The Late War Between the United States and Great Britain

CHAP. I President's Message--Causes of the War--Energetic Measures proposed

NOW it came to pass, in the one thousand eight hundred and twelfth year of the Christian era, and in the thirty and sixth year after the people of the provinces of Columbia had declared themselves a free and independent nation ; 2 That in the sixth month of the same year, on the first day of the month, the chief Governor, whom the people had chosen to rule over the land of Columbia; 3 Even James, whose sur-name was Madison, delivered a written paper to the Great Sanhedrin of the people, who were assembled together. 4 And the name of the city where the people were gathered together was called after the name of the chief captain of the land of Columbia, whose fame extendeth to the uttermost parts of the earth ; albeit, he had slept with his fathers. 5 Nevertheless, the people loved him, forasmuch as he wrought their deliverance from the yoke of tyranny in times past ; so they called the city Washington. 6 Now, when the written paper was received, the doors of the chambers of the Great Sanhedrim were closed, and a seal was put upon every man's mouth. 7 And the counsellors of the nation, and the wise men thereof, ordered the written paper which James had delivered unto them to be read aloud ; and the interpretation thereof was in this wise : 8 Lo ! the lords and the princes of the kingdom of Britain, in the fulness of their pride and power, have trampled upon the altar of Liberty, and violated the sanctuary thereof : 9 Inasmuch as they hearkened not unto the voice of moderation, when the cry of the 'people of Columbia was, Peace ! peace ! 10 Inasmuch as they permitted not the tall ships of Columbia to sail in peace on the waters of the mighty deep ; saying in their hearts, Of these will we make spoil, and they shall be given unto the king. 11 Inasmuch as they robbed the ships of Columbia of the Strong men that wrought therein, and took them for their own use, even as a man taketh his ox or his ass. 12 Inasmuch as they kept the men stolen from the ships cf Columbia in bondage many years, and caused them to fight the battles of the king, even against their own brethren! neither gave they unto them silver or gold, but many stripes. 13 Now the men of Columbia were not like unto the men of Britain ; for their backs were not hardened unto the whip, as were the servants of the king ; therefore they murmured, and their murmurings have been heard. 14 Moreover, the Council of Britain sent forth a Decree to all the nations of the earth, sealed with the signet of the Prince Regent, who governed the nation in the name of the king his father ; for lo ! the king was possessed of an evil spirit, and his son reigned in his stead. 15 Now this Decree of the Council of Britain was a grievous thing, inasmuch as it permitted not those who dealt in merchandize to go whither soever they chose, and to trade freely with all parts of the earth. 16 And it fell hard upon the people of Columbia; for the king said unto them, Ye shall come with your vessels unto me and pay tribute, then may ye depart to another country. 17 Now these things pleased the pirates and the cruisers of Britain mightily, because it permitted them to rob the commerce of Columbia with impunity. 18 Furthermore, have not the servants of the king leagued with the savages of the wilderness, and given unto them silver and gold, and placed the destroying engines in their hands ? 19 Thereby stirring up the spirit of Satan within them, that they might spill the blood of the people of Columbia ; even the blood of our old men, our wives, and our little ones ! 20 Thus, had Britain, in her heart, commenced War against the people of Columbia, whilst they cried aloud for peace : and when she smote them on the one cheek they turned unto her the other also. 21 Now, therefore, shall we, the independent people of Columbia, sit down silently, as slaves, and bow the neck to Britain ? 22 Or, shall we, like our forefathers, nobly assert our rights, and defend that Liberty and Independence which the Lord hath given unto us ?

