the respect and obedience
which Is due to the nation ITSELF from the na-
tivee as we'll as from Foreigners. Ii is their
du'y to execute and not to reason, and tho
power of compelling immediate obedience to
their commands resides essentially in them
"A sentry, patrole have the right to hail,
aud il no answer is made to their call, il is
their duty TO fire, and to force obedience by
all possible means. Under that order Of
things, which no military mar will question,
Commodore RODGERS, on the 10th of May,
Cape Henry bearing southwest, distance 10
or Is leagues, and Of course much within
the bounds of our jurisdiction, discovers a
vessel under press Of sail, standing towards
his trigate ; the symmetry Of her top-sails
and her making signals, shew her to be a
man. .ot-war the Commodore hoists his ma
tional ensign and pendant, when the vessel
hnding her signals not answered, wares and
stands TO the southwark. Obliged by the ma
turc OF his duty to ascertain what that sus-
picious vessel was, which might have been a
pirate or a smugglcr, the Commodore makes
sail in chase, but is unable to approach her
sufficiently before sunset, 10 discover her
force, which she avoided TO disclose as we'll
AS her colours. After dusk, only, she hoists
TO her mizen-peak an ensign or flame, but it
is too dark for the Commodore to discover
what nation is represented, or to determine
her real force. Before eight the Commodore
attempts 10 come near to her TO speak TO her
but she avoids it. Being, Notwithstanding
come closer to her, at 90 minutes past eight.
he halls her, but is hailed back by her COM
mandcr. After a pause Of Is or 20 seconds,
the Commodore reiterated his first enquiry,
but before he had time TO take the trumpet
from his mouth, he Is answered by shot
which cuts off some Of her rigging and gets
into his msin-mast. On Information being
given to the Commodore of that circum-
stance, he pauses for moment, and Just as
he was in the act of giving the very moderate,
order to fire shot In return, a shot was acA
tually fired from the Prcsidcrt, which was,
answered from the unknown vessel, by three
others, in quick succession, and soon after,
the rest Of his broadsite and musquetry, up
on which the Commodore gave general Or
der to fire, the effect Of which having silence
cd the guns Of his adversary, he ceased fire,
by motives Of humanity towards an antagonist
. which appeared 10 be weaker than him. He
had, however, reason TO regret it, for tho
unknown vessel, fired again at him the fire.
of the President was accordingly renewed,
and silenccd the other---which showing no.
further disposition TO continue the sengagc-
men,, the Commodore hailed her again, and
was at last informed, that it was ship Of his
Britannica majesty, which proved in tho
morning of the l7th, the Little Belt, capt.
Ia of- NH .~b h.<I