New York City and vicinity during the war of 1812-15. Being a military, civic and financial local history of that period, with ... anecdotes thereof, etc

Front matter

REW W ORK ilTY ■•?%» ®w» AND VICINITY fcSsijL DURING HE ff AR OF 1812-15, {(oT BEING A MILITARY, CIVIC AND FINANCIAL %ocal 1bi8tor\> of that periob, "WITH INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES THEREOF, AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE FORTS, FORTIFICATIONS, ARSENALS, DE- FENCES AND CAMPS IN AND ABOUT NEW YORK CITY AND HARBOR, AND THOSE AT HARLEM AND ON EAST RIVER, AND IN BROOKLYN, AND ON LONG ISLAND AND STATEN ISLAND, AND AT SANDY HOOK AND JERSEY CITY. WITH An Account of the Citizens' Movements, and of the Military and Naval Officers, Regiments, Companies, etc., in service there. BY R. S. GUERNSEY, Author of Mechanics' Lien Laws Relating to NewYork City, etc., etc., etc. "VOL. I. New York: CHARLES L. WOODWARD, Bookseller, 78 Nassau Street. 1889. Entered According to Act of Congress in the year Eighteen Hundred and Eighty-Nine, By R. S. GUERNSEY, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. Limited Edition. Not Stereotyped. sJC$p$. £u GIBS BROS. & MORAN, PRINTERS, 67 ROSE ST., NEW YORK.

Introduction

. New York City, Nov. 25, 1889. A summary of part of this work was read on the 6th of March, 1888, before the New York Historical Society, and on the 13th ol December following, a paper by the author on "The Fortifica tions of New York City and Harbor in the War of 1812-15," was read before the United States Military Service Institution (Gov ernor's Island, N. Y.). This latter paper is incorporated in this work with much other matter relatingto that subject whieh was necessarily omitted on that occasion. The information and data here presented were obtained from official sources and records, many of which were never published, and from the current literature published during the period to which it relates. The author has also derived much information, personally, from veterans and others who resided in New York during that period, and from their sons and daughters.

The narrative of events and circumstances are related as they actually occurred. Whether they are interesting or otherwise will depend upon the spirit of the reader. This work could not have been written without access to and use of the following named collections and records: New York Historical Society, New York Society Library, New York Adjutant-General's Records, New Jersey Adjutant-General's Records, New York Secretary of State Records, New York State Library, United States War Department Records, United States Treasury Department Records. United States Military Service Institution Library, New York City Common Council Records, Private Collections. The deprivation of the use of any one of the above collections would have been a missing link that could not have been sup plied by any one or all others of the above named sources of in-

INTRODUCTION.

. formation. Many other libraries and collections were resorted to, but their value was not exclusive, but couldj be supplied by others that contained like information. The writer has derived great pleasure for many years in at tempting to make this work a reliable and permanent contribu tion to historical literature, and in aiding in the preservation and bringing from obscurity many details that belong to that period, and in making a faithful chronicle of the local events of that time. The social, political and financial condition of the inhabitants are also stated as part and parcel of the plan. If errors in the statements have been made by the writer they will be corrected in a supplement or addenda which will be here after issued, if necessary, by the author. Any information that may lead to the discovery of errors will be thankfully received.

If history is entitled to be regarded as a science it must con tain details properly selected. The demands of modern science are for details. Vague generalities may suit popular readers, but they will not satisfy the requirements of science nor stand the test of time. Writers of history should observe this if they desire their works to be permanent. If history is of any value as an example, the more detail given the more valuable it may become. To many, history will ever be regarded as possessing all the charms of poetry, but faith in its truth must be implicit or the charm will be broken. To these, historic truths are as sacred as the truths of holy writ. Whatever view is taken of it, all must acknowledge that "History hallows every place in which it moves; It breathes around localities an odor More exquisite than the perfume of the rose, And sheds over them a hue More magical than the blush of morning." CONTENTS.

Chapter I

— Announcement of the Declaration of War — Gen. Bloomfield in command at New York — Com. Rodgers' Squadron Sails — Chasing the Enemy — Action of City Council — Committee of Defense — Capt. Porter and the Essex — "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights," pp. 1-9.

