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consideration, your most obedient, humble servant, (Signed)

ALEX. COCHRANE, Vice-Admiral and Commander in Chief of H. B Majesty's ships and vessels upon

the North-American station.

The Hon. JAMES MONROE, Secretary of State, &c. &c. Washington. S

REMARKS

ON THE CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN ADMIRAL COCHRANE AND OUR GOVERNMENT.

We have now the satisfaction of exhibiting the entire letter of Admiral Cochrane, completely proving the correctness of our suggestion, that Mr. Madison's Proclamation was a designed misrepresentation. We renewedly entreat our readers to observe the mean, dishonourable, and dangerous hypocrisy of the President. He extracted the threat, stripped of its connexion; sent it abroad through the United States; and suppressed an essential part, until his Proclamation should have produced an unfounded impression, and until Mr. Munrée could prepare a laboured commentary, to blind, if possible, the eyes and understandings of the American people. No person of common sagacity, we are confident, can "read this answer, without perceiving distinctly that, though addressed to Admiral Cochrane, it is a document prepared rather for the citizens of the United States. Mr. Munroe could not expect to deceive the Admiral, as to the history of facts; we are too generally willing to be deceived.

The letter of Admiral Cochrane is short and perspicuous. The reader can easily peruse it, and judge of its obvious import. The amount is plainly and simply this :-" The army of the United States in Upper Canada has committed outrages, unauthorized by the rules of war. I am about to retaliate; but, regret ting the necessity of this severity, I cannot commence my operations without giving you, even now, an opportunity to prevent them. Disavow these outrages, that this system of warfare may be arrested; make restitution to suffering individuals, and I will proceed no farther."

The letter was sent, and the British began to advance towards Washington. It received no answer until the 6th of the following month! during which time Washington and Alexandria were attacked; but yet, in neither of these places, was the threat put in execution. Both were in their power, and might, like some of the towns in Canada, have been laid in ashes. The publick buildings were partially destroyed, in Washington; property, to the amount of one hundred thousand dollars' worth, taken from Alexandria, and both the army and naval force voluntarily withdrew.

We shall now take some notice of Mr.Munroe's reply. As it is published entire in our newspapers, and is too long for our limits, we shall extract the passages, that appear most to deserve attention.

as far from the truth as is possible. Every politician, in Europe and America, knows it: democrats as well as federalists, throughout the country, were astounded at the news. But this canting was to be expected; it is one of the cabinet, that declared war, who writes; let it pass.

The government, it seems, were resolved to wage war on the most humane principles. The very first step is proof positive. The official return to the war office, of the military inplements issued to the Northern Army, about to invade Canada, will shew that government prepared for them EIGHT HUNDRED TOMAHAWKS!!

War was declared, June 18th, 1812. In July, General Hull entered Canada, and in the name of the United States, made proclamation, which has never been disavowed, that " The first stroke of the tomahawk, the first attempt with the scalping knife, will be the signal for one indiscriminate scene of desolation. No white man found fighting by the side of an Indian, will be taken prisoner. Instant destruction will be his lot"!!! We defy Mr. Munroe to produce any thing like this in the annals of civilized society.

To give the history of the war, within the borders of Canada, is not in our power. It would require a volume. Invasion was begun by us, and it is of most consequence to know what conduct was pursued in the earliest stages; for, as the National Intelligencer of May, 1813, correctly stated- Private property is respected in war, unless when retaliation justifies destruction.”

The Greensburgh Gazette of July 30th, just after the war had commenced,states: "A messenger to government from General Hull, reports, that a party of Americans took 300 barrels of flour and 200 bushels of wheat, from. the English mills, up French river."

A Chilicothe article of August 8th, states, "on the authority of Capt. Sutton and Lieut. Van Horne, messengers from Gen. Hull to Gov. Meigs, that our army, in addition to flour and blankets, had taken 800 Merino sheep!" Were these government sheep, or Lord Selkirk's?

General Winder's official account, Nov. 27, 1812, says: "The whole Canada frontiers, 16 miles distance, was laid waste and desolate."

In a report to General Smythe, very early in the war, it is stated, that "a number of sailors went over to the Canada side, in the presence of the whole army, and BURNT several houses, a store, and barn, and were employed an hour and a half in catching hogs and fowls and killing them, and other plunder."

"A gentleman from the frontier," says the Editor of the Centinel, May 15, 1813," has informed us that he saw, in the taverns, for many miles, articles of furniture which had been plundered and sold."

We have taken up but three Newspapers, sent themselves. Judge from these, what a and such are the facts that inmediately prenarrative might be produced. Judge, if such facts came before the publick, from Americans, and principally from those friendly to the admin istration, what scenes must actually have been

It is seen, with the greatest surprise, that this system of devastation, which has been • practised by the British forces, so manifestly contrary to the usages of civilized warfare, is exhibited to the Canadians. We have taken placed by you on the ground of retaliation. these as mere specimens of our humane mode No sooner were the United States compelled of commencing the war in Canada, never disto resort to war against Great-Britain, than they resolved to wage it in a manner the most avowed, and occurring before the British be'consonant to the principles of humanity, and gan their ravages on the Atlantick coast, and to those friendly relations, which it was de-long before our army burnt Newark—before 'sirable to preserve between the two nations, after the restoration of peace."

