The Rhode Island American, And General Advertiser

FROM THE CONNECTICUT COURANT.

Precious extracts from official papers; clearly shewing, on a graduated scale, the different value of Sailors Rights at different times.

"On the issue of the war are staked our national sovereignty on the high seas, and the security of an important class of citizens, whose occupations give the proper value to those of every other class. Not to contend for such a stake, is to surrender our equality with other powers, on the element common to all; and to violate the sacred title, which every member of society has to its protection."

Mr. Madison's second inaugural speech, March 4, 1813.

"The orders in council, compared with the subject of impressment, were generally considered of minor importance."

Extract of a letter, dated November 16, 1812. from Mr. Russell, American Minister to the British Court, to Mr. Secretary Monroe.

"I have to repeat, that the great object which you have to secure, in regard to impressment, is that our flag shall protect the crew."

Instructions of Mr. Monroe to the American Commissioners in Russia, April 15, 1813.

"This degrading practice, [meaning impressment] must cease-our flag must protect the crew, or the United States cannot consider themselves an independent nation"

Instructions of Mr. Secretary Monroe to the American Commissioners at Gottenburg, January 28, 1814.

"You may concur in an article, stipulating that the subject of impressment, together with that of commerce between the two countries, be referred to a separate negotiation," &c.

Mr. Monroe to the American Commissioners. June 25, 1814.

"On mature consideration, it has been decided that under all the circumstances above alluded to, incident to a prosecution of the war, you may omit any stipulation on the subject of impressment, if found indispensably necessary."

Mr. Monroe to the said Commissioners, June 27, 1814.

Upon the foregoing extracts the reader is left to make his own reflections; with this caution, however, that if he be a Madisonian democrat, he is advised never to move his tongue or pen on the subject of sailors' rights-for mercy sake let him forbear, if he would spare his President from the most biting and cruel of all sarcasm.