The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-08-06

PROMPT PATRIOTISM.

MEMBERS, from Ufy-oHe towns, III TIC iate
county of Hampshire, comprising the coun
ties of Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden
convened at the Courthouse in Northampton
on the goth day of July inst. at Ia o'clock, A.
NJ to counteract the effects OF convention
holden at the same place on the l4th instant
SAMUEL BUFFINeToN, Esq. was unanimous
Iy chosen Moderator, and THOMAS SHEP-
HERD, Secretary of the Convention. The
following report and resolutions, were unani-
mousIy adopted -
Zhc Committee, ahhoiafed by Delegation Of
Rehu6fcan Citizens assembled as Vest
Shyrngfetd on The sch inst. 10 rake INFO
consideration The causes Of the Present gvar
with Great Britain. and the combinations
qchich are beHeped TO erisf 10 diSsoiVe The
tresen. hathy union Of tae STATES, and 10
present the result Of their deliberations, 10 a
Republican Convention 10 be heia at North.
an,tfon on the 2oth inst, from all the tezvns
in Tie former county Of HAMPSHIRE, haUe
attended has service, and beg ieave 10 SUD-
mil fhe following refiort and resolutions
AFTER attentive perusal Of the documents
submitted to Congress by the President of the Unit
ed States, it most clearly appears that both England
and France have, for several years violated the
tral rights, insulted the flag and depredated upon
the lawful commerce of the United States the
high seas. That Great Britain, in addition 10 the
outrages done on the ocean, has committed the most
strocious violences within waters, Impress
ed our seamen, and excited the savages TO ndis-
crimnatc Of the inhabitants OF our frontiers
The government Of the United States, actuated by
sincere disposition TO remain at peace with all the
world, have attempted by negotiation, commenced
and prosecuted in a spirit of amy and mpartiality,
TO settle all differences with both the belliger-
ents. These powers, blind to their true policy, and
regardless of justice, have refused To comply with
our reasonable terms of accommodation France,
infamed by blind rage against England, is resolv-
cd to destroy British commerce and England, gov
erned not only by mortal hatred against France,
but jealous of the prosperity of the American Re
public, is determined to establish for herself
Dopoly of commerce and the dominion of the seas.
That this view of the designs of Gyeat Britain is
rect, need only to advert to the notorious fact,
that while she has been cutting up American
merce by the ROOTS while she has been depriving
OF an adequate market for the great staples of
country, while she has seized our merchantmen and
condemned our property in her prize courts, under
the pretext of realatng her enemy, she has her.
self carried on extensive trade with that enemy
under licenses and forged papers In many instances
the very cargoes of American property, owned and
ireghted by American citizens, after being condemn
cd in England under the Orders in Council, have
been oh.pped to the continent of Europe and sold
tor the benefit Of the captors.
In this way does England rctaliate on her -eneny,
by seeking every corrupt opportunity of trading
with her in the merchandise plundcred from the cit
liens of the United States
10 submit 10 Sucn injustice Whltc We have the
power 30 resist, would be 10 surrender indepen-
Gcnce without a struggle. degree of degradation
90 which the United States are not reduced and by
the permission of the Almighty We trust they
will be. When by the valor of the American peo-
pie, crowned by the blessing of God, the United
States severed from the British yoke they ac
qu'red all the rights aud privileges OF indepen.
dent ntion. After the expulsion of the British from
our shores, those rights and privileges were acknow
edged TO belong Republic by the powers of !
world. q
Among those rights thus guaranteed, those of |
navigating the ocean under tho known laws of ma |
tions, and of protecting the lives, liberty and pro-
pcrty of our citizens in the pursuit Of lawful COM
merce, were always deemed most sacred To vo-
late these by any nation is an act OF war; and to
fuse to make rcparaon for the wrong by the offend
ing party, is just and righteous cause for war
the part of the injured. There is doubt, then, |
that the United States have just cause Of against
England and France but sound policy required |
that we should not be burthcned by war with two |
powerful nations at once-Congress therefore wise
ly selected England as our enemy, she being The |
first and the greatest aggressor.
England by her Orders in Council has given fatal |
stab to the freedom Of commerce, has violated the
laws of nations, and under pretexs the most futile
has exercised the rights of sovereignty over In
the imPressment of sailing under tile ]
protection of the American flag, she has trampled
upon the personal liberty of the citizen, and enter !
ed with ruthless violence the sanctuary of indie
pendence, dragging her victims to slavery and to
uea'n IN employing INC saVages 10 muFuer our poo
pie, fact which is confirmed by the testimony of |
Governor Harrison, and which no doubt wlo |
knows the influence the British have the Indian
tribes she has shewn that she disrcgards those |
anaxisns which ought to govern civilized nations-In
sending secret agent among to plot with tho |
disafiected dismemberment of the Union, she has l
convinced the world that she makes of means to |
accomplish her nefarous purposes, at once the most
atrecious aud most despicable.
With these Just grounds for war, with such pow-
erfui inducements to rally round the ark of our m
dependence and defend it il is matter of aston
ishment to us that any men that claim TO be kmcri.
cans, should be entangled in the tolls Of party SO
lost to themselves, dead to the injuries inflicted
Upon their country 10 deny the insce nf this war al