History of the late War, between the United States and Great Britain ... Illustrated with plates. Third edition, revised and corrected

Front matter

BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS _ GENERAL JACKSON. HISTORY OF THE LATE WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN COMrUISING A MINUTE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIOUS MILITARY AND NAVAL OPERATIONS. Commodore Porter, the Hero of the Pacific— Page 233. BY H. M. BRACKENRIDGE PHILADELPHIA: JAMES KAY, JUN. AND BROTHER, 179 MARKET STREET. PITTSBURGH: C. H. KAY & CO. 1344. Entered aœ'eding.to the act of congress, in the year 1839, hy James Kay, Jun. _. Brother, in ih. clerk's office of the district court of the United Slates in and for the eastern distric: of Pennsylvania. Printed and Bound by JAMES KAY, JUN. & BROTHER, Philadelphia. (■*$

Preface

. The work here presented to the public, after passing through five .arge editions, had been for years entirely out of circulation, when the Publishers, urged by its continued popularity, prevailed on the Author to prepare it for a sixth edition. This last impression having gone off with remarkable rapidity, the Publishers have now stereo typed the work, aster again submitting it to the ordeal of a careful and scrutinizing revision. As to the merit of the work, the reader must judge for himself. Its general accuracy has received the approbation of those most capable of judging. It has been translated into Italian, by a writer of eminence ; and also into French, by the celebrated M. Dalmas, who speaks in high terms of the energy of the style, and the clear ness of the narrative. The design of the work was not a history of the times, embracing the legislative, diplomatic and statistical subjects connected with the war.

These are glanced at. But it was the intention of the Author to bring within one narrative, as far as it was practicable, all the campaigns, battles, skirmishes and incidents which may properly be considered as constituting the Events of the War. It was difficult, if not impossible, to weave all these materials into one connected story, especially when we consider that the war was carried on simultaneously at so many points having no connection with each other. There was the war of the south, that of the north west, that on the Niagara, that along the seabord at various points; and there was the maritime contest, which was entirely distinct from that along the coast. On the Niagara frontier there was much hard fighting; but every campaign opened under a new general, and sometimes before its close that general was superseded.

After the fall of general Pike, the war in that quarter was carried on without any settled plan ; and ended without accomplishing any one of its objects. It served, however, to afford opportunity to a number of officers to distinguish themselves for their military talents and intre pidity : among these, generals Brown, Scott, Jesup, Miller, Rip ley, Towson are deservedly eminent. To the Northwest our mili tary affairs were conducted on a systematic plan, and under a com mander who was completely successful in what he undertook: in the South, the war was also confided to a single individual, who was found abundantly competent to the duties assigned him. Harrison and Jackson therefore are the only generals who can be said to have conducted entire plans of operation to a successful issue ; and their names are decidedly the most conspicuous in the History of the War.

Philadelphia, January 1839. A* ILLUSTRATIONS. spa£« BATTLE OF THE CONSTITUTION AND GUERRIERE — COMMODORE HULL 47 BATTLE OF THE WASP AND FROLIC — COMMODORE JONES 51 TAKING OF YORK, AND DEATH OF GENERAL PIKE . . 108 GALLANT DEFENCE OF FORT SANDUSKY, BY MAJOR CROGHAN 150 BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE — COMMODORE PERRY 155 BATTLE OF THE THAMES, AND DEATH OF TECUM- SEH— GENERAL HARRISON 161 COMMODORE PORTER, THE HERO OF THE PACIFIC — Vignette 213 BATTLE OF THE CONSTITUTION WITH THE CYANE AND LEVANT — COMMODORE STEWART 223 BOMBARDMENT OF FORT M'HENRY — MAJOR ARMI- STEAD 271 BATTLES OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN, AND PLATTSBURGH —COMMODORE M'DONOUGH, AND GENERAL MA- COMB 279 BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS — GENERAL JACKSON — FRONTisrtECE CONTENTS.

