The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-11-12

troops, fiom inexperienced soldiers, who
mus, daily improve in tie duties Of tie field.
Our expectation OF gaining the command
OF the Lakes, by the invasion OF Canada from
Detroit, having been disappointed, measures
were instantly .akcn to provide, ON them, q
naval force superior TO that Of The enemy.
From the talents and activity OF The cficcr
charged with this object, every thing that
can De dore may be expecied-Should the
present season not admit of complete sue
cess, the progress made will ensure for the
next a naval ascendancy, where il is essential
TO our permanent peace with, and control oy :
er the savsges. .n
Among the incidents 10 the measures Of
20 war, am constrained 10 advert to ilie re-
iusal of the Governors of Massachusetts and
Connecticut, TO furnish the required detach-
ments Of militia towards the defence of the
maritime frontier.
The refusal was founded on novel and
unfortunate exposition OF the provisions of
the constitution relating to the mililia.-The
spondencics will be before you, contain
the REQUISITE information on the subject. 1t
is obvious, that if tho authority of the United
States to call into service and command the
militia for the public defence, can be thus
~
and of course under apprehension of invasion
preceding war, they are noe one nation for
the purpose most of all requiring it and
that the public safety may have no other re-
source, than in those large and permanent
military establishments which arc forbidden
by the principles OF our free government and
against the necessity Of which the militia
were meant 10 be a constitutional buwark.
On the coasts, and on tho ocean, the war
has been IS successful as circumstances i'm
scparsbIe from its early stages could promise.
Our public ships and private cruizers. by
their activity, and, where there was occasion,
by their intreridity, have mace the enemy
sensible of the difference between recipro-
city Of captures, and the long confinement of
them to their sidc.-Our trade, with little
exception, has safely reached our ports--hav-
ing been much favored in il by the conrsc
pursued by a squadron OF our fagates, under
the command OF Commodore Rogers And
in the instance, in which skill and braveI:-
were more particularly tried with those of
the enemy, the American flag had an auspic-
ious triumph. The srigate Constitution,
commanded by Capt. Hull, after close and
short engagement, completely disabled and
captured British frigate |; gaining for that
officer and all on board, praise which can
.Rot be too liberally besinwed not merely for
the victory actually achieved, but for thav
prompt and cool exertion of commanding tall
cn,s, which, giving TO courage its highest
character, and to the force applied its full cf-
feet, proved that more could have been done
in 4 contest requiring moro.
Anxious to abridge the evils from which state of
war cannot be exempt, lost no time after it was
declared in conveying to the British government the
terms which its progress might be arrested, with
out awaiting the delays Of formal and final pacf.
cation. And cur charge d'afairs at London nt
the same time, authorized to agree to arInstice
founded upon Them These terms required, that
the orders in council should be repealed they af
fccted the United States, without revival Of block
ades violating acknowledged rules that there should
be an immediate discharge Of American seameh from
British ships; and stop put to improvements from
American ships, with understanding that an
cluson bf the seamen Of each nation from the ships
OF the other should be stipulated and that the
istice should be improved into defnate and COM
prehensive adjustment Of depending controversies.
Although repeal of the orders susceptible of ex-
plantations meeting the views Of this government had
taken place before this pacific advance was COM
muncated to that of Great-sritain, the advance
declined, from an avowcd rcpugnance to suspension
OF the practice OF mprcssTent, during the armsticcs
and withou, any in'ims,ion that The Arrangement
proposed with respect to sesmen would be accept
ed. Whether the subsequent communications from
this government. ahordfng occasion for re-consid
cring the subject OH the part Of Great Britain, will
be viewed in more accomplishing spirit, remains
to be known. 1t would be unwisc to relax our meas
ures, in any respect, On presumption Of such re-
suit.
The documents from the Department Of State,
which relate 10 this subject, will give view also Of
the propositions for armstice, which have been
ceved here. Of them from the authorities at
Halifax and in Canada, the other from the British
government. itself, through admiral Warren and Of
the grounds upon which neither OF them could be
accepted.
Our affairs with France retain the posture which
they held at my last cormunications TO you. Not
withstandng the authorised expectation OF an early
we'll favorable issue to the discussions on cot.
these have been procrnstinated to the latest date
The only intervening occurrence meritirg attention.
Is the promul CATION u French decree, purportng
to be dcinilve repeal of The Berlin and Milan de.
crees This prcceed'ng, although made the ground