Chapter II

— War Meeting in City Hall Park— Address and Resolutions adopted — Col. Henry Rutgers — Lack of General Approval of the War — Petition for Embargo — Jacob Barker — Tammany Society and the War — Veterans of the Revolutionary War in Arms — Action of City Officials— Mayor Clinton's Charge to the Grand Jury — Riots Feared — Peace Officers appointed — Presidential Election, pp. 10-28.

Chapter III

— The city in Peace — Population and Occupation — Public Buildings — Free Colored and Slaves — Aliens — Voters — Dwellings — Commerce and Manufactures — Auctions — Business Habits — Home Comforts — How they Lived then and How they Died — Number and Causes of Deaths in each year — Amusements — Theatres — Dancing — Dress — Streets — Roads — Stages — Ferries — Suburbs : Harlem, Brooklyn, Jersey City, Hoboken, pp. 29-59.

Chapter IV

— The Fortifications of New York City and Harbor — State Appropriations for Forts, Arsenals, etc. — Condition of Harbor Defenses — British War Vessels — Means of Defense, pp. 60-83.

Chapter V

— City Militia Forces — Detachments Requested by the President and Organized by Gov. Tompkins — Assignment of Officers — Powers of the Governor — Orders and Regulations — United States Troops in the Harbor — New Jersey Militia for Defense of New York, pp. 84-103.

Chapter VI

— Gov. Tompkins Removes his Military Head quarters to New York City— Orders the Brigadier-Generals to Furnish Detached Militia for Service on the Requisition of VI CONTENTS. Gen. Bloomfield — Major-General Stevens authorized to Call Out the Brigade of Artillery in Case of Invasion — Sketch of Gen. Stevens — Artillery Target Practice — Incidents — Drafted Militia from the City — Volunteers from Hudson River Counties, New York City, Brooklyn, and New Jersey — Deserter Sentenced to be Shot — Militia Stationed at Ap proaches to New York City, pp. 104-119.

Chapter VII

— Blockade at Sandy Hook— British License to Merchant Vessels — Privateering from New York — The Gen. Armstrong — Letters of Marque Vessels — American Privateers and Their Prizes in French Ports — Shipbuilders of New York — First Victory at Sea — City Council Honors Capt. Hull — Other Naval Victories, pp. 120-133.

Chapter VIII

— Evacuation Day Celebration— Military Parade and Review — Salutes from the Forts — Dinners at the City Hall and at Other Places by Societies, etc. —Military Dinner given by Third Regiment; Present, Gov. Tompkins, Gen. Armstrong, Gen. Morton, and Other Notables — Toasts and Music — Campaign ended, Militia Discharged and Return Home, pp. 134-142.

Chapter IX

— Honors to Naval Heroes— Resolutions of the Common Council — The Great Naval Dinner to Decatur, Hull and Jones — Significant Toasts, Songs and Music — Naval Ball — Holiday Festivities — The Macedonian — Dinner to Sailors and Entertainment at the Theatre, pp. 143-165.

Chapter X

— British War Vessels off Sandy Hook— The Enemy Approaching — Alarm Signals — Volunteering in New York City — Forces Necessary for Defense — New Jersey Helping New York — False Alarm — Gunboats to Defend the Harbor — Common Council makes Appropriation for Further Defense — Fortifications Erected during the year 1812 — Defenses at Sandy Hook — Condition of Fortifications — Gen. George Izard in Command at New York — Sketch of Gen. Izard — Breastworks around the Battery, pp. 166-186.

Chapter XI

— Re-election of Mr. Madison— Prospects of the War at Home and Abroad — Preparing for the Campaign of 1813 — United States Army Regulations — Equipments, Uniform, etc. — Volunteers and Militia, Tactics, etc. pp. 187-203. CONTENTS. VII

Chapter XII

— De Witt Clinton Re-appointed Mayor— Common Council honoring Commodore Bainbridge — Arrival of the Hornet, Capt. Lawrence and prisoners from the Peacock — Honoring Capt. Lawrence — Dinner to his Crew — Privateer Gen. Armstrong — Gen. Moreau, pp. 204-211.

Chapter XIII

— The Enemy off Sandy Hook— Steamboats in the Harbor — Militia to Defend the City — Works at the Battery Parade — Gen. Swift in Command on Staten Island — Shipowners' Association — Skirmish at Sandy Hook — Common Council's Petition to Congress — Blockade of the Port — All the City Regiments in Arms — Parade and Sham Fight — Political Court Martial, pp. 212-236.

