Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-05-12
HON. RUFUS KING.
IcONCLUDED.1


ton for the State Of New-York, ard although
he was then wen advanced in life, and had be-
gan TO feel the in6rmities Of old age, and the
approach Of that disease which lin ally caxried
him to the grave, he was dstn suished in the
body TO which he bad been elected. by that
firmness Of purpose, and acton which were
the ruling characteristics cf bis life, and which
gave him prc-eminent rank ia the ckcIes Of
statesmen and philosophers.
He had now determined = spend the re-
mainder of his days in the bosom of his family;
but his countrymen, as if unwilling 10 be de-
prived Of his services, onre more called upon
him to minge in the political affairs Of the
world; and when Mr.. Adams was about form
ing his administration, he called upon Mr..
King TO undertake the important duties of
Minister at the Court of ST. james; and, as If
willing TO spend the last moment Of his days
in the service of his country. he accepted the
invitation, aud soon after e,.barkcd for Eng
land. On his passage TO that country, he was
visited with relapse of illness, and OH his ar
rival, was but lily calculated to attend to the
labours which had been assigned him, though
whilst he remained there, lac gave full satisfac-
ton to those he represented. But finding that
his health was gradually declining. and that
there was every prospect of his soon being
called upon 10 descend TO the " city of the
dead" he asked leave to retire, which was
NJ h. - g Al.
his nativity, to mingle his ashes with those Of
his ancestors.
The appointment of Mr.. King, although i,
was generally considered judicious act on the
part Of Mr.. Adams, did not meet the views OF
the opposite party; and hence, they poured up
on him all the vengeance and malignity they
could muster, and strove TO embitter his old
age, and TO strcw thorns on his dying pillow.
But conscious that he had lived for his coun-
try, and that he had ever acted in accordance
with the convictions Of his consciencs, lie re-
gardcd net the maliccof his enemies, and smil-
cd at their iro.
Ia tnnes Of violent political excitement NJ
King was warmly attached 10 the interests OF
the federal party; was considered one of its
leaders, and wluls, thus situated, ho sometimes
assumed positions which were not cosrcctIy
measured and calculated; and whilst private
friendship would throw mantle over his fo:-
blcs, and remember nothing but his virtues, the
admirers Of the great statesman and diploma
tist, cannot but lament, tha; lie rcfusodto give
to the prosecuted Irish, at the time of the die
fculteS in Ireland, passport TO find an asy-
lum in America. HIS conduct in this instance.
was undoubtedly based upon proper designs,
but it must be admitted, that 1t appeared to be
governed by false political motives, conceived
by an attachment 10 a political party, and his
par,iality for Nation, grown naughty with
success, and whose ministers had gained too
much influence in this country.--Irishmcn, and
the friends of Irishmcn, never would forgive
him, and up to tho last hour of his life, he was
reproached and charged with having violated
the rights OF humanity, and the attributes OF
philanthropy
In justification of his conduct towards the
prosecuted Irish, Making urged, that the gov
crnmcnt, at his instance, had refused TO suffer
any Irish emigrants to land in the United
States, without his consent, and that he was
from policy, opposed TO the emigration Of Irish
men to the United States. He further stated
that his objections were based upon the well
known fact, that since the French revolution.
the principles OF Robcspiere and his associates.
had been diligently cultivated in this country.
by French cmssarcs and agents, and that the
people were growing restivc under the salutary
restraints imposed upon them for the protection
of their liberties And that, as the Iiish, the
moment they arrived in Americn, were fred
from bondage, and were generally INDECENT and
illiterate. were not prepared for the enjoyment
Of liberty, and were inclined TO Join the ranks
of the French agents, who were striving 10 dis
order and disorganize the country. Under
these considerations. and they might have been
correct, he refused to grant passports to many
lrshmcn. who, because they struggled for that
liberty which is the birthright of ali men, were
not permitted to escape the fury of the blood
hounds that pursued them, and were doomed
to the igaom'ny of the gallows. Among those
who fell marty rs TO the cause. was the elequent
and p'tro'ic Emmett, whose fate has excited
the synp,thy of,i world, and whose gcnins
and ieirnmg nave Lcen equally honoured and
admired
IL n..f- Al