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TO SAYG OUR COMMON COUNTRY FROM RUIN, THIRD EDlTJOJ\i\ OREATLY ENLARGED AND IMPROVED^ \ BY M. CAREY. PUILASELFHIA. " Faction is the madness of the many for the heneflt of the few." " Frenzied be the liead • palsied be ihe hand — that attempts to de- stroy tlie union." Gen. Eaton " Truths wouhl you toach — or save a sinking land : " AH fear — nont- aid you — and few umierstand," Pope, •* Every h.'ns^dom divided against itself is brought to DESOLA* TIOjX." Matt. 12, 25. JBOSTOJSi'. REFRINIED BY ROWE AND HOOPER, Feb. 1815. : if ^ JK U' TiiE VOICE OF WASIIIxXGTON. " Theuvify of oarervniml, which con.slilule.i jjoh one people, is dcai fotjou. fl is jnsily so ; for it is a wain pillar in the vdijicc of j/our real imUpendence, tltc fuppoit of i/otir IratiquUify at home, your peace abroad ; of t/niir safly ; vf your pinsptr:ty ; of that very lilteily tchich you S9 h-ghly puze. but ns n is <;isy li. I(,ifsc« , tteft Vi„m UtlK'ifiit raiiscji, and iHnii diHt Kill tpiarltrs, iinuh pmvs irm tie tuUn, mavy urtijices emjil'iijtd, to Jcca/itn in your rnonh the comidion of tht.i tiuth ; as U.is is llu |)(iiiii ill jour |)uiiiii',il /'oilress, iigiimst \\ hu h ilie hatuiU'S of internal and (Xirnial rncmi»s will he nmet conslnitly nnd ar- t ivily (llnMij{li ()fl« 11 covoilly antl iiiBn-luuisly ) d;irl»stnu't ions to tlie txrcution of ilip laws; uU combiva'ions uvd assncintions, undfr whatever pl^iutible c/iaraclcr, with a real de- sign to direct, control, otin'eract, tr awe the rrau'ar deliboation and ac'ion of the constituted uuihirrilies, are destruciire of this fundamen- tnl pvinctpte, and (f flint tendency They serve In otganize faction, to give it an urtifcinl and exlraordinaiy force — to juit in llie place of thf lUlrijiiic^ will of the iialion, tin* will of a parly, cflrii a small hill Ml ifiil and tnlei p: izin;; innoiHy of ll>e <'otniiinnily ; and, a<< ord- ilia t'' ll"' al(eiii;»te tnnmplis of ditt'iifnt paitit's, lo make llie pub- lic a racy. This has l)eerj asserted by some of onr citizens for year)*, and strenuously denied by others, deceived by the niasqne I lie conspirators wore, and their holhjw proiVssions. lint it reqnires more than Bfeotian stupidity dni ness, to hesitate on the subject af'ier the late extraonl'nary move- ments, which cannot possibly have any other object. It is eighteen years since this dany;eroiis project was prn- muli^ated.* From that period to the present, it has not been one hour out of view. And unholy and pernicious as was the end, the means employed were at least equaly un- holy and pernicious. Falsehood, deception, and calumny, in turn, have been called in to aid the desii'u. The pa? * In .T Sf ri If! of cPBa e signature of Pulli^.m, in llie Conn, client Co'"'" t, 1790. Sec piigc '-.uV A * '¥ >.. » ^e^. — ^ SI*" -* // vi rui-iwrr. I 'f sions ol'lhf peo|)!i' have hfiiii k«*|)f in a eoDslarit slate <»r (lio inoil cxtrava-'inl I'xcitoiiu'nt. Kvcry act ul' the i^o^ ciimiLiit. hus livM'ii |)lat'(>(l iti tiic iiiDMt iv'vohiiii; point oT \\v\v. 'Co t!i<' adinii'i'itniti'.ii liuvc Ijcimi iiiu'cui^innlv Jisciihi'd llii' tiioht (KiiMis (»l))Ufts, pur-.U(M| by tlio most (Ic'lc'stiihle melius. Afjoiit t\*o-tliii(ls ui* tliL' |)up('rrt piibiisliod in New-I^nj^- land ari' nppost'd to tln' pn'sent Hdmiiiistrulion, Thoy arc lili ex-piti t(*. 1 tliiiik it it d(Hii)li'iil w iictiuM* a sini^lo nuinlicr of tli« Cciititiol. l/t'pt'Ctory, liosloii (iazcltc, &e. has hiMii piililisjied turyeiiis, free IVom alt:ick:^nn tin* administratiuii. Aii'l I aai [)i-etty well ('oiiviii.'od, that attempts at viixlica. iiori are liiutlly ever allowed a plaee. The nliject steadily, mid insui'iably, and iiid'.islrioiisly pursued, is to run dtiun th.* iniviuihents in otHee at all events. To this nhject every ihin:^ is niiKJe subservient. On the injustice, theerni)!u- tion. Anil, reader, *' laj/ not the jlntlerin^ unction to your s^m/," that we shall in this event eseapc lilooilshed. ti m as impossible that sueh a Ha.'^ifioijs (jrojiet shotild he earjitd into operation, williont lorronts of blood being shed, a-illiut von can tear auiiv the fonndations on whieha niiirhtv ei!i- lice rests. Vrithonl (he edilice itself erumbling to rnins; or that yon can reoiive the dykes uliieli oppose (lie progress of a vast body of wutor, au\I not have the adjacent eonnhy overllowed. With Mr. Oardenier. i( is a favourile phrasf, that, "//,« present achnihialraiiun init.st come ihiirn.'" ^'his is tolerably explicit. Tt is impossible to misiake the intention or the mode of eft'eeting it. The latter is very simple. History furnishes uumercMis exanples. It is the mode by which Cromwell expelled the Itnojp Parliament, and seized the reins of government himself. It is the mode by which, after the Rubicon was passed, Julius Cfiesar rose to power on the ruius oi'the Commonwealth. And, to come to a later peri- od, it is the mode whereby Bonaparte made himself master •f the destinies of France. But, Mr. Gardenier, we are not ripe for that project yet. Can you, or general Wharton, who has given the toast — "James Madison, on the island of Elba" — can you, I say, be mad enotigh to believe that the Isardy yeomanry of New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania, will submit to allow any band of desperadoes with impunity to tear the highest yubiic functionaries of the nation frum their seats — men - 1 i 4^^^:..'itA.: ■uSi'"''^ ■ MiA^^«— • — •' . , « « ».»i,c VIII I'RKFAcr:. chosi'i) ill strict coriruriiii()^ uiili tliu terms of the ffoeiiil voiniiiw •I? ii'vu^i flatter yoiii'Hi'ir with any Hiich pleaninu; (h'liiMiniiM, iiMakc, iitid nhiki' iiU'lho lni^htY error. \(v\y upon it, that ihdscuho may make the Hitcrih>^ioii!i nltcmpt will, uilh thi'ir ilcluik'd toil i\ver!«, Hutt'cr ooiidi;;!! iiiiiiishment as trait* orK The lliiilt'd Siatos have Cor ft oonsidcrahle time past ex- hihitcd a Mpi'claldii of (he ino»t extraordinary kind, and ulini)«lant eonntrieti. who may feel an interest in the happines>< of their fellow men. ]n pern.sin;^ history, we lament the errors «if onr aneestors — onrs will he a sniijeet of lamentation to our posterity 'I'aki ill'' into eunsideralion this Keiions defeet in the frame of 'itir !j;overnmeiit, it is the iedii!oiis!y employed in teariui^ do\ui the pil- lars of (he t^overnment — in throMin,^ every oh tacle, and dilHcully, and emharrassment in (he wav of its administra- tors, a* if it were a government equally tippressive vnth that of A^iers or Tur'-ey. or as if they eonhl derive advantage from anarcliy. Should they lie cursed with final sueeess in their endeavours, they and their posterity will muurn flic ennse(|ucnces. The national vessel is on rocks and qnirksands, and in danger of shipwreck. There is, moreover, a larger and more formidahle vessel preparing nil possihie means for her destruction. Yet, instead of etforts to ertricate her, the •^,v' jcy- :ii.«*i*j>* ^IM'.lWtili. I« oi'ow Are (liittnicted by a dispiilc liow mIic came into tlttit itiliialioii. I'itc i^rutid and oiil^ uliji'ct with a |>art ot' iIkmiI) in to gi;l tliu lieliii in llieir own liaiidM — and railuT than not Miiccoed, the) are restolvud she uliall ^o to |K>rdilioii. 'lU'in iiiirty Mweam nil tlio daiigei* and dillieiilly arc ovviti;^ to tito luibucilily lliu corniplioii, ilm niadiio.ss or the folly of tho pilotf whom they threaten "^ivit/i a halter^ ' or to put him ashore "on tlie hliind of JClba.'^ The olhern swear with eqiitti veheuience, that the refractory, turbulent, and factiouH - ipirit of the mutinonst part of the erew Iuih run the vesHcl n^roiuid. They are au(M)rdin^ly determined (o dciVnd tho pilot. A few individual, who Hee that both parlies had coutriliiited to produce this calamilouM event, in vain hold out *'thp. OUv(; livunch^''^ and implore them to suspend all in- ((iiirieii ad to the eau!ie of danger till the ship is ri^lited. It is in vain. While the parties are mure ana more inilamed a^^iitist each other, the vessel bulges on a sharp rock — doivn she i^oes— pilot— and supporters — and mutineers — and * peace makers— all in one common destruction. This, 1 am fearful, will be our fate. It may be prevent- ed. All that is necessary in, for a f'nv iniluential .-ulmi in the dill'erent ^jtates to step forward — bury the hatchet — lay aside all minor considerations while the vessel of state is in danger. This policy is so obviously Just, that fifty iiidivid- uals Ihroughont the union setting the example, would havo ^ sulKcient etKeacy to arouse the nation to a sense of their danger, and thus accomplish the blessed object of saving their country. Will the Clarksons, the Rayickedne8s of its leaders. The Jews, when besieged by Titus, within the walls of Ihcir metropolis, availed themselves of the cessati<»n of hos- tile attacks on the part «>f their external enemies, to glut iheir vengeance, and malice, and factious spirit, by butch- criug each other — and thus both parties became an easy prey to the invaders. To this deplorable pitch of madness ive have not yet arrived. But that we have hitherto escaped this calamiiv. is not for want of industry on the part of some persons who are unceasingly employed as inecndiariesr a'.^-J&^k l.:\. k-C .J- »—>»■■ PREl'ACE. ax in Mowing up the flaniL's of discord, and preparing us iop simiiur L^t'ones i'lie cn(»l, and eulin, and tcmpenitu part of the cominnnitv appear torpid and languid, and take no ste(i8 to avert the awful 'catastrophe. Let them awake from their slumbers s')i)n ; or at no dit^tant day, the evil may be reme- diless, and they will in vain mourn over their folly. I believe Mr. Madisou pi'rfectly upright; that his ad- ministration of Hie government has been conducted with as pure iulentions, as ever actuated a first magistrale of any country; and thai lord Ciiatham or the great !:)ully would have found it a very arduous task to manage the helm under the dilliuulties, external and internal, that he has had to contend with But if it were a question that related wholly lo Mr Madisou or his administration, I should never have trespassed on the public. Were Mr. Madison as patriotic as Curtlus, or the Docii, who grace the Uomau story — and as immaculate as an archangel — nay, were all the heroes antl statesmen of the revolution restored to life, and entrust* ed with * xfl TREIACE. >l I ■! \ \ ( of annoyance, hovers on our coasts, and by his formidable navy, is enabled to inHict on us deep and lasiinj; injury. Ami what is pregnant with more terror by far, instead of aiding to extricate ns from this perilous situation, tbe op- portunity of a season of ditiieulty and danger is seized on to dis^solve tile union, to raise up hostile and jaring confeder- acies, to destroy the hopes mankind have formed of our nobie governmental experinient. To coiilimie disputing about the minor points that have divided ihe parties heretofore, would be madness How superlative would be the folly and absurdity of two men, fighting about the interior decorations and arrangements of an ediiice, and regardless of the operations of two others, one of whom was undermining and preparing to blow it up in the air, and the other providing a torch to set it on tire ? A strait jacket would be too slender a restraint for them. Such IS the folly and madness of those democrats and fed- eralists, wli!) continue their warfare about the mode of ad- ministering tile constitution, or the persons by whom it shall be administered, at a time when the constitution itself is in danger ofbeing destroyed root and branch. V, The plan of this work may require some short explana- tion. 1 believe the country to be in imminent danger of a convulsion, whereof the human mind cannot calculate the consequences. The nation is divided into two hostile par- lies, whose animosity towards each other is daily increased by inflammatorv publications. Kach charges the other with the guilt of having produced the present alarming state of aifiiirs. In private lifw. when two individuals quarrel, and each believes the other wholly wrong, a reconciliation is hardly practicable. But whea tlM'v can be convinced that the errors are mutual — as is almost universally the case — PREFACE. xiii iliey open their ears to the voice of reason, ami are willing to meet each other half way. A maxim, soiiiul in private afl'airs, is • I'ly unsound in public life. AVIiile a violent federaiiBi Sieves all the evils of the present state of tliingg have arijciii from the guilt of the administration, nothing less will satisfy him th^n hurling Mr. Madison from thu seat of government, and sending him to Elba. While, on the other hand, a violent democrat persuades himself that all our evils hare arisen from the dilticulties and embarrass- ments constantly and steadily thrown in the way of the ad- ministration by the federalists, he is utterly averse to any compromise. Each looks down upon the other with scorn and hatred, as the Pharisee in the gospel upon the Publi- can. I have endeavoured to prove, and I believe 1 have fully proved, that each party has a heavy debt of error, aiid folly, and guilt, to answer for to their injured country, and to posterity — and. as I have stated in the body of this work, that mutual forgiveness is no more than an aot of Justice — and can lay no claim to the character of liberality on either side. But even supposing for a moment — what probably hardly ever occured, since the world was formed — that the error is all on one side, is it less insane for the other to increase the difHculty of extrication — to refuse its aid — to embarrass those who have the management of our atfairs ? My house is on fire. Instead of calling for aid — or providing fire- engines — or endeavouring to smother the flames — I institute an inquiry Iiou it took fire — whether by aecident or design —and if by design, who was the incendiary; and f«irlher undertake to punish him for his wickedness! a most wigo and wonderful procedure — and just on a level with the wis- dom, and patriotism, and public spirit of those sapient members of Congress, who spend days in making long speeches, every idea whereof has been a hundred, perhaps a thousand times repeated in the newspapers, upon the causes of the war, and the errors of its management, instead of meeting the pressing and imperious necessity of the emergency. 8 V i\ I f! "ft / XIV PREFACE. . I claim but one merit in this protltictioii, ami that is by no means inconsiderable. It is, that with u perfect knowl- edge oF the furious, remorseless, never-d^ing, and cut-throat hostility, with which Faction in all ages^ has persecuted those who have dared oppose her — and perfectly satisfied, that with us she is as implacable, as malignant, and as in- exorable a monster as she has ever been, I have dared, nev- ertheles!-;, to stale the truth, regardless of the consequences. 1 was, it is true, considerably reluctant- I should have preferred by far, for the remainder of my life, steering clear of the quick-sands of politics. None of the (picstions that have heretofore divided parlies iti this country could have induced me to venture upon the tempestuous ocean. But at u crisis like the present, neutrality would be guilt. The qiiestion now is between the friends of social orressure of business. 'Vu suppose, then, it were perfect, would arijue a degree of insanity which the fondest and PKlil'AGE. XVII most (lotiiii; doliriiitn t»f piifpniul vanity could hardly palli- ate. It wdtilil be a case unparalleled in the annals oflitcr- aliire. Tlie world lias had niiniiMnns instancws of m»Mi ol' most iiplendi'il talents —of laborious researi'h — aith abun- dant inateriiils and documents — enjoying full leisure to do justice to their subjects — and ein|>U)yin;L; years for the pur- pose — yet falliu!^ intu e^res»i»)us errors. It could not then be expected thiit a work embracing such a variety of objects, ftud writteti under t!»e very disadvantageous circumstances 1 have stated, shouhl be free frosn them. Hut the reader may rest assured that whatever Ihev mav he, they have not re- suited from design. They are the olVspriuti; ot slenderness of talents — deticieney of materials— inadvertence-"t»r that bias to which all men arc sul)ject. in a greater or K'ss de- cree, when treating on suljjecls wherein they feel deeply in- terested. Of the latter, however, I have laboured to divest myself. Had I written vvilh any vic'w to liferary reputation, t]:e work would have made a totally diiler'nt appearance. In- stead (»f pi'esenfin^ the reader wiili so many documents vor- biitim, 1 should, as is usual have sjiven aiiMiaets of them in my own words— -a>id thus formed a re;:^ular, c.»nnected nar- r:»tive of events, i'ar more a^ijreeable to read, than ibe \>«nk in i?s present form, and rather easier to write. i'he reader may rest assured, that I have written tiiree pages in less time than I employed in search for a single document, w hicli does not occujjy one, and thereof J knew eii()Ui;;h to i^ive an analysis of it. And lonsr. laborious searches for document or newspaper par;ii;raphs. or essays, have not uniVeqiiejitly b.'en w'iiolly in vain. Btit though a thirst for literary reputation is far from il- l;vu.!al)le— and though it insj)ires to great exertions, and has b'en l!ie honoured parent of some of the mL' utmost prostilnliosj of talents, a mere triile would sullu'c to produce a C(»nviilsion — (as, when you have collect- ed loi^elher a qiianhly of highly combustible materials, a Rinii;ie spark suiVices to pro'ltiee a counti^ration,) — that a dissoiiiiinn of the u\iiuii will iiif';illibiy produce a civil war; that in the event of a civil war, there ^ill bo a slruc^j^lc throiit^hont tiie eounlry \'nr the ascendancy, wherein will be ])Otpelratvd alioclties similar to those which disgraced the rj\'nc!» revolution : that even if we should be so fortunate as lo escape a civil war. or, (if we should nol) after its ter- mination, and the establishment of separate confcdi raeies, {he ennntrv will be cursed with a constant border war, ibnu'tited by the nalwnis of l<)urope, to wh(»m wc shall be a s|)()rt and a prey : ajul that, in one word, a nation most highly fuv.inrcdby heaven, is on the very versje of perdition. These views may 1)8 erroneous. They difter from those cf mr)sl of my friends The mass of the community, more- over, do not accord with them. But they are unalterably impressed upon my mind. 1 cannot shake them off. They are all supported by the instructive, but neglected voice of* Iiistory. I possess not the happy faculty with wliich so muny are endowed. 1 cannot believe an event will not take place, because I hope an^^oinc of tlio jouriiils of (jonfiress. Kor these I leml-r my tlnriks Mad ofh'-r irrntlcintn hevn tfjually atlpiitivo, the woi k would have 1)<( n r'm.sidirahly improved. To ih valuahie lollerlion of pamphlets in ilio posscKsion of Mr ))u- j)oncfau, I linve hail access And a f»entloiiiaii ia Hosion fin nif.liid ruu with a niintbiT of very imiJOitant cxti-acls. rrom llie {inr.i'.ti' and. Sen- tinel, published tlifie. Ext ept in these three inslnnccB, I have lucn iilmovt as utterly unaided as if I I'.ved on liobins n (husoe's island, or vver • inve:>tij; "ting the gei'.ealogy of the (iriind Laina — or llie wars of the 'I'itaiis againsi .Jupilir. Sutli is llie wreU'hed apathy t\;r pri viills respecting nur public alTiiifs ! M FKtrALL. \ Extract f I om (ioi'ervor Sirorifr' 3 speech, XTthJunuury, 180(). 0^ ('li.ii^rH III llic cniiHlitutioii oi' guveriiiiii-ni ire hioh- MJiirioiis tliait in till' NVNicin of lawn : ij* even n smuU innoval ion may desiroi/ Us piincifilvs. 'i'lii- hdiH) I -s of the coiimIUuIioii hud brfoie tltt-iH not only the >oiin;4 >v|iirh liiid btsii |)i'cferr('(l by the Meveral 8luh'H -, hut those also, which bi fore thiit lime, had bi-eii devised in other n%e% miiU n.itiooH And llxiiiifh the repealed e)«|)erimeht!i which huve since |ailace in luirope, may sn;;({*'^t mailer for wuriiiii){, they uflbrd noihini; for iiiiitalioii If, iioIm ithMlundiiiir, it m found byexpeii- eiice, Ihal the conHliliilioii o|»eraleH very iiiitqoally, or the coiixlrtic- (ioii «i'Milions represent as useful X]/' Hitmen of great am- hit ion are stilt more dnn^rfitous ; 'f thiy commonly mahe the Jairest pre- icvcpsto principlesy '^y Ihouiih they are actuated only by self interest.— • If the constll lit ion or laws of their country present obstacles to the accom- plishmenl of fhtir ivithes, X!j* they employ every arlijice to alter or aholi.sh (hem ; and . j" if individuals oppose their attempts, they are equally aitjul and solicitous to destroy their influence and render them odious to their feL- low citizt'rs. ** ^r" Few men, even in a prosperons cnmmnnity, nre fully satisfied with llieir condition. * /" A uresit part are easily iiiiludd to believe, thai there is something; wroiitf in the government or laws, which nii^hl hercclifu'd to their advantage XT flj^'y therefore readily emlir.TC any spec ions proposal loeH'ect an alteration f;^ The crajl^ and ambitiouf know hnw to avail themselves of this disposition to change, and ; y Mi(otiratlcs8 like all other human in- stiiuiions, imperfect ; but ^j* they will insure the hlessiiii:s of freedom to the citizens, and preserve their traii(|nitity, as long as they are virtuous ; and (Q^ "'> rnnstitulion that has been or can be formed wiSI secure those blessing lo u depraved and vicious people," :,3i»i»/.rf--'/ &ia|^ifc^?^35Sw« ji..-«»'...>^. ■■ -,.^ .. .- ... w_ .._,>- — NXi PUtlACL. Extract from the antwer of the Jtasaachuielln Senate to the (Jtvev-- Hor'a Sf> ech of \7th Januuri/, 1800 " ij'W*' sliall look wiili » still more i-uutioiia tye n|ioii cvirv iiino. vatioii itttemptcd lo be- made U|>oii our iiationul « oiislitittiini. 'Ilic iti. tcKi'itj, experiviice, and extensive iiit'oriualion dliitovLred by tlie illiu. trioiiM uliaructer.s who Iruoied that valiiuble tiutrument and tlu- Moricb ofimhlic [irospciity enjoyed under it,inlitle it to our iiigliest veneration; its cxcellttiicc apiiuas witli still greater lustre, when coniiiured willi the ephemeral constitutions of many nationH uliicli have flitlLd acroHH tlm oye in rapid tuccessiun, anx then Runk into tot«l obliviou. We are not iiisunsibli', tliut our tonn of government must be iinperleet, as was iho iiMtiirc of its authors: but we recollccl, at the same time, that : /' (mtf f)rof)n^ctl alteration under the name of amendment it liable to the same im[ii'rfcvtion. " IJulievMin; therefore tliat ;"?' the /)rincit}lca of the constitution are na tvoU adjusted ax human infirmity tviU permit, and that J_/" « small iiiHitvation may essentially po'vert its oriq-inut t'lntlncy we shall exert ourselves to preserve lim its ()r sent form, ex.epi in cases wlicre its [operaliou shuU bu found extremely uuecjual and oppressive." #> I olFer (hcsp t;i-c:\t and solrmn tiutlia lo the ronsidciat ion of ull who have au intfieui in the welf;lanl^ and make tliis Country the sport of the European Fotcers at all future times. II. \« well mii^ht we expect to re-iiiiite, wilhoiit flaw, |tlie tViimntMits of an elfijiiiit porcelain vase, shattered to [pieces, as to restore the Union, il' dissolved hntiorone honr. UI. A period of war, and invasion, and danger, is utterly imlit for repairing or aniendinj^ a Constitution. Nothing but convulsion ean arise out of the attempt. IV. General Washin^^ton, in his last legacy, one of the noblest eftorls of hinnan wisdom, impressively urged his coiitilryinen to fiown indignantly upon any attemi»t to ini- piiir or dissolve the Union ^ . To hostile European Powers, a dissolution would be of iiuinense aitd incalculable advantage. VI. It would he inexpressible folly and madtiess to reject the policy dictated by Washington, and follow that which HjAJMiMMtu III* I m^ mm^limi *ll*»-*»»^<*^-»*iu*^ '^-^X.J ■M'M Mil IMiF.I'Ai I .. I would lie (liodttt'd hy (huso rowers of Kiiru|)o who regurd our |)ro<4pu<'it) widi, jealousy. Two mcnHiiK'fl n'i|uxt fully nubiuilU-d for removing tli« existing fl.lliglTS UllU (liiiitullitH. . ' I. To introduce two re«pectal»le federaliHts, of ooininimd-, iiiti; lalciit>4 nnd inlhienee, and of deeided attacluiienl to tlii'i Union, into the adniinislrution, umoni; the lieud» of de|iarl-j ments. ^ ! II. To form Union Sociotien throiii^hnut the nation,! xvhoHc sole olijcct shall be to guard against a seimration ol' fhe Stales. PLAN OF AN UNION SOCIETY, Siicfi na is contemplated nhove. " Above hII lliIiiRs hold (leur your nntional union. Accustoin vonrsplvcn to estimate ilH innnitc valuu to yoiii' in(^!ivi(liiHl and iiRtioni.l ]iH|iiiiiiiss. Look on it as the pfiliadinm of vonr tranqnilily at lioinc- ; of yon r ficnco nl)t'OH(l ; of your Baloly ; ol your prosiJCiity j and even of tliatj ibeity wiiicli you so highly |)ri7.e." WlRIIINGTO^l's FAnEWELL ADHIICBS. WIIKREAS many disalleetcd eitizcns liave long labored fo prepare the publie mind for a dissolution of the Union, and the formation of separate confederacies ; and whereas they have at len£;tli publickly and darin<^ly avowed their tla^itioiis designs ; and w lirreas the experience of all history to the present time affords the most complete proof that such dissolutions of existing forms of government, and the! formation of new ones, have almost invariably produced! bloody civil wars, the greatest curse that ever amicteil man- kind ; and whereas the present form of the general govern- ment, if duly supported by our citixens, is calculated to I produce as high a degree of happiness as has ever fallen to the lot of any nation; and whereas the separate confedera- cies, contemplated as substitutes for the present general" confederacy, even if it were possible to establish them peaceably, would* he pregnant with interminable future wars, such as have almost constantly prevailed between neighboring States with rival interests, real or supposed, and would hold out every possible inducement, and every desirable facility to foreign nations, to array each against the other, and thus subjugate the whole, or at least render tliem dependent upon, or subservient to those foreign nation?;: I'Hl.l A( K. IK tlie exist in; ELL ADHIIKSS. i uhI ulicrcas, fiimlly, it would houhsoliito iiiiiiIdoHs to tlirow i\\A\ tliL' itieaiciilablu bicriHiii^H \\v fiijoy, i\n' (lie tncrc ;li,inci; of bettoriiiti; out (^uiMlition, luid Htill more i'uv the ilt^iiliitc certAiiily of reiiJoniii; it mticii uoiii)' : 'I'licrelort' vesulvej, that \w I lie suiirtcrilnTH ilo asHociato liiuItT the title of ilio Waiiinoton Union ^^ocikiv, ot* Ivliioli tiic folluwihi^ is the CO sTITt riox. I. Wc solemnly pledj^i! oiirsclvoH to 9(l|»[)r»rt hy every iioMorable und let;al means in uiiv power the existing t'orui )l'lhe general govornmeiit. II. That vvc will Uito o(ir ntmost entiearors to eounteract IH far as in our power, all plots tor the dissolution uf the ^iiioii. Hi. That we will correspond uud choerfolly oo*o|ierato [kvilli ull individnaU^ and bodice of men, in all parts of the Ttiion, who may have the same viewH with iis on the object embraced in the second article, however they may diller llVoin ns on other political topics IV 'I'hat the olVicers of the society filial! be a prcsiileiit, /ice-president, secretary, treasurer, committee of corres- pondence, and committee of elections. V. That it shall be the duty of the committee of cou*es- londence to invite the good citizens of this State, and of the [other States, to form similar .Societies, and to correspond pvith them ; to investii^atc and expose to pulilic abhorrence, Itho various plans that have been adopt'd frocntime (6 time, |to effect the parricidal purpose of dissolving the Union ; to place in the strongest point of light the adv:>ntages of our messed form of government, with the tremendous conse- Iquences of civil war, and (the inevitable result of a sepa- Iration) our being instrutncnis in the hands of the great Pow- lers of Europe to annoy, ravage, depopulate, slaughter and Idestroy each other. ■■t-. '><. .* TUE OLIVE BRANCH: OR FAULTS ON BOTH SIDES. CHAPTER I. Critical situation of the United States, Bankers of parties and factions. Similaritij of our situation to that of France, Italy and England, previous to their civil wars. To excite insurrection easy. To allay it difficult. Dangerous tendency of inflammatory publications, X HE situation of the United States is at the present moment highly rritical. Party and faction, the bane and destruction of all the old republics,* are carried to such extravagant lengths, as to endanger the public tran- quility — and perha-'s lead to civil war, the greatest scourge that ever afflicted mankind. Unceasing efforts * An itlea has hrc.n inopri^ated by 8n|MMfici;tl writers, aiiJ pretty univerH IhsI ten yearR, out* half, at It-ast, of the reliirinus tniigrt'^iiiiuits in PhiliJtlel* phia, have been distracted by discord, whxh, in inort' instances than one, have hern carried to the extrime Icu^lh of absolute separation. And, to mount hisiher, who can for(j;ct (he violent farlioiis at the commearement of the leign of George HI. wheu Cnglaiid was on the SI ±4, THE OLIVE BBANCil. are and have been used to excite our citizens to open resistance to government.* This has principally taken place in the eastern states ; but there is hardly a portion of the union in which there are not persons constantly employed in inflaming the public mind, and preparing it lor commotions.* Thousands and tens oi thousands of citizens, upright, honest and honourable in private life, have been so deluded by the madness of party as to believe, that the deteat, the disgrace and the disasters ot our armiest — the destruction of the public credit* — fas leading to the expulsion from their stations of the highest public functionaries duly chosen by the people) — were all " a consummation devoutly to be wished" — and the certain means of procuring a speedy and an honourable peace, which we could not fail to secure, from the mag- nanimity of Great Britain, firovided'we removed those public officers, whom, accoidmg to them, she has so mucl^ reason to execrate. very verjje of iHsurrection— and let me add the religious crusade of lord Gcoijju Goi(l(M», whirl) wuh tiie uf^i'spi ing of JaLtion, and Icimi- natcd iti eiikindliu;; Ihiriy-six tiicsal oine in Luiidon — of v\hich city the luub had tiiidisliu bed poss^ssiou for st-vt-ral days AM ihe felons, and othrr tenants of (hi prisons had Iht n (iiiiiiis knorkt d offy and were let loose once more to piey on ll'.e public. The enunieru- tion were endlciis Let tins slit;hl sketch solKce. * These topirs will be fully diticusscd in specific chapters at the close of this woik. f To some of my readers this 'will seem impossible. Il certainly appears incredible Bnt ihere me uiciny ihin,;s vi-ry incredible, that are neverlhelfss true .4nd it is e.ipiibie of (uoof, that {jentliinen, hiijlily eslinuible in private life, have ihankcii (lod inusi ftivently fur the cli*(j;raeefnl capinreof out armies; uilurs b.ive prayed to liod that rxfiy one of 4>ursolduis who entered Canada, niiabt be slauijh- tered This is one ol tin- many strange and utiaccoiui^ibie instances ill whieb our history is uiteriy utiliki the histories of the other uitions of the earth. It is reallv a sui generis 1 frel pii'tiy eoptiicnl that no man of rbaiacter oi worth m Kii<:!ai)d evrr rijoiees at i be disi^i ace ur disasters ot bis country Bet I liUnb l<> u>ll ii, the ilih^iiu-e of our armies has bt en repeat ettiy a siibjci t of as nuii bexu'.iaiion in oni < iiti'ee lionses and our newspapers, as m the eiiy «>f LointiMi I ennld a ime indiviilnals of Uie nimosl uoitb in all the soii I ivlalions, txccpt that tcfiicfi they bear to then couniri/, w ho-se satisfi. Ikim ai lln (lislns^ea ami emt^iaitajistueuib ut tbti govciuineiil ut leusl equalled Ihul of lord ^astlereagU. .x: IM THE OLIVE BRANCH. 19 he eiiiimci'U- upters at the It is in vain that the uniform voice of history pro- claims that the generosity oi nations towards each other is a non-entitv ; that the terms of a treaty will be more or less favor.ihle or injurious in proportion to the re- lative streni^th of the parties ; that powerful nations have always taken advantage of the* feebleness oi their adversaries ; and that the certain road to a speedy and an honorable peace has ever been to wage war totis vinbus. Were history wholly silent on these topics, the inher- ent propensities of human nature, prwperly explored, might satisfy every rational mind ot tiie soundness of those political maxims. They are fair deductions of reason and common sense, to which the universal expe- rience ot mankind bears testimony. Every nation in its periods of debility has been obliged occasionally to sub- mit to injustice. Every nation possessingr the power to do injustice, has more or less availed itself of the op- portunity. I am not ignorant, that my fears of civil war are regarded as visionary, as the wild effusions of a disor- dered brain. I find myscU in a small minority. And il the correctness of opinions were to be tested by the numbers who entertain them, mine would be most mise- rably erroneous. But this is a conclusion not warranted by history. It has been a thousand times said, and will be as often repeated, that the people of the United States are too enlightened to fall into such a fatal error ; that they know too v;ell the value of the blessings they enjoy, to sacrifice them so absurdly. Such a delusion was pardonable a few years back. But bur recent, stupend- ous follies must have wholly dispelled it. We have dis- played, in many cases, nearly as much insanity as the history of any nation exhibits. Danger is not diminished by shutting our eves against its approach, or by denying its existence. This would be a cheap price to pay for security. But it is not to be purchased thus. And those who seriously weigh the ■I .;, I ! !! 16 THE OLIVS BRANCH. • p I m causes that led to the civil wars which desolated Frarrccr, under the house of Valois ; England under Cliarles I. ; and Italy for entire centuries, with hardly any intermis- sion ; will have reason to helieve that our security is very far from being as well founded as is generally sup- posed. In many points of view, our situation and our proceedings bear a strong analogy to those of the three nations to which I have referred, immediately previou»^ to their respective civil wars. Whoever reads Davila's history of France, Macinavel's history of Florence, or Clarendon's history of the rebellion under Charles I, with due attention, will be astonished at the near resem- blance. The difference between our situation a few years since, and the present turbid state of the country, is indubi- tably far greater than from where we now stand to insur- I'ection, and separation, and civil war. While there are so many combustible materials scattered abroad, and such unceasing pains taken to inflame the public mind, verv trivial accidents may enkindle a conflagration. — Once unhinge a government — once let loose mankind irom the restraints of law and constitution — and the hu- man mind cannot readily calculate the terrible result. It is said, that those who have for years urged the propri- ety, and necessity, and advantages to the eastern states, ot' a dissolution of the union, do not intend to proceed thus far ; and that they hold out these threats in terrorem to awe the administration. There is the strongest possi- ble reason to believe that this is a pernicious, a fatal error — and that the leaders of the malecontents are per- fectly serious in their views of a separation. How often have the churches echoed with the insurrectional, the treasonable, the fanatical cry — " Have we no Moses to •• lead us out of the land of Egypt ?" Fatuity itself can- not mistake the meaning here. But even were they merely threatening, it affords us no certainty against the ruinous result. Those who raise the storm of civil com- motions are not able at pleasure to allay its violence,, and to say with effect, " thus far shalt thou go, and n« m # i ^— ^^^>;*.»eti»»"'*^>^• -.../*- -.- THE OHVB BRAXCH. it farther." This theory was fully exemplified In the wars of England between Charles I. and his parliament, and likewise in the French Revolution. The latter, of which nearly all the early leaders perished in jails and on scat- folds, is a very strong case. Very few of these distin- guished men contemplated a recourse to arms They hoped for a bloodless triumph over tyranny. But they were borne down by violent and wicked men whom their proce( dings put in motion, but whom they could not restiain. Never have brighter prospects shone on a nation thati those that shone on the United States. Never has a na- tion been more highly blessed. Never has the security of person and property — of liberty, civil and religious, been attained by such easy sacrifices. Never has the weight ot government pressed more lightly. Never have tiie loudest theories of philosophers and lovers of man- kind, been more completely realized. Our case is very analagous to that of a youth who in- herits a large estate, and, unacquainted with the diffi- culty ot its acquisition, cannot torm an estimate of its value, which is only to be done by a due consideration ot the condition of those who are destitute of the advan- tages ot toitune. He becomes a prodigal, and lavishes away his treasures, which he only then begins to ap- preciate, when they are irretrievably squandered. This IS precisely our case. We have not vSufficiently com- pared our situation with that of the mass of ma ikind. — We have never taken a full view, of the glorious, the inestimable advantages we possessed. We have bad the most noble inheritance that ever fell to the lot of a na- tion, and have not duly appreciated our happiness ; we have jeopardized it most wantonly and tatuitously.-— We are on the verge of its total loss. A little further progress in folly and madness, and we shall be undone. We have by rapid strides approached the banks of the Rubicon. Whether we shall now plunge in, and ford the stream, or, st'uck with a due sense of our error* and our dan ),er, shall make a retrograde movement, and 2* ■*!' f* va f"*-" 18 THE OLIVE DKAKC it. regain the clystum whence wc started, is yet in the womb of time. Mdv heaven direct us to the blessed alterna- tive ! Beyond the stream verges a dreary desart, where anarchy and civil war hold their terrific reign, with all their long train ot horrors, and where the devious paths lead directly to ruthless despotism. It is time, therefore, to make a solemn pause — to re- trace our steps — and, since we refuse to profit by the sad experience of other ages and nations, to avail ourselves oi our own. By honest endeavors — bv abating the odi- ous violence ot paity spirit — by mutual compromise — by shaking off the yoke of the violent men whose influ- ence and prosperity depend on public commotions — ■we may happily regain the ground we have lost wc may dispel the delusion that is leading u& to temporal per- dition. To vindicate myself from tlie charge of folly, in my gloomy apprehensions and anticipations, I shall submit to the reader, in a special chapter, a few of the hundred thousand literary eiTorts which for years have been ma- king to enkindle the llimes of civil war. That we have not yet been involved in it, is not justly chargeable to the want of a due degree of labor and industry. Never was more activity di^played---never was a cause more sedulously or ably advocated. And never was there less scruple about the means provided the end was accom- plished. The language of the writers is pieltv plain. It admits of no mistake or misconstruction. That they intend to produce insurrection and dissolution of the union, re- gardless of the frightful consequences, it v»'ould be im- pudence to deny ; it would he folly, or insanity to dis- believe. What may ultimatelv be their success, it is impossible to foresee. Every thing depends on the course that may be pursued by those who have an inteiest in the public welfare. If they are not wantisg to themselves and to their country, we shall lise triumphant over our present difficulties and embarrassments. But if the pre- vailing wonderful apathy continues ; ii - , e remain sJug- Tiir OLivK BHAKC'ir. ip gislily with our arms folded, wl.ile our situation grows daily worse and worse ; ruin is inevit,.bU\ And \vc shall aflbrd one ot tlic most striding iuHancc'i io be tound in history of premature decay tuul decrepitude. Nlay the Lord in his mercy avert such an awful fate ! Reliance is placed by those wlio deny the existence of the danger which I (leprecjtc, upon the sober charac- ter ot the nation. Tliey dccni tliat charactrr a guarantee against civil war. 1 am well awaie of tlii.s circLimstance. I allow it a due share of influence and injportanc:'. But the strong inference drawn from it is un;varrantcd bv history. And let it be observed once tor all, that the only unerring guide in government or jiolitics, is history, to the neglect oi whose lessons may be ascrilicd more than two thirds oi our errors and iullics. The Athenians were a highly polished, and a refined people. Yet tiicy weie occasionally led to the most tiightful cri'.eiiics bv their C Icons and other enrages. They massacred many hundreds of prisoners in cold blood, and long aftei they were taken. And the proscriptions and butcheries the adverse parties perpetrated on each other, as they gained the ascendancy, are frightful subjects of reflection, and hold out useful warnings to us. No nation of modern Europe excelled Trance, iew equalled her — in courtesy — in mildness — in urbanity. And yet never did man exhi- bit himself under a more hideous aspect — never did he change nature more ct)mplrtelv with wolves, tygers, and hyaenas, than under Marat, Danton, Couthon, and Ro- bespierre. T/iese are awful lessons, to which those zuho are leilding their aid to tear down the pillars of our gov- crnment, oui^ht to attend. Man is the same every where, under the same excitements. We have our Cleons, and our Couthons, and our Dantons, who only require suitable occasions to srivc scope to their energies. The American revolution exhibited in various places, where the parties were rancorously embittered against each other, many terrifying scenes. Prisoners were often hung up with- out tr^al bv the partizans on hot' sides. Men and women were treacherously shot down in their houses. And not t ^ mm m so THE OL!VR BRAXCH. unfrequently private malice diMTUised itself under ths cloi»k of public spiiit, to sate its rage. Let us ponder well on those circumstinccs. To apply a remedy to any evil, moral or physical, it is indispensably neccssaiv to exj)lorc its nature — to asccTtain its causes — and to trace their consequences. Any other procedure is the result ot error and folly, and pregnant with deleat and disappointment. With this view 1 respectlully solicit the public atten- tion. I shall take a rapid, rctiospective glance at the lol- lies and guilt, which the tactions and discordant state of our country has generated. As tar as in my power I have divested myselt of any piirtv bias, and shall treat the sub- ject as it it belonged to another age or nation. Whatever errors 1 may fall into, shall not arise from sinister inten- tion — they shall be chargeable to inadvertence and human imperfection. And on my freedom from partiality, I teel the more reliance, from my unalterable conviction, that both the hostile parties that divide this country, and who regard each other with so much hatred and jealousy, have largely contributed towards the mistoitunes that have bciallen us — the melancholy change that has taken place in our situation — and the dangers ttiat threaten us. For it is niipossible that a candid mind can review the scenes through which we have passed tor some years, without a thorough conviction, that each has been guilty of most egregious errors, and follies, and occasionally of some- thing worse than either ; and that whenever the interests of the nation and the interests of the party came in colli- sion, the tormer were too frequently sacrificed* by both federalists and democrats to the latter. No man who has any public spirit, can take a review ot our history without feeling the deepest regret at the extent of the mischief this miserable system of conduct has produced. It has deteated many of the noblest plans that the wisdom of the country has ever devised. I may be wrong in my calcu- * Tilts if one of the most lamentable aud humiliating facta in oar history. ¥ ■^^ I'Qgfejk" — "'^"■n •^■■tK-.T- TUB OLIVB BRANCH. 21 lations, but I believe it bas prevailed to a frrenfer extent here tlian in jimost any otiier countrv. When tbc pre- sent {Tcrcrat'on sits for its picture to the historian, it Nvill iorm a strong contrast to that vvhicii is passed and ne — '* O quHiitum mutalufl ab illo!** The errors or follies, however, of cither party wonbl b.avc produced but little injury compiiratlvely, had n(U those ot the other consj)hed to give them malignitv and effect. From this exposition of my views, it is obvious I shall steer a coiuse very different from the generality of writers on political topics. With hardly a single exception, their object is, having espoused a party, to justity and em- blazon its supporters, whether right or wrong ; and, it" needs be, " To make the worBC appnar the better cause.'* In pursuit of tbis object, their own parti zans are all angels of iiglit, — whose sublime and magnificent plans of poficj are calculated to produce a political millennium ; and their opponeiits, demons incarnate, intent on tbe des- truction of tbe best interests of tbe country. These por- traits are equaMy unjust and incorrect. One is all beauty, with little resemblance to tbe pretended original — the other a hideous caricature, equally foreign [rom honor, truth and justice. Among the frightful consequences resulting from this odious practice, a plain and palpable one presents itself. These horrible portraits engender a satanical spirit of hatred, malice, and abhorrence in the parties towards each other. Men on both sides, whose views are perfectly pure and public spirited, are to each other objects of dis- trust and jealousy. We attach all possible guilt and wickedness — political at least--to our opponents— and then detest the hobgoblins which we have ourselves created. It is not thus society is constituted. The mass of man- kind of all parties, and perhaps in all a^es, hftve ijieant ;":*^„ 23 THE OLivn rr.Axcit, H well, cxcrpt in very corrupt states of society. And little more \c, necessary to pjodiicc hnrtnony between tliein, tii.j?! tj i(M(!ei stand eicli otlict concctly. But they .»rc kept in I'.ostiltty l;y tl'.c Intvi^Tiie;, and niar.rigcment o\ dc- irsago^MH-s, whose inflnenec and consequence depend on fon^-pnlintv fliscoid, and wh.tj would sink into insignificance in tir.ics of tranq\n!ity. M-nkind liate each other, not lor real exist imv (liiTerences, but tor phantoms, the pro- duction o\ bc-!tc'd ima()UHtions. Kxperience has fre- quently evinced tliat tiic very plans of policy whlob par- ties out ot power have teprobated and denounced as per- ni'Mous, they h.ive pu)sui:d tluMTiselves as soon as they had vanquished tiieii opponents, and seized on their places. And I believe eveiy man of refl.?ction will acknowledge that i^ tlie iederaiists had retained the administration in their hands, they would have advocated the rights of their country as firmly as their successors have done, and would probably have adopted measures to resist the pre- tentions of England, similar to those lot which they have so strenuously, though not very honorably or consistently opposed the present administration. In truth, this is not mere supposition. It is historical fact. It will be seen in the sequel of this work, that the federalists took as high giound on the subject of impress- ment, and as firmly and p2V'iotically resisted the unjust pretentions of England in that respect, as Mr.-Jeffeison or Mr. Madison has done : althouah the resistance of the two latter presidents has been airouTthc r.trorKjest accusa- tlons alleged against them by their political adversaries. It is impossible to reliect on these topics v/ithout sighing over human weakness and folly. Tedet alism has in these transactions sufTcrcd a stain never to be efficed. ■! ;,i. THE OLIVI DRANCU. 2S CHAP. II. En'nra nf Ihc Jlrmocvrtfic rnrt'f. Frla'al Consflfnflon. Oliposltinn fo a tV'fiv/. • .']//r?» and Hedit'inn Law. — Ti\^nti; "f JfrsHvfi Mrv.vor. and Finuaaj, 'Vhe Embar- go. Heparaiiun of the fdtutes. In pursuance of my plan, I proceed to a review of those errors ot tlic demociatic party, wliicii have contri- buted to produce tl)e change in the prospects of this country, and to darken tlie political hori/.on; and I trust it will appear th.'»: I have not done them injustice in char^nnt^ them with having a la; .