CHAP. II. Report of the Committee--Declaration of War

NOW, when there was an end made of reading the paper which James had written, the Sanhedrim communed one with another touching the matter : 2 And they chose certain wise men from among them to deliberate thereon. 3 And they commanded them to go forth from their presence, for that purpose, and return again on the third day of the same month. 4 Now, when the third day arrived, at the eleventh hour of the day, they came forth and presented themselves before the Great Sanhedrim of the people. 5 And the chief of the wise men, whom they had chosen, opened his mouth and spake unto them after this manner : 6 Behold ! day and night have we meditated upon the words which James hath delivered, and we are weary withal, for in our hearts we desired peace. 7 But the wickedness of the kingdom of Great Britain, and the cruelty of the princes thereof, towards the peaceable inhabitants of the land of Columbia, may be likened unto the fierce lion, when he putteth his paw upon the innocent lamb to devour him. 8 Nevertheless, the lamb shall not be slain ; for the Lord shall be his deliverer. 9 And if, peradventure, the people of Columbia go not out to battle against the king, then will the manifold wrongs committed against them be increased tenfold, and they shall be as a mock and a bye-word among all nations. 10 Moreover, the righteousness of your cause shall lead you to glory, and the pillars of your liberty shall not be shaken. 11 Therefore, say we unto you, Gird on your swords and go forth to battle against the king ; even against the strong powers of Britain ; and the Lord God of Hosts be with you. 12 Now when the great Sanhedrim of the people heard those things which the wise men had uttered, they pondered them in their minds many days, and weighed them well; 13 Even until the seventeenth day of the month pondered they in secret concerning the matter. 14 And it was so, that on the next day they sent forth a Decree, making WAR upon the kingdom of Great Britain, and upon the servants, and upon the slaves thereof. 15 And the Decree was signed with the hand writing of James, the chief Governor of the land of Columbia. 16 After these things, the doors of the chambers of the Sanhedrim were opened.

Chap. III

Reception of the Declaration of War in Great Britain--her friends in America--Caleb Strong--Hartford Convention.

AND it came to pass, that when the princes and the lords and the counsellors of Britain saw the Decree, their wrath was kindled, and their hearts were ready to burst with indignation. 2 For, verily, said they, this insult hath overflowed the cup of our patience ; and now will we chastise the impudence of these Yankees, and the people of Columbia shall bow before the king. 3 Then will we rule them with a rod of iron ; and they shall be, unto us, hewers of wood and drawers of water. 4 For, verily, shall we suffer these cunning Yankees to beard the mighty lion, with half a dozen fir-built frigates, the men whereof are but mercenary cowards “bastards and outlaws?" 5 Neither durst they array themselves in battle against the men of Britain. No ! we will sweep them from the face of the waters, and their name shall be heard no more among nations. 6 Shall the proud conquerors of Europe not laugh to scorn the feeble efforts of a few unorganized soldiers, undisciplined, and fresh from the plough, the hoe, and the mattock ? 7 Yea, they shall surely fall ; for they were not bred to fighting as were the servants of the king. 8 Their large cities, their towns, and their villages will we burn with consuming fire. 9 Their oil, and their wheat} and their rye, and their corn, and their barley, and their rice, and their buckwheat, and their oats, and their flax, and all the products of their country will we destroy, and scatter the remnants thereof to the four winds of heaven. 10 All these things, and more, will we do unto this froward people. 11 Neither shall there be found safety for age or sex from the destroying swords of the soldiers of the king ; 12 Save in those provinces and towns where dwell the friends of the king , for, lo ! said they, the king's friends are many. 13 These will we spare; neither will we hurt a hair of their heads : nor shall the savages of the wilderness stain the scalping-knife or the tomahawk with the blood of the king's friends. 14 Now it happened, about this time, that there were numbers of the inhabitants of the country of Columbia whose hearts yearned after the king of Britain. 15 And with their false flattering words they led astray some of the friends of Columbian Liberty ; for their tongues were smoother than oil. 16 Evil machinations entered into their hearts, and the poison of their breath might be likened unto the deadly Bohon Upas, which rears its lefty branches in the barren valley of Java.1 17 And they strove to dishearten the true friends of the great Sanhedrim ; but they prevailed not. 18 Moreover, Satan entered into the heart of one of the governors of the east, and he was led astray by the wickedness thereof, even Caleb the Strong. 19 Now Caleb, which in the Cherokee tongue, signifieth an ass, liked not the decree of the great Sanhedrim, inasmuch as he favored the king of Britain ; 20 And, though willing to become a beast of burden, yet would he not move on account of his very great stupidity. 21 And he said unto the captains of the hosts of the state over which he presided, Lo ! it seemeth not meet unto me that ye go forth to battle against the king. 22 For, Lo ! are not the fighting men of Britain, in multitude, as the sand oh the sea shore ? and shall we prevail against them ? 23 Are not the mighty ships of the king spread over the whole face of the waters ? Is not Britain the " bulwark of our religion ?" 24 Therefore, I command that ye go not out to battle, but every man remain in his own house. 25 And all the governors of the east listened unto the voice of Caleb. 26 Moreover, the angel of the Lord whispered into the ear of Caleb, and spake unto him, saying, 27 If, peradventure, thou dost refuse to obey the laws of the land, the thing will not be pleasant in the sight of the Lord ; 28 Inasmuch as it may cause the people to rise up one against another, and spill the blood of their own children ; 29 And the time of warfare will be lengthened out, and the blood of thousands will be upon thine head. 3O And Satan spake, and said unto Caleb, Fear not ; for if thou wilt forsake thy country, and throw off the paltry subterfuge of Columbian Liberty, and defy the councils of the great Sanhedrim, 31 Then shall thy name be proclaimed with the sound of the trumpet throughout all the earth ; and thou shalt be a prince and a ruler over this people. 32 Now the smooth words of Satan tickled Caleb mightily, and he hearkened unto the counsel of the wicked one : 33 For the good counsel given unto him was as water thrown upon a rock. 34 But when the chief governor and the great Sanhedrim of the people saw the wickedness of Caleb, their hearts were moved with pity towards him and his followers : yea, even those who had made a convention at the little town of Hartford. 35 Neither doth the scribe desire to dwell upon the wickedness which came into the village of Hartford, the signification of the name whereof, in the vernacular tongue, appeareth not. 36 For the meddling therewith is as the green pool of unclean waters, when a man casteth a stone therein.

