Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-04-28


supporters Of both, the lawless Of the in.
babitants OF all The surrounding members
oi The Union. In pursuance Of their long
settled inte~tiun to usurp the government
OF Rhode Island, a large number Of ouI
people have met in unlawful assemblage.
for The purpose Of holding their preten-
ded election Of town, county, and State
officers, and persist in their resolution to
organize their pretended government on
the first Tuesday Of May ensuing at Prov
idence. Relying, as their leaders now
almost openly profess, upon the physical
force Of the revolutionists, and of their
sympa'hizers abroad, rather than upon
constiiu iutional right, they are daily and
nightly assembling IN various parts Of the
city Of Providence, and in some parts oi
the country, bands of armed men, and
perfccing them in military discipline,
with the avowed purpose Of overhrowing
the government of this State.
Iespecially ask your attention TO the no
tice lately published by their State Com
miitee, in the organ Of this new party in
our State and county, calling upon the
chartered companies Of this State, some
OF which are known TO be in their inter-
eslJUhpd the t&unteer companies which
have been formed, to assist in the escort
Of their pretended State Officers on the
aforeme ntoned day Of the organization
Of The usurping government.
This is but anolher step in the uDprin-
cipled plan marked out for them by their
leaders in the spirit of all revolutions
"that, without looking forward to the ul-
innate result of their doings, they should
do the thing next in order well, and let
the occasion prompt that winch is nextto
be done" The danger to the peace and
property Of the State from this new iea-
lure in the plan of their now desperate
leaders is too imminent 10 be longer
overlooked. AT the time of your last
adjournment it was well hoped that, al.
though they had despised all authority,
executive, legislative, and Judicial,
known and heretofore respected ia this
State, they would, as some Of their reso-
lutions imported, if the opinion OF the
President was against them, no longer
persist in a course destructive Of govern
ment here, and Of all republican govern
mrnt in his country. His letter, coming
with the full concurrence Of the present
Cabinet, known to embrace the highest
talent and constitutional knowledge in
The country, ST. far from producing the
desired and expected effect, has been
quoted la the ignorant as sanctioning all
their measures, and with some of those
who could not bo so deceived, has heen
used 10 Isise new issue between them
and the authorities Of the United States,
which, it would seem, that some are bar-
dy enough TO wish to decide by force.
In this new aspect of our affairs, l have
thought il TO be my duty TO convene you,
Ia special session, under the power vest
ed IN me by law, that you might decide
for yourselves what measures are proper
to be taken for the safety Of the State.
The Constitution of The United States,
while II guarantees to every State in this
Union u republican fo'm Of government,
n"kcs'imperett<e Upon the General Go
vernneni the protection Of each, on mp.
plicaIIon Of the Legislature, or Of the
Executive when the Legislature cannot
be convened, against domestic ,iolence.
am fully aware Of The extreme dellcacy
shich you must Fee in inviting, against
'vcn the most violent and unprincipled
II your fellow citizens, the aid OF the
\ National Executive, and have endeavor-
ID, as far as was deemed ex2edien,,
Trough the committee heretofore sent,
o aver! SO hard n necessity. When,
however, many are OF opinion that the
'ase contemplated by the Constitution
or such interference has arrived, and be-
ieve that a iraitorous combination alrea-
Iy exists 10 an alarming extent here, and
S extending itself abroad through sym
'alhles always ready 10 rise against law /
n favor Of general license, can no long
r take upon myself the responsibility Of
|elaying such action upon this subject as
ou may deem advisable, and have felt
to give you the opportunity to
consider and decide a question Of SO
much Importance to the State.
| would also suggest to YOU the expe-
Iiency of appointing and providing for a
Board Of Councillors to advise with me /
IS TO the Executive measures proper TO /
'e taken in this emergency, consisting
f gentlemen from different parts Of the
state.
Other measures with regard to the \
rotection and preservation of the public \
aud the organization OF such an
rmed force as may be necessary for
hese aud other purposes, will naturally Il
uggest themselves to you. And to
hcse subjects | most earnestly invite
our attention. Il
In conclusion,I pray God that He may
trenglhen and enlighten you in the per-
prmance Of your duties, and enable you
, pursue snch course 10 the present
risIs of our affairs as may preserve for
$ and our posteriiy the great boon Of
american constitutional liberty, gained
,r US by our fathers and now threatened II
D be wrested from US by lawless vio-
ence.
SAMUEL w. KING.
Mr.. Randolph moved that il be re-
erred to n special committee.
On motion Of Mr.. Mathewson, n com
4 II