Chapter I

Causes of the War witn Great Britain. 13 Rule of 1756 14 Impressment of American Seamen 15 Attack on the Chesapeake 19 Differences with France 21 French Decrees 21 Embargo . . .- 22 Non-Intercourse 22 Indian Hostilities 23 Tecumseh 23 General Harrison 24 Battle of Tippecanoe 24 Honours paid to General Harrison 26 War with Great Britain inevitable- •■ .27

Chapter II

Declaration of War by the U. States. .28 General Hull reaches Detroit 31 He crosses into Canada 32 Successful Skirmishes on the River Aux Canards 33 Taking of Michilimackinac 34 Battle of Brownstown 35 Battle of Magagua 36 Taking of Chicago 37 Surrender of General Hull 38

Chapter III

Naval Events 43 Cruise of Commodore Rodgers 43 The President chases the Belvidera. .. .44 Cruise of Captain Hull 44 The Constitution captures the Guerriere 45 Commodore Porter captures the Alert. .49 Cruise of the President and Congress. .50 Cruise of the Argus 50 The United States captures the Macedonian 51 The Wasp captures the Frolic 51 Exploits of American Privateers 53 Results of the Naval Warfare 54 Sensations excited in England 55

Chapter IV

Military Enthusiasm in the West 56 Second Expedition to the Rapids under General Tupper 61 General Harrison takes command of the Northwestern Army 57 Foray under General Hopkins 62 The Army advances under General Winchester 58 Second Expedition under Gcueral Hopkins 63 Expedition to the Rapids under General Tupper 59 Defence of Fort Harrison 64 Expedition under Colonel Russell 65 Failure of the Expedition to the Rapids 60 Expedition under Colonel Campbell . ..65 Security of the Frontier established. ..60

Chapter V

Troops on the Canada Frontier 66 Capture of the Caledonia 67 Battle of 0.ueenstown C8 Deatti of General Brock 70 British bombard Forl Niagara 72 Abortive attempt of General Smyth. .73 Northern Army 75 Incursion of Forsythe— of Colonel Pike 76 War on the Lakes 77 First Cruise of Commodore Chauncey. -77 CONTENTS.

Chapter VI

Meeting of Congress 78 War with the Southern Indians 82 Proposal of an Armistice 79 Tecumseh's Visit to the Creeks - -83 Reverses of Napoleon 80 War with the Seminoles 84 Measures for carrying on the War 81 Third British Frigate taken— the Java. 86 Blockade of our Coasts 81 Disasters of our Arms to the West - .. .88

Chapter VII

General Harrison returns to Ohio 88 Cruelty of the British and Indians 92 Humanity of the People of Detroit 95 March of General Harrison 96 Siege of Fort Meigs 97 Defeat of Colonel Dudley 99 Sortie under Colonel Miller 99 Siege of Fort Meigs raised 100 Exploit of Major Ball 102 General Winchester sends a Detachment to the relief of Frenchtown. .89 Defeat ofthe British and Indians 90 Winchester arrives with Reinforcements 90 Defeat and Surrender ofthe Americans at the River Raisin 91

Chapter VIII

Repulsed by General Brown 121 Resignation of General Dearborne ...123 Town of Sodus attacked 123 Affair at Beaver Dams 123 Lieutenant Eldridge 124 Indians enter the American Service. .124 British attack Black Rock 124 Second Taking of York 125 British devastate the Borders of Lake Champlain 125 Cruise of Commodore Chauncey on Lake Ontario 126 British Preparations in Canada 102 Incursion of Forsythe 103 Attack on Ogdensburgh 103 General Pike 104 Taking of York 105 Explosion of a Magazine 109 Death of General Pike 109 Taking of Forts George and Erie 112 Battle of Stony Creek 116 Capture of Generals Chandler and Winder 118 British attack Sackett's Harbour 120

Chapter IX

War on the Coast 127 Southern Cities threatened 133 British attack Lewistown 128 Attack on Craney Island— gallantly repulsed 133 Gun-Boats attack some British Vessels of War 129 Hampton assaulted and plundered 135 Exploits of Admiral Cockburn 129 Enormities committed there 135 Attack on Frenchtown 130 Correspondence between General Taylor and Sir Sydney Beckwith. 136 Plundering and Burning of Havre de Grace 130 Cockburn plunders the Coast of North Carolina 137 Plundering and Burning of Georgetown and Fredericktown 132 Blockade ofthe American Squadron at New London by Commodore Hardy 138 Arrival of Admiral Warren and Sir Sydney Beckwith 132 Torpedo System 138