^c portion ot the guilt to answer for. Fedcrcd Consliluiion. In the convention that formed the federal constitution, this party sowed the seeds oi a premature dissolution of that insrument, and ot the American contederacy. — Regardin;r society more as it ought to be, than as it has ever been, or is ever likely to be — led astray by theories more plausible than solid — applving to a tre;' elective government, derivim; all its powers and authorities troni the voice of tlie pcoj)!e, maxims, and apprehensions, and precautions, calculated for the meridian of mon- archy, they directed alKtheir efforts, and all their views, towards guardintr against oppression from the federal government. Wbatever of authnc^ which they labored to cripple and c!nin down, to prevent its ravages.— riie state governmetiis thev le^'udcd with the utmost complaisance, as tb.e public p utei t)'s against tliis dread- ed enemy of liberty. Alas ! little did tUey suppose that i^ TUB OLivK nnAveit. ( V our ^rc.Uest dangers woulil arise from the usurpalioni oi' the state governments, some of wliiih arc disposed to jeopardize tiic general government. Untoitiuidtely they wetc too riucrerislul. Tl»eir endeavours pn)di.iced a con- stitution, wliicli, however adniiraMy calculated for a period oi peice, lias been found inconipetcnt in war to call I'ortli, at once and decisively, the energies oi" the nation, and which has been repeatedly bended by th? state governnjcnts. Had {\\c real federalists in the convention succeeded, and made the govenifnent some- wh-it more energetic — endowed it witli a s.nall dejjrec moi'! of pow^'r — it might endure for centiuies. What fate at present awaits it, is not in human wisdom to fote- see. I fervently pray, with the celebrated father Paul, £sto pe; pi'tua. Til is error of the cUmocratic party arose from a want of flue regard to the history of republics, and from a d(*cp studv of tiiose political writers who had written under monarciiical governments, and whose views were wholly directed to guard against the dangers flowing from tlie overweening regal power, especially when in the hiiuls of men of powerful talents, and great ambition. Tlie theories whence they derived their views of g»)vern- meat were splendid and sublime — the productions of men of great public spirit, and regarJ for the public weltare and happiness — and had they been duly attem- peicd by mixinis diawn from experience, would liavc been of inestimable value. iiionev, ev . • Establishment of a small ^avy. The steady and factious opposition mide bv the de- mocratic party to the est ahlishnient of a small navy, adequate at least to the piotect'on of our own co»sts, has been proved by the event to have been most wretch- ed and miserable policy. It arose parti v from ihe spirit of hostility towards the p.^vtv in |)o\ver, and p.irtly from a sordid and contemptible spirit ot economyi which has TiiK OLIVE nn.wcn. 25 n many iiifl.uiccs clifjirraccd and dilhonourcd tils p.nity, who have IrcqutMitIv proved thendelves, to ii(c a very trite but very cxjjrcllive proverb, peniiv wile — pound f'jolidi. When we analvz<; the hoalled (pirit ot crono- )nv to which tlie oppofition to a navy may be in part afcribed, we Ihall find it arifes from two lourees ; the one, Irom men n| narrow minds carrvirig into pul)lic, tlie liiK kl.crinj.'j habits ot private lite. The oilier, a bafc ipiiit ot courting popularity bv hnlb-mding the public iiioncv, even on ocealions when liberality is true econo- my, which is as tre(jucntly the eai'; in public affairs as in piivate lit^. Both motives are ecpially contempti- ble ; but tiie latter is the more pernicious, and produces the molf ruinous confcquences. It llarves and Imotlu-rs public undertakings, and public fpirit, and often de- frauds illufbious men of their due rewards. To this vile fpirit we niufl afcribc the ncver-enough-to-be-def- pifed debate, whether Eaton, the glorious and immortal hero of Derne,* fhould have a fword or a medal ! a de- bate which brought down on the congrefs in which it took place the contempt of every magnanimous and lib- eral man in the nation ; a debate which would have dis- graced the common council of the mofl petty borough ill the union. To this fpirit it will be due that votes of thanks, and fwords, and urns, and other cheap modes of difplaying our gratitude, will probably quiet our minds, and deceive us into the opinion, that we liave I-aid the boundlefs debt due to the Perries, tlie Macdo- * Pt'ihaps I may he wronj; in my rsfimnlfoii of Jhts c:;jili)it. Rut I cannot lu-lp rt'jftudinj; it as one of llir ni si illuatrimiH evtnJs in Aineiiran military aft'iura by ianil— wl.cn !»ll flie c'im'ms.liM,<«s of the case are taken into view I ncvti >llaiil baml, m|o uiult r ihin inlre|ii»l chief piJircJ thrnu{jh the dcsart. and Kliook a jiowcrfnl usu.por's throne to tlie centre. 1 have always dc|>l«.r{il tlte inaiis|)i- clous interference that dashed tlie jjlorious prize in the earih jnst as Eaton had slretchtd o»l his band, and wjis rcadv to seizr- it wiihont Ibe smallest dan|;er of an unfavoiahle result. I lu siau of [VJassa- cbusotts acquired grcrjt honor by its liberalily lo the warrioi o/ ©erne, on whom »t bestowed a valuable tract of land as a niaik of it* esteem ai.d admiration. 3 % W 26 THE OLIVE nUAXCH. jionghs, and tlie other heroes whofc deeds will live as long as the world endures. Tiie niodefl, the unairuming, the youthtul Perry, by his vihlory laved a whole hontiej, men, women, and children, Irotn the murderous tomahawk ; Macdonough's has ceitauily laved anotlier, and prevented the enemy from eltablilhing his winter quarters far witliin our terri- tory. Thefe are debts and claims hardly ever to be paid off: and the obligation ot gratitude they impole on the nation by their immenfe advantages, is incalculably en- hanced by the illuftrious difplay of tranfcendent talents and diUingUifhcd braveiv they mani Felted. It England, whom in this reri}e(:l we ought to afpire to emulate, gave 500, cool, fterling to a Wellington, let the United States give fome fohd and fubltantial proof ot their giatitude, befules the mere bioker's value oF the fhips they deftroy, to their naval Wellingtons. I need not add that I do not calculate upon fuch very extrava- gant rewards as the Britilh parliament voted "the gi-eat lord," as he has been (tiled. But the gift ought to be worthy of the donor and acceptor ; ought to opei'ate as a reward to the meritorious, and a Itimulus to excite others to emulation. This is fomewhat of a digreffion. But I hope I (hall not have a reader whofe feelings will not be fulHciently in unifon with thefe fentiments, not to require any apolo- gy. I therefore make none. I teel confident, that the nation has loft ten times as much through the want of a fmall navy, as it would have co(t. Numbers of in fiances have occurred, ot va- luable merchantmen having been captured by petty pick- aroons or pirates, with one or two guns. Our ports have been infulted and outraged by privateers and (loops of war, which a few veffels would have forced to keep a refpe6ft'ul diftance. There is none ot the points on which tlie two hoftile parties have differed, in which the democrats are fo very far below their adverfaries in con- fulting the real, the permanent honour and intereft ot the country, as ia the eftablifliment of a naval force. '^ n. THE OLIVE BRANCH. sr I'lie policy of the federalifts In this rcfpcft was dig- nified and honourable ; tliat of the democrats miferably contraded. tSlien and Sedition laics, and Eight per Cent Loan. The faftious clamour excited againft the fedition and alien laws, again fl the eight percent, loan — which cla- mour was the principal means of changing the adminiitra- tion, and taking it from tlie hands of the federalists, to place it in thofe of the democrats — may be juflly reckon- ed among the fins of the latter paity. A candid review of the fo-ftiled fedition law, at the prcfent hour, when the public ferment to which it gave rife, has wholly fubfided, will fatisfy any reafonable man, that fo iar from being an outrageous infringement ot liberty, as was afferted, it v.'as a meafjre n( any man in Ibe com- munity As it requires an exlraordiiiarv de;;ree of corporeal sanity to resist the cflects of a violent epulemical disorder : so it requires great sliena;th of mind to k»cp out of tl»e vortex of factious coiita* Rion, v*hen prevalent with those whose opinions are generally conge- nial with our own. Of this strength of mind the viriler was desti- tute, in common with a large poriiou of his feltow^citizeiiB. 28 THE OLIVE BRANCir. Mi ) I p. iiforcsaiil, sliall roiinsel, advise or attempt to prorure any iiisurrcr- lioii, riot, uiiiasvi'ul asscniltly, or cumbiiiatioii, whetlier surh roiis|ii- rncy, tlire;i(eiuii;^, coiwisc!, tuivice, or attempt sliaii have the proposed tflc'ct or not, In; or Jiuy sh.ill be deemed piiilty of a tiiijh iiiisde- meaiinr ; and oa coiivk tion, before any court of tlie United States liavjjii^ jurisdirtiun thircof, sh:ill be punished by a fine not exned- inv hve tlionsand dollars, and by imitrisonnient dnrinv a term not ]c8s than SIX nionths, nor exeeedint; five >ele rig- our ; and from the abufe ot the law, tended to give an appearance of propriety and juflice to the clamour againfl it. The cafes of Thomas Cooper and Matthew Lyon, Efcjrs. who were both treated with remarkable fcveritv, excited a high degree ot fympathy in the public mind. I hivc ftrong doubts, whether under all the circumflanccs, a jury could be found in London to pronounce a verdi^fc of " guilty" againft either of them. Of the two cafes, it> may be juflly faid — fummu?u jiis^ summa injuria. But- the ccnfure did not attach to the law. It lay at the dooF of the juries. I have little to fay refpefllng the alien law. It wa, coiitiiniai.reof this. ucJ, looKfci all siuli aliens ns he sliall jiidut flaii- geioiis to Ihf |)e.i«:e and siiffty of llio United SlaUB, or Mliall have itasonahle jrionnds to susjuct an- conccrntd in any tM asonahU? or secret uia( hinati»ns ai^ainst the goveininent Uieieof,'lo dtpart otit of the lernloiy oftlte United Stat es, williin Kneh lime as shall l)e ex- pressed in sneh order ; whirli order shall ho served on snch alien by deliverinij him a eopy thereof, or ieavinjithe same at hia iu;nal abode, and returned to ihe olH« e of Ihe secretary of slate, by the marshal or other person to v\ liom tlie same shall be direc'ed. And in rase any alien so ordered to depart, shall be found at iarse within the United States utter the time limited in such order for his departure, and not havina; obtained a license from the president to reside tiierein, or hav- ing obtained such /ifen*eshall nnt have conformed Iherelo, every sneli alien shall, on conviction thereof, be imprisoned for a term noi ex- eeeduifij three years, and shall never after be ndmilled to become a citizen of the United Slates Provided always, and be it further enacted, Th.t if any alien so ordered to dep;ir!, shall prove to the satisfaction of Ihe president by evidence to be taken before snch person or per- sons as the president shall direct, who are for tiiat purpose hereby authorized to administer oaths, that no injury or danger to Ihe United Stales will arise fi the rom sunenntj; such alien to rest lii ide li lertin. president may grant a license to such alu n to remain within the United Stales, for such a time as he shall judj^e proper, and at such place as he may desi^jnale And the presidrnt may also require of SU( h al ien to enter into a bond to the United Slates, in such penal sum as he ni;iy direct, with one or more sufficient snrelits to Ihe sat- isfaction of the person Hutl.orised by Iht- president to lake »he same, ♦ onditiontd for the good behaviour of such alien duriiHj; Ins residence in tlie United Stilea, and not violating his license ; which license the presid* nt may revoke, w heuever he shall think proper." JulyQ, 1798. . f I ' *^. The eight per cent, loan remains. It was united with, and increaffcd the clamour againft the alien and fedition laws ; and thefe three obnoxious meafures, as I have al- ready obferved, precipitated the federalifts from power. Yet we have fince found that their fucceffors, the demo- crats, have themfelves given a greater interefl than eight per cent. This would afford a glorious triumph to fecle- ralifm over her inveterate rival, democracy, were it not that the annals cf the former can furnifh many inflanccs ot {itTjilar fiailty, and inconfiflency, and departure from proieffions. And it is a melancholv truth, that the hifto- lies of all the parties and factions that have, fiiice govern- THE OtlVE BRANCH. at ment fii ft bcfran, curfed and fcourgcd mankind by tlieir I'enfclefs, cnvcMiomcd, and implacable lioHilities, aie re- plete with Inftaiices oF errors equally diltvracetul and dif- lioiiourablc. A hiHory ot the madnef:-:. tiie h)l!v, and the depravity ot party and taction, is a grand dcfideratum. Juii*s Treaty. The oppofition to this inflrument, which pervaded the imion, and greatly diftnrbed the adminiftration ot Gen. W^ihington, was a faBious procedure on the part ot the democrats, who were led away by objections, piautible, but not fubftantial — hardly one of which has been realiz- ed. This affair evinces the tollv and dangci ot yielding to the fudden iinpidfes of national teeling, wiiich bear down every thing betore them, and which wholly over- ])t)\\'erthe reafon and underftanding ot even the wife and good, wlio quoad hoc are omy on a level with tiie mc.fl nnintormed and uncultivated part ot the comniunitv. Nearly all the predictions refpefting this treaty have been the foothfayings ot talfe prophets, ot men fome led aftray by their prejudices — others by purturbcd imaginations. Such ot them as have been realized, have been more tlian counterbalanced by the (olid advantages refulting trom the adjufiment ot tlie difTerences between the two nations. Of the errors of Mr. Jeff rson^s Mministration, It is unnecefTary to mention more than three, denoting ' two very oppolte extremes of charafter — the one highly bold and daring — tlie others difplaying an equal degree oi leebienefs. 4. fe f' ... Treaty with England, ', .. ' Two minifters appointed by Mr. leflferfon, had ncgo- ciatea a tienty With England, tiie befl Uiey could procure. m THE OLIVE BRANCl/r I: It had been tranfmitted to him u) due form. Without con{ulting tlie co-oidiiiate biaiicli oi the trcatv-making power, he on liis own refponfibiUty reje6tcd it, and tranfmitted to thefe minifters inftiu6tions to begin the negociation {/e novo. This was a migiity and a latal error.* It may be doubted wlicther it were not a vio- lation, at leaft ot" tlie fpirit of the conftitution. It was at all event* a cafe that piobai)ly did not enter into tlie conceptions of the tramers of that inlliument. If it had, it is likely they would have provided againit its oc- currence. A calm refleftion on this fiibjcR can hardly fail to con- vince the reader that probably to this fource may be fair- hf' traced nearly all our prei'ent difficulties. Had this treaty been, as it ought to have been, laid before the Sen- ate, they woMid in all likeliiiood have ratified the chief parts of it, and, as had been the cafe with Jay's treaty, have referred the obnoxious claufes to a new difcullion ; our difputes with England would have been thus com- promifed — and our party divifions could never have been excited to fuch a height as to endanger the peace and fecuiity of the country. It has been inferred from the rejeftion of this treaty, that it arofe from Mr. Jefferfon's defirc of a caufe of war with England. This is radically wrong. At no period fince the commencciTient of the French revolution has there been a deficiency of a real cause of war with Eng- land, in the imprefTment of our feamen, and the violent proceedings againft our commerce. But a pregnant proof of the fallacy of this charge arifes out of the at- tack of the Leopard on the Chefapeake. Tliis circum- ftance fettles the que (lion forever. Had Mr. Jeflferfon been defirous of a war with England, nothing more was iiccelTary than to have convened congrefs immediately after that event, during the extraordinary ebullition of * A palliatioH of this error mny be fonnd in llic rirnimstance, that the nf!i;oriatois had riolatcd one explicit ilcni of !Mr Jrffersou's iastrnctions — loronclixlc no treaty without a s'^u'citic nrlicle guard- ing against imprc&sments. , , f |t.v- The olive branch. 33 flie public mind which it created, All parties were then cidinorous for, and would have heaitlly united in a war. And war would certainly have been declared by congrefs almoft unanimoufly. But with a defiie ot peace, de- ferving of the higheft praife and gratitude of his coun- try, which he has never received, he deteired the con- vening of congrefs about four months, within which period the public ferment had fubfided. This important fdft is wholly overlooked in the fa61:ious difcuffions that have taken place refpefting his adminiftration ; fo true it is, that in times of turbulence, reafon raifes her voice in vain. It is drowned in the obllrepeVous brawlings of uoify faftionifts. The justice vvhich leads to this vindication, compels me unqualifiedly to ccnfure the very extraordinary and unprecedented meafure of rejecting the treaty on his own refponfibility. Befides the want ot an explicit claufe on the fubjefl of imprefTment, the friends of Mr. JefFerfon, allign another plea to juflify him for the rejection of this treaty. After it was figned by both parties, there was a rider an- nexed to it by the Britifh commiilioncrs, which went to give the treaty-iantlion to the celebrated orders in coun- cil, which then, it would appear, were in contemplation. To enable the reader to decide corre6lIy, I annex the rider. NOTE Of the British Commissioners accompanying J\Ionroe and Finckney's treaty. London, Dec. 31, i9o6. " The undersigned, Henry Richard Vassel, lord llollaiid, ai>d Wil- tiam lord Aukland, plenipotentiaiies of his Britonnic majesty, have the honor to inform James Monroe and William Pinckney, commis- sioners extraordinary and plenipotentiaries of the United States of America, that they are now ready to proceed to the signature of the treaty of amity, commerce and navigation, on the articles of which they have mutually agreed. " But at the same time they have it in command from his majesty, to rail the attention of the commissioners of the United States (o ftODie extraordinary proceeding! which have lately taken place on the- .«fev l1?*'%»*- "X itt 34 THE OLIVE BRANCH. r: Ml ;'i ■ M l^r I ■\ ■ continent of Cnropp, and tu comninnirate to tlicni oHicially the sen* titncnisuf his in:ij»-sty'K i;ovfi ntncut iliiicnpun '^ 1 he |>ru< ('t-diiitjb ulludt tl lo ilt Ik-tlin on (jii-;^is( olNovomlicr las!. '* In (liosc orders, llie i'tencli tioveinmcut t«eeki4 lo jtisiify or pah' nte its own unjntii pielcntionN, by iinpntin); to Cireal Linluin piinci* pies vvhuli she never pioTeKiJed, und praelic* h Mliieii never exisJed. Ilia ni.ijeiity is uecuscd uf a sysleuiHlie und Kenernl disie^ard of ilic law of njtions, reeon;nized by civilixed Htateii, and more particularly of an nnvvHrranl.tble cxtentionof llie richt o( bloek;iare, // I'j notorious that he has nevet declared any posts to he in m state of blockade, without allotting to that object a force su^cient to make the entrance into them manifestly dunnerous. *' By sntb atUf^aituns, unfonniled as they are, the enemy attempts to jnfttity his pretentions of eonlisealin;!; as luwfnl prize, all produce vt Eii^libli industry or niaiint'at hue (hou^h il be the properly of ueulials ; of exclndinu finnt his harhnrs evfry iieutra! vesKtl, which has (oiichetl at uny port of his mnjesiy's doniniioiiH, ihouj^h employed ill an innocent comnitrre, and of deriannu Gieat Bui.iin to be in a stale of blockade, i houuh Inaown naval poi ts and aiseiials are actually b'oc kade«l ; and he is unable to station uny naval force whatever, befoie any port of ihe niiitt d kniifdom. " 8iich pnitciplea are in iheinselvcs exlrava<;nnt and repntinant to llie law of uiitioni: ; und the prelciilions funndrd on thtin, though jirofcBstdly directed soli-ly uuainsi (jieat Bntii.', lend lo alter the |)rac' icf o: wi-.r auwiii!; civiitztd nations, andiiKerly lo Hubvert the lip^hts and indcpir.denre of neutral powers The niideiBigned can- not, tlicri foie, lulieve that ilie eneiry will ever seriously attempt to vafoKC stub a >;hts, and injuiiousenchroachments on it^ inteiesis *' If, however, the enemy should carry these threats into execution^ and if neutral nations, contrary to all expeelniions, should acquiesce ill su<'h nsnrpalioiiE, his majesty micht probably be cornpeDeii, how> we* reUu tniit ly, to letaliate in his just defence, and to adopt, in re- gard to the eonimeice of m-ulral nations with his enemies, the same Dieasnres which thoie nations shall have permitted to be enforced atritinst their commerce with Ins subjects. The commissioners of the United States will therefore feel, thai at a moment when hia majesty and all neutral nations are thteatened with such an exi ension oj' the belligerent pretensums ^ his enemies, lie cannot enter iu'o the 81 ipnlaiioiiS uf iUe pneent treaty, wiiboui explanation from *he tJniied St.tus of iheir intentions, or a reservation on the part of hi* majesty iu the case abuvc mcntioued, if it should ever occur. *.- THE OLIVB BHAXCU. 35 Mally Ihc Ben. '*T1ic unJcrsignrd, roiiRi«loriiii; llint the diatnnce of tlio Ameriraii goveriinuiil hmhIcis any iiniiirHiiiU' «-xplaiiulioii «ii iliis ■iihj<'ct j,ij|,ossil)i< , iiiul Hiiimiileii by a «1c8iii> of i(>iwai(iiii|; tlir iit-iichciul work Ml »l»i«l» ihfy uit* eiiKHgifl, urr authorisfd by hiN mtiji-sty lo coiiilud*" the tieuly witlmHi »J> lay Tliry piocci-d (a the signature tirxliT Die full peismtsioii llii.l before the Ireitly Mlinll be iiliiiiied from Anieriea «iJh Hie ralili' "'loii of ihe Uuiletl Siales, the emiiiy will either liave formally ..>ii maje.ity ivi/l not cormi- tier himself bound by the prpsenf srnnature qf his commissioners to tulifif ihe t reati/y or ptecludvd from adopting such measures as r.iai/ seem necessary I Jor counleracling t 'le desions of his enemy " The uiidi i8ig[ned cannot conclude without expressins; their sat- isfaction on the pros.p»ct of ucconiplisliin.; an object so impoitant to the interests and friendiv cnnneclion of both nalioiid, and their just wense of the conciliiitory disposition mnnifested by ib^ commis- Rioiiers of the United Slates during Ihe whole course of the nego. ciatioii (-Signed; VASSAL HOLLAND- AUKLAiND. To Jamps ^^onroe, S;c. ^c. S^c. \y'tlUam PincAney, ^c. S^c. ije. i However exceptionable the terms of this note may be, I cannot perfuadc myfeU that it jiilifies the r(j -rtion ot the treaty without confulting ti;e Senate. Men o\ pnw- ertul minds defend the procedure. Their arguments have never convinced me. To the reader's judgment I fubmit the fubjeft. Separation of the States. The next error of Mr. JefTerfon's adminiftratlon, in- volves a great negleft of duty. Durinoj nearly the whole of that period, the infurieftional and treafonable doc- trine ot a reparation of the ft.itcs, was [jublicly advo- cated in fomc ot the Gazettes to the eallward, and, won- MM.>eriB%llkJI:.' THE OLIVE BRANtll. * (letriil and Ihamcfiil to tell, preached fVotn the pulprr 'I'licfc publications and fcrmons, having a direct tenden- cy to the deftrntlion ot foclal order, and the introduc tion ot civil war, demanded the fcvere animadverfion ot tlie law offu ers of the government. It was the incum- bent duty of the Piefident to have had the laws put in lorcc to reprefs the offences, and to punifti the offenders. And it there were no law to reach the offence, he ought to have fubniitted the cafe to congrefs, for the purpofc of fupplying the deleft. A re-ena6lment and entoice- ment of the fedition law was loudly called for. And the good fenfe of the nation would have fupported a meafure wiiich the i)ublic welfare rendered fo neccffary. It may he fauly averred that there is no country in the world but the United States, in which an open attempt to lub- vcit the government, and tear down the pillars of focie- ty, would have efcaped condign Dunifhment. Every lociety ought to poffcfs within itfelf, and to exercife wiicn occafion calls lor it, the fundamental principle of lelf prefervation. It is impofTible to cenfure too highly the error here adverted to. The jeopardy in which the nation is now placed — when our nearefl; and dcareft interefts are in the mofl imminent danger, may he fairly afcribed to this moll fatal and pernicious mifconduft. In every fcience theie are fomc great, leading truths which cannot be controvei ted. And in political economy there is no maxim more indubitable, than this, that treason cannot be prop'itiated by forbearance. And never fmce the ■world was formed did a confplracy meet with the fame degree of impunity. Our Palinurus flept at the helm. The mutineers had full fcope for their aftivity. They made their arrangements at leifure, as undiftuibedly as if they were engaged in promoting the falvation of the ftate. To whatever caufe this negleft may be afcrihcnl, whether to torpor, ina6tivity, oi reliance on the good fenfe of the nation, it calls an indelible (lain on the ad- miniflratipn of Mr. Jefferfon. \ ■m. jV ^ •..^ THE OLIVE BnAN'eil. ar Tlic Idft. of tlic errors ot" his adminillratlon which I Hiall notice, ariles irom liis neglcd ot cntorcing jTAe Embargnf Which was a moll efficient weapon for prorurlnjt icdrds horn Enghind. Its cfFcHs upon her colonics by privations ot the necoirnies ol lile — and upon her trade and naval power, by witldiolding fupplies ot raw mate- rials and naval llores, were very confiderable. And had it been duly entorced, as was the duty ot the chiet ma- gillrate, it could hardly have tailed to impel the Britilh to relinquifh thofe pretenfions, which fo highly and per- nicioully infringed our rights. But it was openly and flagitioufly violated, and of conrfc its intended operation on England utterly counterafted. It became a mere brutum fill men. Its effefts on this country were highly pernicious. While it curtailed the bufinefs and profits ot the tair trader, It enabled fmugglers, and thofe who fct the laws of their country at defiance — whofe god was gain, to make rapid and unhallowed tortunes. In a word, it facrificed the interefls of fome of the beft, to tiiofe of the very word members of the commimity. In proportion as a citizen held the laws facred — in proportion as he honeftly yielded them obedience — in the fame proportion did he facrifice his intcrefts. And by this political arithmetic^ in proportion as a citizen difregarded the law — in proportion as he facrificed the public intereft to his thirft of gain — in the fame pro- portion did he aggrandize himlelf. The export trade, which was fraudulently carried on to a confiderable ex- tent, was wholly in the hands of perfons of tiie latter defcription. Their veffels laden with abundant fupplies for the Britilh colonies, were very conveniently driven to fea by we Iter ly winds, and forced into the Weft Indies. 29 1 lie OLIVK BIIANCII. 'it It lins been faitl, in viiulication of Mr. JcfTciTon, that he had not riilHcicnt power to enforce the execution oi this law. Ihis in utterly incorre6l His powers were; amply adequ.ite for tliis purpofe. But even if this de- fence were valid, it exhoner.ites him not from the high degree of cenhirc attached to this dereliction of duty. He ought, in that cafe, to have dated the dcfefk to cou- grefs, who had the power ol applying, and undoubtedly at his recpiifuion would have ap|)lied a remedy. Be (ides the non-enforcement of the embargo aft, there was a radical error committed by the government in continuing it fo long. Its inadequacy to ciTc.tX the purpofe its liiends had contemplated, was fully ellah- liihed. And, failing that, its effe^l was to punilh ourfelves for the lawlcfs proceedings of others. It ought to have been confidered principally as a preparation ior war. The meafure fubftituted for the embargo, that is, the non-intercourfc with both belligerents, has been univer- fally regarded by the democrats as a very feeble one, and the eleventh congrefs, which made the change, has been by them on that ground iligmatized as weak and con- temptible. This is a mod egregious error. It is incon- ceivable how it could have found fuch general credence. The non-intercourfe law was as bold, as manly, and as energetic a meafure as the annals of Chriftendom can produce for a century. An infant nation, with five or fix frigates, and a number of gunboats, forbids the en- trance into her ports, under penalty of confifcation, to the veffels of the two moft powerful nations in the world ; the one abfolute by lard — the other by fea, and owning a thoufand vellels of war! and this is, torfooth, a meafure dictated by imbecility ! Proffered »^rmistice. The firft of the errors of Mr. Madifon's adminlftra- tion, that I [haW notice, will be the refufal of the arrai- ,;u.r THE OLIVE BRANCtt. 39 ftlcc offcTcd by admiral Warren, on the istli ol' Sep- tcnil>^'r, 1812, nearly three months alter llie declaration ol war. Never, probal)ly, was war more jiift. Never liad a country more patiently borne the molt humiliatintr accu- mulation ol outrajre and injury than the United States had done. Her character had in conlequence fallen in the ellimation of mankind. She was univerlally prc- hinicd to be fo loft in the fordid purfuit of gain, as to be callous to outrage, to infult, and to contumely. She had appeared to have lorteited all regard to fiational Jioiiour and dignity. Her mendicant amballadors had been for years, in vain filing for jullice and toibcar- ance at the portals ot St. James's palace. 'Ihc pufil- lanimity of the government had become a fubjcti: ot reproach to the federal ills — ot fhanie to the democrats. And it was a bye- word among the oppoiers of the adniinillration, that it " could not be kicked into war.'* It is impoini)le to forget the torrents of reproaches heaped upon the cabinet at Walhington, on this ground, 'flic pufillauimity and cowardice of tlx- federal admm- iltiation furnilhed an inexhauftible fund of rhetorical cinbclliflimcnts to flowery fpeeches inimmerahle. The declaration ot war was therefore as juft as any runilar document irom the days of Nimrod. The ex- pediency of it was, however, not fo clear. The rilk was immenfe. It was putting to hazard the vital inter- cPs of eight millions of people, on the very uncertain chances of war. But let it be obferved, that every argu- ment againfl; this war, would apply with nearly equal force againft refiftance to any degree of infult, outrage, and injury from England ; for the chief arguments againft its expediency, are predicated upon the immenfe naval power ot that nation, and her confcquent means of inflifting incalculable injury upon the United States; and whatever cogency there is in thefc arguments, they would have the fame, let the injuries fuftaincd be what they might. V 40 THE OLIVE BRANCtf. But whatever might be the juftlce, necefTity, or policy of the war, wlien the orders in council were repealed, and an armiftice offered by the Britilh government, it was a great error, not to accept it. Negociations for the removal of the reft of our grievances might have taken place ; and would undoubtedly have been conducted under more favourable aufpices, than thofe that preceded them ; for England having difcovered that fhe had cal- culated too far on our pairivenels, would have been far more difpofed to do us juftice. Unfortunately the propofition was rcjeflcd — a rejeflion pregnant with moft injurious confequcnces to us and our polterity.* * Candour and justice to Mr. Madison require that I should stale lliat he ofl'ered to a^^ree (o an armistire with Sir John Borlase War- ren, on coiidilion that the practice of impressment should he sus- ■))cndrd during tlic nc^ociation. From the letter of the secretary of state to Sir Joiin on tliis subject, I annex an extract— *• The claim of the British government is to take from the mer- f'hant vessels of other countries, Biilish suhjerts. In the practice llic commanders of Rrilisii ships wf war oftcu take from the mer- chant vessels of the United Slnles, American citizens. If the Unit- fd States prohibit the employmenl of British subjects in their service^ and fiforce the prohibition by suitable regvlulions and penalties^ the motive to the practice is taken away. It is in this mode that the President is >villiHg to accommodate this important cuntiovcrsy with the British jjovernmcnt : and it cannot be conceived on what ground the sir- rangcment can be refused. *' A suspunsion of the practice of impressment, pending the armis- tire, seems to be a necessary consequence, llcdiinot he presumed, uhiie the parties are ent;aged in a negociatiou to adjust amicably this important difFereuce, that the United States would admit tiie ii(rht, or acquiesce in the practice, of the opposite party ; or that Greit Britain would be uawillini? to restrain her cruisers from a practice which would have Ihe strongest tendency to defeat the nc> l^ociatiun. It is presumable, that both parties would enter into the iiegociatinn with a sincere desire to give it t'ftVct. For this purpose it is necessary that a clear and distinct nndeiNtanding he first ob> tained bctwrcn them, of the accommodation which each is prepared to make. If the British government is willing to suspentt the practice of ■iifipressvifnt front American resselSf on consideration that the United States zcill txciude British seamen from their seivtce, the regulations by which this compromiie shmild b' carried into effect, ivouM be solely the object of nego- ciation. 1 he armistice would he of short duration. If the parlies agreed, peucG would be Ihc result. If the negocitilion failed, caih ■^fl,*;.w*^#*v. THE OLIVE BAANCII, 4i When the preceding article was written, I had not fufficiently examined the celebrated repeal, as it is ftiled, of tiie orders in council, which is very different indeed, from what I. had conceived it. It is liable to ftrong obje^^Uons, which 1 believe have never been fully ftated, and of which the public are not probably aware. To enable the reader to comprehend my meaning, and to would be restored to its former state, find to ali its pretentious by re- curi'iiip: to war •' The Prt'sidcnt dtsires that the war which exists between the twff countries should be ferniliiHted on such conditions as may se« ure a solid and durable peace To accomiilisli tins great object, it is nc> «.'C8sary that the g[rfat object of imptt'ssmfnt be snlisfactoi ily arraiig- t'd We t» tcUling that Great Driiain should be secured against the eviU qi-' u/iich shecomplams Ho seeks, on the other baud, that ihe cilizeus of the (Jiiittd Stales should be protected against a pru<'li«-e, whirb, vhik it dcgiades the nuiion, deprives them of their rights as Jreemen, takes ihem by force from their families and country into a foreign service, to jight the battles of a foreign pot$cr, perhaps against their own kindred and country "* These (nopusals were perfectly fair ;\nd honourHbIc— und it IS to be lamented that Sir J B Warren's powers wcie not exten- sive eiioutfii to allow him to accept them : but us they were not thus exlensive, it is cquiilly to be lamented thai the suspension of im- prrssment was iiisiislcd on. As this IS a most imporlani feature in our public proceedings, it is proper to stale fuilher, that so sincerely ilesuous was IVIr Aladihoii to clone tbe breach, that on the 2t)th of June, 181-.?, only eight days after the declaraiiou of war, he auihorised Mr. Russcl to propose to the government of Great Britain, the same mode of preventing the. grievances of which she complained, as is above stated, and to rerHe- (ly which she had recourse to impressment ; which was commuiiicut* cd to lord Castiercagh by Mr. Russel, in the following words : London, August 24th, 18J5. '* As an inducement to Great Britain, to discontinue the practice of impressment from American vessels, I um authorized to give as- sur;uKc, that a law shall be passed (to be reciprocal) to prohibit the t'lHployment of British scameu, in tbe public or comcierctai service of the United Slates. " It IS sincerely believed, that such an arrangement would prove morcetficHcioiis in securing to Great Brilain her seamen, than tbe practice of impressment, so derogatory to tbe sovereign attributes of the United Stales, and so incompatible with the peraoual rights of licr citizens. " This proposition was rejected by lord Castlereagh. * McsKiiieof the president to congress, Nov. 4, 181S, 4* % 4,a THE OLIVE BRANCH. form his own opinion correftly on a point ol" fuch peat magnitude, independent ot any impieiTion to be jnadc by my (latemcnt, I annex tbe paragraph ot the jnftrnment to which 1 allude, as not generally under- ilood : — " His royal liigliness is hercb}' plcnsci] to rlprlore, in the name and on the l)((iulr'of Ilia uMJcbty, that iioihiiii; in this present order etui- tuined shall be umierstood to |)re<'iiMli- his royul highness the pi ii^ee vegcnl, IF CIRCUMSTANCKS SHALL SO RLUUIRE," [mark these woids, reader — " if circuvislavces shall so Teqviiey'\ " from re- storing, after reas»nahle noltce, the order of the yih of January, ISitJ, ovd nQth of April, IBOQ, or any pari thereof, to their full i-ff'ect ; OR from taking; such other measurcii of reliiiiation againt:t the enemy, aa may appear to his royal highness to be just and necessary." This cannot be denied to be a moft extraordinary elaufe. The prince regent has received an authenticated document containing the repeal of the Berlin and Mi- lan decrees, on which he deems himfell bound to repeal the orders in council. But in the inftrument which he jlfues on the fubjeft, he exprefsly referves the right ot refloring them, " if circu7njia7ices Jliall Jo require :" and ot" thefe " cir cum/lances'' he, of courle, is to be judge. Tliefc " circumjlanccs" are wholly independent of *' retal- iation''' — for provifion is made in the fubfcquent part of the paragraph exprefsly for " retaliation^'* in a diftinft tlaufc. It therefore appears that the orders were in Jlri£l technical language never repealed — they were mere- ly Jujpended till " circum fiances fhould require" their revival. I trufl; that no candid reader will deny that the above is iair reafoning, and that this cannot be regarded as a *' repeal," in the fenfe that this nation had a right to cxpeft the orders in council to be " repealed" according to the Britifh pledge, to proceed pari pajfu with the repeal of the French decrees. The orders in council might have been " rejiored" in one month, alter the date of this inftrument, according to its tenor, " if arcum- Jlance.s fliould have jo required" without our government laving any juft reafon to complain of breach ot faith on KJfe^. f "■»-»*.,.._ ■,*«'*• i5r!-ii|u»«t»^»^:'.v- "'^^^' . thp: olive nnANCH. 43 the part of that of Great Britain. There never was a OLiblic document more Criiitioully worded. And had it arrived here previous to the dcclaiatioii oi war, this country vvouhl have been perfectly warranted in retulmg to regard it as a repeal. To meet and to fulfil the idea held out in the previous pledges of the Britilh govern- ment, the repeal ought to have been unconditional, ex- cept the refervation of a right to renew the orders in council, in the one fpecific cafe of the revival ot the French decrees. It is a remarkable faft refpecting this repeal, that in the debates in the Britilh parliament upon it, the wrongs inflitted by the orders in council upon this country torm- cd no part ot the reafons whereon the adoption of the meafure was urged. Even Mr. Brougham, the power- ful opponent ot the orders, and the main inflrurnent of carrying tlie addrefs for their " repeal,,'' founded his argu- guments wholly on the injurious efFetis experienced in England by the lofs of our trade. It is true, he once j'.nces at the injuftice ot the orders, but it is very u;, iv and merely incidentally. He does not come f r\ "I boldly and magnanimoully to expofe them to reprobation on the ground ot their violation of our rights, as Mr. Baring had done in his celebrated pamphlet. But as the prefident admitted the instrument to be a repeal, it is, I repeat, to be deeply regretted, that he did not accept the armifticc, and trull to fubfequent negociation for redrefs on the fubjeft of imprefsment. For his admifTion of it in tiiat point of light, precludes him from employing the folid obje6Uon to which it is hable. . 'M The appointment of Mr, Gallatin, As minifter to treat with England, was a very con- fulerable error. This gentleman has had the reputation, probably with juftice, of being one of the ableft finan- ciers in this country. For twelve years, he had prefi- xed over the financial concerns of tlie nation, during mi u tHR OLIVE nP.ANCir, whicli period, moderate talents were adequate to llic duties of that ftation. But a crisis had arrived when the abilities of a Colbert, or a Sully, or a Xinicncs might be neceffary ; and moft injudicioufly and indc- tenfibly he was then difpatched to another hemifphere ; and the duties of his office devolved ad interim, on another officer whofe proper official duties require all his time and all his talents. This meafurc was highly prepofterous. It was incor- rect in the prefidcrit to conter, it was equally inconeft in the fecrctary to receive, the appointment. It was the less defenfible from the circumllance that nearly all the fiemccrats in the United States had utterly difapproved of and declaimed again ft, the appointment, in 1794, by Gen. Wafhington, of judge Jay, to negociate a treaty AV'ith Great Britain, pending his continuance as a judge. It is moreover obvious, that the abfence of one judge cannot produce any material inconvenience ; as there are always others to fupply his place. But there are high and rcfponfible duties attached to the office of fec- rctary of the treafury, which can never, without very great impropriety, be devolved on a deputy. I pafs over all but the tranfcendent one of remitting fines and iortcitures, too high a power probably to be trufted to any individual whatever, not excepting even a fecretary himfelf.* , ^egociation at Goitenhurg. At a period when it was of immenfe importance t« the United States to clofe the war as fpeedily as poffible, the piefident had the alternative of London or Gotten- burg as the fcene of negociation. We had been unfor- tunate by land, through treafon, incapacity, or Tome other caufe. It was our interelf to accelerate — it was that of the Britifli to procraflmate the negociations. The chances * Ser ihr luminous essays on this subject hy VV B Giles, Esq. wliicli are replete with Ibe moil ceuviocing and unanswerable argu> meats. •«"■•; THE OLIVE BRANCH. 43 from delay were much in their favour. War is, more- over, a component part of their fyftem. Ours is calcu- lated for peace. Thefe obfervations acquired treble force from a refleftion on the difaffeftion of the eallern portion of the union, and its averfion to the war. Of courfe, we ought to have Ihunned every thing that caufed delay. It is therefore nieft extraordinary and unac- countable that the prefident (hould have chofen Golten- burg in preference to London, under all the obvious delays refulting from the neceflity that would probably arife, or be pretended, to confult the court of St. James's, by the minifter of that court. It appears almoft as ablurd as it would be to fele6l the Havanna, or Portroyal, if ihe negociations were to be conduced on this fide of the Atlantic. This was the more erroneous, from the con- fideration that the fate of large portions of our territory and the lives of hundreds of valuable citizens might de- pend upon the delay of a fingle day. Shortly alter the annunciation of the choice ot Got- tenburg, there was a paragraph publilhed in one of our newspapers, extrafted from the Courier, or Times, Hat- ing that twenty mails were then aftually due from that place at London, owing to the continued prevalence oif adverfe winds. This was an unanfwerable proof, it any wetc neceffary, ot the impropriety of the choice ot' Guttcnburg. Recent neglect of due Preparations. Under this head, the prefident and the heads of de- partments are ftill more culpable than under any of the iormcr ones. From the period of the downfall of Bonaparte, and the complete triumph of Great Britain and her allies, it was obvious to the nieaneft capacity that her powers of annoyance had increafed prodigioufly. The immenfe torces raifed to aid the coalition againil France were li- berated from all employment but againfl us. And oi' I n imiiMn I II - v 1^ |||i THE OLIVE nnANCK. the difpofition of Englcind to continue the war, we had tiie moll convincing indications. The Biltifh newfpa. peis were hlled witli denunciations ot vengeance againft us, and with ftatements ot immcnfe preparations tor our chaftifement. And to crown the whole — to remove all poflihlc doubt on the I'uhjcft — to deprive us and our ru- lers of all plea in juflification ot our torpor, and apathy, and negle6t, an address was publifhed from the lords ot the admiralty to the navy, ftating, as a reafon for not difcharglng fo many feamen as the return of peace in Europe might have warranted, that a war exiiled with this country for the maritime rights of the British Em- pire. I '■ H; ■ ;;. *' London, April 30^ I8I4. *' The lords commissioners of the admiralty cannot annotirire (a the fleet the tetmiiiatioii of hostilitiea with Fiance without express- ing to the petty ofiirers, seamen and royal marines of his majesty's ships, the hi|{h sense which their lordships entertain of their gallant and glorious services during the late war. I'he patience, pcrscve> ranee, and discipline ; the skill, courage and devotion, with which the seamen and marines have upheld the besi interests, and achieved the noblest triumphs of our country, entitle them to the gralilnne, not only of their native land, which they have preserved inviolate, but of the other nations of £urope, of whose ultimate deliverance their success maintained the hope and accelerated the accomplish- tnent Their lordships regret that the vkn]»st ami unprovo.'ced ai^grts- sionojthe AMERICAN GOVERNMENT, in declaiing war upon this country, after a// the causes of its original complaint had been removed, does not permit them to reduce the fleet at oure to a peace establish- ment ; but as thcqnestion now at is»>ue in this war, t.t, the maintenance ttf those maritime rights, tvhieh are the sure foundation of our navaf glory, their lordships look witli confidence to that part of the fleet which it may be still necessary tu keep in commission, for a continuance of that spirit of discipline anti gallantry, which has raised the British navy to its present preeminence. In reducing (he fleet to the cslab> lishment necessary for the Americamcar, the seamen and mariners Tvill tind their lordship's attentive to theclaims of their rcspectiveservi- ces. The reduction will be first made in the crews of those ships which it may be found expedient to pay o& ; and from them the petty offit eis and seamen will be successively discharged, according to the length of their services ; beginning in the first instaiice with alt those who were in his miijegty's service previous to the 7th of March, 1803, ■>nd have since continued iu it. When the rednction shall have been thus mudc, as to the ships paid off, their lordships will direct tbclr ar— »:>»<»— **<-**^i n**- THE OLIVE ERANCII. «: k^ar, we had ;i{h newfpa. diice again ft ions tor our I remove all and our ru- and apathy, the lords ot fon for not of peace in xilled with British Eiii- n7 30, 1814. t announre to lliout expresi- f his majcsly's f tlieir gallant ienre, pci-sevs- n, with whicli s, and uchifvcd ihe gi-alilnae, rvod inviolate, ite deliverance p accomplish- novo.ked aggrts- war upon (his been removedf ace CEtablish- the malntenartce our navaf glori/f fleet which it ontinuancc of d the British t to the cstab- add mariners ['spcctiveservi- ise ships which e petty offiiers to the Icnj^th alt those who icb, 1803, '^nd all have been II direct tbcir attention to llioae wliich It may be found necessary to keep in rnm- niini^ion ; nn«i as soon as the circnnistnnces of the wiirtviil admit, wiM lirini; home and disch.'r^c a(l persons hiving ihesnnie BtHiiitint; aixl periods of service, as those dischnifrcij frmii tlu- sIjijih p«id ofV; go (liat in u few niop.ths the situation of nKlividiiiils will bt erjnuli^cd ; all men of a certain period of service will he hI libtrty loretinu lioniu to tliinr families ; a-id the number whieh it may be still luceKsurv (o retain, will be composed of those who Iihvi- ui en the short* fit lime iit tbt* serviic An nrraNtjement in itself so jnsl, caiiiiot, in then loij- slups" opinion, fail to give universal satisf.iriian ; and they are m- (jini'd to make this commnuii-ntion to (be Hett, beeaiiAf they think that the exemplary <;ood conduct of all the petty tdlirers, seamen, ami marines, entitles tlu ui to every confidence, and to this full and candid cx(>lanatioii of Ihnr lo{dships^ iiileniions Their Inidships catMiot conclude without exprc3->int; !li' n ho|ie, tliat the valour of his liKijtsty's lltctd and ai -"'es will sptt-dily brin^; the Americu' (onlest to 1 coHclusiot' ' >i! »te to ili«- IJ.iiish nuf i'l for Briti<«h in- terests, and coi.., ivef c last iiiij repose of U. iviiized world. « By iommaud of their lordships. "J. W CROKF.R." Notwilh (landing all thefc fymptotns of a near ap- proaching hurricane, a dclufion alir.ofl univerfally pre- vailed through the nation, of which it is hardly polli- ble to produce a parallel. Numbers of our molt en-* lightened citizens, knowing that the reftoration of peace had removed all the oftenfible caufcs of war, and pla- cing full reliance upon the magnanimity of Great Bri- tain, predicated all their arrangements on a fpcedy and honourable peace. Purchafes and fales of property to an incalculable amount, were made under this foothing cx'peftation. And we were lulled into a (late of the moll perfeft fecurity, as if all our dangers had uttet ly fubfided — the temple of Janus were about to be clofed — and every man wer« to convert his fword into a plough -(hdie. To fuch a degree was this infatuation carried, that au- thentic information of the failing of hoflile armaments produced no effcfcl to diminifli it. We were gravely told that it was quite in charafter tor nations to put on a bold face when thev were negociating ; that the cx- pctife to England of fending thefe armaments was in- confiderable ; that they w©uld be recalled as foon as a treaty was signed ; and in fine that flie was too magnan- '\V \4 48 TUK OLIVE BnAVC.'lI. imous to take advantage of the exiftlng flate ot things — with an ciullers variety ol arguments and aflbrtions equal- ly profound, convincing, and cogent. There were infinite pains taken by the friends of Eng. land to fofter and extend this delufion. Their effoits were crowned with tlie mod complete fuccefs. The nation fell inlotiic fnare with a degree of cullibiiity that afforded a practical commentary on our pretenfions to illumination fuperior to the reft of the world. Thefe deceits were varied with an addrefs and induf. try worthy of a better caufe. They affumed every kind of fliape from ?n humble fix-penny paragraph extracted from a London paper to an important public documeMit. Extra6ls of letters, innumerable, from emin'Mit mer- chants in London, Liverpool, and Glafgow, to mer- chants of equal eminence in Bofton, Ni w York, Phi- ladelphia, and Baltimore, were publifhed with moft con- fident a ffu ranees of the immediate appointment of corn- mi ffioners, to negociate with ours un terms comporting with the magnanimity of England, '.md perfeftlv hon- ourable to the United States. Lcttt'is were laid like- wife to have been received from Mr. Gallatin, full ot aflurances of peace, which Britain would gr^nt on ■ terms more favourable than when (he was preflc d by the power of Bonapaite. All thefe tales, how wild or extravagant foever, were greedily taught at and be- lieved by our citizens, as they flattered and coincided with their ardent defire lor peace. So true it is, as the poet fays, *' What we wish to be true, we are fond (o V jileve." Several times we were deluded with inlormation that Admiral Cochrane had received difpatches announcing an approaching armiftice, with his confequent recall from the American ftation. In a word, no pains were fpared to lull us into a moft profound fleep ; and the opiates operated moft powerfully, "^••■^" Mf'' T!IE OLIVE DHAKCM. 