even supposing us to get it? -What | intercourse with America, now become prospect is there then, in the continuation a manufacturing as well as an agriculof the war, but additional expence, and, in- tural nation. There can be no doubt, deed, a great addition to all the dangers that that all these countries hear with great it now holds out? I take for granted, that impatience the restraints now imposed w have, as the Times says, suffered defeat on them by our asserted blockades of and disgrace, and that, if we were to stop the American ports; and that, if they connow, the opinion of the whole world would tinue at peace, they will not long relish be, as these men say, that, single-handed, the being deprived of those advantages of the Americans had beaten us both by land peace, which an intercourse with America and by sea. I take this for granted. But presents to every nation in Europe. They the case may be worse; the opinion of the will, in all likelihood, first gently complain whole world may become more decided, and of these restraints; next remonstrate, disbe founded upon more ample evidence. It is cussing rights all the while. There is only true, that by continuing the war it is with- a thin sheet of paper between this and an in the scope of possibility, that we might openly armed neutrality; and then we regain what we have lost in the way of re- shall see, and most sensibly feel, the conseputation! but if we lose more than we have quence of that continuation of the war, yet lost; or, if we remain, in that respect, which our malignant and corrupt writers as we are, how great will then be the dif- now recommend; and which, as I think, ference! We shall, in the meanwhile, or, at least, hope, that I have now shewn, have used more and greater efforts than we would be the most fatal measure that was have yet made. We shall have given full ever resolved on, even during the last fifty time for the whole world to look on. We years. While I was writing the shall have made every man in the world above, the MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT well acquainted with the origin and nature arrived, and it has, doubtless, excited great of the contest, and a pretty good judge of wonder and indignation in the Times and the merits of the two parties. If we now the Courier, that the head of the cheap make peace, we shall, indeed, retire de- Government of America is still Mr. MAfeated, I acknowledge that; but our defeat DISON!Indeed, the former of will not be so notorious; it will not pro- these two, at once stupid and malig duce such an impression on the minds of nant, vehicles of falsehood and baseness, foreigners; the triumph of America, the does observe, that this person is "ct" isdom and strength of her cheap Govern- in that situation, though, as we shall ment, the virtue of unbought and unsold presently see, it afterwards insists on representatives, the fortitude of a people, the absolute necessity of our driving him amongst whom bribery and corruption are from his " USURPED seat of power." unknown, will not be so conspicuous, will The reader, on whatever side of the Atnot be so well understood, will not make lantic he may be, will, doubtless, pay marksuch a lasting impression, and, of course, ed attention to this description of Mr. Mar will not produce such dangerous conse-dison and the Congress, for all persons in quences. Besides, do we not see the pos- power, in America, are included in it. sibility of America raising a considerable They are called USURPERS, and this, in naval force on the ocean, even during this the present case, is a word of vast mean Our object, according to these vile ing. They have all been elected by the writers, ought to be so to cripple her, that people of that country. In that coun she shall be unable to raise a navy in fifty try there is no bribery or corruption.or a hundred years; but if she should do it There are no base villains in that country, i five or six years; if she should make who are ready to perjure themselves for a peace with a navy of seven or eight ships pound note, and who calls a periodical of the line in her Atlantic harbours, what bribe their "BLESSING." Mr. Madison will then be our situation? Nor must we and the Congress have been elected by the forget that a few more years of war will give voice of FREE men. They have been France time to breathe, and to act from that placed in power by the free votes of a majodesire of revenge, which the whole people rity of the people. How then can they of that country seem to feel towards us. called USURPERS? How can they be It is impossible that Russia, that France, said to have USURPED their power? that Sweden, that Holland, that Den- What, therefore, can this malignant man mark, should not ardently desire a free mean, unless it be, that the Government

war?

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those juggling fiends, That palter with us in a double sense. "Mr. Madison knows that whatever might be done for the deliverance of "native Americans from unjust impress

a moment in America, if it were under"stood to be waged for the emancipation "of British traitors from the bonds of

their allegiance. With what consistency "could it be so, whilst Mr. Madison him"self cries out aloud against American "traitors fighting in the British ranks? "Or how could such a being as a traitor