Chapter X

Naval Affairs 139 Captain Lawrence appointed to the The Hornet captures the Peacock .... 140 Chesapeake 141 Humane and generous Conduct of The Shannon challenges the Chesa- Captain Lawrence, and the Crew peake 142 of the Hornet 141 The Shannon captures the Chesapeake CONTENTS. 9 Death of Captain Lawrence 143 Cruise of the Congress 147 The Pelican captures the Argus 145 Gallant Conduct of American Privateers— of the Comet— of the General Armstrong 147 Cruise of Commodore Porter in the South Seas 146 The Enterprize captures the Boxer.. .146 The Privateer Decatur captures the Dominica 148 Cruise of Commodore Rodgers 147

Chapter XI

Affairs of the West 149 " We have met the Enemy, and they are ours" 157 Patriotic Enthusiasm of Ohio and Kentucky 149 Northwestern Army reinforced 158 Governor Shelby 150 Capture of Maiden 158 Character of the Kentuckians 150 Skirmish at Chatham 153 Gallant Defence of Fort Sandusky by Major Croghan 151 Battle of the Thames 159 Capture of the British Regulars 160 Humane Conduct of the Besieged 152 Colonel Johnson wounded 160 Tecumseh raises the Siege of Fort Meigs 153 Death of Tecumseh 160 Character of Tecumseh 163 Naval Preparations on Lake Erie. . . .153 Escape of General Proctor 164 Commodore Perry sails with his Fleet in quest of the Enemy 153 Public Testimonials of Respect to General Harrison 164 Battle of Lake Erie 154 Generous Treatment of the British Prisoners— of the Savages 165 Gallant Behaviour of Perry 154 Capture of the Enemy's Squadron. .. .157 Interesting Correspondence 165

Chapter XII

Preparations for invading Canada. . . .166 Is attacked by the British, and retreats 174 General Armstrong appointed Secretary of War 167 His Inability or Unwillingness to co-operate with General Wilkinson. 175 General Wilkinson appointed Commander-in-Chief. 167 Both American Armies go into Winter Quarters 175 General Hampton takes command of the Army of the North 168 Failure of the Canadian Expedition. .175 Cruise of Commodore Chauncey on Lake Ontario 176 Rendezvous of the American Forces at Grenadier Island 168 He captures five British armed Schooners 177 General Wilkinson descends the St. Lawrence 169 Burning of Newark by the Americans. 178 British harass the American Army. ..170 British Retaliation 178 Battle of Chrystler's Field 172 Fort Niagara surprised 179 General Hampton descends the Chateaugay River 174 Destruction of Lewistown, Buffalo, and other places 179

Chapter XIII

Meeting of Congress 180 Arrogance ofthe British Government. 184 Violence of Party Spirit 180 Debates in Congress on the subject. ..184 Lukewarm Deportment of the New England States '. 181 Result of the Debates 185 Inquiry by Congress into the manner in which the War had been carried on by the Enemy 186 Measures for carrying on the War. .. .182 Recourse to Taxation 182 American Commissioners of Peace sent to Gottenburg 187 Adoption of means for recruiting the Army 183 Interesting case of twenty-three American Prisoners 183 The War gains ground in Public Opinion CONTENTS. 10

Chapter XIV

War with the Creek Indians 188 General Jackson marches to the relief of Fort Armstrong ".192 Massacre by the Creeks at Fort Mims. 188 His Critical Situation, and Retreat. . . 192 Expedition under Generals Jackson and Cocke against Tallushatches. 190 Defeats an Indian Ambuscade 193 Battle of Talladega 190 Indians attack General Floyd at Camp Defiance, and are repulsed. 193 General Cocke surprises the Indians on the Tallapoosa River 191 General Jackson gains the sanguinary Victory of Horse-Shoe-Bend . . . 194 Genera] Floyd's Expedition against the Autossee Towns. 191 Terminates the War with the Creeks, and dictates Peace to them on Severe Terms 196 General Claiborne'3 Expedition against the Towns of Eccanachaca . 191