40 ^ow, to nier- ormatlon that DiirinfT all this dcccitlul calm, thronqli which every i!i;m ot tlirccniincnt might readily ami unerringly lore- icc the approaches of a ten till ilorm — as every inc'.ica- lidii tioMi England, dcferving of credit, poi tended a h/ng, a derj)erate, and a viiidictive warfare ; tlie gov- criunent of the United States took no meafures to dii'pel i.ic dekifion. In vain the pnhlic looked to Waliiington l.ir inlormation on the profpecl ot afFairs. All was tiijrc pioloundly filent. Government mull have had all i!i'j intormation on tlie fuhjccl that was in this country : and it was their incmnheiit dutv to have diileminated abroad the relult of their intelligence, that the public might regulate their proceedings and predicate their meafures on rational and j)rudent!al calculations. But this imperious dutv was, I venture to atfert, utterly neglefclrd. There was not a line of oflicial communica- tion on the fuhje61:. And nothing a})peaied in the Na- tional Intelligencer, that ftronglv marked either a pro- bability of pe.icc or ot a continuance ot the war. As far, however, as conclufions could be drawn, trom that femi-official paj)er, tiiev bore more tlie ilamp ot a reflo- ration ot peace, tiran of the contrary. Tins conduit, on the part of the adminiftraticn was to the la ft degree culpable. It was a dereIi6lion of duty that expofed our citizens to ruinous confequences. The Phdadclphians were among the mod dcdudi-d portion ot the people of the United States. There were no pre- parations made tor detence, except the embodving a number ot volunteer corps, very inefficient indeed to protect us. And 1 Ihuddcr to tliink what might havr; been the confequences, had the encmv aflailed us while we were thus napping in a itate ot llupid and nioft irra- tional fecurity. T'le cralh ot the conflagration at Wafhington awaked us out of our (lumbers, and (lifpellcd the delufion. — We were then aioufed to a full fenfe of our dangerous fituation, and of the folly and fupinencrs that had caufed it. We went manfully to work — and in a few weeks made fuch prepaiatioiis as renewed public confidence, M th of thefe two building'? would have enal)le(l the f^arrifons to holdout a longtime, until troops could have been colleeted, to encounter the enemy. It is not for me to decide on whom the cenfure ought to fall, on the prefident — the fecrctary at war — or the dif- tri^t general, Winder — or on the whole together. But letlh.it point be determined as it may, it c.mnot be denied, that notiiing but the moll culpable ncgleft could have led to the refuiis that took place — relults which cannot fail to atu I prove uij'irious to tiie national ch.iracter in iLuroj^ which, had not the news ot the exploits of the brave and ilUiflrloiis Macdonough and Macomb, arrived thcic ,'tt the iame time as the account ot this dilgraceful (lifallf,, would havemateri'dly and peruicioufly alfcdcd the p' inn ncEiociation at Ghent. '^i•■ General IViWinson and General Ifampton, In military affairs, when there are combined operations imdertaken, it is indifpenlably neceflary that : good un- (Icrllanding fiiould prevail between the fcveral officers. A want of due attention to this obvious di^late of pru- dence and comnu)n fenfe, has caufed the failure, among vaiious nations, ot operations of the utniofl importance. It is one ot thofe plain rules, which can hardly cfcapc the difcernmert of a man of even y-.'.'iocre capacity. Nevcrthclefs, the preildent (perhaps the fecretary at \var'i committed the nortnem campaign of 1813, *^ Gen. Wilki ifon and Gen, Hampton, between whom exifled a liigh degree of hoftilitv, vluch was fufficicntly well known to have pointed out the folly and madnefs of the 5* 1 ■w. -• -^ m B4> THE OMVE I'.IlANcrr. procedure. The IfTuo of the campaipii was difaflrou';. And it is not impr()hal)ie that a hsiiu; portion, porliaps tiic \vliule ot the dil'.iilcr arofe tVoni a nc^left of a rule lo ver\' rational that it is allc»riilhing how it could have bcca ovcilookcd. Tocrft/t;,'i;'.5 oj iov[i;ycsfi ,fC. Among the grievous Hns of the ruling pnrtv, I know ot none much more (Mdp.ihie than the tuilciahle mode d. i?i which the j)rocce(nngs ot Congicls are nuuiagf ( Whatever niav l)e the utgctuv ot the puhlic hufiuers how riunoius loever niav hi* (icla\', it apjjcais utterh ini ])oir:h]e to iulpire that hndv whU a due degree ot ( n- ergv or proni])titude. V/eek alter week, and nuintji aiter month, pafs ovcu' — and the {)nhlic anxioullv liut ii; v.'.in evpe^l remedies to t)e a))plied to the diloiders ot tlie Hate. To a mod euipahle fpirit of proeraliiudtion, ;ind the cacoetht's laqnenth, this wretched wade of time and neglect ot thx public cnibarratiments may be tairlv traced. One or two powerful o'v.tors on cacli fide take a com- jjrchcnfive vie\v oi a iuhjr^t. The\' cximutt it coin- })lctelv. Thev arc iol lowed l)y a crowd ot fpeakers, who are unable to tluow anv new or important light on It — and whofe fpeeches Hand in the fame relation to ihofe ot the carlv orators, that a ha 111 warmed over a fecond or third time does to tlic oriizinal nol)le furloin ot whofe i ragmcnts it is torme( And thus is tlic money ot the nation expended, and its hopes frnftratod, merely that Mr. A, and Mr. B, and Mr. C may have an oppoitn- nity o^ making long fpeeches to prove to their conllitii- eiits how wilely thev have felecled reprefentatives I have not beiore me the deh-ates of the Britilh parlia- ment — and theretore cannot witii full confidence ftate "what is actually their mode of proceeding. But it is itrongly impreded on mv mind that they gcnerallv decide on every (|uefUo:i at one liuing. This at lead I can -,i''.i TIIK OT.TVK BUAVail. B3 nvcr ^vlth the utir.ofl c--itii!if\, tiMt maiiv of the moR. niDTic'iUoos qMC'dions, uiv'olvini]!; ijiiiiiesliatcly tli« mtcr- elts ol 8o.ooo.t)3o ')l people,* h.ive hecn decided in this w.iv .liter a debate troui three o'clock in tin* a[ti'r- nooii, till three or tour in the moniinir. And on tiieie (jueltions fotne ol the gre.ite'l luen in Knroj)C h.jve ta- ken part on hoth fides —Ivi fk' no, and Fox, and Gray-^ Pitt, and Bin ke, and Wvndli<;ni. A large poition ot the people of this country have taken oppofite fides refpctVuiir EuLdand, its nianners, anil its cu{h)nis. One paity hlindly admire and copy — the otr.er as hlmdly hale and defpue eveiv thnitr B itifii. — They are botli in equal error. England prefents nu;ch tn admire and copy — iuucn to cen'ure and avoid. It is highly defirahle we fiiould imitate her in this rer[)ei!h I m-iv treat this fnhjefl before I clofe n)vM)ook with otiier views than that which led to introduce it lieie. As re{i>e^ls the proceedujgs oi Cono;re{s, a remedy 011^ It to he applied immediately. The deh.itcs ouglit to be limited witiini reaionable bounds. And whenever the emergency ot the cafe rc(|uires promptitude^, the fes- iion ouglit to be contiiried till the fuhjeH is decided, un- lefs us complication anddifiicuity may render fuch a plan improper. What a lamentable profpcft the country exhibits at the moment I am writing ! It is now the fi\th ot Dei'end;er. Congrefs have been iji fefiion nearly three months. — Tn.:v found the credit of the government laid proftiate — the feaboard expoled to depredation — the pay of the army in arrears — and every thing in a fituation that was calculated to excite" energy and decifion among a n.itiori ot Sybarites, And what has been the refalt ? There have been probably one or two hmulred flowery fpeeches made — amendments innumerable — pollponements qu. futr. — and only two important atls palled — one for bor- rowing three millions of dollars — and the other toi buy- ing or building 20 fchoone.s. * InrliidiiiQf its T. isi Iiulii pcssrssions, llie :ibovc is the nuuibcr of tUc suljjccts of Ihc 6t iUbh JBnipirc. i .niri^i'i'ii^E^ - :Jt^ ■4 96 THE OMVE nnAKCir. To tliofe wlio are aftuatcd by a fincerc rcganl for tlie welfare and ratety ot their country, tliefe things inuR be a fourcc ot the moft poignant uneafinefs. Tliey arc iitteilv unaccountriblc, and irreconciJeable vith the plaiti- elt ditlates of realbn and common fen iC, La)ing rifide rdl confidcrations of public fpirit or patriotilm, a di: regard to perfonal intered ought to prelcribe a totally dii i erciit iinc ot con idntl; Tlio r.iajoiity have endeavoured to fhelter themfelves by throwing the blame on the minority who make thofs long fpecchts for the purpole ot embarrafTing then), and prof racing their debates and proceedings. This pica will not ftand examination. If it were valid, a minority ot six or eight perions, poircfTed of the tacul- ty ot making "/(?/?j talks,'" might at all times totally bal- and paralizc the motions ot the govern- f] e a m/joiuy incnt Suppole each member of the minoiity to make a fpecch of a day or two on every tubject that arofc for diiculhon, — and allow a reafonable time for rcjilication to the majority, and the wliolc year would be inadequate for that portion of bufincts which the British parliament would with cafe difpatch in a mv)nth. Befides the dehjv arifing trom the difplays of oratory which 1 have ftated, there is another fourcc of delay equally inj'irious. Private and trifling bufinefs obtrudes itielf on tlie attention ot congrels, and occupies a large portion of the time which is loudly called for bv the im- pjortcsnt aflaiis of the nation. The former ought to be foftponcd till the other is all dilpatched. •.'\\ v \ JVegleH of Public Opinion. Of all the errors of the two adminiftralions ol Mr. Jcfferfon and Madlfon, the leitl criminal, but probably the moll pernicious in its rcfults, is, the inditference they have difphiyed towards the imfounded allegations v.'lieieb\ they wee borne down, and then- reputation and ufetulneis deftioyed. This may have arifcn from an ab- "fnitlltsi THE OLIVE BRANCH. gr fuvd reliance on the good fenfe of the public — or on the rc^Htude of their own intentions — peiiiaps from their indolence or inattention. It was probably iounded, it it arofe from cither of the two firft motives, upon a trite, but fallacious maxim, which antiquity hath bequeath- ed us — Magna tjl Veritas et prxvaldnt. Millions of times has this captivating maxim been pronounced; and it is aluioil unive;fally admitted as incontrovertd)le. Yet tlie hillory ot the world m almoll every page bears tefti- luony to its fallacy. Truth, unaided by induUry and artivity, and enctgy, combats at very unequal odds againli falfehood, fuppoited by thefe auxiliaries. That mnti, cateris paribus^ is an overmatch for tallchood, I Ircciy grant. But tiie friends ol the lurmer, it tliey rely wholly on its intrinfic merits, and do not exercife a due degree of vigilance, will be miferably deceived in th: .r calculations. A fuppoFed cafe in point. A matron is charged with lining been feen entering a brothel in the face ot day, v.itii a notorious f'educer. The Hory f'preads in every (liiecijou. It is univeriallv believed. Her eharafcler is dcihoyed. She is Ihuimed as contaminatorv. Six months afterwards, ' the brings a holt o( luicxceptionabic witneires to piove an alibi. '^\\qv elld)lilh incontro- veitiblv that at the time flited, and tor months before and after, Ihe was m China or Japan. Thefe pains are in vain. Her ciiaia^ler is gouv-. The waters ot the At- lantic would not purify her. Siic p^ys for tier neglect and her tolly, tlie miglity forfeit ot a dcihoyed repn- tjtiori. 1 bus has it been with tiie adminiftrations o! Mr. T^d". Iciion and Mr. M.idifo;!. 1 iiev Ivive been charged with tiiiuinal conduct, iies calcn!.;!c;l to prorlucc, HU authentic documental denial crept out, twaclly like ike !cuh'\s alti>?, and Tvilh the fume: cfjcct. One other indance, and I have done with this part oi my fuhje^t. The offi'r ol the RuHiaii mediation was jiiruic hy ;vl. DafchkoiF in March 1813. Mr. Pickcrin*:^ l]i»)itlv afierwaids pnbiilhcd a feries cA letters on the fuh- jotl in B •'(Ion, which were repnhliflied in almoll every town and city ot ti^e Uiii.ed St-;tc«;. He openly and un- qualifiedly alleitod that the wliole was a fraud and im}X)f- ture — and Iblelv calculated to delude the citizens irjto ru!)kriptions lor the pcuiling loan. — He denied xhc offer altOi^ctlicr : and he hoi lly referred to M. D uclikc>iT and to Dr. Logan, to prove his ftatements correft. If ever an accufation demanded attention and dilproval, this wa:^ of that defcription. It was advanced under his own Jio;nature bv a mA\\ in hig^h (^'liciai Ration, and of very confiderable llandinjr witii tlie oppofeis of the govern- ment. But tlie {ame tatal and luipardonable ncnlect took place as in fo many oihcr inftances. And the alle- L!;at'on was allowed to take its lull cffefi: without any otiier attempt at counteraction, than two or three anony- moiis parafrraphs. To render this error more palpable, a motion was made ill fenate tor a difclofure of the correfpondencc on the 2d of June, ot which the government ought to have gladly availed itfclt. But it v.-as rejefted. At length, when the whole aiTtir had funk into ob- livion, on the 7th of June, 1814, a motion was carried in the houfe of reprefent.d'vc;, for the publication oi the correfpondencc. It then appealed that the whole of the charges were calumnious and unfounth'd — that the tranfaftion reflecled a high degree of credit as well on the potent monarch, who took {o warm an intercff in our affairs, as on our government, for its prompt accept- ance of the m.ediation. But the difclofure was too late to counteraft any of the pernicious elFetls that had re- ''7 41 60 Tirr. OLIVE iiiiANcir. fiiltcfl from the accufation. Many pcrfons to tliis cLiy believe ilic whole tranfatlioii a deception. Loans, Atiothcr error of tlic federal govcrmncnt, preirinut Xv'itli baleliil roiirequerKcs to the iiiuuiccs and credit ot tlic couiitrv, was, depending on loans tor the iHppoit ol the war — and (kdcrriiur the inipohtion oi' taxes adeqn i;e to erect the {uperllrnrture ot public credit upon. This arole Iroia t!ie pernicious dread ot toiteitlng pf.'pula. itv — a dicad olteii the parent o\ tiie moil dedi native nieai- ures. The ct^nfcquence (jt this error has been, thai tlic loans have been made to vciy connderril>le lofs, and tint the public creclit ot the nation has been moll lamentably impaired. I have now (Tone throujjih a review of the chief of the errors and follies, tlte neglefts and the nnfmanagenit. ht; ot the democratic paity 1 iiave derailed and can\.!ir''il them wuii the holdnefs and independence ot a treemaii. I have tollowed tiie fomid advice of Othello : *' Non^lil exlt'iMiatr — nor an^Ut set down in mHlice." On many of thefe points I am greatly at variance with men ot j^nveiful talents belonging to that party. Sonic of my fa.^ts and opinions have been controvcitcd bv a critic o\: con(idc'-.d)le acumen, in one ot the (iaily paj.ers. I have re-exa-nnc'd the vaiious fu!''j."tts embraced in t,i!S vohir»ie, and wheie I have foinid canfe to change my op'nion, I have tmhefitatingly done io. My ohjed is truth, I nave purlucd it lleadilv, and as tar as I cm JMflgc of mvfelf, witiiout undue bias. Hut I \* !i know how difficu't -t IS to! Iiuman weaknefs to ^livefi itfelt ot pieiudice and partiality. To the candid reader, I lubmit the dccifion. i^-w-'^S* -♦iW "^ THE OLIVF, nilANCH. (U This detail of mifconduB; has been a painful t.ifk. },ir nio.c ajTieeable would it have b:'cn to have dcfc.'.nted on the merits and talents of the pjcfident and the other public functionaries. To a man of a libera! mind it is infinitely more agreeable to bellow the meed of praife, than to deal out cenfure. But a rough truth is preferable to a (inooth falfchood. And whatever chance we have of arriving at the haven of peace and happinefs, depends upon a fair and candid examination of ourlelves, which inull infallibly refult in a conviclion that, fo great have been the errors, the follies, and the m.ulncfs on both fides, that mutual forgivenefs requires no effort of generofity — it is merely an afct of fimple juUicc. rfl Before I quit this branch of my fubjcfl, it is but pro- per to obleive, that it is hardly pofTible to conceive of a more difficult and arduous fituation than Mr. JefFerfon and Mr. Madifon have been placed in. They have had to Itruggle with two belligerents, one fupreniely power- ful by land, and on that element holding in awe tl;e chief part of the civilized wojld — the other equally powerful by lea : — and each in his rage again fl. the otiiei, violating the clearelland moil indifputable rights of neutrals, and infliding upon us, in a time of pretended peace, nearly as much injury as if we were ranked among the belligerents. And the dixifions and dilliaftions of the country, with the forniidafde oppofition of a powerful party, embracing all the governments of New-England, and a confiderable portion of the citizens of the reft of the union, ujufl: have caufed the adminifl:rati(in infinitely more trcaible and diffiv'-ulty than the two belligerents together. The feder- aliUs, as I (hall fliew more fully in the fequel, after goading t!ie government into re'^i fiance, and vilifying them lor not procuring redrefs, tliwarted, oppofed, and rendered nugatory every rational elfoit made to accom- phfh the very obje6} they profefTed to feek — a degree of madnels andfolK never-enough-to-be-deplored. )• M THE OLIVE DRANCM. CMAP. III. The F'.'deralifita. TJie Federal Convmiion and Cms'iia- ti'Di. Cuinpldinfs oj ihe ivant of "ni'v^ij in 'he Cnus'i- tiiiion Ih^orgunlzers and Jacobins. Jllien and >i..d'L- tioii Luivs. Loss of I'ouer. Change of ywws. Having thus taken wlmt I hope will be allowed to he a caiulkl view ot tb.e errors and milcondufi: ot the deiiio- tratic piiii;t — :lius, li' 1 m\ lift] IMadisuii in iiul Icbs ^iiilly. igaiiiKl i'e|nibli( uitiiini IVIi 1 lUHy •nily tli(;ii8i«y that I iipver proposed eillitr a prv»i(lt;i«t oi- fieiiaif for life, nnd tli.it 1 luiiliir rccoiiiineiitled nor nicilitaltd lliu uiiiiiliiluliuii of the sl.itu {{ovci iiiiientM. And 1 may aild, that in the coutsv of thr.' di-sciissions in the co n- nor even vcntiui), neither the iiiopositions thrown onl for debate, those voted in the earlier Kla|;es of deliberation, \v«'i e ( onsideitil ug rvideiiees of a detinile opinion in the proposer or voter. It appruied to be to some sort undpislood, that, wilhu view to free invest i|;jtibii, « xperiinenlai prnposilioiiH iiii(;ht be made, which were tu be reeeivcd merely as Hn;:{;estion8 for eoiniKieratioit. Aecordiii;;ly it is a faet, that my (inai opinion was a;>;aiiiht an executive during good beha- viour, on aeconnt of the iiiereased daiiffer to the public tranquility iiieidtiit to theeleclioii of a m.i;fistrate ofhi4 di^rie of pfrmaneiicy. Jii the phiii of a eonstitnliuii whicli I drew up while the eoiiveution was !4ittiii<;, and .rlinh i e omiunii nated to Mr. \latrison about the eloKc of it, perhaps a day or two after, the oflicc of president has no |iiii;<;pr duration than fur three yeais. ''This plan was prediealed upon these bases:— — I. That (lie pnlilieal prineiples of the pi opte of this ennnlry would tudure notli- ill;; bill a repnbliean governnunt. a Tliat in the actual situation of the country, it was ils< If right and proper that the republican theory bhould liave a fair and ftil! trial — J Tliat, to such a trial it wna esseiiitul that the (>overiiinent should be so cnnslruclcd as to give it till the eiieii;y and the stability recoiu liable witli the prin- ciples of tliat theory These were the genuine sentiments of my Ik art, and upon them 1 then acted. *' 1 sincerely hope tli.it it m.i> not hereafter be discovered, that throuuh want uf suiKcitut atteiiiiun to the last idea, the experiment of ippiiblicMii goveriiineni, even in this country, has not been as complete, as satiijfact»ry< and as decisive as could be wisheU. Very truly, dear sir. Your friend and servant, A. HAMILTON. Thnolhif Pickeri.ig, Esq. In the conflitl of opinion tliat took place in tlie convention, there was a neccdity tor a fpirit ot com- jiroinife, in order to feciire riiccefs to their la!)Oiirs. — The teii.icity of Come ici-rmir men of advcrfc opinioirs had ncdily rendered the cfFHt ahortive. Accoiding to I.uther iMartin, Eiq. one of tlie Maryland delegates, the convention was fevcral tiin'!s on the verire oi ad- jonrnuictit, r;4*E«*.. r flO Till'. OI.IVE niiANcn. rcvoliiilon ; an(i tliis is j>r()vcilMal!'- 'be cafe with pow- er in a rt'puhlic.m )tovc inmcnt. i Uc people ol tlio Uiiitril States cliur^md tlicii riili;-. iSy \\\c ic^^uLu roiirfe ol eli-Mioii, tlicy wltlulirw tlu* rcif.s lioiti tlu; Imii Is of the li'dcralins, ;uv.! placed llicin in thofc ot the cIcMiocrats. This was ii inofl une\j)efl((l revolution to the levleral- ifls. It wholly chanvji'd their views ol the (roveriiiucrit. It has been iilleited in England that a toty in place, be- comes a whig; whrn out of place — and that a wlu^ when pi.')vi(led wit ' a plice, heconus ,i toiy. And it is pain- inl to (fate that to*) many among us afl the lame farce. The jTovernnient, which, admiinllered bv theujlclves, \vas regarde 1 as niiferahly lechle and inefhcient, be- CfiiTie, on its Iran ht ion, arbitr.jrv ar.d defpotic ; notwith- llandinir that among the cailicll aBs ot the new incum- bents, was the repeal niJt merely ol tlie alieji and ledi- tion laws, but of Ibmc of the moll obnoxious and op- preflive taxes ! Under the efTcfls of tliefe new and improved political ^lv•ws, a vi ulent warlarc w.is begun againil their iuc et (Tors. The gazettes patronized by and devoted to fctJerdlifm, were unccaling in their elToits to degr.idc, d. (grace, and deiame the adminillration. All its eirors were Induftrioullv magnified, and afcrihcd to the mull pfrverfe and wicked motives. Allegations wholly un- founded, and utterly improbable, were reiterated in re- gular fuccefTion. A conllant and unvarying oppofitlon w,is maintained to all its mealures, and hardly ever was there a fubditute propofcd tor anv of them. There was not the flighteil allowance made for the unprecedented and convulied flate of the world. And never was there more ardour and energy dilplayed in a flruggle between two hoftde nations, than the oppofition rnanifefiLd in their attacks upon tiie adminiftration. The ruinous confequcnces ot this warfare, and its deftruftion of the vital inteiells of the naion, will fully appear in the fe.jucl. ■;•*';, if /i It.; THE OLIVE OUANCII. •7 CHAP IV. B/iliiih Ov.lcru in Council^ jVovprnbcr 1T<)3. Kiijxvct- mud itf ft. tic of 1750. G^mrid climhur tlivou^liuut til? Uiiilel Statea. As all the diinciiItU'S and (landers of our coiititry have f[)ii:ng tVoin the hclli^ciciit iuvalions ol our ^l^ht^. I Mhall cuinniciice the coulidcidtioii o\ thcrii Itoiu the Bii- tiili orders ol 179[^. At t'ut period, duriiii^ the adinininration of General WalliiiiirtoM, the lollovvuig order was illued hy the Bii- |tit!i privy couiuil ; — " Gcortre R. Additional iiinrurtions, to ail fliips of hv'af, piivatecrs, Sec. " Tliat they ih.ill Uop and detain all Ihips hiden with Ipouds, the? produce ol any cohjnv h( loni'in;^ to Fiance, or carryin^r provifions or other hipplies lor the uh- of |liK;h colonics, and (hall brintr the lame, with their car- lg(*cs, to le^ral adjudication in our conrts ot adinirahy. (t By his majcRy's command Njv. 6, 1793 Signed ** HtNRY DjnDAS, »» This (»rder was a mofl lawlefs invafion of onr rights, ^mprccedentcd in extent, and incapahle of pleading in 5ts defence the right of retaliation. In a lew weeks it Iwcpt the Teas ot our commerce. Hundreds of our vel- ^ch were captured : and tnanv of our merchants, who ad 110 moie anticipation of Inch a fyllem, than ol an attack on their vefTels hy the fuhjects ol the emperor of, liiiia, were abfolutely ruined. The annals ol Europe fo' tlio prccednig century furnilh no mcafure more un- liilliliablc. The circumflances attending it, verv highly aggrava- M the outrage. It wasidu^-'d with fuch an extraojd'nary icgroe of lectecy, that the (iMi account of its cxidcnce k\ n »rw*i;;i*r^^ r^ 03 THE oLivK nuANcrr. that reached the London cxrli;nige, M'as conveyed \vitii the dtttails oi tlic captures it .lut'norizefl and occafio ned s s. And tlic American miniftcr at tlic couit ot St. Jamc was nnablc to procure a ci^py ol" it till ih.e 25th Do- ccMiher. This lawlefs piocedine excited univerHd indlgnatiop. in the United States. Tiierc was a general clamour tor •\var amoiig all parties. Several very violent meafuns were moved and debated in congiefs — among the relf, the feqnellration ot all Britifh propertv in the United States, for the purpnlc ot indemnilym,' our merchants. This, if mv nict^iory do not deceive no, was bron^Iit iorward bv Jonathan D yton, ot Xcw-Jcriey, a leading man anKMig the federal ifts. While cc-igicfs were engaged in debating on the va- rious modes ot procuring redrcfs, the prcfident arrefled them in their c.ux-cr, by the nomination of Judge Ja\' as rninillcr extraordinary to (eek redrcls from the Briiilli government. This eventuated in the celc!)rated treaty which bears that miniiler's name, again 11 which volumes of denun- ciations were publifhed by the democrats, with number- lefs gloomv predictions, on nearly the whole of wbicli, as I have already flated, time has {lamped the feal ot ialf e prophecy )C- From this period till the year 1805, the collifions I tween the two nations were liTConfiderable. The Unite?^ States were in a moll enviable ftate of profperity in the years 1800, 1, 2, 3, 4 and j. No na- tion ever euJDyed grcrtter happinefs. The exports had moft wondertullv increated. During the firft tour years of General Wafliington's adminiftration, the whole value of the exports from this country fell fhort of 100,000,000 dollars, whereas dur- ing the years 1803, 4, ^ and 6, they ^v•ere more than tre- ble that amount. \ \ ii !V ? I I ' THE tLlVK BRANCH. 6'^ 1803- 1804- 1805. 1806- 55,800,000 77,61^9,000 - 95,566,000 101,536,000 330,601,000 01 this Immcnfe fum there were of foreign profluflions And mcicliandizc, principally irom the colonics ot tl;c I'licnics oi Great Britain, 1803- 1804- 1805- 1806- -13,594,000 -36,231,000 ■53, 1 79,000 -60,283,000 163,287,000 (llifions hc- Uvhich is nearly one half of the wliole exports. This excited the jiMlotiiy of Great Bi'.tdin, who in the ifiiininerot 1805, adojited the rule ot the warot 1756, which rendered illegal any commerce carried on by a neutral, with the colonies ot a belligerent, duiing war, which was not j)(.'rniittc 1 duiing peace. This rule was carried into operation, without any previous notice being given, wlioreby velllds and projieity to an iminenfe amount weie |Ic;/.ed — carried intit Biitiih poits — tiied and cijudenmed. A circuin (lance attending this tranfa^tion, that greativ agiTr^Vated its mj idice, was, that it was in direit holliiity Iwitii picvious dccifioris ot the B: :ti(li coutts ot -)diiiirah\', rvhich had legalized in the cb-arell and nioR cxplic't man- Incr, the trade now profcnbed, aiui l^ul'yci to condemna- Itioii. Thefe proceedings excited a unlverfal indignation jtliicughout the United States. The mercantile part of iw- *► Tn-^j^i ro THE OLIVE fiHANt'K. >4 the community weic cxafpcratdnl to the utmoft clcfrrce. The goviMiinit'nt was lligniatiztd as cqiialiy irgaidk'ls ol the honour and the intereU ot the nation, tor iu)t refilliiii; thc(e pietcnfions and not piocuimg icchels tor thole (II. predations. A lecurrence to the teder.d gazettes ot that period will (how tliat the party weie tlien clamorous tor war, it icdrefs could not be procuied tor grievances in- comparablv lets tlian thole that finally provoked the do- claratiun ot war. But it may be iaid, and with tome dc- gree ot tiuth, that newfpapcrs are an equivocal ciUenou (d t.he psdjlic ojiinioii. This I admit. And I fhall lay betoie ihe reader other and moit unerring proots ot tlic ir.crcantik: temper ot this period. Meetings ot t''e merchants were held in almoft all the commercial towns and cities in the United States. The fut)je6t was eloquently difcuflcd. And ftrong memoiKiIs weic agreed ujion, urging tlie pretident and congrets to adopt lucli meafures as might be necellary to procure re- (irels. In thelc memorials, which were worchnl in the ftrongelt language, the pretenhons ot England were treated as not tar removed from afiual piracy — as opening a door to the molt {],.,^rant frauds and impohtions— -ai unworthy of a (frcat and ma'jnanimous nation---and ns derogatory to the reputation and honour ot an indepemJ- cut nation to fuhmit to. C^oscrnment was in tlie moll impaihoiK d lliiL' invoked to icutf hich pretenfions ; ani the niemorialills generally plddged themjelvei mojl soUmii- ly lo Jupport It -id tlu attempt. As I Ihall devote a f'epa- rate Chapter to the confideration of the policy ot the mercantile part of the nation, I ihall not here enquire how tar thete pledges woe redeemed. As thefe memorials are immen(c[y important in the formation of a corre6l eftirnate of the policy ot tlie gov- ernment, I (hail make very copious extraOs trom them. They are moil precious docimients, and prefent a romi'l U!ivarnilhed tale of the outrages experienced by Ameri- can commerce, and the extravagant pretentious ot Great Britain. I THE OLIVE BIIAXCH. :i CHAP. V. ibf^tiiu Memorial. Strong utile. Ih'ltish pvcfensian^ dc- ifirct.i-e of the. navi-iidiim of neah'id vntiinht. li'if]i of tlu* Uitittd StcU-i to opposp t.'wsp pVit'Ufii'Dis..-^ E'lTgeiic call for adi'qdula nieasuras to protect cjm- 111 I'ce. The Boflon mercluints, after jrldnciniT at tlie voiatlons, Hiiiiits, and bdib'41 itics iiifk^red fioni t'lancc and Spain, ])ji"»(>ii tt) tlie ci'^nndciatloii oF tiic gi icvanccs inilitlcnl by the BritilJi. They ILite tlut —as opening " If is llirir ol.jtrt ill the prrsfnt memorial, to roufnn'' thtir aiii- liiiiclvn8U>ii« l« itictiUK't iilsiiiiiiii ;, Itfviiosv runre nurh .v (V.J e.v [trn^'ie de/enfions and fiindc'iiu.ltous of .ht/i-icun ren^. ,• 'j;/ (irctt BrUitin ; «iid to iulvtii l<» ilic iiii;!!)!!!^!! it(«ji!l\ ,iv«n»t(|, aitti al«s, w l>i( li, if ii'ltinitcd, or pinJisfJ ojKii) in all till .limit;, u liicl) (iiay fV.iily In- iiift'iictl to tie iiitfHilrd, uoii'il \n: lllc^iiic'iic of' the illliiralinii, mid RAUIC4«^Y IMPAIR TIIK, W»)»T l-tCRATIVF; CiMM::iltK I'F O L 11 CiLIHIUV. — l^i ilUI |)i<'S lit it li.\(l liri II viiliiaiiy iiiisi'i'iil lOn of a Itiuiii wliic/i In no:t) intenlicted and ulli-aii<'livv .illcniiiUiiu li» ilt>lMiy lit, 111(1 mill lis «.(li»|inssioii to A N MIIII.ATK, (IK UllKATLV Di'iH- [MtH 1HK tONMl llCE Ok- NFtTllAl- NA1IIIN8 "I lu'K- IS |jif!icni!, ih :i the Brilisli tfovniiint'iil Inu'^ii to SI I »j» as a jirnK'i|ili , tint slic lii* n i !-'•• i'> iiilt'iilicl all j«oiiimei(e l.y netilr'is, lo tli»* poMs of lu r i a; ijits, mli jxtils liad linii litrn 0|>rti('d provioiisiy lo 'hf roniim i.ii-m. at ««f ho:;tiiirn'» ;— [tliat if slir |i( I'liiitii a ti'.uif mIiIi tlxiii ui any liri.'Mv, l.*.<( i\a» r ri^ht Ito piisn lid- ilu- liin:ts of it; lo i iv«sli>;aU' tlic iivUiition o* lliv par- Itii's prosiTi'tiiiij il ; ami if siuli iiUiil'oi) Ijc not llu' art iiai ('.isposi- jtiiiii iif iIh' uioprrty in llic artiti at country , S;- < Misioef llii' mil < iiiii- !«i!2t, cvrii aiwi tlic nnporlalioii 'iilo siirh roiinliy. aftir i' ivint; bfcu llanil (1 t|»rit-iii, Mau liDiim ti J, .is nnlyi'n ffis i/(7pp ()/■(/ continued and dherl yo'jcii" ,f'om 'lie ofotiu lo i'/)e /;, I'/zfr cnuiitr:/, or vice versa ; mkI t luicfDn- liUjjul, ami liab'o to i o:ij>f. ur (■ Cit rifi I nil 'tieir ic'trscy and ivjunously detained under t/ie vexatious pretence of a "on- THE OLIVE P.UANCH. l\ i!! i f i]liU tivnihi ofr^yosie from th(: counli'i or colon;/ of n f)(:Hig'?>cnt. In finolli. f itiklHiK'c thiy liut'u vMiiickscil ii m-sscI <'ii|itii.<.'ii nuii rDntlcniMi i! toti/fr the iiiosf /iiroltiUf prclr.xl, tilicii mi (he piosfniiioii ot'hii utknoit i»' i,',,] iiiifi pcriniMfil Ini'lr, uiulcr nn ^llllslnn^•l•^' >»>ticli h»iiiKlu'(i t-vny sh:j(li)«t of tioiilil, as ID the rent (le i>ii <>/' t/m vtsscl, the tdenttiij„J the ou'itersy o> the uctwil intention tif the par'tes " Ihrbf fi>\v iiiKSanctB lliry liavr (tismi^iil it nretiful to nutir«, in order to drmotiRtiafe, that iii»lrH» iltv p:rsi'iit »tiS|U('jitioii of ihe Hrilisli HdiHimKy «t)tirlF, nnd iiiivy v counteruciifri und lemnveU, » widfly (Jii>)it rK^d and iiii|»i ot«'rt»o fOfimtt-M-t', »-xi«'ii(| !,|j to rvtry ie)»ioii »f tli»» gloliP, will onl\ aTO INVITK J>«'.PClici)4 TION, TO BA N KUt'PT OIIKSEI.VKB, A N I> KNKICii imiF.RS, CNlll, ILCH ••MMKRCK UK !>W I- ri FROMTHK F A C'K OF 1 UK OCKAN,anJ leave iiolliiiig iii its slt^ad, t)ul stiitiiiif lUs At liutttility and Hiliitf coiittiiiioii. ** A tacit futiiMission to pictcnRions tJius lofty and roir;)ri'hcn8ivc, but mIiicIi Nour nDinoinihsii iriitt oie moii of )h)-tn n 'leiiHiile, woultl||lhf-y roiicnve, Ix A% AH VN donmkn r or right- (PKni.t KICOGNIEF.O, AND * DEUFMCT ON OK I H>. MO^.T IMPtHirANT CUMMKRCl A I, IN 1 KRESTS OF i>UR COlJVTRY. " Rt Hsoii, aud thr inont pown-ful < i»u«iili'ialioii« of rqintv. enjoin it H8 A rrry ON mii l'mikd sta i i:s lo oi'PpsE 'J'HI'LSr. PRIin^NSIONS^ f.ir « ircuii>Rl;n>s.t»' noi both el nni- eti I'l'l :tdn»a;e. (tf, tilt' trade to vlt: h they had Im'pm Berns'oiMed in tinn of ptiie. No* if the !*rll"< rr.it has th'' ■ i.'ht to blnekade an ex', hi). cd sea -'i.*! •K'.s to r.rr/ude veufiril* from, psrhnpt^ fiftii dif'-nni put'^, ( ris Wd'! the rose with th-i French ports iv the chnnvef. during the /<;" Will, J hii\» .an (ht neutr. <-- ' praee Iradi^ in its j^ieatest latiliide, unless this deprivation is I ,. .( by another tr;'.dc, which riU--. OI.IVE URANCH. •*.: ra it. In nnolli. t iiilniiMi i'viiv ;, the nltntuij<,j 1 1 (o noUcf, ill l>.>'jitioii «>f ilie countciucinti un/i ■i*-, Ml f»()pos lion PARTY IN THE, Hfi'orii C0il8(.iI 111) V liiiiiht la*' \\u' piotcrlioii Uoid. To this iilur be Uie ill- |,m- foiiti{ry |l)i-lli'^eriMi!> H- iii the oliii'st [««•(! in timi »' liUfle an rx'.i'ii- I', .^'/?." f /'#'«•''• '/ the U:" ^ in its »;•♦'»••'»' Id- ti-J-'Jc, whitli Ts fipci^ciHo liim (Inring ilic war ? — As in \\\c inqnisitorial right of 'HiMii'li int') llic iivv'K i)iln(i of ncntral |)i opci ty S<'( u|i i)y Griiil lirit- ;iiM, au.is, l)U I Ihal iliiy sliall be (irst alit'natfti and pressed iiilrt tbi' iioxcssi'J!! »f othcts— \oni nitinoii lists helii-ve tilt in lo be LNSODNU IN S'OINTOI- PRINCIPLE, Ol FEN- S'.VE IN PUACTICE, AND Nl'i.AIOUV IN EIFECr. '' Voui' Micinoriuii'ilst woitulwitb itlm t:i k: bilii'vt bat tiie sa- rre i':i8ily bo>v lo letonrile on uny otiit'i' i!*ooee(v!niir>i oi' ihc Bnlisb acl- uiiialty roui'ls, dniin<; IbolasI and prtsent war. " At any rate, wlielluT the dor rine were souml or not, or wheilier it injured Great Britain or not, it cannot become tbe iittetjrity and mtSi/dniiniiy of a t;re:'.t and powcrCul nation, al oiu'o, and wilbont notice, to revi'ise lier rnlf <»t < oMilnrI towarils o ber sfatr-s, and TO PliEY UPON THK UNPRi TECTED PKOPEIITY OP A FRIEN'DLV POVV Ell, ibe extension of wbose joinmerce bad been iiivtti'd by ibe fornMl avowal of ber intenliona, and piosii nted, under arQiiance on ber ^ood fait b, and from liie roiifuleiice reposed, Ibat her ronrls, nnilbrin in ibeir prinriple t'4 fcfTcd obji'B. Is to form fome afTociation among the com- mercial ilates tor ttie protettioii oi commerce. This gentleman explicitly ftates, that unlefs " the present di/po/iti on" that is, the difpofition in 1803 ; for as the remonftrance was (halted in January, 1806, it muft refer to the proceedings of the preceding year) *' of the Britifh admiralty courts, and navy officers can be countera6led and removed, a widely dijperfed and UU' proteded commerce^ extending to every region of the globe ^ will only ferve to invite depredation, to bankrupt OURSELVES, and enrich others, until fuch com- merce be fwept from the face ot the ocean." Mr. Cabot further ftates, that *' a taat suhmijjion to pretenfions thus lofty would be an abandonment of rights openly recognized, and A dereliction of the most important commercial interests of our country." And he adds — " Reafon and the moft: powerful con- fidcrations of equity enjoin it as a duty on the United States to oppofe these pretenfions'^ He further Piates, that thfjc pretenfions are '* unfound in point of principle, off'enjwe in pratlice, and nugatory tn effear And bv way of capping the climax, he explicitly charges Great Britain, with " PREYING UPOiNJ THE UNPROTECTED PROPERTY OF A NEUTRAL POWER." He and his friends then call upon the government *' promptly to adopt fuch meafures as might disembar- rass our commerce — affert our rights — and support the dignity of the United States.'' This call, fo ftrong and fo folemn, implied with equal ftrength and folemnity a pledge oi fupport. It behoves Mr. Cabot, who is now called on publicly in the face ot his cc. ntry. to point out any inftarice in which he lenl his aid io trie govcrn:ncnt in the purfuit of rcdrefs. THE OLIVE BRANCH. rif CHAP. VI. Extracts from ^'*eu'-York Memorial. Equalbj explicit mid pointed with that from Boston. The pretensions of Great Britain a violation of the law of nations. Ji strung and peremptorij call for resistance on the part of the gov- ernment. Solemn pledge of support. Long list of si pi- ers. .« " Tliey Iiave 1)ccn suddenly confounded 1)y tincx]icr.tcd intelligence of (lie airt'Stalioii, ights of com« niercu, as claimed by us ar« to be deemed favour.*; on the contiary, if the Into of nutons is ot'cr than a tempora^'tj rule, prescribed by tni arbitrary ivill, and enforced by poiver, ilicn we appeal to its most uni- versal and ir>violablc princi le ni our .'efence. This piinciple is, that the goods of a neuti*al, consisting of articles not cO'trabund of war, in a neutral vessel, employed in a direct tra'le between neutral countries and ports of a belligei.'Ut country not invested or hloekinled, ait |irotected, " liMtever iheorL'tical opinions may thercfoie have been advanced, there has existed no audi practical rule ; which, uuUer the uuparulleittd Ml Ml ^K-*: '6 .TUE OLIVE DRANfifH. • -'''1 If' clrctimstanL'cs fif tlie present war, must im^alliblt dkstiioy Tiir CO.MMKHCI «IK Tills lOl'.NTIlV. '• With llifsc j)itliuiin:wy la ts in view, we riqmst pi-iiiiinsioii to dc- tail some ot tlic most iini)t"rtiiiit coiisequdicts ot llic abhumetl iiile, tliat III uUhIs niuy be reHiaintd in tirnu of Mar to llicir ucrubtom(.-il irmtb m time of peace Tlii* injustice of kiieli a rule, in relation to the L'liitH .M!,tes, will Ijc most nuiiilest ; the iiiilividiiMls eiijilojed in commirie would not alone l»c (ttlt-ileil : ui/ the inti'mul vela ions uf our countnj tvoiild be ate in llu sii e eommene ? If oui connneiee with the ciienrks of Cireat Miitain may now he confihei! t<» the systi m estahlisheil in lin.e til peace, may we not a|.jir< heml hwt the princiijl.- *'" '"-' retaliate)' in vefjiect to our commen-e with the colonies ol (ireat Uritain .' In that case, WHAT CAN KNSIK I!LT WAIl, l'l|,I,AUK AND ItKVASTATION ? •'These are not ima^inaiy Buppo.sitions They illustrate the mon important piineiples ol our emnmerce. They evii:ce llie necessity ol" s circuitous tra 'e to enah u us to lenlize the threat value of exports ol" our "ttii native prcxluctions, hy wliiih, alone, we acquire the power to liquidate the h.d.mce ••gmnsi us, in oiii eoiiiKieice with (iieat lli'itaiii; I hey ilemonstraie, that the position ucrninut tvhich tve con(eTi(l,is not n rule iif the laiv of nalions- The lOw of uatiuns ordainn no rule, ivhic!: ia liiicfjiuif anil unjust " It is, however, with much surprise, that we have re cntly iliscovennl that the very cir umslances upon wh.eh our hopes of security were re- pi s< (I, have been urged as in^jnmcnts to juNlify un invasion olour riplils; and lUaX. ^" hiivincf totntlfi suppressed the external commerce of he' ent'tii:es Great Jiiitiunts noiu counselled to upp'opriuie to herself that nf her frietuh. " H«rel\ the security of neutral rif^hts ought not to diminish, as llieii* value is augmented. Surely a maritime preponcJerancy which enahlcs its possessor to hlockade any of the ports of its enemies, conveys no just title to a monopoly of tiie commertieof the worhl " in thr list of our complaints we cannot forbear to enumerate the liiimiliating and opp' t ssive conduct of ships of war in the vicinity w our coasts and h m Lour . We respect tin principle and emulate the conduct of Gic.i liritain, in rega hia, on this iiivaCioii oi their riiThts and the ri^iits of the nation. We (liall T ^ that they felt the fame fcnfe o\ the iiijulliec of thil. inealiirc^ with their hietlircM of Rollon and New. York — Miadc the fame iionir recjiiifition tor proteHion— and ' principlt-s, and in t'lio contiiiii:in>«' of tlu; pnuuicis alliKtiil to, iiotliinj!; Iiul tiik iilmn ui' iviii viDV VIS, Tui; nKS'niLcrioN op tiikiii commkiuk, and tiik nt- I, UAi)\rni\ OF TiiKiu couNTiiy. (Jould tlio jiidfrinunt or cvi n the licir ly o. your iiifiiiornl sis seo. in tlie iu:w «loctriiusof llie Hriiisli mini, TiotMiii; 1)111 '.lu; r«tvivj| nnd eid'orc(!inent of nn nnclcnt and estiildislitil priniipli- wliicli triendsliip had rcIiiM-d, or favour ptrmittcd to sluinlur, ti:f\ Miii^lit ri'piret ilic departed i^o(Kl,l)Mt coultl iinjiutc no injusticf to tic liMiid tl'iit withdrew it. Tiny nn: striuk, however, with tlie novelty 'i iht'Sf doftrines ; their ?iiii'quh"jcti/ hofiti'ity to neutral intei'estx mill f-'q-fiti ; t/icir inconsintcncii tvithfurmtv declarationx tjf t/ic\r 7)uinsin, :»nd d I'isirns of their conits ; and with llie extraordinary time ami luau;!' r ol their nnuunciation. " Tli.'d policy, not jnsiiiO of the law cf nations will abide. ;■ XHB OI.IVE ORAN'OU. 70 tc»l a (lesiirn oi nou iingiitistMi'toi'} to (lie l)i !li. •SI to-iJiM'ATiO". W hat c.l.ar *, tJiri tliHl \>v, roui- mciiio- .1 lii^li cnui't oi' :i(lii>irHlty, .ti:il wliK li 1% pi'ostrulcil l)y tim «' The effect of th'n novel principle iin«Mi ticitrnl interest! is of tlio rntisi si-rionH iinil Hhtnuinj; cliHi-ai'lcr Ir an - m noibinh ««iif»HT nt TitK IlKHThlU'TliiN «)!• M.DTHil. tllMMKIirK{ lii ■! luni IIm' Well kliOWll ni'iitra! siliiiiiioii hihI cliiiPiictoi" of tin I'niird StMfn, t(i nothing short nj in/iictiiiif (I f/ioW t/fc/* tiiiil ilcuiUji woiinil ufton their trade. " Mill voni- III) .iioi'ittliHtH ciinnnt Imi <'tr?i', tli:jt this |iriiu'i|ilo li!ti ( l>y llio Kovrrnmi'iif, mIiicIi iirolftiRfS ((I u|tli()1il it. In 1801 ilic ilri-lKinllons o: its ministry mill till.' lU'C.iHioiis u\ lis «ourt8, w« ri-, iiik i|i>iv()callv, " that tin' proiluctJ uf iho ci)loi)ii'S ot the tnrniv may In- im|i«irtctl \>y a htiitiril ii.t«» hit own cniintfy, '\iv.\ he ro-«;xp()fttK4I.L,imLV v mill iniiiiutHlilf priHtiplo .I'tlK; law ot n naUil'J would ak, which is supported :tiid avowed hy the ininisiry in I8'H, iniiiisiiy and ilic hij;li eoiirl of uppi ;dK in 180.) ' luch .. jnin if)lr innat bf ettmidereil (i» purtakinif rather of the ulnfun^ rhiixulir "f come' nil. ice, than of tha. nf l>ermancnt riqht iniil ettablnhnt lavj. " The timi.' and iiiuiiii. r of aiiiiot4nciiik; it ;i< cord with tlio principle ilselC. At a inoniuiit when i.itrcaiilile vnleri»rize, coni'idinu; n tiie ex- jiinnntions ou this point j;ivon by the ilrilisli minisiry to oiw ai.ihinsiiilor, WHS strained to tiie utmost, « new drcicion 'if \\m court of .ippeHlH Is nniiouncid, and ^^ F.vcrti naif ia ntretch,-d to collect the uniuari/ .Imericaiis, who are umtiupccUngly conjiding in \Dhut ivaa the law of nations " In tlie principles they have here suhmUted to yn»r consideration, tlicv fi'il idl I lie co.ifideiice of justice, and all the teniiciiy of truth. 'I'o surrender litem. 'Jieij conceive, 'ivnuiil derogate from the national char- acter and inJe/Hiitlence of the United States From tin- lU-lne of sjnveinment thi-y liopi- tor their avowal ; from the s/iiru of government they hope for their defence ; and from the blcssinj^s of heaven they JiOjte for tlii'ir estalilish.'iicnt. *' As citizens, they cl.iiin protection ; and they conceive that the idniin is enforced by the consiileration, that from their industry and eii- tcrpnze, is illected a revenue which no nation has been able to tqual, wiiiio'it a con espondeut expense for tlie proliclion of the means " 'I'o preserve [leace witli :dl nations, is admitted witiiout reserve, to be both the interest and the policy of the United States. They there- fore presume to sunj^cst, that every measure, nut inconsistent with the honour of the nation, by wliich the j^reat ol)jects ol redress and scciiritv may be attained, should first be used. If such measures piove inetfec- tiiid, whatever may he the sacrifice on their part, it xettl he met ivith SHhmisa on. Hut whatever measures may be pursued by their {govern- ment, your memorialists ex;.ress the fii'inest faith, that every caution will be used to preserve private property aiul mercantile credit from violation." Thos. Fiusimous, chairman. K. £. llobart. See. »» il S^Ti IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I f IM IIM 12.2 %& M 116 1^ lig 1.25 1.4 1.6 .4 6" — ► ^. V] '^ij^ 0^//y y # //a Photographic Sciences Corporation ^^^%> # 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 i/i so THE OLIVE MRANCU. John Crnig, \V Sims, Kobi'it Ualstcn, J.'trncs Yar*l, Jficob (ieiard Koch, Tliomas W Francis, Tliniuiis RnstJisli, >los |)li ii. i.