The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-02-11

WAfYCNAL LLGAS. 4TDRE.


FRIDAY, Jan. %.
Mr.. Gsosvenor, elected iron New-York,
vice II. lie Roy Livingston, ,esigned,appear-
ed was qualified and took nis scat.
FOREIG.V RELATIONS
Mr.. Gruucy, f'nm the committee OK For
cign Relations, made the following Report
The Committee 10 whom Soas referred so much
Of he Prcs'denFs Message If me an day
Of Nor. tasf,ds relates 10 our F?reigH IGairs,
REPORT--
That IN presenting 10 the House at this
time view of our relations with q. Britain,
ii is deemed unnecessary To recite The causes,
which produced he war. The wrongs which
the United States had received from that
power for long series OF years, had already
been laid before the public, and need not d
gam be enumerated, they were too deeply
felt To have been Forgotten, although they
may bc forgiven by the American people.
The United States have engaged In the war
tor the sole purpose of vindcatng their rights
and honor, that morivc alone should animate
them TO its close. II becomes a free and viz
tuous people 10 give an useful exdmplc TO the
world. II is the duty OF representative gov
ernnent to render faithful account OF its
conduct to lis constituents. A Just sensibii'y
TO great, aud unprovokcd wrongs and indign-
ties will justify an appsal to arms, an honora-
bic reparalion should restore the blessings OF
peace ; every step which they take, should
be guided by sacred regard TO principle.
To form a correct estimate Of the duties
which the United States have to perform, u
IS necessary TO take a view OF the commnni-
cations, which have PASSED between The Ex-
ccutive of the United States and the British
governments since the declaration of war.
Such view, the committee is persuaded,
will shew distinctly the existing ground OF
controversy between the TWO nations, aud the
Indispensable obligation on the United States
to maintain it.
Your committee has seen with much salts
fact. n, that at the moment of the declaration
of war, the attention Of ihe Executive was en-
gagged in an effort 10 bring it 10 speedy md
honorable termination. As early AS the 26lh
Of June last, the Charge des AHairs of the
United States at London was instructed TO
propose to tho British government an armis-
lice, 10 take immediate effect, on conditions
which il is believed the impartial world will
consider safe, honorable and advantageous to
Great Britain. They were few in number
and limited to positive wrongs daily practised.
That the orders in council should be repeal
cd, and that our nag should protect our sea-
men, were the only Indispensable conditions
insisted OH. Other wrongs, however great,
were postponed for am;cabc negotiation. A
an inducement to he British government to
forbear these wrongs, il was proposed to re-
peal the non -mporta,ion law aud to prohibit
tho employment of British sesmen, in the
public and private vessels OF the U. States;
particular care was taken that these proposl-
lions should be made in form AS coociato-
ry, as they were amicablc in substance.
Your committee cannot avoid expressing
their astonshmcnt at the mannor in which II
was received. 1t was not sufficient TO rejec,
the proposed armisticc terms OF pecolia'
rcproach and insul, were adoptedto make the
rejection offensive.
II happened, that almost on the same day,
In which the United States, ate, having bccn
worn out with accumulated wrongs, had re-
sortcd to the las, and only remaining honora-
bic alternative in support of ,hrir rights, the
Brush government had repealed, condition
ally, It's orders in council. That measure
was unexpected, because every application
Tor il had failed, although repeated to the vc-
ry moment il was decided on. Conditional
as the repeal was. Il was admitted to have re-
moved i great obstacle 70 accomuoiinon