America has "USURPED" the autho- "war they did not amount to a hundred. rity belonging to "the parent State," and "We shall not dwell on the similarity of that they and all the people of that "language and other circumstances which country are now in a state of open rebel-"render it impossible in the officers lion take this to be the meaning "charged with the duty of impressment of the nefarious stimulator to war, plunder," always to avoid mistake. This part of and bloodshed, because I do not see how the subject has been exhausted in arguhe can have any other meaning.And, ment; but we point to an intentionally if this be his meaning, what are the mise-"false statement in round numbers; and ries to us, which must ensue from our" if he attempts to shelter himself behind Government acting from such advice and the equivocating term citizen, we say on such principles?- -Let us now take" this is only the artifice of this commentary on the Message, and, disgusting as it is, go through it with patience." Yesterday the long expected "Message of Mr. Madison came to hand." "The situation in which this person, to "the disgrace of the United States, YET" ment, the war would not be tolerated for stands, demands that we should take "some notice of this document, which was "addressed to Congress on the 20th of Sep"tember, the day of its meeting. It is "not to express either surprise or regret "at the hostile tone which it assumes, that we proceed to examine its contents. If any individual can expect moderation or "justice from the American President, his exist, if a man might throw off his alle"weakness of intellect must be incorrigi- "giance at pleasure?Mr. Madison "ble. If any Briton can wish to see his "feels the present to be a war of unwarcountry reduced to the disgrace of treat-"rantable passion' on his part: he labours ing with an enemy so faithless and so "to represent it as such on our's; but the "malignant, he must be destitute of all"desire of securing ourselves for the future "sense of national honour. The object of" from the consequences of a hatred so "Mr. Madison's present address is like" bitter and malignant as he and his fac"that of all which have preceded it, to sti- tion have shown against us, is not unwar"mulate the bad passions of the American" rantable. Retaliation for savage barbapeople against this country; and in the "rities is not unwarrantable. Is the prosecution of this infamous purpose he "chastisement of a savage enemy unwar"resorts to means equally infamous. We" rantable? Mr. Madison at least must "have, from long experience and observa-" admit that it is not; since he takes credit "tion, accused this man of resorting. on "to himself for the exemplary' manner in "occasions like the present, to wilful" which Major-General Jackson has per"falsehood. Of this disgraceful proceed-"formed that operation on the Creek In"ing, we have a glaring proof before us. "dians. Now, what are the effects of pasReferring distinctly to the two instances" sion which he charges on us? The de"of our success at Washington and at "straction of public edifices, protected as "Alexandri, he accuses our troons in monuments of the arts by the laws of "both, of t'r plunder and wanton destruc-"civilized warfare.' The most general "tion of private property. In this be is" rule in warfare, is, that all the posses "contradicted by the accounts of the cap- "sions of the conquered fall to the absolute "ture of Washington, published imme-" disposal of the conqueror; and even "diately after the event, in his own offi- " Grotins accedes to the saying of the "cial paper. Another falsehood, if possi-" Roman lawyer, cum boca capta sunt ab "be still more gross and wilful, is, that "hostibus, omnia desinunt esse sacra. war was not declared until after the im-"recent wars, indeed, between nations pres ment of thousands of American citihighly civilized, it has been usual to spare buildings of the nature described; but only where the abstinence was mu

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Zns. Mr. Madison knows to a man the

"number of real Americans impressed;

6:

In

and he knows, that in the course of a longtual. The writers most favourable to

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"the detestation of every loyal subject, " and to the deserved penalties of the law. "Into the detail of the late campaign by land and water we have little inclination

"modest assurance to speak of General "Brown's defeat at Niagara as a victory; "and the praises lavished on such a Scoundrel as Porter are truly in character:bat, unhappily, on some other points, the President has had but too "much reason for exultation. Would "that it were true, that availing our

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"this modern and praiseworthy practice "are all careful to state, that it may be justifiably departed from by way of re"taliation, as a means of forcing the 66 enemy to make war with humanity, or of" to enter. It required some degree of punishing him for some instance of out67 rageous conduct. Such precisely were "the grounds on which the conflagration "of the public buildings at Washington was justified by the British Commanders. "The American Government has even at "mitted some of the facts of cruelty alledged "against its officers, although it his attempted their palliation; but it is not on "the question of fact that we are now ar guing. We mean to shew, that when "Mr. Madison asserts that we avow a purpose of trampling on the usages of ci"vilised warfare, he asserts what he know "to be false; when he represents the des "truction of public edifices, and of the mo"numents of the arts, to be an habitual " and wanton exercise of British power, he "acts in direct opposition to the most no"torious evidence of our military achievements, in a long course of wars, in every quarter of the globe. It is this wilful, "this perpetual, and systematic habit of calumny, which convinces us of the unquenchable animosity that Mr. Madison" "and his faction entertain against Great "Britain. They will not, they cannot,

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selves of fortunate circumstances,' (cir"cumstances, indeed, singularly fortunate, and an epoch peculiarly auspicious), we had aimed our blow with undivided "force. This, we trust, will be done at. "the very opening of the approaching season; otherwise, perhaps, we may find "but too much truth in Mr. Madison's prediction, that the longer we protract our hostile efforts, the more certain and decisive will be our final discomfiture."To the state of our force on the Lakes, we have not ceased calling the public at"tention almost from the commencement "of the war. In reference to this subject, "the reports brought by the vessel which conveyed the President's Message were "various and contradictory. The same may be said of those derived from other. quarters. Some of the Evening papers.