Chapter XIV

— Celebrating Fourth of July— Troubles in Tammany — Political Party Feeling displayed — Grand Processions — Eloquent Orations — Dinners and Toasts — Amusements of the Day and Evening — Incidents — Display of Fireworks at Vauxhall Garden — An Enemy's Funeral, pp. 237- 272.

Chapter XV

— Com. Decatur driven into New London by Com. Hardy — Sketch of Com. Hardy — Gardiner's Bay and Eastern Part of Long Island in Possession of the Enemy — Torpedo Warfare — Trapping the Enemy — Naval Affairs — Com. Hardy's Threats — Joshua Penney taken by him — Enemy near the City in Pelham Bay — Com. Lewis Drives them Back — Enemy at Sandy Hook and Rockaway — Com. Lewis after them again, pp. 273-303.

Chapter XVI

— The City in Mourning— Funeral of Capt. Lawrence and Lieut. Ludlow — Perry's Victory on Lake Erie and Gen. Harrison's Victory over the Indians— Great Rejoicing — Public and Private Buildings Illuminated— Effect of these Victories— British Boasting, pp. 304-323.

Chapter XVII

— Major-Gen. Dearborn Placed in Command at New York — Sketch of Gen. Dearborn— British War Vessels about Sandy Hook— Target Practice by Artill er y— Gunboat Skirmish— Close of the Campaign of 1813— Last Military Parade of the Season— Sketch of Gen. Morton— Evacuation | Day Troops in Service, pp. 324-344. CONTENTS. VIII CHAPTER XVHI.— National Financial Condition— Issue of .Treasury Notes — Taken by New York Banks — Names of City Subscribers to National Loans — National Direct Taxes — City Revenue and Taxation — National Internal Revenue in the City — State Taxation — The Financial Outlook, pp. 345-358.

Chapter XIX

— Arrival of Major-Gen. Harrison— Coldly Treated by City Officials— Causes— Attends the Theatres— Public Dinner to Gen. Harrison at Tammany Hall — Toasts — Presentation to Commodore Bainbridge and Dinner to him by the Federalists — Dinner to Commodore Perry, pp. 359-380.

Chapter XX

— The Enemy at Sandy Hook— Cannonade of Long Branch Village — Shipping and Trade in the City — Privateer Owners petition Congress — Laws for their Benefit — The Enemy's War Vessels near by — Licensed Vessels made subject to Capture — The Non -importation Laws — Resolutions by New York Merchants — Blockade Extended — Coasting Trade — Smuggling — Inland Transportation, pp. 381-404.

CHAPTER XXL

— Meeting of Congress— The President's Message Unsatisfactory — Secret Message to Congress — Circumstances Calling for Immediate Legislation — Remedies Suggested — Embargo Laws Enacted — Effect on Neutral Vessels — Rigid Rules for Internal Transportation — Effect upon New York City — The Port Closed — Restricted Means of Obtaining Supplies, pp. 405-415.

Appendix

OF NOTES, pp. 417-449. INDEX OF NAMES (temporary). INDEX OF SUBJECTS (temporary).

Chapter I

Announcement of the Declaration of War— Gen. Bloomfield in Command at New York — Com. Rodgers' Squadron sails — Chasing the Enemy — Action of City Council — Committee of Defence — Capt. Porter and the Essex — "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights." f (^\^ mornmg °f June 20, 1812, Sfl^S j 7^ at about nine o'clock, news from $$^?1m a Washington was received by mail *^0bI\j|2pV m New York City that war had v.^9_^^J_B Deen declared by the United States against Great Britain on the 18th. :^?^|F^~_L=JLBi An extra of the National Intelligencer, published at Washington, was issued about four o'clock on the 18th of June, making the announcement, and was in the morning mail that arrived in New York City. This news was confirmed by a bulletin issued by Gen. Bloom field, at his headquarters in the fort off the Battery (now Castle Garden) in the city, at about half -past nine o'clock a.m., who was then in command of the fortifications in New York City and Harbor.

