The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-10-12
Gov. 1'ompkins's Speech.


Gentlemen Of the Ssna,s ana efM .assmIy.
The extreme pressure OF public business
and the peculiar emergencies Of the war IN
which we .aIe engaged, induced me to call
this session Of the Legislature. AT the Close
Of the last session confident expectation pre-
vailed, that existing hosslities would soon be
terminated BY fair and honorable peace. q.
Britain, it il true, had declined the proffessd
msdiatioa Of the Emperor of Russia yet, -
far ~ professions could be relied on, she was
still disposed to restore amicable relations be.
tween the two countsies,upon satisfactory and
mutual terms. Subsequent events, however.
have shown, that such hopes wsre fallacious.
Whether originally insincesc in his profss-
sions, or flushed by tho recent events in Es.
rope and tho vast dsposablo forces they hsvs
left at his command, tho enemy has certainly
assumed tone Of arrogance add spirit Of
increased hostility, totally incompatible with
feelings of reconciliation. The most palps
BILE delays and cvasions have been practised
10 defer aSmecting Of neeociators, while, in
che mean time, large arnsaments have been
despatched TO our coast and powerful! armies
collected on our frontiers, in tho presuupsu.
ous hopo Of overwhelming us in single cam
paigG. a predatory and wanton warfare, dos
titute Of all generous principie and disgrace
cd by pilage aud conAsgration, has boen car
Sied 90 in our bays and rivers; aud tho snemy
has openly avowcd his intention of laying
waste our cities, and Of making common
ruin Of public and private properly.
(, But tSsides tho general csuses of alarm,
our apprchcnsions have been moro immsdi-
atey awakened for our own security, and we
have been called upon to exert all our force
90 protect our own homos from dcsolation.
From the information received end corrcbo-
rated by the movements of the enemy, there
wcro sofficient grounds of belief that cns
great object Of his campaign was TO pcactrato
with his northern army by the waters Of Lake
Champlain and the Hudson, and by simul.
taneous attack with his maritime torcs on N.
York, ,o,form junction which should sever
the communica,ion Of the S,ates. To defeat
this arrogant design, to savo tho State from
inroad, and our cities from destruction, il wee
necessary immediately to exercise fuller pow
crs and moro ample resources than had been
placed in my hands by the Legislature. The
exigcncy Of tho time, while Il subjected the
Executive to great responsibility, admitted Of
no delay. l proceeded therefore to make
such dispositions as wore deemed indspensa.
bic to sccurc the exposed points against me-
naced invasion. To effoct these objects
Found Il hecessary to transcend tho authority
and means vested in Inc by law but I feel
perfectly satisfied that the Legislature will ap-
prove and sanction what have done. In the
mean iime, have requested this sassion for
ths purpose Of deyfsing further measures Of
security and defence, and of clothing some
public officer with the requisite powers 10
carry them into effect A particular delail Of
xhs steps which have been taken ADD Of those
which appear to me essential foe't future
safety Of our frontiers, will form the subject
Of special communication. When we re-
feet that tho present campaign was one in
which tho enemy had threatened TO visit us
with his wrath and to make us feel his power,
vo cannot but cxult that thus Far we have
sustained the shock with 6rmness, and have
even gathered lsorcls with strife. He has, i,
Is true, been able to maraud our seabosrd and
penetrated 10 our Capital, fecbly opposed BY
hasty levy Of und,cipiincd militia, and h..
vsntonly dsmolished cdi6ces and monuments
Of art hitherto held sacred in all hu bsrhari.
o0s warfare. Hut wherever We have me
with him ia fair and open contest the resuil
has been signally honorable to our arms. +,
neries Of brilliant actions, which have She
lustrs upon the Niagara army, has snti,ls4
Sc dissiog gui>hed generals, Brosva, Sceff, Po,.
ser, Gaines and Riniey, and their brave ssso
oistes to the lasting gratitude Of their coun
Try. The gallant deeds Of Porter, Wsrrios
ton and Blaksley have well sustained the
splendid character Of our navy. Atthe inys-
sion Of Baltimore, where the Toe was prompl
y met. ne was hsrassed In MS approach ana
hsd back with heavy loss 10 bic ships. Bul
he late glorious triumph at PIattsburgh, fo,
Iesacsur sf sirqvWsss9se sgd importance Of