The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-09-14
Interesting letter from Eastbort.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE BOSTON PATRIOT.

interesting letter from EaSIp0fF.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE BOSTON PATRIOT.
EAsrpoRr, Aug>24, lsl4.-Although |
have not, taken the oath OF allegiance 10 hinS
George, have resided a, this place ever since
as capture, and been an eyewitness TO the
passing scenes. You can Judge, more easily
than can describe, The reflections one must
experience, on seeing the greater proportion
of his ,ownsmcn go forward and take solemn
oath of allegiance 20 the King OF a county at
war wiki his own. But TO aid your Judgment
upon this subject, you are informed, that cir
cuDstances sufficient appeared to warrant a
belief, that some were actuated by choice
some forced by necessity, and some alsnred
by the prospect Of office. The belief that
some exercised free choice, is founded upon
previous and cole enporaneous expressions ol
desire that the English dominion might be
extended over tho place, and cover by IFS au-
thority The inhabitants, and secure within its
control the garrison at Fort Sullivan. That
necessity forced some to the course which
they pursued, is believed from the peuliar
Srcum stances of their affairs, having large
\ families, and no3e but fixed property, then
altogether unsaeable, from which subsistence
for them could not be derived. That some were
aiured by the prospect OF office, Is believed,
not only from the almost unanimous decsra-
sion of the people in Eas,port at the time, but
\ from the confession of a supposed candidate
*himsclf--But you may be assured, that the
English like fidelity as well as any people.
They not only would withhold offices from
men wanting in fidelity TO their own country,
but would in their hearts despise them. |,
has been stated 80 several OF the newspapers,
that two men, who held Offices when this place
was under the United States, nave received
appointments under the crowd. Itis no won
der that such statements, though untrue.
should obtain an extensive circulation, for one
of them has repeatedly said, that he was to hsvo
the Office mentioned. And il was SO current
ly reported here that the other one zvas ap-
pointed. that that three fourths Of the people
of the town believed it for several days--But
no new-made Englishman has received any
appointment whatever, and expectation is
mos, sadly disappointed, inasmuch as the IN
habitants of Eastpor,, are officially informed,
that they are not to enjoy the rights OF British
subjects, bat are to be governed by martial
law for the present. If a man wishes TO be
esteemed and respected by the English Off.
Gers, he must at least satisfy them that he Is
not de6cloat in national attachment. They
certainly reason Justly upon that subject.
They say, that men who profess so much at
tachmenl for foreign country as the fedcr.
al:sts do, mrst be either hypocTilicai or
treacherous. We have specimen OF the
English character here. The officers are
naughty, imperious and overbearing. The
soldiers seryilc and vicious, ignorant and de-
penden,.--T Those who formerly thought the
English officers the exclusive propre,ors OF
honor, and the complete models Of urbanity,
are wounded by their hauteur, and would, if
they dared, be as active in decrying them, as
they have heretofore been In defaning and
s,emp,ng 10 degrade the officers Of their
uyn country. But that liberty auhich they
Aave 80 much abused, is taken from, them. Ii
they have any complaints, they must s0hishe'
them. The authority of the place is not 10
be spoken against. The flag is sacred; the
Sing car do no wrong. Martial law bears
,ule, or rasber there is no law, excepting the
ynm and pleasure of the commanding officer.
'ertiaps Justice receives no more than her
ue 1t is due to her that those people who
av. for several years INDUCED in the most un-
nied ,icenciousness and unbounded abuse,
,oud now be forced into the other extreme.
freely confess, that have received no un-
vii treatment from any officer or soldier.
ated 10 the commanding officer, that should
D, take the oath, and at the same time re.
uested leave to remain six weeks or two
,onths, which was granted. am now about
leave the place, expect forever. The
,arIison here is abou, FIVE hundred strong,
INCREASE OF APPETITE.
IN When the war commenced, the enemy
Ipromised to respect Passport; but they'after-