CHAP. IV. John Henry--Elijah Parish

LET the children of Columbia beware of false prophets which come in sheep's clothing ; for it is written, Ye shall know them by their fruits. 2 Now it came to pass, that a certain man, whose sirname was Henry, came before James, the chief governor, and opened his mouth, and spake unto him, saying, 3 Lo ! If thou wilt give unto me two score and ten thousand pieces of silver, then will I unfold unto thee the witchcraft of Britain, that thereby thy nation may not be caught in her snares. 4 And James said unto him, Verily, for the good of my country I will do this thing. 5 And immediately the man Henry opened his mouth, a second time, and said, 6 Lo ! the lords and counsellors of Britain have made a covenant with me, and have promised me many pieces of gold if I would make a league with the provinces of the east that they might favour the king ; and long and faithfully have I laboured in their cause. 7 But they deceived me, even as they would deceive the people of Columbia ; for their promises are as the idle wind that passeth by, which no man regardeth. 3 And ; when he had gotten the silver into his own hands he departed to the land of the Gauls, where he remaineth even until this day. 9 Nevertheless, the people profited much thereby; inasmuch as it put them upon the watch, and they guarded themselves against the evil accordingly. 10 He that longeth after the interpretation of the deeds of Henry, let him make inquiry of those who acted with him--the ministers of the Hartford Convention. 11 Now, there was a certain hypocrite, whose name was Elijah, and he was a false prophet in the east, and he led astray those of little understanding ; moreover, he was an hireling, and preached for the sake of filthy lucre. 12 And he rose up and called himself a preacher of the gospel, and his words were smooth, and the people marvelled at him ; 1 3 But he profaned the temple of the Lord, and he strove to lead his disciples into the wrong way. 14 And many wise men turned their backs against him ; nevertheless, he repented not of his sins unto this day. 15 Neither did the people, as Darius the Mede did unto the prophet Daniel, cast him into the den of lions, that they might see whether the royal beast would disdain to devour him. 16 But they were rejoiced that power was not given unto him to command fire to come down from heaven to consume the friends of the great Sanhedrim.

