National Intelligencer. (Washington City [D.C.]), Vol. 13, No. 1921, Ed. 1 Tuesday, January 12, 1813 Page: 1 of 4
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FI
WASHINGTON HTY, TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1813.
7T~T~~
[No. 1021.
PUBLISHED BY GALES Sc SEATON.
Tlii'ex times a week, at Live Dollars
fi cr annum—Paid in advance.
ALL j.K’CTERS to THE EJjXTOKS MOST liE
POST PAUL
WASHINGTON CITY.
MONDAY, JANUARY 11.
The nature of the discussion which is
now going on in the House of Represen-
tives of the United States, characterized
by a general latitude transcending as well
the natural limits of the question before
them, as the rules of discussion general-
ly heretofore observed in that body, pre-
cludes all necessity for comment on the
present state of our affairs; as every
question of moment cr interest to the
American people has been brought into
view. We shall publish the debate as
rapidly as it can be prepared for the
, press. It strikes us, that when it shall
have been published, the good people of
this land will agree with us in one thing,
that there is no longer any pretend? for
the groundless clamor heretofore raised
cl' an abridgement of the rights of the
minority in the House: they will at
least agree, that there has recently pre-
vailed a perfect Freedom of Speech.
Tire following letter, addressed to
the Editors without solicitation or re-
quest, is evidently the spontaneous ef-
fusion of an ingenuous and honorable
^ mind, disdaining to permit itself to be
used by party prints for the purpose of
furthering their factious views :
Messrs. Gales and Seaton,
Observing that you have been charg-
ed with having inserted, in the para-
graph in your Gazette announcing my
resignation of the office of Secretary of
the Navy, words which-did not belong
to the paper which, on that occasion, I
sent you for publication, I feel it due
in justice to you to declare that I am
satisfied that your insertion of the oc-
currence was conformable to what went
from 7ny fieri.
Having made this declaration, it is
equally iust to myself to offer an expla-
nation of the affair as it relates to my-
self. On the day on which my resigna-
geri w/A teriSetea and accepted," on my
return to my house, deeming it consis-
tent with the convenience of both the
public and myself, that it should be
speedily known that I had withdrawn
from office, I did pen a paragraph for
your Gazette, in the exact words you
published, closed it, and laid it on my
table : after a few moments of reflection
I determined that it might be better to
present the cure fact cf my resignation,
using nothing prefatory ; accordingly,
I resumed my pen and wrdte a para-
graph from which the words imputed
to you as an interpolation were left out,
and which in preference I intended to
send to you. At the instant that I
had finished this last piece, company
arrived requiring my presence—
after their retirement, I returned to
my desk, took up the note last penn-
ed, as I believed, and sent it to you
for publication; and threw the other
into the fire. That this was my
intention & belief, you can bear me tes-
timony ; for, you recollect that soon
£ after the appearance of the notification
in question, I did remark to you that
the words now excepted to were not
used by me in the fiafier sent you, but
that on your both assuring me that
you copied verbatim from my note,
and that you had not preserved that
note, I admitted the probability of the
mistake on my part ; which was the
more easily the case, when I reflected
that I did pen one in exact conformity
with your publication. I will add, that
I did say to others, previously however
to this explanation with you, that your
publication was Erroneous, but I now
repeat that I am satisfied that the mis-
take-wi-a mine, in sending the note not
intended.
If, gentlemen, this address has in the
public estimation any importance, I
trust it will be found in the attempt
which, in it, I most sincerely make to
shield you from an imputation which I
am now satisfied is unmerited.
With respect to the fact of my hav-
ing contemplated retiring from the,
office of Secretary of the Navy, I had
determined witli the return oi
peace, (if occuring within my official
term) to claim the privilege of retire-
ment; but, as things have taken a
different course, I have the consola-
tion to know that still I am willing and
able to shoulder my musket in defence
t i my country, in a war which I con-
scientiously believe to be both necessa-
ry and just; and which shall have, in
its support, my best personal exer-
tions.
Respectfully yours,
PAUL HAMILTON.
Jan 8, 1815.
STEADY HABITS !
As a specimen of federal poetry and
the style of federal writers, when spea-
king of their political opponents, we
select the following lines from the Con-
necticut Mirror, a paper conducted
generally with no ordinary talent;
though on this occasion, our readers
will agree with us, it is most unfortu-
nately displayed. A poem of some
length commences in the following
strain of poetic sublimity :
“ The Day is past—th’ Election’s o’er,
“ And Madison is King once more !
