The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-09-14
By YIHEf'RESiDENI or THE UATTE6
tEi7bS or .dlhERICA.
A pRoCLAnATIoN.

L
| have succeeded IN invading the capital OF tho
nation, defended a, The moment by troops
less numerous than their own, and almost
entirely of the militia during their posses.
sion of which, though for single day onlys
they wanlonly destroyed the public ed6cess
having no relation IN their structure to ope.
ra,ions OF wsr, nor used al the time for mifs
itary annoyance some OF these edjfccs
being also costly monuments OF taste and OF
the arts, and others depositories of the pubs
lic archives, NOT only precions to the ns,iors
as the memorials of its origin and its earIy
transact etions but interesting to all nations, az
contributions to tie general stock OF historic
Cal Instructions and political stience
And whereas, advantage has been taker.
OF theloss of fort, more Immediately guars
ding the ncighborng town OF Alexandra, 10
place the town within the range of a naval.
io'ce too long and too much in the habit at
abusing its superiority, wherever il can b6'
applied, TO require as the alternative OF
general conhagration, an undisturbed plume
der OF private property, which has been exSa
euted IN manner peculiarly Distressing "a
The inhabitants who had, ihconsideratclyb
cast themselves OH the justice and genefositt
OF the victor
And whereas, ii now appears by . direct
communication from the British naval coHj
rrander on the American station, to be hiS
avowed purpose TO employ the force under
his direction "IN DESTROYING AND
LAYING WASTE SUCH TOWNS AND
DISTRICTS UPON THE COAST AS
NAY BE FOUND ASSAlLABLE -
adding TO this declaration, the insulting pres
text, that II is in retaliation Tor wan,6n desc
uuc'ion committed by the army of the United
StAres Ia iJppett .annda, wbrn ~ IL no 'iuua
that no d. ,uciio', has been comMi,lcd, w hichs
notwithstanding the multiplied outrages pres
viousy nommitted by the enemy, was unart
tborized, and promptly shown to be so snd
that the Uoi,ed States have been as constan9
in their eDdeavours 10 reclaim the cnemr
from such on,rages, by the contrast OF theih
own example, as they have been ready to tcrA
inmate, on reasonable conditions, The waN
itself:
And whereas, these proceedings and des
claied purposes, which exhibit a deliberate
disregard Of The principles OF humanity, and
the rules Of civilized wa,f fare, and which muse
give TO the exis,irg war a character OF ext tcndS
ed devastation and baibarism, at the very moo
men, Of negotiations for peace, invited BY
the enemy himself, leave no prospect oe
safety TO any thing within the reach Of hia
predatory and incendiaiy operations, but
IN a manly and universal determination td
chas,se and cxpel the invader
Eoy, therefore, /, James Madison, Press
ident OF the u. States, do issue this my Pros
cIanstlon, exhor,ing all the good people
thereof, 20 unite their hearts and hands in
giving effect TO the ample means possessed
for the purpose. enjoio il on all of6cerss
civil and ,ni,aiy,,o exer, the IN elves in execus
ling the duties with which they are respectiyes
y charged. And more especially, Il require tho
officers commanding the respective military
dstrlc,s,,o be vigilanl and ale,tiD providing for
The defence thereof for the more effectual ace
com piisbment OF which, they are authorized I'd
call 10 the defence Of exposed and threatened
places portions of the militia most ConvcDiene
there's o, whether they be or be not parts OF the
quotas de,sched for the service Of the United
States under acquisitions OF the general govS
eminent:
On an occasion which appeals SO forcibly
TO The proud feelings and patriotic deyotion
of the American people, none VIII forsee
what they owesto themselves What tEey
owe 10 their country and the high des,inies
which await II what TO the glory acquired
ny their fathers, in establishing The iDdcpen|
denee winch is DOW TO he maintained by theis
sons, with the augmented srepgh and rec
sources With which time rid Heaven hays
blessed them.
In testimony whereof. I have hereun'o set
ny bard and caused the seal Of the Uni.
ted States to be affixed 10 the these press
eUt3.
Done o, the City OF Washington, the firse
day OF fSep,ember, 10 the year OF our Lorf
one thousand eight undred and iou'teee
and Of the Independents OF the Unise0
States inc thirty y-rin'h.
JAMES MADISON
BY the President.