Chap. V

American Army--Militia--Navy--British, Navy--Rodgcrs' first Cruise--Capture of the U. S. brig Nautilus--removal of aliens beyond tide-water,

THE whole host of the people of Columbia, who bad been trained to war, being numbered, was about seven thousand fighting men. 2 Neither were they assembled together ; but they were extended from the north to the south, about three thousand miles. 3 But the husbandmen, who lived under their own fig-trees, and lifted the arm in defence of their own homes, were more than seven hundred thousand, all mighty men of valor. 4 Now the armies of the king of Britain, are they not numbered and written in the book of Hume, the scribe ? is not their name a terror to all nations ? 5 Moreover, the number of the strong ships of the peaceable inhabitants of Columbia, that moved on the waters of the deep, carrying therein the destroying engines, which vomited their thunders, was about one score :besides a handful of " cock-boats ;" with " a bit of striped bunting at their mast-head." 6 But the number of the fighting vessels of Britain was about one thousand one score and one, which bore the royal cross. 7 And the men of war of Britain were arrayed in their might against the people of the land of Columbia. 8 Nevertheless, it came to pass, that about this time a strong ship of the United States, called the President, commanded by a skillful man whose name was Rodgers, 9 Sailed towards the island of Britain, and went nigh unto it, and captured numbers of the vessels of the people of Britain, in their own waters ; after which she returned in safety to the land of Columbia. 10 And the people gave much praise to Rodgers, for it was a cunning thing ; inasmuch as he saved many ships that were richly laden, so that they fell not into the hands of the people, of Britain. 11 Moreover, it happened about the fifteenth day of the seventh month, in the same year in which the decree of the great Sanhedrim was issued, that a certain vessel of the states of Columbia was environed round about by a multitude of the ships of the king. ; 12 And the captain thereof was straitened, and he looked around him and strove to escape : 13 But he was entrapped and fell a prey to the vessels" of the king; howbeit, the captain, whose name was Crane, tarnished not his honor thereby. 14 And the name of the vessel of the United States was called Nautilus. 15 Now, about this time, there was a law sent forth from the great Sanhedrim, commanding all servants and subjects of the king of Britain forthwith to depart beyond the swellings of the waters of the great deep ; even two score miles. 16 And they did so ; and their friends from whom they were compelled to flee, mourned for them many days.

Chap VI

Hulls expedition--he enters Canada, and encamps at Sandwich--issues his Proclamation--retreats to Detroit,

NOW it was known throughout the land of Columbia that war was declared! against the kingdom cf Britain. 2 And to a certain chief captain called William, whose sir-name was Hull, was given in trust a band of more than two thousand chosen men, to go forth to battle in the north. 3 Now Hull was a man well stricken in years, and he had been a captain in the host of Columbia, in the days that tried men's souls ; even in the days of Washington. 4 Therefore, when he appeared in the presence of the great Sanhedrim, they were pleased with his countenance, and put much faith in him. 5 Moreover, he was a governor in the north, and a man of great wealth. C And when he arrived with his army hard by the Miami of the Lakes, he gat him a vessel and placed therein those things which were appertaining unto the preservation of the lives of the sick and the maimed. 7 But, in an evil hour, the vessel was ensnared, near unto a strong hold, beside a river called in the language of the Gauls, Detroit. 8 And the army of Columbia suffered much thereby. 9 Nevertheless, on the twelfth of the seventh month about the fourth watch of the night, William with his whole host crossed the river which is called Detroit. 10 And he encamped his men round about the town of Sandwich in the province of the king. 11 From this place, he sent forth a proclamation, which the great Sanhedrim had prepared for him ; and the wisdom thereof appeareth even unto this day. 12 But if a man's ass falleth into a ditch, shall the master suffer thereby ? if injury can be prevented, shall we not rather with our might endeavour to help him ? 13 Now in the proclamation which Hull published abroad, he invited the people of the province of Canada to join themselves to the host of Columbia, who were come to drive the servants of the king from their borders. 14 And it came to pass, that a great multitude flocked to the banners of the great Sanhedrim. 15 Nevertheless, they knew not that they were to be entrapt. 16 However, it was so, that William departed from the province of the king, and re-crossed the river. 17 And when the husbandmen of the province of Canada, who had joined the standard of Columbia, learned those things, they wept bitterly ; for they were left behind. 1 S After this William secured himself in the strong hold of Detroit ; and the eyes of the men and the women of Columbia were fixed upon him. 19 And the expectation thereof may be likened unto a man who hath watered well his vineyard.