micet us on the ground of justice. They must be overwhelmed with dis- "noticed a rumour that Commodore Chaun"aster and disgrace, and driven from cey had been defeated on Lake Ontario "their usurped seat of power by their in- " by Sir James Yeo. On the other hand, jured countrymen, before a peace can be "we have seen a letter of the 10th ult. "made between Great Britain and the" from Halifax, giving it as matter of re"United States, honourable to the former, 66. port there, that Sir James had been de"or truly beneficial to either. Happily "feated and made prisoner. However, "the Message affords us one ground for as another letter of a day later takes no reckoning with some confidence on this" notice of this story, and as it is not pro66 event. Of the financial receipts for the "bable that our squadron would meet the "last year, two-thirds consist of loans; "Americans until our large ship was "but the sinking credit of a Government" ready for sailing, which could not be be"which has betrayed so much incapacity, "fore the beginning of October, we think "renders this resource daily less and less "it probable that the adverse statements to be depended on. The late stoppage "are both untrue." -The chief point of the American banks shows how little to comment on here, is, the statement re"is to be expected on that side of the At-lative to the IMPRESSED AMERI"lantic; and we know but of one country CAN SEAMEN, because it brings us "in Europe where money is likely to be home to the great cause of the war. Mr. "found, on any terms, to answer Mr. Madison, in his Message, which will be "Madison's growing demands. English found in another part of this REGISTER, "merchants alone have the power to afford says, that America (for it is there done by "him assistance; but few of them, we be- the Congress and not by the President "lieve, entertain the inclination: and alone) forebore to declare war "should so traitorous an act be attempted, "other aggressions had been added the capture of nearly a thousand American

"vessels, and the imprisonment of thou-Jefferson's first election, may write and "sands of sea-faring citizens." On this publish just what he pleases, upon any substatement the Times says, that Mr. Ma-ject, so that he does not FALSELY attack dison knows, that the real Americans im- PRIVATE CHARACTER. The other pressed did not amount to a hundred. And day this vile Times newspaper itself told us, this is the vile wretch that cries out against that a newspaper in America expressed its fulsehood! The impudent impostor knows sorrow that Mr. Madison was not taken at well, I dare say, that many hundreds have Washington. This, at once, shews us how been actually released, in consequence of free, how really free the press is; and may he application of the American Consul in and must convince every man, that no poliLondon. But supposing, for argument's tical truth of any moment can be disguised sake, that only fifty had been so impress- from the people. The Americans well undered; nay, that only one had been so im stand the grounds of the war. I wish they pressed; and that our Government insisted were as well understood in England. But upon the right of doing this at their plea-I am, I must confess, not sure that that sure, and at the discretion of our naval would produce any good. It appears to officers, captains, lieutenants, or, perhaps, me hopeless to endeavour to put the people midshipmen. What more was wanted to right on this subject. They are mad. To throw all America into a flame ?-Docs | time and events we must leave the cure.this man think, that American parents I have heard that, only a few weeks ago, have no feeling for their children? Does the very farmers, at their market meetings, he regard it as nothing to impress a hundred spoke of our sending out a Vice Roi to native, free Americans, from on board America as a thing of course! What must merchant ships, in pursuit of their lawful the Americans think of this? How they trade, and compel them to submit to the aust despise, how they must laugh at such life of our sailors, to fight against those, a people! The Government of America has perhaps, to whose cause they wish success, not only no interest in deluding and cheating to carry them away out of the knowledge the people through the means of the press; of their families and friends, to ruin their but, if it had an interest in so doing, it has prospects in life, to expose them to diseases, not the means. All the salaries of all the Pounds and death? Does the impudent officers of Government, and of all persons and corrupt varlet think that this is no- paid out of the public money, would not thing? Only a hundred! A hundred purchase the columns of a fiftieth part of What, then, are injuries to be measured in the public prints; while, on the other hand, this way?. -Faith, such a way of talk the Government has not the power of hamay do on this side, but it will never do rassing, of robbing, of murdering piece on the other side of the Atlantic. This meal, and with apparently muffled paws, reptile commentator says, that "the war any printer or publisher.-Therefore, the “would not be tolerated in America, for a grounds of the war are clearly understood moment, if it were understood to be by every person in America; and as the waged for the emancipation of BRITISH Congress are the real representatives of the "TRAITORS from their bands of alle- people, as they do not obtain their seats "giance."The people of America are by bribery and corruption; as their seats quite ignorant, then, I suppose, upon this cannot be bought and sold; as they are no head. Oh, yes! they are a very rude un-impudent and profligate pretenders to be cultivated people! Very ignorant! They representatives; as to call them the repreknow, it seems, enough of arithmetic to sentatives of the nation does not argue that induce them to choose a cheap Government. the man who so calls them is either fool But how is any truth to be hidden from a or krave; as they do not, and cannot, sell people, the whole of whom, with the excep- their votes for places, pensions, or grants; tion of late emigrants from Europe, are as they are, in short, the mere agents and well able to read, and not a man or woman mouth pieces of the people, we shall, in the of whom does not read one or more of the accounts of their proceedings, shortly see, hundreds of public prints in the country, whether the people of America still apflowing from a press which is REALLY prove of the war. If they do, it will be free; where there is no sham freedom of carried on; if they do not, it will cease. the press ; where there are no hypocritical protonces about such freedom; where any man, and especially since the time of Mr.

