The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-03-04
CONGRESS-.
SENA i'E.
Mr.. .A.vDERSCW'S SPEECH,
CONCLUDED

Mr.. Anderson SAL, he should now offer
some observations upon the number of troops
that ought TO be employed. He said, that the
invasion OF Canada was not now con c plated
for the first ume---it had often been a subject
OF conversation, whenever there had been
any prospect OF war with England. 1t has
been considered as the most convenient mean
upon which wc could make reprisa, and there
by obtain some small reparation for the many
losses and injuries, which have been sustain
cd from tie depredations committed upon the
honour and interests of the nation. Mr.. a.
said, that upon different occasions, he had al
ways given 1t as his opinion, that a descent
upon Canada ought never 10 be attempted
with force Of less than twenty-five thousand
men that such force would make an awful
impres ression---and would In all probability save
many valuable lives as no opposing force,
in the usual state of the country, would be a.
bic 10 meet il in tho field Mr.. A. said, he
repeated, that no EXPRESSION had escaped him,
either. in publick debate, or in private con-
yersation, 10 justify the insinuatiCns made by
the gentle man, that he was unwilling to vote
sufficient force for the invasion OF Canada
On The contrary, he believed that no man
who had seen active military service, and
who had any knowledge Of The situation aud
state of that country, would say ,ba, it would
be prudent or safe, to make descent npon
Canada, with force Of less than twenty-five
thousand men hecuiar circumstanccs mig h,,
however, render il necessary, TO attempt it
wit smaller number, and depend upon i'm
mediate supplies being furnished, 10 sus;aia
Che ycound .ha' might be acquired. MIR A.
). sd, tbe honourabe member hsd intI>oatcd
matt heh haI tnk inl rnu N ilera m tbf.
peculiar situation OF the Unltcd States in re-
1ason to the Flordas, and the other parts Of
the southern and western frontier He said
he was much indebted to the houourable
membet, for evincing so much interest for
those sections Of the uniou--but, Mr. a. said,
he considered those already provided tor, by
the provision made to fill up the regiments
on the establishment, which, when complete,
would amount to ten thousand men--tbis
numbei will be quite competent to all the OBJ
jects suggested by the honourable me mber, and
Il h,d not been contem plated, thar he had
he lrd, 10 remove any of these troops from
the south 10 west--consequently .hc situation
OF those parts Of the union can have no rela-
tion to the number Of men 20 be raised by the
bill under consideration. These troops are
understood To be exclusively for the northern
to be raised. Mr A. said, before he quilted
the subject Of the southern and western from
ties, nc felt himself constrained 10 take no.
ticc 0f sone very extraordinary language,
used by the honourablc member In relation TO
the intcnuons of the tate and present Prcsi-
d,n,,, respecting the city of Orleans, in the
ev nt of war with England. Ii was ex-
ire nelly painful To DOUBT the correctness of
any genteman's statement but this was of
20 sry extraordinary character, that in du.
~ 10 the section of the country nc represent
ed, and from the respect due 20 those dislin-
guished characters, Mr.. A. said he consider
cd aimself bound 20 take notice, in rUtic-
ular manner, or the assertions made by the
honourabic member from Virginia. Mr.. A.
said, the words had ve,y much surprised him,
when he heard them uttered aud Inc had
Immediately written them down. The hon
Durable member had said, that he did knesy,
that in the event of war II was the intention
: of tho late President, TO let ;he EagHsh take
0sieaas wiihom ohifosifion, and leave II TO the
syesicrn neohie to rcfeke i, Themselves and
he did Seheve that it was the intention OF the
present administration To act III the same way.
CMc Giles attempted to explain , but Mr..
A. insisted tnat the words, as no had taken
them down, were correct, for which he APP.
pealcd to the House. Mr.. Giles dcsisted
from making any further attempt a, explana.
ton, and Mr.. A. proceeded II, sir, said
Mr.. A. 1 could believe the late President of
the United States capable OF such an act I; ca.
pable of so deliberate an infringement OF the
letter and spirit Of the constitution, and all
the moral aud pclicaI obligations by wnich
he was bound to his country and to his duty,
l-s,ould not hesitate to say, that all his we'll
earned fame ought to be forever merged In
y. >s,rocious contemplated act. But,
o. 80, knowing, as l do, the motives
- o,'Jo rxnich the late President had
20 70. Nusied with respect to the
zaM1t =, have very solid rea.