< WIS, William .Mouisoinery, Abraham Kintzing, Philip \l klin, Thomas Allibone, George Latimer, ChandU'r Price, L. (/lapier, Daniel VV . Cnxe, Robert \V,>ln, Manuel Eyre. The preceding lift embraces decided men of both the hofliie paitles, and ot" various nations — Americans, En- glilb, Irilh, French, and Dutch. CHAP. VIII. Extracts from the Memorial of the Merchants of Baltimore, ■J\i The memorial of the merchants of Baltimore is more difFufe and more argumentative than any of the preced- ing. It is a moft maft^erly compofition — and may be regarded as a complete and unanfwerable defence of neu- tral rights againft belligerent pretenfions and encroach- ments. Its maxims ought to be committed to memory by every ftatefman in all countries whofe intereft it is to pre- fervc a neutral fituation. ♦' It would not he desired that the state of things, which Great Brit- ain had hi;rseU' prescribed, and whicii use and habit had rendered famil- iar anil intelligible to all, should be disturlied by oppressive innovations; far less that these i novations should, by a tyrannical retrospection, be nixde to justify the seizure and confiscation of their property, committed to the high seas, under tlie protection of the existing rule, and -without •warning of the intend d change. In this their just hope, your numo- rialists have b. ei fatally disappointed. Their vessels and effec s, to a large amoniit, have lately been captured by the commissontd cmizeri of Great Britain, upon the foundation of ne-w principles, auddenly in- vented and applied lo this habitual traffic ; and suggested and pr(/rQiii- gated, for the first time, by sentences of condemnation ; by which, k;i- avoidable ignorance has been contidereu as criminal, and an honourable confidence in the justice of a fritndly nation pursued -with penalty and forfeiture '• Your menioriidists are in no situation to state the precise nature nf the rules to which tbeir most important interests have been thus sacri- Weed : aud it is not the least of their coiuplaiuts against them, that •• , ii, !« ■'^^sm^P'^ THE OLIVJt BRANCH. 81 h Great Bri'.- (lieu are undefined n?itl uu(lf/ina!i!e ; eqntvocnl in their form, and the fit iiiftnunents of opfircssion / »/ reiusoti o; thrir avih guity. " Viiur iiiciiiori lisi^ will noi lu re sif)]) to eiKiuirc ujion wliat grnund ot I;i\v 01 reiuoii Uu SiUiie «ct is hi lil to t)*; li'ijiil, wlit-n coniint- in-tnl vith one ibt ill» another. But thcv oijett, in the stronpesi terms, !igii nst th s nt w cr ti ri'>n ot U'ShIi- tv, liecanse ot its ine\it>«Me teiKirncy to injtis ice: btcansi* oi' its peil' fniv cn/tuciti/ to embur ass iv th seizure, and ruin tvith conjiscation, tlie rjhoh' of our trade ivith Eu ope in the svrf>'us of our colonial ini- pui uitinns " li llie t nsi qui-nces to that tritffie were not intended to be seriotis, and exleiisive, s-nd permanent, yonr memorialists senrch in vain lor the motive, by vvhieii a sihte.in amity with our own, and morer)ver conneil- ed witli It by the liis ot common interest, to wliieh m:uiy tonsiikratioiis rcem to give pceuKfii- strength, h.iS bi.-. n indncrd to iiidtd.c in a parox- ism ol c!«pri<;ioiis aggression upon our riiihts, by wliicii it dJFlionours it- tell', witlioiit promo ing any oflliosegre.it interests for which an en- lif^litened nati m miiy faiilj be sohciioiis, .niid wliici only a steady regard to justice can ultimately secure. When we see a powerful state, it» pdsst'ssion of a eon.nu rce, ol w' ich the world ail'ords no e.\amples, cn- tluiivouring to iiiterpolnte into the laws of nations casuistical Inieeties ami w!iy\\ard diolinctions, which forbid a cit zen of another independent cninincrciMl country to exi)ort tVon» that country what unqueslioiiaMy l,i.l(3ngs to him, only bccuuse he imported it himself, and yet allow liiia tu sell u \\'^\\\ of cNporlin. it to anollicr ; wiiich proliibii an end becr.usc il arise- cut of one i.iten ion, but permit it when it arises out of two; — whicii, dividinj; an aot into stages, search into the minil for a correspou- iltnl ilivision of it in the contemplation of its icilliof, and determine il3 innocence or criminality accordingly ; which, not denying that the pro- ])erty acquired iu an auliiorized trHtnc by neutral nwlions from helligc- rci!ls, may ;iccoine incorporated into the nalional slock, and, under tne slielter «f its neutral chn, i!ie line of (lemarci.liou, beyond which n<.utralr> are trespMssers upon tiie wide domain of bclliger' nt r '^lits, involve ever> thing in darkm ss and CO!. fusion ; there can be bul one opinion as to the purpose whicU all this !s to accomplish. " lor the loss and damage wliich capture bring? along with it, Brit- ish courts of prize grant no adequate indemnity, liedress to any ex- tent is (iiiiicuk — to u competent extent impossible. And even the costs uliich an iniquitous seizure compels a neutral merciiunt to incur, in llie dcUiiee of his violated rights, before their own tribunals, are scl- (loiii decreed, and never psid. •* The reasons upon w l.li'h Creat Rritnin as&umes to herself a right to interdict to the independent ii:itions of the earth, a commerci.il iii- tercours" with the rclonies of ht.'r encrnies (out of llu- relaxation ot which pretended ri;^ht has arisen the ira[J \\ \ I'l ^ 4 r) 'I FSr-^t- ' t i m ra ■ !! n S2 THE OLIVB DRAKeU. Wl list of contraband ; dams np tlie great cliHiinels of our onliiaiy trade; abridge , IrainraelD ami obstructs wIihi she peiniitsusto prosecute ; hml then lelers us to our accuslomed In.ffi* in time of peace Cor the crite- rion of ur commercial rigiits, in order to justify the toiisnmm.'itioii ot that ruin, with whicli our lawful commerce is menaced by her myxim« and her conduct. *' I'his principle, therefore, cnnui t be a sound one. It wants iinj. formity and consistency ; is iiariial, uneqiial, and delusive. It makes every thing bend to the rights oi war ; while it aftecls to look back lo, and to recognize, tiie state of things in peace, hs the fdundaiion iindthe tnea-sure of tlie rights of neutrals. Professing to respect the established an: habitual trade ot the nations at pc;ice, it affords no shadow ot se- curity for any part of it. Professing to be au equitable standard tor tlie ascertainment of neutral rights, if deprives tlum of all body anil substance, and leaves them oidy a jjlausible and unreal appenrance of nK.gnitude and importance It delivers them ovei, in a Avoid, to the mercy of the states at war, as objects of legitimate hostility ; and while it seems to define, does in fact extinguish them. Stich is th • faithful picture of the theory and practical operations of this doctrine. *' The pernicious qualities of this doctrine are enhanced and a.sjgra- Tatcd, as from its nature might be expected, by the fact that Great Uritain gives no notice of the time who , or the circumstances in width, she means lo apply, and enforce it. Her orders of the Gtb Novemher, 1793, by which the seas were swejjt of our »essels and effects, weie, for the first lime, ;mnounced by the ships of war and privateers, by vhich tiiej were carried into execuiion. "The late decisions of her courts, which are in the true spirit of this doctrine, and are cjilcuiated to restore it in practice, to that high tone of severity, whicjs milder decisions had almost concealed from the ■world Came upon us by surprize ; ;ind the <'aptures, of which the Dutch complaine(!, in the seven years war, were preceded by no winn- ing Tdus is this principle most rapacious and oppressive in all its hear- ings Harsli and mysier ous in itself, it has always been, and ever must be used to betray neutral merchants mto a trade, supposed to be lawtul, and tlien to give them up to pillage, and to ruin. " But there can he no seturity tckile a malignHnt and deceitful jim- ciple like this hangs over US- II is just what the htlligetenl « hoosei to inakt il, iurkint;, unsvrn, and unfell, or visible, activ« and nox- ious. It may come .ibroud when least expected, and the moment c' confidence may he the roomeut of drstruclioii. It may sleep for a time ; but no rnan know^ when tt is to awakey to shed its bdleful injluence upon the commerce of the tuor/d- It clothes itself, from iieason to season, ill what may he called relaxatioiit ; hut a^uin without any previous intimation lo the deluded citizens uf the neutral (iiowers, these relax- ations are sud«ieiily laid aside, either in the whole, or in pail, and the work of confiscation commences. ?< *■: leu mouths of the late war had elapsed oefore it announced at ail ; and, when it did If) so. It wus III its most formidable i>liape, ,..nd in it& fullest power and cxp'tiision " Your tnemorialists feel themseltes bound lo slate that, accord- inar to iuilheiitic infoi niahon lately received, the uovernmcnl of iJr<(il liiitviin does, at th s luoinent, grant licences to neutral vessfb taking m a proportion qf their cargoes thercy to proceed on Irndifg TilB OLIVa BRAKCU. il r.o'^ag£f to the colonies of Spain, from tvhich she would exclude u.» ; upon the cundilion, that the return cargoes shall ^e carried to lireut Hrifuin, to.iiceU the gains of her merchants, and to givt her a monopoly of tht commerce of the world. Tins freat bclli|{ereiJl riglil, Ui«ii, upon wliii'liBu uiiicli lias been supposed tn drpenri, sinks into an article of tarter. It is used, nut as a hostile instrument, uicUled by m warlike siHic, by whirli her eiiemied iirfi to be wounded, or ilieir rolniiies BulKlued, but as the seliish means of cotninercial aK;;ran(iizeincnt, 10 the impoverishment and ruin of her friends; as an engine by whirli (ileal Briiaiii i.s In be lifted up tti a vast height of piosptfrily, uiul the trade of neutrals crippled, and crushed, and destroyed Such ads arc a mutt iiilellitriblf coninieiitary upon (he prinripie in (]u»'siioii. Tliey shew that it is a hollow and fallacious principle, susceptible uf the worst abuse, and incapable of a just and houonraltie a|)pli. luliuii They shew ilial, in (he hands »( a {rreiit mariliine stale, il i!i unl, in \i» ostensible character of a weapon of hostility, (hat it IS prized ; but lather as one of the means of establishing an unbound' fd monopoly by which every cnlerprize calculated to promote iiHlion* ul utalth and po«ver, shall he made to be^in and end in Gre-:it Britain ulone. Such acto may well be considered at pionouneing Ihc'coii- (leiniiution of the principle against which we contend, as wilhdravv- iiii;rioin It the only pretext, apon which it is possible to rest it — Gi'tMt Britain does not pretend (hat this principle has any warrant ill the opinion of writers on public law. She does not pretend, and cannot prelcHd that it derives any countenance from the conduct of other nations. She is coiifst announced^ xceie 'Ite commnndiT'i of hir commtf stoned fiuizers, taho at the same imiant cairied it inlicJTfict, taHi. fvery ciivui.'f^nnce nf uiigrurnlion, if, of such an (id, there ean lie an n^- grHfiit/oM. I. ,11111 siii'U cniitjiu'l ilii're was biii osic .si'iiimstiil li \>as coiid-'iiiiiol tiy reason and juwlice It was rouilciiinvit l)y lliat ia\r wh.tli dovm tVoui, and is foinKltd upon tin in IF WAS CON- DKMMJ) AND WILL FOIJKVIIR CONIINrii I O BIKUN. DiiVlMiD BY THJi UNIVLKSAL VOICE or THE tlVlL- IZLD WOULD." fii'' Tiiomas Tenant, \\ illiani V/ilson, Luke I'ionian, Jolin Doniicl, T. Swan, Wm. Lornian, Thos. II(>llina;sv.ortli, Will. Taylor, Gcor£>;e Htiles, Si en art I5rovvn, Kohert Gilinor, J. A. Bucluuian, John Collins, James Calho:in, Alexr. M'-Kiin, David Htcwart, Samuel Steret, AVm. Patterson) Mark i^rinj^le, lliii^h Thompson, Joiiii Siiorloek, Juliii Strieker, Samuel Taylor, Henry Pay son, JBenj. Williams. Ballimoref Jan.2\, 18o6- THE OLIVE URAN'ail. 35 tllAP. IX. Xes than the lights of our citizt^is must divtitle and leqnire. libenezer S looker, Sieplieii Howard, Eduanl Tu|i{>iu», .]ohu Feai-8uii, Xcw bur 1/ fort, Dec 180:i. Willlivm Barllcf, "j IMosoH Brown, >\ illiain Faiis, As the fame outrages were experienced by the citizen'^ o\ New-Haven and Newhuryi)oi t as ellewhcre, wc find the fame l^ile of complaii)t — the laiTic cal) for redicfs— the fame pledge ut lujjpuit — iti the one cal'e explicitly fxprelfed, in the other unequivocally implied. CHAP. X. Salem. Sound rMsor?//?.^. JirUnin carries ov. a commerce H'illi her eimmy which she declares iUegat in a neutral. Most solemn pledge of support. I'xlracts from the ^Memorial of the inhabitants of Hit town of Salem, c?/s. *' On ordinary ocrasioiis they have deenifd it unuf^ccssary to app'v for redress of grievances lo the gnvernnttiil of their count cy, rouHt)- in^ ill llie rcciilndr tiiid uisiiom of it» counrils ; and llioiit,^h llicii' coiifidtnce in this respect is niidinitiiish<'d, yel as quest ioti» of iia' tioiiiil moment aicnow agitated, and uggietisions commiiled on our coinnirice in a manner nii|H<.'c( denied, tliey deem it their duly lo ap- (irotirh the constituted .inlhoritiee.und express their laentiinenls with fidelity und deliherafion. " 'Jhty have u'iincsned with unhesilniing approbation the disposition io neutrutil;/, pulronized hy the general govtrnvieyit, attunes ichen naltnnui wiongs hare betn pressed with peculiar af:graiatinns, und seemed to point to svnanary redress. Finnnrss and inoilerniion liave Itrtppily set iiml all the advitntHges of su/ ceitlic the r}iucei'ils of our coininnictf, and J'loiii her We jiurc/iusc the i^reutcit portion uf liei itcpie munufac lutes. " The Hiler«'Hls of (irciit Britain and flic I'liited Slat* ?, scein in this ruspect niiitoal. VVc coiistiiiic tlie proiliu ts of lipr i.idnsiry, anil tfive her iii return, bisides laiije simuh of htoncy, raw inateri;iia b\ ■vliK'h blic iHuy levy new eoiitnSutiDOH. Siiinliu ity of niaiuit is iiiiil liabits, of laigua'^c and ediTfalion, liave addtil aitilicial indnn-- jiHiitst'or interei urse, and unined for lier anioiiu; ojt a rtsjieet not sli|;litly to be vie.ved, or inconsiderately forfoiteil. On ntl cccasionx ll.d United States h'tve exhibited lo'oariU her an amicnhlc tnterat^ and a j'lst, it may be added, a frenervui poiivy If, therefore, wc bad favoorji 10 ask or receive, our elainn h.ive been pecnliarly slrou); upon Iter ; because we have been fiiiphatically the sinews of her o|iulenec'. IJut it 18 believed that the United States ne\er askrd of any nation niorr lliau justice, and arc williiiR lo be bound by the established rules of eoiiiinercc. Your memorialist!! iberelore express deep rei»rel, he- cause a confidence has been sliaKcn wbuh may tiol easily he reatore»l; and deep Hiixntv, because the priiih.ill, as iieu- ir.is, sliare tlic mi sehiefs of it without llie ehhiices of henctit ''The principle, recently established by Great Britain, is, us your nic-inorialistH understand it, lliat i7 is not competent J'or a neutral lo curry on in ivar, any trade, which he is no/ accustomed to do in pence ; and thai he shu' I not be permitted to effect that in a circuit ou^, ichich iv inhibited in a direct trade: as corollaries from this principle, she in> sisu thai the colonial trade exercised by neutrals, shall not extend beyond the accustomed peace establishment ; and Ihal whenever the neutral imports into his own country colonial produce with the in- tention to tranship it lo the mother country, if a direct intercourse be iiiierdicted in peace, the circuity of the route shall not protect the property from coufiscutian. It seems admitted that huch cir- cuitous route with such intention is not considered as evidence of ciienty's properly, confiscable within ordinary rules; but us a dis> liiicl, Buhstantial, condemnatory principle, independent both in rtii- caey and application. For il gields n»l lo the most clear pronf of neutral property, or innocent though misdiiecled conduct. The unaccustomed trade, or the importntiou with specitie intentions, are the tests by which every voyage is to be tried. " In another view, ibe rule appears to your memorialists not less untenable and unjust, ll is stated as a pari of it, that if colonial produce be imported by any person with an intention to tranship it on his own atrouut lo the mother country, it is subject to contiscation ; but if imported for the purpose of general commerce, and thrown i I '.i ' it t M i / M •• THE OLIVE UUANCH* into llu- mnikcl ror(;riural (i.-tiisliipuinil, it in uitliin the rNtrption To (ll^rciit to WAril off tlin blows of Ins PiU'Ui), aiii! o|i|><>si' for a loii^ci priioii tlio iloniiiiion of liisfoKc. Bui to ihis \niii- iiifinoiialisis il«'L-in it a conclusive uns- Wif iliat ih<> |MO|)usition proves too niiKti; that, if linr, it is u fotinilatioi) for a fu* nioiv hi'o.ni aiiSlVK SKAFiCHKS AND DELAYS, EXPENSIVE El ri- G.ri iON, AND UI i EN A TOTAE FAILURE (»F AN OFHl^R- WISE LUCRATIVE VOYAGE. Reason would therefore nee in to U'Clarc, tii.it for liazirds of this nature, the benefils arising; to neu- tials tVoui war, are not more than a just equivalent, "It is somewhat singular, that a belli:>ereiit should invite n trade 7c I til itself, w/uch it declares fraudulent with iti ^newy ; and should lift ihti arm of pdwer to cHih i/ie neutral, whose conduct is criminal only tchen i: ceases u to I) >e pa a Sueh are the renmrks your memorialists respectfully submit up- on the rule considered in itself On this examination they confess it .-uppeais to ihein, fundjiineiiially incorrect It subjects commerce to Hucliialinsi decisions ; overthrows the ordinary rules of evidence : and places an iinirense power to be wielded at the uncontronlable discretion of maajistrates appointed by a sinajle party. " It therefore wauls all the di.scriminative feaiures of a funda- mental jMoposilion of the law of nations — uniformity, precision, and ^'cneral applicability It would in their opinion, if established, cre- ate trreater evils than it professes to redress, by perpetuatinir strife, dcstroyinp; the cinolninitits of trade, embarraasiiisr eomniercial lulor- couise, iind LETTLNG LOOSE THE PASSIONS TO PREY ON ■ i: Tiir, oLivn nn.wcit. 60 lit III 10- Iriiie IS Ifiuion uir tlifi iiiion of ive aiis- il IS it lit cv«iy 'or tier/ A (lot- it is |)ir lOll 'y UU'i 8 williiii irli'iiic is )K IMlli. and must in vvliicl) ks. It is ;»eH tlieir rmm fiail- [)U!» iiccts- je iipulral inn it y foi" of a very pioduce IV. U\\' OTHtR- iicem to ij to iieu- life n trade should iift only tchen lubmit up- L-y C0»fiS9 •ocninerce leviJt'iice '. lilioulable a fiuula- tisioii, aiul |«lteoiir iiM mn: lali^iis ai«- iiDwilliii^ In rest llie i|iii'ai(inii oii llic jiiereJhig uiohim!"*, Iiowevor sii|»jioi t«'(l by reason riu-y apixMl to iii;;lifr tonsil), rut loim ; and r/r/iy l/m! tlia iuli:is,or erer has mude, a pail of pulUic taw, or (icqnirpd inj umqe or pr'jscnptivn, any attt/ionti/ among nutiom. •* iivi'i-y jMjje »p|H>ai's to ifive ;i direct coiitiailirtion. Tluy idlu-rn to llie aiHMt'iu iiitt'rpictnlidii of the taw of iiatioiiv, wliicii |)rnii*Miii. tc'« lint tlie good^ of an Oiuiiiyurc lawful |Mi/,e, and ilio'«)-of>i tVi(od free ; tlial llic iirtilral, iNccpl in ca.se of blorkade and «on- Uiiiand, had i\ rij^JiL to llii' uiiiiil(rrii|)tud pinsnit of Ins loniincrce, wlitn est\ anil that the law of iialions litini? founded on tltciiit'ii t'onvfiitinn of the nations ttK|>ttd it. " il is (Mincedi-d hy the Rritisli (iulians that dnrini; ilie Amrri- c^ii i> v.iliilion the dnctriiic w';\s inlnely iiilennilted, .iiidlli': eom- nior(e of neutrals was iiiirniied anordini; to llw aneienl eodc. M.iny cisis ol this period u»i:,'lit iii* ciic I from the adimraliy rcKird.-., uliich overtiirow- the rule, and rxiirissly vin- with open potcor.9, vtusl suiely, w.'ieri acquiescence crealci the I'lW, comjdete the renunciation q/ the contested rule '* It iH not the least singniarity atteiidiiipf the condnct of the prc- •ivit >v;ir, that (Mreat liritan hui licensed ner nthjccts in a trade which the deddrei frauiliilenl in others 'f that she admits thuni unmnlenled to supply fiti ciifuny with means of resistance, when she decl-d'cs conJiscaHon is the vvuiUy of neutral succour. Were the rule over so just in itnelf, it eer- laiiily deini.ids lelaxation, when the belligerent yartai-cs the pr'ijit, and cjititiics at the breach If itp foutidiUion he the nnla'A fnlness of athird- iii;» assistiiice to a distressed enemy, surely // ought not to be enforced u'ltnthaf assistance is an authorized object of speculation with the dijltesi- iiiiT dilligerfnt. " It IS our pride to believe th it the Amerinin merchants, with very !«■«' tn, f>f vexu'ious injuries and to excuse vioUtious oj luWy which cannot be jiW'Ji'.d. " Your memorialists wish to take no part in the contents which «if)>v convulse the wuld, hut artni;; witli iinpaitiaiity towauls all t:..tions, to reap the fruits of n jii'^t oei'trality. If, however, toiici- 'I't.o.i cannot effect the purpose of justice, and AN APPEAL TO ARMS be th: lust and necc^x i-/ pioicslion nf ho n'^ar^ then feci no «'«- 8* II m ^ ^' /(.?! I \ l\l V ">: \'\ ■^> I rf'^sr ^ S.^ ' "■ ^ \\ll .1 " •• UlE OI.rVK RUAM.II. patlllon la decline Iht common ,i to FIJ-.lXiK 'rilKlK I, IVES »iiH I'f{OP!"U ri I'»S ifi iuppoit oi' tin mciisuri-f ir/i:c/» oihi^ ite uUofJltU l,i t'i'i'lici'i' the I'liihlic rinMn^ and rtilreis the fJublit; a/oN^i." SuU'ut, J.in. J't, IboO." V\\\[*. XL ' i;> : 1 • ■ l{rjhclio]i<% on the t)fcmt}}'iii!n. lliiifonii call Joy redress. L'rJf perdition tlie nohlell conntry, the happieil people, and the hell lorm ol government in the world. And we mnil not forget for a momcrit, the canfe of all these impailioned complaints, thefe invocations of ledrefs, thele pleds^es ot fuppoit. This is the moll im- portant item in the affair. It was (imply the right to le export the productions of the colonies of the enemies of Great Britain — a right, however clear and indefeafi- ble, which was wholly urjelfcntial to the prosperity ot our country. We might have abandoned it without the faerifice of an iota ot the happinefs ot our citizens, or the real honour of the nation. No man of decency can deny, after the perufal of thefe documents, that the nicicantile intereft of the United States urged — it would not be extravagant to fay, goaded — the government into a refiftance of the highhanded and oppretlive pretenfions and outrages ot Great Britain. Every paragraph eftablifhes this impor- tant fa£t. The expicfFion of the public fentiment on tliis fidJeSl, was nearly fiinultaneyus from Newburypoit to Baltimore. ■>.^ ^ '1H£ OMVL llrtANCfl. 91 That tlicy cmI ciliated upon w-u, as the* dcinicr rclort, ;, obvious lioiii the pliMlcolo^v , wliuii canm)t he mil- iind.-i Hood. VV^hc'ii the BoUi)n m cicliants cxprcls tlicir icliancc tiut *' such nKui/'uns wiil btt pfomptly adoNcd^ as will ti'iul to di/hnharrafs ccnmerci', ASSLRT ()L'R KlGill'S, and /itpport the dip,nU\ of the. Unitrd Si, ties,'' it would be abliird to luppolc thclc incaluics were to be limited to mere iieiL^ocidtion, the utter iiieiiicacv ol wlm.h had been lo otten experictited. A child would fjjuiii at the idea of " supbortin^ ihf. di^trnUy oj tht United Statn** \)V negociation alone. That liad been already loiuid to bea very teehle lelource, and might have gone on ♦or ail age, without "■ a/prti/ifr any 0/ our n^'JUs." Their views were not lo limited. No. War, war, mull in- dubitably have been in their contemplation, lliould nego- ciation have an untavourable ilFue. Can any man ot common fenle doubt, can any man of chancer iWuv, that the merchants ot Philadelphia cal- culated on WAR, when, atter having (uggeltcd " that every mcaiure not inconfiftent with the lionourand inter- ell ot the nation, by w!iich the great objeMs o\' rcdrefs i)nd fecurity may l)e attained Ihould be firft tried," tliey luld '' ?/ /uch inta/ures jhould prove uycffeclual^ zvhatevcr my be the facnjice on their purt^ it wi/l be met rvuh /ub- Muston." When the merchants ot Newburvpoi t " re/y with con- fidence" on "the FIRMNESS and JUSTICE of the government," to obtain tor them " compenfattun and prute&ion," they mull have been infane, it they did ncjt calculate upon WAR as the dernier rcfoit. Thefe are the worthy citizens who have fince patriotically plcrlged themfclves to refifl: their own government, " EVEN UNTO BLOOD." And who can pretend, that the merchants of New-Ha- ven, when they called upon the government " firmly to reftjt. every encroaihnient upon the rights of neutral na^ tioris" did not calculate upon war ? And did they not moil folcmnly pledge themfelves, when they tendeicd the " atlurances ot their dirpofition to give aid and /up- \v »1 r . m I ^1 I 92 THE OLIVE liUAN'OII. I'i-i port to EVERY MEASURE calculated to accomjihjh this important ohjcd.'' And when the New-York merchants declared their " reliance upon the government ok tiieii country, that then- rights mouid not be abandoned" — and that the' crifis required "all the energy," as well as " the pru- dence and wifdom" of the government, can there !)c iound a man who will pretend that war was not caiciil.i. ted on, unlel's other means miglit be found to ^ccomphfli the end in view ? It cannot be. And can there be a more explicit pledge given than is to be found at tlie clofe of their memorial — " IVe plcJ^j: our iDnled support in favour of all meafures adopted to vindicate and secure the jujl lights of our countrv." I am very credibly informed that there are fubicrlbed to this memorial, names ot perfons who have openly and explicitly prayed recently for the defl ruction of the armies ot the United States invading Canada. This is moP. wenderfully confident and patri(>tic. But the mc rchants ot Salem are more explicit than any of their mercantile brethren elfcwiiere. They leave no room for inference or fuppofition. Thev moll nnani- biguoully declare their views. m " If, liowevor, conriliatioii cannot cflTort flie pnrposp, am] AN AP- PEAL TO AR.MSie the Uft cuul necessary protection of honoui, ihc^i feci no disposition to decline the cniHiiton danger, or shrink j'rctn the coiu/itun rontiibution." And was there ever, fince the woild was formed, a more folemn pledge given, than the one with which they clofe their memorial, and which 1 here repeat — " Relying on Ihe wisdom niu! fiimness of Uie treneia! ^avrrnmciif, ifi this l>< half, Ihey feci no htsitation to pledge their lives and pro, ten its in suppoit of ihe measures ich'ich ma', he udoph-d (i> VINDlCAl E l U F VU^LIC niliHT, AM) KEbhLSS THJ£ i'VBLlV VVUOxNGS ' K-'f mi ^1 r THE OLIVE DRAN'CH. 93 5^-' CHAP. XII. British nepredations brought on the tapis in the Senate of the United States. Condemnatory Re^'dntions passed. Messrs. Pickering, hillhonse, Bayard and Tracy in the (ifjinnatlve. Embassador extraordinary to England — British goods prohibited. In confcquence of the prefentation of the memorials rtbovc referred to, tlie fenate of the United States took the fubjc6l into their moft ferious confideratioii, and pafFed the following refolution, on the loth February, 1806. " Resolved lliat the rapture and rondnmnatioH, under orders of (he British g;ovei'timeiit, uiid udjudirations of their ronrts of adtni- ral'y, of Atnt-ricau vessels and their cargoes, on the pretext of their being employed in a trade with the enemies of Gre.it Brilain pro- iiibited in time of peaee is an unpiorokeH ngiirc'sxion upon the proper/;/ nf the citizens of the United States— a violation of their neutral rights—- and an encroachment upon their national inchpenclencey* I hope the reader will attentively perufe this resolution. It is clear and explicit. It folomnly protefts againfl; tiie revival of the exploded rule of the war of 1756, as " an mcroachment upon the national independence, and a viola- tion of our neutrd rights." Stronger language could not well be ufed. What makes it peculiarly remarkable, is, that it was carried by an unanimous vote oi the fenate, 28 members prefent — but fecondly and chiefly, I beg it may be borne in eternal remembrance, that among the names of the fenators who thus voted, arc to be found fhofeof Meffrs. PICKERING, Hillhoufc, Bayard, and Tracy. Another refolution, pafled February 14, (lands' in thefe words : — vV> ■ ^^. M Kli *IW^ 'arHb m' J v^ '111 ■QHmI \''ma ffl^Hrui V ■ ' '■* Mr I^^RIfl s ' ~^''0h ^^^bI'^1 " RtBolved, thai the president of the United Stales he reqnesfcd In DI'LM AND the restoration of llie property of their eitiztns eap- liiied and condemned on the pretext of its deing ewployedin a trade with * Journal of IhcsJcnatc for I806 — page I26. r i h:^ 9J> THE OLIVE BKANC'W, the enemks of Cr«at Britain^ prohibited in time of peace ; and (lif in- damniJiCHtion itf suck Amciican citizens for their lossei and damages sua- laiiird by lli«sr capiuicH (iiid « oiuit'iuiiHtioiis ; and to ciiier into siah uriaiigt'iiiiiitH Milli the Bntisli ttovtrinucnl, on these und all oilirr diftittiuTs bfiwrfu tlie lw(» uatinna, (and |)»< lirularly resjiecting the liVlPRKSNVIKiNT OF AMIilKICAN SEAMEN) as may be consist, cnt witli the honor und intertsts of the United Slutcs, and manitest then cut ncKt liesire (oi thentsielvcs und their ctlizeiis of ihut justice to which I hey arc cuiillcd."* There was a divlfion upon this refolution. It was car- ried by twentv aifitiiiative votes to fix negative. Mcilrs. PICKERING, Hillhourc, Bayard, and Tracy were in the affirmative, as on the former relohition. '< ;' * ( )!l •■I'fl^T To obtain redrefs from Great Britain, four modes pre- fented theinfeives — ncgociation — non-intercourfe — em- bargo — and war. The firft in order required to be fir ft effayed. Ac- cordingly the adminilhation entered upon negociation : and, to attach more folemnity to it, Mr. William Pinckney was appointed minifter extraordinary, and united to Mr. Monroe, then refident at the court of St. James's. To give the negociation a greater likelihood of fucccfs, an aft was paifed,* making a ftrong appeal to the inter- eft of Great Britain. By this act, the importation into the United States was prohibited, of a variety of her moft important manufafclures, viz. " All articles, of v/hich leather is the material of chief value. " All articles of which filk is the material of chief value. " All articles of which hemp or flax is the material oi chief value. * Idem, page 131- • Laws of the United Slaic«, Vol. 6, page 80. '^-'^■^ >**- THE OLIVE BRANCH. m «' All articles of which tin or brafs is the material of chief value, tin in Iheets excepted. '* Woollen cloths v/lioi< uvoice prices fliall exceed five ihilljngs Iteilmg per iqi .^eyard. " Woollen hofiery of ail kinds. '• Window gldls and all the manufaftures ©f glafs. " Silver and plated wares. " Paper of every defcription. " Nails and fpikes. " Mats, and clothing ready made. *' Millinery of all kinds. " Playing cards. " Beer, ale, and porter ; and pictures and prints." This dti was pa{ied on the i8thdayof Aj^ril, 1806, in compliance with the reinonUrances of the merchants, as .1 mcvns of inducing England to abandon her nnjuft pivtontions. And with a laudable widi to afford her time \o weigh its confequences, and to prevent a rupture, its opeiation was not to connnence till the i^th ot the fol- lowing November, a period o[ fcven months. Thus re- lutlaiit was tiie government to come to ext.emities, not- '.vithftanding the grievous provocations that had been offered. It is impofFible to conceive a more lenient mode of proceeding, or one refleHing more credit on the for- beaiance ot an injured and intuited nation. Still further to evince the wifh of our rulers to pre- feive peace, the operation of this ati was fufpended in December 1806, till the firft of July 1807* — and more- over, the prefident was authorized, *' if in his jidg- ment the public good fhould require it, to fufpcnd it ftill farther till the fecond Monday of December in the fame ) ear." Here let us paufe a moment. The United States had fuffeied depredations on their commerce to an enormous amount by the revival of a pretended rule of the law of nations, which had been formallv abandoned, and ot wh'cli revival no previous notice had been given. And * Idem, page 230. '^Il ■O'f !*") ) Il 96 TIIE OLIVE BRANCU. inftc.'iJ of having rccouifc to reprlHils or to a declaratiou ot war, cither ot which would have been pertcdly juft, they adopted the mild medfure ot reftraining the 'oni- nierce ot the iigirreffor, in order to make it his inteieft to do them juilice. Never was greater torbearance fliewn — never was iorbearuDce fo ill requited. ( ■ ■W., CHAP. XIII. Blockade of the Coast from the Elbe to Brest. Berlin Decree. Inftead of rcdrelfing the grievances of which our merchants fo loudly, and fo eloquently, and fo juftly complained, the Bntifh government, on the i6th ot May, 1806, under the adminiftration of the celebrated Charles James Fox, iffued a proclamation, blockading the coaft of Germany, Holland, and Fianre, from the Elbe to Breft, extending to about 700 miles. Tlierc never was an adequate iorce ftationed to effett a legal blockade of a thiid part of the coaft mcluded within the proclamation. The French government, exafperated at this offenfive and unjuftifiable meafure, retaliated on Great Britain by the notorious Berhn decree, wheieby the whole of the Britifli dominions were declared to be in a ftate of block- ade, without a fingle French veffel of war daring to fliov itfelf on the feas. Imperial decree, declaring the British Isles in a state of Blockade. Imperial Camp, Berlin, Nov. 21, 1606. Ntipoleon, Emperor of tlir French, and king of Italy, considering: I. That Eugiunii does nut admit the right of nations as univcraally acknowledged by all civilized people ; S. That she declares as an enemy every individual belonging to an enemy^s '■tate; and in rontiequrnce makes pritoners of war, not only of the crews of ormetf vessels, but those also of merchant vessels, anil even the supercargoes of the same ; U THE OLIVE BRANCH. 0.7 V Tliat ilie cxlemls or applies to TTicrclnmt vessels, to articles of ttminiercu. mul to tlie properly of individiiui-, the light of coiupu'St, wliich c:i I only be applied or extended toviat belongs to an enemy • 'I'lia* she ext**nd3 to ports not lorliriel, to Iinrbonrs and niniuhs of livLis, th' rij/it of bloc/cade, wliich, :ic( oi ding to rciif,on iixd the usage yf civilizcil nations, is applicable only to slrotij^ f)r fonified ports ; 5. That she declares places blockaded before which she has not a sin- rrlt- vessel of wur, aithonjjii a place nv^ht not to be considered blockaded f,[\\ wlien it is so invested as thtt no a])proach to it ca be inade w itiiont iminiu«-nt hazard ; that she dcclaris even places blockiided which her unitci! toiccs would be incapable of doing, such as entire coasts, und ;i uhole empire ; t") 'I'iiai this ane([U'illed abuse of ilic right ot blockade has n" otiier oliJL'Ct than to i teirupt tJK* coinmiiiuoations of difl't rent nations, and to fxtend the connnerce and industry of Bngland upon the ruin of those ot the coMtinent ; 7. That this being th evident design of S'ngla «1, whoever deals on the contnient in English merchandize favours tliat design, and becomes sin accimjplice ; 8. rii:it this conduct in I'ngland (worthy only of the first ages ofbar- Laiiiin) has benefitted her to ».hc delnmeiit of of.hor n.'«lions ; 9. I'hat it being right to oppose to ai. eneniy the same a ins she makes •■HO of; to combat as she does ; when all ideas of justice, und every li- k'lal SLMitiment (the result o civi iz;Uion among men) are disregaided ; V\e have resolvco to enforce wgaiiist l.,ngla«d the usages which she has consecrati (I in her maritime code. The p'csent decree shall be considered as the fundamental law of tbe eBi;iiif until Eugla d has acknowledged that the riglits of ivuv are the Viin-; on land as at sea; that it catinot be extended to any private pro- \) riy whati ver nor to prison who are not military, anil until the right ot blncknlnig be restrained to fortified places actually invested by com- lioti lit lorces. Article 1. The British islands are in a state of blockade '2 Ml c mmerce and correspondence withtliem is prohibited. Con- sequently, all b Iters or packets written in I'^nglaiittl, or to •r Orders in Council of JS^ovember 11, 1807. ^Milan \ Decree. & 'I By the orders of Nov. ii, 1807, all neutral vefTels, bound to France, or her dependencies, or to any port from which Bntifh velfels were debarred — and further, all vefTels furnilhed with French confujar certificates of the origin of the cargoes, were declared liable to feiz- ure and condemnation. This meafure, fo deftrui^ive to the rights and interefts ot America, was predicated upon the acquiefcence in the Berlin decree ot Novem- ber, 1806 twelve months anterior, although that decree, • " Enquiry into the causes and con eqnenccs of the orders in coun- cil; and an examination of the conduct of Great Britain towards the neutral cmimerce of America. Hy Alexan'te;' llanng Rst) M. P." Lon«--.i»«^/*^wa^.»* ..* Jf .J<^*>-*>^^J ioo THE OMVE nUAKCU. as I have fliitcd, liad not been put into operatiwn ap-alnft our <:()ininerce, and of courfe we had no light to icinon- fhatc again fl it. There did not, therefore, cxill tli.i' iJcqiiiefcence wiiich could have warranted this high-hand- ed outrage. To enable the reader to judge completely on the fi.l. je6>. ot thefe celebrated orders, 1 annex a copy of then: at lull leniith. li\h M the Court of the f(nem\t Pidace, the iiih of .Xovem. her J 1807. in-csent, i.'ie JCitif^-'s most excelkilt *Muj('s!ii In Council. ><1 i:'' !!'in V/Iiorcas t-rrlain onlers, cffaljli'-liinp; an unprecpdentcd leysiem (4' \vjiit;iie ngaiiist this kiiigdom, tiiul iiincd especiallv iit ilie destruction ci" its coiiiiiicrce and I'lsomccs, were some tiint* since is.sucd by I lie ^ovti;.. incut of France, by wbich " the IJiitisli islands utie declared to be in a .slate of blockade," tliereby 8ubjectin}» to capture nnd condemnation ;di vessels \vii!» tlieir cargoes, which should contiuuc to trade with his juajtsty's dominions : Anil wlieieas by tlip sv.me onkrs, *• all trading; in Knglish mercbnn- «li'/e ib proliiliiied, and every artiuje of nierehai dize belonging to lln;.'- Iniid, or eon:i!ig from her colonics, or of her manul>cture, is dechutil lawfid pi'ize." And wlnrcas the nations in allinnee with Fiance, and unie»» witlriut exception or (lUalification ; yet his mnjesly, being nevertheless (It'siroiis not to subject neutrals to nny greater inconveiiiencc t-an i-^ ab« loiutely inseparable from the carrying into efttcl his majesty's ju*.! dc- liMiiii'iaiion to counieivict the designs of Ins enemies, and lo retort upon his enemies themselves, the con8e»iueuce« of their own violence and in« jusliie ; and being yet wilimg to hope that it may he possibly (consi t« eiitlv witli that object) still to allow in neutrals the opportunity of fur- nsliing ihemselves with colonial produce for their own consumption , and even to leave nfjeii, fur the pre cut, such tradf. itxtU hia mtjextt/^a enemies us shall be carried an directly with the ports of his majesty's dominions, or of his allies, in the manner hercinafiur men- tioned. Ms miijesty is therefore pleased fnrther to order, and it is hereby or- dered, ihitt notiiing herein contained sball exleml to subject to capture (iicctndemnation any vessel, or the cargo of jiny vessel, belonijing to any eiiU'itry not decliired by this order to be suhjtcted to the restrictions in- cident to a state of blockade, which shall have c!eare«l out with sucli oargo from some port or place of the country to wl'icli s!ie belongs, either in Kurope or America, or from ome free port in his majesty's colonics, under circumst-ances in which smh trade from such free port is periiiiued. direct to some port or pLice m t' inj; from persons Ht) lin:,' tlicniSL-lvrs rnmnn rciid a|;(rils o/ lln . nc* niv. rfsidciit .it ni-iiirti ports, cei-t liii doetiincnts Icrnii'd " crili/icule!) "J " n in. lu'inu; iiM'tirioiil' !■, oliiaincd at tin; ports r>t' vliipnunt, fchiv- ill-'- tint thi articles of tfi" cm !{■) inc not <♦/' the proftiuc or iih.int III' a itf his m^/'cU'i's tliirii/riioiiv, ur to tlmt I'Jfi ct iJmi^. And wliiiLas iliis i xpi i.icnt Inis lit'cn diirtled liy rriince. and snh. initti'd to liy sncl. nuTiliuiits, as pari of liit mw sysleni oJ warl;iro di- n.'ctcd a!.^:i nst liu- trade of tliis kiiiti; iiti-al, lilciullj, Kiiglisli cniizois, Ijtit to !)'j coitiiJiilsoril)' (litiiiiud in i'li^- luhil, Hixl 1(1 liHVt: a tMX laul on them of sn mucli per utiil. on tiie citigo, to lib' i etraet IVoiii its own inil' peiii!»'H(c f.;iil ri.i;lil3 ; :tll tlio sovticigiis o*' Kmopi liMvi'ifi; in linst tli« woxei i^ij;iitie:j uiul ji.tiopea- ileiicc of tlie fli i? ; tliut it liy uii nnpaidniiublc wcakiirss aiul wbicb in the t-ycs of pnslei ity wi^nid lie an iiuliliiible stnin, it" bueh a tvii.n y was alkmt-ii to 1)1' est '''lijlu'd into tirinciples, and (.ousLfralei! Iiy iisitgc, the Eri^'lisli Wdidd iivail tiicmselvis of it to assi rt it as u r i;lit, as the} have availed themselves of the tolerance of £;o\t'rninents tf) eslahlisjli tl:e iiifa- inous prineiplc, th.tt thi; flaj; of a nation docs not cover |;nod.s, and to }(ivi' to their rit,ht of blot;ka>!e an aihilary cvtLiiiion, and wlncli in» liiiircs on the sovereignty ot every slate ; we have decreed and do do- ciL'f as follows Art. 1 Kvery ship, to whatever nation it may belong, that shall liive submitted to be seartiieil by an ljn;.;iiBh .^iiip, or to a vnyag'e to Knijimd, cr sliall have paid any lax whatsoever to the l.ntjlish s"^'^'''""'^-'"'' '* t'lercby, ad for that alone, declar d to be denatiunalizctl to have for- feited tlie protection of its king, a tioi.s wl i< li \i ^ulllU'H tli< nlitliont oi° ri\iliai>t jii^iivi- anil ImiKHii-. Alloiir niiiiisii'is urc <'h. IM)1.K()\, (HignedJ II. n. MAUKI, bccreiiiij of Sutc. On tlic s/jth of November, 1807, an additional order in coincii wa^ IHiud, and on the a.^tli ot March, iHoH, ',\\\ Ac.i ot parliaTiicnt paflc-d, the ol jcti ot both ot which was to permit a trade between neutial nations (the only ncutta] nations tlien were the Urnttd States and Swedeni and France and her dependencies, on the condition that the xirj'els enpap^ed in it fliould enter /o me H'UiJh port, PAY A TRANSIT DtJTY, n>nl take out a liceme! And the Bndjh j^iovernment ajfeded to regard thu ar- rangement at a favour conferred on neutrals ! Tliis was fairly capping tlic clnnax. It may not be unfatistaf^ory to the reader, to ftate the duties thus laid on the exports ot the United States bv a foreign nation. Well might Mr. Baring declare---" It is immaterial, whether it be a tax on {lamps, or on cotton. Ttiis qucflion has been the fubje6l ot a long and bloody war." • 1 lUHl Goods allowed to he bonded. \-'i Kavlllrt - . H.Mik (Peruvian) . . - C'K-liiiieRl ... Cocii:t nuts --<•••/. t Toftee tiitiger . . - (juin Arab. am\ Senegal HtilTtp Hides (raw) Jalftp ... ]ndi(;o ... Iron (in bars) - . - Pinunto Piteh 10s per cwt. or 6s — 73 — - Dollars 1 8s — - . - 7» — . lOs — 158 __ . . . 5s per fiide Cd per lb. 28 — ... /. 3 — per cwt. •id pfi lb. 4s 4(1 per 91 1-2 gal. 2 2? 1 35 1 57 4 44 CO 1 57 2 92 3 33 . 07 II 45 13 J2 4 •^iWMtiaUbMiaikiiUMi Ui««i hn « « "trnt* i*» ri |iw i^oronil^ in ,tM()l« 111 M.e i'« III H tlale r(i^!«tftl xiii| :i|ilcn c)t thi miKiiir. prettiiit lie- 'Ol.UON. ' uf Sutc. jual Older ch, 180H, ot whitli (the only , Swedctii Hfion that Uijh po)f, a liceine! •ft this or- This was to ftatc the states bv a arc—'' It )s, or on a long and THE OI.IVU UUANCH. 109 Is '2t fiiitknIlvcP ... Kl.ii'i'aili - • - . J{iim Hml Spirits single l)>( iHL'f-i»ioi»f - Is III SiiRir (liiDWh or MuscovBilo) lOs l)^ (tt|. I. 01 clajctl) - •I'i.llow . - . - Tar - . . - 'I'oliacco . . . - T n»«iiiiie (common) U.iie . • - - / \ViioiI(n»ahf)g:iny) - 1 Colldn ..... 'J-ii„bcr - - - /• I ' Hii'l', Ike. C in under 8 8 V2 per lb. 81I \HV gul. plT CWf, per cwt. > V2 and upwards / 7s 4s 4(1 per J I t-l gal. Ill l-'-'pir IIj. 3s Gd per t wi per 'J5'J gals, per ton t)d p.r I!). 7» pir 60 c. ffct 5s per piece 10s — . . . 1 7s — Dotlorn 25 . 4.1 t p 4r. • . 1.1 . .•m t>0 • * « « • a i1 • 1 .■S7 9 ya m . » m 78 QC, til • -i U • 17 * 5 9H . 1 11 . '2 22 • S ys Hoods not ttllunrd to be hondetU «"'' upon which the home- consuinptiun duties mui>t li' [.aid on importutlun : Anchors 40 per cent, on the v.niiic, Aiinatlo . - . /. - 8s 4d per cwt. Doihtrs Arjjiil .... 5h — Aslie^ .... Ids — U;ik lii.rk .... 'Js fid \\vvm\ .... A^ — . - HlltUT - - - - /. I _ . . t/,ilic nnd Cordage . - 18^ — . Wlieiit - - - - lOs per qr - Wliia; meal and Fl.ur - .^s per eut. Sti.ik-fisli ... 23 M periyo - Otiur Fish ... 4h pel CWf Slr.lOil ... 10 lOs p- r 25^1 (if.ds. I'Oiil .... 178 t)d pi r cut I'hix-scfcd .... Is G.l per 56 lb 10 65 1 11 'J 'ia .55 ;ll» 4 44 4 00 > i 11 5G 90 40 fi'J . (12 • 33 >olIar9 2 2? 1 35 1 57 4 44 C 1^ 1 57 'i 92 3 33 . C7 II 45 13 32 4 06 *' Prize poods prohibited — poods not enuineritcd, but whith maybe used in this c ■unlry — on tiie /;/'t'S^ / diiti .<: 40 per cent- •* A letter tVor.i Itdthh.jiic, Huglwn ■iiul Duncan, ol Liverpool, d.tted in the be'^inniii'!; of April, 1808 hiis iliis par-'gi mtli : ' 'I'hesi' diitien to ntt.icit to tiic eari;ii.s o^ alt Vfircla b'ltindfrom ihe Vivtcd Statet to those ports on the covtinent, tvheh ave u'idf>- tlia in- fiufucK of Fvuvcef diid un-iv in th u con/itrij, in cornplmnce wiih the tvdcrs in council of the ilth ^.Vovcmlier " Jl Si/nopsis of a part of ihe EJJ'e.cts of these Duties. " A carRO of . otton of 1000 hales, of JOO lbs each, w liich is about llie couuiioii \vtif;ht, pajiii.u IM sl«ilin},', p r ll» in Kiij^v.k!, \\..iil{l imoniit to the precise sum of 50,UiJ0 dolhtrs. I'he buiae caiijo of e«t. . il 'I f, M Its THE ftLIVE BRANCH. I I, fe! ton at M 1-8 cents, the average price for fine Louisians cotton, wouii noi <'f)9t tii Ntnv Orleans +3,50'i dollars. Tiius the exporter would |^,ve to I'nv G, 500 dollars in LotiUon, «s a duty for liberty to proceej lo the CO iiii< i.t more liau liu- original cost — to tliis miglii be add> d ihi- vnn. ouk otiter cliai)fcs of tonnage, kc. aniouuling to ubout SnUO dotLu's nioi'e. «* n lurgo of tobacco may be said to consist of 400 liwgsh -ads— for the H;ike of I'ound numbers, w<. ^v'|ll suppose each hogshead onl) tu w^ijih 1000 lbs and the account stands thus — AOO.OOO lus. Tobacco, at 1 1-^d sterling per pound, is / '2,500 steilins, or ToniiHgL at l'2s. per ton on 400 tons, is ^240 sterling, or Light money and various other charges and attendant expenses, would amount to Uollars 11,100 00 1,0C5 OG 800 00 Amount of trihiitt on a cargo l'2,%.) 60 ** Of ilie 80,000 liugslu -Us we ^.-nerally exported, about I'i.OOit v, re consunii d i.i the Untish islaids — the rest went to the lonliniMii — put theiij, as before ut 1000 lb. each, and wliat is tiic amount of tribute m this single uriii le ? 68,0(»0 iiogshrads tobacco, wci hing each 1000 I's. i? 68,U00 000 1:^5. at 1 I -'id blerlmg per pound is /4'25,Ono or dollars 1,998,000,00 170 ships' tonnage, &c. at 2000 dollars each S4',>.000(JO Amount of annual tribute n tobacco 2,3.'8,OO000 •' A shiii would carry -.bo^it fro.,i 30C0 to 3500 barrels ot flour ; f.uy for the sake ot calcuhitinn, COOO i-wt, 6,0 Ocwt. at Ds. storlinc; prr i.wt. amounts to / 1500 or dollars 6,600 00 ToniiHge and charges, as above l.fif/n 60 Amount of trihi.ti' - 8,5.^5 60 " A ship loud •>{ fish would cost about 3500 or 4000 dollars i;icln(liiig the dutt^^s ami ch rt'ts.* * For these calculat.ons I Vol d, page 79, ara indebted to Niles's Weekly Register, 1 .i f mU THE OLIVE BRAXeir. lor Weekly Register, CHAP. XV. Tlip. orders in conricil of A''ovembpr 11, ISOT, defended hj JImericans. Founded on the untemtble p ea of American acijuiescence in the tlerlin decree. E^iqniri/ into their causes and consequences by Ji. Baring, Esq. JI. P. Pernicious as were the orders in council to tlic moll vital interefts of the United States — degradiii.r as was the condition ot paying a tranfit duty in Englilh ports — and iinjift and unfounded as was the allegation on which thele orders were predicated, there weie defenders of them in this country — American born — and amonjr tiie number, men in higii and elevated (tations, poireding a great degree of public confidence and political influence. It is a moft fingular fa£l, that the caufe of England has been more ably fupported in our papers, and in our de- bates, and in our political refolutions, than in London itfelf. There is no man of charaJler or ftanding in fo- ciety in that city, or in the Britifh parliament, that has attempted te deny tl)e magnitude ot our wrongs. The miniftry and their friends have palliated their proceed- ings by the miferable plea of nece^ity — and ot retalia- tion — a plea that B u-barolTa, or Koultkati, or Bonaparte could with equal jultice advance. But fuch rcfpetlahle men as the Rofcoes, the Whitbreads, the Barings, have bellowed on the outrageous mcafures of their govern- ment, the moft unqualified reprobation. I have it not in my power at prefent to refer to the debates in parliament. But I perteftly well recolleft, and fuch of mv readers as have accefs to them will fee at once, that the reftitude of the conduft of our government, and its mild endeavours to procure redrefs, have received the moft unequivocal eulogiums from fome of the moft illuftrious chara£lers in Great Britain. The refpectability of Mr. Baring is a matter of pub- lic notoriety throujrhout the commercial world. There IS no man m England more attached to the honor and the 103 TKE OLIVE BKANC'W. i intcrefts of his country. His teftimony has been, as I liavc laid, unltormlv borne in our tavoui', and againft the enormous injullice ot the orders in council — and as it cannot fail to have a weitrlu proportioned to his talents, intci^rity, and chara61er, I Ihall very freely extrafl from fuch an u;i')bjc6lionable lonrce. The orders in council of Nov. ii, 1807, were, as we have iecn, predicated upon our acquielcence in the Ber- lin decree. Mr. Barinjv havlriir flated the fa6i,* tliiit this decree had not been put into operatioH againft our cornnjerce, we had had no right to rernonilrate again ft it, proceeds, " Unless, tliercfore, his mnjcstv's njinlstPis have some information of whic)i the pnblic is not possi.