The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-01-17


r. is ms il is represented to he, the act was
cruel, murderous, unjust, and called for the
seyerest immediate re.ribution on the part
Of the Government. No man could dread
a collision with England more than him
self, but yet he preferred National justice to
peace, were matters to come to the worst
Mr.. Fillmore ofN. Y. here explained the
atfack of the British upon the Caroline, and
contended that it demanded immediate re-
dress.
Mr. Gray did not rise for the purpose OF
excusing the deed which was said to have
been done, but he was opposedto any course
during the present state Of things which
would have the least ,endeacy to place us
in a warIike position with Great Britain.
He thought it the duty Of gentlemen to in
vesligate the facts calmly before they ex-
pressed themselves 50 warmly, more espec.
tally at this particular period, when we
were engaged in war on the Southern
frontier.
Dir. Tillinghast thought it extremely i'm
portant that the feelings of excitement in
the North should not be further excited by
discussion in that Hall. If such course
were pursued, the people would in all prob
ability be misled, and infer that something
ought to be done. But he though. it ln-
possible that gentlemen should, with all the
information before them, suppose that there
was any more danger of war now than
there was before the occurrence in question
took place. No gentleman knowing the
high and liberal policy of Great Britain
could suppose that she would refuse to dis
countenance and deliver up those murder
ers, provided the facts alleged were proper
Iy established. He fell persuaded that she
would never sanction such acts committed
by her subjects-but, at the same time, he
considered it highly necessary that our cllI-
Zens on the frontier ought 20 be protected
from such attacks, and not be left defence
less. He hoped that troops would be sent
on Immediately to preserve the pence, and
to prevent a retaliation from our own peo-
Pile, ifpossible, still more violent. But, said
Mr.. II. this state of things ought to have
been foresecn more than II month ngo, and
measures provided accordingly. Yet the
Executive had not done so, the troops had
been Withdrawn to another extremity sf the
Union, and the upper coasts lett entirely
unprovided; the people might take arms
from the public arscnals, or pursue any
other lawless course, without the least check
upon them. But now matters had assumed
such an aspect and the subject come up in
proper form, he was in favor OF referring
so much of it as required on appropriation
to the committee of Ways and Means,
and the residue to the Committee on For
eign Relations.
Mr.. Bronson regretted to see that there
wns greater disposition to make war on the
Administration than on G'iBritnin. He was
MS much averse TO war with Great Brit
ain as any one, but he could not restruln
his surprise that gentlemen should come
forward and throw the whole blame of the
recent occurrences upon the Administration.
lie would nsk if the Administrations had not
done all that was possible it could do under
all the circumstances of the case Was
the Administration To he blamed for the pc
cuIiar situation of that portion OF our from
tier, and because party from the other
side had come over and murdered num-
ber of our citizens p. He contended, that
until within the last thirty days there were
no indications in TINT quarter which would
authorize the Executive To adopt such
measures ns were now necessary. Al
though there were disturbances in n distant
portion Of Canada, yet, until very recently,
peace reigned along the whole frontier: and
there was no more reason to apprehend
that troops would be required there. thnn
that they would he wanted on this side OF
the Potomac.
The gcn,leman from s. Carolina had
spoken of the "tameness OF the Secretary
of State :" but he would ask that gentleman
whether il would not he well 10 restrain
such expressions until all the facts of the
case should be knownl 1t might be that
the people aud the government, of the Uni
ted Suites, were in glass houses in this case.
MIR. Rheu, of s. C. made some remarks,
in strong terms the New York
excitement. He apologiscd for the con-
due, of the British soldiers, and said it the
Caroline did belong to the enemies of Great
Britain. ms a BRUSH Colonel had affirmed,
the attack upon the Caroline WINS not to be
of, and was no more than any
other power would have done. This too,
seid MIR. II. Notwithstanding the attack was
made at midnight upon American citizens,
aud upon American ground,
Mr.. Thompson, Of $. c. again took the
floor, and said no man would regret and
could regret more than he war with Great
Britian. But he held national honor of
more importance than peace. IL the SOL
diers Of Great Britain had attacked Ameri-
can citizens, upon American soil; if Amer
lean citizens had thus been murdered, and
the Government of Great Britain would not
give full and ample redress for such an at
tack and such murder, he was for having
Justice and satisfaction whatever might be
the consequences.
Mr.. Wise followed and deprecated dis
cussior. We hear NOW of nothing but war
and rumors Of war, war upon Abolition.
Il