The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1815-12-20


III l remember right, MsssAchuse(..
one OF 'nc statcs which, hve or six yearX$ n
'ore the commencement - tho la,e wnr,cd
pisincd iondest OF the injuries which; <t
commerce of this country sustained 81 q,
bands OF Great-Brilain..--Th merchants
Boston, Salem, and The principal mercun,ii
towns In that state forwarded strong ana en-
erge,c memorials TO The president end con
gress' IN which they painted tks Injustice ~
oreat Britain IN glowing colois, aud coaiur
ca government promptly 10 take such sIcp
Us would ehcctuslIy disemba,rass the con,
mcrce' assert the Independence, and surpof
the dignity OF the United States so.en.nl,
| p'edging their lives aud properties in sun,
port OF such measures as mirbt be adon,ea
TO siHdieate the public rights, and rcdresj
the public wrongs. FfN
In consequence Of these aud other men
risls, the senate took the subject into -
serious consideration, and passed resolutinns
IN which they declared the conduct OF the
British government, to be a violation OF thei,.
neutral rights, and an encroac ncnt upo,,
their nstional independence, and directed tho
itssidept 10 demand the restoration Of. tho
properly captured and conde mncd under the
D'itish orders in council, and to cn,cr into
men' on oil The existing differences between
'oe TWO nations, and particularly respecting
tho imprcssment Of Americas scanen, as
may DC consistent with tho honor aud Interest
OF inc onucd States. TO these resolutions,
ana owners 81 similar import, MIR. Picker
'ng' senator from Massschuse,ts, gave his
eo'aia' and uniform assent and was among
'nosc' VINO, at that time, thought Resistance
20 inc nrltish claims TO he the indispensable
uu'y OF The republic. The American gpy-
ernmens, always anxious to protect be rio his
o' i'S citizens, had recourse in the fest place
10 negotiation, next 10 the noI,-ia,porta,ion
OF goods hom Great.Britain, then TO an m.
oafyo. ihe latter measure might have been.
successful, and might have brought on s'rc-
pear OF the british uiters, had IL been pro-
perry enforced But the clan,or of those
VINO, IN the Com enccm~ns Of 1906, had, in
some measure, obliged governments 10 have
recourse TO ths restrictive system, compelled
them TO repeal the embargo in 1909.
The fa.luSc Of Erskins's afrangcm cment, how
ever, soon compelled the ai,n,inislsstion once
moro 60 the adoption Of hostile Measures.
But, while the non intercourse act was in op-
Grafton snd The American government were
sssSSis. u sG obtain redress who. having
: h
jecs OF ridicue TO The, opposition. Je,ah
Quincy, q Representative from Massachuse
and dcclaiming with great violence agains
the measures adopted by the general govern
mcnt, openly dcclafedoD the floor Of Congress,
T" ths, they could not be kicked into war"
The same sentiment was likewise avowcd by
the most Influential members of bis party
and on appeal 10 aims was called upon as
measure less Injurious to this couo,ry, aud
6effcr calculated 10 assert her rights, them
either the embargo or non-inlercoufse ac,s.
Thi, appeal then, was at length made. On
the 18Th June, 1879, Congress- passed an acs
declaring wa. agaros, The united Kingdom ds
Great Britain and ireiaud,and their d,penden-
cics. We'll How did Massachusetts behave
on this occasion DID she exerl herself ii.
order to obtain redress for The injuries of
which she had been complaining for upwards
Of six years Did she con, bu,e TO the sue
cess Of war undertaken 10 secure her last
ing interests Did she make common Cause
with the nation ~ order TO compel the enc NY
10 respect our rights No. In iicuo of re-
decming the pledge which she had given, TO
support the administration II a recourse TO
arms became hecesssry--shc refused the ser.
vice of her militia TO the president, although
required only tor her own defence. She dis
couraged dcnlis,msnls--d -discountcDanccd loans
--cspoused the Cause ot the encmye-coin
tenanccd rebeiiiop--lamcnted our victories,
and rcjoiced at our defcats--permi,ted the
enemy TO tske possession oi her tcfritofy
without opposiiion---csled convention Of
the eastern states ior the express pufpost Of
opposing the general goverumenl--aDd senr
three ot her stase men 10 Washington city TO
Request Mr.. Madison TO resign his authority
into their hands.
As the above is pretty correct description
of the part which MASSACHUSETTS has been
playing for several years past, II will no, DO
difficult 10 appreciate tho amount oil her
claims on the nationsl gratitude. In 1906,
she clsmored loudly for war with Great Bri-
tsin-.in 1909, she ciamored agains, tho en-
barge, aud procured It's rcpeai-Arn 1911 and
IL, she cIamored against the noD.intei icourss