The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-12-03
From tie .M,o Yorl Herald.


Christian Spectator; we found the follow
ing motion and remarks made by Dr.Frank-
lin, that PRAYERS should be attended every
morning in the National Convention, Of
which he was member for forming con
sti.ution Of Government. We read with
peculiar delight, on more accounts than
one;and wetransfer the records to our col
umns as rejecting niore.declde edlyand hap
PLY UPON Or. Franklin's religious charac-
ter, than does any other act of his life with
which we are acquainted. a. 60"
While the important question Of the re
presentation OF the states in the Senate,
was the subject Of debate, and the states
were almost equally divided upon it, DR..
Franklin moved that prayers should be at
tended in the Convention every morning,
and in support of his motion, thus address
ed the Presidents:
Mr. President-The small progress we
have made after four or five weeks of close
attendance and continual reasonings with
each other, our different sentiments on al.
most every question, several OF the last
producing many noes as 0yeS,ls methlnks,
n melancholy proof of the imperfection
Of the human understanding. We elndeed
seem to feel our own want Of political wis
dom, since we have been running all about
in search of it. We have gone back to nm
cient history for models Of government, and
examined the dIfferent forms of those Re
publes which, having been originally form
ed, with the seeds of their own dissolution.
now no longer exist and we have viewed
modern states all round Europe, but find
none Of their constitutions suitable 10 our
circumstances. In this situation Of this
assembly, groring as it were, in the dark,
to find political truth, and scarce able TO
distinguish it when presented 10 us; how
has il happened, Sir, that we have not hih-
erto once thought Of humbly applying to
thc.Father of Lights, 10 illuminate our un-
derstandings? In the beginning of the
contest with Great Britain, when we were
sensible Of danger, we had daily prayers in
this room for divine protection. Our pray.
ers, sir, were heard, and they were gra.
cousy answered. All Of MS who were en-
gagged III the struggle. must have observed
tre4 instances ofa experimenting Pro-
vdepee in our favor. To that kind Provi-
dence we owe this happy opportunity Of
consulting in peace, onthe mrans Of estab
fishing our future national felicity. And
have now forgotten that powerful friend'
or do we imagine we no longer need It's
assistance? have lived, sir, long time
and the longer live, the more convincing
proofs ! see of this truth, that God governs
an the Affairs of.mea And if sparrow
cannot fall to the ground without his no.
is il probable that an empire can rise
without his aid I? We have been assured,
sir, in the sacred writings, that except the
Lord build house, they labor in vain that
build it," firmly believe this; md also
believe, that without his concurring aid.
we shall succeed in this political building
no better than the builders of Babel; we
shall be divided by,our little partial locol
interests, our projects will be cotounded,
and we ourselves shall become repreach
ond by-word. down to future ages. And
what is verse. mankind may hereafter,
from this unfortunate instance, despair OF
establishing governments by human Wis
dom, and leave it to chance, war or con
quest. i'-s g.. .,
therefore beg lsnve 60 move, that hence |
forth, prayers implorng The assistance OF
Heaven and its blessings on our delibera
tions he held in this assembly every morn
ing before we proceed to business; and that
ono or more Of the clergy of this citybe re
ques,ed 10 ofiiciate in that service. r.;
a a'4. ..f o--- .,. 80. 0, 6. .'
NAVY. In the prosperity and honor OF
the Navy where isthere an American who
is not interested? We observe, however.
n practice, whrh is calculated to be inju
rious IN its consequences, too prevalent IN
this country. We refer to the elimination
ofNaval. officers, and the rejoinders and
appeals Of their friends. Injurious and of
ten nnf0unded charges are circulated tlrU'
the. newspapers, and the friends of tire ac
cused officers retort by charging the accu-
sers with crime or misconduct. In this
manner strife and contention is continually
kept up, and the character Of the Navy e
ventuaIly suffers. There could and should
be remedy Immediately applied to this
evil. Alexandra Gaz.
SAN PATcHe--lt is mentioned IN the
Geneva Chronicle, Of tho 10TH that the
body of Patch was found on the Sunday
after his "last jump" 1t fluated ashore
n few rods below the spot where nc
came in contact with the water. II
was examined by several surgeons, who
reported the rupture of a blood-vessel,
caused by the sudden chill Of the at
mOsphere through which he passed to
the watcr.-Anothcr account says, when
Patch was picked up, both his shoulders
wero found to be disiocated.
The President Of the United States
has. recognized John James Boyd, Esq. as
Vice Consul of His Swedish and Norwe.
gian Majesty, for the Port and Consular
District Of NIew York.
GREAT MoarALITY.-We have seen
II ...z..ol ,,,;,h ,mn oan,Iemen whn