“ Ye VAGABONDS of every land,
“ CUT-TllROATS and KNAVES—a patri
“ot band—
“ Ye demagogues lift up your voice—
“ Mobs and BANDITTI—all rejoice !” etc.
This is the language which is be-
coming every day more and mors fash-
ionable with those, among whom (to use
the language of the poem when speak-
ing of its own party) “ opposition rears
its crest ” We. have, however, never
seen or heard of any parallel to this,
unless it be in a certain speech lately
delivered on the floor of a Legislative
Body not an hundred miles off, or in
the Report of the Maryland committee
of Propositions and Grievances, to
which we alluded a day or two ago.
These productions cannot but immor-
talize their authors, if it be only for
their bold innovation on the silly and
old-fashioned prejudices of weak minds
in favor of decency and good manners.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Friday, January 8.
Mr. Dinsmoor presented a resolu-
tion of the Legislature of New Hamp-
shire, requesting their delegations^
Congress to procure the passage of a
law raising the wages of the detached
militia.
Saturday, January 9.
Mr. MKim presented the memorial
of sundry owners of merchant mills and
others, remonstrating against the re-
trospective operation given to the law
extending Oliver Evans's patent for im-
provements in manufacturing flour and
meal, and praying relief—The petition
was referred to the committee of Com-
'meree and Manufactures.
Mr. Cheves, from the committee of
Ways and Means, reported a bill mak-
ing certain partial appropriations for
the year 1813, (additional appropriation
for the expenses of Congress); a bill
making appropriations for the support
of the Navy of the United States for
1S13 ; a b'li to increase the salaries of.
the Secretaries of end War and Navy
department (to a level with that of the
two other Secretaries) ; which several
bills were twice read and committed.
The House resumed the considera-
tion of the order of the day on the
New Army bill.
Mr. Clay (Speaker) concluded the
speech he yesterday commenced.
Mr. Quincy made a few remarks in
rejoinder to Mr. Clay’s observations.
Mr. Sheffey then stated that he was
desirous of speaking, but feeiing indis-
posed to-day, and it being late, he mo-
ved that the committee rise, report
progress and ask leave to sit again.
This motion was at first negatived,
but subsequently, after conversation a-
cross the House between Messrs. Wil-
liams and Randolph, was agreed to by
a majority of one or two.
And the House adjourned, after giv-
ing the committee leave to sit again,
A letter from Liverpool, of Novem-
ber 7, says—
“ An order from government lias appeared,
declaring the Licences or Passports, valid,
hat were granted by Admiral Sawyer to A-
merican vessels carrying provisions to the pe-
ninsula, and directing that all such vessels
having been detained by British cruisers shall
be released.”
From the New York Gazette.
It appears, that after the re-capture
ofMoscow, Count Winzengerode, ven-
tured too great a distance in reconnoi-
tering, was unfortunately taken prison-
er by a French detachment.
It is said in a London paper, that the
following gentlemen 'have been ap-
pointed American commissioners for
the care of properly captured under
the American flag prior to the issuing
letters of marque— *
Messrs. C. Long, A. Wedderburn,
Row, Handcock and Dr Burnaby.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTAT1VE3.
DEBATE ON THE NEW ARMY BILL.
(cONTlNthSll.)
Saturday, January 2.
Mr. GOLD stud the annuls of this
government, the last six months, com-
mencing with the declaration of war,
tfould be found the most interesting, the
most deplorable.
In that period, we have seen a war
declarltd, precipitately and premature-
ly ; for notwithstanding all the argu-
ments urged on that occasion with so
much Zealand eloquence, time has.dis-
sipated all; the illusions have vanish-
ed ; your army, so confidently expect-
ed, did not, under the magic of that
declaration, spring into existence ; the
condition of your enlistments would
not, I apprehend, at this hour, justify
the declaration of war. We have seen,
sir, that war conducted in a manner well
to comport with the spirit in which it
was declared $ disaster upon disaster in
rapid accession have followed; the
tone aid heart of the country broken ;
univferal disgust at the past, and deep
cqncerj and anxiety for the future pre-
vail evry where.
And what, Mr. Speaker, is now pro-
posed fir the future—what is to retrieve
our affars—on what are our hopes to
rest ? /ti aimy of twelve-months men !