Chap. VII

Hulls expedition--surrender of his army and the whole Michigan Territory--his trial and pardon by the President--capture of Michilimackinack.

NOW the host of the king were few in numbers, nevertheless, they came in battle array against the strong hold of William. 2 And when he beheld them from afar, he was afraid ; his knees smote one against another, and his heart sunk within him ; for, lo ! the savages of the wilderness appeared amongst them. 3 And there was a rumor went throughout the camp of Columbia, and it bore hard upon William. 4 Inasmuch as they said the wickedness of his heart was bent on giving up the strong hold to the servants of the king. 5 Howbeit he was not taxed with drinking of the strong waters of Jamaica ; which, when they enter into the head of a man, destroy his reason and make him appear like unto one who hath lost his senses. 6 And when the charge against William was made known unto the soldiers of Columbia, they were grieved much, for they were brave men, and feared nought. 7 So the officers communed one with another touching the thing ; but they wist not what to do. 8 And they fain would have done violence unto William, that they might have been enabled to pour forth their thunders against the approaching host of Britain which he had forbidden to be done. 9 Moreover, the names of these valiant men, who were compelled to weep before the cowardice of William, are they not recorded in the bosom of every friend of Columbian liberty. 10 And it was about the sixteenth of the eighth month when the servants of the king appeared before the strong hold of Detroit. 11 And the name of the chief captain of the province of Canada, that came against the strong hold, was Brock, whose whole force was about seven hundred soldiers of the king, and as many savages. 12 Now when the soldiers of Canada were distant about a furlong, moving towards the stronghold; even when the destroying engines were ready to utter their thunders and smite them to the earth ; 13 William, whose heart failed him, commanded the valiant men of Columbia to bow down before the servants of the king. 14 And he ordered them to yield up the destructive weapons which they held in their hands. 16 Moreover, the cowardice of his heart caused him to make a league with the servants of the king, in the which he gave unto them the whole territory over which the people had entrusted him to preside ; notwithstanding it appertained not unto him. 17 And the balls of solid iron, and the black dust,and the destroying engines became a prey unto the men of Britain. 1 8 Now there had followed after William a band of brave men from the west, and the name of their captain is Brush; and he had in trust "the bread and the wine which were to refresh the army of Columbia. 1 9 And, lest they should fall into the hands of the savages, a captain, whose name was Vanhorn, was ordered to go forth and meet him. 20 And the band that went forth, were entrapped at Brownstown, by the cunning savages, that laid wait for them ; and the killed and the wounded of Columbia, were about two score. 21 And again there were sent from the camp of William more than five hunched men to go to the aid of Brush. 22 And the name of the chief captain thereof, was Miller ; and the captain whom he ordered to go before him was called Snelling. 23 Now Snelling was a valiant man, and strove hard against the men of Britain, and the savages 3 even until Miller the chief captain arrived. 24 And the place which is called Maguago, lieth about an hundred furlongs from Detroit. 25 Now the battle waxed hot ; and the host of Miller pressed hard upon the savages and upon the men of Britain. 26 Inasmuch as they were compelled to flee before the arms of Columbia : and Miller gat great honor thereby. 27 And there fell of the men of Britain that day an hundred two score and ten. 28 Nevertheless, in the league which William had made, he had included Miller, and all the brave captains and he men of war of Columbia that were nigh the place. 29 Now, therefore, whether it was cowardice outright, in William, or whether he became treacherous for filthy lucre's sake, appeareth not unto the scribe2. 30 But the effect thereof to the nation, was as a man having a millstone cast about his neck. 31 So William and his whole army fell into the hands of the servants of the king. 32 But, as it is written in the book of Solomon, There is a time for all things ; so it came to pass, afterward, that William was called to account for his evil deeds. 33 And he was examined before the lawful tribunal of his country; and they were all valiant warriors and chief captains in the land of Columbia. 34 Howbeit, when the council had weighed well the matter, they declared him guilty of treason, and that he should suffer death. 35 Nevertheless, they recommended him to the mercy of James, the chief governor of the land of Columbia, 36 Saying, Lo! the wickedness of the man appeareth unto us as palpable as the noon day ; 37 But the infirmities of his age have weakened his understanding ; therefore let his grey hairs go down to the grave in silence. 38 And when James heard the words of the council, his heart melted as wax before the fire. 39 And he said, Lo ! ye have done that which seemeth right unto me. 40 And although, as my soul hopeth for mercy, for this thing William shall not surely die ; yet his name shall be blotted out from the list of the brave. 41 Notwithstanding this, William thanked him not, but added insult to cowardice. 42 So William was ordered to depart to the land which lieth in the east, where he remaineth unto this day : and his name shall be no more spoken of with reverence amongst men. 43 Moreover, there was another evil which fell upon the people of the United States, about the time the host of Columbia crossed the river Detroit. 44 For, lo ! the strong hold of Michilimackinack, which lieth nigh unto the lakes of Michigan and Huron, fell an easy prey unto the men of Britain and their red brethren ; 45 Whose numbers were more than four-fold greater than the men of Columbia, who knew not of the war. 46 Nevertheless, the people of the United States, even the great Sanhedrim, were not disheartened ; neither were they afraid : for they had counted the cost, and were prepared to meet the evil.