Chapter XV

Plans of Operations against Canada proposed 197 Colonel Campbell's Expedition against Dover, Canada 204 General Brown marches to Sackett's Harbour 197 Affairs to the Westward 205 Colonel Baubee taken Prisoner 205 General Wilkinson retires to Plattsburg 198 Gallant Defence by Captain Holmes. -205 Serious Crisis in our Affairs .206 Attacks the British at La Colle, and is repulsed 198 Napoleon overthrown 207 Great Britain directs her undivided energies against the United States 208 Suspended from the command 199 Discouraging difficulties in the Economy of the Army 199 Northern Sea Coast invaded by Commodore Hardy 208 Smuggling 200 Attack on Saybrook and Brockway's Ferry 208 Unsuccessful Attack by the British at Otter Creek 200 Engagement in Long Island Sound... 20^ British Fleet enters Lake Champlain. 201 Ravages at Wareham and Scituate. . .209 Lake Ontario — Contest for superiority201 Attack on Booth Bay repelled 209 Gallant Defence of Oswego 202 Occupation of all the Islands in Passamaquoddy Bay by the British. . .210 British land at Pulteneyville 202 Blockade of Sackett's Harbour 202 Gallant Defence of Stonington 210 Engagement at Sandy Creek and Capture of the British there 203 Territory east ofthe Penobscot River claimed and occupied by the British 211 Death of Colonel Forsythe— of Captain Malloux, in a Skirmish 204 Destruction ofthe Frigate John Adams211

Chapter XVI

Naval Events 212 His Difficulties with the Savages there 213 The Plantagenet Seventy-Four declines a Contest with the President, Commodore Rodgers 212 He burns their Villages 214 British Comments on his Conduct 214 Commodore Porter arrives at Valparaiso o*|5 Captain Stewart chases a British Frigate of equal force 212 Is attacked by the Phœbe and Cherub 216 Cruise of Commodore Porter in the Essex 213 His Desperate Resistance 217 Capture ofthe Essex and Essex Junior 218 He captures twelve armed British Whale Ships 213 The Peacock captures the British Brig Epervier Arrives at the Island of Nooaheevah.213 The Wasp captures the Reindeer 220 fakes possession of it in the name of the American Government 213 The Wasp sinks the Avon <$n Mysterious Loss of the Wasp CONTENTS. 11 Cruise of the President, the Peacock and the Hornet 221 The Hornet, Captain Biddle, captures the Penguin 226 The President captured by a British Squadron 222 Exploits of American Privateers 226 Capture of the American Privateer Armstrong, alter a dreadful Carnage of the Enemy 227 The Constitution engages and captures the Cyane and the Levant. -225'

Chapter XVII

Plan of Campaign on the Canada Frontier 228 Projected Attack on Buffalo repulsed. .242 General Gaines assumes the Command at Fort Erie 242 General Brown collects an Army at Black Rock and Buffalo 229 Assault on Fort Erie 243 Captures Fort Erie 229 Death of Colonel Drurnmond 244 Battle of Chippewa 230 Tremendous Explosion 245 fiallantry of Major Jesup 231 The Besiegers driven back to their Works 245 British retreat 232 American Army advances 232 Renewal of the Cannonade 2-16 Death of General Swift 233 Sortie from Fort Erie 246 Movement on Fort George 233 Destruction of the Enemy's Works. . .247 General Brown retreats to the Chippewa 233 British raise the Siege, and retreat to Fort George 248 Battle of Niagara 234 Arrival of General Izard at Fort Erie. 248 General Riall taken Prisoner 235 Americans advance along the Niagara 249 Colonel Jesup 236 Engagement at Lyon's Creek 249 Colonel Miller— "I will try, Sir" 236 Destruction of Fort Erie by the Americans 249 British Cannon charged upon and taken 237 Evacuation of Upper Canada 249 Desperate Efforts ofthe British to regain their Cannon 238 Close of the Third Invasion of Canada 250 Generals Scott and Brown wounded. .238 Important Results of the Campaign. .250 British recover their Cai...on 240 Affairs of the West 251 Both Armies retire from' the Field 240 Unsuccessful Expedition against Michilimackinac 251 British advance next Morning 241 Americans retreat to Fort Erie 241 Capture of two American armed Schooners 251 Defences of Fort Erie enlarged and extended 241 General M'Arthur's Expedition into Canada 251 Siege of Fort Erie 242

