The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-01-22

| view. About ~ years pave c1"pSeu since
| the commencement Of this internal practice
ibis outrage upon The honour OF our Nag,
| and ,his attack upon The personal liberty and
persona security OF American citizens.
The nurdeg Of paliyc aud naluraiizrd sea
| men, impress from cur merchant vessels
(, and seduced from our merchant, service cam
| not be estimated at less than fifty thousand
! dulins this period OF twcply years, and re-
tai0cd in bondage during liic, or who have
| escaped by descftion or the Interference oi
| our goycsnmcn,. The condition ol these fifty
| thousand men has been more in,olcrabic than
| that Of The nalcfaclor III the pcnltcn.iary or
| wo.khousc.> WHO could detail the misery OF
| these men w ho couid number the stripes
! iniiiciod upon lbcir naked skin atthc yard ar.n
| by a scco;.d lieutenant anl midsn'pmAn
| " 10 could cnurrra,e me iG,iominious scars
| left BY the cat o-BlBc-taiiS hls ssourse,
| thiy iniamous practice does no' fa!i alone upon
/ the unfortunate tar, the hardy seainen--"con-
| woke the iathers, mothers, brothers, sisters,
| wives AID chdieD Of these victims OF mar
iirnc dcspotism, and hear nom them their
| laie OF sorrow, aud lei an hundred peas re :
cord their sighs and groans which are now
given invain 10 the iclc wind.
But 10 close this sc,ne, the death OF Robert
Howell will shcw The ccnncxion oi ti.is inia-
my with national honour.
1t is well authenticated that number of
American citizens were serving on board the
British ship oil war the Lltle BeIr, during
her engagement with COuinodo'c RoDGnRs
that these men, upon reiuslng 10 hht a.
gainsl thci, own country, were mcnaccd with
dcath---t.iat drFiag the cD.ag cment certain
Robert Howell 'ol Ncw-Yolk was wounded
with cannon ball, lis whole thigh was shot
off--sha' JUS, before his death, while in the
act of sending 10 some relation some token
Of remembrance, a Briish Officer enquircd
how he did--ths, Howell replied and told him
he was dying, and said "sce 10 what you
have brought me, 10 force ine TO light against
NY brothers, NY Own count,ymen have taken
MY life through your means" Let The cur
tain drop and hide the body Of Howell from
our sigh,
Thus % years have elapsed, and the only
remedy which we haye attempted against
,hcse trying enormiiies, has been ncgoviatlo
anI rcn,onstrance, aud SO fsr from producing
any beneficial effect, Great Britain has made
new Innovations and urged new prctensions,
unil the neutral rights OF the Cnilcd States
are entirely destroyed. lie, II not be forgot.
| ten that for the abuses enumerated war II not
alone urged, but those practices nov eoniin-
NC and arc put in more rigorous execution.
| We would agree to suller tic injuries ibilici-
| cd for Tie sake o. peace bnt 10 principle oi
piracy IS ,elinquished, nor is any abuse chang
cd, aud he United States are now the victims
| Of This desolating system May the wrath OF
this nation kinde into ilan;e and bccunc a
consuming FIRE Though slow 10 anger, may
her ind ,na,ion be like tbe rushing OF mighty
a A. Ia.
The gentleman from Virginia has called
the military regular forces mercenarics. III
by ,h:- appclIa,ion any repruch or deeTada,
ton is inicnced, Its justice iid p,opi,riy Is
denied. In times like The present, when
dangers ,hicken upon us, Ut ulomcn, " el
we are compelled by the most wanton tyran-
ny upon the high seas, and upon Land may be
added, 10 abandon our peaceful habils Tor the
din of arms, officers and soldiers IN this
country arc governed by tie no5.e feelings of
patriotism a,id vslour. The history oi the
world may be ransackcd other nations may
be brought in review before rs, and examples
OF greater hcroism cannot be quoted, thaa
shall De performed in battle by our officers
and soldiers, military and naval, and marine
The deeds OF their ancestors would be before
them glory would, aniuate their bosoms,
and love of country would nerve the heart tc
deeds of mighty fame. Ii therefore there
should be a elimination of respect for those
vino entertain an opinion So degrading To our
army, IL would ut least DC understood that
such opinions do not lessen tho confidence
due TO those who faithfully serve their coun-
uy, aud who would lay down their life for IL.
This reflection brings to memory the late
memorable conflict upon the Wabssh.--Gov.
Harrison pitched his tents near the Prophets
town, and although this iana,irk had his fol-
lowers collected and the American forces
were snxioos 10 liaish their work BY IN open
and dsy light engagements, il there was a ne
cessily 10 resort to arms, their impetuous
valour was easily STAYED, when they weic IN