Chap. VIII

Capture of the British frigate Guerriere., by the United State's frigate Constitution, captain Hull--capture of the Alert sloop of war, by the Essex, captain Porter.

NOW it came to pass, on the nineteenth day of the eighth month, that one of the tall ships of Columbia, called the Constitution, commanded by Isaac, whose surname was Hull, 2 Having spread her white wings on the bosom of the mighty deep, beheld from afar one of the fighting ships of Britain bearing the royal cross. 3 And the name of the ship was called, in the language of the French, Guerriere, which signifieth a warrior, and Dacres was the captain thereof. 4 Now when Dacres beheld the ship of Columbia his eyes sparkled with joy, for he had defied the vessels of Columbia. 5 And he spake unto his officers and his men that were under him, saying, 6 Let every man be at his post, and ere the glass hath passed the third part of an hour the stripes of the Constitution shall cease to sweep the air of heaven, 7 And the yawning deep shall open its mouth to receive the enemies of the king. 8 And the men of. Dacres shouted aloud, and drank of the strong waters of Jamaica, which make men mad moreover, they mixed the black dust therewith. 9 Now when Isaac drew nigh unto the king's ship, the warriors of Columbia shouted. 10 And Isaac bore down upon the strong ship of the king. 11 About this time they put the lighted match to the-, black dust of the destroying engines, and it was like unto a clap of thunder. 12 Moreover, the fire and smoke issued out of the mouths of the engines in abundance, so as to darken the air, and they were overshadowed by the means thereof. 13 Now the black dust was not known among the ancients ; even Solomon, in the plenitude of his wisdom knew it not. 14 And the battle continued with tremendous roar for about the space of half an hour, when its noises ceased. 15 But when the clouds of smoke had passed away, behold ! the mighty Guerriere lay a sinking wreck upon the face of the waters. 16 The shadow of hope passed over her as a dream ; and most reluctantly was she compelled to strike the lion's red cross to the Eagle of Columbia : 17 Whilst the Constitution, like Shadrach in the fiery furnace, remaining unsinged, filled her white sails, and passed along as though nothing had happened unto her. 18 Now the slain and the maimed of the king that day were five score and five. 19 And the loss of the people of Columbia, was seven slain and seven wounded. 20 After this Isaac caused a burning coal to be placed in the Guerriere, that she might be consumed, and the flames thereof mounted towards the heavens. 21 And the great Sanhedrim honored Isaac with great honor, and the people were rejoiced in him, and they forgat, in the contemplation of his glory, the evils which had befallen them in the north. 22 But when the lords and counsellors of Britain heard those things, they believed them not ; it was as the bitterness of gall to their souls : for the pride of Britain was, fixed upon her navy ; it was the apple of her eye. 23 Now, as one evil followeth after another to the sons of men, so it happened that, in the same month, a certain strong ship of the United States, even the Es- \n search of the vessels of the king, on the waters of the ocean. 24 And in process of time, she fell upon one of the ships of Britain, called the Alert, and made spoil thereof to the people of Columbia.