The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1815-08-09


The Common Coupci; some time nlnce
voted, that the Freedom Of the City be pre-.
sentcd to Charles Stewart, Esq. oommandcr
Of the irigfu csasr';u'ion' FOR the e'llantry
and eousase displayed by him, his officers and
ercw,in capture oil the British ships Cyane
and Leyaut.
Captain s. being in town. the ceremony of
nrescnlirg the certificate of ci,izonship, &c.
took place yesterday afternoon IN The City
Hall, in the presence Of the Common Codacil
and number Of spectators--when his honor
,he Mayor, (Jacob Radciiff, Esq. delivered the
following address TO captain Sewart.
SIn--!n behalf Of this corporation, have
thc honor to present 10 you the Freedom OF
this Guy, as the testimony of the high opinion
sney entertain OF the gallAn'ry and skill dis
played by YOU, in the .aptoro Of two OF lis
Brirsnnic Msjes,y's shipsoi was, the Cyane
and Levanl.
Oar ciiizans have al oil times felt deep
interest and tho highest grauhcation in tho
prosperity and gio,y OF oul infant navy. Hav-
ing 10 contend, on It's recent trial, with 81
RanIic powt4 on the ocean, boasting OF super
Tor skill and OF tliumphs over all other "a
tions il wss uatutal that 10 The commente-
men OF the con- fesS, some doubs should be
entertained O! the inmedia,e result but the
ds,ins spirit AMI cousumma,e ability display
ed IN Is FIRST etiorU, accompanied with tho
-sost brilliant success, 5000 dispclied those
doubts, and iuspucd couhdeuce which has
been coutrTed aul Increased ~ every stagc
Of its suoseqOent career Not Only has the
honor ofihc Auetican flag been maintained
in every conflict, Ia! the s1hic,ements of our
navy have tr,nsceOdcdthe most sangulne ex-
pectalicns of its iiieDds, sad exalted the n
merican name ana cnAraCter III every part OF
she world. IL has given pledge OF inestI-
mable vaiuc TO its oountry, and proof TO It's
enemies, that the people of these states are as
capable Of vindicaung their rights Oh the
ocean, as they have manifested the power OF
maintaining them on the land. 10 you, sir,
Is siustIy ascribed he honor of hAv,Dg support
ed end elevated this charactcr, aud OF conhrm-
ing this pledge, IN one ot the las, conil,'s OF
the war, in difficult and iryipg situation, con-
tending win q superior force, and under cir
cumstanccs which entitie the victory you OBJ
tanned, TO be classod among The most brilliant
!etes recorded In naval history. Your coun-
trymen are anxious 10 cvincc their gratitude
FOR this oyeut, aud they feel a peculiar pride
70 bestowing their praise on the Off ers ADD
crew Of a fsvoritc ship, which WIS the Fl, st
"a HE late war 10 aquirc distinguished honor
20 the American Gag, and after course of
nnexam pied success, among tho last o sx-
tend and increase its iuatte. l am accord
tngiy instructed TO request, that you prescnt
the thanks Of this board TO the officers aud
crew If he trigalc Constitution, under your
command, ior the heroic manner IN which
they engaged, fought and conquered, on the
occasion SOW refereed 70
REPLY
SIR--l received win a lively sensihiliy,
The h.nclaoie testimony which you have con
fesrcd on me "a bchoii of the Corporation of
the CItY.o Ncw-FOrk; snd must ever bear
in graceful emsmbrlnce, so Distinguished q
max OF their hbcchuY
lp3h, late SonteSt W,th eur sk'l,fl and gil
eanuc cncmY L has pleased DiIns Provi,
dcuce 90 cOabic OGr coUDtry men 10 sustain
wilh GnsuUisl' lGs,ro, ne honor of cur n,e.
40 GU Fellow -ciilzcns we owe our grateful
.eSpuwi dge'psnls f9r the strong Interest
they have taken 10 our iu(sot navy, md for
she iihe 'aihy with Which they have rews,dGd
iH execions. Encouraged by ,hsir soot
opinion, Wc have tsit, 90 all occasions, tba, IL
Sugh nat 70 DC dlsappoinicd II, sir, | have
been peeDiued ,hrovgh the consGenc, OF the
government, aud he sslor Of my ofheess aud
cscw, to contribute any porllon uf sappor, to
che honor of our flag, AID The elevs,ioa Of our
character on the oceao, must ever consider
j, as one oi the happieM eyen,s of my life. IL
will afford me, sir great pleasure, 10 convey
TO tae officers and crew have the honor ,e
Command, the distinguished notice The Cor
pora,ion Of the city OF New York, have been
RIssssd 70 bcsteS ep their esor.s,