The Republican ; and Savannah evening ledger. (Savannah, Ga.) 1807-1816, July 16, 1807, Image 2

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MEETING AT BALTIMORE. Ai a general mi eting ofthe citizens of Balti more, held the 291 h day o! June, 1807 ugice ably to public nonce, at the Court-house, general S Smith, was called to the chair and John Srui-ur s’, esq. appointed sccieta rv ; when the lollowing re solution a were Unanimously adopted. Resolved, That we view with indignation and honor the wanton attack lot'-ly made up on the On x.ipeake, by the Bi iri-vti ship ol war leopard, hy winch many ol our citizens hate been killed and wounded, and the government ol out country grossly insulted. Resolved, That we have every confidence in the wisdom and firmness ot the administration to enforce satisfaction lor an outrage so daring and injurious to the honor and dignity ol our country, and that we will with our lives and fortune s, support the government in all such measures as they may adopt on the momen tous occasion, to obtain redress and satisiac ti..n for the outrage aforesaid. R< solved, Chat until the decision of our go vernment shall have tveen made known, w e will l< gat'd with abhorrence and detestation,all per sons who sh .11 countenance thi . unprovoked and outrageous conduct, by holding any inter course with, or affording aid to any of his Bri tannic maics v’s ships of war now on our coast. Rcs'tlvetl, That w: highly approve tlie pat riotic and spirited conduct of our tcllovv-ciiizciis at Norfolk and Portsmouth. Resolved , That A < xander M‘Kim. Thomas M. Elderry, James 11. .Vl'Culloch, James Col-’ ttnun, Samuel Sierrct, Robert Gilmore, Mark Pringle, and John Stephen, lie a committee whose duty it shall he to forward a copy of these resolutions to the president of the United States, the governor of Maryland, and to cor respond with such committees as may heap pointed by the other cities and towns of the union, on this subject. PcrJved, That the proceedings of this meet ire; he published in thenevvspapc sos this city, for the mfoi illation of our fellow citizens. MEETING AT RICHMOND. At a numerous meeting of the citizens of Rich nond, Muncheser, and their vicinities, and ol many other persons from distant places, held at the Capitol, on the 271 h ol lune, 18 t 7, for the purpose of taking under their conside ration the lawless outrage commuted on the frigate Chesapeake, hy a Butish squadron; The honorable Spencer Roane, judge of the court of appeals, was unanimously chosen Chairman, and Thomas Ritchie esq. unanimous ly elected Secretary. A committee was then appointed, consisting of the following mem bers -The honorable Alexander iVl l ßae, lieu tenant governor ; the honorable Cieed 1 aylor, chancellor; John Page, George Hay, William ) ~>uche< , William Wnt,and Peyton Randolph, lisqrs. to lay before the meeting such resolu tions as they might deem proper to propose in the present ctisis. The committee having re tired, leuirncd and reported lo the meeting the f (lowing resolutions and address : The pre amble to the resolutions was adopted with otdy three dissenting voices; the resolutions and ad dress were unanni.uousty adopted. ‘The chan - Yuan ol the meeting was unanimously reqiiesi • ‘ to sign the resolutions and addicsson behalf of the meeting, at and to transmit the address to the president of the United Stales The mem bers ol the committee formerly appointed, were then r eeled a corresponding committee, bv virtue of the fourth icsoiuiion, for the purposes tfiereing specified. W E, the citizens now convened, have read w ith horror ana indignation, the narrative of the attack made by the British ship Leopatd, ou United States frigate Chesapeake. The de mand w-'ich preceded the attack was lawless in us nature, and most insolent mils manner. The attack i self was not only lawless and inso lent, hut base and cowardly ; because it was made by a ship of 50 guns, prepared for action, and supported hy a British squadron, in a time ot prolouiul peace, on an unsuspecting and therefore unprepared friend, a single American f. irate of six and thirty guns—such are the glorious triumphs of the Butish navy ! We oh serve that this attack llowed from a de iberute i nler given by the British admiral Berkley, at. Halifax : We believe that he would not have dared to comprontU his m.tion by so bold and flagrant a breach of national law. without the previous sanction and order of his .govern ment: W consider it therefore as an actio the British government. We compare this monstrous outrage (committed in the moment ot treats) with other acts of usurpation and ag gression, practised upon us hy the same na tion—their impressment of our seamen so long continued; and their gross and perpetual viola tions of our commerce, which they have the effrontery to advocate even from their tribunals of law : the review confirms us in the belief, that the attack on the Chesapeake is not the act either of commodore Douglas or admiral Berkley, any more than the act of the oriental slave, who licks the dust from the foot of des potism, is the a t of the slave and not of the despot : but that this attack is the act ~f the British government'; and simply anuthcr effu sion of the same spirit which produced their impressments and commercial spoliations. This act is of the same stamp and color with the rest. We behold in it all. a consistent pic ture ; a nation insolent in the consciousness ot her naval strength—totally regardless of the rights of others—totally regardless of all law, reason, and humaiutv— lestitute of every mo tive. feeding, and