The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-07-08


cease. Il would be insulting to repeat it. ]
would be degrading 10 hear il. The Unite,
States must act as an independent nation, ans
assert their RIoHTs, and ayenge thei
WRONGS, according to their own estimate o.
them, with the party who commits them
holding II responsible for its own misdecd,
unmitigated by those of another.
For the difference made between Greal
Britain and France, by the application of the
non-importation act against England only, the
motive has been already too often explained
and is too well known TO require further il.
lustration. In the commercial restrictions "a
which the United States as an evidence oI
their sensibility and mild retaliation of their
wrongs, they invariably placed both powers
on the same footing, holding out to each in
respect TO itself the same accommodation, in
case 1t accepted the condition offered, and in
respect to the other the same restraint If il
refused. Had the British government con.
frmed the arrangement which was entered
40 with the British minister in 1909, and
rance maintained her DEGREES, with France
would the United States have had 10 resist.
with the frmness belonging to their charac-
ter, the continued violation Of their rights
The committee do not hesitate to declare
that France has greatly injured the United
States, and that satisfactory reparation has
not yet been mado tor, many OF these injuries.
But, that is concern which the y. States
will look to and settle for themselves. The
high character of the American people, is a
sufficient pledge to the world, that they will
not fail to settle it, on conditions which they
have right 10 claim.
More recently, the true policy of the British gov
ernment towards the United States has been COM
pletely unfoded. 1t has been publicly declared by
those in power, that the orders in council should
hot be repealed, until the French government bad
revoked all its internal restraints tile British CON-
merce, and that the trade the United States with
France and her allies, should be prohibited until
Great Britain wasaso allowed to trade with them.
BY this declaration, it appears that to satisfy the pre-
entions of the British government, the United States
must Join Great Britain in the war, with France, and
prosecute the war, until France should be subducd
FOR without her subugaton, it were in vain to pre-
sumo such a concession. The hostility Of the
British government to these states has been still fur
ther disclosed It has been made manifest that the
Uaited States considered by it the commercial
rival Of Great Britain, and that their prosperity and
growth are incompatible with her welfare. When
all these circumstances taken into consideration
1t rs Impossible for your committee to doubt the
motives which have governed the British Ministry in
all its measures toward the United States since the
year 1906. Equally is it impossible to doubt, longer
the course which tn, uited States ought to pursue
towards Great Britain.
From this .iew of the multiplied wrongs Of the
British government since the commencement of The
present war, must be evident the i3bartal roor
that the contest which is now forced on the United
States is radically contest for their sovereignty
and independence. Your committee will not enlarge
on any OF tho injuries, however great which have had
transtory effect. They wish to call the attention
OF the House to those Of permanent nature only,
which mtrench so deeply our most important
rights, anc wound so extensively and vitality our best
interests could not fail to deprive the u States of
the principal advantages of their revolution if sub.
mitted to. The control of our commerce by G..
Britain, in regulating at pleasure, and expelling it
almost from the ocean; the oppressive in which
these regulations have been carried into effect, bv
sezing and confiscating such of our vessels, with
their cargocs, as were said to have violated
her edicts, often without previous warning OF their
danger .he impressment of our citizens from on
board our own vessels, the high seas, and Else
where, and holding them in bondage until it suited
the convenience of their oppressors to deliver them
up, are encroachmcnts of that high and dangerous
tendency which could not fail produce that pernci-
effect, would those be the only consequences
that would result from it. The British government,
might for while, be satisfied with the ascendancy
thus gained over US, but its pretensions would soon
increase. The proof, which so complete and dis.
graceful submission to its authority, would afford
OF our degsneracy, could not fail to inspire confidence
that there limit 10 which its usurpations and
our degradation might not be carried
Your committee believing that the freeborn sons
OF America are worthy to ENJOY the liberty which
their fathers purchased at the price of SO much blood
and treasure and seeing in the measures adopted by
c. Britain, course commerccd and persisted in,
which might lead to loss Of national character and
feelno hesitation in advising resistance
by force, in which the Americans Of the present day
will pr0e to the enemy and to the world that we have
not only inherited that liberty which our fathers gave
us, but also the WILL and POWER to maintain il.
Relying on the patriotism of the nation, and conf.
IDENTITY trusting that the Lord Of Hosts will GO with lis
to battle in righteous cause and crown our efforts
with success-ycur committee recommend an imme.
diatc appeal to ARMS