In the first place, that the United States

Now no man in his senses can suppose Mr. Madison so inattentive to the conduct of his servants, the invaders of Canada, as to be ignorant of these transactions. Yet in the face of these well known facts, Mr. Munroe has the hardihood to boast of the regularity and humanity of our warfare, and to tell Admiral Cochrane, flat and plain, that his plea was false, or, to quote his precise words," utterly groundless."

The operations of the British certainly have been severe-they have been marked with a character, of which we find no traces, in their long wars against Spain, France, or any European power. It is the same nation, that is now at war with us. Is the difference of conduct owing to a sudden and singular change in their character, or to circumstances of provocation, which they had not before experienced? This is worth our examination, for, in spite of Mr. Madison's allegations, foreign nations will judge of the English from their own experience.

If nothing more interesting present, we shall continue these remarks in our next; for though we lament the sufferings with which our seaboard is threatened, and pray that they may be speedily terminated, it is highly proper and necessary that the American people should know, that British complaints are not "utterly groundless." This we will however add-the British commanders must know, that retaliation has its limits; if they do not stop, when they have done justice to themselves, their

cause assumes a new character.

GENERAL REGISTER.

BOSTON, SATURDAY, SEPT. 17, 1814.

DOMESTICK. Of the reports, mentioned in our last, it is not true that 3,000 British had landed at Gravelly point near Sackett's harbour. It was not true that obstructions had been

placed in the river Potomack, to prevent the descent of the English squadron, at Alexandria.

On the 4th. Sept. Commodore Gordon, having with him, beside his naval force, about 16 sail of loaded merchantmen, set sail down the Potomack, with a good breeze. Captain Porter commanded an ill provided battery of 12 to this, the Commodore rounded to, and in 30 guns, a little below Mount Vernon. Opposite minutes silenced the battery, all the guns but one being dismounted, 12 men killed and 17 wounded. The Sea-horse continued to cover

the fleet, as they passed, then fired a stern chaser and proceeded with her convoy. Commodore Perry commanded another fort, a few miles below, but to no effect. The squadron passed them all, with no essential injury. So much for our new general Munroe's efficient preparations.

and Patuxent fleet, excepting two or three Bal imore. On the 5th and 6th the Potomack vessels, stood down the bay, to Smith's point, where they anchored. On the 8th, they were

joined by 13 sail from below, when the fleet again made sail up the bay. On the 11th they were discovered entering the mouth of Petapsco river, the name of that arm of the bay, which extends up to Baltimore. That ity is undoubtedly the next point of attack. A letter from Baltimore, dated Sunday afternoon, says Sixty one sail in sight-The British are landing at North point, and the alarm guns the famous conflagration of ships, buildings,anded in 12 hours. Ali is confusion." We learn are fired. The fate of the city will be decidproperty at York, or, as the Canadians allege, that letters received in this town, yesterday, "the atrocities committed at Queenstown,

were compelled to resort to war, is a position Dover, St. David's, Long Point, and Chippewa." | ed on the banks of the Petapsco, and were force had descend

within two miles of the spot where the British had commenced landing.

Still later. A New-York paper of Thursday last was received last night, which states that the British had been met on the road to Baltimore, and REPULSED, their loss unknown, but supposed to amount to 2500 killed and wounded, and hopes were entertained that the rest could not re-imbark. The ships that attacked Fort Henry had been silenced and sheered off. Plattsburg. On Tuesday, the 6th. a division of the English approached Plattsburg, in the woods; were met by the regulars and militia,and repulsed. Another division approaching by the by beach, Commodore McDonough opened a fire upon them, from his row gallies, which drove them back with loss. The enemy took possession of the village north of the river Saranac, which runs through Plattsburg, where they encamped, in sight of our batteries. To deprive them of shelter, our troops fired hot shot into the village, and the court-house, jail, and several other buildings were set on fire. It is said Gen. Macomb has acknowledged that, without very considerable reinforcements, he cannot defend himself more than three days. Some reports say the Vermont militia are collecting rapidly, and in great numbers; others, that they advance slowly.

On the 11th, at half past eight in the morning, a bloody engagement took place between Commodore McDonough's fleet and that of the enemy, in which the former were victorious. No precise accounts are received ;-report states, that the English Commodore was killed the first shot; that every British vessel was captured except three gallies; that four of the largest are in our possession-that the loss on board the British ship was 106 men killed that the Growler had but 5 men alive, when she was taken-that Commodore Macdonnough had escaped without injury, though erery officer on board his ship was killed or wounded, and 60 men killed. Possibly some of these particulars are incorrect; but we have no doubt that Commodore McDonough, who is a young man of sterling merit, has gained a complete victory,and a high reputation. It is added that at the moment of the attack, which was made by the British upon our fleet at anchor, a part of their army crossed the Saranac, and drove the New-York militia,

are, in their tendency, exceptionable, if not read
with caution. We regret that our correspon-
dent's style is not as chaste, as his sentiments
are correct. Strange that the pomp of words,
to many writers, possesses such a charm.

