The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-03-11


flat to determine whether it was lawful to re-
pei an Injury, he must examine the history os
his life, and sec il he had not been Injured
before Have we lost The moral sense or
have we been so long accustomed to reeeis-
ing injuries, that we have ceased TO know
them that after patient endurance OF ff.
teen years, and after deliberately resorsng 10
war, we are gravely about 10 examine the
chronology Of our wrongs, TO see IL VIC have
the right TO rcsis, l omit the subject of i'm
pressmcnt not but what it was one Of the
lust causes Of war, but because l intend TO
speak Of il in another place. After candid
review Of the past, can any person then main
tain, that America has no JUST cause of war!
Sir, TO my mind it appears impossible.
Shall now examine the second PROPOSE
iioo, {" that il the war was originally just, its
further prosecution is unjust."---On what
ground does this rest 1t is this, that the or
dcrs in council were the cause of the war,
and those orders having ceased. the prosecu-
tion Of the war becomes unjust-Herc again
jrsstiec and erhediency are conioundcd. II
was never mantaincd,th that the ORDERS in coun-
Gil rendered war more just, than many other
outragcs, though they went farther To prove
it's expcdicncy and even necessity. II there
fore follows, that their repeal does not affect
the justice of the war unless accompanied
with compensation for the spolations com.
mittcd under them, and atonemcnt made for
other wrongs. Neither of these, 1t is pre-
tended, has been done except SO far as re-
iates TO the affair Of the Chesapeake, and
which purposely left out OF the catalogue of
grievances. An injury which was just
cause Of war, remains just cause for its
continuance, till atoncment is offered, or till
II is settled by negotiation. But sir, an am
pie justification Of war remains in ihe i'm
pressmcnt Of our seamen. The claim on our
part is not, as has been allcdged, claim to
protect British scamen--it is claim TO pro-
f,tcct American citizens. Nay more, as res
poets the Justice of the continuance of the
war, it Is a claim only, thar they uiH
cease from the practice during the truce, thar
Is may be seen whefher il is hossi6ie TO arrange
IL by negociafion. Is it unjus, TO continue the
war, till this demand is complied with or
does any American wish TO sec his country
prostrated still lower
Having thus far explained my ideas rcla-
tive TO the justice OF the commenc cmen,, and
continuance Of The war, will now proceed
to answer the third objection, namely Tha,
it's inexpedicnt 10 carry il on, because we
pelling him--to wha, barely to JUST
add honorable peace for that is all that VIC
dcmnnd. And have we no means of doing
this Better then TO surrender the charter Of
our independence confess we are incapable
OF sclf-prolcc.ion, and beg his mos, gracious
majesty 10 again take us under his paternal
care. Sdch doctrine, sir, is as unfounded,
ns II is degrading to tho American character.
EA&e have ample means of compelling Great
bin to DO US justice they arc to be found
Erelue Of our commerce in the enter
pFl1V our privatcors in the galautry of
our SHIPS of war, and in the conquest of her
provinces. Our custom Considering her in
The light of merchant or mcc hanic who sup
plies) is OF vital importance 10 Great Britain.
1t is not to be measured by its amount, in
pounds, shillings and pence,s but by the
strength and support she derives from the IN
tcrcourse. For while admit, that q. Britain
does not send half her exports to the United
States, do maintain that the custom of this
country Is OF more importance to her, than
that ot the whole world beside. 1t is with
naton< Hawith an indiyidusl-if he exchange
luxur ~ luxuries, or superfuilics, such |
ss ribb60S r ribbons, which he consumes, |
he adds noIliIUg TO his wealth but il te cx-
change his luxurios, or his RIBBONS, for |
bread, or for such materials as give scope TO |
his industry, he is then benefited and enrich
cd by the interchange. Such Is the situation |
os Great Britain with regard to America. |
She, and her dependencies, receive more OF
provisions, and raw materials, from America,
than toi all other parts Of the world together
Our trade exactly gives eficc, to her INDUS
try, her machinery, aud her capital. And il
isthis, which has, in great degree, ena-
bled her TO make such gigantic efforts in the
awful contest in which she is engaged. Our
priyatecrs, will they have no effect on Great
Britain Will she learn nothing from the
loss OF three or four hundred ships And
will she be inscnsiblc to the efforts OF our
little navy! Can they touch no nerve in whicti
Britons feel Far different are my conclu.
sions, from what l have seen in british pa