The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-12-26

Signed JOHN GOODRICH, Sen'r.
John Goodrich Sen'r, who wrote the fore
going letter came to Newport soon after the
Peace and solicited permission TO settle there
with his family and become an inhabitant
Of the town, and offered, in case he was al.
lowed to do so, to bring 90 sail of vessels
and establish himself in commercial bus-
ness.
Considering the active part he had taken
in the war against tins country the people
of the town, by large majority, decided
that he should not settle in The town.
This was one of The great mistakes com
mitted by the people of the town of New.
port The war was over, which in its pro-
gress had either banished, or bankrupt, al.
most every merchant of any note in the
town--and the foundations of her prosperi-
ty if laid at all, were then TO be laid anew.
The former seats of commerce were to vie
with each other in rc-cslablishing trade aud
navigation, and those who could get the FIRST
start, were destined 10 leave the others in
the rear. Newport here had an opportnni-
~ of receiving into her impoverished bosom,
capital and commerce, combined with ener-
gy of character, and above all degree of
commercial intelligence possessed, at that
time, bv but few merchants in the United
States.
The letter itself is full evidence of the en-.
ergetc and enrerprising character of the
man and the vigor which it exhibited In
the cause of the King, was a sure pressage
of his future usefulness, and efficiency in
any cause in which he might be engaged,
When be fel, himself, in common with 9th
ers, who had adhered to the Royal cause,
abandoned by his King and the mother
country, which lie aud they had faithfully
served; and obliged to shift for themselves,
after the restoration of Peace-he determin-
ed to shake off his allegiance 10 his King,
and shelter himself under the new Repuh-
lic-and having so determined, there was
no good reason 10 suppose that MAN of
his temper, would not have transferred his
affections with his allegiance, and been rs
| faithful TO his new, as he had been to what
hc deemed his former political obligations.
Blu. time had not quenched the fire of re-
yenge which The people Of Newpor, felt a
gainst the Tories, nor could they then be-
ieve that any good could come from what
they deemed SO delestabIe source. They
were not aware how soon time under the
influence Of peace aud mutual good Offices
conferred, and received, by numbers of the
same community, would blunt the arrows
of discord and revenge /; nor how soon new
questions would create new parties, new
combinations aud new interests, leaving be-
hind only the recollection and wreck OF
such as were passed.
If the people Of Newport had embraced
the proposition Of this man, lie with his nc
tive sons and their several families would
have been born hi,her by their fleet oflwen-
ty sail, 10 take up their future residence in
Newport the consequence of which might,
and probably would have been the resurect-
ion of her former commercial prosperity
others, similarly circumsianced, might, and
doubtless would have been drawn hither by
T the same considerations for similar purpos.
es-by which means foreign capital woulC
: have been introduced, and domes:ica;ed, II
take the place Of that which had been ami
; hila,ed by causes growing out of the war
With such aid Newport would have been a
ble to rise triumphantly out Of the ashes q
what she once was. This foreign spar
would have lighted up the FIRE Of eaterpr.
: in her native citizens-given means an
{ strength, and confidence, which all togetl
F; er would have enabled her to establish, a
: the time Of the lowest ebb Of America
trade, Commerce and Manufactures, a ne,
b foundation Of growing prosperity, to ris
4 with the flowing tide Of American enterpris
Z and success.
Iftbe people Of Newpor, had been saga
y cious enough to have received Mr.. Good
rich, as au inhabitani, an act Of the Genei
e al Assembly nuthorising tbe same migl
|, have been easily obtained at their request
: and the town, at this day, in al probabiIiI.
been the seat Of opuIence she formerly was
! without a rival nearer than Boston on tn
one side, and New York on the other.