The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1820-03-01
Congress.
A1UsR OF REPRESENTATIVES..
Tuesday, February %.
AFFAIRS WITH sPAIN.

'iF. Nicd, Was adopted, with an amend
ment, requesting the President to furnish
the House with such communications as
ne may have received, either of public
or private nature. touching the Florida
treaty, which may not have been hereto
tore made public, and which, in his 'opio-
ion, it may not be inconsistent with the
public interest to communicate.
COMMODORE PERRY.
Mr.. Lowndes. offered the following re-
solution, for consideration
PesolOed, That the committee on ma
val affairs be Instructed to inquire into
sthe expediency of extending to the Wild
0w Of Capt. Oliver II. Perry the provis-
ion which is now made by law for the
widows and children Of naval officers who
die from wounds received in action.
MIR. l.. observed, that it was conceiv-
ed that the family Of Com. Perry was
embraced by the existing laws which
provide tor pensions, as it was not to be
supposed the generosity or magnanimity
OF Congress did not intend to uompre-
hend such case; but as this appeared
to be doubted, he had deemed il proper
10 propose the enquiry which he had sub
mittcd.
The resolution was adopted nem. con.
Mr.. Randolph rose to offer motion.
He believed it would be very difficult
for any member of this House--certain-
ly it was not possible for him---io keep
pace with the honorable gentleman from
South. Carolina, (Mr. Lownde., in the
race Of honor and public utility. That
gentleman had, by the motion which had
just been adopted, anticipated him, III
part, in a proposition, which he (Mr. II }
had intended OH this particular day, for
reasons which would suggest themselves
to the mind of every one, to offer to the
House. When he had this morning
heard the tower guns announcing the re-
turn OF the birth day Of Washington,
Mr.. r. said the thought bad CONE across
his mind that, if this question was put to
those who have honor in their mouths
and money in their pockets, it would be
curious to see how ii would be received.
His purpose was, Mr.. Il. stated, to
make a motion in relation to the wife and
children of Oliver II. Perry. twas his
opinion, Mr.. Il. said. whether correct or
not, that the country owed more to unt
man, in its late contest with Grca, Britain,
than to any other whatever, with the ex-
ception OF Isaac Hull-that man who had
first broken the steel plate, the curia, of
British invincibility. He had frequently,
Mr.. r. said, heard persons Of that coun.
try speak in terms of admiration of The
achievement of Capt. Hull, in his escape
from fleet of the enemy, in the Consut-
ution irigate-of the admirable seaman
ship which he had displayed-of hrs pro-
fessional skill; but he had never heard
any Of them speak with satisfaction of his
achievement with the Guerriere, which
had carried her name, in defiance, embla-
zoned in large letters on her sails. This
was an event on which they were gener-
ally silent. Mr., Il. believed that old
England would consent that forty Pack.
enhams, with all their legions. should
have been buried in the allivial lands of
the Mississippi, to take back the single
action of the Guerrierc; because that ac-
ton had done more than any thing else
to open the eyes of Europe. 1t was not
inferior in lustre to any event ia her his
tory, except only Of La Hogue, under
Admiral Russell. Next in glory to the
victory over the Guerrero, was that on
Lake Erie, by the gallant Perry. : One
had shewn us the way to victory With
single ships, the other with fleets. Shall
we, said Mr.. II. suffer his family to melt
up the plate that was given to him by his
countrymen, in compliment to his GAL
lantry, to buy bread ? He would say no
more, but at once offer the following re.
solution
Resoiced, That provision be made by
law for the support Of the family of the
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