-sseti, and wliit-h coiitratiicts tlic very el' ar evidence (lie public do possess, we must conclude tiiat tiiC nsserliun in the orders in council, that America \in<\ been siuIitV ol that ncqnienccnce in tUi' fleerces of l'')'aiice, uhich v,as to draw down, and h is dra«n clown upon her; our menaced retaliation, is totally void of foundation"! The fallacy of the allegation of an acquiefcencc in the Berlin decree liavinjr been proved, Mr. Banner thus, ac- counts for the Milan decrrc, which was the offspring of the orders in council of Nov. 11, 1807. •' If vrhat has hic.n statrd, be crrect, thr.t our orders in council are not just'fi' (I, y any prevlin;, provoesttion, tliiy nmst b'- evidently nclsof or ;j;iiiMl au;a;rt"'sion ; hiuI France has ret: iiat -d muc in the suine w.nn- nor and wilb flieSMuie rigiit. its we oii;-selvcs should Ijavi. done, had llic Berlin decree been rijjiillj executed "t The foiiowinq; niafterlv analyfis of t>ie orders in coun- cil is taken from Mr. Baring's pamphlet. "Jill trade directh/fmm ^9meHca to rvci'i; pari nnil country ut 'a>av •with Great Britain' <]'• f'om -Thith the liyitisli jius; is errnulel. is to- tally prohibited Inthis qfcicViil J}r')liibii.on evfbp.irt tj Eii^'op'',~i!jh the exception at present of S^werfev, is lUf '^jUeii : iind no distinction •whotever is made batveen the domestic pi ndiice vj' . tmerica. and tiuit of the colonieSf re-exported from thence ! ! ! *• The trade from America to tiie colnj.Ks of all nHtif^ns, reninins un- altrred by the present order. Ami-'rica m. y export the produce of Lev o-ion country, but that of no other, to 6w(iie/j. • Sec page 98. f Enquiry, \)!»go 70. t Ibid. \i/ THE OLIVE IIUAXCH. iOhi '«' With the above exception, all lU'ticlps, whether of ilomcstic or oo- loiiiil (irnilnce exi)ortc'(l br Aincricn to Eiii(>|je. iintfit ' r: l.inilnd in this c'tuntrij rKiigliind] from whence it is inU'ii'cI «< Fiv thfS'^ rcpi'ilulinns it is umlerstond tli-it duties are to b« imfioxed on r.li ai'lides no re-rxportcd. Mat it is iiitimatcfl tbfit sui cxc.ption wll 111- in;»ile in favour of sncli as are the produce of the United tjlntes, cation excepted. «' \ny vessel, the cargo vvhereoF shall be nccnmpanied with certifi- cates of Frtiicb consuls abrofid, of its i>ii!;iii, sliall, together with its car-'o be liable to seizure and condemnation."* 1 * It is here proper to make a wletiin paufc. The fuhjeft dfiferves the dcepelt, the moft Icr ior.s rcllc^^lion. Let us cxamitie this fkelch, let us confidcr the defpotic, the law- iefs claims it alTerts — the proftrate, the bafe, the defpica- blc ftate it places the commerce and the rights ot a fov- eieicn, an independent, and unofiending nation---a nation wiiofe trade was ot incalcidable impoitttnce to the power thus lordinf^ it over us-— and when this is all (airly and diilv vvcighed, let us corre611y appreciate the condu^l; of fo many Americans, who have adcrtcd with a zeal wor- thy of a (rood canfe, that England " has done us no ef- fentiil injury !" Fhe annals oi the world can produce nothing more indetenrible---nothing more aftonilhing — The end propofed by tlie Britifli government in this llupcndous projcfct ot ufurpation, is thus ahly fketched. in coun- "The \m ricans ar" to brinp; to this country nil (he produce of their own, and all that of our enemies' eolonuvs, niiiii, tiny t xiiort t(. Ku- rope. Wi> are liere to form :i grand enipoi-iuiu of the cost y pioduce ot" Asia and America, which is to be •li'spenseil to the ditft rent countri.-s of Europe, under sufh rea;ulilions tis m e niiv liii.k jjropt r . nd, I sup- pose, accordin'i' hi Wliat a hideous pi£lure of the rapacity and piratical proceedings ot" the Britifh privateers is licre exhibited : It is not unf.iir to {"upposc that of the number of veflels captured and brought in for adjudication, one fourth Averc cleared in the Well Indies. Admitting this calcu- lation, the whole number ot captures embraced in the ilatement ot Lord Hawkcsburv, was probably 420, of M'hich about 100 were cleared in the Weft Indies — 283 iKijuftlv condemned there, and afterwards cleared in Great Britain — and only 35 really and bona fide lawful prize — fo that it appears that of every twelve veflels brought in for trial, eleven were unjuttly captured ! •;( ' " If we liad maiiifaiiipd and dpft'niled lli is dortrinc boldly and fairly :is;ait.st all nations, good arguments in favour of it could not lie watitin;; But wht'ii we have nniformly yielded il, and indeed for- borne lo claim il, can it be consistent either with viagnanimity or good policy, to bring it forward now, because the only remaining neutral has a defenceless comineree 1 If such cowardly injustice is to be one of our re- xoiircis in these tryin\i times, wlitn elevation oj sentiment and of national character are more than ever tcanted, the means and strength of this pouer- fill empire are indeed strangely 'nisunderstood''''^ •' 'llus decision [in tlie case of the Essex, Ormc] altlionp;h ill" distinrtion was not made tncaleli the common eye, wi«s well known in embrace the tv hole foreign trade rf America, excepting that in her own produce It circulated rapidly iimoni; our cruizers and priva- teers ; and in the course af a fortnight the seas were cleared of every Ame- rican ship they could find, which now crnwdtd our ports for trial : ami our West ludia merchants were gratified by neutral insurance atnl ficijriils being at least doubled by this ingenious discovery "t " This decision laid the fouiidulion of all the complaints of Ame- rica of our vexatious measures against her trade, as it introduced a (otally new line of conduct towards it: and i of being made atiskveiable tor tliiii ciku-, \«rie not >iii«|>us<'^ I" i"'*!^*' nice «tiwliiielioiiFi ; Uui detained (inn sent in ever;/ rtsiel t/iey met Kith, under the most Jiiiolous jneteiues \ in ic/tuh tlu-., KBienlso encouraged by tlie expectation of actual nur. Of Uh ixicnl lo >v|ii('li lltib \»us citiried, Kuint- ultii may tie turna-d, u hen it is stiilid, (Imt curgitcs, wliidly ot Ainciuiin pioduce, iiiid of llic piiiiUire ut' iicuiial cotiiiti'ies Hading with Aincitcii, vieie cit(iti;uii, utid cvtu brmnjbl \«.r ot' tliibe |iiy (-edirirates fVre frivolous iban the asserlioii of our viiibt to compiniii of tlie ae(|uie.seeiiv(> not only rn vvr obtained fiont any nation a recotjitition of this rule, bnt.i7 docs not ei\'n appear to have been at any lime striou.ily imiiteil tipon."\\ " What ran liirn be the object of holding; «p this rnle [of 17">G~ ns the p.illa(linm of onr maritime ri<;hts, or wiiy has >l been so lung (luruiaol ] Insteatl of America bcMng accnsed of a dif))) prnclsiminp: a Uw which we have never ventured to y j«oiiit- ni^ thctu uul tu uur government, reditSB might have bicii ublaintd ^ 'Enquiry, pnge 78. f Idem, pnge 10. + Mem, pHgc 70. Jii Mem, p.ige 18. 'I Idem, page 22. •[ Mci^n, ppgc C.3, 10* 1'^ Hi 'I'lIK OMVK MKASCW. i,(:i m >!} I)y apiilicalioii (o llir.f of Atnnira, w»iosr Hirirt attention to tlie ilia- laclt T of li< r t]r,soi, ,\\\A t>|ill iiioie in l|ic ircdit HI' asnres v\|)iLli »<• liav*' lucii ciMisKlfniii; "| " If our romnicici.l tic atit* u iili I*()rtti of htalesiiieii, we eaniiol fail lo iiiiiiiiit' the lilx ral |>«'iHy of An Ciica l«)wai(ls llio proihne nf our iii- i' paid '"iJi *: If uu fi)rn»< r observations piddiiee, as I ilm.!; Iiiey nsiist, a ron- v'ietion tliiit llie tiai'.i' imd properly so sporled viiili, lirloiij; to an hfiiu'st nenlral, llure ran lie no ^•ed to exafperate and inlldtnc the pafhonr, ot tlic jieople ot" the eaitern Hates, and which aiuuiliv prepared a portion ot thcin {or (ipen rehilance to the government. The julliee and proprietv ot every meafure depend on the circnmftances that accompany and inthice it — the motives th.t lead to its afloptit)n — and the confeqnenccs it is calculated to produce. Let us apply tlufc tefts to the embargo. Tlie readei" has had the decrees and orders in coimcil laid t)etore him in extcnso. He has (een the cxpofition ot the injufllce of t!je latter by Mr. Barmg. And tic has had an opportunity himfelf of calculating the effecls It both decrees and orders. From a calm confideration of thefe documents, and of their inevitable operation on our trade, it is perte^dly ob- vious, ttiat had our veiTels (ailed in Decembe? 1807, and J.inu.iry, February and March, 1808, as freely as they lud formerly done, they would have univerrally falJen I % 'j %fc ^-:---^:— V^.,:'- 116 TUE OLIVE nuANCII. fdciificcs ; tliofc bound to France and licr depcndcMuii ;, to Bntiili — and iholc bound for the Britifh dominions, ui French cruifeis. This would have produced an ahnoft univcrfal banL. ruptcy anioni; our iufurance offices and merchants. On; /lups, our f-' .-k jsfirJS*^*!!^**^*!!"**.- i^l*^?:^^^^ "--^1 iaifciH,' THE OLIVE HUAN'Cir. ur Ticiit ;(,M It rnarkf'd with wifdoin, with loidl^iht, ynd witli attention tiidiitv, tiiaii lliis rccumniciidalioii. 'IhcMC is, ncvcitlic- jcls, no meafnic that has gencrdtcd more la^tious or fcnfc- Icih clainoui — more envenomed piejniliee — nioie un- bliidiing niiricprcleiitation. The atiov-ions cafe of the Horizon, wl-.ich was the firfl therein the Berlin dcciec was Cduied iiitorllVtt aj^anilt American vcllcls, had previoully occuued. ()t this caL" Mr. Ainidrong had tranfniitted an account in a Ict- tci dated Nov. 12, 1H07, ot wliicii I have {nbniittcd a copy 10 the reader. Ihis letter and the documents ac- coiiinanving It, eftal)lilhcd hcNond a j)oniliility ot doubt t!ie extreme dan<;cr o\ our commerce troni I'lcnch crui- sers and French courts. Ot the dctcrniination of the Britifli government to meet the Berlin decree with meahncs of etpial violence, unil)u!>ted information had been received !)V our admin- iii;,it;on in privite lctt.?rs and even ii\ the pu!)lic papers. Tlie iecornmendjtioi; ot the eml)aigo took place on the i8t!i of December : and on th.it dav there had !)een pub- lilhcd in the National Intel iijrencci ;hc followiuii» ly (l(-i:iin- e(\ uih!i r ilip vf>xiit!OUK prctt-itcf of a emit iiMiity oi'vny ifff from iherouu ti'v or colony of a btlh- gcrci.t "♦ " It cnnnot heroine 111! uiiia'iianiniity «if h greal and i»ovveiful tii\- I8<»3. MR n.\RI?.'G " /Ut trade di- rectly J rotn Amer- ica to every port avd country at war 7vitfi (jren* li'i luiVy or from nhich ilie B it;sh ft-S /s e.iclu'led, it tnUilly pri>!nl):t€d In t/iis uencral prohihi (ion, every pari of Tiuiope, with the exception at pre- lenf of ^u-eden, is includtd : and tin distinction vliut- e.i er is made be- tuieen the. domestic produce of Ameri- Cii, avd iha; ot the colonies, rS'CWpoTt- Mr Picker. Mr. Picfcor- ir<.>''s senti- ing"^ senli- wen/s, Feb- viev's, Feb- ruary lo, ruary 'G, lbu(j. laoii. "Therap- «' Tll<5C ttnc & roii- farfB I'.i'in- iK-iniuilion eostrat", under or- ihi«l a'- IS of the thoiiL'h En- Briti<;l« 20- {jiat.d "'ill ver mieiU, her (l>"ii- (111(1 ailjiiili saiid shp'^ 'if riilioDS of war, cciilil Uieircoiirls have 'I'S- of iiiiinii il ■ t roved oiH ty, of \nie- e(nii"n< 1' e, rieau vos- SHE MAS spIh and KE'l lY • heir rar- DONE IT jjoes,on the M» ESJ-l N- pretext of TlAL IN- — -Ji#-'in^' THE OLIVE liUANClI. iU^l ber, iHr.-, 1808 -i gainil tl;c uatcver lo Mr. Pic];, 'ther — and "he rci:!c;- 1 correctiv ms. Tiie prccUtious L" nierran- ■. Bannir's incil — the 1806, (Ml ative — and England, Mr. P chn- inq'iislrctt' > ii>^ III .ar, C(MllJ ave lifS- roytd mu (.111 'in ' «S HE l!\S {E«l lY )0^^^ IT \0 \L> M-N- lAl. IN- tion io prey upon the un- ed from thence.* protected property of a *' II would pio- fiicudlij power''''* bably be no cxii;;- '• Hiviiij* totally sup- ^c-ration lo s-.iy, pifusj-d tl»e external Ibal upwards of oinuuu'iTC of lier cnc- three ^fourths of oil ini:s, Great Britain is the merchants, seu- now counccLled to appro- men, d^e engaged enale to herself that of in commerce or lin- ker friends "t ligation in Amcr- "Til. 8 rule must in- ?ca, havcy at some f.illil»ly ileslroy tbt- com- time or other, suf nuTie of lbi8touuliy.''t/e'tt/ from ads "This novfl \nun:i- of our cruisers, jiIp ^dcs lo notfiing short which to Ihem of ihe destruction of neu' have uppcami nii- tral (ommerce."X j"st, and wli'cii '^ Every sail is stretch- fK^qucntly inusl ed to colled the unwary have been so Americans, who are un They read, it is !,v.'ti(ii iiii nc I, on her sovereign time can be any aggra- and independent vatioti."§ righls:'X It Is net for me, to reconcile Mr. Pickering's fenti- ments U) each other, nor to the tenor of the memorials... nur to Mr. Baring's correal view ot tie orders in council. Let it be obferved, that the " unprovoked aggrf;//ion" of 1806, remained unredrefrcd at th.e dc»te of the letter to gv)vernor Sullivan, February 1808. And furtlier, to this "" unprovoked aggre/i'ion,'" 0*1 1806, the orders in council liad been added in 1807, which more than quintupled (he 01 iginal outrage. But even independent ot this extrava- gant addition, it is out of mv power by all the rules oi; logic at my command, to fatisfy mv mind how " the cap- tut e and condemnation of our v/'/fels — under falfe ''pre- texts'' and, as appears by the memorials of the merchant?, to a mofl. enormous amount — " the utiprovoked aggref- fion upon the property of our citizens'" — the " violatioti of our neutral rights'' — and " the encroachment upon our national independence" can be made to accord with the broad, the fweeping, the unqualified alfeition that Great Britain has " really done our commerce nocjfential injury." To be ferious ; for the fubjeft requires ferioufnefs and fobricty. Is not this a moft aftonifhing and never-enough- to-be-lamcnted inftance ot the h ,rrible delufion in which llrong paity palTions involve thofe who fubmit to their guidance ? Can liglit and darknefs — vice and virtue — icraplis and demons — be more oppofite to each other than tiiefe alTertions are ? Would it not h^ve been a moft aw- ful inconfiftency bad they both been cotemporaneous— - h id the ftate ot affairs at the period of making the fc- cond, been exaftly what it was at the period of making the (irft ? But what an immenfe aggravation does this ■•ft . !■■; THE OLIVE BRANCH. 123 inconnilency receive fiom the conf leration that in Feb. 1808, tiic fir II grievances had been luncchelled, and otlicis, as I have ftated, incomparably more intolerabh, been added ? The orders in council were, in outrage, and injuftice, and intra6Viori of our rii^hts of fovcrelgnt\', as farijeyond tlie ground of complaint in 1806, as wanton murder is beyond mere adault and battery. Never was 1 more deceived in my liie, tlian I am at this moment, if every candid, unblaffed reader does not agree with me t'.iat the oppofition to the operation ot tiie embargo was ta6Vious, abfurd, and impolitic in tl.c extreme ; and that thofe who rendered tlie law nugatory and unavailing, have a high crime to anhver for to th-ir injured country. tm In order t) avoid the prcITurc of the embargo, and to liold out inducements to our citizetis to violate it, the fcllowincT order in council was publiihed bv the lint.lh government. GEORGE R. fnstriictions to the commanders of onr sJiips of v:iir ami privateers. Given at our court at fViiuhorn the nth day of April, 1808, in the AHtli year of cur reign. Our will and pleasure is, that you do not inten-upt ai\v neutral vcs«;cl Iiiilen with luniber and provisions, and going to any of oiir eolonii ?, i iiUKiS, or settlements, in the West Indies, or Sonlh America, to T\:.omsoever the property may apjjear to bolonj^, and notwithstanding a'.icli vessel may noi have regular ciearanci's Jiiu! dootiinenls on board ; and in case anj vessel shall bo met with, and being on her due course to the alledged port of destination, an endorsement shall he made on one or more of the princi|»al papers of such vessels, spcc'i!)in!^ the (h'S- tlnation alleged, and the place where the vessel was so vibiteci ; and in case any vessel so laden sliall arrive and deliver her cargo at any of our colonies, islands, or settlements aforesaid, such vessel shall be pennit" ted to receive her freight, and to depart, either in biilhist, or with any goods that may be legally exported in such ^essel, and to proceed to any uablockaded port, uolsvithslandiug the present hostilities, or any t'l '.' X- -fc'- 134 THE OLIVE BRAN'CII. i'unifc 'lORtililies wliich may take place ; and a passport for sncu ▼essel may be grantcil to llie vessel by she governor, orothtr por. son, liaving the chief civil coiumaiid of such colony, island, or set- tlement. G. U. This unparalleled dociiinent demands attention. — The miniflers who proftituted the name ot their fovcrcitvn, by fubfcribing it to fuch an inftrument, merit and nmii receive the reprobation of every high-minded Engliihmnn, who feels for the honor or dignity ot his native country. What ! one of the moft potent monarchs of the univerle, rather than do jufticeto an unoffending nation, inviting, and tempting, and affording facihties to its citizens to break the laws of their country, and openly purine the infamous trade of fmuggling ! The fnbjeft affords an ample field for, and invites to copious comments. But I forbear. 1 leave it to the » aim confideration of the candid reader. tHAP. XYII. NM I I Enqinrji into the constitutionality of the act for enforchu: ihe Embargo. Compared with acts passed during the presidency of Gen. Washington and John Jidams — JVot so rigorous. Factious clamour. Lamentable pub- lic delusion. The original embargo aft had been openly and fla- grantly violated. The public prints in Boffon had explicitly and audacioufly invited the citizens to fct it at defiance. The Britifli government had alfo, as we have feen, added the allurement of its powerful^ invi- tation. And it needed not fuch an invitation. There are always to be found in every community, men v.'ho will feek the fliorteft road to fortune, whether through the dark paths ot fmuggling, or otherwife. And thcfc men united their obflrepcrous biawlings, withtfiecli- mour raifed by thofe whole ol'ysR was to harrafs the .rovernmcnt. Tiius was removed from the crime o' ^.-^ THE OLIVE BRANCH. 125 finiicrgHniT, the odium it dcfervcd, and transFcrrrd to an aft calciildtrd to prcfervc t'ne property of tlic luciciuints iioin belifiTcrent depredation ; an at\, be it never for- gotten, vvliicl) was tlie mildclt mode ot proem in^ that redrefs which the mercantile part ot tlie communitv liaJ fo h)iidlv clanionred lor — and in the pnrfiiit oi 'A'hich, they had fo (olemnly pledged themfelves to Inp- poit the government. 7^o pifc\ ent thefe evafions, an aft was pafTed to en- force the embargo. This was ncceffarily more ftiict and fevere in it> provifions than the original aft.--- Mcetings were held in various pails of the United States, denouncing the latter as opprcflive and unconfhtution- al. A verv numerous and refpeiiible one was held in t'.ie city of Piiiladelphia, attended bv a large proportion oi t'lc merchants, and a gicit number of other citizens. or t! us ineetmg comnuj'iore Iruxton was cliairman SiindiN' rcfolutions wc*e palled, wliich embraced the cf- ieiice of all tlic o!)iecl,ioiis raifed atrainfl it t'lrouirhout ilie union. I fhall airumc t'lcfe itTolutions a<; a text t) reafon upon, and fhali endeavour to refute the ob- .•a ions. Dijring the aihniniftratlon of General Wd{li!rigton, an embargo aft had been pafTed by Congref's. An.l dur- ui g his adminiflratlon and tliat oi Mr. Adams, various otiier afts had been pafTed embracing ])rohibitorv and penal clauies of a tenor fimilar to tlio fo of the embar- more cxcen- law. Some of their claufes were far t:()nahle than tliofe of Mr. JefFerfbn's etnbargo aft.~ No tederalift will pretend that any of tliole afts were Uiiconflituiional. If theretoie Mr. Jefferfon's aft con- tims no provifion whatever, which is not fubnantialiv to be f(j'ind in thofe paflod during the adminiffration of the tA'u fii fl prefidents, I prefume fliat there is not a candid iederalift in the union wlio will licfitate to admit that the cli'iK)!n- again ft the former, as unconflitutional, was tru- faft U)US. Th-^ 9th, 10th and nth feftion"? were the moff rigor- is, the mofl obn -vious, and of courfc were felefted 11* 1:25 iiic: oi.ivt; HRANcir. at tlie Philadelphia mcctinq;, as fit fiihjefls for denuncia- tion. I Ihall therc'torc taiily collate thcni with the cor- respondii?^" fetlions ot the tornier einb;irgo and other afts palled dm in, of ll«e U. Stales, Bhall ami Micy ;»ie luTvby m- ihonzfti «<» take into ■ heir custody spn-H*, or any arliclf* »f duinPR- tic v(»'0*'l>» P'M'ln' t or ni'iunf if'uro, f'uuud on bnnrd if any ship or velvet fto'tt or other wa(er ctiift, wlifii tilde ii reason lohelieie lli;it ihty are intended for tX|>oi t.ilioii : 2. ' Or wlu'ii ill ves- sels, curls, wangniis, sleiuhii, or any oilier carriine ; or in anif manner apparenll/f on their 10(11/ towards the tcrriltu y of a for(>it;ii n.itioii, or the vicinity tliPKMif, or tovviirtis a plan' \vlu're siicii arti- cles are iiitnuleii to be txporlrd : 3 ' Ami not to pei mit surh iiitirles to be remove J until boail with snfMt ient sureties shall have been jfiveu for the lani . sbdil li.tvf full (loAir and anilionly * to(«,'er any ship or vesiel, in «hi' b they ' sbai! /(are teaion 'h RU>PKCT any yo-alB, ' waies or inercbaniliz> subject to duty ' shall be < oitn attd, and ibriein to search ' for, Kcize am! seeni«' any such ijiods, * wares and inereba'ndize, 6^^'. — St e ael ot' 3lstJnl>. l/sin, sect 24 A(lof4lhAu- jjust, 17f>i. seel 4S. ' I'liat It shall be the duly of the several * olKcrrs of the cuRtonis to make seizure of ' aHil secure any ship oi ve!iSiel,t;(Midi), wares ' or merchandize nhirh shall be ii tbit to * FCiZUie by virtue of ibis aci, «« welt with' * out, a< wi'hm their respective e//.«/r'c7«.'— See seel 2(i and 5(» of the same aei— ^eg also, act of the siil .March, 1/99, sect. Ga. 70 * That i( shall be lawful fur any ofHccr * of the revenue, to go on board breac h of the laws ' of the United States, hati been coininitled ' &c. to make seizure of ibe same.'— See act of istli rebru'try 179:) sect -27. ' That any of the afonvsaid arlir'es (arms and ammunition) exeepliu;! such of them as may constitute i part of (be equipTuent of any ve.^sel, which, during the citnlinw ante of this prohibition, shall be fniinil on board of any vessel in any rivet, port, Ixiy, or barlior, within the territoiy of the United Slates, with an intent*to be e.v ported fioni the United States, to any fo- reign country, shall be forfeited, &c.'— See act of J^d 'Way, 1794, sect a * That all goods, wares and merchandize * brought into the U States bt/ land, con- * trary to this act shall be forfeited, to- * getber with the carriages, horses and oxen ^ * that shall be employed in carrying the •same; provided nothing h« rein shall be * construed to extend to household furni- * lure and clothing, beluiigin,!^ to any per- * son, or persons, !>rtually coming into any * part of the United States, for the purpose * of beoom!»gan inhabtlaut,or iuhubitauls ^i.-.->i,»^j 12S f^ IHE OLIVE HRANCH. * tlieieof.' — Sec acl of 4lh August, 1750, BCl'l, 7(». < Tliiil it !>li!ill be lawrnl for llu> Firsj. * dent of \\n- I'nited Si.itcB, to ({ive iiisiiiu * tiuiift l<> tl>c rt>niiiiuii'lri8 of I lu- piih'ii ' arnud h1ii|i8 of (he Uiiiu-d Siiiit-s 10 stop ' and ex.iiiiiiic utiy (•liip 01 vessel of ilic ' United Si It's 011 llie liii>h st :>, \«lii(|i * /here tun;/ be reason to stisjiec) to he tn. * parocofs. Trujcton*s third ResoliUion. '' Re.iolvt'.'I, That the tenth fection is contrary to the •' fpirit of the conll;tution, iuaOnuch as it veils in the •' prefident a Icgiilativc autliority by giving to his inllruc- "tions, in certain cafes, the foice of law." "ENFOUCING LAW." 'The poiverx given to 'the I oil( (lois, eiiUtr ' Ijy this or auy oUht ' a< t, i«s|ipclii)u I lie tm ' !>ii!ro, to r«'f»is»* j>rr- 'luissioii lo put any (ar- 'uo on l>o;ujlin anil /Idami. •Thill tlif PifSHlciit »>fti»e I'l.ittd States * lip, jiiiil !n' hercfiv ir uuiliorist-tt Hiid s(-isi 111 the potis of 'ih* Unit) li Stiites, or the ships xmi «rs- 'stiii of any t'i)ieii>;ti >ituion, vndei sucU ^regulations as tin: circuimiances of the cqse »— v,»,.«» ,..--< -:-*-- 130 THE OLIVE BUAVOU. ? * (TMfl, to (liliiiii any ' nuiy require, audio contiiiuc or rovitkctliy ' vi'HNil, oi Id lake into ' »iiiiit , uliencvci he sliiill lliinL i>iii|,(i' * (hen cuHlody uny ur- ' A N u TilK PiitHi UKNT Is HKULHY i' i i.i.y *Ji(le(i I'oi the |»ui pose ' A 1 1 HoiiiM'.l) i» t;ivK Ai.L situ on. 'o( preventing; violjtionM * ui lis lo tmk ukfk Kiis or THE tMit:) * of llie Ciull0, liltctU ' STMKS \3 MAY UK NKlEsSARY TuCVK- * be exercised in conform ' RY TIIK SAMf. INTO mi.L tFtEci.*-. *itif Willi such lustiuc See irl of 4lh June I7!)4, hccIioo J. * /ions, Of l/te Pivtuknt ' '1 lial an einOargo oe luul on all ^\\\ni *may give, uud such f^'en- ♦ ami vessels in llie poits ot tlie Linud * erat mil-' as he iiiai/ pre- *.SlaleH, uhelhcr alremly cleirctl oiii or ' srri/)*- fi.,r that purpos-e, ' nol, hunml lo any loreign pott or pi.m, *M\l)i IN rmisL) A Nt'io * exeept ships or vesseU under the intiiie- 'or TIIK I'OWKHS A- •tlutte directions of Ihe piesnleni o( ihe 'lOiiKSAlo; whicii in- ♦ Unilcd Slates Andthattiie pkKsi- 'slriieiioiiR and ^eneial ' Di> NT of TIIK t'NITKO STAThs uk al'- * rules, Ihe collrelois * TIIOUI^'ICIJ to CiiVfc stcil I NsTRt'tTloNs 'shall he bound lo obey." 'TO THE rcvknue officers of ihe —Men), Section 10. 'united states, >s siiali, appm.i 'BKST adapted for carry in (i TIIK * SAID RKSOI-UTION INTO FULL EFFKCT,' — Hesolve of 'Jtjlh Maieli, 1792. ' Ihal I he piesident of tiie United St lies * be, and he is hereby authorized, to dufct ' tiie levcnue officers, and the q^iccrs om- * //tandiTig Juris and revenue cutters Id aid in ' iheexeeution o\ the health laws of the sin) es^ ' lespcctively in such manner as may to liim 'appear necessary '— Ae« of 'i7lb May, I7()(), ' 1 but It stiall be lawful for the piisuiiut ' of the United States, if be siiall deem it •exjicdienl and eonsislrnt with the iiiten st * of the Lulled States, Ijy his order, lo rf nut * and dist'ontinue, for (he time bein^, the * restraints and prohibitions afoivsaid, ei- ' tbcr with respect lo the Freneh llepnlihf, 'or to any island, &,c with uhichaeom- * mercial intercourse may he safely renew- ' ed ; and a\^iy,torcLo/ce such orders, m hcii- 'ever, in his opinion, the interest of llie ' United Stales sir.ill require. — Act ol Q'h ' February, 1790, serl 4. ♦That it shall be lawful for the prcsi- ' dent of the Uiiiled Slates at any lime ' durinp; the continuance of this ait lo oi- * der a\\ such M'wns, as he shall judge daii- * gero 18 to the peace and Bafely of liie * United Slates, or shall have reasonahk 'ground to suspect, as concerned in any ♦treasonable or secret ina(hinations against ♦llie government thereof, to depart out ol ^s^ IME OMVK DRANCH. l.U ' Ihc tt I'Mtory of (he Viiiled Slatro, wiihiii * sucli times us sli:ill ■ c cxpri'iscil in •iiicli ' onl( r. Act of .lime- .'."•, 1708, sict. I. ' AikI till iiiHi'sliiiis anil DtlKi- oflicei s of ' lliH Unitey conftitution, in authorizing the military to fire — * ••"# 13-J 'ill£ OLIVE BnA>-(Ii. upon the people, witlunit \\\p (an^lion or interpofition o\ the civil authoiitv. The princlpk* contained in this fc-r^ion, it much turtlu-r extended, might, with com. petent lorce, convert our government into an abroliuc dclpotilm." > (|» / > > 'i' ' t ' EXFORCIXG LAW.' « It shnll be lawful for till' prcslili'iU of the raited ^titti'3, or ntich (ithcv person an he sfiull have empo-wereil J'ov that jnivpase, to employ such pint of tlie IhikI or na- val forces, or militia of ilio UiiitL'd Slides, or of ll»e ttrrJK ries tlicreo., «5 muu be jiidcffti iieceftsi'ji/, in coiifoiMuity Willi tlie pioxMons of this, hikI o'.lii-r nets rvaiJi-rtinij; llic fuili.ii }j;o, for tlif purpose of ftrrictmng the iilegdl (li'fi'iitir n i,f tnni nhiji or \< ssil, ' r of detii.niinf t ah-' 'iff fioa- xessioit of anif ki-f;pni:r in custodti and ^int'd- itir i'liN spirit or ioii- rle of (!omestir i!;ro\v'li, produce, or iitmrnfHr- tnrc, iiiul also, f'l t(i< piirpose of f><-p'-'iiitinff anil snpp^fiHSiii^ cniy iinneil oi- riotous 'ifiacm- blage of persn s resist- /tip the Cvsiitvi //-jvse Offictrs, in thr exenise of their duties, or iii any manner n|>po8iiip; the execution of tlie laws Inyii jj; an enihar- Ro, i>i otiu iwisp V olut- tug, or assisfnc; uud abettitiff violations of PKKCRDKNTS, I'lidcr IVanhintfton iimt ^Idatva. Id tv.rj I'iise Hiisiiif;' niMJer lliis in t, ' i' * kIiiiU lie lawful for Hie I'ri'sidcul of tho ' liiiU'd Stales or such other pemon an Im * shall have empowered for that pw pone, to •employ sui li piut ol the land or n vid ' forces of tlie United Slates or ot the nii- * litia thereof, as shall be judged necrsarv * for the purpose ol taking possession rfmd * de iiining any smh ship, or ves*i I, with * 111 I- priz , or jirizes, if any, in order to ' the exi cution of the proliihitions uud ptii- * allies of this act, and to tli restoring of ' such prize or pr>zes, in the cases in wlnuli 'restoration shall ha^e been a juili^ t| ; ' ami also, for the pui pose of /'^eW7/^/i^' the ' carri/.ng m of ainisvc expedition or en- * trrf)i-/ye from the imilories of th. LmJIciI ' •'tiita against (he teriiiories or tlonnn- * ors fa (or(i};;ii iirmce, or at te, with ' whom the Unit d Maii'^ art at peace.'— Act of till' Stli June, "94, sect. 7. ' 'lliai win lu ver the laws ot th' Unit' (1 * Sljites sli 11 he oi'posed, or the • xi i-mmn ' thf-ri of ohstruc'eo in aii} bl ile, fj tom- * hm tioiis too poweriul^o i suppitsscd ' by tti»; ordinary course of jiitlieiiil pro- * ceedin^s, or bv t! e powers vtsud in the * marshd l>> this art, Ltdo same powers iii t'Xieutinsr the laws ol the United Stairs as s'crifl'M possess for execuiinji; the slate laws] it sIinI'. be lawful for ihe President of the United States to call forth ihi mi- litia of such state, or of anv other siitc, ' or states, as ma> be iiee< 'isary, to buppiess ' such combii aiions, and to cause tl c I W8 ' to be duly execute'!, &c.' — Act of the i24th ^..'..\. I U'2. ' I'rovi ied that w bciicvei it may bf ' iif. cbsaiy, in tin ju(!_niin.i.t of the Presi- * dent, to use the militarj force hereby di V .1 **).. •HIE OLIVE niiANrii. iJJ ibe name.'— Itlnu, Sec- * rortcd to lie rnllcd foiili, 11«p Pirnilriit ,,y„lj. < Rliitll forlliwitli, l»y prorlamiitioii, > I** os, /ion to procue for them relief \vom iha grin- finces which they now fnijf'e)- under the operation of the laws of the general government, abolibidng foreign commerce, and subjecting the coasting trade to embarrassments hicli threaten its a nihilation. Our hope and consolation rest with the legislature of our state, to uphom it is competent to devise metma of reltef asfi.mst the unconstitutional mea- naves of t e general ^over ment : th:it your power i adtquat; to this •bject ia evident from the. organization of the confederacy. 1809. Extract from the proceedings of the town of Tops- field. *' Resolved, That sucJi has been our suffering, and so great is our alarm occasioned by the extraordinary measures lately adopted tli.it we sliail never be contented until we are seemed from a repetition oi the same evili That a bare repeal of the obnoxious acts ought 'ot, thcrel'ore, lo satisfy a free and prudent people, any more than there- peal of tlio IJritish stamp act sdenced tho patriots of that day— tliU tliere ought to be a solemn renuuciatiou of the right thus assumed; tl THE OLIVE BRANCH. 13: tioH of them ilowi tlie spi- of llitin, ami I ofTici i-s witli esiiaii' mI ob. )U:eiit, «liile only l.n|,r is olufions, niiiy lions HinI me- wary tliMTi- as the extra- )ston to tk ig assembled, iply to your Us anreat Hritaii), if it were in our p.itt'.'r, to the surrendry of 'hose claims so essential to her in the laiglily conflict in which she is at present en!;: of our iudcpn <' ■'•e, to make a firm and decided !-tKn«l— 12* I M 138 THE OHVK UH.VXCM. when it bccoiTiFP all-important to throw asiile minor consiLlerntiou*, uixl iinitv for tli <'oiiiinou t^ooii ; uiul '.v^ipii u sexsv of (-omiitoii liiin. get (ir.'iwi iiH lo^i'ther lo inccl the upproaching stonu. ''With sulMiiiHsioii almost iiiiioin.tiiig to criiiiiiiai apulhy, ue Ii!i\c s»ffi'ic(J |)i iv.ilioiis and les irulioiiK, never bpfoTe expected nf or rndu el hj a ftcc people Now, llial tvrn tht mciiiis of subsist* nf it, iit h>iz>i(l, :iiitl lilt' sacn i) usyluiii , is ih> lonjrtr lirld iriviolahle— silciM.e woiiiil he crime, aurf renistar.ce would become a lirlue of llie first vi(i^7ulut!i' ! ! ! " Rfsolvci), ih;il 111* u fIi li iioiis ami impoRitions oil our tindc uiirl lOfiniu'ice, ait' too i.rtal and 'iiiiioiis, any loiijitr lo be boiiu— ;ni(l that the general distress of our country di'iuands immediate ic'liif.' Ed'tract from the Speech of J\Tr. JliUhouse in the Seiuifr of the United UtaieSj on ifie bill fur tnf arcing' the Embargo ;— " III my mind the present riisis exritrs the most sorions nppre- honsions. A storm si-e/iis to ih (^a'herirtg wliicli poittiids nut ;i tumjits'. on liic (jcean, hiil domestic to'iralsions ! — HowiMer painful tin- task, u ^(■nse ol duly calls ii|)oii me to laise my voice, and use my itiinost exertions, to pieviMit llie pas»in» of this hill. I feel mjs< If bosiiKl in conscience to declare, lest the blood of those who should full in the execnlioii of this mensnie may lie on my head., thai I coiiMiicr this to be un act which ilirectn a iiioi tal blow Lit the liberties of my country : an act conlaining nneoMstiintional provisicms, lo wlii'li THE PEOPLE ARE NOT BOUND TO SUBMIT, and i« which, in my opinion, they icill not submit.* This fpeecli requires a mofl: ferioiis reficRion. A i'eiiator of the United States — whofe age ouob.t to have iecLired him from the heyday of paflion and violence, a:id taught him fobriety and gravity, in his place invites and encourages his iellow citizens to infurreftion and re- bellion. And the law to which he excites refilhince is not lb rigorous, as laws wlii'jh, I believe, he had concur- red to frame : ior I am perluaded he was in congreis when thofe laws to which I have referred, were pa fled. A large volume might he filled with similar *' pa trlotic proceedings'* as they were then ftiled, wliich threatened the peace of this country with deftruQion. * For the precctlint; extracts I am indebted to a pamphlcti, sulci '• Things as they are." ; ■X THE OLIVE BnANfJH. 13d No pains had been fpared to fan the flame. The public miiul by incelFant appeals to the palhons, had been excit- ed to a fpecies of delirium and niadnefs. And fuch was ihe delufion, that the fufferings of the country by the Idwlefs proceedings of the belligerents, weje unjudly af- cribed to the nieasuies of the government, calculated to enforce redrefs. Greater infanity can hardly be con- ceived. CHAP. XVIII. Embarg:o repealed. British and French vcufiels interdict' edfrmn entering our harbours. Importations froui bolh countries prohibited. Invitation held out to both to cease their outrages on our commerce. The clamour excited againfl the embargo — the tumul- tuous proceedings in the caff cm dates — its iuefficacv to anf'A'cr the purpofe intended, arifing partly from the fac- tious and diforgatiizing and Jacobinical oppofition it met v/ith, and partly from the imbecility of Mr. Jefferfun's adtninillration, in not duly enlorcing it, as I have aheady ftated* — all combined to produce its repeal, which took place on the firft of March, 1809. As a pacific meafure, in lieu of the embargo, to induce the belligerents to refpet^ our rights, and to ceafe pumlh- ing us, under pretence of retaliation upon each other, the act commonly ftyled the non-intercourfe act, was pafled, of which I annex thofe fedions which contain its lead- ing features, • ■ Jin Jet to interdict the Commercial Intercourse between the United States and Great Britain and France^ and their dependencies } and for other purposes. Beit encctedhy the senate mid house of reprefentatives of the Unit- fd States of Amertca, in congress assembled, That from ami after tlie pasjage of this aci, the eutraiice of the harbors and waters of the Uuit- n • See page 37. -U-:' ill' ' %\ fMl ^i H|f\ \n i . 1 140 THK OhfVF, llMANCH. eil Stjifrs and of the tervi oiies (hercrif, fie, and tlip same is heyebii in- terdictml to all public ships and vessels helovgii}^ to Gretit Uritvin or /'r(i7;fe, I'Xfpptiiij; vessels only wliicli mav lit' foiTed ii' by ■'' he Ikm'i iiv i. aiiilio' ist-d, in case either Fviinc- or (ircat lit itani ■/*•* / so revoke or modfy her ettt t.t, iis that thri/ shall ceme to ri'o'tite the nentru' cummttrce of the Unite I Staten, to declare the same by fjrociamaivni ,- '\fter whi h the trade uf the United Sta/es, mapend d I'y this cct. andbij the act layinq- .im ■ mbartfoon all ah.p'i and vfssels hi the porta and harbours of the United States, ami llie several iiclssuii|ilemtMil;»i J llurcto lua) bt- ft'iew( tl wild the iiiitioii so doinnj; provided, that all (jeiiiiltu'S ami ti)rt'(;it vvs w icli simll liavt- been |ire- vioiisl) iiieiiriitl, by virtue <»! this or oi >.ny other act, the Oji nUion of which shall so teas; and (h terminc shall be recovered :ind (hs* tiihuti'd, in like marrner as it' the sitme had continued ni full foico nnd virtue: a d vessels bound ihircafter to any IVreJgii P'Ul O!' place, uitliwhicli coinuHfcia intercourse shall by vn-tue of lliis section be ;ij::.iii piiinit ed, hliall gne boml to tl." "'uiteil Sii.tes, with ai)prove(l sLciiriiy, in duubh tin v.tlue of ' < - 'iid cargo, tl^t they f ■ t proceed to any foreign port, ..^. trad ilh any couniry olhe. Uiaii iliou w lb which eoniiiii i cial inteicimrse shal have been or may be pcr- jiiillcd by this act. Kaacttd March 1, iSOQ. I have already flated how piepofleroufly and abfiirdly this law was denounced by ninety -nine out ot every hundred democrats in the United States, as lecble ■ind imbecile. An impartial review ot it will prove the tolly of this denunciation. It evinces a deep fenfe ot the grievous iijarics the nation had fullained trom both the belligerents. A hncere wilh to return to the relations of peace and frlenrllhip vvith eiihet oi both — and an ardent defire to give a fair trial to every rational mode of procuring redicfs witiiout a rccourfe to the horrors ot war. It held out in one hand prohibition and penalty for wrongs inflided — in the other " the Olive Branch" — an invitation to, and premium tor, a mere return to jufticc — a mere ceffation ot unprovoked hoftility. The ilatute books ot ail the nations of Chriftendom may be searched in vain, for a lav,' entitled to more unequivo- cal applaufe — and rarely has a law been more generally cenfured. The tederallds reprobated this acl as well as {\\c. democrats---and with equal tolly and madncfs---bui on totally different grounds. They regarded it, forfooth, as too violent a ineafure-— as calculated to ..rodiire J ^ in ■T%- (I II ' iU2 TUB OLIVE BRAXC'U. waiv-or in fat}, abfurdly enough, as a fpccics of war- faic. " Sir, the bill t*efore yon itt xvar. It a \(^ i\\9\>vm\aU inteTcnnrse, to put an ciid l« all llit* reladoni of amity. What is that hut um .' IVur of (In: worst kind — war uikU-i- tin- dts^'uise of NON-lNTtKcuuit^K —no power, liavmj; iiaiumal i a;,>] lorndci ment with Mf. Erikinc. TUe may be ranfacked in vain to pioduce a negociation more delcrving of encomium, or more honourable to both parties. In foity-four days atter Mr. Madifon's inauguration, Mr. Erfkine made candid oveiturcs to our government for an accommodation ot the exit- ing differences between the two nations. They were met with a proper Ipirit of franknefs, and with a promptitude never exceeded. The overtures were dated the 17th of April — the replv the fame day ;— Mr. Erikine's fecond letter the 18th, and the fame day the reply or tiie fecretary ot ftate. And both parties being fincerely deliious of a reconciliation, * Mr. FlilUiouse's speech on the non-intercourse bill b<;lore the BdiKile, February 22, 1809. t Boston Repertory. I • i» ' THE OLIVE BRANCH. lis an equitable arrangement was adjuileJ in three days, that is to fav, on tlie 19th, whereby neither the honour nor the intereft of either nation was cotnpromittcd. — And tri'indly iutercourfe between them was once more reftored. Never was a negociation condu6led on more Hbcral or generous principles. It was manlv and niacjnanimous — and affords one of the very lew inftan- ccs in which diplomacy was divcllcd of her ufual at- tcndants, chicane and traud. To enable the reader to form a corre6l opinion on this fubjo^l, I annex the whole ot tlie correlpondence that took place r(Tpe61ing it between our government and the Biitifli minifler. It will then appear that the tian{a6Vion can hardly be too highly eulogized. nl (No. I.) ^n. EnSKIXE, TO MR. SMITB. AIR, Trashiiijton, 17 tU Jpril, 1809. *' I have the honor to inform you, that I hnvfi recnivec' his mnjfsty's cnmmanils to reprfsent to the guvprnnuMit of the Uuitt-il ■lutes, thut liis in«jesly is animated by the most sincere dedire lor an a'lin.^trnt-Mt ol the (iiffirencvs, which have unhappily so long provaileil helMt-cn ili'- two uoniitries, the recapitulation of which might have a tendeney to impede, it' not prevent an amicable understanding. " It having been represcnteil to his majesty's government, th'>t tiie ooNgress of the United States, in their proceedings at the opening ot* the last session, liad evinced an intention of passing certain laws, which would place the relations oC Great Krilain with the Unit'd Statis w-rm an eqnal looting, in all respects, with other belligerent powt-rs. I h ve accordingly received his nnjfsty's commands, in the event of su«h Inws taking place, to offer, on the part of \\\% ni!*j; sly. an hoiioruhle repara- tion for the aggression, committed by a Urltlsli naval ofticer, in the at- tack on the United "States* frigate (yhesapeakc "Considering the act. passed by the congress of the United States on t!ie first of Marcli, (usually tenned the no ..intt'rct)ursv' act) as having produced a state of equality, in the rehuio is ol tin- two hi;lli- Rerent powers, with r- spect to the United St ties, I have t(» snltinii; '-on- tormabiy to instrurtions, lOr the considt ration ot ihe ^ m ric:)!! {rovurn- inent, such terms of saiistat-tion and rcparatio:., as ii!:. iii^.j.sty is indiit- i-d to believe, will bff ace. pttd, in the same Bpirit of conciliation, with which they are proposed. 111 J ,'.-., 14« XWK OLIVE BnANCH. \\ " III oildilion to llip \>romi)t disavowal nriilc by U'm majef^ty, on bell)^ apjuizeil ot tin- niiinilliiri/.rtl nri, roiniiiilt'il h\ his naval ()\ Mk- ouhr nf his Kiilannic majtstj dcch»rid that liis llritannic iiiajt stv is desirous of m ikiiip; nn honouralile rfi>araiion for tlu" :ifji;rissioi> comniiltf d by a Hrilish naval ofiiccr in the attack oii the Mniti'l Stales' iVi^ate tlic Ches.'pi-aki; ; that, in addition to bis prompt disavowal of ihoart, ii's majesty, as a mark of bis displeasure, did ini- mediately ri call tin.' on'tndiiij!; oiruir from a highly important and lion- ouiable coniniai.d ; and th;it he is willing to rt:Htore the men forcibly laki.ii nt of tfif Cliesaiuake, and if acceptable 10 the American gov- eriimeni, to make a suitable provision lor the unforiunatv suflerers on that occasion. *' Th. govenimpiit of the United States liaving, nt all times, enter- tained a .sincere desire for an ay tLe same disposition : and that he is ready in eoid'ormity to thisd'sposiiion, to make atonement for the insult and ng- Riession committed by o.e of his naval oHicers in the attack on the United States' fri»,ate, tlie Chesapeake. " Vs it appears at tlie same time, that, in mal.ing this offer, his Hri- tannic majesty derives a motive from the equality, now exislini: in the relations of the United States, vviih the two b. Ili^jere t jiowers, the pre- sident owes it to the occasion, and to himself, to let it be undersKiod, tlia; this equality is» resiUt incident to a state of things, growing oiii of distinct considerations. *' With this ex|)lanation, as requisite as it is frank, I am authorized to inform you, that the presid. ni accepts f the not' delivered by you, in the naivie and by the order o his Hiitannic majesty . and Mill consider the same, with the engaj^einent conta-ned (hcri^in, wht 1 ful- filled, as a satisfaction lor the iniiiltaiid i jury o which he hah iiim- plained. But 1 have it in e.xpriss ilia' gc from tin pr< sident, to sMie that while he frirbeais lu ihnisI on iii)iv.l.ii <'ul oi tin <'!■ fending oiliccr, he is not the less scu'^iible of the justice and utility 0' TIIR •LIVE UnAVCH. iU , on b«iu^ ;i;r, wliniw inijuxiitiit if uccr[)U. ion fui' llic •cspcct anJ ijiicli in fxttmjtlc, nor Jke Ipsh |)eis«:nl«il lliat il would lirsl romport Willi wliHl is «lii^ fiomliiB BrilniMiir m.ijrsiy lo lijg own lionoiir . •' I \\nve \\iv lionniir lo lir, wiih the liit;lit»t n;8|i«?rt aiul ctinsidrr- nlioii, »ir, your nioiit obedient BcivanI, n. SMITH. "Tlie lion. David M. Erokine, Esq. envoy rxlraordinaiy onJ luinis- Id pifiiipolcnliary of liis UriUnnic luajt-jty." RSKIXS. >l (No. Ill ) MR. ER8K1NE TO MH. SMITH. 17, ISOS. on have, in red thot his ■\i:»raiion I'tiv itlack Oh the ) liis proiuiit mve, did ini- i.iit and lion- lien fnrcilily luericiiii gov- : sufferers oi\ imrs, enter- which liavc IS, tliP pie. lis Hritiumie is ready in I suit and ng- ttack on the (Tor, his Brl. islinj: in the ■rs, tlio l>i'e- Uhdersiood, owiuR »»"' of II authdiizi'tl dchveri'ti ''.v ,ty . U'lil vill 111. wl)« ' '"'• \»c ha>. i<""- lent, to sitMlc „l (hi <'t- lud utiiily"' IVdshiiifitott, April 18, ISOy. SIR. •' I have Ihc honor of infornriinij yon, Ihnt his nl^josly, havini; licen ptrrsuaded that ihr hnnouiahle rrp:iratioii which he had rauscd lobe tendered for the unauthorized attark upon the Amertean fri- gutP Chesapeake, would be accepted by the gnvernnicni of the Unil- rdSlatesin the tame spirit of conciliation, with Mhich it was pro- posed, has instructed me to express his salisfnrtion, bhouid rucIi n happy terroination of that aft'air lake niace — not only as havinjj re- moved a painful cause of diflVrcnre, but afl sifording a fair prospect of a complete and cordial understunding being re-ettlablished between the tuo countries. "The favourable change in the relations of bis majesty with the Uiiilfd Stales, which has been produced by the art (usually tL-riMed the non-intercourse act) passed in the last session of congress, was also anticipated by his majesty; and has encouraged a further hope, that the re-consideration of the existing dili'erenccs might lead to Ihfir satisfactory udjHstitieHt. "On these grounds and expectations, T am instructed to commu* nirate !• the American governmentv bis majesty's deierntiniition of spiidiiig to the United Slates an envoy extraordinary, invested with full powers to ronclnde a treaty on all the points of the relations be- tween the two countries. " In the mean time, with a view lo contribute to the attainment of 80 desirable an objert ; his majesty would be willing to withdraw his orders in council of January and NovenibPi", I807, so far as res- perts the United Stales, in the persuasion thnt the president of the United States would issue a proclamation for the renewal of the intercourse with Great Uritain ; and that whatever diflference of npi- nion should arise in the interpretation of the terras of such an agrcc- nent will be removed in the proposed negociation. " I have the honour to be,-with sentiments of the highest consi- deration and esteem, air, your inest obedient humble servant, Honourable Robert Sm^th, kc. &c. &c. 13 n. N. ERSKIN I #1 r .i fr".' MA TIIK OLIVK nRANCir. (No. IV,) MR. bMITU TO MR CRSKINE. ?1R, DtpartmeHl q/' Suilc, Apnl IS, IfSftj). *• Thf iu»|p wliit h I hn«miik Hiiirciily «|« iMMiHul ik HMtisl,.