principle, which hinds civili zed nations together-—and having no rule of at-lon whatever, but se’f aggrandizement, and the gratification ol her own caprices by brutal lori e. \\ e compaie this bloo y violence with the cares-es and attentions w hich they are even now shewing to our ministers at their leasts in Le .don ; and vve behold a nation, which, to the picture of b.ack and savage piracy, adds the features of smiling treachery and mean hvpot isv ! A nation which by her actions proclJn s the opinion, that we ate not on v so feeble as to be insulted and outraged with im punity, but so weak as to be amus ed forever with the perfidious semblance of ne goci tion for the redress of our wrong , while she takes the shot ter cut of blood and battle for the attainment of her furfoses. W ith a na tion ol such principles and such practices, we wislt no friendship, no intercourse: to such complicated and incessant w rongs, continually aggravat'd in proportion to out patience, we ate disposed to submit no longer.,/Wherefore, 1. Resolved unanimously, 1 hat the thanks ol the citizens of Richmond, be communicated to our fellow-citizens ot Norfolk, for the exempla ry promptitude and energy which they have displayed on this occasion ; and that they be ussiiied that we unite *riih them, fieuil and hand, in all their let lings and resolutions. ‘2. Re., lord unanimously, “1 hat while vve de precate the horrors of war, and approve all honorable means of averting them, vve possess the firm hope that the government of the Uni ted Stales will avenge this unparalleled outrage with the -.pit it whit it becomes the nation, and which the nation feels—believing as vve do, that however unequal our naval strength, our enemies have, nevertheless, vulnerable points within our teach, through which we maybe able to strike them vitally. 3. Resolved una.in, juJo, That in the sup port of all measures c’.iiectcd to that end, * vve pledge cur liven and fortunes, aud our sacred honor,'’ hailing with firm and joyous hearts, the . auspicious omen connected wdth this well te lncmbcrcd holy pledge :—W hat we did in the weakness of infancy, it will lie strange if vve cannot repeat in the vigor of manhood ! 4. R: so. vrd unanimously, I hat a committee lie appointed to correspond with such other committees as may he appointed in the several towns and counties in this commonwealth, for the purpose of collecting the national senti ment on this important occasion. 5. Resolved unanimously, 1 hat the chairman of this committee be requested to communi cate a copv of these resolves to the President of the United States, one to the executive of each state, one to the chairniuin of the com mittee at Norfolk, and one connected with a printed copy <>l the narrative of the outrage, to every general officer and commandant of a re giment in this slate, to he communicated hy him in such manner as he may approve, to those under his command 6. Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of this meeting be returned to the chairman, for the able and impartial manner in which lie lias discharged the duties of his office. Signed on behalf of the meeting. SPENCER ROANE, Chairman. ( Test ) Thomas Ritchib, Sec’ry. To the President, of the United States. Sir— We, the citizens of Richmond, Mun ches er and their vicinities, and many other persons lrom distant places, who have assem bled to ‘take under considerate n, the late hos tile attack upon the frigate Chesapeake, by a Binisit ship ot war, and the murder of a num ttei ol Attiet icati seamen in a time of peace, are impelled by the strongest motives to express those sentiments of indignation which the oc casion must naturally inspire. \\ hen vve re tlccl upon the uniform course of pacific con duct winch has been observed bv the govern ment ol me U itited States, towards all foreign nations ; when vve recollect, on the other hand, t e innumerable insults and aggressions which Creai-tiiltaiu lias indicted on our just and law ful commerce ; we can only discover in diis recent act ot violence, the consummation of a system which has for its object the prostration ui neutral lights, at the feet of a haughty and ambitious power. The door of negotiation is finally closed ; the first blow of war has been struck ; and the people of America are called upon to deei le, whether they “ ill rally around the standard ot the constitution, or resign at once that glorious independence which was purchased by the valor of their fathers, and ce mented with their blood. At a period of such magnitude as the present, it is peculiarly ne cessary that the /n ofle of America should dis play to the wot kl the devotion which they feel to the tree, mild, and beneficent government under which hey live, and their invincible de termination to resist to the utmost extremity, every outrage on their rights from whatever quarter it may proceed. The persons who now address you, speak not only for them selves, but for their country ; they feel that they deliver the sentiments ol the nation ; and they are confident that they will find a corres ponding emotion in the bosom of the chief ma gistrate of the union. When an act of unequivocal Ivostilitv has been perpetrated ; when our armed vessels are not permitted to leave our own ports with impunity; when a Btitish commander gives the signal from our very harbors, for the cap ture of our ships ; it becomes a question, not of reason, but of jWdng. Whatever may be the grounds of the contest in which vve are en j gaged, vve are* compelled to close in that ap- I peal to arms which has been made hy our ad ’ vers.ity. h is impossible to pursue a tempo : rising conduct, without engraving an endelible ’ stain on our national character. Th ; reputa tion of our country- is at stake ; and it must : now be aconied whetkether we shall assume the dignified attitude of an independent ‘.fate, or meanly crouch under the lash el an insolent foe. No nation upon earth has so many* cogent reasons for maintaining a friendly intercourse with the rest of the world, as the United Mates. Far removed from that bloody scene of ambi tion. which Europe has exhibited lor centuries ; pursuing the even tenor of holiest industry ; regardless of that illusive glory which is only to be obtained at the expense of happiness ; anxious only for that solid renown, which springs from an undeviating course of justice and virtue ; too simple for the insiduous aits ol courtiv intrigues, and too refined for the exet tion of lawless powet ; they might have llattet ed themselves with the hope that they should escape the ravages ot those conflicts which have desolated the old continent. America has every thing to hope from peace, and every thing to deprecate from war But her grow ing commerce and rising prosperity, cherished by the genial warmth of fteedorn, were objects too tempting to the rapacious eye ot a power who arrogates to herself, the exclusive domin ion of the seas From the moment when our independence was established, Cteat-Biitain regarded with malignant jealousy, the ptogtess of a nation w hom she had once held in bondage. Fiont that moment until the present, she has waged an open ot concealed war against out bid] .putable rights. It would he superfluous to dwell on the various crimes which she has committed against the law of nations ; but it mav not be iniprop r to enumerate a lew, more piominent than the test, which marks the spirit which has pervaded her whole conduct, she has occupied po-es within our territory which ought to have been surrendered by trea ty ; site has enlarged the law of contraband, be yond the most libera! construction of the law of nations; she has seized our vessels laden with provisions; she has invented anew sys tem of blockade, w hich extends not merely to single ports actually invested, but to whole countries with whom she might beat won- ; she has mollified, restrained and enlarged the ri his of neutrals, according to her interest or caprice, while her courts of admiralty have cat-fit and her edicts into rigid execution ; she has denied to neutral nations the incontestable t ight to re-expo t to a belligerent power, the com modities which they have fairly purchased from a colony of the same powet —and she has blockaded our ports and impressed seamen from our vessels within our lawful jurisdiction. But attrocious as these acts may seem, they are insi nificunt when compared with the fla grant outrage lately committed on the frigate Chesapeake. The most humble sycophant of Great-Britain has never vet asserted her right to search a ship of war belonging to a neutral nation. A vessel of this descripton is as S ‘cred as the territory itself—its flag is a passport throughout tne world, and an insult offered to it is a direct attack upon the sovereignty of the state to which it belongs. A conduct like this can neither he defended nor palliated, and it is necessary to meet the approaching conflict with the decision becoming freemen. While we are sensible of the evils which must result from war. we are prepared to en counter them, in defence of our dearest rights. We are confident hat hut one sentiment pre vadesthe American people—and that, however, thev may be divided as to points of domestic policy, thev are actuated hy one soul in repelling the aggressions of a foreign power. It remains for the wisdom of the constituted authorities, to direct with efficacy the energies of the na tion. It is our part to declare to you and to the world, that vve are prepared to support with out lives and our font-tunes, the gov eminent of out choice against every power upon earth. Signed by order of the committee, SPENCER ROANE, Chairman. Attest, Thomas Ritchie, Sec’ry. MEETING AT PETERSBURG. On Friday the 27th of June, in consequence of the intelligence previously received from Norfolk, of the violation of our national dignity by an armed ship of his Britannic majesty, iti attacking, vvithou any previous declaration ol war, the Chesapeake frigate belonging to the United States, and in cold blood, murdering three, and desparately wounding sixteen Ame rican citizens, the inhabitants of Petersburg assembled at the court-house, to express their feelings on the alarming occasion. The meet ing was uncommonly numerous, and but one sentiment animated every bosom. A dignified and manly deportment w*ts observed, evincive ol the interest which the citizens felt for this daring and unheard-of outrage. The resolu tions adopted, were such-as became a free peo plp, jealous of their rights, and watchful over their dearest interests. Not a murmur was heard to disturb the awful sti lness which per vaded the meeting, while the resolutions were reading. Every tongue was mute—every ear attentive ; and when the question was put by th : chairman for adopting the resolutions, a loud and universal burst ot approbation re-echoed through the meeting. • Anything further would be unnecessary; the resolutions and the insult, speak ot themselves. We will add one observation. — i fie adherents of England would do well to observ e a profound silence; and it rests with them to confirm and strengthen that dignified moderation of the citi zens of Norfolk, and the public generally