Chapter XVIII

War on the Sea Coast .'.252 Advance of the British Army on Washington 257 Engagements between the Enemy and Commodore Barney's Flotilla in Chesapeake Bay 252 American Army takes post at Bladensburg 258 Plnnderings of the British 253 Battle of BIndensburg 259 Washington and Baltimore threatened 253 Defeat of the Americans 260 Preparations for Defence 254 Washington abandoned to the Enemy 261 General Winder appointed to command the Troops to be assembled. 255 British burn the Public Buildings 261 Retreat of the British to their shipping 2C2 Impracticability of collecting a sufficient Force 255 Plunder of Alexandria 262 Repulse ofthe British at. MoorsFields, and Death of Sir Peter Parker . . -263 The Enemy are reinforced 256 Landing of the British Army under General Ross 256 Resignation of the Secretary of War. 203 Trial and acquittal of General Winder CONTENTS. 12

Chapter XIX

Sensations produced by the Capture of Washington in Europe and in England 264 British fleet retires to the West Indies. 272 Affairs on the Northern Frontier 273 Invasion of New York State by the British under Sir George Prevost.. 273 Effect of it in the United States 264 Preparations for defending Baltimore.265 Progress of the British impeded by General Macomb 274 Admiral Cochrane appears at the mouth of the Patapsco 266 British Army occupies Plattsburg opposite the American Works 275 Debarkation of the British Troops at North Point 267 Gallant Affair of Captain M'Glassin.. 276 General Strieker marches from Baltimore to meet them 267 British and American Fleets on Lake Champlain 276 Battle of NorthPoint 268 '^attle of Lake Champlain 277 Death of General Ross 268 Battle of Plattsburg 277 Retreat of the American Army 269 Defeat of the British Squadron, and Capture of its principal Vessels. .278 British Army appears before Baltimore 270 Bombardment of Fort M'Henry 271 Retreat ofthe British Army from the American Territory 278 Attack on Baltimore abandoned 272

Chapter XX

Unanimity of Sentiment in Congress. 282 British Forces land within seven Miles of New Orleans 291 Negotiations with Great Britain 282 British Sine Qua Non 283 Battle of the 23d of December 291 Hartford Convention 284 Results of the Battle 292 Mr. Biddle's Report in the Legislature of Pennsylvania 284 General Jackson encamps, and fortifies himself. 292 Removal of the Seat of Government from Washington agitated 284 Affairs of the 28th of December, and of the 1st of January 1815 293 Mr. Dallas appointed Secretary of the Treasury 285 Position of the American Troops 294 British prepare to storm the American Works on both sides of the Mississippi 294 Improvement in cur Finances 285 Affairs to the Southward 285 Attack on Fort Bowyer most gallantly repulsed 286 Memorable Battle ofthe 8th January. 294 Death of General Packenham 295 Inroad into Florida, and Capture of Pensacola, by General Jackson. ..286 Defeat and Terrible Carnage of the British on the Left Bank of the River 295 Invasion of Louisiana meditated by the British 287 Americans driven from their Intrenchments on the Right Bank . .295 Preparations to resist the Invasion. ..288 Arrival of General Jackson at New Orleans 289 Louisiana evacuated by the British. ..296 Unsuccessful Bombardment of Fort St. Philip by the British 296 His Presence inspires Confidence 289 British Fleet arrives off the Coast 289 Depredations of Admiral Cockburn along the Southern Coast 297 Capture ofthe American Gun-Boats. .289 Martial Law proclaimed by General Jackson 2S0 Peace with Great Britain 297 Terms of the Treaty of Peace 297 The Pirate Lafitte 290 Conclusion BRACKENRIDGE'S HISTORY OF THE WAR.

