The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1820-08-23
To the Freemen of Rhode Island,


AlKNOW LEDGE !, TO be The duty Of
:very publo servant, TO render to his con-
.f ltuenis an account Of the manner in which
No has served them, whenever directly, or
~ any general expression Of pubic opinion,
such an account shall be reqoired. also
acknowledge that my vote on the Missouu
BILL has produced such an expression # pub
ic opiaion, as to render proper sn expiena,
t'on OF the grounds on which ,hat vote wss
ven.--h was my in1eouou to have given
q - explanation ipmedia,ely on my return
'm Washington, but long end severe in.
iisposi.ion has hitherto rendered such OK
3iana,ion impossible, though not the iess de-
susbis on my part, from tho ungenerous and
manly calls OF those, who, knowing that my
Hie.ion rcnde,ed q compliance with their
demands impossible, yet reiterated their
calls.
However unpleasant !, may be to speak Of
ones self, yet du y 20 you as well ss myself
,eRdetsN Necessary on this occasion. that ]
should do IL frankly and without reserve. i
think II proper therefore in the outset, to
protest, against lis be'ng inferred from any
'beg ! may say, that afs ,trfng with The
dignity OF tIeemen, by an unmaaly solici,a.
rlon OF your votes,--I have known you TOO
long, and seen your indie pendence as teemen
too often tried, to SUPPOSE that you would be
influenced by any such solicitations. ! know
also, that candidate who should attempt
such means, instead OF being encouraged by
ycur favorable regards, would be made TO
feel your contempt. Whether ! had been
named candidate or not, the explanation !
am sbcul 10 give would not IN eilhcr case
nave been the less proper, because not the
irss tight on your part OF du,y On mine.
Let il not be inferred from this that ain
insensibe 10 tho honor conferred on me by
that portion OF my fellow citisens by whom
] am recommended to he treemen OF the
State, Tor their sUf,ages al :he ensuing eIee.
ton for Representatives 10 Congress. Mex,
20 the selr appreciation Of conscious rcc,ilude,
| know oi no higher gra,lfcs ion than the ap.
probation oi my fellow. .citlxsns aud which
in my view is magnitio IN proportion 10 their
inteIigenre aud lndcpe ndence. The many
Yeas in which have received the public
expression Of this appropa,ion, cannot be
Supposed to have lesse0cd ito influence on
my mind, OF Iendei cd the continuance OF II
The less desirable ,s.
Before entering on tho discussion OF the
subjeci 10 question, / cannot forbear 10 ex-
press my su pnze that any man, making soy
preiepsons 10 honesty or fair dealing, end a,
oil acquainted with the subject, should have
charged me with being en- edvocate for slave
~. / most Seriously declare, with all the
sincerity OF conscious in,eg ity, that sbhor
slave, as much az any man: Thst have
never Knowingly or Intentionally, di'ec,ly or
indirectly, aided in that cause. For the truth
Of this declaration ! appeal to the whole teo-
or Of my life. challenge tho boldest Of my
sccuse,s 10 shew an instance, either BY an
act done or the expression Of an opinion, in
opposition TO this declaration. On the con-
trary, my crime with many has been The tob
rigid adherence TO the equal rights OF men.
My principles have been dcemed too level.
Gns TO meet the views entertained by most
ol those by whom my principles are now cal
led in qucs,ion.--The slase.rader has
still stronger evidence Of my detesta,ioD Of
his 4 affic an evidence which may result Ia
serious consequences to his personal welfare
mean my vote in favor Of the act passed at
the last session Of Congress, making il fira.
ey to be engaged 10 the slave-trsde. Thus
much thought proper to say Of myself,
with view to remove any uHfsvorable i'm.
pressions which may have been made on the
minds Of any, by defamation without argu-
msn,, and charges unsupported by facts. 10
jus,Ifying my own opinions, protest against
being understood TO eliminate the conduct Of
those from W aich l differed. ! am willing
to believe that they acted according to their
bes, judgment and am as ready to allow to
them purity Of motives, as am 10 claim the
same allowance to myself.
The question which has occssioned this
discussion, mean as il respects myself, is
very simple one, and when stripped OF the
extraneous matter which has been added,
rather 10 embsrrsss than enIighten, Is not
difficult Of decision. A bill was introduced
into the House Of Representatives, aulho'iz
ing the people OF Missouri to form Stale
constitution, and become member OF the
union on so equal footIng with the original
S stes. To this bill an amendment was OF.
Ecsed by ] w Tsylor, making il condition