THE WRITER, No. XIX.
WHEN I belonged to the corps of observa-
tion, and performed duty regularly on Corn-
hill, it was the practice of our detachment, as
with all men in actual service, to pay a vigi-
lant regard to parties marching near our ren-
dezvous, and make our salutes according to
the
the rank and merit of whoever passed in review
before us; so that whenever a lady appeared,
it was easy for any one, acquainted with our
signals, to know if she had ten or twenty
thousand, or whether she was pretty, handsome,
or irresistible, by our manner of bowing to
her; although they might have known nothing
of her before. It was also common for us to
communicate, by this kind of dumb shew, a va-
character and condition of the fair passengers
riety of other circumstances, relating to the
subject to our observation; as, whether she
was pledged, as our term was, or still wore
the "Toga candida"; whether maid or widow,
a miss in her minority, or a lady whose per-
son and fortune were at her own disposal.
Even their business was generally known
among us, and so accurate were our observa-
tions on the ladies in this particular, that we
could determine whether they were really
spending money in the shops, or only spending
time; if they were in search of new goods, or
only hunting for a pair of old gloves or a par-
asol, which they had designedly left, for a pre-
tence to shew themselves along these walks

a second time.

These observations were general amongst us, but, as it regarded myself, being an odd sort of a fellow, I believe I indulged fancies and speculations, different, and deeper than the rest of my companions. The mere externals, or the transient and temporary concerns of the inhabitants of this great town, were not alone sufficient to occupy all my thoughts and attention, but I presumed to glance into their minds, and reconnoitre the character, disposition, and secret propensities of every Having been carly acquainted with Lavater's individual upon which this attention was fixed. ing up, the British in their turn were compel-siderable progress in the study of this science, system of Physiognomy, and made some con

three miles, but the Vermont militia then com

led to retreat, with great loss.

Maine. What further operations the enemy intend, in the district of Maine, or whether any, is yet uncertain. A letter of last Monday evening from Wiscasset,states that a large force is off that place; and another that 30 sail were off the mouth of Sheepscut river, on which Wiscasset is situated.

Here, all classes are taking an active part, in providing against danger. Excellent corps of militia are daily arriving, and bring with them a spirit, which, united with our own exertions, we trust will preserve the Capital.

I had often amused myself in forming an opinion of a character, from the shape of an eyebrow, or some peculiarity in the lobes of far, as at last to be able to give a very good account of a person's temper and disposition merely from observing their air and gait, or long, and a long trailing gown, I considered even their manner of dressing. Des jupes

the ears; and had carried my researches so

to denote what the French call une Salope, and upon a farther acquaintance, I always found my opinion correct. A bonnet turned smartly up before, so as to form an obtuse angle with the forehead, betrayed a disposition for romping; and a shawl thrown carelessly over one shoulder, a cold heart and lack of sensi

151

in some, and perhaps raise a conscious blush, in a few, were it known, that the secrets of their hearts could be so well understood, by only minutely observing their manner of walking, or wearing their clothes. I shall only say, that I have seen many a gloomy heart covered by a gay breast-knot and blooming under a very modest tucker. flowers, and detected some roguish desires

Mankind have always a disposition to pry leads them almost equally to a desire of knowinto futurity, and the same sort of curiosity ing the secrets and the "thoughts of the heart" of their fellow-men; it would however be ve

knowledge would have upon our behaviour: ry difficult to determine what effect such reason why it should not, as well as many but if my system should prevail, (and I see no others) and finally be exalted into a practical science, it would undoubtedly produce a new era in human life, and place my name at once among the Seers.

of a coquette, but as this knowledge was obtainSpectator, a curious description of the heart There is, in one of the papers of the British ed from the tedious and uncommon process of dissection, we can have very few opportunities of knowing the properties of this little world of wonders, or to expose its failings. But I have the charity, I have the great pleasure, to believe, that neither such experiments, nor the fear of being subjected to the most critical order to discountenance vice and folly, or to researches of a human eye, are necessary, in promote virtuous feelings, in the hearts of my love virtue for her own sake, and that, in their fair countrywomen; I am persuaded that they lives and conduct, the purity of their motives has no reference but to that all-seeing eye but innocence and virtue can ever aspire to which no art can deceive, and which nothing please.

LETTER TO LORD BYRON.

Concluded.

