The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-28
CAPT. BRowNELI,s SPEECH.


Gen coombs of Kentucky having addressed The cons,n
ton of soldiers Of the of 1872 held in this city on III
sth instant Capt Browne OF the United States navy
delegate from Rhode Island, responded as follows
Mr. President and brother Of The OF las
did intend TO have trespassed upon the time Of h
convention or have asked It's indulgence for d mo
rnent Sir to be member Of this body felt was hone
quite sufficient for me, and have no doubt every oihr
member reciprocates that feeling But sir as stand here
solitary and alone being the only Delegate OF the sailor
in this body aud much having been said and justly o
IN praise OF the gallant conduct OF the soldiers though
sir that ought to say word in favor of that Of tn
service 10 which have the honor TO belong and which
represent here.
Sir, the praise so Justly bestowed upon the patsok
soma Of Kentucky by my friend Gen. Coonbs Is true praise
bur some whom represent SIR and myself were actors
the same scenes standing shoulder to shoulder with ho+
brave men and should We, sir because the so
Jackets be forgotten No sir and know my friend ala
NOT intend to pass by. His whole thoughts were upon
Kentucky but am he il willing to admit pr
tlcpaton in NIL the glorious deeds which they performed
Sir the soldiers which represent were the vonnesn
and militia OF the State and may be called minutemtn
They from their position directly, II were upon
the ocean, where less Of the enenys cruisers
~ sight almost daily. They constantly thrcasnM
with INVASION and it may he truly said that they
duty pcquet-guard during the war, and they did wi
during the off the British cruisers and the iv
and property of those the shore thereby
and these gallant men, Of both of the service
included in whatever bounty may be dealt out by govern
ment
sir came not here eulogize my little State which
believe the record viii show did her whole duty ho'h
the revolutionary and in the Of lSl2-the hn
and second OF independence II IL, sure mm
oient for say that represent tho patriotic State
Rhode Island, the State which gave To the country Ga
and Perry, and host of other brave and patriotic
sir, time will permit go into detas Of the ga
liant of her and their devotion the caused
their country much less 10 pnrcnarze their acts M
OF liberty No. SIR will leave this TO history whd
shows among other things, that II Rhode Island ta
conceived the idea of navy for the colonies and bull,
armed, equipped, Differed and manned it, Sir Rhode Island
had the first and last admiral and be Of her
Sir trust il will be pardonable in to speak here
myself have some little service during every hour
Of the war; from the Atlantic to the upper lakes had h
good fortune cooperate with the army at Fort George
Little York. and in the battle at Erie with Harrison
at Maiden and the river Thames, and was In the field
that day. the senior officer o three vesses orde
Buffalo TO cooperate and aid in crossing Gen Browns
army TO Fort Erie; there during the siege OF h
place ! commanded part OF the force which surprised
and drove out the garrison at Dover, having first crossed
into the enemys country spy to get the necessary In
formation before the attack. Well sir two hundred salt
and hundred nfntfy crossed the lake and marched
miles in the dead of night, drew out hundN
British troops burnt the place and thereby prevented @
edated attack upon, and the destruction Of the fleet
Gric.
Sir il will be seen that the sailors contributed somewhat
10 glorious achievements during the war, and an
that there is veteran here who will say Pn
the soldier and he sailor side by side where they stood
times that tried mems souls, and let them share, SIR
whatever may be neted out To them by grateful country
thank you, sir and the convention for your Kind ~
diligence
After Captain Browne had concluded, Gen Coomsr
and SAID that everything uttered by his friend va
true and il he Gen Coombs had omitted to make sps
mention Of the gallant little State of Rhode Island IN b.
hasty, desuitory remarks il because he knew bal
bic Commonwealth too well represented in this Assem-
bly, TO need his feeble tongue to do her justice The gcn
man who had just spoken had long since placed his nam
IN history, the same page with that Of the MINORS
Perry, and it could occupy pronder position on
Coombs said that he could never forget Rhode Island
his heart far off in Kentucky safely located IN m
bosom Of Rhode Island woman, and in the veins Of rs
children the blood Of Church and BromneN found con-
mon channel with his own.
Any communication 70 the delegates Of Rhode lsana
viii reach them promptly through the post Office at N
port, Rhode Island.