The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-05-08


army, we had rendered our final success GER
tain. You all do rene rber the part / took
in capturing that army. " You all did love
me then" If not commander in chief my
self, was still by his side, or executing his
orders ! was seeking danger, and finding it
in every part of the sang uine field. / do not
recollect as my honorable friend, in detail
ing to you his military career, has once men
toned the wounds he received, or the blood
ne shed for your sakes. But was wounded
and bled that you might he free. Will you
listen to me then Will you not believe me
when speak the TRUTH!
g. j told you that although the French gov
ernment at length furnished very considera-
bic aids in men and money, and the opera
ton of her navy--Yet, that all this proceeded
from no regard Tor us, from no desire to pro-
mote the interests Of the United States bur
merely to diminish the formidable power of
her rival, Great Britain, by Topping off so
large portion cf her domlnions as the Unit
ed States My confidential friend will bear
NE witness, that l was never the friend to-
the independence Of these states. | warned
you, my fellow citizens, that by tearing our
selves from Great Britain, ouI natural parent,
guardian, and neIt firnd, we should fall into
the odious and unnatural bosom of our enc
mics the French. Indeed, told you that
Great Britain had never done us so much es-
sential injury, as your rulers for certain pur-
poses, had endeavoured to convince you that
she had. Great Britain sent you commits
sion of peace. Five of your friends and bre-
thren were delegated to you. They even
bore to you the humiliation of the parent
state. They entreated, they exhorted you to
come back to your duty, to your allegiance,
and to their protection. Resting, however,
on your unlimited, but misplaced confidence,
III the supposed ability, integrity and patriot
ism OF your rulers, you were deaf to their of
fers Of salvation. Let me, my fellow-citi-
zens, call your pointed attention to this mat
ter. 1t furnishes the Key to the wicked con-
duct Of your government, and to all your own
disasters. Look back, pray you, and re-
view that period. The whole majesty of
Great Britain in the persons of five commits
sioners supple licatine-entreating you for the
love of yourselves, to come back to your al
lcgiance.
Offering to settle every subject of dispute
Ito do you justice, and more than Justice
Yet all remains unsettled, while your rulers
have been uttering professions without num-
.
Will you any longer trust these professions :
Will you believe that Great Britain. oppress-
ed with the weight of war, une KAN pied in the
history Of the world, Can choose 10 avoid an
accommodation with the United States
When our compliance would be so useful to
her, will you believe her nnzviilingis to do us
ample justice in order TO obtain it Is it pos
sible, think you, for her to be so blind to her
Sc Al l. Il
good will, if really stretched out to her by
the United States (very hossi6ie Mr.. Pick
erins. QUEEN Deus Vult, you knOzv.)
Fellow citizens, it is the influence of
France, which, when retiring from my post
at West Point, was the first 10 foresee and
warn you OF, which stands between you and
that harmony and full commercial inter-
course urged upon you by Great Britain.
Fellow citizens, could go on with this in
vestigation, and present you numerous facts,
scattered through long course of years
and lest you should not have the patience to
go on with me, through the tedious train Of
arguments necessary to the exhibition of the
distant important conclusions thence result
lng-I could, in imitation of my honourable
friend, present you sort of Synopsis of all
could or might say, collected under ten dis
tinct heads, duly numbered. But, notwith-
standing my hitherto stubborn insensiblity to
shame, do begin to feel the blush of COLI
scious guilt already spread upon my cheek
shall therefore leave this investigation to
my honourable friend and fellow .abourer,
perfectly assured that every thing that
could say, will be said by HMM language
coarse" indeed, but not coarser than his
own disposition, or the condition of the cause
he advocates.
BENEDICT ARNOLD.