MY LORD,-You leave too much to be supplied by imagination; and, even if all deficiencies were supplied by a man of principle, we are apprehensive they would no more harmo nize with your groundwork, than noon with ful loves, glimpses that emulate the pure lusmidnight. You embody no glimpses of youthded them, as to have interested us in regard tre of prismatick light; and had you so unfolto the fortunes of this ill-mated pair, the web of your fable, we fear, would have been even

more improbable: we might have justifiably

demanded Could an individual, on whom

the smiles and blessings of Heaven were beaming and showering in richness; one, who could taste and appreciate the ineffable sweetpable of centering the bliss of the universe in ness of domestick affection; one, who was caa lovely and dearly beloved object; could such a character pursue, with self-rewarding satisfaction, the soul-debasing life of a plunderer ? We think it utterly impossible. Your Lordship seems to have thought otherwise, and we esteem it a powerful presumptive argument, that you attribute softness of soul and milkiare ambitious, my Lord, of being original; but such inconsistencies form a species of origi nality, of which few will envy your Lordship the possession.

LITERARY AND MISCELLANEOUS. THE deplorable state of our country, and the melancholy events which are crowdingbility. I could also tell a fop at a considera-ness of humanity altogether gratuitously. You

pon every part of the community, leave us little leisure, at this moment, to attend to the literary part of this paper. We hope more ranquil hours await us; in the mean time, we thank those who give us any assistance, and shall be happy to receive the communications of those who can pause to write.

We have inserted the letter to Lord Byron, because we think, with the writer, that the productions of this elegant and popular poet

ble distance, by the flirt of his cane, and have seldom been mistaken in rating a man's good sense and abilities, inversely as the number of

his cravats.

It would carry me far beyond the limits of my paper to describe the half of my system, or give but a small portion of the various traits I could form so accurate a judgment of and circumstances about persons, by which them; and it might occasion great uneasiness them; and it might occasion great uneasiness

Upon the lineaments of the Corsair we therefore brand indelibly the INCREDULUS ODI' of your friend Horace. We revolt at beness, pure as the dew upon the leaves of the lieving that he was peculiarly formed for softTree of Life, and whose early conformation

was matured by the rosy atmosphere of Paradise we rather entertain the sentiment, that he bore a family resemblance to a gentleman, of a cast of character somewhat different, who in an evil hour disclosed his blasting visage in the Garden of God.-A spirit thus matured, however injured and disappointed, we imagine, could never become so warped to evil, so radically transformed, as to delight in carnage and horrour. It will be wisdom in your Lordship, speedily to wipe away the aspersions, you have so liberally cast upon human nature.

Notwithstanding these unjustifiable and defamatory insinuations, which make some insensible and others indifferent to what is really meritorious and admirable, you compel us to weep at sufferings a thousand-fold deserved, and which the sufferer himself had inflicted upon thousands. It is treating us unfairly. To excruciate our sensibilities in favour of a desperado, is a wanton and impolitick misuse of power. With the pathos of the concluding stanzas we were agonized; never more so not even with the heart-rending, convulsive tenderness of The Orphan, Isabella, The Gamester, or the Shipwreck of Falconer. It was impossible to advance : even your marauder's

'HELPLESS-HOPELESS-BROKENNESS OF HEART'

was overwhelming.

These things we mention as a candid and Jiberal acknowledgment of your powers. Your Lordship's details, more particularly the deep workings of passion, are often masterly, and some of your minutiæ of illustration and description are inimitably accurate and impressive; we want your Lordship's force and exuberance of diction to convey the warmth of our admiration; but we lament your choosing to dwell-even with fond delay-upon the unfavourable and unlovelier features of human kind.

The power of thought, the magick of the mind,' animate whatever your Lordship touches; your images live, breathe, and move; still, with whatever perfection of skill you may have finished your subordinate parts, we occasionally detect, in your general outline, a remarkable deviation from nature, an unprofitable and undelightful violation of probability, which all the illusions of your Lordship's mighty magick are unable wholly to conceal.

The more transcendent powers you may be allowed to possess--and who more warmly than ourselves pay homage to their supremacy the fuller of venom, the greater moral anomalies, your performances must be esteemed. If your genius resemble a column of fire, emerging from mid-ocean, and flaming through the clouds that cluster round the circumference,--suffer it no longer, we entreat you, to shed a disastrous effulgence, denouncing woe to the inhabitants of earth: like the sun, it was granted you to diffuse the secret influences of light and warmth and life....to call forth the imperishable verdure of the soul. Are you conscious, my Lord, under what infinite obligation you might lay mankind, by illuminating the purities, the social refinements, the lovely charities, the sublime comforts, the unspeakable delights of christianity! This would be a worthy and nobling ambition. But alas, these rich and flavorous fruits are not the growth of infidelity and vice. Amid your mad and hurrying career, pause for a moment, and tremble for the evil you are producing. Remember that man is an imitative being, and that the dissemination of your Lordship's imposing principles may prove to millions the first step to perdition! Remem

Receives him on its breast,
The circling rocks re-echo round,
And he sinks down to rest.