A broket reed ! An army and term of
service, yhich well nigh lost the coun-
try in tie revolutionary war ; an army
which ir every step and stage ot that
war receved the uniform aud reitera-
ted cerisu'c Sc condemnation ot Wash-
ington, aid every intelligent officer of
that period ; an army that stands record-
ed by eve*y historian of that war with
deep rep each and reprobation. Such
is the fouiciation of our future hopes;
shutting qiir eyes upon the lessons of
experience we live but to repeat form
er errors md renew our sufferings.—
Shall we sever learn, that a soldier is
not the cAature of an hour ; that he
must be seasoned to the hardships of
war; that o remove your recruit from
bis fire-sice, from his plentiful board,
and ail the'comforts with which he is
surrounded to the theatre of service,
there to slelp on the ground or in tents,
with two orihree articles of subsistence
only, is to tive him up a victim to dis-
ease, to cpnsign him to the grave ?..
This precise result is presented to the
mind "by th<| melancholy review of the
last campaign i disease and death have
walked abroad in our armies on the
frontier ; they have been swept to the
grave as by the besom of destruction.
It has not stopped with your army ; the
frontier inhabitants, infected by the dis-
eases of the camp, fly from the deadly
theatre as from a destroying angel !
Shall we never learn the difference be-
tween our situation, and that of nations
who have h competent military esta-
blishment, sufficient at all times for both
offensive and defensive operations ?
The slender military establishment
of the United States, whilst it consults
economy and favors the genius of the
government, forbids a hasty resort to
war, especially extra-territori.d and of-
fensive war ; time for preparation, af-
ter the measure is 'resolved on, is in-
dispensible, and a disregard of our si-
tuation in this respect cannot fail to pro-
duce defeat and disaster—to produce
such a c-mpaign ss has just now closed.
But, Mr. Speaker, wh- refore change
■Al" - 4.-——C —-—r- — -» ff'—
or during the war, to one year ? The
sole' avowed object of the war by land
was the conquest of the Canadas. Are you
at this hour nearer your object than on
the day you declared war, or has that
object, with a steady and sure pace, con-
stantly receded from you as you have
advanced in the war ? Is Canada so far
conquered that you can now reduce the
term of enlistment ? It is impossible
to shut our eyes on the past; while all
is disgust and despondency with our
own citizens—sick of the past, and con-
cerned for the future—while every post
brings to the cabinet fearful and alarm-
ing; changes in the sentiments of the
people under this ill-fated war—your
enemy the Canadians take courage,
their wavering sentiments have become
resolved, and union in defence of then-
fire sides, the land that gives them
bread, is spreading and cementing ail
in the patriotic vow.
There was a time, sir, when you had
friends in the Uppe-r Province ; there
were many who wished well to your
arms, and would have greeted your ap-
proach, but that ill-fated policy which
precipitated every thing, which in zeal
for the end overlooked the means, has
blasted all our hopes from that quarter ;
the Canadian, while he knows your pow-
er, distrusts your wisdom anti your ca-
pacity to conduct the war—he dares not
commit himself, his ail, to such auspi-
ces. Hence, sir, difficulties thicken
on every side, and at least three times
the force is now necessary to effect the
conquest, which would have been re-
quired at tie commencement cf the
war. Have tve made an impression on
the Prince Regent and his ministry ? are
they now mof-e disposed to succumb Sc
accept your terms than before the war ?
How stand the people of the British
Empire ? Instead of their coercing the
government into our terms, which we
fondly anticipated, the late election to
Parliament slews them disposed to go
hand in ham with the government in
resisting ou claims, and inflicting on
us all the evils of war. “ Maritime
Rights” are echoed and re-echoed with
applause throughout the Empire.—
-e the bitter fruits of your
to what farther point the
lull conduct the destinies
Such, sir, a
policy, and
same hand s
of the country, remains to be seen.
I seek nol to aggravate the miscon-
duct of the ivar, nor lo commend our
enemies, but only wish, sir, that Wc
may see things as they are, our actual
situation, aikl thus look danger in the
face. Do jjou persevere in the con-
quest of Canada ? Pass not the barrier
with an army of less than forty-five or
fifty thousand men: if you do, in my
apprehension, the defeats and disasters
of the past campaign will he visited up-
on you—another army will be made to
pass under the yoke; and at the end of
the year,-you will find yourself still fur-
ther removed from your object. The
tug of war is now placed fairly before
us, we cannot advance without meeting
it. Such, Mr. Speaker, are the grounds
on which I object to this ttoekv-e months
army ; it is not adapted to the profess-
ed object of the war, the conquest ot
Canada. Is there, sir, any other object
in contemplation of the government;
any other land of leeks and onions, which
Heaven has given us, or to which our
destinies lead ? Is the south of easier
access than the north, and is the circle
of hostility to be extended to that quar-
ter ? We profess a pacific policy ;
moderation and justice are our boast;
let us beware how wc commit to the
hazard this high and enviable charac-
ter ; how we yield,on specious grounds,
to that mad St destructive policy, which
we reprobate in others; a policy which
has in all periods overwhelmed nations
with calamity, and swelled the tide of
human misery. But it is said, that Mr.
