The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-06-03
Az 4 O'Clock this day, the President of the
United States transmitted 10 both Houses
Of Congress the foiIo wing
MESS SAGE /:
Fsils,e citizen. Of he ser4lis, and !.

session of tCongr grcss, an offer was formally
communicated from his Imperial Majesty,
the Emperor ofsRussia, of Shiy mediation, as
the common friend of the United States and
| Great Britain, for tho purpose of facilitating
peace between them. The high character
of the Emperor Alexander being . sa.isfacto-
ry pledge for tho sincerity and inPartialiiy oi
his offer, il was Immediately accepted and
a. a further proof OF ths disposiush on the
part of tho United States TO meet their ad-
yersary in honoralSe experiments for terrnio-
aling the war, il was determined 10 avoid in
/ teruedisto delay, ctdent to the distance OF
the parties, by deiaitiye provision tor the
contemplated ne x gociuiisn; Three OF our EN-.
inent citizens were accordingly commissions,
cd with the requisite powers 10 conclude a
treaty OF peace, with persous cloaihcd with
like powers on the part OF Great Britain.
They are authorised also 10 enler into such
conventional regulations Of the commerce bc.
tween the two countries, as may be mutually
advantageous. The two Envoys who were
in the United States at the timo Of their ap-
Poin,mehb have proceeded 10 joi1 their cot
league already at ST. PetersSurgh. The I'm,
yoys have received another commission al.
tho,izing then, to conclude with Russia
en- the amicab!e relations, and improve the
beneficial intercourse between tie two couu-
tries The issue of this friendly interposition
Of the Russian Emperor, and this pacific
manifestation on the part Of the United States,
time only can dccidc.--That the sentiments
Of Great Britain towards that Sovereign will
have produced an acceptance of his proHercd
mediation, must be presumeds That no ade.
qvatc motives exist TO prefer continuance
of war with the United States, TO the terms
| on which they are willing TO close II, is GER
tain. The British cabinet also must be SEN
sble that with respect to the Important ques-
ton OF impressncnt, on which the'wsr so es-
tssnsiaiiy tusns, q search for, or seizure OF
British persons or property on board neutral
vessels OH the high ssss, il not belgerent
right derived from the law of nations aod
IL is obvious, that no visit or search, or use
of force FOR any purpose, ON board the yes.
sells Of one independent power 90 the high
seas, can in war Cr peace be sanctioned BY
the lava or authority Of another power. Ills
| equally obvious that for the purpose of pre-.
serving to each state its seafarinE members,
| by excluding them from the vessels Of the
| other, the mode heretofore proposed by the
| United States, and now enacted by then, as
an article of municipal policy, cannot for 4
| Eomcnt be compared with the mode practs!
| ed by Great Britain, without conviction OF
| Its title TO preference inasmuch as the hat
| ter leaves the discrimination between the
mariners Of the two nations, 20 officers expo.
sed by unavoidable bias, as well by defect
OF evidence, to wrong, decision under cir-
sums,ances precludiug, For the most par,,thc
enforcement of controiing penalties, and
where wrong decision, besides the irrepar.
| able violation OF the sacred rights of persons,
might Illustrate tho plans aud profits Of entire
| voyages whereas the mode assumed by the
United States guards with studied fairuess
and efficacy against errors in such cases, aud
avoids the effect Of casual errors on the safe.
" OF navigation, and the success OF me rcapI
| tile expeditions. II the rcasonahleness Of
| expectations, dawn from these considcra-
| tions could guarantee their ful6lment, n Just
| peace could not bs dis,ant.-.But il becomes
the wisdom, OF the National Legislature, to
keep ID mind the true policy, or rather the
indispensable obligation Of adapting is ues-
sures TO the supposi,ion, that the only course
to that happy event ID in the vigorous en-
ployment Of the resources Of war. And PAIN
ful as the refectiOn is, this duty is psrticoar.
ly enforced by the spirit and msnncr,iu which
the war continues to be waged BY the enemy,
who, urinnuenced by the unvariea examples
Of humanity set them, are adding to the cav.
age fury oft on one frontier, syssem ofplun-
der and conAagration on the other, equally
forbidden by respect Cor national eharac.
ter, and by tho established rules Of civilized
warefaro. A1s yst &
AS IN encouragement to persevering and
invigorsted cxer,ions 10 bring the contest to
happy result, have the ssisfaciion Of be-
ing able TO appeal 60 the suspicious progress
Of our arms, both BY land and on the water.
In continuation Of the brilliant achievements
Of our infant navy, signal triumph has Secn
gained by Capt. Lawrence and his compan-
ions in the Hornet sloop Of war, which de-
Mroyed British sloop Of war with a celebrity
90 une xamplcd, and with slaugrer Of the en-