Chapter I

Causes of the War with Great Britain— Rule of 1756— Impressment of American Seamen— Attack on the Chesapeake — Differences with France — French Decrees — Embargo — Non-Intercourse — Indian Hostilities — Tecumseh — General Harrison- Battle of Tippecanoe— Honours paid to General Harrison— War with Great Britain inevitable. The perseverance of the British nation in attempting to exer cise a power without right, over her American brethren, first broke the ties of dependence, which it was so much her interest to preserve; and her subsequent illiberal policy tended to weaken the influence of affinity, which a true wisdom would have taught her to cherish. Why is it that the enmity of those, between whom there are by nature the most numerous bonds of friendship, is the most bitter 1 It is because each of these is a distinct cord which may vibrate to the feelings of hatred, as well as of love.

With China, with Turkey, with France, we may be governed by temporary and varying policy ; but towards England we can never feel indifference. There always have been, and there still are numerous ties to attach us to Britain, which nothing but an uugenerous and unnatural policy can weaken or destroy. With the acknowledgement of our independence, Great Britain did not renounce her designs of subjugation. Force had been found unavailing, she next resolved to try what might be done by insidious means. For many years aster the peace of 1783, our affairs wore no promising appearance. The con federation which bound the states during their struggle against a common enemy, was too feeble to hold them together in a time of peace. The cement of our union being thus eaten b BRACKENRIDGE'S Causes of the War with Great Britain. .Rule of 1756. away, England foresaw what we had to encounter, and pro phesying according to her wishes, solaced herself with the hope of seeing us divided, and engaged in civil broils.

The seeds of dissension had been abundantly sown ; our state of finance was deplorably defective ; it might almost be said, that the nation was at an end, for so many jarring interests disco vered themselves in the states, as almost to preclude the hope of reducing these discordant elements to harmony and order. A state of anarchy and civil war might restore us to Great Britain. Happily for America, she possessed at this moment, a galaxy of sages and patriots, who maintained a powerful in fluence over the minds of their fellow-citizens. By their exer tions, a spirit of compromise and accommodation was introduced, which terminated in our present glorious compact — a second revolution, which secured to us the benefits ofthe first. By this event Great Britain lost, for a time, the opportunity of tampering with the individual states, of fomenting jealousies, and of governing by division.

Her policy was changed ; it became a favourite idea, that our growth should be repressed, and so many impediments thrown in our way, as to convince us, that we had gained nothing in becoming free. We soon experienced the effects of her disappointment. Contrary to express stipulation, she refused to surrender the military posts on our western frontier, and, at the same time, secretly insti gated the savages to murder the frontier settlers. Spain was, at this very moment, practising her intrigues to draw off the western states from the confederacy ; of which there is little doubt England would soon have taken advantage. But we also came in contact with Britain on the ocean : our commerce began to flourish ; and on the breaking out of the French war, she found in us formidable rivals. In order to put a stop to our competition, she called into life the odious, and almost obsolete rule of 1756, which is in palpable violation ofthe law of nations.

The spirit of this rule is to prevent the neutral from enjoying any commerce, which would not, at the same time, be open to the belligerent ; in other words, to per mit no neutral. In practice it was carried to the full extent. The orders in council ofthe 8th of January, 1793, became the source of a thousand vexations to American commerce; and yet they were in a manner tolerable, compared to those of the Cth of November, which were secretly circulated among the British cruisers, authorising them to capture "all vessels laden with the produce of any of the colonies of France, or carrying pro visions or supplies to the said colony." The greater part of our commerce was at once swept from the ocean. On this Impressment of American Seamen. occasion, our mercantile communities came forward, unbiassed by party divisions.