It was as follows : "General Orders. "General Bloomfield announces to the troops that war is declared by the United States against Great Britain. By order, "R. H. McPherson, A.D.C." PROCLAMATION OF WAR. This was the first military announcement to troops of the declaration of that war. * Private messengers passed through New York about ten a!m. for the northern frontier and for Boston, with the newspaper -announcement. The President's proclamation of war was not issued until the morning of the 19th of June. It was previously known that the bill had passed the House of Representatives some days before, about June 4, and was in the Senate for several days. The President's message and the debates on the bill were in secret session. The injunction of secrecy was removed at three p.m. on the 18th of June, and the proceedings immediately became known in * Joseph Bloomfield was then governor of New Jersey and also chancellor, which offices he had held by annual election from 1801 to October, 1812, when he resigned to atteud to his military duties on the northern frontier of New York.

He was born in 1755, and was a fine-looking man, wore a cocked hat, his hair powdered and queue, and knee breeches, and white top boots; was dignified and courteous. He was a veteran of the Revolution; was commissioned as captain in Third New Jersey in February, 1776; had command of the body-guard of Gen. Schuyler at Fort Stanwix, N. Y., in July, 1776; was judge advocate of the Northern army at Ticonderoga until December 25, 1776, when he left for New Jersey, and was shortly after promoted to major of the Third Regiment of New Jersey; was at the battle of Brandy wine and Monmouth, resigned in 1778; in 1783 was elected attorney-general of the State; was a general of militia in 1794, and took the field as commander of a brigade of militia called into service to quell the Whisky Rebellion in Pennsylvania; was made brigadier-general in U. S. Army, 27th March, 1812, and took command at New York City and Harbor by order dated June 8, 1812; held that post until relieved by Gen. Armstrong in August, 1812.

He resigned his offices of governor and chancellor of New Jersey in the fall of 1812, and marched with his brigade to Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., and was at the capture of York (now Torouto) in 1813; was one of the military court that tried Gen. Hull in 1814 for treason for surrendering Detroit in 1812; was soon after withdrawn from active service and assigned to command the Fourth Military District, with headquarters at Philadelphia, where he remained until end of the war; was also one of the court convened at Utica, N. Y., in Janinry, 1815, for the court-martial of Gen. Wilkinson. Was member of Congress from March 4, 1817, to March 4, 1821. Died in 1825, aged 70 years. UNITED STATES NAVAL 3 Washington. The news of the declaration of war was not known in New York City until forty-two and one-half hours afterwards, on Saturday-morning.

The mail route was by land, 240 miles; the most rapid express was thirty-six hours from Wash ington to New York City. The news of the war was not received in time to be in the New York morning papers, and no extra was issued. It rapidly spread among the people, however, and the afternoon papers briefly announced the fact without comment. At that time there were in the port of New York the most effective part of the United States Navy : the President, 44 guns, Commodore Rodgers, com mander; Essex, 32, Capt. Porter ; Hornet, 18, Capt. Lawrence. During the day were added, but remain ed at Sandy Hook, the United States, 44, Capt. De catur; Congress, 38, Capt. Smith ; the Argus, 16,, Capt. Crane — all ready to sail on short notice,. with the exception of the Essex, which was os tensibly repairing her rigging and restoring her hold.

When Commodore Rodgers heard the news he called his men together on Saturday, and told them of the declaration of war, and addressed them, offering to pay the wages of any who were not willing to take part in the war. A general huzza followed, and signified that all were willing to stand by the com modore. The next day, Sunday morning, about nine o'clock, Commodore Rodgers received official orders from Washington putting him in command of the squadron, and orders to get under way at once. This was the first official news of the war issued from the War Department at Washington. SQUADRON SAILS. A midshipman on board the Hornet, in his diary says : — "Sunday — This morning the declaration of war by the United States against Great Britain was read. ... At ten o'clock a.m. Commodore Rodgers hove out the signal to weigh ; never was anchor to the cathead sooner, nor topsail sheeted to the masthead with more dispatch, than upon the present occasion.

The smallest boy on board seemed anxious to meet what is now looked upon as the common tyrant of the ocean, for they had heard the woful tales of the older tars. . .' . When the ship was under way, Capt. Lawrence had the crew called to their quarters, and told them if there were any amongst them who were disaffected, or one that had not rather sink than surrender to the enemy, with gun for gun, that he should be, im mediately and uninjured, landed and sent back in the pilot boat. The reply was, fore and aft, ' Not one.'" The like enthusiasm and bravery prevailed on board the entire squadron. The anchors were heaved, and with the stars and stripes vigorously flying at the masthead of each, led by Commodore Rodgers' vessel, the President, they sailed down the bay in search of the enemy. * This was the first "letting slip the dogs of war" against Great Britain in the war of 1812.