( (ni y atljiiHlnii'iil of llir difti iriit ts iiiili.t|ipi|y (X -iliiit; I'l'lWi't'ii (.ileal Hi itaiii niiil ibt' Uii ilcil SlHli-s, Iiiih aiiltio- tizitliiit! to atiKiirc ytiu, (liul lie wilt iiiril, with a iiiHpoMJtKiii rtn- i«'ti,><>ii(lt;iil Mill) ili.tt oi iii> liiitainiit' iH:ijt'Mty, ihL' th'lti iiiiii|i<'i-iul niviiy, iiivtbUU Willi full piiufiH to I'oiii'ludc a (icaly uii ull the {luiiiiii of the ilIu- I iniiH III C^ci'ii lli«> luo loiiiili i< 8 *' I nil) fiiilhfi- iiiitlioi ut'tJ to usiiire yon that in ra iiicaii tunc, withiliaw hit oriiiis in roiincil of .l.iiiUiii y )i|H-('lii llic I'liilnl SIkIih, | liavt' Ihc iio> iioiir nf ii>runniiitf y<>*it dx' i>i('t>i«l<'iil will iiiinifliiigly, ihkI hi |iiiif«iiuiu't> of ill f ctc^'t'iiOi c'Ctidii o) llir Nialiilc, (oiiiinonly « iiilrti llic iMiti-iiil«>i'i'ouift«' act, Uunc )i |iiocliiiii;ilion, no tliiil |li«- Imilc of Ihf Un'iU'd SIhIcn Willi (iiiiM Hiitnin iiiiiy oiillif nuttio day be rr- iiiwcii, ill Uie maiiHcr pioviiU*! in ilit- Maid Kf onr t. 8. Lord Given nnder my h{H\v'ieenth day of April, in ih( WashiHgtoo,,\;„,„ipj j,, Vtindred and nine, and pel > ".li'of the United Stutes, the tbirtv-third. e \, Indc- JAMES MADISON. .4te ident. iiT. s.MlTH, secretary 0/ state. ,'i^ N. ■ver ■'.vas a meafure more lourll v or iinanimou fly applauded. Parlies a^^rced in their encomiums on the art and the a61;ors, who never before accorded on anv ^/•■' 148 TilK OLIVK BHANOir. fubjctl. Tlie federalists cannot have forgotten — li they Iiave, hiftory will not forget — that they repeat, cdiy ad'erted in the mod confident terms, that Eng- land had been at all times ready to do us jufticc ; — that it had been in the power of Mr. JefFerfon, at any period of his adminiftration, to have procured equal- ly fair and honourable terms ; and that nothing but his profligate devotion to France, and his deadly hof- tility to England, had prevented an equitable adjiift, ment of all our differences. Mr. Madifon was hailed as a truly American prefident. He was invited to federal entertainments — claimed as a federalist and a Wafliingtonian — and halcyon davs of peace and plenty were augured under his adminiftration, which was in- dubitably to uflier in a political millenium. This farce was carried on fo far by the federalifls that the demo- trata began to grow jealous. They were afraid ot lofing the pref.? -r,t. whofe eleaion they had taken fuch pains to fecure. In an evil hour for the UniicA States, this honourable arrangement was rejected by great Briia"... ^^d thus the I'wo countries were once more involved in tlic -mnft vex- atious difputes. I beg leave to obferve, that fo far as refpe6ls the adminiliration of Mr. Madifon, this affair affords the mo ft indubitable evidence of the falfehood of the N'elkm °^ French influence, with which the wide firmlv beiievecr'b; -^"^^, ^^"^'-^^ ^'"^ ^"^"' f"^ ''^ :'.' „' „ ■■^ ■•^dreds ot thoulands or our cUi- •/cns, as any portion of , , . ,, tr j .l i .1 n- u. A .-1 t .1 ?'V wTiK Had there been the iliahteft particle of that i... ■ • n • u- «? •» I 1 * I i -I 'lis influence in our cabinet, it could not have tdiled i. r ^ • 1 ^ II- .11 'prevent fuch a rapid movement as healina the long-ei*, ,^. , , cankered breaches between the two countries iP. ,, Mavs. Never in the annals of mankind, did a rooted, in- veterate prejudice exift, fo completely, fb unanfwera. bly borne down by a ftrong and irrefutable fa^, as in this cafe is the accufatioa of Ercjich influence : arifl THE OLIVE, nilANCH. i49 vet no more attention has been paid to the fafl, than it it had not the {lighted bearing whatever on the fubjeft. Thiough tiie whole of Mr. Madifon's arhniniflration, this fenlclefs cry of French influence has diflurbed the liavmonv o{ the country — endangered its peace — and produced the rnoft magical effetb, on "the mofl en- l!|r!itened n.uion in the world." In every age, and every nation, there is fome flang prevalent by which the people are befotted, bcrett ot" liioir reafon, and led *' to plav fuch pranks before I: liig'.i heaven, as make e'en angels weep." Who is .^...„. efTefts in Great Britain of ivnurant ot the magicMl t le cry, " the c'aurcli is in danger," whereby the fe. verities and rcflriZ-nons under which the proteftant JilTonteis groaned for about one hundred and fitty vcars, were firnilv rivetted on them. The crv of " French ir^flw.nci" in the United States has been To oiten reiterated, and To far believed, that it ajipcars to tlioufands o^ our citizens both impertinent and aii- (iird to (ioubt its exiricnce. But tlicre tiever has been the fliad >< We owe it to Mr Miwlison nnd liis cabinet to sny, ami we «ln it Willi piiile hikI pleasmc, that Un-y have roiiu* for»nril w>lh a Wojjice of prompiiliirte nmi nianliiii'ss whirh rf/?rt7.t much honor on them and thi country- IMr RTadison hns now «ln\n a liozen i'i'iendt«." Biltiinore Federal Republican, as quoleil by the Plii- ladrlpiiiu Giize'te, June 22. ISuQ " Srarrely was Mr Madison t^aled in the chair of state, when, contrary lo .ill our exp«'(t iliniis, htil agree, il)ly to all »nir «ishr«, he pure the lie to all /fiolvt (<, (hiU llie |nomptilU(lc ami frHiikiiess with whicli iltc Pir»rl to ^aMtcr only thf fuiif of biUertuys and sorrow, is a leiidy yn'lilnp; iir frnit far d i fTc j t' n i — };1;,,1. Mess a!i(l iin^i)Pi!Ual»!f jo}'. 'I o spt.ik in thr laiimi;!titiulr inid fijiiikiuss with whuh ilu' pipsitlfnt \\,\% imi the ovci !(»rf s of Mri-at Fiiitaio,' vvlnlo t hey rrcjivt' the *ipn!,inse ami tlie (iratiliwJc of tlu «iutioi», rail not h s« iinperutvisly for un uiie- quivural (Xiirissioii of tiu-ni hy l!iis house •* I most say thi»t i do liko the »voids ' prn^upliludf nnr/ f/ankncf/:.'' The coinplitnetit tlicy cointy is highly riierilcMl, as 1 shall endtavoiir to prove " For hnnging about this stale of tltinc, I yield my hearty appro- hiitiou lo the preside lit of ih«' I'nitid .Stans ; and I hili« vr ili.it when r.oneof us ei old see the end of our Irouhles, liie pres'iltnt was serreliy eoiiiliMtiHij us to the lai»- lu-ppy nsiilts " But at hut that state of t/iings, ofigmnlly proposed hij Great Bri- tain, has heen hrouj;ht ahout, holh as it n (lurris ihe tquality eonli lul- cd for, and ns legaids the assurance ol lesistaiiie desired. — The proriamation heing removed, a fair adjustment eould m< it w iih ,o impediment from that cause And it is a melancholii fact in iliis respect there never would hare been an impediment, if THI» gorernmeiit had been willinfr to do o)i(iinnlly what it has «<■ last consented lo do •'It isforllie prnmplilude and frankne.ts wiX}^ whieh th. president ipet this overture, that I thank hini most coidiatly in behalf of my country I approve it most lieaitily. " And it is u<»\* in pr«)of before us, as I have always said and eon- tended, that nothing was irantinp but a proper sftirit of cnncil'Mlion -^nothing but fair and honouiable dealing on the part of Tills country^ to bring to a happy isiue all the ficticious uifftrences betueen this cmm- try and Great Britain ; and lliat is now a( ki owledy* o and iioii-iiittrt oui'se luw ii this could be niudr to appear, it would 80 far absolve their aiiilims from the ruin and (iuifrriii)!& iinposro by tlioisc laws, hn to prove tlii they bad oome elfeit. l^tit the eommoii Sinse of the people is pinnf against the tletuhioii, who arc persuaded that whot was ho easily tf. filled [Mr Eiskine's arraiipement] in April last, init»ht bav« brcn done loiic bd'uie, and the nation been thereby saved from the hiinii< liiition of ritiiio); from theexerrisc of itf: nt^lits upon the orenn, as well as the imiiteiise loss it has siiHered, and eDiitinues to sustain in the dec ay and i;land, will be the indiguntion, whirb »t no distant day, a calm review «f the snares which have been Inid to entrap our peace, end extinguish our prospfrtty^ icill iinaroidubly in- spire. The rurrent of the dibupuiobatioii of this ronspiraey is nut >ita ettiiii— >:t itns Tnoct) gre..tt-r piCgrc.;A to make— nor will il f^top iinil it places an insuperabla bar againtit even the aspiring paity whidi, till lately, has loidtfd it without opposition over the state of Maiy. land."t I fhall add to thefc extrnfis the Centlments of Mr. Cole- Hian, editor ot the New-York Evening Poll, which are as ftrong and dccinvc as any of ihe others. " Look at the files of this paper for a twelvemonth ; you will find it iiiHiPtfd upon that Gre-i Br tain wished for an adjostment of differ- ences, and would come to an accommodation the moment we gave her a chance to do so, by placing her on an equal footing with France —Mr. Erskiiie very pi omjuly begins, by stating on our governntent's placing ISnglaiid on a footing with France, England will make reparittion- JUsT PRECISILV WHAT I HAVK8AID A HLNURED TIMFS OVIR IS THIS TAPItR, BHK WOULD YKRY CJLADLY DO. "The firf>t part of the second resolution accompanyin}? the report of the committee of foreij^n relations [Campbell's repoit] cor,lem- plated ail arrangcnient by which the respective kelhgereiits would Federal Reijuljllcan, April 21, 1809. Uem,JvLUA, 18C?. , ..^J^»«^.,>^v THE OLIVE nriAKC'II. 1.3.5 be p!acc*1 in a stute of equality as to the exclusion of their sliips of wii tiOMi uur hill hours. Tiiis icpcit «vns sent to Kii)r|iui(i, :iiiil intme- liiaieiii ttic Bi'itmh niini.stcr UlilfCTKD Mr Ei'skine to make the pio- p(i.%t.o>i» «vhirh hiiv(> Uti iy (tvcii '|>>) of MHI- lio>l> iHir h illiotlis ThK NON INTKKCOUIISR act was OF THIS N ATtiiE Mv Lrski lie st.ltil t he intentions of /us govern- moi:, .nut nil hcic in»' t li^i'* hctii minh'."» " W't II in:iv tlif nil I' li 'I'ts of Ah xaixiiiii rpjoirr at !VIr 'Tii'lisoii's rf'/zrn til till i.'oo(i old |»> iiin|ili'M of F»,i)FR A I.isM Li t the cr«?y j»ro- tVn.'iou of Jt/p.rsotiUinifni 'ity tluMiisi-iv. h up to ivrrpiii>; and wailioij, aii'l .' tlwatH :t i.'f stints of j.'iloiisy and inoitifiratioii ; the f«'dnal- ikt> WiLi.1 p.i) h<)in. to .Ml Mudlsoii, while he coiilinues to pur- sue tiie coiiise he has taken "t Relyino' on the trood faith ot Great Brltani, our gov- ernment iinuiedi.itcU' reiiiovcd all the rcftri6tions on her lomriuMcc, rcilo td the iiiteicouire !)et\vcon tl'C two na- tion.s to the ftitc in which it had 1' -.'n previous to the miriiiidcrlKnidin^T, and expelled to be met on the fame fair and honoiudble giound by the other contracting paity. But Fat. illy other counfels prevailed at St. Jdtiics's. The folemn contratl made by its minif^er plenipotentiary \yas rejcfted on the ground ot his having "exceeded his inftrutVions." H.id Mr. El (kine made a wanton facrlfice oF the honour and interetts ot his country — the rejeflion ot the arrangement might be palliated, perhaps juflified. But no man who has any regard to his character, will pretend this to have been the cafe. Both were equally fecured. Atid to prevent any difHculty in the adjuftment ot the difpute, to evince more fully Mr. Madifon's finccre vvllli tor harmAnv, the thorny and difRcuit fnbjeft ot imprefl'ment was laid afide tor future negociation. " But Mr. Erfkine exceeded his inftruftions." What, in the name of heaven, I afk, mud have been the inltruc- tions that did not warrant an envoy extraoidinarv to pro- 'e or ratify fuch an arrangement ; fo plain, fo fimplc, 10 fair, and fo honourable ? * New-Yotk Evening Post, April 2S, 1809, f I'ederal RepublicAii. 1 If fi \ .\V * .*. L r 15« rHEOLlVlt BltANVH. / But admitting; lor a moment, that Mr. Erfkinc exceed ed his inftruttious — or let us go fo far as to fuppofc that he had made this arrangement oi his own mere motion, without any inftrutlions whatever — what rea. fonable objeftion could be made to it ? Could the moll paitial friend ot England, it aftuatcd by honourable views, require better terms ? Let us analyze the arrangement — let us ftate the quid pro quo — To Jlmerica it afforded 1. A repeal of the orders in council — 2. Atonement for the outrage on the Chefapeake. i ■ To Eng;land 1. A rcftoration to all the immenfe advantages of tlic moft valuable commerce in the world — 2. A continuation of the fufpenfion of intercourfc between the United States and France. I freely appeal at this moment to Timothy Pickeriii^r. Alexander Contee Hanfon, or to Harrifon Gray Otis, to decide whether there was any thing Cn thefe terms that ^ould warrant the government of a mighty na- tion to break the faith pledged by its minifter — and to atoanl llritisii vessels of war, when clRimeii hy the proper agents of nur government. f See Mr. F-rskin^'s Letter, No. 1. t The outrage was corainillcd in June. He did not leave Halifax tili Weccmbcr. •'. ^^4 HIE OLIVE BnAvcir. 130 " I fiiu aiithorixcil to inform ynn, lli«t tlip jtresidcnl nrrrpts of tli»! untc ilelivtinl ^v ynii, in tlie nninf himI l«y llic- uiil* r of liis Hiitiiiinii' niitji"-'). "'"' *''' csnalilfi" lliu same, with tin enjj.'ipm* nt cnntitincd tUti-i ill, wlicMt fnllilled, «t u satu/ tlion fir the innult (iml iujiiru cf ihtch he h(ta co^npl: iiied. Mnt I Imvo it it «'XJ)ilss tliiirp- fK.m ||,,; [III mlirit to siMte, tli^il liilc lie foi henrs to insint iiii it tin tlicr imnisli. iiit-iil III tlie ufl'uinliii^ officer, he tn not the Irsa ntnaib'f of the JKHtice md utility of such an example nor the I ks /jeraiintlnl that i •woiihi hrtt aimport ^vlth what is due from his Britannic iniijes i/ to his nvn humiir " To enable iis to form a correft idea oT this tranfafiion, !ft us fuppolc tliat cor nioclorc B.imii had anchored in I'orthiU'iith o) IMyinoiith — that twenty of his fai! >rs had v.)hintdnly entered on l)o3r(l a Britilh irigate — tliat he liad demanded t'.iem — that he had hd lowed the vcflld to fca — had attacked her — had killed part of her crew — had taken away as niany as he ju(li;ed proper — and, Hnallv, to cap the climax, that he had handed one of thcni. Wii.it would be t'lc rcfult ? Venge.mcr, venjTcance would have been the cry from the Orkneys to the 1 uid's end — anfl nothing wonld appeafe the infuited dignity ol England but Copcidiageni/ing New-York, or Balti- more, or Philadelphia, or Chaileiton. " My dear fir, one of my oxen has gored one of your cows." " Well, to be mrc, yfui will make lepara- tion — yoLi will fend mc a cow in the place of the one I have loft. To that you cannot make anv ob- j '^Vion." •• It Is all very right. But hold, 1 mif- took. It is all the other way. It icas your ox that §orfd f?iy cow, " So, fo, we'll fee about it. Call lome other time." "My good fir — this is not very corretL Th^ hufinefi xvould have been foor. /tttlcd, had you been as willing to do jujlice to others as to receive Uj'roni them.'* Since the above was written, I have ronfnlfed Mr. Canning's defpatches to Mr. £r(kine, by which it ap- «.. IGO HUB OLIVB BRAKUII. I, pears tliat the Britifti govcmmcnt calculatr.l ,u 'Jj tifkinc's udjiilling the (lifFcrcnccs between the vv) ),.. liuiis uii the tulluwitig bafis. Jti.vfvact of a Letter from J\fr. C(ivvnis:i t^ccretnry. fo tlu'. lion. David JSl, Lrskine, dated Funign OJJlcvy Jui' uary 26y 1801). "1. Tliiit tlic Amcrienn pfovtrnmcnt is prrpnred, in (lie cvpiit rf I; • uinj st>*s coiisiMiiiii;; to Miili mul Jfovi iiib r, I8(»7, to wiiliili- w idliiuijorancfuisly on in imrl llu- intd ■ «li(lioii oi' ils ItHilmrs lo ships «>! wur, Hud nil iHiu-innicouisu and nun. inip'ii iiiiioii aclH solar ns rti|uciH rt'(lnrtinj!; n iifw «o\iiCf af mis iidorsliiiidiri^', wliirh hut;lit arise :iti»r iho >djualiiiiiit oi ihr ftllii r iiufsliiiiis.) \^jl/uit .hnrricu in wilUncf to renounce, (luring th- pycifiit wiir, the fivetensinn of laivitnif mi, /7i fivie of war, all 'vaJr nvilh the enemy a co'oiues, fvom v/uch nhe tuas r.rclndcd durintf pecc ! "3. (irciU HritJiiii lor tlif purpose ol sfciuinj; llic openilioi) ol tlic embiiiKO, and ol' tJii- l:uU(i fuli: iiitt'iiiioii of Aiiit rica to pi event Ikt cili- '/t'ii4 tVoin Irnding with rr^incr, and the powt-i'ii udo]itin{; and ai tin(; uii- iler till! Friiitli dcuit s, ^\j- is to Ae couxidt' ftl as hrinj at Ll>evt>/ In cajdure al such .ivtcru >lioii. Let us fee how iar the advocates oi" Enj^lifli liberality and Knglilh juilice are borne out in their romineudations oi Eng- land, and their intemperate abulevot their own govern- ment. - The orders in council, exifting at the date ol the Erfkme arrangement, blockaded France, Holland, and a D^it of Italy, contahung a population oi about httv millions of people. HIE OLIVE IIRANCH. int event f-f 1 '• ,l:i»iUHr\ (tinl irl ilii- liitii- rsu ami unii' litm ill loric tt uuilcr her By Mr. Canning's innnifilnns to Mr. Krfkinc, tlicfe oiili'is wore to bo lorciiulcfl on tlirrc ron.litions — 1. T.ikiii. 3. Allowinir til- Bntiilito capture our vellels bound to IV'Wice and her dependencies, \v 11 icii, reader, IS NF.i- TIIKll MOUK NOK LKSS, THAN WKAVINC, TUK OR- niKS iM rouNcii, INTO A TRKA I Y-.-jrivinj^ our own [oli'inu i'.mrtion to the extiavajrant prctenfions ol Gieat Hrit'iin to limit our trade, which pictenfions we had lU'.rlily refiikd. Stupendous mjuflice! --Never before were furh re- voltiriiT piopofltions ni.ide to any nation not fubdued. W'h.it ! Alike a treaty by whic h we let loofe the whole Iioftot the thoufand (hips of war and the hundreds o! privateers of tliegrcileft naval power in the world, upon our defencelefs commerce ! I'iie mind is loft in allonilh- nicnt at fuch an unparalleled re(]nifition. Rut ^rofs, and inlultinil, and outrageous as was this pro- p(ifition---de{lru6tive as its accej)tance would be to the vital intercffs of the countrv---tliere was no federal printer iicMTi New-Hampfhire to Geor«^ia, that exj)re{red a fmglc u( rd of cenfure of the conduct of England for her dar- irh.r A\\i\ infulting demands, or for her breach of the con- tr;ifL No. England was uniformly right---their own g)vernmcnt as uniformly wrong. It feemed imponfible to- Eiii^Iand to commit any a6^, or make any demand that would not fie juflified--- Let nie clldblilh thefe allegations--- ^ " It liavini? heeii s'lcwri, tlmt tlie iilea of ip;nnrnnco is innflmisslMc in t'lc case of the Ki^ki' h Hrr!ui5,omeiit ; iluit it w:is llie '» rvfrtury's iliiiy to know the power ni' il,e niiniatt r Ix't'ore lie ])rr>cfci'. ■! to «ct upon it ; ihif to Hctii|)iri a I iiiikiMiwn power, is to act williont power: it i'ollows tint our Ji(lti)ini;,t( Ht o I, ii' ilicy uiiilt:"-«tO(i(l tlieir Itusiiirss, must Iiave li .' n uwiire lliat /'fheu lo^re W'^rtttatinpr with inx ti.uiut.'i'ji'izi'd inili- ■ ■liuul — ui.auihoriiicd ■, •">'il hoc, as to this particular subjcet — with c.'rie 14* I 'f ,Fjr^: 165 TUii OLiVE KRAN't'H, ■ivho hrtd sheitn 110 nuthoritii fur tlif fntrfiosp. Conscfiucntly llnyLftu MO rcasdn to r« ly on, nor to e\;ii'«'t » tnirilmi nt of th'- coiiipjict hy \\\v. Ui'iiisli fjnvcpi.mo.t. kii-.v iK^ ait tln'ii iHd, tlmt it had bren r.-irfcil it/ion ■H'ithoiitiu If uilc(j\in'c mfoi mation •■( tic tcymshaviii: b>:t!i tadhnV' izcd liy that govevnmnnt." Liutud hlaics Gazette, Ucceiubtr li, 1809. Now, mv dear reader, ^vhoever von be, tliat have comti thus far with nie, let uic iolcninly invoke yon in the name ot the Go.i ot peace, to make a paufc l^erc. As vou vahic your bclo\ed countrv---as y(;ii prize its honour--. its happincfs-.-your own wcifaic--- tlic happint'ls, jijic wcllaiv: oi vcnir poflerity-.-icvicw this whole fuhjc6t. I mull orcc more bring it bciojc your eyes. An envoy exltaordinary and miniftcr j)lcnipotfn!i. ary informs the gnvernmL'.it by which he is accredited, that he has orders to propofc an arrangement oi two or three leading points ot difference between the two toiintries, preparatory to a treaty. His overtmes are accented.* An arrangement is made, which is highly advantageous to both nations, but moie paitieularK to that of the envoy There is not the {lightelt facrificc of its honour or inteieft. Alter this arrangement is made, we are alfured ten th.onfand times that Enir. land had been always ready tf) arrange our dilFcrenccs on thefc very terms. The United States Ga/ette ex- prefsly ftates that "(he h:vi rcqueftcd Mr. Jefieifon to do the fame thing.''---And yet, when the arrange- inent is rejecled, the fame United States Gazette af- ferts that this envoy extraordinary had no powers to make the conventio i--.detends England for tlv bieaeh of her engagement-. -and as I have already ftated, tiansters the odium to its own government. No pow- ers of language arc adequate to cxprefs my alionifli- mcnt. *■ *• No expression Ins escjipe«l any member of (lie British cabinet, eitln'i' in parliament or elsuwlierc, making indecorous insinunlions against tlu" United Slnl'.s, or ninnifesting a teni])t;r nnlViendly to rniu'iii- ation. On tin- contnuy llity have dcclare«l a tvish to rene-w iiinicahle ite^odation ; have named v^ itjinistcr for lliat pur;iose ; and with at Jeast N«» IIIF, OMVE nilAXCU. 168 1 ^ppnronl s'mcprlty have i xi)ir':ulcil hy ilic puhliciUion f)f Mr F.rsk"i«!'s insti-uotiotis. Swfflcient i-i ormrtioii li is Ijct.'M |-fciiv«d lo convmi'i' 11 cand'nl [ii'sfjus, l):«t ilie raMi'im- wil!i wli.ili tlti' Knfjlisli caljinct lius liceii ])nisMcil, mn! (lie violent nliuc witli .iliirli it li;ts 1)1 »'ii iis«;.iU(!, \\:\% itudescyvcil V^' o t!o liot rnicrtnin a (loiil)! wlien hII tiie circninsmnic- sJiJili li-.ive hccn disci -ed, thjit !t wilf afilif^iir that sfcrefnif Sm I'l actunlhi sn-.v F.y}!kiii''''9 iii'itvuctiovr, and till till- arr(in::fmt'>tt •iL'.ia vvitlf merry as an c.vfte- tmrnt \\ o 'eel coifidiiii that till* liiMiii vil. lie put u,ioii this (oothix; li then the Uiii.ed States wll if 'jhitiMlely injui < (I hy tiic :i>l. tfifif wil' judge vh'i'e thr LUiine lies " Ft ilt-iiti Rtpublican, July '27. I!l ;*). " The peof>/f have bfftt J!iis'rinit''f leceivfd. and vro^shj nh^'fi^d — T''- in Iter rcits ()• t-xVi-n .l/i" I'Wfihf.ie and uiir iidruiur:< nth.u — . \\ lnicvcr th l)l;inie sliali jtitHth, it is lor lliu pcojile lu »i)|>ly or oii-i- iiatc the remciiy * Idtni, .liil\ 31 " In nh'ttt, .l/r Krskiiie surrendcrt d event thing, and got tiothing in return Ibid. « Foi' our part, -re hdi'e had hut one opinianfrom th" commpucfment of thin })wsttri'ji!S iiJJ\:ir — and \\i h;tVij iniiile Iwild p) (?;;!■( .••.. ;t It is lli.i .^/r I]- xh no aclcil roritni ii fj hit inslrticliijnx — and that the sec- ruturi/ Smith kiiAw whot these inslrttclions were " Ihid. B'.'toie I offer anv coninient on the four 1 '.(I nriirlcs, 1 wiili to llcito to tlic rtMcler that I b.tvc cxtuclccl li)cm !iu!P. a paniplilct pubiidicd bv Mi • Nilos, cailcil " Thinors as they are" — that I luivc luul no o;>n'M>ii:Mty ot co!!r'.tin^ tlicm wifli the oiiginils — but that I li.ivc wjittcn to Mr. Mdulc).., one oi the F.ditois of the I'edcul Republican, locoired mc it I bad mifqnotcd bis paper. 1 have re- ceived no reply — and thcreiorc it is to be prefinncd tlie quotations aic correct. Mr. Hanfon H.ites that " Mr. Rrfune furrrnd-^red roer\i th\Hg, and got nothing m return'^ Wuat a Ihi- peiiilous difregaid of fai!:!: is embraced in tiiefe few words ! It is impofTible to exceed it. What did he fur- reiider ? Merely the odious, the unjuft orders in council ! And did he receive nothing in return ? Was the im- menfe trade of the United States nothing ? Was it nothing to perpetuate the non-intcrcourfc with France, till Ihc refcindcd her piratical decrees ? 1 aver in tiie 11 \t THE OLIVE UHAXCII. fi!cc of this nation, and detv Mi. Ildnfon to controvert the tdft, tli.it Eiif;hin(l gained imnKMilely — atid that flie fnirciulcicd n(;thin[T hut what jiiHire ou^ht to have in- duced her to have lurrendcred long befoie, ot lierown scccrd. "Kn " I ptitiPiit my fellow citizens to jipcompany me a liifle fiirllu r in the ( Xi.iiiinhlioii nrdicsf iiiVLC'liv< s « liich tlic li «(U'i8 of «ii imiTif rni jjvf. l_v it! tiilt cdUir.iy i»;c( ir.iintli iiKtM- sjiRiii-^t (JreHt r'ritnin for tlie imr- l)63e of e\»s;jtTaliiig us inlo wm ' U. btul Hht. Oct. 18, HOO " Ifc [Vr r.rtkiiif] nl«o litcliirps t1i:it the Eiitiph joveriimrnt h:ive tin'''mljt«?('ly n rif>,l»t tndisavow tin- •;,'i'ti!n»ent ; and theii hu-vf tlotir evrr^ t/iin.j I, at (ii'Ciniic lui hoiunn'tthh' inUitti to prevent evd cons'-r/iiencc!: itrisiiij to ill.' eiu/.ttis of tliis «oii!itry frcni tinstii ;4 to llie terms of llie agri'«.'mLMill)wiigrulfille(!." U.S. (j'az (Jet. 3, I80O. " It is n trutli uliich t!ie widest ai.d I)'st p.Ttriots of Amcvir.a Jmve long and st i lously d* jjli.nd, tlsnt the past administrnlion Uad furvinli. ed 710 symptfim tif impart! ulity het-Vfien the tivu belligergvts pvivions 10 till tct iiiliil)iii:i,u; (lie L'lilraiicc of ofii- ports to tlie flnned vesRcIs (il'tlie otip «s \v lias of the oilier I;i (li.it spirit wliicli .Mr Smitli still ir- tuins. hihI now Iubnnis to revive in the bb>oni of Olivers, hort-Hiii to Kn^land ard lat/te fuiiseTvienri/ to Fiance, are Anoirn to /aue btin ili iharacteriat'e fcctvres. The fjicts are in the pfissession of (very inaii ; Avliich iJi nve tiiitt llif ferli; sjs of thr f;rtnt boiiy of the pro])lp, id llxii- le;*aelie OclubtrlS, 1 SU'J *' It will he (.h~y. rved that this sliow of words, and (hf.se iipiivc .stateint-nts, !i/ier all, h\ the president, served only to inpki- the pii! !;e btlieve, lli.t 'J'^V Ik: had no reason to apprehend ti disuvu-iful. lU- Is not l:krdv ( nonsrli to say, thul iitidtr tiie ciicinuBtiinri's ot (lie Ciisc, (Xji*" l::e Uri.is'i j^'ovt rumen t was hnuiid to abide hy Ert-kiiw^s nit ; ov lh«l they coiii 'lie lilli still ir- hoFtfUpi to ate btiH ('<■ ' I very mnt! ; lU'U' SUCt(FS Octobtr IS, use Mpi'livc llic ',>ii! ix 'ilCtll. Ill- i'' ((''■s <" t ; <"■ OVM< \\\:uU .1 Till li.'.l.ili^, 20, loO'j. on cliul«il tlie 1,1' WHS UM- howt-vtr ?c- liiituiiiiil !>.»■ f ii.tldli':'''''"-' 50 Vith'jVi he proctetliT'} tl.i-tOD •'■'<= on ; i>iott.eil- f,i;hiii''l llic pnvcrnrftent (!ucli of I iitli fot- not recognizing and tulfiliing the slipulutiwns.'' Idem, U.;c. JS, tSU'J. <' If, as asserted i;y Mr. Krskinp, his power« were cnmmunicafed t* eur cal>inet in substance — if lite liiadg of .upaitnienti liiil early coininu- liifiit" to tlje lea0-ti To rLAC£ AN ill ULSKllViSU CO^riULNCli IN UR. MAUlhOS. liiem. Oil this lafl })aragrapk I fliall make but one ob- fcrvation, to wbi< h I (C.quefl: attention. It is, tli.a -ic- coiding to the Uniu-ci St-dJ-s Gazette, it was in De- ceinhcr grT " THE Du iy" of Engi-and " ra mkr- SELL," to rejert an arranjienient which the I'ariK' G.zail ol more ardent, moie zeilnus, more i)»dul\r!oiis advocates ti; ui t'C cauCe of Gi\>dt Britain has cxpr- ienced in Bolton, New-York .ml Pailidelphia—and VuW there ncvvi was ot reclamation and com- plaiiU to the Britilh government, as well urider the adnuniftrc'.tion of General Wafliington, and Mi. Adams, as utiucr tii.it of ?\l! . Ji tfcrfon and Mr, Madi-'Mi. And difgracclul and dithonourablc would it liav- ». . to any t --4ltm^~ C'rt... THE OLIVE nHAXCM. 407 oi the prcTulen'i?, had they l)ccn deaf to the complaints, and callous to tlic fufR* rings, ot" the Amci ican Haves, iloicn by violence and rapine trom their taniilics, and iiiends, and IVccdom, and beloved country, to fight the battles ot their cnflavers. "The practice has no parallel, eitlicr for atrocity or extent, in anv thing ot modern times, hut the !>ufi. ncfs of nc^io dealing on t!ie coafls of untortunjte Africa."* 1 fubmit to the reader the i'oMowing elorvicnt and un- anfu'crable pleas again ft this nefarious pradice. They lo far tianfccnd any thing I could niylelf write on the fiilije'^, that I {h dl d-derve tli.'.nk.s for I'paring my own, and fubftituting thefc lucubrations. From thp instructionfi of Jumea Mudison. Enc/r St'crptnri/ of State, to JnnxPi tMitnroc, Esq". JMinisi^r rUniyoteii- tiary at the Court of London. "Were it allowable that Britifh fuhjefls flionld be taken out of Aaierican veilels o?^ the high feas, it might at leaft be recpiired that ^ :ke proof 0/ their alUpiance fJwuld be on the IhitifJi fide. This obvious and j aft rule is however revcrled. And every feamaii on board, though going trom an American pojt, fail- IIH unaer an A metican fl a? an d (omctimes eve n fpeaking an idiom proving him not to be a B'-itilh fub- je'l, is prefumed to be fuch, ^^ unlefi proven to be an American citizen. It may be fately afhimed, that ^ this is an outrac^e rvhch has jw precedent, and hich Great Britain would be among tiie laft nations the world to fuffer, if offered to her own fubjeds, w in and her own ilag. " Great Britain has the lefs to fay on the fubjefl as it is in Cif dired confradiclion to the principles on which flie proceeds in other caps. WhiHt (he claims and feizes on the high feas, her own fuhjetls volmi- tarily ferving m Ametican velfels, flie has conftant- • Wceklr R(K!ster. t 108 THG OLIVC BRAKCU. -r'l! ly given, when flic could give as a rcafon for not dil- chargiii,!,^ trorn her fervitc American citizens, tiiat tl icy U<\ vohn: taiii^ cniiMgccl HI It. N av more. Cir zii/:(I/^ JJie 7mpr(/ft:s her ozun jubje&s jrotn th u Atncncan /I'lvicc, alikou;ih they may have, bctn jhtlcd^ and married^ and naturalized tn the United i)tai^'.s, Jhe con/iantly refufts to ultaje from hers, /American sea- man preJJ'ed into it whenever fhc can give for a reafon, that thev either settled or married ivithin Jicr dominions, Thus 01r ivhen the voluntary confent cf the individual favours her pretcnjions^ JJie pleads the vabdity of that confent. 1^ IHien the voluntary confent oj the indivi- dual llandi in the way of her pretenfionSy it goes for notlh ng. grS" H^hen marriage or lepdnue can hi pleaded in her favour, jhe avails herfelf of the plea, (JrS" When marriage, rcfidenre, and n^tinal zalion are a^nnni her, no refpefl ruhafever is f)'iid to enher. ^ She takes, by force, hfr owf fubjecls vnlunlm /y ferving vi out vrffels. ^' She keeps bv fovie '-f'/inuin citizens invi)/untanly feivng in her's. More Jlagi ant ■'Ml lUiO n I ten cies ca n n ot be imai'iHtL From a Letter of John (luincy Jid-nn^. Esqr. to Jlar- riann Gray Otis, Esqr. *• Tlif iiTipreHl'd American citizens, however, nnon di/lv authenticated /) roof <{rc delivejcd up. IikI(C!1! hmv un eafonable then were complaint ! how •'ffcct'iu a reme.'lv lor the wronc; ! an Aniencan vell'el, bound to a Europran port, has two, three, or tour n;it'vc A"'i«"rirans, imprelled hv a Butifh man oi war, bf)r.iid to the Edl or Weft Indies. When the Aiuericrin cap- tain arrives at his port of deftination, he makes bis pio- teft, and fends it to the neareft American Mimfter or conful. When be returns home, be tranhnits tlie du- plicate of his pc '^ft i> the Secretary of State. In ptorr^'s of time, t;ie names of t! 3 imprelfed men, and of tlie (hip into =%'idrh tliev have been imprefled, arc received by the agent in London He makes his dc' mand that the men may be delivered up — the lords or ii THE OLIVE IIUANCMI. i(i9 (lie aJmiraliy, alter a confiilcrahlc time for enquiry and advilcincnt, return for anfwcr, tint tlic (hip is on a foreign ftation, and their l()rdlliij)s can therefore take no further fleps in the matter — u', that the Unp hns l)cen taken, and thai the men hdve been icceived in exchange for French prifoners — or, that they had no protettions (the imprefling officers otten liaving Liken ihem from the men) — or, that the men were probcu I'ly Britilh fnhj.-cts ; or, th.it they had entered, and taken the bounty ; (to which tlie oflicers know how to reduce them) — or, that they have been married, or fettled in England. In all thefe cafes, without fuither ceremony, their difcnarge is refufed. Sometunes, tieir lordlhips, in a vein of humour, inlorm the agent that the man has been difcharged as unsfrvicfuble. Some- times, in a fterner tone, they fay lie was an impojlor. Or perhaps, by way of confolation to his relatives ,i;id friends, they report that he had fallen in battle, againft iidtioiis in amity with Ins cormtry. Sometimes they coolly returii that there is no juck man on board the jJup : and what has become of him, the agonies of a wile and children ni his native land may be left to co'jerture. When all thefe and many other fuch apol tgies for refufal fail, tiie native American feamari is difcharged — and when by the chaiitable aid of iiis government he has found his way home, he comes to be informed, tnat all is as it fho iM be — that the num- ber of his fellow-fufrereis is fmall- — that it was im- pofrible to difliniHiilh him fron an Eiiirlilhinan — and that he was delivered up, on did\ autiienlxcatcd prooj V Extract from CobbeWs Register. " Our fliips of war, when tliey meet an American vcITel at fea, board lier, and take ort of her b\ force, aiiv feamen whom our oflirers afFert to be Britifli fiibjetls. Thfre is no rule bv which tJifv are hound. li'if.v aSi at difcrction : and the confecpience is, that c^ great numbers oj native Americans have been thus 15 )ii I — > ^^A-^Mi. . irt IIIB OI.IVR nnANGH. ■41 impreffKii^ and Q'r greai niimhi'rs of tJ>f.m are now in our iic4h<\>. The totil iiumfior lb lnlf| at anyone tiiiic cannot, pcilutj)s, be arcoitdincd ; hut ftom a jiateiwnt pnhbshed in /Imenca it apprcus that Mr. Lyman, tlie late confnl here, jlatrj thr nn/nhr.r, about /no yfnn ago, at FOURTELN THOUSAND i^r Ihat n,nny flj thi'/e nu:n have dicil on board of out Pups — that many have been, rcountb-d — that many have br-'.n k:L<:d in adion and that many hove t)een xro) a out in llie servile, there mn be no doubt. Some ohtain their rc- le.ife tliioi.it^h tlie apptieui(Mi of the Atnciican conful luMe ; and of thefc the (ufTLrinirs h.ive ni inanv mlhinccs hev'n ver\' g'e.it. There have heen innmces wheie iien li.ive thus got free gdi' after having heen J/ooiU'd thtou^s^k the fleet for defertion. " But it has been afkcd wliether we are not to tike our failors where we find tuem i^ To which America anlu'crs yer,, but take onlv ycur own ; " take,^' faid Mr. L\ ni.in, " your whole pound of fh'jli, but take not a drop of hlood.'" She favs th.jt Ihe wiihes not to have in her iliips ritiy Britidi lai'ors, and Ihe is wilhnjJtt^ give them up, when- ever the ta6l ot theii being Biitilli lailois c's JFcehli/ Bigister, vol. 3, jinge 303. " If tlie mod dignified officer in tlie naval fervice of our enemy were to plundet neutral veflels of a box of codfifli, or a bale of cotton, on fufpicion that it was even enemy's property, it might coff him Ins wliols fortune, with an ignominious difmifral. The \ ^ TlIK OLIVE BIlANCir. in law of nations allows liim to fend in tlic vcflol tor ad- jiulic.tttcjii, cJiid it becomes Ijim to prove tie taH lic lulpeded U he tails in tins, he is olten nuilrted ill heavy da n.j;T,:s hv the eouits (.A law ot his own country. Hut in tiu* hulincls ol nian-jlculinp^, he iiiin- ft'it is juflive and jntv — lie takes when and where he picafes, and is irre(|)on(il)le toi his coiuhK^t. It com- pliuit is ni ide, he liien^ es it hv the brt)ad {)lea, "■ thnl hu mujfji)' xcaiitej nit'ii' --.dWiX, it tiie in.iii llolen is reltoua to libeity alter years ot dangers anrl (ervitadc, without one cenr toi his hazards awX toils, there fire knaves who produce his cafe ni evidence ol " Btihjh VLigiianiiiiity !" ATter the reader has carefully pernfed the preceding ar!;ii!nents. I recjueft he will read and ccMTipaie the fci.- tiinents of Mr. Pickering on the fnhje-l- ot nnpielf- inent at two different periods, tiic firll when he was fcc- rctaiy of ft-.te, and the fecond when he was fenator of the United States. Oct. 2f>. iron " Tlw Bniish niviil ojfici-vs ofl- 1<'U •m/ffsfi 'Siwdfn, f}i. iiiiil 9they . ■iieiq'nrfs from thr vcsyef-i of t!f (Till ifil Stales T/irii /tux-'- eTi-n ■s-iinelimes impressed Fi enchiniii !! \\ III I'u .sliuiilil lie ti.iie to i))!tko out Uk" coj)y of a pt(itt!sl L«ti'ly iviiivrd it sli .11 he ewclusiMl, dcs- cnl>im I lie imUveas of a Dune and c. /'ortitfi'iif'se ' riiis sillily i. mu ::l) iSi. i;iss Id cofri'd. 'l^lt<'it Cull- nut jnetend an nab litrj to iliatin- Ifnis/i t es'' /(!">• ;^n rs foin tliur u\i)it su ■/nets 'I'lieii m ^1/ icit'i as lU'vIt .ratoit roli.invi can x'i'ss lit (if ike pro'h'rly or til' : chuiid:Zfi of ii e •Siued.", DauKS, or" I'urtnc^in'xe. lis eize ij detain iii their service " It is pnTi'ct'}' wi'll known lli:it (illl AT IJuITaIV KV.SIlti; ID oHTAiv ovi.jr iii.:i o\v.\ sijii- JKCTS* " Tlie evil Wi; complain of arise"} from tfie iin/iossi/iiiitif of al-waijs idsiinq-uishtii^- t e f>i:r ons of two iiitions wild a ftw jt:ais si.ict wcie OIK' pcojik'. vvlm txlntiit t lit- sntue lUMiiiiirs. speak till' s.'iim- la ^iii^e, ami possess siiuiln- tentiifL's j" *' I In.' nriiisli bl.i[)^ «;;, sqi-. luiiiiblei' at the romihoi- ol asbachuselts, p:ig« court of LoiiUoii. 9 Teb. 16, 18US. t 11"^'' . ^Si ir;3 THE OLIVP. BRANCH. ( A t/ie Ku/'jict/i of l/ionenntionn/'jiitid boitnl our merchimt vfiif!t, and ijti fio,nit . hill I iciin ivssela. 'I'lic ^vill^ tlirin * small mmiimi (,i pi't'tiil' iit iH iMfiniily ini\ioti8 uuis, liom thk mi'«tssiiiii,n v oi' to have iIiIh Ijiisiiu'ss of iiii|iic8S always iustinui i bicli was, t!i:it our .seiunen sbmuil ;.l\va\s carry i.bout tlieni ccrtili- i.;tles of their titizensbip. 'I'iiis is a conilition never yet snbniiilcil 10 by any nation ; one willi whiclj seinien wonUI never htve liie pic- cautionto C0iiiiil> — the cisiitslties ot' their calling would expo.se them to till- coiis'iint '.(estnie(i'):i or loss o this j):iper evidence ; and t/in' the liriti-Ji q'ov^viunfiit u- ,u'd be armed with \ef^n\ .•tuthonty to inipm^ tha -u'h'jle of ou" seamen I'lie sintplest rule will be, that ihe vessi 1 bting .\i,iLiican, shall be e\idenco that the seamen on board of her nre such IT th.y apprehend that our vessels might thus become jisylnms tor t!ie i'ji^i'ivLS of their own nation from impress gangs, the nunilur of r.itn t'j he iirotictctl by a vessel m.iy be liniited by her tonnage, and one or two niliccrs oidy be permitted to ei ter the vessel in ordci' to e.vumine (h.'j nnmber ; bnt ?je /j/vj? 3-anci' should h'- in& OLIVE AHANCH. 173 'ill It'll rver to :*o on fionvti nn ^tmevicni vftufl, till after it sfmli le >.t th If ti'ieie iiif iH'ji r ihiiii tuc alipiilii f tiumfif- un /r,i,ril ni»r ll, lit r l!lL* IIMSdT bll i;'i(i I as t>> ciiiiiiiitiiiKMtc In lilt- wliir slitill |>iihh (hi tliin hiiliji'it. hihI it ma >>•' iiukde Rii ailiilu ul' conVLiitioii lu be ciileiLiI ihUi LitlKr there oi iivrc." MIT to lord From the mmp to the same. I rn> o' « ItMler fiom M»'(»>!r'» Bl • I III I \]i iIi'kK (In, ini'rcliiintn <>l Vncii!!), ( )|iliiinitii; «il thet.ikii ; aMny <>> tluir Uriii»li .11 Micd ' II )H i|vov» .iimI |miiii>Ii hik Ii ("tnliMi I li .itc to i,iiiir ilisrifiioii to I'luli'ikviiiii In nhiain iliiti K.iiisr..4'li«M> li\ him It till Hilly ilii('ii>si niir riiiiiiiiii i r llitl |i> nltil inn ii^miisl lliiiisli VIII (III r, mIikIi II liaH iiivt i i-\|i< ihim eil iiiin any nllit r nilinii No LiA fiirltiiU l||i HIMIII1II of .my iiaiinn, in t'ii;;''i:i' in liiiii' nC piiK < , nil ii.iaiil a fiii('i;ii v(!<>fl: iinl.it\ an lii)n/.i"< siii It s«'.,iii,iii inlmalt Ins diiiirai I imi' I li>.' .ti'iiifil vessels c Iwict' tur i8 I't'acuc. From the. S'tmi' to the same. Nnv. 6, I7f)'2. "' I inrloif yoti now llu- rniiy of « Icllci' from Mr Pinlard. our cniisdl tt M ii^i'ira, fxliiliit in:; aii.iihcr aUfiii)>l al tin- practio oti «lii II I «rnl.' In ynu m riiv la-t, id i ic liv Cajtl. Il'i'^nnii nf ilic Brit. i'.li f'ljjali', liv.j'iri, In lake st^uiii'ii frnrii on JMianl an AiiiCiiciiii vcs- si'l Imuii'l lo live liiNl linlies. il is \\ iiccssiiy In (ltv«lo|)f lu you llii- iiiroiivf iiifiii f8 of liuK I niiilnrt, unit III! imrnssiliiliu of Ull>Mf^ il ifo nn, / /ini>p •/nti t)ill l>i' 'ilile tn nt'ike the liri'ish inin'ulry svnsibtt of thv netessiiy iif punislutii; tlit jmsl wd piemil'ii'; l/ic fwine. Ins ilnly li p • -iii t, lliil the irifjuliuilics btfure 15* niicii txiciui not utiiv lu the cupluic uinl IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) V /, I/. fe "^ 1.0 I.I 1.25 vs. 1120 tti 1.4 1.6 ^ V W Jh Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^^ |\ iV \\ ^ufi jf?u7,«. '-'^ I [e forbears I o dwell on i/ir lujinifi dune Id Iho^a unfortuntilc indii idunlo or on the emotions xclnvh t/u-i/ I'lint iiiiurcdlif e.rri/e, ci'her in ffw .'iieasl.^ 'if the nauon lo idiom tlte'j bvUinp^ or I'f^ liie jnsi mnl liiunane (if eioy couniii/ His rrliaiifc on 111*' jii.-.iirii :uiti ln'iuvulctK •• nf his mijisty UaiU liiiti lo iiisii>iis dn in fitlute altMlHin fruin siinilai' vinU ;i(l-s "It is >vilh I'oidml s.iU'^rK.lioii ihit ihe oiiilcisimird renTls on tlic iniiMrgsioiia which s>ieh an • qntible and eonrihuioiy imasoie «ould miiko oo the pi'0|)lt' of Uir Uuitfd Slatt's, and how ojiluially tliry would incpiif iu.d riicnsli those sciitioinus and disposil ions t- Inch IK vt r fail to prtsoive u:> will as lo produce itspi-ttj esleeni autl fiieiul- bhip." EMrnct frr)\n ihe inHfrucf:oiift r:::vpn h;/ Tiwoffi!i Vlckcr- i)i<<:, es;/. s:H'Y('i(trii of t^icite, to jLiifns K'iu^, esq. ministtr at ihe court of London. fe: Jtine 8, 1796. *• ',r/* TAe long /lilt fruitless nt tempts that have been mode to jimtat American ^eitnii^n J) oia British imjjre.sscs, pio»e that the suhjecl is 10 its II a lore ditHcoll " T'u" simplest rule <" ould he, iha ihe vesici beinjf Ameriraii, should be evidence t/uit the seamen are such But it will he an iinpoi laiit poiiil iruiiied, if, on ihe hiy:h seas, 001 (Jatj riiii piotert those of what- frver iMl!Oi) w ho sail nnder it An', for ihis, hinnHiiiiy, ns uell as inioicst, ooweiriiliy plead, (^f/* MeichanI resseh carry ro nioie handu than their safety renders necessary. To tcithdrnro any of them on the ocean, is 'o expose both lives and properly to destruction ^Ve havi a riu'iit then lo expect that th< liiitish u'ovcrnnieot will make no dit}j> citltv in arcedin;; lo Ihis very inteiestini; prnvision And the same mo'ives should operate with nearly equal force lo procure for us llie Iik< exteplion in nil the Bntit-lt colonies, hut especially in th>' West Inilies In the latter tlie consequence of ho impress is ;"" ' the deten- tion of the vessel ij^f By the detention, the vessel is injured or destroyed by Ihe xmrms. and {^^ the remnant of the crew exposed to the fatal dit- eases of the climate. Heme a longer delenliou ensues The voyage becomes ouproiiiiihle to the merchaitt : and Xj* humanity deplores the lo>s of many valuable lives. But there is another cogent reason for au rxeinplioo from impi>sses in the British coloniei— that Ij' (li^ prac- tice will be, as it has always been, subject to monstrous abuses : and the S'lpreiue power is so remote, thai {J/* the evils become irremediable^ 6e- fore redress can even be souohtfrnr. "To ^nard a^jainsl abuses on the part of Amrriean ritizens, every iMnst) r of a vessel, on his nrrital in any port of Ihe British colnMif&, may be required toie;;orthis crew, at the prosier office. If, aftci* ! - „« "I'mS OLIVE BUANCU. ±73 wards any addilioti be made lo tlirm hy Brilixh mbjecls, these may be tak- ■> >(akfu loi' B. .ti-i'i sulijecls. '•IMicieare three classes of men, roneern i up wliotn tkeie ran be [in I )fi' vili V. I Nilive Aineneaii ritiz''iis, '2 Atsi'M iciiii ( ,ti. ECUS, ilnrevor born, w lio wi.'ie mub »• ibe rbfiiiil ivc ti> iity of ptate. iT f' 13 FmeijfuerK, olhei tb>ni B'. iti''b siibj«ets, s.iiliua; lit AiiK'nean vc«s(ts, :i:id v\ hose |ieis«nis oii!>bt to hf as s icieti, as il it'S|>i i ts tlie B t'-li, as those of i).y of Mhom, in ly have be< wrii«' < t z ■i eoliiTinr of Norfolk, lespeetiiiK four imprcsned seamen It appears to bt- v\iii|c,ii with candour, and iiterits attention If, as the captain of the Piev«»y- aiiic! [ Wemyss] says, the dinuily of the British iroveriuneiii Ai|| not pi'imit 411 enquiry on board their ships foi Ame- hiii senmen, ''/cjr doom is fixed for the icar : avd thus TlIK uiRItTs .ir AN LVO^prvD- BKTSATION ARE TO BE SACRl FlCJf.D TO BRITISH 1)IG NITY Jus- tice requires that surh eiKpiiries and exammniiou hi made ; brtanse Alherwine the libeialioii of our seamen « ill be impossible. For the British eovernment, then, to make professions of respect to the rishts of our citizens, and willino^ness to release them, and yet deny the only means of ««- iertainins thn^e rights, is an insuUintr tuntalism " If the British 'jovemment have any repard tn mir rights, any respect for our nation, and place an'j value on our friendship thei/ will even faeiii- <( \!ur7' ire IHE OLIVE iJUANfW. tale fo us fhe 7nean» nf jfvttiii> our tippii'sscd ciHien.i TIte stil'jrrl of ni'i iiii|)i't'ssi'il s(".iiii('i< III k- -- .1 (viil of vonr insli iii t'ntii ^ liui i)ie pitMiiciit iiovi KiicMs Ills (icsiie lliui I he II' relief uiuy cngxgt.- jum i>()cciul utleiition." CHAP. XXII. ! S If \ Imprrfi^^vpvf duriris: the Ad mivht ration of Mr. Jldnma. Letter from liiifnn Kins;. From Silas Tulbot. I'r m Tiiiinlhif Pickerins;. lustruciions of Jud^xc ^Mvvsl^vil to linfhs Kin^. Jir Lisfou's project nj a treat y. He- jcc'cd on account of Jmirissment. I now proceed in chronological ordrr to ftate tiie views of <) M government upon — tiie rcnionlirances ot onr pub- lic ofiiceis atJMmft — and the redrels afFoi dcd or ictiiiod in — the odious .:fFai'r oi inipicHment, dining, the achmnis- trat'on ot Mr. Adan)S. I bejrin with Rnliis King-, efq. whofe name, from the ground l:e now takes in politics, is a towei ot fticngth on this (ill j ti. From Ihifus ICing^ Esq. to Timoiht/ rickeririgf Secretary of Stutf, Lovilnn. April 13, J 707. TJiP »iihi« Tt [of improKsmf I'tl in all its lii'l.uis, hiii- r«iiiH' iiii iiiiiis) iiis'iii.t'i'S rqitivtxiii I'lsc--, I liii«r, since tliR. nioiilli of Jn y last, iiiiid* applKa- tio.i fill jIh ili5ch:ii2t from llu- Btitisli nipn of war of 27' sriiiiitii, who siaiiiic lli^iiisclvt !« to lip Anu'iiiaiis, liavr rlitiniMl ni\ iiilt-ifrr- einf : of tli's iiiiitilier 8fi liavr ny tlu' nilmiralty he«'i. onlerfd to lie (lis) lt:i>y:< H ; 37 iiioic biivt' lipii) tii tinned as Biitisli siilijt cis. m as AniKicrtii v(iiiiiitt rr!i, or for want of proof llmt \\\v\ are Aim i'Oiis : and to ni\ applK iitioi's for tlu^ t insMiK-rs to satisfy till I'm' the (ipp'iciinls were real Ametirani, "lift had been forced iutu ihe British service j and wUo cQ" with siuguiai THE OLIVE BRAN'OH. Xi 4 s>il>jrrl of : ;, lilll tlie cunstnnoy h«V8 generally persevered in refusing; par and bounty, tiioiii^li ill iiiHiiy iiibUnces they hare been iu service tnuie tbaii two /. 7 V ni •itiy. He- ine views oiir pub- )r vctufcd E iulniinis- , from the it fticngth , Secretary vcar». To this document, I mofl earnellly invite and invoke the attention of the American nation, and the whole people of Chriftcndom. It affords the moft concluhvc tkience of the ftrong ground taken on this fuhjfft hy tlie adniinillration ; and lets the (cal of eternal contradiOion on the afTertion fo often repeated, that the poor, niilerable, ciillavcd, and by-his-country-abandoned failor — tlie pride —the glory — the bulwark of that ungrateful country — IS readily furrendered, when lynprejfed by mrjlake. Let no man ever dare again to make the afTertion. It is not true. It never was true. Mr. King tells us a plain ffory. He applied for the emancipation of 271 American flaves, forced to fight for their enflavers. (^ Not nmie a third coe.re difcharged — .2/?!^' i^ more than one half of {he xvkole number zvere de- harred of any chance of rcdrefs^ by a plain and fimplt brocejs. (5^1* The veffels, on board of which they were, having (Jrf " in many mjlances /ailed before an ex- Amination was had in conjequence of his application." W I 13, i7n7' (•«iir.«- iiii'lt'l' grriitii t.iiiH \\\ ius'iii.ccs id« fipplua- 271 siiiiii»n, n)\ iiiti-i frr- ileifd «<> lie ij< ris, "f a* Ante" i''i>iis : 11 Mi<: 1 4y. 1 /Ae«e .Humen tninaluiti uus IMP, aif not ov fiw . «iid teiirnrxi. '■ lift ith singula' Fro:n Silas Talbot, Esq. a^pnt for the relief of impress- ed seamen, to Timothy Fickerlug', Esq. secretary of state. Kiiiffnton, Jnhi i, 1707. "Admiral Sir Hyde baving; pfilned informatii):!, iliit mv' :4ppli'ation 10 tlie civil aiitliority ol iliis island, 'o uhtMiii Vie reli-Hsc of sucii Aniericau citiztiis as were found to b*' delHiii' d on bourd bis mnj.-s- ty'ssliips of war, bad been ntto!idi!mtlH$l&h irs THB OMVK nnANCU. Bervcrl lint, nonenf them whs fibejed. AliiiclmentRapninst the said «<\]). t!)i)iRliH\' I)' . ii orufi-j-d 1»\ the coiii't ; hikI h wril ot .ktii oiil i fUifii nutr;tj;f on my Amci i«M.', s. M.>cii, as ir» [Q- FiRiN(i TURM TU i liK (i NOW \Y, as you nu-nt on, (W to iniiii-t any kind o! iJtiniblimeMt Oi» tlieiri, espi'iiiij. ly for S.C1 kin;; fipijoituiiitifs to int'oiin \u\\ of llieir sitiitifion, fur llie purp'ise of oi>i!)inii i; x\\- just relief to wiiirli they urceiitilUil pray tii- d( •ivcur to y;. t pioofs of \\\v t'.ut that I may make it the subjec. of a sijccial reiirtst Illation lo the British ,. ovennnei.t." From the same, to Riif'is I^i^'ng, Esq, Trentov October .S, 1797. *M.ord rircnvillf's observations on lh( •.. t o' r<)n<;riss for ih ■ n lief and protn'fioii '-f A 'i-t-riiMO se'tmeii, prisvni onr I t'cr to Ink lordsliip of till- 30ll^ of last Niiveiiil);.r, is eoiiciusive ag' inst the IJritibh i»reteiues to nMain real Vmencaii seamen who are inarrit;( m their iliMuinions oi \\\\<' h ve v.j'.unt'uilv enicr ' in ilieir coiist'<|ii('nccs, or-> he nhtainoil the iLtchiirge of ni'ii^'H fif y sKuineii liiil \J uiral I'-irkti ln.s i... m, e till,,' |i;isi, , forlnttiun /lis ufficein to fimj niiy ■ttei t on tn t;itch witu ■• iuitl Col. I'albot infovntril me t/iut j^ t.nin.