The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-05-25

though small, is far extended upon the sea
coast, and is thereby frontier to defend
and ward off the strokes of cruel and insult
ing enemies by sea, from the colony of the
Massachusetts and Connecticut, which
considering the smallness of the Colony
compared with those two great governments
may be well thought due proportion of the
general calamity of the country, of this ma
ture, were they forever exempted from con-
tributing to defend against the enemy by
land for it is certain that the Colony of
Rhode Island are upon such occasions fire.
quently alarmed, and have been exposed to
very considerable charge by fitting out ves-
sells in times Of war and peace the good
effects whereof, the neighboring govern
ments were made partakers of; and there
fore it cannot be thought incumbent on this
government, or for the good of the govern
ments in general that such a small colony
and so great frontier should be weakened
by uniting with the Massachusetts in car
rying on said war in an offensive maner so
foreign from their borders and especially
where this colony, at this juncture, is car
rying on at their own charge for the de-
fence of the country on said frontier,
fortifcation, the accomplishment whereof
will exceed ten thousand pounds"
I'd. "The Indian enemy were subjects
to our sovereign lord King George, and un-
der his immediate protection, and in par
ticular under the government and dominion
of the Massachusetts, wherefore this gov
ernment think it would be unadyised in
them to join in the prosecution of war un-
til his majesties pleasure was known upon
the application already made unto him !;
for this being an intestine war, happening
in the Massachusetts only, and controver-
sy of the kings subjects only, and that a
bout property, who knows but that his Ma
jesty, in his great wisdom, may find out and
prescribe ways to make those wild and in
accessible subjects of his, come in and tame
ly submit to his government, without the
melancholy prospect, we now have, of she'd
ding much notwithstanding and impov-
erishng the whole land -
Sd "Ths Colony of Rhode-Island was
never advised with, by the province of Mas
sachusetts, before they involved themselves
in this inextricable difficulty; nor did said
province ever concert measures with this
Colony, either in proclaiming war against
said Indians, or in any of their treaties, they
formerly had with them there they gener-
ally took care to restrict the trade, with
them, to their own province, if not to par
ticular men; and shall this Colony without
the conjuction and united force of the neigh
boring governments on this continent, buy
for the Massachusetts this privilege, with
the blood of their young and strongl
Notwithstanding, the Colony of Rhode
Island has a more tender regard for his
majesties subjects of the neighboring gov
ernments, and more sincere affection for his
Majesties interest, than to see his subjects
slaughtered and destroyed, his Territories
depopulated and laid waste, and be guilty
of supine, slothfullness, rejecting any rea-
sonable application to them for succor and
relief; for in case the said war had been
carried on in defensive manner, this gov
ernment would (if need had becn) have
lent all due assistance, until his maesties
pleasure had been known but cannot think
it justifable in them, to join in said war
(snce made of1ensiye) until then"
And respecting the proposition of send
ing a man to Canada from this Govern
ment; 1t is the opinion Of the General As
sembly that the same would create unneces-
sary charges; but they order and direct
that letter be sent there from this gov
ernment by the messengers sent by the
Massachusetts, directed to Monster yaudrcu-
lille Governor thereof, to deter him, and all
those under the French Government, from
offering succor or encouragement TO the
Indian enemy, or for sbeltering them after
they have committed their depredations OH
the subjects Of his British Majesty; and to
excite him to exert himself for the procur-
ing and settling an honorable peace with
said Indians, for the ease and benefit
of the English settlements least by his
Majesties favor and permission, all the En-
pIish governments on this continent Of A
merica unite their forces in ridding the