Russell, late charge, d’affaires at St.
James’ has evinced the moderation of
our government, that he tendered to the
British minister a proposition which,by
ex-eludmg British seamen from our ves-
sels, would cut up the dispute by the
roots. Is the fact so? Had Mr. Rus-
sell cr the President authority to stipu-
late ? if he had not, if all he could of-
fer must be subject to the legislative
discretion of Congress, acting under
the impulse of war, the tender was nu-
gatory arid void. Why this proposition
was not made before the declara-
tion of war, before the passions were
kindled into a blaze, I have never been
able to discover. We, all remember how
frequently the diplomatic notes passed
between Mr, Monroe and Mr. Foster
in the months of May and June last;
how each government exerted itsojf,
through its agents, to profess and shew
Its disposition to peace and reconcilia
Lion, to bbviale difficulties, and make
concessions, and present ns claims in
the most moderate and least exception-
able form. Wherefore was this pi ciposi-
tion, at that all important period, held
in reserve ? Why is the blaze of war
first kindled and then the olive branch
thrust into the llama ? I should be loth
to believe, that you withhold when it
would be received, and offir only
when the passions are worked up to a
ynUiio refuse.. The Sidjjcet Teguii.‘e.s..
explanation; propositions agitated at
a former period, under a different mi-
nister, will not satisfy the candid en-
quirer on this point. But, sir, though
the proposition be made inlormally and
at a iate ant! inauspicious hour, it is, in
my conception, the bounded duty of
those who have made it and place so
much stress and boast upon it, to make
good the tender, by passing the requisite
laws to give effect to the proposition Sc
make it binding ; or in other words, to
give to the President power to stitipu-
late for the exclusion of British sea-
men li orn our vessels. The result of
such an overture, will, in my apprehen-
sion, much depend on the spirit of can-
dor and fairness in which it is made.
In'any event and in whose ever hands
the government may lie, the people of
the United States will nut long main-
tain a war, at the present enormous cx-
pehee, for the single article of impress-
ment, especially if the redress cun be
obtained by the exclusion of British
seamen from our service. But if, Mr.
Speaker, the appeal to arms for redress
is to be persevered in, there are
considerations in a review of the fiast,
which forbid a hope of the speedy re-
turn of peace, at least in the life and
continuance of the army raised by this
bill Nothing touches the passions and
sinks so deep in the heart of a bellige-
rent as tilt departure of a neutral from
his duty, and siding with his adversary ;
such a belief in Englishmen of the
conduct of this government, whether
well or ill founded, cannot fail to pro-
long the war.
I fear there are points in our neutral
course, in our relative conduct towards
Great Britain and France which will
not bear examination. You proclaimed
the Berlin and A Man decrees revoked,
and put upon G. B. the threatened al-
ternative of non-intercom se. Was the
fact so ? You took a promise for the
fact ; you proclaimed the fact, while
France herself, the author of the cleed
and party to be benefited, denies and
disowns it as done at the time. Here
was a fatal error ; a departure from the
straight line of justice ; and when our
error m this was palpable to all the
world, we gave no explanation, no ex-
cuse, but persevered >n a measure
which led to war. It is this course, sir,
this departure from even-handed neu
tralily between- G. Britain and France,
that has lost you the support of your
own citizens to a great and alarming
extent, and at this moment sustains
the British ministry in the hearts of
Englishmen. It is this belief of .out'go-
vernment's leaning to France, that has
carried that ministry vso triumphantly
thro’ the late elections to Parliament.
If any thing could add to the gloom
md sicken the mind under the prospect
before us,it is the inauspicious conjunc-
tion of events. America and France both
making war at the same time on G. B:;
we making the enemy of France our e-
neiny, and this at the ill-fated moment
when the ali grasping Emperor, of that
country is rolling a baleful cloud, charg-
ed with destruction, north (upon the
Russian empire ; upon a powpr always
just to America ; upon our truest and
best friend on the European theatre.—.