while smarting under the grossest injury and insult, that was ever yet heapeu on an independant nation. The citizens having assembled to the num ber of three or four hundred, appointed Dr. John Shore, chairman, and John F. Mav. secretary. After several resolutions were proposed, they were referred to a committee consisting of Messrs. John F. May, John M'Rae, Joseph Jones, Archibald 1 hweatt, Archibald Baugh, Robert Birchen, Wiiliam Claik, John M. ban ister, John Wilder, arid John M-Creery. V\ ho shortly alter made the following report: The citizens of the town of Petersburg, par ticipating m the feelings of their fellow-citi zens of Norfolk—filled with the same hor roi—electiilied by the same spirit of indig nation-assembled at the court-house, June 26th, 1807, for the purpose of taking into consideration, the late unprecedented out rage of Great-Britain, in demanding the pri vilege of searching a public armed vessel of the United States; compelling a submission to that demand, by attacking the said United States frigate within our jurisdiction, when unprepared for resistance—wounding and murdering our fellow-citizens, and fouibly seizing and carrying aw ay icurot the crew of the said irigate. Ist. Resolved, That w hen events occur of a nature inteiesting to the public at large, it is the duty of the people to express their sentiments foi the infoimation and guidance of the gov-, ernment, proclaiming a manly approbation where it is due, and the strongest and typ-t determined reprobation of acts, hostile to tie intoiests and delegating fiom the dignity and independence of our country. 2d. That by the law and usages of nations, a national ship is always exempt and free from examination or search, by any foreign vessel or power. 3d. That this premeditated outrage is con sidered as tantamount to a declaration of war on the part of Greut-Britain, and as evincive of an irreconcilable hostility to this nation. 4th. That w e entertain a confidence, that the government of ttie United States will adopt the most deci-i\e and vigorous measures to obtain reparation for the injuries and wrongs sustained from the government of Great-Britain. sth. That this meeting will consider as infa mous, ah those who may furnish supplies of any kh and to B Fish armed vessels. 6th. That no pilot ought to conduct any Brit ish armed ship into out harbors or waters. 7th. That we will heartily concur in a suspen sion of all intercourse with Great-Britain, until sttch intercourse can be enjoyed on terms of re ciprocal respect and independence. Bth That we will pledge to the government of the United States, our fortunes and our blood for the support of all measures which may be necessary and proper to vindicate the rights of our country. 9th. That we will, for the spare of 30 days, wear crape on the left arm, as a testimonial of our respect for the memory, and regret lor the loss of our brave tars. 10th. That the proceedings of this meeting be published in the papers of this town—and that the president snd secretary be requested to transmit a copy to the executive of the United States. Attest. JOHN SHORE, Chairman. John F. Mat, Sec’ry. CH ARLESTON, July 11. At a meeting of the second Battalion of the Chars leston Regiment ofyirtillery, held on the B<h of July , major Bowles in the chair , the follow ing resolutions were unnanimcusly adofi ed: Resolved , That we view with the utmost in dignation and abhorrence, the viola'ion of our neutrality , of every principle of humanity, and and of the acknowledged laws of civilized na tions, committed by a squadron of armed ves sels of the Biitish King, in their base and cowardly.attack upon the United States Frigate Chesapeake, near the Capes of Virginia, on the 23d of June last, when it was known that s! e was not in a situation for defence, and could not possibly be apprehensive of danger, as the two nations were at peace, and she was ap proaoached under the insidious appearance of friendship. Resolved , That as this British squadron, act ed under the express ordets of a high naval commander, we cannot but believe that its un warrantable and treacherous conduct is sancti oned by the British government, and may re sult in a rupture between our country and that nation ; and that therefore it becomes our du ty to hold ourselves in readiness to avenge the blood of our murdered fellow-citizens, and the insulted dignity of our country. Resolved , That vve have the utmost confi dence in the wisdom and firmness of the go vernment ; and that we respectfully wait its decision, as to the measures proper to be pur sued at this important crisis ; hereby pledging our honors as citizens and as soldiers, to aid and support with our liver and our fortunes, what ever me rm it may adopt to chastise foreign ag gression, and maintain unimpared, the honor and independence of our country. Resolved, That colonel Stevens, comman dant of our regiment; and major Bowles of our battallion ; be requested to transmit to the President of the United States, these re solutions. T. BOWLES, Chairman. Attest Conrad J. Graeser bec’ry. At a meeting of a number of masters of ve.ssels % in the port of Charleston, held at the Marine Hotel, on Monday evening, the 6 h instant. Captain Isaac Seymour in the Chair : Resolved , That a committee of six be ap pointed, to lay before a future meeting, such resolves as they shall deem most proper. Res'l.u and, That all masters of v essels, be re quested to hoist their colors half mast, on Wed nesdav next, in memory of our murdered fel low-citizens, who fell on board the United States frigate Chesapeake.