With this spirit did the young nation, like David, sally forth to meet the Goliath of the ocean. * The United States flag of the war of 1812 was not the flag of to day. It then consisted of fifteen stars and fifteen stripes, although at that time there were eighteen States in the Union, Louisiana having been admitted on the 8th day of April, 1812. CHASING BRITISH 5 At about five o'clock p.m. the commodore passed the light-house off Sandy Hook, and joined those there, and all proceeded to sea, having under his command the frigates President, 420 men; United States, 410 men ; and Congress, 400 men, and the sloops-of-war Hornet, 150 men, and Argus, 130 men. The British war frigate Belvider.a, thirty-eight guns, and Tartarus, twenty, which had been for some days off Sandy Hook, could not be found.

It was alleged that information had been given them of the declaration of war and of the probable move ments of the American war vessels, and they had sailed for other waters. On the morning after the commodore sailed the following appeared in the New York Columbian: " It is undoubtedly a fact that dispatch boats with information have been sent off to the British vessels which were cruising off the harbor since the declaration of war. By whom they were sent off it is not necessary at present to mention. But this much may and ought to be said : that if it was done by an American citizen, he has committed treason by the laws of the United States, and deserves, and may receive, a hanging for it. There is no suspicion, however, entertained that such an infamous act has been done by an American.

As it has, therefore, been the act of the subjects of the king of England, whether they are in or out of office, the act is a violation of the hospitality which tolerates their residence in our city, and calls loudly upon the constituted authorities to put the laws immediately in force against alien enemies, and to rid the city of spies, or at least such as disgrace their character by acting in so in famous a capacity." WAR VESSELS. Commodore Rodgers sighted the Belvidera and gave chase; she was fired upon, and fire was returned, some damage done both vessels; but she escaped and hastened to Halifax, the British naval station, with news of the declaration of war, which caused the enemy to collect a fleet, which, early in July, was off New York, where it captured a great many Ameri can merchantmen.

While chasing the Belvidera the President received a number of shot in her sails and rigging, but was not materially injured. One of the President's guns bursted, by which three men were killed and nineteen wounded. By this accident Commodore Rodgers' leg was fractured. The chase lasted from six a. M. on June 23 until midnight. There were left in New York for its defence only thirty-four gunboats, of which twenty only were in commission, and seven under repair at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. These gunboats carried usually one gun each. They were barges, about forty-five feet long, and had one twenty-four-pound long gun on upper deck on a carriage, and a howitzer on some of them, and had thirty-six men. They were usually rowed by the seamen, or could be towed by other vessels. On June 20 Gen. Ebenezer Stevens, of the militia, communicated to the common council, which met on Monday following, Gen. Bloomfield' s order an nouncing the declaration of war, and added : "I shall be happy in co-operating with the honorable corporation in any measures which appear advisable for the more complete protection of the city."

The common council met on Monday, June 22, and passed a resolution that the Committee of Defence be DEFENCE OF NEW YORK. 7 requested to report whether any or what measures ought to be adopted by the corporation for the defence of the city. The Standing Committee of Defence was enlarged by adding the Recorder. Messrs. Lawrence, King, and Wilson and Alderman Buckmaster. A Committee of Defence had already been appoint ed at the first meeting of the common council on 2d of December, 1811, as ter the annual charter election, which at that time took place on the third Tuesday of November in each year, and continued for three days, and the municipal political year commenced on the first Monday of December. The common coun cil's previous Committee of Defence consisted of Aldermen Nicholas Fish, John Morss, Peter Mesier, and Thomas Carpenter, and Assistant Aldermen Samuel Jones, Jr. , Peter Hawes, and John Drake.

The common council met every Monday afternoon at four o'clock in the mayor's office in the north west corner of the City Hall, and if there was any business to transact, and a quorum, it was proceeded with, or a short adjournment made for a special meeting, if it required attention before the next reg ular meeting day.* On June 25 Committee of Defence reported that fortifications and military preparations were insuf ficient, and that a representation should be made to United States government to erect a castle or other strong fortification on Hendrick's Reef, and that a representation be made to State government urg ing the erection of a battery near Denyse's, on the * The mayor could call a special meeting at any time, and they could also convene at any time agreeable to themselves. ACTION OF CITY COUNCIL.

