Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-05-27
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STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND * PROVI.
DENCE PLANTATIONS.
IN GENERAL .ASSEINBL Y.
NAY SESSION, A. D. 1912.
NAY SESSION, A. D. l8l.

Whereas from the aspect of our foreign re-
lations, and more especially from the charac-
ter of the measures adopted and proposed to
be adopted by Congress during their present
session, it is seriously to be apprehended that
our country will soon be plunged into ruin
ous zvar, unless clear expression of the pub
lie opinion shall correct the dangerous and
erroneous impression which appears to have
been made ON the general government, that
the people are DESTROYS of War, and do ap,
prove OF the measures calculated to produce
it. And whereas it is both the right and duty
of the people, either immediately, or by their
representatives upon occasions SO important,
and in times SO alarming as the present, to
express their sentiments upon pubic affairs,
and also the privilege of rulers to be inform
ed of those sentiments.
/. Resolved, That for ourselves Individual
ly, and as Representatives OF the fieemen Of
this state, zyc defrecate var at all times, and
especially at time when the pecuniary re-
sources of the country have been exhausted
and cut off, both by the depredatlons and Sc
questratlons oftorelgn powers, and by oar o7vn
ruinous commercial restrictions; when by the
raising of large military force, for the purpose
of territorial conquests, great expences will be
incurred and heavy burthens imposed, while
from the very limited appropriations made for
the protection of commerce and the defence
of our seaports, the former will be exposed to
certain capture, and the latter to invasion and
piIage, thereby leaving the burthens to be
borne almost entirely by the agricultural in
terest
On the question, shall the preamble * first
resolution pass, the Ayes and Noes were as
follow Ayes 40, Noes %.
9. ResoLved, That from the extent of our
commerce, the Immediate and important int
rest which the whole community have in its
encouragement, and the entire dependence of
many of our citizens for support upon the en-
ployment it affords, the Legislative restrictions
upon trade operate with peculiar severity up
OH this state; that from our inability 10 sus-
tain the increasing burthens of war, destitute
of public funds and public lands, and depend
ing in time of peace upon direct taxes for the
support Of our state government, the proposed
land tar and internal taxes of the United
States will be exceedingly oppressive upon
our citizens, and that the accessible situation
and defenceless state of our harbors and sea-
ports, and their superior eligibility, as naval
FeSOll loi ti0 III uloClS vi TIC cliSitiy, fcHdCIi
them exposed to invasion, and liable to cap
ture, will cause war, under such circumstan-
ces, to be rulnous to many of our towns, and
eventually injurious to the whole state.
On the question, shall the second resoIa-
ton pass, the Ayes and Noes were as follow !:
Ayes As, Noes 20.
3. Resolped, That when the unequalled pri-
yations, sufferngs and exertions of the citi-
zens of this state, during the revolutionary
War, are considered, it cannot be doubted that
whenever the country shall necessarily be in
voIvedin war, they will again exhibit the same
patience, fortitude and patriotism.
On the question shall the third resolution
pass, voted and passed unanimously,