Against such a friend, at such a period,
we have beheld the march of the Cor-
sican through rivers of blood ; his foot-
steps arc traced over the ashes of the
proudest cities, and he sits himself
down, at length, at Moscow, like Mari-
us over the ruins of Carthage.
Mr. PEARSON said, not uufrequer.m
ly it happens, Mr. Speaker, both in pri-
vate and political life, that men, of the
clearest perceptions and most correct
motives, experience much difficulty and
embarrassment in determining on the
course best to be pursued, or the appli-
cation of means best calculated to pro-
duce a given object. The object most
devoutly wished for by myself, and, no
doubt, equally desired by every honest
and honorable man in this community,
is, that my country should once more
ne restored to the enjoyment of peace.
Under the pressure..of existing circum-
stances, involved in a war with a power-
ful nation—a war now prosecuted for a
doubtful, or, at least, strongly contro-
verted question of national right—a war,
the prosecution of which, so far as re-
lates to our military operations, has
every where, and on all occasions, been
attended with disgrace, defeat or dis ;s-
ter—Under such circumstances, I con-
fess, sir, I cm not free from embarrass-
ment in determining on the course-'de-
manded by genuine patriotism, or lust
calculated to restore the blessings of
peace to the country. 1 rejoiced to hear
the honorable Cn airman of the Military
Committee (Mr, D R. Vv'tisi -i s)’ de-
clare, the other day-, that ids ject v as
also peace. It must n't. a scurr.e of gra-
tification to tke country, to learn that
some of the strongest advocates tor the
declafation of war begin now to t.'-
and talk of peace
The honorable - gentleman, how,- -
urges the passage of th- bill under
sideration (which au-horizVs^-j-enl-ai •
ment of 23.000 additional regular troops
for one year ; and provides for the ap-
pointment, of.-pr.oport;ona-bly .ui unusual
number of officers, with all the -.ecom-
panying paraphernalia of an army), as
the means best calculated to produce
the end in view; Did I believe, sir,
that the passage of this bill, or (wnat is
more.difficult, and less likely to happen)
the actual enlistment of the p-.o.posed-
additional force, would secure to us mir
object, I would not only consent to give
this force, but ten timei the number—
if it were by force alone to be obtained ;
but when 1 reflect on the sfirdial and
sole cause fur which it is avowed the
war is now prosecute*!; when I consid-
er the relative strength, situation and
disposable force,, by sea and land, of the
two nations—and especially when my
recollection is assailed (for we cannot,
nor ought we to, close our senses against
such damning facts) with the her- to-
foro scanty enlistments—the confusion
and insubordination which has pervad-
ed many parts of your army—the extra-
ordinary expence already incurred, and
the uniform disasters wihii h have mark-
ed nil your military operations—I can-
not bring my mind to the belief, th.it the
force now proposed can produce any de-
sirable effect. j
Mr. Speaker, as much as I wasmip-
posed to the declaration of war—and as
much as subsequent events have con-
vinced me of the correctness of,the vote
I gave on that momentous question—it
is not my purpose on this occasion to
question the policy of that unfortunate
act—Mv mind is bent on peace—to that
object my efforts are directed. Tim
impression is strongly fixed on my^a-
derstanding, that this war can be teiiiftih -
a ted with honor and advantage, to this
nation, without the further effusion of
human blood, if so, surely no Christian
will deny, but justice, humanity and
sound policy demand that nothing should
remain undorie, on our part, to stop this
career of carnage and bloodshed. 1
have said; sir, that it is my impression,
that this war can be terminated with
honor and advantage to this nation, with-
out a further appeal to arms. In stat-
ing this opinion, I do not mean to be un-
derstood as identifying ihe hotior of the
nation with the honor of those by whom
the war was declared ; or, in other
words, I do not admit, that the national
honor rests solely in the hands of those
who may happen to be in the adminis-
tration, or who may happen to consti-
tute a majority in Congress. No, sir,
this is an elective government-—tub
power and ultimate responsibility rctft.
with the people ; they cannot be dis-
honored unless they pertinaciously ap-
prove of unwise or wicked measures,
and continue to support the authors of
such measures. It is, therefori-, not
with me a primary consideration in tnc
f Cuniiitaed on. 'fastpttge.f
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National Intelligencer. (Washington City [D.C.]), Vol. 13, No. 1921, Ed. 1 Tuesday, January 12, 1813, newspaper, January 12, 1813; Washington, District of Columbia. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth996012/m1/1/: accessed June 11, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .