This statement of national affairs was as favorable to the conduct of the administration as could possibly be made; and made, it should be recollected, by one interested to render it as plausible and justifiable as might be, of the measures and policy adopted. It appears to have been an early plan of the executive to send troops into Canada, and to take possession of that territory. Reliance was also evidently placed, on the assistance of the militia, not merely for defence in case of invasion of the United States when the British became an enemy, by the declaration of war; but for increasing the force ordered to enter the British territory for conquest; and for regular service in the war, in such manner and to such extent as the federal executive might think proper; instead of calling on them, as the Constitution had provided, to defend the country against invasion.

By the correspondence between Admiral Warren, then Commander-in-Chief of all the British forces on and near the American continent, and the Secretary of State of the United States, which the President communicated to Congress, at this time; as well as by a proposition made by the British Commander-in-Chief in Canada; it was officially notified to the American administration, that the orders in council were repealed on the twenty-third of June; it was also proposed to suspend hostilities between the two nations; and to enter anew on negotiations relating to the laws of Congress interdicting the commerce and ships of war of Great Britain from the harbors and waters of the United States; and to the permanent revocation of the British orders in council.

But this proposition was not favorably received by the American administration; and in reply to it, the Secretary of State was directed by the President to declare, "that a suspension of the claim, or forbearance to press or act upon it, during the cessation of hostilities, was indispensable to such cessation; for experience had fully evinced that no peace could be durable unless this object were provided for." But the instructions to the British Admiral, authorizing him to propose a cessation of hostilities, and to enter on further negotiations for the speedy restoration of peace, did not authorize him to adjust or discuss the subject of impressments.

The Secretary added, "without further discussing questions of right, the President is desirous to provide a remedy for the evils complained of on both sides. The claim of the British government is to take from the merchant vessels of other countries all British subjects. In this practice, the

commanders of British ships of war take from vessels of the United States American citizens. If the United States prohibit the employment of British subjects in their service, and enforce the prohibition, by suitable regulations and penalties, the motive for the practice is taken away. It is in this mode, that the President is willing to accommodate this important controversy with the British government; and it cannot be conceived on what ground the arrangement can be refused.

A suspension of the practice of impressment, pending the armistice, seems to be a necessary consequence. It cannot be presumed, while the parties are engaged in a negotiation to adjust amicably this important difference, that the United States would admit the right, or acquiesce in the practice of the opposite party; or that Great Britain would be unwilling to restrain her cruisers from a practice, which would have the strongest tendency to defeat the negotiation. It is presumable, that both parties would enter into a negotiation with a sincere desire to give it effect. For this purpose it is necessary that a clear and distinct understanding be first obtained between them, of the accommodation which each is prepared to make. If the British government is willing to suspend the practice of impressment from American vessels, on consideration that the United States will exclude British seamen from their service, the regulations by which this compromise should be carried into effect, would be solely the object of negotiation. The armistice would be of short duration. If the parties agreed, peace would be the result. If the negotiation failed, each would be restored to its former state and to all its pretensions, by recurring to war."

The conduct of the administration, in reference to the proposal of the British government, for a cessation of hostilities, and an adjustment of the long-existing disputes between the two nations, was a subject of much discussion through the United States. By a moiety, if not the majority of the citizens, the course pursued by the federal executive was justified and approved; the rights of the nation, and of the seamen particularly, requiring the rejection of the overtures made by the British, and a vigorous prosecution of the war; while a large portion, perhaps one half of the people, as some writers asserted, being either opposed to the war at first, or at the unsuccessful enterprises of the army, and believing that the offers of the British government were consistent both with the welfare and honor of

the nation, condemned the policy of the administration in strong terms; and fully expressed their apprehensions, that the war must continue many years, if peace could only be restored on the conditions urged by the federal rulers; and that the consequence would be a close alliance with France, then governed by a military despot. It was believed the British ministry would never surrender the claim to search and take their own seamen from neutral merchant vessels-the right to take them by force from public armed ships was given up-and that it was improper to require it: and to continue the war, therefore, while this was the only or chief difficulty in the way of negotiation and peace, was alike inexpedient and unjust. The war, however, was still prosecuted; and more efficient measures were adopted by Congress to render it successful. The people were led to believe, by a partial statement of facts, and by addresses to their prejudices, that Great Britain was aiming to subdue the United States, and to bring them back to their former allegiance to the British king; and many were directly interested in the continuance of war, as it gave them office and employment. A small majority in Congress, also approved of the opinions and views of the President, as given in his message; and expressed their approbation of his rejection of the proposed cessation of hostilities by the British, on the terms offered; insisting "that the impressment of seamen being the principal cause of war, it must be prosecuted till that cause was removed." On some other important subjects, connected with the policy of the war, the majority of the federal legislature could not be persuaded to support the measures proposed by the warm friends of the administration. A law for the relief of merchants who had imported British goods after the 23d of June, and before the 15th of September, was passed, though opposed by most of the members who approved of the war. And the bill for increasing the naval establishment was also opposed by many friends of the administration; but finally received the sanction of the majority of Congress.

