The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-05-08
Benedict ArnoM
TO THE PEOPLE og THE UNITED STATES.
FELLOW CI1IZENS !!


forward before you, for your good, with AN
apology for myself In ,he doing of which
consider myself still more disinteres,ed, and
Indifferent to the slardcrs with VIII ch bad
men have assailed me, if possible, than even
my worthy friend and co-patriot has proved
himself in the series of numbers, which he
from the mast diSiuereSted m .ipes, has been
pleased TO address TO you. You will have
the goodness to confess that whichever par
ty may succeed i'll your elections, the result,
personally speaking, will have been indiffer-
ent to me. i am not a candidate for Seat
IN either House oil Congress. And perhaps
this is the only material point III which my
situation differs from that OF my honourable
fliend. From the protOundcst depths of un-
'merted contempt and infsmy we are both
compelled 10 raise our voices and you ought
TO be satisfied that |, who now address you,
equally with that good man, possess the
means of requiring an adequate knowledge of
rhe subject, and integrity to present 1t with
truth.
My name has for many years been the
theme Of rtproach with my enemies 1t has
been more. O cruel unjust degree of desti-
nv it has become SYNONYMOUS with TRAI-
TOR
Since you are the proper tribunal to decide
on the merit or demerit OF my conduct In
publick life, justice would require, that be-
fore final Judgment, / should be heard in
my own defence. This right, however,
would wave, were my personal interests or
reputation alone at stake In these consider
I!ions you must know my feelings have long
since become most TRANQUILITY Indifferent. In
deed, SO Tar from woundng my feelings, 1t
is from the malevolent reproaches of my en-
mics, that shall draw proofs that l am not
destitute Of merit. Were aaron Burr, Lu-
cinS Cahhne and Judns IScQrrlot destitute of
merit And yet who more abused, rsproach-
ed and revilcd, by host of unhrincihted
slanderers shan they? hate Mr. Jefferson
l hate the government of the United States
and hate them for your sakes, not mine.
have but little expectation, however, of work
ing you up to the same degree of rage and
hatred | so cordially feel myself. But while
have hopes, will not despair.
In The prosecution of my works, will
lay before you such facts as have, anc when
facts fail, shall hope to convince you from
the abundance OF my own inventions. |
stand before you in the character of known
inlormer and to convince you of my SINGER
ity, | shall subscribe my testimony with my
own proper name Should be SO unfortun-
ate as to be detected in falsehood, il will be
upintentlonal and when frankly exposed, as
frankly confessed.
Some of you, fear, will imprudently pro-
nounee my character too base to merit your
attention. If this fact is believed, my abour
will be lost. But my fellow-citzens, it is
for yoa that expose myself TO this persecu-
ton TO the i'll will, the hatred and the ven-
geance of men whose arts, intriguts and de-
cepiions must necessarily lay open. For
your osvn sake, then, en,reat you to give
me partial hearing. Ii my story be long,
so is the series of your wrongs. Oh !he hy-
hocri,icGi 7'itLain. And then you suffered
not for your ultimate advantage, but that your
leaders, pretended hatriots, might OBTAIN and
hold hogper, thiaee and the emoin,sents Of office
Oh The nobie and diSinfereSted Antony
Hear the noble .Antoqy Il Yes my fellow
ciuzens, to their ambition, avarice, envy and
revenge, your great interests, and the hon
our OF our country have been sacrificed.
OF these important truths, yon will.recol-
lcct many years ago apprised you. When
it became necessary for me TO retire from the
post so honourabiy held =, West Poin, and
to which had been called by the special fa-
vour OF Washington, addressed to You my
solemn impressions Of men who then goser-
ned YOU, and entertain no doobt of she W
ing tha; yod are governed by men OF the
same views at present
expec, now to satisfy you Of what SOL
cmnly warned you when retired from your
service. But you disregarded my retiring
admonitions--you sighted my parting coun-
sells, and the certain consequence of all this
has been, that S:our and my enemies have
plunged our country into a state Of dergada-
,ion and disgrace, and brough, upon il cslam-
tiles never before experienced. told you,
!. Tha, the aids sfforded by France had
been small and coyerty giycn-unti, by IN. in !.