- uj <■ ii t (o r-. tit in uii; i st thrir will «My alitful) impti sf.t d lint (^j if t/ieit fn'rs st ui of'sn nvt- irnj eveiy chdntiel of tnforina'inn and proof of iUeir vtltzenshtp, such or- ctisiite, and uill conlinuey deceptive.''' E.vfrttct of a leUer from Rifn cuniiiMiMiMin m the pruf lUf of l-tkni); out of our Btii|)s. met on llic inain o>(Mn, sticli of tlicii' rtevvM as iliil not jiosscss cei t itic tt< s of Anifruan citizoisli.p j dt'nyintj, a» I !nnl otien done, in t'oiiK. r roiift 1 (mhth, n;iiMi 'lie •^iiwe siibjeol, any r;uhi on the (»arl of Gpitl Unlaiii, ii()0'i vfi'ili tin piac- licf could be fonndcd ; and susjitesilinij lli;-.! our ^htps- iif trurf Inj per' mi^uon of ou> soienimrnt^ mioht, with equal right, puisue ;he name piac- tice fo7vards ihcir mercliuntmen '■•'riiiit noi only sfinici) uli" sjioke llu- Knsirisli lanjiuaie, and wlio »fie evi.len hIho 1^''h.'1 D(tni.ihf Swedish, and Oilier fnieian seamen iu/i> cnuld no' rr-cett e :imain off-'erl o cmcur in II convention, which we lho>ii;hi pracliiabln 'o h\foi>n''d, .md which should self/a ihe^p que^lions in a munoer thai, would be sa:ifiicfo'i\i\\<: .tfd, e' petiiily "» t!ie CKlfrtt it was earned, seemed less oquitr.lile and moder ilr ilian we li:i(l 1 nt;h» to expecl "Loid Grenville slated no p'eeise principle npon wliieli lie sup- posed this practice <'onld he jn-^t'tifd : and tl.^ ro., vi rsilm . ij|ioii this point, like ni.i y others upon tlie same siit»j>Mt, ended «iti< "t a piospeit of Kaiisfiu liou iTj* Tlic Frencli and Spaniatd*, aii»li«iiy ntlier nation, innjlit pnisue the s.ime condnci as nuli'Jully i'^ fireat Bi Hiiin does. With respect , ^ lo foreign seamen in our unpi.o,.. this I'liprvneni //a«, if I itc'>l''ect, i/ielded the fioinf, ijp" lini'jh thi-i> o-rn nffi' eerit cot 'irii/p the pi'icttce We i;e assured all A.n» ' ns sh.tl .hs- tliit^f, 1,1,1 "pplu-iitiou foi liiit pnrpos'', and ih^. '" orders t ' ■\% fill l)ave been given lo their naval cominandGis ; but (^ this is far ri\ "*>.\v^.," p0^-l'^fi00ttl^ ;f;i(Uil «r 180 THE OLIVE BRANaif. short of sGtiafacti'm—iiidfed, TO ACQUIESCE IN IT IS TO ClVli Ul' rilK KJGIIT." W^ I bc(r the reader will moft carefully and attentively penile tlie I'econd and third paragidphs ot the precediuir doc unieiit. The lecond confirms tne ftatement made by Mr. Pickerinjr, when he WdS fccretary, that ^ Danes, SweJcs and other joragners ircre preffed out of our vtjJ'tJs — and fets afide his recent declaration, th.it ^ the imprc/fnient of our feamrn aro/e from the d'jfi' uity of d /criminating betroren an Enghfliman and an Anient an. Wfiat a frjii- cal procedure it would be to Icize by rniflake upon Danes and Swedes, as En):^li(hn'en ! But the tart eft.ihliihed by the third paratrraph is {lill more impoitant. It is that this country (J::!"" had again and again offered to fettle thefe ques. tions m a manner that rvould he fatufadorv for Eng- land and f'afe for the U.rJei States.*' And further, tii u " Eni^land had dechm-d fuch a ct)n vent ion." And vet M . P'( kenncT has roii-'drntlv itated the contiarv, in diie^-^ oppofition to the iatcand to his own knowledge and exprrience : — *' Our envernmrnt we'l know, (Imt Gtpnl Br'\ta\n (^ is perferily wi/l'iiiT lo (idi}>/ any airanyremeni 'hu can he dei'tsed that will secure tn her service the spmnen wlin tne tier oicv yul)jfet$, and at l/ie same tttnCf exempt OUTS from iuiprcst'tienf.'"* " So tnan u:/io rt (rards f/ii' 'ruf/i 'J' uiill question the diipositinn of Ihe Jirifi'/i aoverfimenl to ado;,' a/ni anongement that will secure to Great Brit- ain the service of her ntvn .subjccts-'^f Thefe fafts fcorn the aid of comment. The duUeft and moft Baeotian reader nuift be ftruck with the aflon- ifhinjr contraditlion and inconfiftency they difplay. With Mr. Pickering 1 am almoft wholly unac- quainted. He is far advanced in years — and has held * Lrtfer of the honornblr Timothy Pirkerinij lo his excellency iTpincs Sullivan, govcriior of iMnssarliosetis, page J3. f Idem, page B. h m r ■; ^ IT IS TO attentively prc'tcduig : by Mr. les, Swedt'S ^'U'tls — and imprtjj'ihnxi ctimnijfunr hat a tc:Kl- Ildke Ujjuii parafrraph is country thf^/e que.!,- V for En^- tuitluM, thit " And yet contsarv, in ow ledge and is per/erfly ill secure to 'xr \ie time, esempl k^positinn of ihe le to Great Bnt- Irhe dulled \h the afton- ({■play, holly unac- id has held Ibis excellency THE OLIVE BHANOir. 1^1 thehighcft and moll confidential offices. He has been honoured with the regard and cileem of the paity to which he belongs, ot whom he is confidered as one oi' the leaders. He has very niodcllly ailerted ot hinirelf, «' I in V rl;*ini some sbure of attention and credit — that share whicU is flue lo the iniui who dtfn 9 the worlil to point, in the \vh> ic cnnrsf of n Inni; and jinljlic life, at one instance ot' «lecciition — at a 8ini,le depart- ure from irnlli."* I call on him and his friends, to reconcile the above {hiteinents with the ia^ts ot the cafe. It will give ine pRvifurc if he can, at the clofe ot his long caieer, juf- tify himfelf on this point to his own confcience, and to his country, belore whofc bar I thus folenuily cite him. One other obfcrvation, and I difmifs this letter. — Mr. King explicitly dates, and flatcs with jullice. that to acquieice in the furrcnder of our feamen being a fatis- fa-ti-)n for the inj try, is iJ.f to admit the ripjit of ,>n' prfffment, again 11 which lie mofl zealoufly and patrioti- cally contended. Extract from a report of Timothy Pickerings .Esq. sc- cretary of state, to Congress. Dec 9. 1799. " \dmiral Parker i)Hir| no attention to the age.it s apijlicmmn on IniiHlt' of our ini|)ros8ed seamen ; tlie ailmiral having determined, and iiilormed tin: agent o' the d'::lei'mination, that no proofs w nid bi' regarded hy him, u-dess spe ially presented by''..' Americ.tn go- venuuent through the Hritish minister; noi- then i' i' in ihe single case of native Americans Under tliis fieliM mination there wii; be (let;iincd, not (ndy tli" suhjucti* of liis Britannic maje8t), natur .izi.d «inc." the peace of 1783 ; but all who, born elscwiicrc, vert then I'e- silmlin md had ben^iiiie citizcin of t'le United >tai.-s; also, j" all frreisfiiei's, as Gr'nn.^ni, Stix^des, Danes, Portugnpse, and 'tahans, iDho vo'iiintanly utirve m the v.'sseis of the Unil.jd States, .ind •( is (i fict that f sHch »l>i^liIl>^K;M have freqne tfy been imfir ssnl ,• nl- thoii:fh their Uuvfiiages and other circumstances, demonstrated that iltey ti/ere not Bvitiah snbjectt." Here again we have Mr. Pickering's teftimony on ■1^ i.\j 16 • Idem, pa^e 0. 16^ TJIIi Ol.lVE unANCII. wl i il 1/ ifjfl Wmm ' ' 7^f^ the fubjcn; of tlic l.ititjuliiiariaii piiiKijiIcs on wliitli irn, jiicffiTicp.t is condiiHcil. 'J lu' (iilijcH (iiilu's nic in a new point of li^ilit. An American vcllel is intt at fea hv a lintif}i tniMtc— The crew are brongla tfcirhliii);; before that n^ilit revc- rend and worihipful ni.i;.',illi.;te, the boatlwain's ni.itc. (jTj* All who cannot /peak plum En^^j^ljh uie fazed \~- t:s, hang rrrnch, GcrwanSy Danes,^ Italiam, or Hot. tniidls, tlii\ cannot be ndtix'es of the United Suites and aie not therefore entitled to piotci^lion tioni ( iir fl.'g. 'I'his fcrutiny is Coon vw^v. Anotlici then takes })lace. And (Jrf* of tliofe mho fpcnk plain Enpjijl'^ },t f'a.ies as many as he fiippo/es or pretends to ftppopt to hi' B)il',f}i fuhythlW And yc-t ve have nK-n in hi.L;h llatunis who defend this practice ! Would to Gi/J that ^f every wan who is an advrca/e for inipicff. iDciit, was hiuifelf inip;e{red and enllavcd on hoaid a Biitilh man ot war, witii a cat-o'-nine tails to' his back, to punilh his reirattoiy fpirit, in cafe he dared to complain. Extract of a letter from John Marshal!, Eaq. secretnry of sfofp, to Rufns Aih^s"' Esq. JJi nisi er I'Uuiputentiari/ of the United iiitates at London, dated Dejmrivjent of State, SeOt. 20. ISoO. " Ttir impresp.mevt of our seamen is mi injnry of very aerious mag- v.itvde, XL'Iiiili ilrc/jly nj/bcfs t/ie J'eeliii^^n and the honour nj the iiution, " This viiliiiiMe clnss of men is cumiiosid of natives and foriigntis, mIiO eiiS^'R*' voliiiituiily in our service " No ri<>l)t lias b< en asserled U» impress the iiniives of Jhnevicn, (J":' Vet tlii'y are ^inp^-csned ; {^'j' they are ilriirp-ed ch tionril of liiitish shifus of -u>(ir, -with e.vi'tence of citixeivihip ni t/uir IkukIs. (iiul ^ Jlr- ccd tjy violence there to serve, jiiiti cuiicliinive tcfiiimomu's of their birtli cull be obtained 'I'liese must most gentiiilly be s(?iii;lit tor on this side of tbe Alliiitie In ttie mean time (^ ackno-wleilged violence h prdctiaed on a citizen of the United States, by covt/iclting- /urn toen^^ii^e and coin inne in foreign service. Altiiotigli tlie lords of the Admiralty uniformly dinct ihiic discliH'pe on the production of this testindiiv ; yet (13^ many must perishnnrelieved, and all are detained a consicleni- lie time, in Iwwlcss avd injurious confnement. "■ U is the duty, us «■ ii as the riglit of a friendly nation, tore- quire tliai measur(»5 he tak' n by llu iJritish iMjveinniciit to iiruve:'. the continued repciition ol" such violence by its agents. Tiiis cas ''^:*-< q^J^ fft^ THE OLIVE miANCII. 1.S3 wliich im- liv.lit. An i II, If ate— n^ht rcvc- jiii's Ml.ilC. t fazed ;— 7j, or Hot. itid Suites, 1 tioni ( iir then takes EllgllJJ', hi 10 J II I' po ft uve men in )ul(l to God for Inipu'lf. on board a tails to his be clarcd to ?ecret(tr]\ of pateittiarii i-j 'pt. 20, 1800. ry nerious mn^- ir uj the viUiun. ami fortigiieis, res of Jme^icn. hnnvd of Uuhsh (la. n7id{C] l"-': munuvs oj thnr (vi-jiil IVtronlhis lir'ed violence is p hm to eii!!;(i;e >f the AtlmirMty this te^ilil' <'!'}■ i ned a considmi- ly nation, tore- tuo.t to vrm\''^ only liu ^\^ync liy piin'^ltiii); noil riowniiii; «ii timsr vKn prrpnliitto it rj" tilt' iH'IC mirage of the injutt-d, after a lon^ cuutxe i}f' sfiviiii; rtnd sutTiiiii^, n no vo/ii/Himiui'n for lli>! pa"', iinil no .^cunit!/ Tor l/n ,/''* litre it IN i>ii|>osNiiii(> iiiit to iiftievr tn.it tii4> ilrcijiivc int' i it-i iMiru •t' till k;ovt'i'itiiii-iii III tins it'S|if.t, v\ii\riit ,i |i lU'liti', ffw run- tiuiimtce of wliicli musl ini:ril(i'dj pradiue tiicud litticten /ico uaiion^, uliictt ought to bf the fiicKits of vach ot/fr " ili>i!»f MCaiiii II rt li«» Ntcif lunn lit u forri^ii roiinliVv '""' li »vf Iki'ii iiil*)|iu\\o oiIht jiortir " I'lir n-'hl *o ini'm'ss lliitsi" wh(i\v»'r«« !{• ;ti>*ti suli't.'ct* Iijim been assei'tol ; and llii; ngltt (ti iiiipMSs tl)(i««> oi' i-viiy olltii' nation Iiuk not ttccii iii8ciaiiii«- i " Sciilwr th( o)ic prn.'tire nor ttn' other can f)P j'tii'ijhd. "Willi llif iiitinaliiitiim of t'uuMniuT.i, iio oilu-r niiiion ran intri'- fiic, Ini t'.ioi til Ml tlu' iirUih of 111 ,t otliiT aic iiir»ri«(| 'liu' li^lils i-f Bi t.iiii air (Tit tiii'y iio( ;ilVi'( ti-ii by llic nalui.ilizatioii of oilier tiuit )>i,1.hIi utiltji-its CiMiscqtii'tilly ll)oS( ixTftoiis wlio, ad'ortiiu^ lo our l,uv«, itif <■ ti/riis, iiiiitil \n- HO coiiKiili'ii'l l>y |{> it nn, anil every uttici' jiukVLr not li.iviti ihfiii, and li ivi h rii>lit lo, ami an niti'iesl in, tlicii* jiiisuiis, lo ilie cxuni of lli«' scincc «Mn.tr:n ted lo hi' pcrfonii- i<\ j'Bntdin has no pretext of n<;ht to their persons or to the r serrice. Cj* 'lo tedT them, then, from our p'.sle called st-anu'ii, wc vm\ HiKlily di>tiiii:nish ht'?v*e«'iia nalMf Anirncaii, and a person raised to 111 inhood 111 Gnat ITiilain or Irehmi ; and we do not perc( iif any n'.iN'iii >e degree by one nation as by tiiu other. &^is^ t-iikmm^'^ssr^-- ...... ^ :i '■ I IS I Tilt Ul.IVfc- iniANCH. k •' If lliciefoic no rrgiiliitioii y this piacluCf throughout the United Slates. TUv cxlnn tnut jii'^iMf ul' thf rcgfiiliiuiii II |iruiln<)s, may be cstiniulfil ih BiiUiiii by Mi<|ii'riii^ J^, what itiipre.isions unutil be rnude on thttn by similtir tju- tluc. ori the part qf tins g»i eniment *' X )' Should tve vnpies.^ frmii the merchant service i}f Uiiluin not only Amii'Ciins but foreigntrs^ and even linli.ih suojectn^ how long would ^utfi a Course nf injury unredressed be permit ltd to pas^ unreven^ied / Uow l(>nf( ivould Ihe f>oi cinnient be content with uusucctisful remons/iance ? I brlu vr, Ml, lb.it uiily tici* nioht |Mi)tii|fl «'ori('('lioii of, or t'oiiiptiiHatioii fur, till ali(i»i<>, uotilil bf admituil as aahnfaciiuii 111 hul!) a raHv " H the iMiiiriiile nf tliia govei iiiiiciit forbid il to iilatialu by ill) |ii< Hsuu-nlK, tbtif is )(M 'iiioiIut niodf, v\liirh nii^hl bo resortid to. \Vt ini|;bl atithiMizf •'"" **"'' ''''^ government, was sikIi as inu.tl have liiMiiii;iil of uiir siiiiiuii, aiitl llic vcx- tlioiii uf our tiudf." In tlic year iRoo, Mr. Li (Ion, the Britilh nrmilU'r, I'libmitk'tl to Mr. Ail.ims, piiTuiciit ol t!io Uiiitcd St.itfs, A l^toji't v\ ji treaty toi tliciniitii.il delivery ot dido tcrs, ol whicli I annex the seventli and ninth articles, benig tliofe whicli alone bear on tliis lul j.JCl. 7 " I( in, liowrvtT, MMilt r^looil (tiit llii<» «lii>nlii»ion is not to oxtnid to .MitlioiiHr t'illii I ul'tlii' pai'lK'S li> (Iciiiiiim! iIii aity, who Irivc /ircii cin|tloyi (I Oil lioii.tl till- veRKi'tK of i'lliici of lltr n >|)( rlivc iiatioikK, mid nlio li ivt' ill titiii* of Will or llii(';it('iiiiii|):i >v('r iIm' civil o; iiiilitiiy of. fii'ti K uf )'>tli<>r of i|it> coutr.ul 111'^ partus forciiily lo «iiU'r inlo Ilia jiuhiic ahipt of' war, or iiilo llu' foils, !»ii i i^ons oi posis of »!;(• i>llui* pii'y ; or to iis«' vii'leiicr to tin- |ji'rhoiis of tlic liiiwl or kca otiidis of llic rt spiMlivf II itioiis, w illi a V f w to <'om|Hl llio ilt hv<'ry of siitli pisoiis !M m,iy liavi' (IfstrU'il fiom llic iK.vul luilitary bcivirc of i-itliiir piiiiy as iifurrs.iid '' This projet was fn'omitted to the heads of departments .liiil lo the attorney general ior tlieir opinions, which 1 fLilijoni. i . J:i pi From Tbnoih'j nrlxerh);^\ Er-q. ftpcretarj/ of state^ to rresiJeiit t/idums. Fthruary 00, ISOO. " Thf Sfdcliiry lia> the honor lo lay heforo IIm- |iit>i(l,iit Mr, LiMoii's Doii; of ih- 4ili Fniz(S llie lii^ht of »«- ;i'e««;>'g liiiush subjec *•, ami constqiantlu Awouan cili (-"(f/v r.n the i:tglt sets, among the thiiigi not to be Joicibl^ enlaeil in search i>f deseiiers '' Oliver Wulcolt, Esq. srcretnrif of the treasury to the Preside-it. April 11, 1300. ** The P'fji'J of n hT,ily pioposrd by ihe minisW'r o( liis Biiiaiinic nifljovy for liu' rrc'piociil ilelivi.ty of dcsit ttrs fiom llic laiiii and naviii - 1 : vice ^Ij" t/oes not xuffidpiiifi/ ptot ide m^tiinsl tlie imprefsPttut of Amcikn'u seamen ; arid is t/ierejhre deemed inadi/nsnibi'e.'''' As 3 fnbOitute lor Mr. Liflon's article, Mr. Picker- ing piopo.ed the iollowing : " It is, Itowevcr uixIn'Kloorl, tliat nnlliMif; in thrse Rtipnlalions fihall he of oiliitT (»f (he contriiclio'^ pntius fmcihly to cnlcr into the liiiiloiy, forts, {)0!*ls, Q^ or vessels i*f llic other parly — or to use violence to the persons of llie <:oHiini>nettive juiibiliclioii." O. WOLCOT'l'. James M^IIniry, secretary at War, to the President. " The secretary thinks the [nojet of Mr. I^iston may be suhstant!- allv cceptetl, except thf 7lS Hitide, whith Rceiiis to prov de thiit til • I'tiilC'l States shall not demand the ileliviry of .in> suiioi-s, hI- though iht-ir citizens, if they have hern euip'oved in Rrilish vessels, aivi wiio have, in liinc of ivtir or threatened hostilities, volniit.tnly cnleied into the lliilish service, or have beei> eoinpelied to ruter llierein, according to the law und pr.iClice prevailing in (ireat BritMiu. 'I'his article is very inaciurately expressed ; lor it s.iys " eniphtyed or tntt-roil i to the service of their own sovereijjn or iiiuion or compelled to niter therein," hia. fyl/thi/) artids m-ana, vjhat it is (ipl)ve- h-'inlrA, it dries, it is ivhoUy inadiwssifu'e. It eRfablisIa-s a principle re- prubMled by t lis country. 1 he eounin proJM of ibe secietar} of btale, ill substance meets the seii etary's approliiitidu ; but it is snb- luitltd, whether llie adoption of part of the draft uy the secretary of the tieasiny, will not improve it." All vvliich is respecltully subiuiltcd. (>i and luid hold of John Kdts — that Q^j oiu' ol' the pross gtnif* Hincd .'"'Oddy, iv/th a broad ,iivoi d ciit i/ifs depoiifit 011 the f'ureheiul^ ;u\(\ tiiade a ^onnd ot'thrti; i ches 'I !l^•^ tlii n t'l'k deponent, toLri.tlnr with Kdes, jind con(hicted them in di!t'i;rt-nt LvnUs nn hoard the i>iniis«iik mali ot" war; that the hojit on IiohkI of vhich Kdes v as, made tlie sliip some little nine bifnre tlie «iiic de- ponent was ill : jmuI on deponent's neaiini;; the ship, Q^^^' '"' heard the cnes of a man f'f>,j^-in q\ a d on ;j;oini;; up the side of thi lirm^s'A i i*, he I ■ - - ■ - )eiceiv( :d Ei s M ho was eninj; ; an Idressih" liiniseil' to l!,e lii>t lieutenant, a Viv. Uaifis, S!i\in}{. here is a man vlio cm aftist to w hat [ liavc told you. The lieuttimnt then laying hold of I'cyu- neut by the arm, said Ij" p^o alons' on the quarts' deck.ynu dumticd ruscul ,• v.Iiich deponent acroidnijjiy flid j tiiiit all tlie inpiiSied iind aftei'wards ovd< red hv the lienirn.tiit men M'li-e t! tell exaniineu into thewnisl; that whnthiy p;ot tliere, Edes pulh d off hih ■^liiit, 8!id , iliotued deponent h s Ixiek, •which ivas hrinsed from hiS fhoiil- dsrs to hi-i h ps. He then ivfimed he had been jvsl it< ppedwith Topes endfi. as depon< nt \v:'R golnii; up the slops sides, h) th boafswuin and Ins inales, hy ordiis of ilie li< utetiant ; thrt ht, (X" during; ivliich time no swjficu! or medical asftistaice -uHis given to tlie ■wnaut he had received on his head, nor to the brn ses of the said Edes, vlio C;j^' during- the iiijiht called out >ever!.l tiivics troni extreme puns. and tlie next morning was barey alilc to move himseU'; that betwein Jiine and ten o'eloek the next mornitiji'. the whole of tlie impresstd men were again ordereil on the (pimter d> ik, and stationed, t xcejit deponent and Kdes ; that while the examinalion a as poiiig vr«^ THE OLIV£ BKAN'CH. 181) ptrventctl by the Iteiitenaiit, who oidfied the rentinci to keep him oil; liiiit about cirveii uVlork (he ciiptuin of the BiiiiiBwkk came on Ijoixil, and al ihiee o'clock dcpniicitl was dischurged, but Edes ic- waed. ELIPHALET LADD." Sworn it . e WillW'i Savage, Justice of the peace, &c. Uichaid Carter, of llie Pomona, of Poitsinoulh, impreRsed at the s:t!sie lime with Ladd and Cdes, among other items of his deposition, swnrr — " he was violently forced into a boat and ^^ struck tioue ut!h a drawn cutlass hy one of the ethcers of said press tf.nij; aiwl iMO iMcn witl> piutois placed over ihis deponent, who (Xjr* loaded their i the said ship of war, tlie Brnnswick, and Ihis deponent sailh on i;i-ltin<; on board the Brnnswirk, this deponent and the said John Elks were ordered to go on the quarter de«.k, where Mr. Harris^ tlip first lit utenant of tilt- said sliip, abused ibis deponent ani)n after re- lunied with the buaiswaiirs niiKe, whom he oulercd to lake this (le)'Oiiei'.t and the said John Ldus, and to bcut tbeni ; in obedience Lo whiel) orders, 'Iji" the said John Edeg and thi* deponent io( > e sertte- I'j beaten, particultirly 'his aeponent, Xj' the said boutswain''s mate daub' linyr a rope of about three inches and a half thick and ij^j" beatine thia ileponent with great riclence over the head, foci', neck, .shoulders, buck «nd stomachy unUl h'hadtiriii iiiniself; a7id then .;'j' he t>">e the imns rope to one o/ the manners of the said ship Urunswic't^ and he also sert-iely beat this deponent in the same manner ; and thu dtrponen! sailh .] ;" he re- ceived npivards of a hundred blows; and was thereby greul I y bruised, tind !^y his fitce cut and his stomach., as well internally as extern, iliif tnjuiedy so that this deponent \^ bi ought up a quantity o/ blood (or several' »lajs. Sworn befoif me, WILLIAM SAVAGE. I have omitted the rcfKiue of this (lepofition to avoid prolixity. The deponent was liberated by habeas corpus. Annexed to this depofition is that of the phyfician, wlio attended Richard Carter, who declared, that " From the sitnution in which he found the said Carter, he verily be- lieved he had bet n ver> seviMvly boMtcii soine d^ys previous, h'S b: )0{1 liciMg very niuib ixii-nvfis-.ted, iiri-l from the appearance ol" the briiiits it must have been tloae v»ikl» a thick rope." • C^ ^ in kM.i i i 190 IHM OLIVE BIlAXeU. ■ * I know not In what terms to pour out my abhorrent? and inciignaiion at the dboJDinabJe Iccncs (lcj)ittcd m the preceding depofitions and narratives. Laiij^iugc fails in the altcnipt. Shame, dilgr.ice, difhonoui and intamy will attend the councils and courifellors ol America for the base I'ubminion to I'uch monllrous cru- elty. Tiie outrage ought to have been met at t'.ie tiirelh- old — the fu flercrs ought to have been tompcnirJtcd M the public ex. encc, that is, as far as fuch horrible inju- ries can be compensated — and a demand made for re- payment of the money thus employed. And if not com- plied with, full and complete retaliation ought to have taken place. kl-.-^ CHAP. XXill. Tmpra^smeni durhnj; thp Adminhtrulion of Mr. Jr^cr- son. Li'fUr J'rovi fi'i(fits K'luf;:^. Jrrunf^evirnt n llh Lunl /St. Virn'erit, r-ji'L'i(t> b'j Mr. King;. Mnnurials from Sn- hm, ./W.'r -{';<■/»'. Vailmldphia. JJattimore, anil JWwha- Vfii. M'lrdpr cf Captiiin Pcorce. Proceedings of Fe- deral lirpuLdiciins oj t/vVit' York. From Ri.fin King:, Esq. to the Secretarr/ of Stale. m r (I "Siti, J\'eiv-Yor!c, .fiili/, UQS. *' I I; kc (lif! li'd'if)' to ailil a few nnsccllaricuus articles, by wa)' of 8Ui)i>kiiiciit to iiiy hust ilespHtch. AMERICAN SRAVfEN. ** As soon as tlie war apliciuicl to me unavoidable, T tlioHcrht it mUis !'!(' to iL new ihe hiIi ni])t li» form an arrangt'inent «itii t!ie Br I -!i |i,")> Tipinent for tli.- prott-rtio;! of otir S(iiiii tion to do wiritt'vt-r nj'glit lie ,n their f»i\vir to pi ' vcnt the dissalistaetioiv on this subject, i fit lirtii so til (]Mi ntl\ nwiiiifi'8'e<' itself du; iiig tltv late war: xtil/i very Cuiili-i fir>,f ss/rjiis, J, however, foil d sevcrn[ objections, in discu-s"!,' Ihi' jiioji'l wiih til first lord of ihe admiralty. Lord Hiavk'-bmy iiMving pr'iiiiisiil lo si}!;ti -mu Mgreemcnt upon tile subject that I should I'ni- cluiit with onl .^t V ineeiit, I endejivotired to qualify and renin\e the objfiu iis hv f\if: led to our |)r«iji I, and fii.ally, the or vessel bi'|(>iis;iiii; In ihc < izins or subj cts nf one f I he pHrlies, J' hit the pabhc or pr<- ate avrnml ships or men of -war, Ijilongiiig to orin the vervi ,■ oftlic olla-r purlv; ninl strict onleis sliall be o;iven tor tlie \\r soven igntv ll»an (hose t lumeialcd. flCjTHE IMPRK/sSMENT OF UUR WE \ MEN voiwthstand- ing clear proofs of citizenship, the violation of our jiirisdittion liy t;,p. tures at the nioiilhs of our harbouis. and insnltii.g treatiiiei.t s> pli S^t ignr, Joseph Whit. , junr. Jonathan Mason, Joseph Story. Extract from, a memorial of the general meeting of mar- . chanis of JSTew-Yorlc^ Dec. 26, 1805. •* Tlut it is not on account oi' our pecuniary losses «lone that we com- plsin. The const iincy and vaoitv of the seamen of the United Stat: x are justl} thtuips o; patriotK- exultation From then- comiiXion ■with U8, lue consider their cause as our cause; their rights as our ritrhts { their interests as our interests. {^ Our feelings are indig- nant at the red ai of their -wrorigs.*' This beautiful and fublime piece of compofition, which does equal honour to the head and heart of the writer, is figned by a committee of forty-nine perlons, \a HIE OLIVK nUANCH. 193 whole names may be fccti, p.ige jj. Many oF tlicfc gentlemen nave bctrdycd their honour. '1 liey have \u)i icilecmeci tlie pledge that accompanied tins tuorceau. i'licv have done, and aie now (h)inga!l in their power to tditen tiie hoirorsot inipreirmcnt, with adamantine chains, o'.\ thole ilhillrious men " whole canie — whole rights — whole int<.Tells — they confidered as tiien' own Cc.uie — their own ri'jjhts — their own inteiefls." For no man be- \ond the rank ot an ideot, can doubt that every Itep taken t') cripple tlje government — which game they are now piiving on a large Icale — is a liep towards laying the na- tion, tied neck and heels, at the feet of England, to pre- ijiibe what terms Ihe pleafes, and ot courle to perpetuate the miferies ot impreilment. Extract from the memorial af the merchaids of Fhilaihl- jihUi to Congress, Jjecember, ISOj. " Thai our seamen should be cxposedio /AeMKANEST INSULTS, ANI> MOST WAN ION CUUIiLTI l',S, and ihe frmis o*" on. iii- liiishy .-iikI » iitt'rpnzi', f.ill a prey t" ll»«' pioMijriile, <• immt but t'Xiite biiUi tVoliiiij; ami iiidi;j;iiatiuH, aud cuil luudly fur ihu aid und protec- tion of ;;oviiruinciit " ' t Some of the gentlemen who figned this petition ftand 111 precifely the lame (ituation as lome of the fign 'i m Nevv-Yoik. The oblervations made on tliefe — of courfe apply to thofe. Extract from the immnrial of the merchants of Baltimore, dated Jannari/ 21. 180(). "Your memorialists wil! not tit-npass npon yoiir fimo willia rfcilal of lilt- vHnous acts by wliich our cuaHlK iiimI cvfn our port- a«id liar- botirs l)av«' been convtrled inlo s- aiid ^j' our gallant countrymen oppressed und persecuted." Extract from a memorial to Cons:rpss of the merchants if JVeivhaven, agreed to hYoraar^ T, 1805. "In rrjjird to Tj* the impressment of AnierUan seamen, ymir mC' woriuliits feel in common with their felloio citizens, a lively indi^^nation 17 i94i TJIE OMVE RRAXeil. M at the alufr% of poncr cften exe'CfeJ bij British rfficerf :ipon Ai/tcrkan viiizrn^ W < lnvc mil « onH.ifiK <■ i lial llii ami . i in.iit «il tlir I' ittd S'tttcj w ill ailt.|ii iumI |>MisiuKnrU iiumsiiiih foi n t' i ninit 'In8«;i ju- lioiis |»i()ce»iliiig9 us the lioiiuiii auii inUrist of the Uniled Stalci miy itquire." After the murder of capt-.in Pcarce hy captain 'A'hitl )V. <) f tl LcMiuler, within the junkliHion ot the United States, tlieie were meetings hehl in various ]).iits of the country, to cxprcfs their abhorrence of tlie outrage, 'i'here was on the 26th of April, 1806, a mimcious and very rcfpe^able meeting of fcde- ralifls, at tlic Tontitie CofFee Houfe in New York, wlio appointed Ruins King, Kbenezcr Stevens, Ohvcr Wolcolt, William W. Wooifey, and William Hcnder- fon, to draw up and report a fet of refolutions for the occafion. In their report, which was unanimoufly agreed to, was tlie following philippic again It the ad- miltration ior permitting imprcninent, among other grievances. *' Rrsolvcd, Tliat the snfftring fnieipri armed ships to station Ihpnisclvfs <)fV our harbour, and ihtrt* lo hIo|i, scurch, ami rn|)iuie on r Vessels — to IMFRI'SS. wonml, and mnrdpr 01 citizens, is a gross, and niniinii' ui'fi[ltct of the higlicst dntts of uoveriimcnt ; and that an adininistriition which patiently permits the same, is not tU' tilled to the conjideiice of a brave and f, ee ptopleV Some of my readers may not know — but it is per- fectly proper that all (liould know, that captain Whitby was brought to trial in England, and honourably ac([aitted. For the murder of Pearce, no atonement has been tPiade. It flill cries Ihame and difgrace on his countrymen. Deposition of Isaac Clark, "I l< Isaac Clark, of Salem, in tlie county of Esse*", and common- wealth of Massaehiisetls, on solemn oath declare, that 1 was horn ill the town of Randoipti, in the county of Norfolk ; have sailed eut of Salem aforesaid, ahont seven yeais; tliat on Ihe HthofJune, ISOj), I wiis impressed and forcibly taken fron* the ship Jane of Norfolk, hy Ihe sailing master (his name was Car) of his n»ajtsty's ship Por- cupine, ilobcrl Elliot; commander. 1 had a protection from Ihecus- THE OLIVE nUANClT. 195 torn Itoiise in Sah'm, mIikIi I Nlio\v<'(i lo cnptain I^lliit : he wore t hut I u\is tin litii,li.\/iiniiiif lore my pioiecHon to jmi'ts 6e/ore my (j^i.t, uixi t/utiu I, oruihoU'Uy mil OKli* Cil in^ to [;*> to vtoiU i toltl li.iii i uni lll.t !>• loii;' til lli.s tla^ Ulll 1 1 U (HI I<1 «li> no tvoik otnlir il. til III! OTiutmd my lf.<>s to hu /iitl in iiom, and the ntxt ■immnfi unic/eJ iht (I gie iH' two lioim jiiJies -y .iIki- imis'.er ul urins to take tiii: on dtx/c. an ri't't')vtii|{ ihriii, hi- oiiliiiti liiMi lo kii'i' nif iii imh.s, tunl t;ivr uu! one Uisiii.l unci one |iiiit nt w.tUi Im J4 liotiiu. Alt i ktrjiio^ iiic hi tins duiatiuii oui' wiik, I ^viv itrotiulit on (lit k, .tnii a!>kitl l>y r;i|i. taiii l:.Miol, It I \\oulil 40 t'> Ml V liiiiy. <>n my itt'iiMni:, lo' oiiliidl iin' I'l ."tiiit, titd me up a .nco'iii lime, and ;t lit tilts kilualioo i'i<» iiiii«' vvi^ks, uliiii l.tii::^ cihaus'i'd hy hu'imr |iUal — a lu'ii parliaily lecovti- cil, 1 w.iH SI lit on boaiililie ImpiicnabU , ^is ^iiii »ilii|j My jvoiaid griiwitio tuorse, / teas relUDied lo the ho.yjila!, '^Ihii ilic Amt'ruMii ton- iiul it-rt'ivetl a copy of my |ii(itt 1 tioii tioiii S.iUni, and |iiiic«ncil my tlisriiarjje, on lite vjytli .1 ly nf A|>iil i ist. 'rinic wert' scvoii iii|. pi'i'syt-d Aiiieriians oa boaid llie Puicupuie, llnccof whom bad ea- lertd." ISAAC CLAUK. V i' Essex, ss Dec 23, 18 12. " Ihco Itittar Claik p<'rsoi)nlly appeared niul made solemn oath tb'il the I'acis in tlie tuiitioiii;: di claiiition, by bim made and suLt.iCtj.. bid, ivtic true in ull tb. n parts — li ton- UiNCHARD,^ Jnsltie.s ot the rNisitND. 3 andot'aciji JOHN PL i\ CHARD, M. lOVV peace, {uuniiu. From Com. Eodgers to the Secretavu of the JS^avij, U. S. Frigate Prendenf, Boston, Jan. 14, 1813. Hit, ** Herewith you will receiTe two muster booke, of his Britnnnit: iinijesly''s vessels, Aluselle and Sappbo, t'ouiid on board the British p.K ket Swallow ^^ As the British have always denied I hut they detained on hoar f I heir ■ships of wary American citizens^ knowing them to be such, J send you ike t if' ,190 THE or.IVE BllAKrM. tmlosetl, t7,» u fiuhlic thr umcnt of l/tcir oHii, to prove how ill iuch an titfi- tivn taciinli iviJi then jJimhtf, " It Mill .i|i^*'.ir It) till Ml' lM(i iiiiiKtrr hooks tli.it Nu laic an /(i/:;u(t lu.«l, aliotil ai> eighth \i:\it uH tlie .Mnscllc uml S.ip|tU(r» iit-vs viirc Ain^itcans \ cmim ijnt mly, il' tlicif ik niiiy a r|ii:ii'l«'r pn I of tli:»i pio- |i>iilioii uii liunitl llu'ii olltcr vissiJM, thai llu-y \\.>\v itii iiitiiiiltly i;ifaltr riiiaibct- «it' AiiurK'i.ittt lu llu-ir sirvue lliuii any Aiiici auit lias )i t liuil an iilca of. " Any ruitlicr luiinnnit of miiip oti tliis siihjrrt, I consiilci' iiniic. (Cbsary ; uh iIu' ciulo.>t'(l ilocnitu nis Hpi-itk too |tluiii fur IIm iiisrlviN " 1 tiavf tlio iioiioiu lu t)(', jSic. (Siu'iinJ) J NO. UOIJGKKS " Tlic l)oiMMii;»l.li' r.inl llMiii'.lon, S(Cit:aiy of tlie Nivy." '• I Hnkmaii Vcr Piank irPYuni, of llir louii of Poiijhkrrpsic, ilo<'nlif\, (tiat I am .1 III iiiciiiiH III l!ii I'liitt'd Sl.itc^ iiav\ ; lliil i was .1 l.riilriKiiil on Iti'iai'tl l!ii- (Jo .si i'ihmmi in ilii' aition ami riipliiif ul liir Java, and vviis si' it on lioarti llnii vi'ssi'l, und uflt't' (lie crew wvtv icaiovi il .s( ) licr on tne anil lilew lii-i' up. «' Amni.s: till- I'lTW oftiiiJav,., gj' Til ll{ F F.KN I.MPRRsSF.D AAIF.KIC.AN Sl'..\.VIKN vmh' fimn-l, iliri'f of « lioiii had inliicl the Uiilish sL'i vu (', and wvic left: the other ten xert' libciati'il a.\\j, Wancn, Wm. Uilly, iMpiiiii, for Coik On Ihi' homeward piiiisa;;i' in SipU'iiihrr f.iiliavinj;, he wns inipressod and lakin on hoard llie Piaiock, a Brit- ish sloop of war, and roiupi'licd to do liis duty. That «hilc on hoard that vtssil, he in;ide many nnpucressfnl uliempis to wrile to his friends, to inform them of his sitnalioii. He furllicr saiih, that af- ter he had Ucard of the war, himself and two other impressed Ameri- can so.Tinen wlio weie on board ihe Peacock, went aft lo ihe laptaii), and claimed to he considered as American priKoners of war, and re- fused to do duly any longer. ** Thry weifi ordered oft" iheqiiaiter deck, ami llio captain called for the mssler at arms, and or brou({ht to the gangway, Q'j^ stripped of our ctnihes, tied and (TS ^<'"''^'' ped, eath one dozen and a hut/ Ituin'Sy at,d ;;«< !o iluti/. '\-i-*^ il^l 'I'ME OI.IVE IlKANCM. [107 /c7< an 9t' !" was niiswi rod hy Stoiio, who then held a pistol lU mif lircuxt, nni\ ovdt icd us lo "iir plsnis. W o tiif.i (Oi.tiotifd hi our |mro«, mid ncro co!u|iflifd to ;,d.l till t!io l'r!u;oik struck : uiid wu wtre lib* vralcil atlui" hI>uuI two jcars and tight iiioiitlis " RICllARl/^ IIIO.MI'SOX. mark. Ponghkceiisie. April 17, 1813. Jiead ove^' <;;;«/ «;>«nstituti.(jn. ) i " 'riic Clucrricie Mvisa Cripiatc of lOS'i tons hin-tjien, t»kcn from (ho Frcnidi in 1 SdG ; himI had .'>0'2 men arid hoys btlong'.iig to licr. Thoie ,jt'i'e ten ^ivioricttn scumfu on boaril, wlio had holongtd to hor for ^otno yiars. — lint as iKo doiiar.ttum ot war aiiiiinst (i rout Hriiain was not known \i lion slie sulled, thoio had t)L-tn iio oiiporumity of dischar!;-. inj: tliein ; and ca;tain Dacres, in his addrcfs to the court martial by wliicli he was tried, flatcs this ta6l in the iollowing terms : " What ennui (lercibly weakened vvj quarter.i, tvns pertniitinT- the Aiii">'ic lis helono^iUQf to the s dp, to q it their f/uarters on the enemy lio'stiiif^ th' coiors oi that nation, which, though ii deprived me of tliC juun, I til ought it was my duly." |i -.1 Boston, rclruiiry 6, 181.3. " Died at Boston, on the 3d instant, on boird tho frigate I'nsidcnl, Godiiey liyer seaman, n^cd 47. 1 he deceasv'd was a native of Rhode* Island, and was one ot the «uin>erous inslancos of itupressi'in t, which have bit:n ihe cause of com])r.int aj^ainst he Ki.i^lish ll<; was taken Oil board aa Amttiican nx rchanl shii', autl though he uever voluntarily 17* ■k \ ■■tmM otM, 199 TJIK OI.IVK nilANOH. Mfl. ' «'i,(rn-i| llicir service, he wiis ilflaincil fiom lii« ronnlry ntid lr« frlm.fj /f>i/r^v/* i;^'(/r^, .liiiihi; wlilili liiif Ik. w :h \Mi'»fiit at ^' M-i.ti iii inf;:tgM. iiHMit>*, ami p;nintt| i|,,r ri'|i(it'ili()U i.f a ni, (oni'liil i irt ivii j; ilio iiiiikid hi. pplllMti-m f.l Ills lW||||;|i;i|i(|( !• Ultl! lIlC .i:jn |„^i 1,1 ('lu^^l^.slo^^^— liiH (tliiM-iil u . n hIIi in!. »«l \>\ 1 III IIUii.llil, r V, I liili|f,lii|liii II. nil l||c 1*1 IIV f.(}l«n*, Milfillv Re; tii'i nioiiii « wcrt- iiii'tiiVi lo! Iiy \lv. vl,;iji' liiiii ill !i iiiKiiiii'i' liijilil)' soli mil iii.il ill. l>i\ stive. '• i i«i > From the Bo'ton Patrinf. •♦ '.fy lirfillitr .hiltii Ciiinl, of Wf/oluitli. in ti.e i!!:tiitt nl' Mn;-.-, ft'dspif'i »ifi 11 lui'il Ills riiiiji'st} 's tVinMU- Mflci (Iniiini), (in |||c H'uli ci •IliiK?, ISIO, iioiu the sli)) '.'(.lint lldjic, nf W is-ibs;-! I, ;iiii! \\ ii» l.,i:(.il on b(»..ril llic M;KO(l>i;iiaii, in ilic brittle witli tlit IJi.ilcd Siulis, 'oni- nio'lnro Drciuir. A iliscdii.sfi'.atc wile niiil thild stfc in niourniiig ain; in aonoH lor tliti (osii ul u liusbiinil and iiarcut, uii wlioin they uci:.- i!';. jjUKlcnt." JUSEIMI CAND. *' TIse follovvinnr narrative of an iniprefTi'd Americr.n, will ihow iKit oiilv the fMni^KX'lul manner in 'vvl/u'li Aniciicun fdilors have been turcihl) clioj^,.^ed into ii Icr- ci^ii fcrvicc, but the treatnieiit thcv leccivc in coiilc- qiicnce of rcfufing to figlU again II their couutiy. Chatham, June 10, 181. 5. " 1 John Niciinls, n native c.f DuiliHrn, slate of MHssuchii^^cUs, re- l:ito and any, tlint I s:iilid IVcni I'unland in tbe sliip I'lanklin, ccm- nariik-d by James Marks, iis cliii t' mate, -bound lo Livtipcol, wicie vi! aitivt'd tliL' seventh day of I'ebruaiy, 1809. The same day 1 w.is taken by a piess nang, comim; t'lom my buardini? hdase to ibe &l.ij>, and carried by llieiu to tlie rendtzvotis, Cooper's Kow, ai d dct>.i' cd one ni^ltt. The next muriiinjj 1 kj;avd the lieutenant iny piott cWdr, and at the same time stated lo them I was chief mute of the slt'i* ; also captain Marks and .Mr. I'ortef, supercargo, came and weie lefiiscd admiltance. " I then asked the lieutenant for my protection ; he answered, gjf' *' I -will give it t' yon ~uikh a hell toil .■" and (Xij iminedi^itely tore it up before my lace, and sent me on board the guard ship I'riii- cess, where I remained one \veek, and was then scntiouml toriymouili ^mm^. THF. OI.IVP. BHANflH, !•• on board (hn Snlvnilnr Kinnl sliip i ifinuiu'vl lh«r<* omc irtnntli, nrter u|iiu*i I u:>i .IralU'il r)'i Ikui'iI (he Mtiiukir7'» wiuto ! t'ciriuiuctl ili lw \y:M% !>' 'I .«)HI'll'fll c whI* bii>kf O'lt.l ('ctoi'iiii It'll 1051V0 inv«o1* mi.t pris'i ui' nl WW, li'l tltu c()ii3i'«|Ui'Lcv 1)0 wliut It w mill. (;oiisi-"|i| mly nn tlia •Jlili ot iJiitolcM-, I w«!. t »■• iIk- cm»liii:i rtiiil i»i»v«» iiivflolt' mi .11 a inisouci' iir»i.r, uikI rit'tistd 10 tl lie Inl ' nir I u ^ :in K Ifl'-lilU'iii, Ai.il n' I w .lllil iiol 'li* . il»> ho v*OiiM fin'f iiif ; Hiiil (ii'lcrcil MO II) il'IIIH Hllll ki ' 111- in ii(,vs j V li-'UiH, ;itnr wliitli I « is liik'i to receivc't ouc tiiten ivith t'.e cat u.} iw/ buic •• I'hf c;t|>tiiiii tlnn ankt'il nn' it' I wmilil j(o fi ihiiy I IkI.I liioi no: I UDiil'l aiKiiu'l' iliL' limi. il'* ttiiMi |)iit me in li' iim u^;iiii I'ui' -J-i ii'>ti(M, mill ; oiira m'tr/ltt iUff to the ^•iiii:f\u\Vii' iis i>» rci'flcil ; iiiiil l/n' iiiiii' Will ' :'/)<'nt'il f'lfir dnus succesiivc/i/, uiiil ;J^" 7 recfivett /'jui' (lozrii uii inj iiiikeil b ck '• vli r tlio I'liiiiili il.iy I wns n piisDiuii' nt Imgi' 'Vhv 'Jfilli iliy of Ditiiibi. r 1 w;.s Mi'Hl I, I inis-oii wiUiOUt my cluilu s, \\\v\ l>. i;^ icliisitl nil! Ii^' tiio c.i|it;iiii .ul'ti'.r iiliiisii!i; me in tiic unHt iiiiiUin ; m uiii-.i', iiinl ;ill I I'vci I'ui LMVt.l I'ur my siMvilii I • was T'liiittCM |i(»ni.(!s. IJuiiujj iuiiiic!**- iMcnt, I Ita\e uicil iiiv lijst ciii iiicis ol uit , willittii.' jiliH.i.sof ilitir iiativ |y, llit- blips tlit-y Wii'f disi liitii^c'.l Irmii, llic l.mc tlivy linvc st'r>f(l, ami ilu- nuiiilior M° \iiieri-:nM.s lelt on b()ar<- llf liiil'-. n ni y,'.\\ s ul tlio time of ilieii* ilis> cliaij^o. I'licse w»;re on Ijonnl oim pi'i:-on ship, llic Sun /Vntoi.m. Uc- 'iil.'S tli.sL', liiLi'i; wire «iii boaiil the (y|i;illi;»iii ^iris'in bliip 30) men wUa hiivi' l/et'U ih^Lwreil up ni A(Wj.,'ur vii vnin-itintces. Slaiy of ilifsc ]i(iiii't't'Uovvb li:i>l lMng. In iif'jw minuti-s ail liainis were foiced out, mihI ordered into Ihrir boat, Kiiil ill a heavy sliowei- of rain convened on Iio.iitl ilie Ceres FiifvHe. We were ordered on the gun deck utiUl Jay I'ijbt, ly vhiui) lime about ^^ .Imericuna weyc coliecteil. I I I .11 I \ i I h 200 IIIE OLIVE HHAKCll. " Soon after sun rise, l)i sli p's crew w^s ordered into the cibi.i (o l»c o»> rlijdtli (I — (-iicli \v;is (|ii( sliomd us to his niiine. &<•. wUvn I vsj c;ill('(! on lor nij jilai'i' "l W'h lli, and aiiswertd J\i'exv Ciistie. JhlovnrQ, 'J'lie CHiitiiiii afiVtttd not to litar llu l:tst ; but said *' (it/e, Aeivaiglie, he^s (I culLrr, the very n.sin : I wMiiuit him i< sttdor, se'ii; him ('( vm, lo till' diicKir" — Upon wnicii a petty otfici r, wlioni I rtcogiiized s om of the |>ress gaii!^, in.ulc ;in ver, ' sh\ I kno'v this fiHow, he is a sch'.d. ■lUiiti' of mine., mul his iu,ii}e is Kelly — he tons i:orn in ]hll'iist~tind, 'J'ovi. you kno-iV mg u-c/l ' iioug/t, ^ su doJit khnm ymkce any more.'' •* I tlioii^ht, ' saj\. (he ciiiitaiii "he was :» couiitryiuun nf my (,wii; (j;3 ''Uf^ "" Iiishniiiii's :dl one — ti.ke him ;iway " •'♦ Tlie next w is a I'ruasihn, xvlio hurl ^liipped in Hamburgh, as a chv. ponter of the Fidelity in Septcnber, 179t) — He affccied, when rjiustioii. ed, 'lol to uiidt-i'fitaiid Knglisli, hnl aiiswefeil ni Diiteh. Up'jn «liir|,(ic eapl .ill htiiijhefl !uid said, *' thii ts no uunkee, send him down ami lel tU gun ter >nanlev put him in llic mens -uiith the othtr Dulchmen ; theii \citl ■iiudt) stand hint, nnd the boits-unun u- ill tear ii him to talk Eji^Iis,',." Jle V ys aiuordjn^ly kejit. " I \v s afttt wards disch.ii.s;ed by an order from \dniiral liinv, y, on the rippliculinn oi Mv. Craij^, at thiit time .\int;ricai. aynii m vice- consul I fuilhii observed that CCj^yrt// one third of the cmv luevt impressed Americans " JOHN DAVIS, ot Abel. A'avy Yard, October 12, 1813. .i \k Copy of a Letter from Commodore. Decatur, to the secre- tanj of the ^.Vuvy. U. S. ship United States, J^'e-iv-Lomhu, Alarch 18, 1814. sill, " 1 have the honor to forward to you enclosed, a despatch rfciived by ine irom eapt Tapel, the tomniai.ding oflicer of the British si;ii:iiN roil bciore this poit, written in reply to an application ol' mine, Un \h release uf an American seaman, detained against his vtiil on boiud lin; i"riti;ate .Statira. " Hwam Thayer, born in the town of Greenwich, in the Conimoii- wealth of Massachusetts was impressed intu the naval service of Great Britain, in :he month of August, 1803, and detained ever iinee " About six year ago, wlicn tlie Statira was put in conmiission, lie was tran ferred to her, and has been constantly on board iier to this day. *' I am informed, and in fact it was stated by captiiin SfackpoK In lieutenant Hamilton, who was charged wit!) the flag, that the l;!t( i;iii Lyman, our consul at London, matle application to the lords ioiiumis sioners lor the discharge ot Thayer, but they were not saiiilicd with the ( videiice of liis nativitv. '• JoiiH Thayer, the fa'.her of Hiram, assures nie that tin certifni'tc of tht St lectiDen, the lown clerk and the nsinister oi Gri wiili, were forwarded some lirae &go to Mr. Mitchell, tho resident ngtiit tik^ilf,^. '>:»^t: •■';?» THE OLIVE BUAN'OIT. 201 info the C!\bi;i lo ?<<•. wlien I vaj tistie. Jh'ld-wnre, (tjje, A'cru^tLitie, jcnc him ('i « ii In ij;ii;zeil s 0111 lit' ■iV, lie is a ir/i^oi- )i llclj'nat—dnd, .nkce nil J/ vwre. '' uii of m)- (.Wu; iLurgli, as a chv. I, wliL'ii (jiusliijii. Up'iii w liicli II c (lu-ivii and let the chmen ; theu Will J Kiih- Eii^Us:,.'' \(h)iii'al Ilinv. V, 111. Hijiiiil »»i' Vice- of tliC creiv were ^VIS, of Abel. fm' American prisoners of \\m :it ri;*lifii.\ ; but does not know tlie |t't>:lll ^^ li\ he w s no; ic t: asdl ih^n. " lliii soil hiis Mi.lti'ii lo \\\% fatiiei", ami informpil him tliat on re|iro- ieiitinic his casi- to ;«|)l. Stackpole, he tol'l him " * ti'ift,' fr/! it -anta n'l ,lmer:cnn man of war. and lie id not drj /us duty ,j he should be ticl to the }iiuiit a'.d ahot at Uhe i dog" ••(Jii M Mul.n th.: \ (ih iiisi. Jolm I liiiyer rcqncsteil me to allow hi lo "-'I oil" to (!ie t'ntnjv. and ask tor the ' eleas.; ol his soi I his 1 mMiiU;>l :\t oi.ce, :ui(! aildrtssed a noie o inpt. ('.ipel, slating that I Icit |iiTSU;iled tltat thi; a;)[)'ic^tioii of the faiiier lui'ti'.*hed as lie nas with ci)iiclu,>ive eviiience of th • ir.ttivity and identity of the son, would i:\iIiico an imnudiale onitr for his tiisiharn;e. '■ (lie ivj'iv is i'i«lo ,cd. I he son descried his father at a dist.-ince in till- lnKit, and Idhl the Ii(iitt;iianl oi tlie >tutira, tliat it w.is Iiii f-illur; ,,!; i 1 iiulersta .il the feelings inanifesltd hy tlie old man, on reeciviwij \'<\<: h ml of his son, proved heyond all i/!hir evidence, ihc pi'opeity he h (| I.I !iiiii. There was not a doiihi left on tii<; iniml of a S!iij;le HiMlisli iiilic'i' of iliram . hayer's heing an American citizen — and yet he is iltl'.iiiied, not as a prisoner ot Avar, but conii)eIleiI, under llic most cruel t!ir. Ills, to serve the niemies of tiis ctjuntry "'l'li:>yer has so lecomnieiided hiinstif hy h s obriety, inchutry and seanianship as to l)e appointeil a hoatswain's mite, am! is now ser^iiig ill til it capaelt) in the htutira — and he says there is due to him from tlie Mritisii government about two luindreii and fifty pounds sterling. He his also assured Ins fatlicr that lie has always refuse to receive jtny b#)niily or a London, Jhij i7tl: 1811. *• Tlie euclnseil, No C, is tlie copy of a note I ttldressed tn csi). tain Cajjcl ot Ins B M S. La Moguu, ou llic sujett ol liinianl O'Brien, a iialive cilizen ol" the United Sialics. In the boat that Uiie the ilag ui' truce to tlie La Hoguc, the falhci' of the man in question ivcnt. "Ciiiit ('(»pcl would not permit him t ■ sn- his son — he diiccu'l i;;y officer 10 iiil'.rni me that hi; \void:l ans^ci' my disjjatth the iiiM d.iv, since wiicn 1 ii;;ve not heaid fioni him." COPY. sill, "At '.ho solicitation of Mr llarnnrd O'Hricn, -wliose son ig nowou Ijoanl his Britai; ic njajtstj'.s thij; L> r5i)!,nt uniUr \our conim:iiiil, I , have granted a rt:ts: oftiuee. coridu(;tud U\ liiut i laii.iiioii, w.lii jk!'. mi-sion lor ^Ir. OlJcie ■ to Httond it. l!is ohjort is to flletl tli. lib- j ei; li-Mi oi his son, naiivv? citizen of t:ic Umiei' SiiitiS He lics'is witli hint a co]>y o; th. rt-c<-ii'ii o! tlie town ol (irnton in tlie st;Uc ot' Conntclicut, siyin d In tlif u.wii et. rk am^ sjltcinr, n, as also a teititi- cat«; iVnr,» a iuiiihcr ui '*..•';)' cl;!bf r\uii ih (wdton, pioviii<> his nat vi. tv. \\ nil tiii'.s' (ioeumt:iis 1 cuai.ot oliedieU seivanis" Gerard G Ih y Nnili. Kiiuliiili, Jos. rnttlc, P. F. file » »ni;:j luan's name is Tlarniiid O iir en. sni, nf Rainani O'lJi'cn ai.d hiij svif'i Klizb.-ih 0''trien. Il> wiis born in the tow "I CIrot." , Juiujr) 'i'Jtit, i7S5 Extract Jf om the veconla oj thu tuwi fij' Liroton. A true cofy, cevt-fied per Amos A. Js'des, To-wn Clerk. " I cert'.t'y tli;.t .\mos A. Nilesis town clerk for Grntm,, a<\<' ihst 1 bt-'lieve the above cerljlicate to be a true and correct retold oi Geo \ SnlU man, Ko ;i. A vei V, K^astns I' .'•luith. m':^^ THE OLIVE BRANCH. N DECATUR. 's, Toivn Clerk. Bjrn.irl O'Brien's birth. I do ;ilso certify that I have kno.vn the sM Barn^nl Ki'icii t'l nni hii youth VateJ, Grotoiiy .Ipril 7th, 1814. NOVE-i B\ll -KR, Sfflcct manful' Groton. I have now as nearly in chronoloirical order as pofTi- lile, brought this odious, t!iis deteftabic fubjjti to tlie Idft set ot the drama. Some of the a^-ors who ftood liigh In tlie op'^ning of the piece, fink far below par in this a?l. Tiicy ihnd in confpicuous flations, and polTefs boundlefs tn- ifijeiicc on our deflinies and thofe of our pofterity. — I regii'd it therefore as an imperious duty to canvafs ilieir candu61: fiiily and completely, and to cite them to [the bar of the public, which 1 thus do in the moil folemn liiidimer. Tu'o of the gentlemen to whom I refer ;;re T. Picker- linff and Rufus King, Efqrs. whofe opiniotis and con- W on tliis important topic have been in as dire/^ hof- lltv tj each other, at different periods, as day and night l-trath and talfehood. The reader has feen how laudably, how zealonfly, \\m patrioticallv both thefe gentlemen, on the fubjo^l ol impreffment, formerly contended for and defended the riirlits o\ their conntrv — oppofe.i and flruggled aff:iMi(l the exorbitant and inadmiffible claims ol t-ng- Tiiey are now united with the Otifes, the Blakes, the Huiifoiis and the VVc!)ileiS, who appear determined to "Pur down" yes, reader, "put down*' is tlie word —it is (trong, fignlHcant, and unequivocal — I fjv, "'' fo Iji'it down the admin^jhalion' for Rrenuoudv Infiflnig on thofe rights — !or attempting to fhield the feaman frojn the iron giafp of his enflaver. Tills is a clear cafe I ftate it in brief. Either Mcifis. Pickering and King were e? fflH— 'ai'i '' THE OLIVL nnANcu. 20!i to liis tender mercies, and ciufhed by tlie galling tliain and the rope's end ! Wiuit a Icene tor a painter — what a ('r.hjctl ior contempLtion — what a never dying (iif^rracc to thofe wlio(e councils would peifuade the na- tion to fubmit to {"uch degradation ! There is one ilrong and Hriking point of view in whicli tlic fulj?^!; of imprefTment rnay be confidcrcd, and which really renders the tame acquiefceiice in it, which is now contended for, pregnant with awful re- liiit*. ^ En^irland has recruited her navy from our vtlfds With Danes. Swedes, and Ifalians, asxvellas native Americans. WE HAVE SUBMITTED TO IT : {^ and Mr. Pickenng, Mr. K/no-^ governor Strong, H. Gray Otis, &c. now plead in favour of fub?niJJion. If this be jufl, what right, I demand, have we to prevent all belligerents whatever, and at all times, from copying tp.e example ? fidT Suppofe France, Spain, and Itjly at war. Are not the cruifers of each nation juftified in Hopping our veflels in fearch of the fubjefts of the pow- ers to which they refpe6lively belong, and a.^ fully enti- tled (jrf" to enslave the Danes, Portuguese, Swedes, and Euiyluhmcn on board, C^f as the Bntijli cruizers are to rnflave Frenchmen, Spaniards, Danes, and Portuguese ? This is a horrible view of the fubjetf, and curdles the blood in my veins. There is no calculating the extent or the enormity of the evil. I muft relume this topic. It is too important to be dirmiffed in a fmgle paragraph. It deferves volumes. Would to heaven an abler pen were engaged in it. That Britifh cruizers have been in the conflant habit of imprefTinET, wnthout anv fcruple, and that they regard it as their right to imprrfs, Danes, Portugriefe, Frenchmen, Ita- lians, and all other foreiirners found on boaf d our veflels, is true, if we believe T. Pickering, Rufus King, and Judge MarOiall, whofe evidence on the fubjeB is detailed above. It Great Britain has a right to impiefs Frenchmen or Spaniards, or Dutchmen on board our vessels, France, Spain >^nd Holland have an equal right to imprels Eng- liihmen, Nothing can be more clear. 