CHAPTER IX.

Prosecution of the War. Terms Offered for Cessation of Hostilities by Great Britain Rejected. British Orders in Council Repealed. Charges of French Influence. Disasters of the United States' Troops on the Borders of Canada. Inadequate Means of War. Further Call for Militia. Dispute on the Power of Congress over the Militia. Naval Victories. Success on Lake Erie. And of General Harrison, at Fort Meigs, and Malden, &c. Invasion of Canada Unsuccessful. War Unpopular. New Terms of Peace proposed. Peace Made, without Obtaining any of the Objects for which War was Declared.

MR. MADISON, of Virginia, was again elected President of the United States, for the term of four years, from the fourth of March, 1813. De Witt Clinton, of New York, was the other candidate for that high and responsible office. He was supported by those who considered the war unnecessary, and who were desirous of restoring peace between the United States and Great Britain. Mr. Madison received 107 votes, and Mr. Clinton 89. Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts, who had been governor of the State, for 1810 and 1811, was chosen Vice President. Some changes were made in the Cabinet, at this time; General Armstrong, of New York, was appointed Secretary of War, in the place of William Eustis, who resigned; and William Jones of Pennsylvania was placed at the head of the Navy department.

In the month of January, 1813, another disaster fell on a part of the north western army, near lake Erie, at the river Raisin. A detachment of the Americans had been sent under Colonel Lewis, to take possession of that site, as important for the occupation of the United States' troops. After a short engagement, the place was taken by the men under Colonel Lewis. This, however, was not an affair of much moment, for only a few of the enemy were then stationed there. Without orders from Major General Harrison, the Commander-in-Chief in that part of the country, Brigadier General Winchester proceeded to support Colonel Lewis, with two hundred and fifty more men; fearing he would be attacked and overpowered by the British and Indians, then in large numbers in that vicinity. After he reached the place he neglected to take such measures of precaution to prevent an attack by surprise, as prudence seemed to dictate; and in quite an unprepared state he was assailed by the British and Indians, amounting to eighteen hundred; and

a great slaughter ensued. The attack was very sudden, and wholly unexpected, so that great confusion and delay occurred in forming the troops under the United States officers; and they were soon overpowered by a superior force. Nearly four hundred men were slain or mortally wounded, and between seven and eight hundred taken by the enemy. An act was passed at this session, in January, 1813, for an augmentation of the regular army of the United States. It was then estimated at 35,000. Congress now provided for an increase of 20,000 troops; and the appointment of six additional Major Generals. The President was also authorized to accept of any volunteer corps which might be raised, with a view to the defence of places invaded, near which they resided. This was not materially different from relying on the militia for protection, in case of invasion. In various seaport towns, parties of the citizens formed, and acted as guards on the coasts. In Massachusetts, and in some other States, these volunteer companies, or parties, were furnished with arms and other munitions of war by the State executive, whenever there was application for them, and there was reason to suppose an attack, or landing, by the British might be made.

The public expenses were necessarily much increased by the means adopted for prosecuting the war; and the national finances were in a state of great embarrassment, at this period. When the committee of "Ways and Means," called on the Secretary of the Treasury, January, 1813, for his opinion of the probable amount, to be provided by Congress for the year following, he stated in reply, "That at least sixteen millions by way of loans would be necessary, to be added to twelve millions, the estimated amount of revenue for the year." Such estimates are always uncertain; and often overrated. And the Secretary of the Treasury observed, "That it would be necessary to repeal or modify the non-importation laws, to realize the amount calculated to arise from imposts." He also proposed a great increase of duty on foreign tonnage, and the suspension of allowances to importers, under the name of drawbacks. And he gave it as his opinion, that, unless the war should be brought to a close within the year, it would be requisite to provide for farther loans for the year 1814, and to have recourse to internal and direct taxes. By the most able financiers in the United States, it was asserted, that the duties on imports would not much exceed five millions; and that the expenses would be nearly double to the estimates of the Secretary. For in the latter part of 1812, and