The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-02-05

war must maze the standing army. Ii was
lily calculated to aid the recruiting ssryice,,o
Call them " the scourings of the seaports, 10
be collected by the scavepgers of the army"
I" the engines of despotism," ever dangerous
TO liberty. This could have no good effect.
That there is d mkt society in the seaporis /
admit, adventurers from all nations, but the
great mass OF our people is truly respectable,
and trust the honesty Of their principles is
not 10 be rsasured by any standard Of wealth.
he usual bounty and pay win the 100 acres
oi land, and The love OF their country, Will
induce our respectable young men TO enlist,
they will never suffer those rights, their iahe-
rfanec, purchased by the blood OF their faith
ers OF the revolution, TO be lost by degen-
eraCy OF their sons. wish gentlemen, when
they speak OF the soldiery, would recollect,
how they came into this House, and by whose
blood the independence of the United States
was purchased. Sir, if they will examine
their own history they will find that the taX
in blood was paid by the poor in the ratio OF
sixty four 10 four, the number of privates
when compared with The officers, and indeed
they will End that many of the best officers
were poor. Sir, we know many Of the prI-
Yates OF that army who are now among the
most respectable of our citizens.
Sir, have we forgot the disintcrested patri-
otism of Pauiding, Williams and Van
wort, who conducted Andre to the gibbet
They were poor, but honest-goid could not
corrupt them.
Mr. Speaker, the same patriotism that in
spired their fathers yet inspires their sons---
We have with national pride seen a Sommers,
d Wadsworh and an ISRAEL, to lbsrate their
brothers in arms from Turkish slavery, per-
form prodigy of valour unexampled in the
pages OF history II Mas been honourably re-
corded in the archives of Congress and
.hier monuments IN the navy-yard will ever
be dear TO Americaa seamen, and an evidence
of the magnanimity of the naval oficers,who,
at their own expense, erected them, and
who, in for their impressed brother
tars, | have no doubt would distinguish them
selves whenever an occasion presented itself.
But, Mr.. Speaker, the gentleman from
Virginia, could he be reconciled TO a war and
a regular army, would have, as he tells us,
insuperahle difficulties on account of com.
nander in chief he says we have no Wash
inS ton, and that our present chieltain is am
a" acquitted telon" Sir, our Washington
was little known at the commencement Of
the revolution, nor after he was known could
his distinguished characterize secure him against
int,igues 10 remove him from the command
of the army however, they fortunately fail
ed. am truly sorry, sir, that the deiicacy
Of the situation OF the gentleman from Vir-
ginia, and the more delicate situation OF Gen.
Wilkinson, now under trial by court mar
rial, bad not restrained his invectives. In
such case the press is muzzled, nor ought
such freedom of speech to be indulgcd in
this House.
hope shall be excused from presenting
the resolutions of that Congress who were
distinguished in history as constellation
of worthless" testing the early, the active,
and distinguished services of Gen. Wilkin-
son, native Of Maryland, with whom have
long been acquainted
Nov. 6. l777, in Congress, Resolved That
Col. James Wilkinson, adjuant eneral Of
the, nortbeth army, in consideration OF his
services in that department, and being strong
ly recommended by General Gates, as . gall
liant officer and a promising military genius,
and having brought the dispatches to Con-
gress giving an account of the surrender of
acknowledgement Burgoyne and his army on
the l7th OF October last, be continued in his
present employment, with brevet of biIga-
dier general Of the army Of the United
States.
Nov. 6, l77s, Congress proceeded to the
election OF secretary 10 the board Of war
and ordnance, and the ballots being taken,
James Wilkinson, esq. was elected. Again,
on the 9th of March, 1873, we find this re-
cord Of his patriotism and magnanimity, "a
letter of the third from James Wilkinson,
was read, setting forth Z" that he is informed
the marked dstinc ton conferred on him has
oecasioned dissatisfaction in the army,"
that " to obviate any embarrassment that may
result from the disposition by the consequent
resignation Of officers Of merit, he begs leave
to reinquish his hrevet Of brigadisr, wishing
TO hold no commission, unless he can wear 1t
to the honour and advantage of his country,
and that his conduct, however repugnant TO
fashionable ambition, he finds consistent with