The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-12-15

might essens, and rely on the appreciation and
ratification oI their government. They would
also, for the purpose of securing the duration
OF peace, and 10 prevent collisions which
might Interrupt, il, propose stipulation which
should preclude tho Subjects or citiacns OF
each nation, respectively from trading with
the Indians residing in the territory of the
other. But TO surrender both the rights OF
sovereignty aud of soil over nearly one-thild
of the territorial dominions OF the y. States
to a number of Indians not exceeding twenty
thousand, the undersigned are SO far from be-
ing instructed or aul lhorized, that they assure
the Brnish commissioners that any arrange-
ment for that purpose would be instantaneous.
y rejected by their gosereraent.
Not only has this extraordinary demand
bseh made sine qua non, to DC admitted
without discussion, aud as a preliminary basis;
bot it is accompanied by others equally mad.
missiblo, which the British pienipo,entiaries
state TO be so connected with II, that they may
reasonably influence the decision OF the UNDER
signed upon il, yet leaving them uninlormed
how far these other demands may also be
insisted on as indispensable conditions OF
peace.
AS lil.!e are tie undersigned instructed or
empowered TO acccde 10 the propositions OF
tic British government, in relation 10 the
military occupation of the western lakes. IL
they have found the proposed interference Of
e. Britain in the concerns Vi Indians residing
within the y. States utterly incompatible with
any established maxim Of r1blic law, they arc
no less at a loss TO discover by what rule oil
perfect reciprocity the U. States can be re.
quired 10 renounce their equal right OF main
tanning a naval force upon those lakes, and OF
forliiying their own shores, while G. Britain
| reserves exclusively the corresponding rights
20 herself. That IN point Ct military prcpara-
lion, G. B. in her possessions in North Amcri-
ca, ever has been ia a condition 10 be termed,
with proprieiy, the weaker power, in corhpari-
son with the y. States, the Undersigned be-
licvc 10 be incorr in point oi fact. In re.
gard to the fortiiicalion OF the shores, and TO
the forces actually kept on icot upon those
frontiers, they Believe the superiority TO have
always been on the side ot &. Is. Ii the pro.
.posai TO disman,lc the forts upon her shores,
strike forever her military flag upon her lakes,
and lay her whole frontier defenceless in the
presence of her armed and fortified ncig ghbor,
had proceeded, not fromG Britain, to the y.
States, but from the y. States tc g. Britain,
the undcrsigncd may safely sppeal 10 the bo.
SONS OF H. Is. Maesty's plenipotcntiaries
Tor the feelings with which, not only in regard
10 the interests, bat the honor Of their nation,
they would have received such proposal.
What would q. Britain herself say, ii, in re-
lation to another frontier, where she has the
acknowledged superiority OF strength, 1t were
proposed that she should DC reduced 10 con.
diion even OF equality with the U. States
The Undersigned further perceive that un-
der the alledgcd purpose Of opening direct
communication between Two Of The British
provinces in America, the British govern
mcnt require ce,sion of territory forming
part vi one Of the states of the American
union, and that they propose, without pur-
pose specifically alledgcd, 10 draw the boun-
dary Iinc westward, not from the Lake OF the
Woods, as il now is, bot from Like Supcri.
or.--lt must be perfectly itnma:erial 10 The
U. States, whether tho object of the Bsi,ish
governments, in demanding the dismember-
mcnt of tho United States, is 10 acquire ter.
rilory, as such, or for purposes less liable. in
the eyes ST the world, TO be asc,ibed TO the
desire Of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. Whatever Tie
motive may be, and wills whatcser consistency
views OF Conquest may be detained, while
demanding Tor herself, or Tor the Indiana,
cession OF territory more extensive than the
whole Island of Great Britain, lbe duty mar
ked out for the undersigned is the same.
They have no authority TO ccdc any part OF
the territory OF the United States, and 10 no
stipulation to that effect ~iIl they subscribe.
The conditions PROPOSED by Great Britain
have no relation 10 the subsisliog differences
between the two countries they are incoc-
sis,ent with acknowledged principles of pub
lie law they are founded neither ON recipro-
city nor any Of the usual bases Of negotiation
neither on shat of the Vii possidctis, or oi
status ante bcllum they would in'lict the
mos, vital injury ON the United States, by
arres,ing their natu,aI growth and increase oi
population, and by leaving their northern aud
western frontier equally exposed 10 British
invasion and to Indian aggression they are,
above all, dIshonorable 10 the y. States, ~
demanding from them to abandon territory
snd portion Of their citIzcns, 10 admit a Tor.