The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1816-05-22
GDisreiIanp.
From the Western Herald.
SKETCH OF MR.. CLAY'S Spec

in Congress, on Monday Goth January, on
the subject Of the ways and means, has been
handed to us by friend ; aud not having
seen il reported in any of the papers, we are
induced TO give il to our readers. Mr.. Clay
being one of the negociators Of the British
treaty of peace, had the best means OF lusti-
flying his signature 10 an instrument which
secured our best interest, preserved the in-
tegrity and territory. OF the union, and gave
US peace 80.
Nj. Clay observed, that in respect to the
reduction of the army, he was decidedly a.
ganst reducing it TO less than ten thousand
men. In 1902, in Mr.. Jefferson's admins
tralion, The army was reduced TO 1000 men,
afterwards under the same administration
6Ooo more were added TO the peace establish
ment to cover the several posts on the from
tiers. He noticed the particular situation of
Europe--that the legitimate sovereigns or
despots OF Europe had combined TO destroy
self government and that the baltic of Wa.
terioo had decided the fate OF the liberty Of
Europe. Respecting measures Of defence and
a peace establishing, if be had the care Of
our national affairs, he would have fifteen
thousand men 10 guard our frontiers--he
would have steam batteries at New Orleans,
at New.Y York, at Baltimore, and at Boston, TO
our coast and be ready to meet the enemy
at all points. An allusion had been made TO
the late demands Of the Spanish minister
he considered them frivolous the territory
IN dispute had been fairly purchased and
ceded 10 US, and finally acceded 10 by the
Spanish authorilies and as to the govern.
uient Interfering win individuals embarkipg
in South America, he would be frank and
explicit on that subject. If he had the di-
recton of the affairs OF this nation he would
enforce the cause of the republicans on the
Spanish Main. Ii was our interest to do so
it was our duty and it would be sound ma
tionsl policy, for self preservation, form
bond of union with them, 10 resist the legit-
innate claims of the despots of europe on
our rights and our national sovereignty
The allied sovereigns might as well, and
probably will, extend their Legitimate claims,
here. On the subject Of the treaty, Mr.. Clay
observed that The commissioners had not sur
rendered an inch of territory. Respecting
the islands in Passamquaddy, one Of them
was in possession of the British forces which
we claimed ; and the other in our possession,
which they claimed and both subject to ad-
justmeni by the provisions OF the treaty, and
10 be given up to either party, as the justice
OF the ease required. Bnt j, will be observed
that the treaty on that subject was prospec-
tive the islands were TO femain in the pos
session OF the captors at the time Of he rat.
ihcation of the treaty in Americs--and the
reason tho commi ssioners contended for
prospective operation on tba, part of trea-
" was, that they did expect that the great
and powerful state of Massachusetts,, so high
extolled during the revolutionary contest,
would nave been reused TO sense OF duty,
and would have driven the enemy from them,
that the national government would.
Blu, in both these expectations they were
disappointed.
Respecting the hsheries--it is true no
provision was made for future privileges for
our fishing craft TO dry their fsh on the Brit.
ish shores-but ii Will also be remembered
tina, in the presen, treaty the British have
been refused the privileges in the Mississlp
pi which were granted to them by treaty in
l7s2 There could be no comparison 10
these important privileges for his part he
never would put his hand to treaty giving
the British any privileges in the Mississippi,
a majestic river that is destined to become
the greatest source of wealth to the union
and, with the improvement OF steam boat
navigation, is destined TO make New Orleans
the great emporium Of western commerce
He would ever contend that the British
should have no more right TO navigate the
Mississippi than the Potomac or any other
Of our navigable rivers and he never would
put snch privilege 10 competition with
the right to dry fish on the British shores Of
Newfoundland. Gentlemen had triumphant.
ly asked, what have we gained by the war
He would answec them--we had gained
nanoaa! giOry--our navy was victorious a
gaiost the boastcd ships of England-our
toops-our independence was placed by
the war on more solid founda,ion--our
character as people stand higher with for
sign nations. This was what he called na-