The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-11-16


Mr.. President,
From the indefinite tenor of these resolu.
tions and their preamble, did expect that
some one who was friendly TO them, would
have been good enough TO point out their OBJ
jecs. This had right to expect from their
candor and liberaliiy, but in this have been
disappointed and unwell as am, feel lit
tie inclination or encouragement TO detain the
ena,e long in this debate.
II was hoped that atthis extraordinary ses-
ion, summoned, as il is said, on account of
Extraordinary dangers, little would have tran
spired to excite the spirit of party. For my
elf sir, was disposed to dispense with par
I, y feelings, aud unite my exertions with those
of the majority in resisting and expeilipg the
common enemy. In time of danger,we might
well suspend our domestic quarrels, 10 be re-
sumed, If we chose, in times OF tranquility.
But though in this expectation have been
disappointed, am not surprized. During
the shprt period have had the honor of
seat in the Legislature Of Massachusetts, !
have learnt to be surprized at nothing, how
ever extraordinary and confess look upon
this Report of your Committee with great
composu. e,and do not believe that the dangers
which it seems to threaten US, will ever be
realized. Yet, sir, lest should be too con-
fideni, 1t is my duty to resist it, ] deem il,
10 be sure, fraught with perncious principles
and in,olerable heresies. That the conslitu-
tion of the United States has totally failed to
secure TO the people those rights and bepehts
which were the objects of its promotion, is
strong assertion. That a radical reform, or
new Constitution is necessary, is singular
and extraordinary. That at this time any in.
novations should have been projected, is
subject of extreme regret The spirit of
party had subsidized. All were becoming in
dgnan, against the enemy, and were deter
mined to resist him. But certain leaders of
party no doubt became alarmed at these symp-
toms, and the summoning the Legislature at
this time, became necessary. Gentlemen
were probably alarmed lest a union in support
of the war, would operate as a destruction Of
their party and surely, sir, the course taken
In the preamble, is well calculated to guard
against the danger.
You begin with the old story Of the injus-
tice of the war :--This position of yours has
been hundred times rcfuted, and vet you
persist. have neither yis.~, nvr strength, nor
inclination to travel again over this ground. If
our cause is unjust nssv, It was much more
40 al the commencement of the Revolution.
We, then, concluded that we ought not TO be
taxed without our consent. That the tax on
tea was trifling, and that we ought to pay
something, Sye admitted but We claimed 10
be heard in assessing it. The right of Great
Britain to her owL men, we admit but we
claim some right in deciding who are her
men, and .pho are ours. In the former case
Great. Britain undertook to take or PROPERTY,
without consulting US in the latter, our cifi-
zens The outrages which Great Britain has
committed on our commerce, are such as
gentlemen, now opposed to us, have thought
in,olerable. l could quote the opinions OF
those gentlemen at different times, we're
not afraid Of tiring your patience. One In
stance must at present suffice. hold in my
hand memorial of committee of the mer-
chants Of Boston to Congress, preferred in
the winter Of 1865, signed by Mr.. Floyd,
now one of our Council, Mr.. Perkins, now
INC mber of this Senate, and several other re-
spectacle merchants of Boston, in which the
me t outrageous pretences, principles and
practices, against tho American commerce,
are ably and faithfully exposed.-C Here Mr..
Holmes read several parts of the memorial. I
Are these complaints jus: Is this intoT-
ference with neutral trade consistent with
neutral rights And from that period to the
declaration of war, have not these outrages
increased But, sir, hold that however tri.
fling the cause Of the war III its eommenee-
menf, additional and ample causes may arise
In its Progress, and such as would justify its
prosecution, even aftcr the original cause had
failed. Turn your attention to the intolefa-
: Bile and unprecedented basbarities of the Brit.
ish, and say, are not these fresh causes of
war 9sThe shocking barbarities At Havre de
Grace and Hampton, the wanton destruction
of monuments Of science and taste at Wash.
ing.on, the robbery at Alexandra, the bru-
taIities at Penobsees, and tho extortion and
pillagc at Cafe Cod, arc rot these acts which
demand our vengeance but, sir, i consider
these as triHes, comparable to the employment
Of the savages. The moment you engage
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