Rhode Island Republican

NEWPORT.
Thursday, April 4, 1805.

We have received the following by the hands of a gentleman of this town, to whom it was enclosed in a private letter from Thomas Hoxie, Esq. with a request that he would hand it to us for publication. It purports to be the doings of a convention of republican citizens, held at Knight's Inn in South-Kingstown, on the 29th ultimo. Though we are certainly astonished at the novelty of the communication; yet our situation as the conductor of a republican paper enforces a compliance with the request that has been made. We did indeed suppose that the formation of a list of State Officers was, more particularly in republican times, the peculiar prerogative of a State Convention: and that a State Convention had already arranged, and performed its business. Without intending to express an opinion that such an arrangement is obligatory, and conclusive upon any individual citizen, so as to preclude him from a free exercise of his opinion, and sentiments; yet we are at a loss to conceive how such after claps as have been manifested can more cogently operate to promote that freedom. It is not our duty to make further animadversions.

At a Meeting of a large number of Republican Citizens, from all the towns of the county of Washington, held at Knight's Inn, in South-Kingstown, on Friday, the 29th of March, 1805.

Gen. Joseph Stanton, Moderator,
Major Joseph Pendleton, Sec'y.

Resolved unanimously, That Thomas Hoxie, Esq. be supported for Lieutenant-Governor of this State for the ensuing year.

Resolved, That the vacancy in the Senate, which shall be made in consequence of our first Resolution, be left at the discretion of the county of Newport, to be supplied.

Resolved, That these Resolutions be inserted in the Rhode-Island Republican. And our republican brethren throughout the State, are requested to give them that aid, and support, which the importance of the objects so justly merits.

JOSEPH PENDLETON, Sec'ry.