The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1817-07-30

Aacraoic hchgtn Is COPIED into tnat pup nca-
,ion giving the debate 10 the legislature of
Virgins on the motion offered by ir. Hen
~ in the year l775, TO put that colony in a
sraIc Of defence. II Is highly interesting,
and We fear that much Of its interest may be
LOST in the following brief sketch.
The reader will bear 10 mind that the in
s,ruciions given BY the convention Of the
preccdiog year TO their deputies in Congress
nj the same tine that they recire With great
feeling the series Of grievances, give the
explicit sad solemn pledge OF thsir faith and
true allegiance 10 his majesty, and convey
their ardent wishes for a return OF friendly
Intercourse. But Mr.. Henry had long since
read the true character ot the British court,
and he saw no alternative remained for his
country but sbieci submission or heroic re-
sistsnce. 1he body of the convention hssi-
ta,ed and II rcqoired oil tho energies of
Mon,or, Ike Henry, 10 push them from the
prccipice, and conduct the n ever the stormy
sea Of revolution, TO liberty and glory.
The morning of the 73d OF March was
opened by reading petition and memorial
FROM the assembly Of Jamaica, ",o tho kings
rnost excellent najes,y :" whereupon, among
other thingA Il was resolved, "that the as.
senbly be assured that it is tho most ardent
wish of this colony to see q speedy return Of
those halcyon days, when we lived free and
HAPPY ocope." Hero Mr.. Henry rose, and
moved three resolutions. The two hrst re-
lated TO the importance of a wcll regulated
militia aud especially at that time. The
third was as follows; Resoived therefore,
That the colony be immediately put into
state Of defence, and tha,-s--~bc cofnmtte
70 propose pisa Tor the ombodying, arrning
and discipliniog such number OF men, rs
may be sufficient for that purpose.
Grcwt was tho alarm. The shock was
Painful; il was Almost general. Some Of
the warnest patriots Of tho convention
opposed tho resolution, as rash In policy,
ss harsh, ss well nigh impious in point oil
feeling. They urged the late gracious re.
cep,ion Of the congressional petition, BY The
lhrope. They insisted that 6lial respect
'denandcd moro digniRed pn,ionce--thst
the sympsthies Of The parent country wore
npv on our side-~that her manufacturing In
forest o.opors,cd towards our relief--,hat
rae sovereign himself at length locked upon
rs with on eye Of pity. Was this moment,
thoy asked 10 cxlinguish all sympathy And
wus there, any thing TO tempt as TO this
: Whcfc our piitary knowledge, stores, arms,
so!dfts, generals, money Poor uakcd, do.
. fcnc 3.css, shall wS assume tho front OF wal,
aesinsi one Of tho most formidable Of na.
tions! A notion whose pavies ride iriun-
phant in evsry SOU, and whose armies arc al
ways victofiouss Alas, what would be the
issue IL would DC time enough 10 resort to
measures Of de.hoiy, when every we'll found
~cd hohe had vanished.
Tn. spirit of Henry was fitted to raise the
v~,islwiod, ~ we'll % to ride in and dircel'it.
Ill. rose with q majesty unusual to him.
q This," ne said, [" was no time for ecremony.
The question before the House no consider
as no,hing less than a question of libsr,y or
sIavery. Should no keep back his opin-
ions, no should consider himself guilty
Of treason towards his country, and Of M
act Of disloyslty towards tho majesty Of Hcs-
Yen, which he revered before all earthly
kings."
!" Nc. President" said he, "it Il natural
to man to indulge ia tho iliusionsof hope.
We are apt to shot our eyes sgainw painful
uath, and listen TO tho song OF that syrcn,
tii she transforms us into beasts. Was this,
ne askoh. the part Of wise men, engaged in
ercn and arduous struggle for liberty!
Wcto wo divposed TO DO Of the number Of
those who, having eyes, SEQ not, and having
ears, hear not, the things which 50 nearly
cooeern their temporal salvation For his
part, whatever anguish of spirit Il might
cost, no was willing 10 kaow tho whole truth
40 know tho worst, and to provide for IT,"
g lie hud," he said, "but one lamp, by
whicn his feet were guided. and that was
tas lamp Of experience. Ho knew Of no.
way of Judging of the future bot by the past;
De wished to know what there had been. in
the conduct Of the British ministry, for the
last ton yeats, to justify those hopes with
which gentlemen had been pleased TO solace
themselves and tho house. Is IL that insid.
ious smile with which our petition has
been lately reseivedi Trust i, not, sir--.it
will provo snare to your feet. Suffer not
you, selves 10 be betrayed with kiss. Ask
yourselves how this gracious reception Of our
petition comports with those warlike prepar-
a,ions, which cover our waters, and darken
our iands Are fleets and armies necessary
10 a work Of love and reconciliation Have