Long Island shore, and that two floating batteries be built by the city for immediate defence. A resolution was also passed that Committee of Defence obtain copy of signals to be used at the Tel egraph at the Narrows, and a good spyglass and the necessary utensils and fixtures to give the same signals from the cupola of the City Hall. While the Essex, Capt. Porter, was getting ready to sail, it was whispered around that some of his crew were English born. (June 25) Capt. Porter caused all hands to be piped on deck to take the oath of allegiance to the United States, and gave them to understand that any man who did not choose to do so should be discharged. When John Erving heard his name called he told the captain (Erving says in his deposition) that, be ing a British subject, he must refuse to take the oath ; on which the captain spoke to the petty of ficers and told them they must pass sentence upon him.

He says that they then put him into the petty launch, which lay alongside the frigate, and there poured a bucket of tar over him, and then laid on a quantity of feathers, having first stripped him naked to the waist ; they then rowed him ashore, stern foremost, and landed him in New York City ; that he wandered about from street to street in this condition until Mr. Ford took him into his shop to save him from the crowd that was beginning to gather ; that he stayed there until the police took him away to the city prison for protection, where he was cleansed and clothed. None of the citizens molested or insulted him. He said he had " a pro tection" which he bought of a man in Salem, Mass., of the same name and description as himself, NATIONAL MOTTO. for four shillings and sixpence, which he got re newed at the custom-house at Norfolk, Va., at the time he joined the Essex in October, 1811.

On the 3d of July the Essex, Capt. Porter, qui etly set sail on a cruise, disguised as a merchant man. On the foretop -gallant-mast was flying a white flag with the words in blue, ' ' Free Trade and Sailors' Rights." This motto became one of the most famous that any nation ever originated. It grew out of the peculiar political conditions existing at that time between the United States and European nations in regard to neutral commerce. This question of " Free Trade and Sailors' Rights" has never come up in our intercourse with foreign nations since the close of the war of 1812-15, neither was it settled by that war or alluded to in the treaty of peace with England which followed. But ever since that time "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights " have been part and parcel of the law of nations, and it can no more be said that "Britannia rules the wave."

Chapter II

War Meeting in City Hall Park — Address and Resolutions adopted — Col. Henry Rutgers — Lack of General Approval of the War — Petition for Embargo — Jacob Barker — Tammany Society and the War — Veterans of the Revolutionary War in Arms — Action of City Officials — Mayor Clinton's Charge to the Grand Jury — Riots Feared — Peace Officers Appointed — Presidential Election. fOME of the newspapers published a notice on Monday that a public meeting would be held at City Hall Park on Wednesday, June 24, at twelve o'clock, to approve of the war measure. The only names published as connected with the meeting was that of Col. Henry Rutgers, who was chosen chairman, and ex-Mayor Col. Marinus Willett, who wras secretary ; both of them distin guished citizens. Resolutions were read and adopted which were published in some of the newspapers.

The report of the proceedings was as follows : "A general meeting of the citizens, agreeably to public notice, was held on Wednesday, June 24, at twelve o'clock, in the Park.

" Colonel Henry Rutgers was unanimously called to the chair, and Col. Marinus Willett appointed secretary. ' ' The law of Congress declaring war against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and their dependencies, and the President's proclama- PUBLIC MEETING. 11 tion being read, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted: "In one of those awful and interesting moments with which it has pleased Heaven that states and kingdoms should at times be visited, we consider ourselves convoked to express our calm, decided, and animated opinion on the conduct of our government. ' ' Peace has ever been considered one of the greatest blessings that an all-bountiful Creator has vouch safed to man upon earth, while war has ever been designated as the scourge of nations ; but the same allwise Providence has likewise permitted that in the events of time such circumstances should accrue to nations as would render it not only necessary but an absolute duty to abandon the comforts and de lights of peace, in order that, by a solemn appeal to arms, they may be enabled to secure themselves equally important blessings ; that by encountering for a time the disasters and vicissitudes of war, they may secure themselves and transmit to their poster ity those invaluable advantages to which, by the laws of nature, of nations, and of God, they, as in dependent governments, are justly entitled. ' 'When a retrospect is taken of the last twelve years of our history, we find recorded the violation of one sacred right after another ; we behold one continued series of insults, one long succession of oppressions — our government, with the true spirit of a republic, patiently sustaining while temperately remonstrat ing, until indignity has been added to indignity, and injury heaped upon injury.