We have heard what the President thinks upon the subject: the next arrival will tell us what the people think.---I must post

AMERICAN CONGRESS.

WASHINGTON CITY, SEPT. 19, 1814.

This being the day assigned by the Presi dent for the Meeting of Congress, the members assembled at the apartments prepared for their accommodation at the usual hour. but there not being a Quorum, both Houses adjourned.

SEPT. 20.

A Quorum being present, the President transmitted by his Secretary the following Message:

pone, 'till my next, further remarks upon | forgetting the difficulties of a remote wac this commentary ; but I have just room against a free people, and yielding the infor a line, to ask Johnny Bull (wise toxication of success with the example of a great Johnny!) again, how it has happened, that victim to it before her eyes, she cherishes hopes he has not yet been treated to an official ac- of still further aggrandising a Power already count of the battle of Plattsburg and of formidable in its abuses to the tranquillity of the that on Lake Champlain? Why, Johnny, civilized and commercial world. But whatever have not your Ministers treated you to a may have inspired the enemy with these more Gazette account of those battles They are violent purposes, the public councils of a nation, a subject of talk and of writing, and of more able to maintain than it was to acquire publication all over Europe, and yet Johnny its independence, and with a devotion to it Bull has not any official account of the rendered more ardent by the experience of matter, notwithstanding his zeal for giving its blessings, can never deliberate but on the the Yankees a drabbing! means most effectual for defeating the extrava gant measures of unwarrantable passion, with which alone the war can now he pursued against In the events of the present Campaign, the enemy, with all his anginented means, and wanion use of them, has little ground for exultation, unless he can feel it in the success of his recent en-" terprizes against this Metropolis and the neigh• bouring towns of Alexandria, from both of which his retreat was as precipitate as his attempts were bold and fortunate. In his other incursions on our Atlantic frontier, his progress, often checked and chastised by the martial spirit of the neighbouring citizens, has had more effect in distressing individuals, and in dishonouring his arms, than in promoting any object of legitimate warfare; and in the two instances mentioned,, however deeply to he regretted on our part in his transient success, which interrupted for a moment only the ordinary public business at the seat of Government, no compensation can accrue for the loss of character with the world by this violation of private property, and his destruction of public edifices, protected as monuments of the arts by the law of civilized warfare.-On our side we can appeal to a series of achievements, which have given new lustre to the American arms, besides the brilliant incidents in the minor operations of the campaign, the splen did victories gained on the Canadian side of the Niagara, by the American forces under MajorGeneral Brown, and Brigadiers Scott and Gaines, have gained for these heroes and their emulating companions the most unfading laurels, and having triumphantly proved the progressive discipline of the American soldiery, have taught the enemy, that the longer he protracts his hostile efforts, the more certain and decisive will be his final discomfiture. On the southern bor der, victory has continued also to follow the American standard. The bold and skilful operations of Major-General Jackson, conducting" troops drawn from the Militia of the States, least distant, particularly of Tennessee, have subdued the principal tribes of hostile savages, and by establishing a peace with them, preceded by

"Fellow Citizens of the Senate, and House of Representatives. - Notwithstanding the early day which had been fixed for your Session of the present year, I was induced to call you together still sooner-as well that any inadequacy in the existing provisions for the want of the Treasury might be supplied, as that no delay might happen in providing for the result of the Negociations on foot with Great Britain; whether it should require arrangements adapted to a return of peace, or further and more effective provision for prosecuting the war. The re sult is not yet known. If, on one hand, the repeal of the Orders in Council, and the general pacification of Europe, which withdrew the occasion on which impressments from American vessels were practised, suggest expectations that peace and amity may be established, we are compelled, on the other hand, by the refusal of the British Government, to accept the offered mediation of the Emperor of Russia by the delays in giving effect to its own proposal of a direct negociation, and above all, by the principles and manner in which the war is now avowedly carried on, to infer that a strict hostility is indulged more violent than ever against the rights and prosperity of this country. This increased violence is best explained by two important circumstances: that the great contest in Europe for an equilibrium,guaranteeing all its States against the ambition of any,has been closed without any check on the overhearing power of 'Great Britain on the Ocean; and that it has left in her hands disposeable armoury with which,