They expressed themselves in the strong est terms against this treacherous and wicked procedure. The war of the revolution had not been forgotten ; that with the sa vages still raged : it was not by such acts, we could be induced to entertain a friendly seeling towards England. There prevailed a universal clamour for war, among the merchants par ticularly, and which it required all the firmness of Washington to withstand. This great man had marked out to himself the wise policy, of keeping aloof from European politics, and of avoiding all entanglements in their wars. Mr. Jay was despatched as a special messenger, with orders to remon strate in a manly tone. This mission terminated in the celebrated treaty of 1794 ; which was sanctioned by the nation, although not without great reluctance. It appeared in the sequel, that we had merely evaded a war, in order to recom mence disputes concerning the same causes.

The British did little more than modify their orders in council, by those issued in 1795 and 1798. In fact, down to the peace of Amiens, the same vexations and abuses furnished a constant theme of remonstrance. Neither General Washing ton, nor Mr. Adams, was able to arrange our differences with England, or induce her to consult her own true interests, by a just and liberal policy towards us. From this we may fairly inser, that no administration of our government could have succeeded in accommodating our differences upon just and equitable principles. Another cause of complaint accompanied with equal step the violations of our commercial and maritime rights, and was of a nature still more vexatious. It is one upon which American feeling has always been much alive. Great Britain is the only modern nation, within the pale of civilization, at least of those who recognise the general maritime law, who does not consi der the flag as protecting the person who sails under it ; and we are the only people who, during peace, have been dragged from our ships on the high seas, by Christian nations, and condemn ed to servitude.

This intolerable outrage grew up from a small beginning, by imprudent acquiescence on our part ; perhaps not conceiving it possible, that it could ever assume so hide ous a front. At first, it was a claim to search our merchant vessels for deserters from the public service of Britain ; next, it became a right to impress English seamen, who had engaged themselves in American ships ; finally, every person who could not prove on the spot, to the satisfaction of the boarding officer, that he was an American, was carried away into a most hate- BRACKENRIDGE'S 16 Impressment of American Seamen. sul bondage. England had gone far, in asserting the right to search a neutral vessel, for enemy's goods ; but this pretended exception to the general rule that a ship on the high seas is as inviolable as the territory of the nation at peace, had been op posed by every power in Europe, excepting the one which happened for the time to be mistress of the seas ; a strong proof that it was not a right, but an abuse.

The claim set up of a right to search neutral ships for men, is unsupported by any writer on the public law, or by one sound reason. She had no more right to claim her subjects from our ships, than from our territory. Whatever right she might have, to prevent them from quitting their country, at times when their services were required ; or of punishing them for doing so : she had no right to pursue them into our country, or demand them from us, un less sustained in doing so by express stipulation. But what she had no right to demand, she had a right to take by force ! When closely pressed, she deigned at last to give some reasons in support of her practice : — she must have men to man her thousand ships — she was contending for her existence — we had no right to employ her seamen — our flag had no regard to her interests — our employment of foreign seamen was not regu lated — our sufferings were the consequence of our own im prudence. — These were the only arguments that could be used in support of such a practice.

If England said she must have men, we answered that we must have men also. We also were contending for our existence, but did not think it justi fiable on that account to plunder our neighbours, or make them slaves. She said that we had no right to employ her seamen — we could answer that she had no right to employ ours. We were no more bound to consult her interest, than she considered herself bound to consult ours. The fact is, that no nation in the world employs a greater number of foreign seamen than Great Britain, in her immense commerce, and in her immense navy ; and she has a right to employ them, not for the reason she has assigned, to wit, that she was contending for her ex istence, or fighting the battles of the world, but because the thing was lawful in itself. So far from restricting herself, or regulating the practice, or consulting the interests of others, she consulted only her own interests, and held out enticements to foreign seamen, which no other nation did.

Here, then, was a simple question ; how came that to be unlawful in America, which was lawful in Britain ? Would not Great Britain protect an American seaman, who has been made an Englishman by being two years in her service ? But were we to blame because her seamen preferred our service ? There was, in fact, nothing in Impressment of American Seamen. the American practice to justify reprisals. The employment of English seamen, who voluntarily tendered their services, was lawful, however disagreeable it might be to England. How far a friendly feeling towards that country, might induce us to consult her convenience and interests, or how far our own weakness, or interest, might require us to waive our rights, was another matter. This is placing the subject in the least reprehensible view, as respects England.