The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-07-01
To tie Senate and House Of RehreseH!ative,
of me United States.


communicate to Congress certain docu-
ments, being continuation of those hereto
fore laid before them, on tbe subject of our
affairs with Greai Britain.
Without going back beyond the renewal in
1908 of the war in which q. Britain is engag-
ed, and emitting unrc paired wrongs oil inferior
magnitude, the conduct OF her government
pressntsa series OF acts hostile TO the United
States as an independent and neutral nation.
British cruizers have been in the continued
practice of violating The American nag ON the
great highway of nations, and OF scizlng anu
carrying off persons sailing under II not in
She exercise OF beligercnt right founded
on the law of nations against an enemy, but
of a municipal prercga,ion over British SUBJ
iects. BRUSH jurisdiction IS thus extended
10 neutral vessels in situation re no Jaws
can operate out the law OF nations and Of the
country 10 which the vessels belong and
self-redrcss 10 assumed which, II Brush SUBJ
jccts were wrongiully detained and alone con-
cerned, is that substitution oil iorcc, Tor a re-
sort to the responsible sovereign, which falls
within the definition OF war. Could the seiz-
ure of British subjects in such cases be regar-
ded as within the exercise oil u belii iserent
right the acknowledged laws OF war, which
lOFDlu dli dflislc VI SdpNulCu property W oS
adjudged without a regular Investigator be-
fore competent tribunal, wouid imperiousy
demand the fairest trial whcre the sacred
rights Of persons were at issue. In place OF
such trial, these rights ase subjected to the
will OF every petty commander
Tic practice, hence, is so Tar hom Affect
ing British subjects alone, that, under the
oretext of searching for these, thousands oil
American citizens, under the safeguard OF
public law, aud Of their ationai fGy, have
been torn from their country and from every
thing dear to them have been dragged on
board ships OF war OF foreign nation and
exposed, under the severiies Of their disci-
pine, to be exi!cd to the most distan, and
deadly clirnes, to risk their lives in the bat
ties of their opprcssors, and TO D; the mel
ancholy instruments of taking away those
Of their own brethren.
Against this crying enormity, which Great
Britain would be So prompt 10 avenge, 1t
committed against herself, the Unl,ed States
have in vain exhausted remonstrances and
cxpostuations. And that no proof might be
wanting of their concilialory dispositions, and
no pretext lett for continuance OF the prac-
ticc, the British government Was formally as
sured of the readiness OF the Cnited States
to enter into arrangements, such as could not
be rejected it the recovery of British sub
jects were the real and sole object. The
comm munication passed without effect.
British cruizers have been in the practice
also of violating the rights and the peace oil
our coasts. They hover over and harrass our
entering and departing commerce. 10 the
most insulting de.entions they have added the
most Iawless proceedings in our very harb,rs;
and have wantoniy split American blood with
in the senctuaiy OF our territorial Junsdicuon.
The principles and rules enforced by that ma
tion when neutral nation, against armed
vessels Of belligerenis lowering near her
coasts, and disturbing her commerce, are
well known. When called on, nevertheless,
by the u. States To punish the greater oilen-
ce. committed by her own vessels, her gov
ernment has bestowed en--her commanders
additional na.ks of honor and confidence.
Under pretended blockades, without the
presence Of an adequate force, and sometimes
without the prac,ibihly Of applying one, our
commerce has been plundcred in every sea
the great staples OF our country have been
cut of from their legitimate markets and
destructive blow aimed al our agricultural and
maritime interests. In aggrava,lon of these
predatory measures, they have been consider
ed a. i'm force from the dates OF their noti6ca
ton a retrospective effect being thus added,
as ma, been done in other important cases, 10
the unlawlulness OF the course pursued.
And 10 render the outrage the more signal,
these mock blockades have been reiterated
and enforced in the face OF official commuui-
cations from the British government, declar-
ing the true definition OF legal blockade
" that particular ports mus. be actually inves.
ted, and previous warning given to vessels
hound 10 them, not to enter"
Not content with these occasional cxpedi-