The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-03-20
THE CRISIS
BETWEEN ENGLAND IND AMERICA.


oi most distant interest. In the concern of
states, a. in those of individuals, the first les
son os prudence is to enquire what Is going
OH ut home. The more immediate pressure
OF calamity is felt in that situation in which
our lot and duty are cast. 1t is a wise saying
Of the Lacaemonisn philosopher to his pupil,
.Sharfam nacius es, haDc eIorna.
A Proclamation of the resident of the A.
mcrican States has lately boon received,
which has excited no ordinary soiicitude, IN
as,nucn as il seems to constitute crisis in
the relations of America and this country,and
fxes the wavering and uncertainty OF those
endless ne <ociations ia which the two gov
eru,nents have been engaged. ~
The Proclamation OF the American Presi-
dent announces in snDstance,--that the edicts
OF France, which violated the neutral COM
merce Of the United States, nave been. revo-
ked, and cease 10 exist az an obstruction to
the trade OF America. BY virtue Of this re-
vocation, he recalls all restrictions upon the
French commerce, and declares that France
/, now entitled to the friendship and courtesy
due to "a neutral state.
The French government, by resembling its
edicts, has doubtless restored to America
those rights OF which she was most njustly
depriyeds but half of the grievance, we may
say indeed the whole, is left in its original
weight and pressure, whilst the British Or
ders 5f Council continue.
The Milan and Berlin DEGREES were in
fact mere 6rMum /uHnen. They were thun-
dcrbolts no sooner hurled, than extinguishcd
in that element which they arrogantly aimed
10 control. 1t was, on the part Of the French
government, speevish assumption of power
with a most contemplate imbecily. Not SO
the British Orders in Council. These De-
crees pointed our cannon, and charged them
with terrible effect. They carried terrour TO
ali neutral commerce, and swept it, as il were
besons, clean from the sea. Block AIDES
were described oy circles Of longitude and
latitude, and 6ctitioua circumcallation, by
opening sort OF marine trench, was assum-
cd 10 be levied along the shores OF the Conti-
nsnt, from the sound to the Straits Of Gibralter.
This, we said was to retaliate upon the en-
emy the injury and mischief Of his own wrong
1t was indeed retaliation A retaliation, in
which the whole commercial interests Of A
merica were squeezed and crushed in our
hands, tor the purpose Of being thrown at the
head Of our enemy. Such was our retaliation,
waich had 40 little wisdom as justice and
the event has shewu Us, that ii this system
has produced some slight beae6ts in introdu-
cling our commerce upon the continent, with
all the risque, the cunning, and, we,must be
permitted 20 say, the immoral artIfces of
smuggling, the greater part of it has served
but to kindle the funcral pile Of what remain
oil, and to become kind of lighthouse, or
blazing beacon, to warn our merchants from
approaching such dangersus shore in future.
10 return to eur subject,
With respect TO France, America has now
settled her accoun, Of injury and insult, and
though she has certainly suffered much loss
and contumely from that country, whether
she will aycnge herself or not is the concern
of America and not Of England.
A Circular Letter OF the Secretary Of the
Treasury in America discloses the next step
which will be takcn.-It declares the state OF
things which will three months hence exist
with respect to Great Britain, in case she
snail not have revoked and modified in like
manner, her edicts violating tho neural COM
nercc of the United States" If England
shAll not revoke Or modify her Orders in
Council, ii is the purpose Of America to re-
cur to the act of Congress, which prohibits
both the entrance of English vessel: of every
description into the harbours and waters Of
the United States, and the importation into
America Of any articles, the growth, pro-
duce and manufacture of the domnions, col
ouies, and dependencies of Great Britain.
This conduet Of America, we must say, is
exactly impartial and 1t now only remains
60 be considered, whether or not England
Nill recall or modify her commercial prohibi-
tinns. II issaot to be doubted but that Amer
lea must be considered as the only power of
any great importance to Us in political con-
{: si1sration--as the only power whom, from
. the relationship of q common origin and Ian
guagc, and the force OF old habits, We can
really and substantially make friend and
the oaly power, with the exception of France,
whom we have reasen to fear as an enemy.
Are we not, moreover, pledged with Ameri-