How vast, how dread the fall from heav'nly virtue pure

ber that sin enters to employ the language | And hark!-the green wave with a sullen sound, of a beloved friend and distinguished advocate, now receiving his reward in the bosom of his Father and his God-that "sin enters, not by breach or escalade, but by cunning or treache ry. It presents itself, not as sin, but as inno-To where unmanly vice and joyless pleasures lure! cence, when watchfulness is hushed to sleep, or the eye of reason diverted. Vice gains its power by insinuation. It winds gently round the soul, without being felt, till its twines become so numerous, that the sinner, like the wretched Laocoon, writhes in vain to extricate himself, and his faculties are crushed, at length, in the folds of the serpent.'

Admonition is equally ungrateful to the giver, as unwelcome to the receiver. By unfolding before your Lordship a brief retrospect of your misdeeds and misadventures, we may have involuntarily awakened your impatience and resentment; but had we not anticipated from the attempt some rays of advantage, however feeble and unpromising, we should have wept that you were wholly given to idols, and have silently abandoned you in despair. There is yet room for reformation, and we cherish enlarged hopes of your Lordship's reforming. We would likewise hope, that, like the Amnecta Cup of Immortality, your effusions may flow, not only unbarming, but purifying, to the lips of the pure.

Forgive, my Lord, the unreservedness of these intimations, and believe us to be, what we truly are, two of your Lordship's sincerest friends,

CHRISTIANITY, CRITICISM.

* See Rev. J. S. Buckminster's admirable sermon on Habit.

POETRY.

FOR THE BOSTON SPECTATOR.

WRITTEN AFTER READING GEORGE BARN-
WELL.

SEE you not yon mountain high
Proudly rising in the sky -
How far it rears its clifted head
Above the Ocean's rocky bed!
Hear you not the surges roar,

Foaming round the shelving shore ?—

Should one fall thence-dash'd by the fatal blow, Ne'er would he rise from darkest depths below. His life is up, his voyage is done,

Adieu earth, seas, the skies, and sun!
His corse shall be hid by the loud dashing wave,
And the white foam forever shall cover his grave.
This wouldst thou see ?-approach and view,
See you not yon witching maid,
With flowing locks and eyes of blue ?-

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And thou, false woman, thou shalt still

Feel Conscience' scorpion sting,

O'er thy lone path, its veil of wretchedness and ill, Affliction dark shall fling.

When cast from each succeeding haunt,

Of misery and shame,

Who then will cheer thy life of woe and want, Or thy sad steps reclaim?

FOR THE BOSTON SPECTATOR.

TO CL

THERE is a grief that shuns the light,
And shows not to a vulgar heart;
Though smiles around the face may play,
Yet inly rankling lies the dart.

So stricken by some hunter's arrow,
The wounded deer retires to die ;-
Unheard his last breath spent in anguish,
Unseen the hot tear in his eye.

FROM A LATE ENGLISH PUBLICATION

L'ESPION

E.

Which has not appeared in this country. "AMONG the miscellaneous poems is "the Curate's petition to the Chancellor"; and it is urged with such earnestness, that we should not be surprized to hear that H. H. himself was a poor curate; yet we should be sorry to have our conjecture verified, for surely so unceremonious an application to the giver of livings is not likely to gain a living. The curate threatens his Lordship that he will turn cobler, unless he be comfortably beneficed:

HEAR, generous Lawyer, hear my prayer!
Nor let my freedom make you stare,
In hailing you "Jack Scott !"
Tho' now upon the wool-sack plac'd,
With wealth, with power, with title grac'd ;
Once nearer was our lot!

Say, by what name, the hapless bard
May best attract your kind regard,
Plain Jack, Sir John, or Eldon;
To give, from your vast power of giving,
A hungry priest some "little living ;"

And make the world say " Well done!”
In vain, without a patron's aid,

I've pray'd and preach'd, and preach'd and pray'd;
Applauded, but ill fed!

Such vain eclât let others share ;
Alas! I cannot feed on air;

I ask not praise, but bread!

For me, unless hard fate's obduracy,
Relenting, grant me some "rich curacy,"
No more my gown I'll use ;
The cure of human souls resigning;
Prebends, for cobler's stali, declining,
I'll mend the soles of shoes!

Yet scarcely "nine dark lustres" past,
'Twere hard to see me at my "last,"
An awful warning giving
Such dire reverse, good Lord! forbid it;
Aid me, and let me say, "You did it ;"
On whom depends my "living!"

BOSTON: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED FOR JOHN PAREJ

DEVOTED TO POLITICKS AND BELLES LETTRES.

VOL. I.

POLITICAL.

FOR THE BOSTON SPECTATOR.

OUR object in publishing this paper is, as far as we are able, to be useful. On former occasions, before our country was involved in war, we endeavoured to shew, with impartiality, what were the rights of belligerents, as they respected neutrals, and what were the limits of those rights. The state of publick opinion likewise required that much should be said, not only of the rights of neutrals, but of their obligations towards belligerents.

