The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1818-02-11
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tor your paper, she'll premise them Win
the acknowledgement thai, from eypeiisnec
OF Increasing years, fnd my recon, .,iot
more perfec, as regaods transactions during
the period Of youth, ibon | do the e,eo,s
which occur in my decline OF iilt--beise far
sdvanced in years. And as 10 my con,muni.
Gallon, can declare 10 you, 10 the sin plici.
of uu'h. no other motive Dtuates ne but
unleigned regard for my county and j, ; well
tare. Such feelings shall with pride hone
to cherish iii the pulsa,i,n Of life ceases tn
glow. Do not ascribe il 10 arrogance, vb.,,
l Soy, tha, III those days OF ac,iy-,y, a. bieb
with me, are pasf--,bat as q hrit,iuy, ,ioy
my Judg gment relatia. TO The sffairs ot Jut., ia.
tanl navy ara the laud service, msy have bee "A
juAly appreciated ty those woribies. who
were associated together TO Consul, fot he
general good Of the county which cave ~.
biuh. Thus dvcsted oil .insler views. The
path WIS easy, as lar as cur moderate means
would admit, 10 pursue tina, policy uhio
leads to tue National dignity.
You must, know, sit, thar having Of ls,e
heard many judiclous observations reIs live
70 the eslabllshnent.of Navst Depot, &c
In ibe waters Of Narraganset Bay, exhibiting
Irresistible conviction of the incalcuiabIr
advantages that would result, in national
poini oi view, II the coote m plated plan Ia
cat'Ied ibtd effect, has brought 10 my rec ollec.
tioa an occurrence, l cannot but CON
sider as highly impor ant in its bearings on
lois great queslioD, about 10 be decide d |
Ana iegtet excecding. ,aat l cannot, q, the
present moment, put my hand ca 50 vaiuAbio
document. As i -feler.to. However,, fee
myself happy In recolec,ing, correctly, i,s
substance, which is as follows:
a, the close Of the revolutionary war, ,bo
French Minister, man oil emiaent talents
and qusliiaed, from mis- extensive knua lrGls
Of military tactics, glauced his pcnc,,a,ir z
eye over this section Cf our County, and DC
held with sdmiraiion the many natural I'd I
advahiages which the beautiful hs,bor
Newport abdiIs surrounding shores OF No
'agauset Bay presented. His capacious n,bt
tadily comprehendec and portrayed the brn
sht which wtuid result 10 The king, lis liz
eI, and TO his nation, from the occ upssiou u |
situation like Newpor, and its epvirons &c I
he purpose oi establishing a Naval iendez
yous for the aeets Cl ~ ancc. Tbs favcu III
idea being sanctioned by his csbirct Of ex
reiiencee e!liceIs--DoD OF profound crud
ton and scientific knowledge, (or il must b
admitted that the officers oi the French Nav
AT that period, where many of them OF hig
standing as professional Chafaeters,) mad
jealous over,ures to Gen. Washington 70
its session and gevc, al sharp letters pnsse
between them on the subject. But ,ha, i'm
mortslizcd patfio,, aware Of the ecnseQuen n
ces, which would flow from the adoption
such measure, was decidedly opposed 70
| as altogether inadmissibie.
Now, sir, let us connect this fort Of IN !
French nation to ooteln possession of New
port and IT'S waters Tor ihe purpose OF es,at
fishing Naval Depot, Ssc. with the icria l.
OF AdmItai Lord Howe, mace after c,ilict
eXaninalioD Of our waters. The British Atl
miral Observes" never saw . situation, { |
all accounts equal TO tit is sufficien, 10 az
c"mmoda'e he whole Il i,ith Navy, in safe
~ has'rg excellent anchorage--snd if III
ehcls succeed in gaining their iudepcnde nc
this place VIII ultimately be the SPIT, lIsa
OF America, for lia accommoda,ipn oi the
ne'y LIS definitely superior to tho Spi
Heed of O.d EoeIsnd." IS Q
Then lie, Us bring into view ibe recent d
pin'on OF some OF our most disting uished Pre-
ts.sioDal cbaractets--a Swilt--a M'Ros-a
Evans---and periy--,hough las, yet not ih
least in the estiaalion Of his eonnti ymen.
sey, taking into view this volume Of ,ed
nmonY in favor OF 'ho waters Of Ns,rae anst
Bay Tor the establishne ut Of Naval Depo
beg lesve 10 ask ii il can be possible for
as nation 10 dcvia,e so far from the real ir
'erest Of our country to pe9ect the 'epor
OF The above Commissioners, who have sur
veycd the coast. FRANKLIN.
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