The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-10-08

LIs
sdvau,apeous, as il Showed that we had made
come imnre,sion on the British ministry, and
had laid foundation for advancing TO some
hing better. The reader is referred TO Mr..
Monroe, letter itself, which veiy amply ex-
mains his understanding Of the case. IL will
bc found in the public documents OF the first
session of The tenth Congress.
I.ought not, however, to refrain from sta
ting here, Gas every one may not have the
documents at command) that Mr.. Monroe
relied much, in that transaction, on the sin
ce,ifp of The British government in their pro-
mscs 10 adhere to the informal hart of the
unde rs,anding in relation TO the paper con-
corning impressments. LII this particular he
must have been unde eceiycd. About The time
he left England, complete change of tenn.
per took place in the ministry, and that paper
most especially, and every thing respecting
il, was dissvowed in practice. And subse-
quently in public proclamation, the right of
impressment from merchant vessels has been
formally claimed by Great Britain. allude
TO the proclamation of the 10th Of October,
1907, recalling British seamen, which con-
tains this clause
Sand for the better execution Of the purposes of
this our royal proclamation, we do auhorse and
command all captains, masters and Others oofnmand-
ing cur ships and vessels Oh war, TO stop and make
stay of all and every such person and persons (beng
natural born subects) shall endeavor to trans
port enter themselves the service OF any for
eign state, contrary to the intent and command of
this our royal proclamation. and 90 seize upon, take,
and bring arrny, all such persons, eforerad. vho
shaE be tond 70 be employed SERVING any foreign
merchants ship or vesse, as Gtoresa,d"
Here the claim of Great Britain is fully as.
serted, liable 10 all It's abuses, after Mr..
Monroe's understanding had taken place
The letter of the pre- int Secretary Of State,
goes only to expound the views and impress
ions under which he received the paper rcia-
tive TO irnpressnhents, and not to pledge him
self that the provisions of il would be strictly
fulfilled. As man of honor, he doubtless
thought that the British government would
conform 10 the letter and spirit OF what WAS
accedcd to by their own agents. He could
have no notion of the tush pin policy cf The
cabinet of St. James, that has sirSe grown up
! might here close my review of this topic
of the address, eopceiving, as DO, that eve
ry proposition advanced by me has been prov
cd for by this time it must be evident, that
all hope Of reasonable accommodation respec-
ting impressment has failed, and that this
failure has taken place after negotiation of
twenty-years. 1t failed under Washington,
who could procure no Arrangement in Jays
treaty, at which time, however, the wrong
was more ;olcrablc it failed under Adams
it failed under Jeffcrsoa. Madison makes it
cause Of war. Is he not right Our pa
,encc was exhausted--hopc was at an end.
Prom every step taken IN the negotiation, it
is clear that security 10 American seamen a.
lone, and the consequent promotion Of their
peculiar Interests, was the grand object in
view. The present administration will not
h'abor British sublects---,hcy will not deliver
| thfm.up on demand. they will do any thing
bu surrender the rights of American ci,i.
z,ps. Proposition after proposition has been
midc TO Great Britain to that effect. She
| acep,s notbiog----shc agrees TO nothng--or,
1t Ihe agrees 10 any thing, she does not adj
he e to it. How, then, dare the Addressers
| a,sounce, that one cause Of the war is a
| clim to employ British seamca
That this principle for which we wage war
| Is. correct one, @e have the opinion of all
tho men whom the fedcralisls have elevated
10 ptiice IN the General Government, and
| wSm they most affect 70 reverence We
lat the opinions OF Washington, Adams,
| .ay King, Thomas pinckney, Wolcott Pick.
| .rils, M'Ilsnry, and Stoddcrt. The Repub-
lcts are united : Jefferson, Madison, Mon
! pdGala,in, John Quincy Adams, all concur.
| Pave scope enoughto excite the passions
Sup 90 not address myself 10, the blood of
| nyfllow citizens L leave that to orators, to
helloquent men of the nation, and for suit.
so!Pccasions 4 appeal to the reason of the
eoIhunity; and confident in the truth of
shi have adyanced,I will only add, in ref
endto The allegation of the Addres,crs (It /
paa9) that Great Britain {" proffers redress
se abuses OF fimpressment when known"
thate following additional heads of apelo.
gy,Ir not restoring our sesmen, arc in gen
crai the consular answers To our falling |
c'aii to that redress which we are insulting
ly ~ she hre8srs." No mao of in,eIli- |
4 pen &vf fros a =.