Circumstances have materially changed; we are now at war, and it requires but half an hour's attention to the conversation passing in almost any circle, to find that a people, long accustomed to prosperity and peace, are bur partially acquainted with either the latitude or limits of the rights of war. As the character, and probably the duration of this distressing contest may very much depend, not only on the first causes or pretexts, but on the manner in which it is conducted, it is certainly of importance to know what we have and have not a right to do as enemies, and when we have or have not a right to complain of the treatment we receive from those, against whom we have drawn the sword.

BOSTON, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1814.

The opinion we entertain of the merits of Mr. Madison's cause are well known; but, at present, it is not necessary to decide which side is the most just. We wish the citizens of the United States to know, and to contemplate seriously, what our President's declaration of war has exposed us to suffer, without our having any right to complain of dishonourable, cruel, or unauthorized treatment. We believe it will give some, at least, new conceptions, as to what war is.

"When the head of a state or sovereign declares, war against another sovereign, it implies that the whole nation declares war against the other, as the sovereign represents the nation, and acts for the whole society. And the nations are concerned with each other respectively, only as bodies, in their quality as nations. Thus these two nations are enemies, and all the subjects, of the one are enemies to all the subjects of the other inclusively. Herein custom agrees with the principles. "Enemies continue such,wherever they happen to be. The place of abode is of no account here. It is the political ties which determine the quality. Whilst a man remains a citizen of his own country, he remains the enemy of all those with whom his nation is at war; but we are not to conclude from this, Instead therefore of advancing doctrines, that these enemies may treat each other as which we could not pretend to lay down " as such, wherever they happen to meet; every one having authority," or using our own dic- one being master in his respective country, a tion for conveying the established principles of neutral prince will not allow them to use any celebrated jurists, merely for the sake of ap- violence in his territories." Vattel, B. iii. ch. v. pearing to fill our columns with original mat- "But the very manner, by which the right ter, we have thought best to select and insert, of killing enemies is proved, points out also verbatim, such passages from treatises on the the limits of this right. On an enemy's sublaws of war, as particularly apply to circum-mitting and delivering up his arms, we cannot stances that have actually occurred, or which may be expected. To several of our readers, these authorities will be familiar; but much the largest proportion have not the books and cannot readily see them.

The consequences of war,when waged against a powerful enemy, are tremendous, even when that enemy confines himself most rigidly to the exercise of his unquestionable rights, as such. Instead of indulging in querulous remarks on incidents which we had every reason to expect, it is better for us to consider seriously, what our government have made it right and justifiable in the British to do toards us, by our declaring ourselves their enemies; and how far the conduct of our government and its servants, after commencing hostilities, has exposed us to evils, greater than are usually experienced, in modern, civilized warfare. We presume every correct man will deem it of importance, above all in 2 republican government, that the people should know when their censures ought to fall on their own rulers, and when on the enemy. The reader will observe, that in judging how some of these principles apply, we must not only acquaint ourselves correctly with facts, but remark attentively the order of events; for, in deviations from the customary rules of humane and civilized warfare, the aggressor is culpable, the retaliator is to be justified. If we judge of every act from its own character alone, we shall be led to very untenable conclusions.

with justice take away his life. Thus in a battle, quarter is to be given to those who lay down their arms, and at a siege, a garrison offering to capitulate are never to be refused their lives. The humanity with which most nations in Europe carry on wars at present, cannot be too much commended; if sometimes in the heat of action the soldier refuses to give quarter, it is always contrary to the inclination of the officers, who eagerly interpose for saving the lives of such enemies as have laid down their arms." Vattel, B.iii. ch. viii. "Formerly, every one capable of carrying arms became a soldier, when his nation was at war, and especially when attacked. At present, war is carried on by regular troops; the people, the peasants, the inhabitants of towns and villages do not concern themselves in it, and generally have nothing to fear from the and generally have nothing to fear from the enemy's arms. If the inhabitants submit to him who is master of the country, pay the contributions imposed, and refrain from all hostilities, they live as safe as if they were friends; they even continue in possession of what belongs to them. The country people come freely to the camp to sell their provisions, and care is taken that they shall feel the calamities of war as little as possible."

ibid.

"A state taking arms in a just cause has a double right against its enemy. 1. A right of putting itself in possession of what belongs to it, and which the enemy withholds; and to this must be added the expenses incurred to this end, the charges of the war, and the repa

NO. XXXIX.

ration of damages. For were the nation obliged to bear these expenses and losses, it would not fully obtain what is its due, or what belongs to it. 2. It has a right of weakening the enemy, for disabling him from supporting an unjust violence. The right to take from him all means of resistance. On certain occasions, the right of punishing him produces new rights over the things which belong to him, as it also gives over his person.'

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"A nation seizes on what belongs to the enemy, his towns, and provinces, for bringing him to reasonable conditions, for constraining him to accept of an equitable and solid peace. Thus, much more is taken from him than he owes, more than is claimed of him: but this with a design of restoring the surplus by a treaty of peace."

