Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-04-03
G. ongrc nal.
REMARKS OF
HON. ASHER ROBBINS,
In the U. S. SENATE, Saturday, March %, 1884
OF RHODE-I ISLAND.

Mr.. ROBBINS presented two memorials on the
subject of the general distress and pecuniary EN-
barrassments Of the country; one from the town
Of Newport, Rhode-Is Island, and the other from
the inhabitants Of the towns Of Smlhfeld and
Cumberland, in the same State.
In offering these memorials, Mr. ROBBINS ad-
dressed the Senate, as iollows:-
l am charged with. the presentation to
Congress Of two memorials, coming from
the State of Rhode Island; one from the
commercial town Of Newport, on the sea-
board, at the South; the other from the
towns of Smithfield and Cumberland, two
agricultural and manufacturing towns, at
the North limit of the State; and both
upon the now all-engrossing concern OF
this distracted country. Their names are
a sufficient guarantee that their memo
rials speak the words oftru,h and sober
ness. They speak Of the distress which
they are suffering, and of the ruin which
is impending over them; and they appeal
to Congress to interpose for their relief,
by removing the cause, and applying the
remedy, which has SO often been ex-
planned here.
Nine Hundred and Fifty names are ap-
pended to the memorial, from those two
Northern towns, embracing all profess
sions and all occupations therein, and
representing, as am assured, the united
voices Of all the inhabitants of both. 1t
would seem that the greatness Of their
common calamity had hushed every voice
but the voice of their common distress.
The Newport memorial is preferred
by freeholders only. The Senate is pro-
badly aware that freehold, with that
people, is necessary qualification to the
right of suffrage. Hence that memorial
is confined to freeholders. 1t was sign
ed by two hundred and fifty-nine free
holders Of that town, taken both for and
against the memorial: Of this number,
only twcnty-six have signed against the
memorial; about one-tenth part Of the
whole number. Yet Newport is the
head. quarters Of the adherents of the
National Administration in that State
But if it were not so, ] should hope thai
the free citizens Of free State, nigh,
petition Congress for a redress of griev-
ances, without asking leave of those ad.
herents; and ] should hope, too, it would
not depend on those adherents whether
such petition should be accredited by
Congress. The population of Newpor
is about eight thousand; they are mostly
engaged in commercial pursuits, fo
which they are admirably situated, hav.
ing the finest harbor in the world. Thei
enterprise and spirit of adventure have
carried their navigation and their com
merce, over every sea, and to every par
Of the commercial world. They are a
like distinguished for intelligence and en-
terprze; and their commercial charac
ter is happy compound of boldness il
adventure, and prudence in calculation
Recently they had begun to turn thei
! atte ntion TO manufactures, by means o
steam power. The success Of their ex
periments had been such as had produc
ed the most sanguine hopes from thi
new source Of growing numbers, an,
wealth and prosperity. But all thes,
hopes have been suddenly, and, as the,
fear, fatally extinguished by the late per
nicious interferencepfthe arbitrary han'
Of the Executive, with :he money con
Germs of the country.
!. ! will now, with the indulgence Of th
Senate, say few words of those tw
Northern towns. A briefskctch ofthei
history (and it shall be very brief wi
serve as an illustration ofthe faculties q
this country; and of the importance q
their dcvelopement. A small river run
through these towns, called Blackstone
T River; a narrow stream, Of no great vol
ume Of water, but perennial and unfail