"All the towns and lands taken from the enemy are called conquests, all moveable things constitute the booty. This booty naturally belongs to the sovereign making war, no less than the conquests; for he alone has such claims against the enemy as warrant him to seize on his goods and appropriate them to himself."

"Instead of the pillage of the country and defenceless places, a custom has been substituted more humane and more advantageous to the sovereign making war. I mean that of Contributions. Whoever carries on a just war has a right of making the enemy's country contribue to the support of the army, and towards defraying ait die charges of the waz. Thus he obtains a part of what is due to him, and the subjects of the enemy, on submitting to this imposition, are secured from pillage, and the country is preserved. But a general, who would not sully his reputation, is to moderate his contributions, and proportion them to those on whom they are imposed. An excess in this point is not without the reproach of cruelty and inhumanity if it shows less ferocity than ravage and destruction, it glares with avarice."

ibid.

"If for weakening an unjust enemy, or for. punishing him, it be lawful to carry off his goods, the same reasons justify destroying what cannot conveniently be carried off. Thus

a country is ravaged, the provisions or forage destroyed, that the enemy nay not find a subsistence there. When his ships cannot be taken or brought off, endeavours are used to sink them; all this tends to put an end to the war. But these means are to be used only with moderation, and according to the cxigency. To tear up vines, or cut down fruit trees, is accounted illegal and savage, except to funish some crime committed by the enemy against the laws of war."

"For whatever cause a country be ravaged, he ought to spare those cuifices which do honour to human society, and do not contribute to the enemy's power; such as temples, tombs, publick buildings, and all works of a remarkable beauty. But it is warranted by the laws of war, when an army has no other resource for reducing a place on which may depend the success of the war, or when it greatly annoys us. It is also sometimes practiced, when there is no other expedient of foreing an enemy to make war with humanity, or for pan

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"The conqueror has a right to seize on all the property of the enemy that comes within his power it matters not whether it be immoveable or moveable. These seizures may be made, 1st-in order to obtain what he demands as his due, or an equivalent; 2ndly, to defray the expenses of the war; 3rdly, to force the enemy to an equitable peace; 4thly, to deter him, or by reducing his strength, hinder him, from repeating in future, the injuries which have been the cause of the war. And with this last object in view, a power at war has a right to destroy the property and possessions of the enemy, for the express purpose of doing him mischief.

However the modern laws of war do not permit the destruction of any thing, except, 1-such things as the enemy cannot be deprived of by any other means than those of destruction, and which it is at the same time necessary to deprive him of; 2. such things as,after being taken, cannot be kept, and which might, if not destroyed, strengthen the enemy; 3. such things as cannot be preserved without injury to the military operations. To all these we may add,-4. WHATEVER IS DESTROYED BY WAY OF RETALIATION." Martens, Book viii. ch. iii. Sect. 9.

"The victorious sovereign claims dominion over the provinces and countries conquered by his arms. He appropriates to himself the national domains, and all the property belonging to the dispossessed sovereign; and particularly all the fortresses, ships of war, arms, and all other implements of war. The rest of the moveable property, taken from the vanquished soldiers, is commonly given up as booty to the army, or the corps employed on the expedi

tion.

With respect to the immoveable property of the enemy's subjects, and the moveable property of those of them who have not taken up arms in the war, though the conqueror has a right, strictly speaking, to appropriate the whole of it to himself, yet, according to the modern practice, it is left to the proprietors,

and a contribution is exacted in its stead. This contribution once paid, whether in money, produce, or service, the invaders ought to pay for all they afterwards receive from the conquered subjects; except it be for such services as every sovereign has a right to require from his subjects.

Extraordinary cases, when places are given up to pillage, which is sometimes done to punish those who are found in them, and sometimes by way of retaliation, form an exception

here.

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nation will be directed against them. Instead
of this, correct men will probably find that
those who are called ruthless invaders, incen-
diaries, barbarous foes, &c. are but availing
themselves of rights, which Mr. Madison, and
the advocates of war have given them, by forc-
ing them to become our enemies.

WE have considered Admiral Cochrane's

letter with attention, and feel persuaded, that
that ten lines from Mr. Madison, and such
whoever will do the same, will be convinced,
lines as instead of degrading him, would have
done him honour, might have saved this coun-
try from the apprehension and danger of an
attack on our cities. The Admiral seems

on cach side of the way in the woods, with the artillery in the road, a battle was continued for about an hour, in which it appears that the loss of the British was much the most severe. The enemy being vastly superior in number, then attempted to outflank our army; to prevent which, General Stricker ordered a retreat, which was effected in good order, until our troops were secured by the fortifications of

the city. The enemy advanced slowly and cautiously the next day to within two miles of our entrenchments, but withdrew on Tuesday evening, without making any other attempt, and the next morning embarked on board their vessels, which immediately left the Petapsco.

During the battle on shore, some of the lighter vessels of the enemy sailed up the river, and bombarded fort M'Henry for twenty hours, but with little effect, only six men be

In the engagement below the city, our loss is stated at eleven killed and twenty-eight wounded; that of the enemy as much more considerable, though the precise number has not been ascertained. Report says their com. mander in chief, General Ross, is among the slain.

both to have wished and expected this, or what
could be his motive in making his proposition?
If the United States' troops in Canada violated
the customary rules of war, and were the aging killed.
gressors, in justice to its own character our
dividuals, voluntarily. If there could have
government ought to indemnify suffering in-
been any question on this point, there can be
no doubt, but a civil answer, instead of his
insulting proclamation; a decent proposal to
ascertain the whole train of facts and abide by
the result; with a positive assurance that a
mutual stipulation, for the future, to adhere
rigidly to the mildest system of modern war-
ed-I say, there can be no doubt but the Brit-
fare, would have been acceptable and respect-
tional purposes.
ish admiral would have relinquished his condi-

But as long as Mr. Madison is out of gun-
shot reach himself, he cares not how much his

On the 17th, all apprehensions of another attack at present had subsided, as all the British vessels, except five, had left the Petapsco and gone down the bay.

Plattsburg. On the 11th Sept. the same day on which Commodore Macdonough cap. tured the British fleet, the enemy, in possession of part of Plattsburg, opened their batterics upon our fortifications, and continued cannonading, bombarding, and firing rockets, unti! sunset, when they were completely silenced, and in the morning of the 12th, says General Macomb's official despatch "the British army, consisting of four brigades, a corps of artillery, a squadron of horse and a strong light corps, amounting in all to 14,000 men, after investing this place, on the north of Saranac river, since the 5th inst. broke up their camp and raised the siege, retreating precipitately and leaving their sick and wounded behind. Our loss was

country suffers. Indeed to us it is clear, he
prefers a war of fury, for it is his best chance.
the navy is reduced, and can no longer get to
His administration had completely run down-
sea-his regular army is dwindling to a name;
-the government have not money to support
either navy or army, and cannot get it. Had
the British therefore confined themselves to
the defence of Canada, and to stopping all our
means of revenue, from commerce, Mr. Madi-
son was at the end of his race! They might
have prescribed any terms that this country
could have received, and the government could
have done nothing, but acquiesce. Mr. Madi-
son's last and only resource therefore, is in
bringing the war to such a state, as that the eral Prevost could not expect to carry his op-

people must use their own means, and be com-
pelled to defend themselves. However ex-
pensive and distressing this may be, he un-
doubtedly anticipates, that, eventually, we may
waste away the forces of the enemy. and then
he and his partizans will pronounce the coun-
try saved by them! If Congress do Lot per-
ceive and fustrate this infernal plot, such exis-
tence as we may promise ourselves, from be-
ing the dupes of the Madisonian cabal, will
never be worth the exertions we are making.

GENERAL REGISTER.

BOSTON, SATURDAY, SEPT. 24, 1814.

trifling, having but one officer and fifteen men killed, and one officer and thirty men wounded.”

This retreat is undoubtedly owing to the loss of their fleet, without the aid of which, Gen

erations farther south.

Fort Erie. Accounts from the Niagara frontier to the 14th, state that General Brown had resumed his command-that the inilitia were crossing the river to join him, in great numbers-that the enemy were deficient in tents, and suffering from the rains; but that they had received considerable reinforcements.

Sacket's Harbour. General Izard and suite arrived there on the 12th, and the main body of his army were near. Fifty row boats, mounting one long gun, and capable of carrying 150 men each, were ready for an expedition, supposed to be contemplated against ed their large ship, at Kingston. Kingston. The British are said to have launch

Such are some of the most prominent rights Along the south shore of this state the eneand rules of war. By adverting to these, our DOMESTICK. Baltimore. Early on Mon- my's cruisers are levying contributions from readers will be able to judge both of the con- day morning, the 12th instant, the British the inhabitants of the principal towns, for the duct of our own army and the enemy. An landed a force, estimated at between 4 and security of their vessels and salt works. At attention to these principles cannot tend to di- 5,000 men, at North point, about 12 miles be- Truro, they demanded 2000 dollars, but reduminish the publick disposition to adopt meas- low the city of Baltimore. A brigade of mili-ced the sum to 1200; at Brewster 4000; at ures of defence, but will rather shew the ne- tia, commanded by Gen. Stricker, had pre- Wellfeet 3000, and a sum, not mentioned, from cessity of preparing for distressing events,viously advanced to within three miles of the Orleans. which, since we are at war, may justly be expected. Our rulers undoubtedly calculate that the American people will impute every thing of a hostile nature to outrage and ferocity on the part of the British, and that publick indig

spot, and early in the day, a small detachment
was sent down to reconnoitre, and bring the
enemy to an engagement. They were attacked
and retreated, so that the action soon became
general. Bodies of our troops being posted

Several barges from the Leander and Spencer have landed at different times, this week, near Cape Ann, and in Manchester, but were driven off, without their haying done any injury of consequence.

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