18 m THE OUVE nUANCir, / i' The Biltifh captains alFcit that they find it dUliiult or imponil)le to (lifciiniinatc between their own hib- jerts and Americans. It niiiil he lar more diHicuh for Fiench captains. And they will he {iill more excnfable lor any nvjlakes — and lor cnllaving Americans. What a liightlul t.ite has fafclion prepared tor our ill-ftarred fea- liinng citizens ! 1 liave ihilcd that MrfTrs. Pickering, King, Strong, &c. contcrui tor rubiniilion to impreflinerit. This ic- (juire,^ explanation. Tl;ey do not, it is trn.% in zrnrJ'i contend tor imprelfment. But this is the inevitable rcfiilt ot their prefcnt courl'e ot proceedings ; for as 1 have al- ready tldted, and beg to repent, they h we lai}o\n-ed and are now labouring to deflrov the prefent admijiiftrat;or', principally for the ftand made to put an end to imprelF- ment ; and the confequence ot the vioh nt oppolition made to tlie government on this fubje6l has been to oblige it to port pone the d'fcunion. A committee ot the legiflatuie of MafTachufctts was appointed at a late feffion to enquire into the alTair of im- preffment. Tiie objetl of the appointment was to damn the charafter of the adminiftration, bv diminilhins the enormity of this high-handed offence, agiinft which tiie Levitical law pronounced ientence of death : — " He that jlealeth a mnn — and felleth hini — or if he k found 771 his hand, he JJiall he put to denth'^ It is painful to (late — but it is my duty to ft ate to the world — that this committee by no means did j.u'bcc to the fuhj ;61:. They afted with moft: palpable partiality. They reported — wonderful to tell — impoirible to believe — that at tlie commencement of the war, the number of Americans on board the Britifh veflels, belongin^r to the great commercial ftate of MafTachufctts, wds '• only eleven^* — Yes — reader : — it is really eleven— I have read it fix times over, to convince myfelf thati was not millaken. But it is abfolutely true, that a • Fiom the Road to Ruin, No. written by John Luwell- pv,;^li»hed in the Centinel, aa! •J HE OLIVli IJUANCH. 20: committee of tlic IciTifiiture o\ Maflachufotts did ro- rcj)c)it to t'liat l)t)dv, ti».:t at tlie coiniufnccriiv'iU ol \\.c \s'ar, Cir THLUK'Wt'dlE BUI" " hLLVKN" MAS- SACHUSETl'S SLAVKS h.^hting the battles of " t/ic Bulwark oj our holy religion' on board tlie vclleisot ib.at Bulwark. N'jw, reader, let lue hc^ you to coiiPjlt the prcced'mg (locuments carctuih" — and ohieive 1. That thcie were (j^' tf^n A>n<'rican.s on hoard the. Guernere tii the time ot her eiu^a'^cment witii the Coii- {iitution. 2. That (5^5' there were th\rtee.',i Anif.ricans on board tut Java, when Ihe was captmcd by Bauibi idge. 3. Tlidt Qil' one eighth pa) t of the ci civs of the Mo- selle and Sappho, ^ by the proper nuiilcr rolls otthoCe vefleis, weie Americans. '1 iicii erews weie above 200; fdy onlv that number, and it will be 25. ^. That tliefe plain iafts Itand on Inch ground as nei- ther Tnnothy Piekcrinsr, Rntiis King, governor Strong, Harrifon Grav Otis, Daniel Web Her, or A. C. HanCoii will dare to dilpute. I hereby publicly challenge them to a denial. ,}. That I have thu-^^ clearly and indifputably e'Vablifhed, that on board ot four veirds there were 10, and 13, and 25 American Haves, being ^ an avekage of TWELVE TO EACH. 6. That there are about 550 Britifh velTels conflantly in commiflion. 7. That an average of twelve allows 6600 on board the Britifh fleet. 8. That this ftatement correfponds pretty exaftly with the recorrts of the ieciet iry of ffate's oflice. And then, reader, fay what judgmf^nt mufl be pafTed on the connniltee when they gravely ftate that there were on board the Britifh vefFels ot war only eleven natives of Moffachufetti ! ! ! It makes me fick to refleft on lucl) obliquity of mind, and luch monllrous perverfioa' ©t fa6l. ^^ i \Vi the Centinel, asl ,! i l^ J, I) 208 THE OMVK nUAXCH. It is, however, true, tliat this committee, tliouirh tlir world is grolsly deceived by the term ot exjncHi(;ns in the report, have a falvo to prevent fixing the charge ot falfehood on them. Tiiey fay thcfe are the rediits •' as Jar as thdr enquiries went'' But tliis fuving claufe ef- capes the mafs ot readers, who laileii on the ll.ong alle- gation, that the adminiftjation went to war tt)r impreIRd leanicn, and that there were only eleven natives ot Maf- i'achufetts imprelled. All the rell is pafled without no- tice. *' A'i far as thetr enquiries zcent'' is a very equivocal expjeffion. They may have (lopped at the threihold — or tliey may have gone halt way — or they may have gone through the bufinefs com detely. That taeir eri- c]uiriesdi(l not go verv tar, is however pretty certain. The words " American /laves,'* will flartle fome de- licate ears. The expreflion is neverthelefs correct. — When an Algerine corfair Hops one of our vcflels, and feizes it and the crew, i^ the latter are ju/lly re^mi dd as /laves. (Jirj* Thar ca/e is far better than that of the Amen cans imprc./J'id by Bntijh cr infers. The Algerine Haves work for tdfkmalters. So do the Britifh (laves. The Algerme (laves are flogged if they refufe " to do their duty." So are the Britifli. The Algerine (laves have but poor fare. So have the Biitilh. Thus tar they are- on a parallel. But here the parallel ceafes, — ({•^ The /llgerine flave is never forced to jeopardize his U/e in battle—^ he is never forced to point a gun that may flaughter his countrymen. (^ But this the Britilh drive mud do, or (Jir " BE tied to the mast and SHOT AT LIKE A DOG,"* Is he not then the moll rniferable of Haves ? * Sec Commodore Decatur's letter to the secretary of tlie navy, pnge 201. r ' M l\ iHlm** ■""*•- "* •*n*-««>-"'" I HE OLIVE BRANCH. 20\i f of the iiavy, CJIAP. XXIV. ,in apolojs^y for an ps^vpscious error committed by the tvriter un the. fnibject of preparathm for ivitr. The U'hoU i,ession one coufinned aeries nf propitrnt'i >ns. J\'i}teteen acts bearing strung notes of martial arrange' ment. I deem it iridifj^enfibly neccfTary to correct a mod cj^re- gioiis error into wliicli I was betrayed by the liallc in wbich myfirfl edition was compiled and written. I therein enii- merdtcd among the errors of Mr. Madifon's adminiftration the negle61 to make due preparations tor tijaAvar, pievious U) the commencement of holiilities. flm alhamed to liavc caft fuch a fuperficia! gl ince at the fnbje^t ; to have allowed myfeif to be fo giofsly deceived; and to have contributed to lead^ijiy reader aOrav. Tlierc were ample preparations made, as may be fcen b\ the following lifls of afts padcd during that fellion of congrefs, towards the ohife of which war was d'clared. (Let mc obfcrve, en paffant, that the fins of both par- lies arc flagrant and ruinous enough to the nation without icquiring any addition or ocaggcration) — Previour, to the declaration of war. 1. An act for completing the exiiling military eftab- Iiihmcnt. PafTed December 24, 1811. 2. Ail riff to raife an additional njilitary force. This acl provided tor raifing ten regiments of infantry, two regiments ot artillery, and one regiment of light dra- goons, to be enlifted for five year^, unlefs fooner dif- chargcd. I'hc infantry amounted to about 20,000 men —the artillery to 4000 — and the cavalry to 1000. PafTed Jan. 11, 1812. 3. An acl. authorizing the purcbafe of ordnance and ordiiancc ftores, camp equipage, and other quarter mafter's )ics and fmall arms. P,:lTcd Jin. 14, 1812. |. An aft >mthorizitig the preridenl of the United 18* I n :« 210 THE or.ivK unAN'cif. i ..'( States to accept anrl authorize certain volunteer nnlitii\ corps, uot toexcctvl ,50,000 int'ii. For this puipolt; t iCio w.»0,i)()() 50.000 11;, loo .;?,ooo 4,6 I.),y4j h I m kii^' 7. An a6l making appropriations for the fupport of an additional military torcc : — For pay ."....- l,4')'i,8)7 Fora<^e l.i+.lij fenhsistence 1,074,05)7 Clotlnni^ 863,21* Boijnti:'s and premiums _ . - 442.2fiO Hor»ios for drasjonns ... - 282.000 Quarti>r master's department - . - 4os.7*i0 Medis^il department - - - 125,000 Continj^eneiei - - « - 35j,011 Passed Feb. 21, 181.2. fi.il3.064 .-»..,.-.»— m ■ i 'lli * i#< THE OLIVE BRANOU. 11 pf CT niiiitiiy P.Ulccl Feb. I'or the c\. c(l rangers. fnpport ol States tor l()k»>2|. 681,000 2 J 3, sot 7(),0;)0 /50,0()0 l,l;i'>,()!)0 ijy 0.019 r.^i.ooo i.io.ooo 50.000 IT!, 100 .12,000 4,6 ;.'»,'J4^J e fupport of 1, 074,007 8ft3,2it 4*2.2fiO 283.000 40S.7*iO 121,000 351,0 It I5.ll2.36t 8. An aft makiinr appropriations for ilic fuppu». of the navv ot tlie Umttd States, tor 1812. Puv nuti »iil)«i«ttcnce • Pri>\isioim . . - Mcdu'lio'!* - . - KepairM of Vessels . - - Frt'i}»;lit, atort' rent, &.c. Navv yards, &.f. ... Onliiuiico aiii] ordiuiiicc stores l!»i.ltpetre. siilpluir Hnv. ¥uy and ^iiitsiytctK'e of murinu cr.rpii, (lotliiiic; for marine corp* I^liliturv stores far do. IVIedieiiies, i^c - - Quarter master's stores I'ussed Feb. 24, 1812. 1,12.J,3H 5"i'.),T.17 40.000 315,000 113,0(10 60,000 2SO.O00 lSi',000 1.14..31G 4 J, 281 1,*77 11.500 20,000 2.00 ,0U 9. An aft makinqj a further appropriation for the Ic- feiice ot our inaritime frontier. This aft appropriated tor tl»e puipofe, ,500,000 dollais. Pa (led March 10, 1812. 10- An aft for a loan of 11,000,000 of dollars for de- fr.ivni^ the above expenfes. Palled M-Jich 14, j8i8. 11. An aft concrrninjT the naval eflablifhrncnt, for repairing the frigates Conllcllation, Chefapeake and Adams. For this purpofe there was appropriated 300,000 dolls. Bv this aft there was an appropriation wddc of 200,000 dollars annually for three years, for the purchafe of f\ Hock of timber for fhip building. The fiiil cij)pro- piiation was for rebuilding the frigates Philadelphia, Gen. Green, New York and Bolton. Palled March 30, 1812. 12. An a6t in addtion to the aft to raifc an additional militaiy force. Palled April 8. 1812. 13. An aft to authorize a detachment from the militia of the United States, to the amount of 100,000 men. This aft contained a claufe appropriating ona million V k I ■V, . m :>io! 12 TFTE OLIVr nilASCff. - /■ of dollars towaids defraying tl;e expcnfcs to accrur iindci it. Pallod Apiil lo, 1812. 14. Am ad foi tlic organization of a corps of a''tifi. cers. P.I (Fed April 2.3, 1812. 1,5 An dti for the better regulation of the ordnance. Palled May 14, 1812. Suhseqmnt to the tJeclnration nf war, 16. An aft for tiio more perfeft organization of the army of the United States. Palled June 26, 1812. 17. An a6^ making a fintlicr appropriation for the de- fence oi the maritime frontier, and for the liipport of tlic army of the United States. PafTed July 5, 1812. 18. An a6l making additional appropriations for tlic military eftablilhmcnt and tor the Indian department. Pdifed July 6, 1812. U}. An aft making further provifion for the army of the United States. Pafled July 6, 1812. j q, It therefore appears, that nearly tlie whole fcfTion was fpcnt in making preparations for hoftilltv — for offenfive and defenfive operations. 1 (hall not eafily forgive my- felf the very extraordinary error of which I have ac- knowledged myfelf guilty on this fubjeft. I fhall legard it as a monition as long as I live, againft precipit,ite deci- fion. And may I take the libeity of hinting t(; t.io reader, whoever he be, that he may perhaps derive a ulctul leffoii from the faft ? If with the attention I have been in the habit of paying to public affairs---readiiig two or three papers every day---and perfeftiy convinced of the j.irticc of the war— I have neverthelefs fallen into fuch a palpa- ble, fuch a monftrous error, on To j)lain a ])oint--.if I h^vc biought fo uij'ift an accufation againft the congrefs which declared war-.-how difficult mull it be for perloir ;*^ifc THE OLIVE UnANCll. 2l'S to iccrur icinofc from opporttinilics n\' 'y\(\^t\i\^ corrcniy, iind lij- blcto be trlllci [)y inteielted or tuttiLiL-. men, to form ac- curate opiiiiotis ? Let it be bi-nio in mind tli.it among the mod hein- ous charges on the fubjed of the w.n, a^ainft tlie ad- iiiiiiidiation, ihc want ot (bjc preparation has been the nioli piomintnt. We here (ee how very fallacious and iintoiinclcd is tlie allegation. n CHAP. XXV. Hi'pvnndn's of Ihc •minor it if njs:oiiist ihc imhccilltif nj the uiajoritif. PfVHicloiis ctmsctiuonccft of vcit'spaper mis- represetttalious. Jiritish ileceived by their J'riciuls, While the fcrions preparations flatcd in the preceding chapter were going toiward, the federal printers through- out the union weie pretty generally ;^nd zealouily em- jjloyed in ridiculing the idea of Nva; — peilnading the public that all thefe meafurcs \vere illufory and in- tended to intimidate the Britifh mini II i\' — and that our goveinment pod'eHed neither the courage nor the means to venture on hollility. I have already quoted the notorious declaration made by fcveral mcmbeis of congrcfs, particularly Mr. Jofiah Quincy, that " ike majotily could not ot kicked into lonr. — I'his courfe of proceeding is not cafily accounted lor. It muff have had fome motive. And it requires an extraordinary degree of charity to afcribc it to one cither laudable or patriotic. Let us for a moment fuppofc, that our rulers did not really mean war — that they were actually deilitute ot the means of carrying it on — that tliey were " too cowaidh ^0 he kicked into it'' — was it wiie, was it prudent, was it honourable, was it politic, to bla/on our deficiencies to the world — to alRire England that Ihe might fafely and \\ith impunity continue the perpetration of her outrages on an imofIi?nding neutral, becaufe that neutral could 1 (i I i 214) TUB OLIVB BP.ANUH. not be kicked Into war to red ft thefe outrages ? Surely not. In purfuance ot tiie plan 1 have iol lowed througliout this work, ot eltabliihiug all p >uits of impoitance by in- dilputal)le evidence, 1 fui j hM G.izcltr, JcMi 10, 1812 '* If you think il vote to raise 25,««»ed »<))irit o(° warfu'C — .lot a inaii,siii— no— not oiie— in our |Me^.v ni dcfeurekss ktate. iJij'So no more oj this dream, Pliiia- de.phi.i G tZ' tte, J.in 27, \ii\'i " It IS inn izuii;ly inxl-uproiios, and morcnver very vexations, tliat Ytliile our s>ton .. }"" their well liid plans are faiHui; every ivhere : i;'/" the two main s.vews nf their durUug ivur, app ar to be innsi jni^euihli^ le/nxi^d :_/'NmTtJK!l MFN ake TO UK HAU — Nt»ll MUNI''V T*) P\Y TIU M " Alexaildl tu G JZf ue, as quetcd in (he iMiiiadtlphia Gazedt, May i4, ISli. This paragraph was publilhed onlv five weeks before the declaitition of war, and was, with hundreds of others, calculated to keep up the delufion to the lall, at home and abroad. During the period when thefe paragraphs were pub- lilhing in our gazettes, I ielt the inoll fei"'ous uneafinefs on tile ful j- "f. 1 believed tiieir effert would be to pro- duce war. I repeatedly exprefTed my fears on the fu j cl. I was convinced tiiat they would delude England into a belief, that ihe might laugh ou efiforts to rco!n---and that [he would perleveie in the obnoxious courfe till we were » iwi iiai ) i »i ;>i.:v. ,.-4 i> M ii i ii>» m i to»» >i BJi i »f.".'..i i 7' THR OLIVE BRANCH. '2i5 finally " nicked into war.'^ Among other gentlemen to wtum I communiCited my apprehcnfions on this fubjcM, were James Mil nor, Adam Seybert, and William An- deifon, Efqrs. then reprefentatives in congrefs trora this ilate. It was in the gallery oi the houfe of repre- fentatives, and as far as I rccolle^>, early in May, 1812. The efforts to fprcad this delufion were not confined to tliis fide tlie Atlantic. No Tlie faiTie indndrv was em- ployed in letters to correfpondents in England and Ii eland, which made their appearance in the pu'jlic papers in thofe kingdoms. Never was more application employed on any fid")je£l — and never was application more unholy or pernicious. I have an extraB, from one of thofe letters, to lay be- fore the reader. It is a lair (pecinun of hundreds which reijlly appear to liave been di^.f ;tpd bv (t^" the moji. fcrious apprehenjions Uji the Bt't^jli jliould relax ^ and ^^r LEST WE MIGHT THUS ESCAPK WAR. From. the. Londonderry Journal, Jmip iCi, IS 12. Extract of a Letter to gentleman in tlua place, dated PJvladclphia, Mu;/. 8, 1812. *' Yr.u wHl perceive by 'he copy nf » bii wliidt I riitlosi , ili tirs, j^' fiut U ifloietij of tlie loan oj eleven imlliona -wiU ever be procured," I wish the reader, before he clofes this chapter, to weigh well its contents. Let him dive into the moll pro- found receffes ot tiie human heart, to dlfcover the maia fpring t'iiat dilated paragraphs and letters, fraught with fiifii ruinous confequences. I am fully perfuaded that Great Britain did not defirc I ' ,!' y 216 THE OLIVE BRANCH. aftual war ; and that had licr miiiiflers really believed that the alternative was, war or a repeal of the orders in council, they would have repealed thct!i in leafon. But their Friends on this fide the Atlantic cruelly deceived them. Every day's exj)erience proves that d^ one inthf^ creet ^imprudent, or injudicious friend dots moreinjury than three enemies. \^ Aad the triends oi England in this countrv have afFuided undeniable proofs of the correal- nefs of the mixim. The writers whom I have quoted above, and otiiers ot firnilar character, have done her more injury than ten times the number of the moll vio- lent anti-Anglicans in the country. CHAP. XXVI. ^: : :S { \ War proceedings in Con2:ress. Veas and JSTays. Ine.vpU- cahle conduct. Mr. (luinci/ and other violent Federai'tafs voted in the ajfirinative on almost all the questions leading to u'ar — but against war itself. This, reader, is a dry and dull chapter. It is little more than lifts ot names, decies repehta, and cannot af- ford much entert.'.inment. But if you have fairly tra- velled with me thus far, I deprecate your pafTing over thefe few pages. What they may want in entertainment, I hope they will make up in inftruftion. When the vote was finally taken on the declaration of war, there were 49 members in the negative, whofe names are fubjoincd — Nitys — Messrs Bxkrr, Baitlrtt, Blceckep, Boyd, Brpckonridjc, !ji-i;;ham. Champion, Cl»:tl«'nileu, Cooke, Dwenfioil Ely, EinntI, Filrh, Gold, Golclshornujjli, Hufty, Jncksot), Koy, Law, Lewis, Vlax- wtll, iM'Biyde, Mctcalt, IMilnor, iVIitihell, MoscU, Ncwbold, Penr- sou, Pitkiii, PoJtt'i-, Qniiiry, Riiitdoi|i)), flted, RhIkj^Iv, llodmaii, •Satiimons, Stanford, Steward, Slow, Stnrijfs, Snlhvau, Tnjju'"'') Talniadge, Tallmun, Trucy, Van Corllaudt, VVIieatun, White, Wil- son,— 49. I annex a ftatement of the votes on various mcafiircs preparatory to war. The names of thofe who finally voted again ft the war, are in Itulic. y*& THE OLIVE BnAXCH. Aii: December^ l6, 1311. "The question wa taken on the fnllowfnir resolution : "liiiJt iL is ex}»ctiieijt to uolltorize llie Fi* 'iuleiit, uiuler proper rc;;iilatioi)3 (o accept the service of any iHt.tibcr of vuluittreis, not exocdin^; fifty thousand ; to be organized, truineil and held in readiiiess to uct on such service as the exigonctcii of the govcinuient lUity require. " And decided thus : " Yius — AI<9ton, Anderson, Archer, Avery, Bacon, Baker, Bard, Barllett^ Basset, Bibb, Bliickledge, Uleecker, Blount, Boyd, lirecken- r((/^'(?, Brown, Bnrwell, Butler, Culiioun, Checvcs, Chitten'len, Coch- ran, Cloploo, Cot/ce, Condit, Cr:iwfor;, Pearson, Picken*, Piper, Pitkin, Pond, Porter, Quincy, Reed, Ridgely, Riny;gold, Rhea, Rojne, Koberlg, Rodmtin, Sage, Sammons, Seaver, Sevier, Seybcrl, Shaw, Sheft'ey, Smilie, G. Smith, Stow, fitvon^y Sullivan, Tulmadge, Tulbiiun, Tracy ^ Trou|», Turner, Van Cortlundt, White, Whltehill, Williams, VVid- gi'ry, Wilson, Winn, Wriorhl, Hawes, Deahu — 113 *' Nays — Messrs. Bigelow, Bngham, Champion, Davenport, Ely, Gray, Jackson, Law, Lewis, Potter, llandolph, J. Smith, Stanford, Siurges, Taggart, Wheaton.— itt. "The question was next taken on the fourth resolution of the fomtnittee on foreign relations, in the followiiiK words : *' That the President be authorized to order out from time to time, such delachmeuts of the militia, as in his opinion the public service may require. " And derided as follows : *' Yeas — Messrs Alston, Anderson, Archer, Avery, Bacon, Baker, Bard, Barilett, Basseil, B:hh, Blackledge, fileecker, Blount, Boyd, Breckenridge, Brown, Burwell, Butler, Calhoun, Cheeves, Chittendpn^ Cochran, Clopton, Cooke, Condit, Crawford, Davis, Dawson, Desha, Dinsmnor, Earle, Emoit, FinBwion5, Seaver, Sevier, Seytn.-rt Shaw, ShefF-v, Saiilie, G. Smith, J, Smith, Stanford, Strong, f^ullivan, Talmadge, T'ltltnan, TrO' cy, Troup, Turner, Van Cortluid, W'teaton, White, Whitebill, WiU lianis, Widgery, rFi/ion, Wmn, Wiight —120. " Niiys. — Messrs Bigelow, Brijjbam, Champion, Davenport, Jack- sOh, Law, Sturges, Tagaart, — 8. 19 () .»:''* v tr"""^ 2i% THE OLIVE IIUANOH. .11. !' ■ » Eudem die " The question was lakeii oit tlie titili resolution, in the words to\. lowiiitf : '* Thai all ihe voRsels not now in servirc b^longinv to the nnw :mii1 wuilhy uf ic()air, be immediately tilled u|) and put in coainiis- sion. " And rallied as follows : »' Yiiiy, (t//voH, Winn, Wri^iht— 111. " IS ays — Messrs Bii»h, Boyd, . Browp, Giay, Hufly, Lewis, I\Ta(oii, Potter, Haiidolph, Rodman, Shefi'ey, Smilte, StuiilorJ, Whitehill, Williams, — 15. T)fc l9, 1611. •* The question was t iken on the followinf; rosohiiou, and c.irried, " That It is expedient to permit our nierehaut vessels, o\vn(d ex- clusively by res dint etizens, and eommanded and navigated snkly hy citizens, to arm under proper regulations to be prcsoribed by law, in self defence against all unliwful proeeedini(s towards tliem on the high seas. "Yeas — Messrs. Alston, Anderson, Avery, Baron, Baker, Bassetf, Bibb, Bigelow, Blaekledge, Bteecker, Breckenridoe, Biigham, Bntler, Calhoun, Champion, Cheeves, Cliittenden, Clopton, Cooke, Condit, Cra\» fold, />aren;>or/, Davis, Dawson, Desha, Dinsmoor, Ely, Find- ley, Fitch, Franklin, Gholson, Gold, Goldsborough, Goodwyn, Green, Grundy, B. Hall, O Hall, Harper, Hawis, Hyneman, Jackson, Jolin- son. King, Lacoek. Law, Leffver, Little, Livingston, Ly'e, fllaxweU, Mnorr, JSPBryde, M'Coy, Mefcalf, Milnor, Morgan, Mosely, Nelson, Netfhidd, Newton, Ornisliy, Paulding, Pearson, Pickens, Piper, Pit- kin, Pleasants, PoiuJ, Porter, Pearson, QUINCY, Reed, Ridgebj, Ringgold, Rhea. Roane, Sage, Sammon'i, Seaver, Sevier, Shaw, Smilie, J. Sinilh, Utow, Sttirges, Taggart, Talmadge, Tallnian, Tracy, Troup, Turner, Van Cortlandl, Wheaton, White, Widgery, Wilson, Bartlelt, Poftcr— 97. "Nays — Mf'ssrs. Archer, Bird, Blount, Boyd, Brown, Cochran, flufly, Kent, Lowiidrs, Macon, M'Kee, M'Kim,. Mitchill, Morrow, Robeus, Rodman, Shcifiy, Stanford, Stewart, Whitehiil, Williams, Wright —22. -*<«>»*-" THE OI.IVE QUANCII. 2VJ le words fol- io tlie niivy, in coiiiinis- aron, Bahcr, :er, IJIomU, ion, ClH'fVis, Davis, Dsiw- ?/(, Fianklin, 13. Hull, (). ii, Kinsj, L.>. If, Maxwc-H, hill, Moi^.in, y, P.iMldiiii;, ieed, Ibdycly, , Sevif r, Sty- van, 'I'aumnil, lilt, fF/iC-«/01f ufly, Lewis, lie, SlanlbrJ, l9, 1611. , B»d Ciirriod, la, ovviKtl fx- riijate*! solely ribeii by law, s them oil the Uiker, Bassctt, 'ghnm, Butler, loofce, Conilit, n, Ely, Find. ;riifcr, Van Curtluiult, Wiiliains, \\idi;ery, AViiH), Wright.— 94. •* Nays. — M'essrs. Bigelow, Boyd, r)rco1venridgf, T!) IglKim, Oliann- Tiioii, Cliittenden, Davenport, Ely, Fiteli, llufly, Jaiksim. Key, Law, Lewis, Macon, M'Uiyde, Mosely, Nt.whold, I'earsoo, rnkiii. Potter, Randolph, Kodniaii bheiVcy, Sniilie, Stanford, Stewart, Slow, Sturges, Taij^art, Falriia.lge, NVhealoii, White, Wilson. — ;3i, Javnanj, ilO, 1812. "The engrossed hill conceining (he naval eslablislmient, was read the third time and paose^l. T\\c yeiiS and nays on its passage were r.s follows : " Yeas. — Messis. Alsioo, Anderson, Bassctt, Blackledge, Brecken- ri(l:^e, Burwell, Hotler, Callioun, tlheeves, Chitteiuh'ii. Condit, Davenport, Davis, Dliismoir, Ely, Eniolt, Findhy, Fisk, Fitch, Frawk- liii. fiholson, Goodwin, Gi-' en, ll.iiper, Mawes, llynemaii, King, Little, Livingston, .^owe-des, ^Maxwell, Moor., J\V linidt', M'^-'oy, M Kim, JVlilnor, Mitcluil, N'elson, \evi\.Qi\, Pitkin, Pleasants, Pond, Potter, Richardson, Kiniigold, Rhea, Seyhert, ''heftVy, (J. Smith, J. Sin th, Stewart, Stow, SturJS^^'s, Ta^^ar't, Talliafeiro, Tracy, Troup, Titrnur, Van Cortiandt, l\ heatoii, IVhite, fViisan, Winn, Wnght, —65. '" Navs. — .Messrs. Bacon, Bibh, Boyd, Rrown, Cocliran Crawford, Desha, O. Hall, Hufty, Johnson, Lacock, LyIe, .Macon, M'Kee, Met- ealf, Morgan, N' w, Ne'.\b'>Id, Piper, Roane, Rohi rts, Rodman, Sage, beaver, Shaw, Srailie, Stanford, Strong, Mitchill, Williams. — 30. February, 19, 1812. " The engrossed bill for authorizing a loan for eleven millions of «loll:irs, was read the third lime, and the questio.i being put, "shall tlie bill |>ass its tinrd reading," " Yeas. — Messrs. Alston, Anderson, Archer, Bacon, Bard, Bassett» Ribh, lileecker, Boyd, Rrown, Burwell, Butler, Calhoun, Ch»t.~92. "Nays — >U-8sis. I{?iker, Hig. low, liieckenriiljje, Utigham, (iiHm- |>ion, Miiltcnilen, Uavenijort, i''ilfh, Gnl sboi()tsj»ti, Gray, Jackson, Law, Lewis, Miln r, \losi ly, IVititoii, I'ilkin li iKlol|ih, lii(lp;ely, Kodmnn, Sheffey, Stanford, Stewart, btuiges, Taggart, Talii,a»!gi', Wheatoii, White, Wilson.— 29. I hope the reader has fully examined thofe dry lifls, and has his mind prepared ior the refle6lions I have to* Jubmit upon them. No man will deny that a public funQionary who a61s with giofs and manitell niconfiftency in his political career, efpecially in matters o\ the higheft poflible importance to his conftituents, forieits their confidence. OF courfe it is extremely dangerous to lubmit to his guidance. The war was either juft, or unjiift. Every man who believed it unjuft, and who voted for a ieries ot mcafures leading to it, betrayed his t'jiill. Every man who voted for the mcafures leading to war ; who oppofed it after it was declared ; and who, as far as in him lay, thwarted the meafures adopted to carry it on, was guilty of a grofs, manifeft, and palpa-, ble inconfiftency — and in either one or other courfe betrayed his truft. That thefe pofitions are correft cannot be denied. 1 proceed to apply them — and (hall ilngle out an individual to make the cafe more ftriking. . Jofiah Quincy and many other members voted, as we have feen, ^for a fet of meafures^ all ■bredicated upon an approaching war. ^ But ftveral of them voted againjl the loan for raifing the money nece/Jary to give eff'ed to thofe meafures. ^ They afterwards voted' againjl the war itfelf. ^ Jind further, tha did not merely vote againji the zuar, but (^ thirty- four of them publifJied a mojl inflammatory proteft, ad- ' drejed to thm confiituenfs, to ' c.xate. than t& oppof THE OLIVE HllANCH. :4^l the war. This proteft, and other violent mcafurcs, u'crc fatally but too fuccefstul. I annex the names ot" the proteftors. . Mossrs. nria;liiiin, Higclow, M'^ridu, nreekeiinil.«% Hukcr, nu-ecker, Ch:i:ni)ioii, (.Miitrendi'U, D.ivftiport, Kmott, Kly, I'lUU, fioM, (iolds, l)iioiii;!>, .(iickson, Ktv, li<"wis, Lnw, Moseley, Miliior, l^ntlur, I'u-arson- i'llkin, Qiiiiicy, Ki;l'(!, Ili.lsit'ly, Sullivan, siewart, Slurges, I'aliurtdgo, 'I'ag^ar', While, Wilson, W.ivitoi). I aver, that the whole of the annals of legiflation, fiom the firlt organization of deliberative bodies to this hour, (^ cannot produce a more fimfler^ dark, or mv/i'ncus policy. Thefe gentlemen are moft folomnly cited before the bar of the public, and called upon to ex- plsin the motives of their condui^l to tliat country, which lv;s been brouglit to the jaws of peidition bv the oppofi- tion which they excited againll a war which they counte- iMuced in almoft every ftage but the ialt. • CHAP. XXVIT. Declaration of war. Violently opposed. At length, on the i8th of June, 1812, war was de- tlired^againft England indue form, after a fcflion of a''.)\v i\'.vQ.n months, and the moft ardent debates. The fiiK.1 vote \vas carried in the fenate by ig to 13 — and in tiie houfe of reprefentatives by 79 to 49 : aflinnitives in both houles 98, negatives 62 ; that is, more than three to t'.VO. War then became the law of the land. It was the paramount duty of all good citizens to fubmit to it* I'A'on ihofe who doubted its juftice or expediency, and u'ho had oppofed its adoption, were bound to acquiefce ; l')r the firft principle of all republican government — and of all government founded on reafon and ji^lice, is, that the will of the majority, fairly and cunft;tution:lh/ exprelTed, is to be the fupreine law, 19* ,. ? -' n Pt t&j '*'■ wS Ki'-l sf m |:f ■w m 11 u I I ^:2 THE OLIVfi BKANOH. To t!rat tlie minority is CicrcJIy bound to fuhinit. Aiiv other dofclrine is jjcobinical and dilorgdni/Zmg. and has a dirett tendency to overtlirow all governnicnt, and introduce anarchy and civil ^var. IF it be lawful lor the minority, in the unparalleled way t'ncy have done*, to oppole or to piralize the government, and deteat it.', meafiires, on the pretext that they arc unj ift, fuch pre- texts can never be wanting. And I avertiiat ^il mould be full as ju/l^ as r7ghteaiis,-ai legal, and at conjlitutional, for Mr. fiolmes at the head of the mtfiority in MafJ'achu- Jetti, to bejiige governor Strong, in his houfe, and coerce him to retire from office, as ^"T it is for the Kings, the IVchjlers, the Hanfons, and the ('ores, to befiege prefident MaJ-ifon at IFa/Jungton. While the federal iRs had the government in thfir, hands, they inculcated thefe maxims with great cnergv and eftltrh The lead oppofition to law excited their ,v iitmoll indignation and abhorrence ; aud the vocabulary ^ ul vituperation was exliauftcd to brand it and its per- petrators with infamy. But to enforce rules that operate lo our advantage, when we have power, and to fubmit TO thofe rules, when they operate againft us, are widely dilTerent things. And the federalifts, as I hare already remarked, abandoned, when in the minority, the wife and falutary maxims of political economy which they had fo eloquently preached when they were the me traced to the first systematical aliiiinlriniiieht of the policy of \\ Hsiritiu;!ori and llie tVitiids and IraiiKii of tl»e constitution; tf» inipliicahlc aniinnslly ns^uinst ihise men, aMil theii- iinivti'sal exclusion from all tonctin in (lie p'lvei nmcnt of the »;otihlr_v ; — to the Influence of worlhli ss furtip'ncrs ovt-r tltr jjT' ss, arid I'.'C dtliberi»tlons of the s;ovei'uiije<:t -zuas extent of territo'-y hy ntijwt con- quest, and ij^ to aid the late tyrant of Euraps in his view of aff^'niit- kizement." * The absunlity and total wnnt of foundation of these allcgalions 1 shall fullj establish tn a subsequent chapter. .TUC OLIVE BRANeH. iiS CHAP. XXVIII. se nllrgotions Peuce Party. Composed of warlike materials. Repeated clamunr for war. Immediately after the declaration of war, there was a party formed, called the " Peace Party," which com- bined nearly the whole of the iederalifts throughout the union. Their objeft was to expofe the war—the adininiflration-- the congrefs who declared it— and all WHO fupported it, to reprobation--and to force the gov- ernment to make peace. This party embraced various defcriptions ol pcrfons, all cnlifted under the banners of fcdcralifm, whom it may not be improper to enumerate. Firft, thofe who were clamorous for war with Eng- land in 1793, for her depredations on our commerce. Secondly, thofe who declared and fupported the wat again ft France in 1798. Thirdly, thofe who were vociferous for war again ft Spain in 1803, when (he intcrdifted us from the right oC (lepofit at New Orleans. Fourthly, thofe who in 1806, urged the government to refift the aggrelTions of England, and to make the al- {Qnuuve—redre/s of wrongs or WAR. Fifthly, thofe who, after the attack upon the Cliefa- peake in 1807, were clamorous for war, as the only mode ill which fatisladlion could be had for fuch an outrageous infiiit. . ; ^'.; , To enable the reader to make a fair comparifon of the feveral degrees of complaint at thefc fevcral periods oF-% fiine, I annex a fynoptical view of them. J)i mm hf sm •iirr. oi.ivK BHANfta. CO o o «D o In tx. .«a3 1z c 3 — . I "5 .2 u. <* a V 3 ■ c a I 5 - S.O i« 3 C ■« c o Ml a 2»» c « 2 « O « 3 •;- 3 I- I, •J c u a V u a. 3 U E -»— r 2iJ S " '' u S u •- S a I" c X M iJ '3 >; s r c -=;^ :u ■^ ^ z w. ^» ^ ~. '^ "^ ES H a n ~ - « y 3 i "^ ^ r* ^ "^ ;,; «^ VI c >« ^ "A -, ?/ I be^r the reader will pay particular attention to this ta- t)le. L( t him for a moment, whether federal ill or demo- crat, d.veft himfelf of all pi' j idice on this fulj tl. Let him fiippofe himfelf called to decide upon events of a ^ormer at;e or diff^tnt country. Let him compate the dilTerent grievances together, and I trufl he muff acknow- ledge tht tliole of 1812, very far outweighed any o^iill of the others. IIIE Ol.lVli: KRAVOH. «^ a J ion to tbis ta- all ft or demo- this fubj ^i ipon events of connpa»e «he muft acknow- hed any o^*ll Lcl us confi'ler tlic cafe ot the furpcnrioii ol the ii>;ht 'il ilcpofit at New -Oj leans. On that occafion the Icdc- lal paity in congicfs ami out dI doors were loud in tlielr fiamour lor war, (jT wilkout cvfn al/ow/rijr time fnr niakint^ an atlfrnpt to procure redrffs h\ ncf^onatton. Mo- tions were nude in con^rcls lor raifin^r ^0,000 nieti to fail down the \Ii(Tiiri()j)i in order to ch.illile the info- icnce ot tlie Spmiards. Tliey upl)raided the jvoveintiu'iit for Its purillaiiinilty in not vindicating tlu* u itional hon- our. The cry tlica was — "' milliom for Jtjttue^ not a ant for tribute'' • lulrcict of a letter from the Sent of Gifmrniunit to u friend in tMassacluisdh. '• Tlic MisRinfiippi liver is the romnimt hic;)tMay (o tlip propic of the «v«si«>in roui.try, oh mIikIi IIu'v nitixt p.iHH \^\\\\ llxir pin- (liifi'to ih^i' ket *"/' '17iey rii ler will siifTcr Ihtt hiifhwiy t» he obtlrurltd r,r thul iifi. (Jj^ 'iiie _free navifjutinn of lliii iiim must de prencrvtil to that portiitn of the /I •iierican fhople, or llic Anwricnn empire luit^t Ac ditmem'ien'd. {J^ If U'e hud n Wa-hiiififon nl the heiitl of our ffn- trnmer.t I should expect Jinn df.cun e mca^uni wmild upon iliii nvcuiioit tie pii siivd ; lliat u •iiililuiy fori f stitKi iciil lo liikf- S'tiv (htfi'ts, wuiilil itiiiiicdiiitfly niitl vijiliuut dtlay be UH>)fiiil>i«'(i nt Mif S'utcha, iit the kMiHsl»sip)ii teiritnry ; tlml npoii llii' ict'uHal nt tlic Sp)iiiisli ); rivrr, mid lake pusu^sHUMi i^f New- O'lt fins- (,Jj* Rut f apprt-hend no such vijioinus medsure^ xviU be adopted bif our present executive— Vtttwx t'lW rcdu lioii ot' tli»- iirniy I'Ht vrar, M'liat rcjjiilar tritopx |iavi> vte rtMiiniiiiii';; to br ciiip'oycd iu lliut fcivii't?' Boston Ct'iitinel, Jaiiiiaiy ip, 13o;j *' Not Ailhiitaudiiig llie »«;//• nnrf irafcr measiir«'« 'lie administmlinn his ili(iii!;|it proper to adopt n-spectin* tlie " Occlwion" of i Iu- port of New-Orleans — tl»e lan»iiaif«- of ihc people on tlie occluttioit h di- rectly the reverse." B/jJtoii C'ciitinel, Feb. 16, laoJ. ,'• Extract of a Letter from Washington. " We ilisupprove ■.Jj' the timid and time itrvin^ meamrex whicli our ^overiiin'Mil li ib...udopted relative to the vioUiiimi of om Jrtalv »'tU Spain ; the otates uhicli border on the Ohio ntid Mississippi a.e most immediately interested in uh«l the president ealis the " oeclumon" of the port of New Orleans. O.i the I4ll) Mr /;o««,of Pennsybaniaf m*iie a most aide nnd aiiimaled spreeh in lb'* a< luir, in whieb he de- stribed in striking colonrs, tiies-'o t'on of the west-rn ennnt' v, and ^ urged th: rietemty of taking effectual measures for (heir relief, and in. t: il * w .41 • '^r*-.,. . „ ^„A3»».r»— .^S THE OLIVE BRANCH. Ff "•'.' support nf nafional honour. After having spoken more than on boiii. hiv Rosa iut'oimeil iho Sciiittr, that he had prepaiTil teveral rcfinlu- lioiiH oil the 8nl>ject which he asked leave to siihcnit. The democrats Irnmtdiaeely moved that the gillcrics shnnM be cleared. Mr. Jinn tlifn d*"clttied that if the liiscuftsion was to be secret^ he should not offar the resolutiom, or make any further observations on the subject. The gal- Urics wiTC howc\er cleared by the majority^ nnd the senate soon aj- jouriied It is understood that a grand caucti.* w.is held lh:U even> ins^', nnd the niijority dreading (he effiTt sueh proceedin»8 mipht \\,i\r. nil th(^ public mind, the next niornini; it waa dttciinined in ■e:i;4ic, thi.t the discussion bhoiild be public. Bsston CentincI, Maich 2, 1803. / JS^ew-Odeans. " Nothing is more contagions than example: the meek and lowly sv'nil which infloeiiccs the conduct of the executive towards Spim, hart infected ewn the armed force on the frontier; and the pioiu't'is of their country, (J^j" WHOSE fiWORDS OUGHT TO I,EAP FROM THEIR SCA BUARDS TO HbtiENT ITS INJURIES, arc MOW seen to catch at eve. rs' appearame, however evantscent, to promote the reign of humilitj. E^'en {general IVilkimon, who, one «ould suppose, would be trent- biingly alive to his n^re«— p'»'«t»i'tv will jndi'^e''' . , Boston Centinei, April 13, (8or). THE OLIVE BUANCJir. 22Si m an liodi ., nil icroIm- n democrals Mr, Rn»s uld not offer , The g!il- te a»oa »0- I that pven- ingfl mielit Lermineil in n CeulincI, '.ek and lowlj ards Si>.ini, lu" pioiK'ers ROM TIlEUl catch at cvi'. I of humtliij. ilil be trciu- in opportunity lie, and with laiborney not tatei to their ircn permission lis on pajiing ble tt:i(l inile- le words, the exuUalion at rs to tlie f xe- t^aiitzntion of eniis, says— i«d an in/'flf- is beini! the whether the led lights re- S))iinish fa til th** degra- profft'r of a he obtained hj/ led l)u I'le elo- a of Ros» ao* ll 13, 1803. >y " Jl'hile tee deplore the weakness and puslUdniniUy of our government, tie sincerely congraliilale ourwtslern Inethren on the l".ivor)il)le ohaop*' in llicir hiluatioii : and firvi ntly piiiy foi its Un\» tonlinnanre : how i';u' wc lUHv .■itiribulc thia « hrtugi- lo t^'j' the spirited conduct of the fd- era' iiienil).':rs ffcnngress, vnn^wX i^i |)ri's«'iil l)e fully jisr«Mlain«'(l. We liiii im htsil.tlion, hovvcicr, in helicviny; tliat tt lias ai hast persiiad- d!, if not ciitirtly originated these nicasiircs." Cent iiiel, . April 'J7, )8U3. "Since the adoption of i he federal constitution, no snbject has more foieihly ;'.tt\cted the feeliiifts of the citizens of the UniliJ Ftates, IIkim the *' ocr/Msion" of I lie port of New Orleans by the Spanish (or Fitiicli) Koveniment. It in n snhjecl to "hich the attention of ihe icMtltT cannot loo firqiUMitly he called. The president of the United St.ites has nol hegjiated nliicially lo declare, that hy thiK measure " rights the most estenttal lo the welfare ff the American people have been liolatedy and an infmclion of the treatij committed without colour or pre- text ." t •« spirit of that people has lieen alive lo the injury— and was ready to make any SBcrifnelo redress the wronij : — Uui because the federalists tn congressfelt the full glow of this spirit ; and took the lead in proposing the necessary measures to give it efficacy ; rather than they f/iou/(/ dci ive any honoi f:i>m Iheir success ,tlir adinniisiration havioj^ ilie piiuer, substiluied ; /" a PL'sillan iMots NEGori ATION . and ilc^radiuf; entreaty, for that spirit of action which manly resentment for violated rights nnd broken faith, so loudly und su justly called foi.'" Bustuu Centinel, June 15, i8(i3. Louisiana Purchafied. " The question will ever be, was Ihc mode of {jettinjj the territory llie hcbt, the cheapest, the most honourable for our niMion ? Is the way of iiegociatini; cash in hand as cheap or honourable as that Mr Ross ?e- (omhiendcd ? We could have had ti for nothing.''^ CYnliiie), Julv 2, lSii3 " All thiit we wanted on Ihe river Dfissi;e hopt tliat he will guard it JK-iier than his own "t'ertiinly lh< jocohins do not need a conqueror to make them slare'i They are slaves in soul whom even oui liberty cannot raise ; ulives are more fascin it-'M wth a master's livery than their own r.'liiti : vet I hey expect this6a>e language will make them popular." Ct iitiel, July 9, 1803 " An 'idmi'iisi ration so feeble and despicable, hy what it can and ^^liat It caiiix' do, would huve sunk under the cunipctilion with 20 i v 11 230 THE OLIVE BUANCII. IVanrc ; and a lioslile neighbour on t\)v Mimssippi^ wo\xh\ liave in two years b(cn onr master Consnoiis of tlu:ir poveiti/ of spirit and , and are bafe, aban- doned, and wicked. If the charge be falfe, the fenate ot Maflachufetts are bafe, abandoned, and wicked. — There is no alternative. One or other defcription 01 perfons mutl fink in the eflimation of cotemporarics and pollerity. The condiiQ of Great-Britain to this country for a number ot years, has been a conftant feries of infult, ag- greffion, and depredation. Our liarbours liad been in- lulted and outraged — our commerce had been mo ft wan- tonly fpoliated — our citizens had been enflaved, fcourg- ed, aiid flausjhtered, fighting the battles of thofe who held them in cruel bondage. We had, in a word, experienc- ed numberlefs and moft wanton irjiuies and outrancs ot various kinds. But the two prominent caufes ot the war, affigncd by the Prefident in that meffage which recom- mended, and by the committee in the report which con- tained, a declaration of war, were impreffment and tin orders in council. I fliall proceed to the examination ot both topics. But 1 prevloully quo'.e the words ot tin.' mefTage and of the report. On the fubjeft of imprell- ment, the Prefident ftiites, " TliC practice is so far IVoin afTectlng Hi-it'iHli subjects alone, tliit, Dii- iilti' the pretext ol' Ei::'.ri iiiiig lor thtsCj thou'jiitids ol Araeiicau cllivoiii, THE OMVE BRANCH. 2iii under tlic safeguard of public law, and their national flapf, lave been torn IVoni their coimtrj and from tvcry thing dear to theiu; htve been flr«s:c;ed on board sliips of war of a foreign nwtion ; and cxpose'l, uinlei' ihe sevirities of their (liscipline, to be exilerl to the most distant and (Icailly clinics ; to risk their livis in the battUs of their opjMv ssors, and (o be he tntiancholy instriiments of tukiriij away those of iheir owit brethren." And the committee, " We M'ill now proceed to other wrongs which have been more se- verely felt Among these is the itnpressnient of our seamen, a praetico which has been UMce:isin?;Iy mainl:une(i by Great IJritain in the wars to which she has been a party since our ri volution. Your cominiitee can- not convey mi ad« quate terms the deep sense which they entcrtnin of tlic injustice and oppression of this proeceiling. Umkr »iie pretext m" iin|ires8ing IJrilish seamen, our fellow citizens are seized in British ports on the high seas, and in every other quarter to which the British power extends ; are taken on board Hiitish men of war, and compelled 10 stMve there »s British snhjctts. In this mode our citizens are w.ii;-. loiily siiatclied from their country rnd their families, deprived of their liberty, and doomed to an ignonnniuus and slavisli bomhige, I'-iinpelled to ti^iit the liattles of a foreigti couniry, ami often to perish in tfiom. Our flag has given them no [iroteclion ; it has been unceasingly violated, ?ii(l our vessels exposed to danger by the loss of the men takcii liii i them. Your committee need not remark that while the j>rae!ice is ti:i- tiiiued, it is impossible for the Unitid States to consider themselves nn iiulepcndent nation Every new case is a new pi oof of their degriida- tion Its coMlinuance is the more Uiijiist.fiable because the Uiiilcd States have repeatedly proposed to the Biitisli government an arrange* mcnt which wotUd secui-e to it the control of its own people. An ex- emption of the Citizens of the United States from ti>is degrading op- pression and their flig from violation, is all that they base souglit." And on the orders in council, the prefident obfcrvc.', •* Under pre tended blockades, without the presence of art adequate force, and sometimes without the practicability of applying one, oiu" <(jiiiini rce has been plundered in every sea ; tlie great staples of our coiiMtry have been cut off from their legitimate markets ; and a ile- stiiielivc blow aimed at our agricultural and raariiime interests. In iiKgiavation of these predatory measures, they have been considered Hs in force from the date of their notification ; a retrospective cfteet: being thus added, as has been lone in other impr.rtant cases, to the ual.iw fulness of the course pursued. And to render the outrage the more signal, these mock blockad* s have been reiferattd and enforerd in t!ie luce of official commniucations from the British government, de- tlning. .ns the true definition of « legal blockade, *' that particular jort^ iiiiist be actuidly invested ; and previous warning giv;.u to vessels bon-id to them, not in eclair. 20* : . 1.:: ^ i 'V^i I I >i? 23 h TIIK OLIVE IJHAXUfl. " Not cntitenl witli tliose occHsinnal rxpcdiciils for liij Uig wastv' one neutral traile, ilic c.il)itiet of (iicat IJiita'iii resorlcil, at length, tu tlie sweepiii.a; ayslcm (W l)lr)ckail.H, iiiult;r the ii.iitio of onlirs in' cminci?, wliicli Uhh been tiioulili;! mul nrinaged, as iuU^\tt best i-iiit iis poiiticiil views, its couiinercinl jealousies, or llie a>i(lil)- ol' Uriilhti «»'uisei'8." ; f.i . .7 AmvI the coiiiKihtce flatvcs, Wy llie OKltrsin ponncll of tlie lltli of N'ovcmhcr, IROr, "rir.- i'.i'.iisli ;j; .vi.riii.iciil (li i-l.tr. (I direct atid |iOhiiive war ac;:;iiist (he Uiiiud ">l.t8. Tlie doiiiinioii ol" tlic (jceaii was c(im])U'teIy usuriied ' y it, all cniumei ce iWi hidden, and t veiv il:i}!; driven tVoiii it or siihj' (iU'd to c.i'.itni'i; aid toiidi m i.'ition, winch tiid not snhstiMj the |)o;i(y ol' tl>u Iliitihh jr'.vc; nnu'ul by ptvin;; it a tribute :tiid 8;iil- \\\i' iiu-tr its sanction I'roni tliis jx r,(id tlic United States h'lvc incnrrel the ln'rjvi«!st losses and most niottdyinj; Imniiliatiois. 'I h, v hav borne tliu cahmiities el war without rctuilin^ them on its ici- thofs." i. I . '*! I (hall (JifcLif;; eacli itjin fcparatcly. 1. Orders in Council, ic To repel the charire of the war being *^ founded i'l f'aff'kood," fu far as refpcds this item, it would he fufti- cient to ettablilh their exigence on the day war was declared. — This is obvious. For it thev exirted, tiuii the war could not be '■\foiuuicd in fLilfthoad.'' But I Ihall not refl fatisfied with this alone. War was declared at Wairiington on the loth oC June i8i2. The repeal, as it i.'> called, oftheordeis in council, took place on the 23d of t!\at month in London. It is clear, therefore, that the charge of '■'"Jaljehcod' iicre is imfounded. By an official ftatement prefented to congrefs by the fecretary of ftate on tlie 6th of July 1812, it appears that the Britilh captures, prior to the orders in council, were 528, and fublequeiit thereto 389. It is difficult for me to form an eftimate ot the amount of theie vefTels. I am no merchant, and have no adequate data to guide me. I have enquired ol mer- caritile charafters, and have been told, thdt confulei- ing the great value of the cottons, &c. of the outwaH THE OLIVE BU\NOI£. 53 J e;argoes to France, and the filks, brdiidies, &c. of tlie honeward cargoes, :^o or 40,600 dollars would b'? a fair edimate. But 1 will fupijoit' 2^,000 d(;llars lor vel- lel and cargo, which, 1 prcluinc is not extravagant. This extends to the enormous amount oi 13,200,000 dollars, depredated previous to the orders in council ; and . 9,725,000 dollars - durin;'' tb" \xi(lence of thofc orders; (or the latter ot whir -hfei. 'as not the lead c . '(, e of rcdrefs. And it IS not the fuin ot wliich our citizens were despoiled, that by any njean coi.nitutes the whole of the grievance. The enormous limitation and relhic- tions of the trade ot a fovereign and independejit nation was at leait of equal magnitude in j)c)int of outrage, with the pecuniary lofs ; for it is a facred and indi{putal)le trutl), that trom Nov. 11, 1807, till the day war was de- clared, ^ American fh pi, ^ owned by /hncncan mer- chanU, ^ navigated b\ American feav.un, and (C^ laden it-ilh Arwncan prod>'dions, grf* zvere liable to /eizure and tondemnation ^ if bound to Frame, Holland, or the northern part of Italy. - • : • ' I implore the reader, by all that is candid, toconfider well this fmgle fentence : it is a fair ftatement of the relative fituation of the two coimlries. {.-T The cofnfnocs of the United States with nearly one third of the popula- tion of Europe was fubjecl to condemnation. Let him lay his hand on his heait, and anfwcr the queftion, was not "'iis adequate caufe for war ? Was not this a greater grievance than the fixpenny tax on tea, which led to the American Revolution ? Have not n)ore than nine tenth.s of all the wars that have ever exided, been declared tor lefs caufes ? iVe were forbidden, by Great Britain, g^T un- der penalty of c6nfiication,to carry on trade zuith (J:f ab vd fifty millions of the inhabitants of Europe. And yet we are gravely told, the war was " iounded in falfehood ! ! 1" Wonderful, wonderlul delufion ! ! I 23 a THE OLIVE DHANC'H. E < (Jrlr V/ Mrt/ period Rngland herfelf carried on with France and her dependencies^ under licenfes, ^ the very trade which jhe rendered illey^al when carried on by the. United Sidles! ! ! Add jeveral American vejfds, hound fat France, and taken by Britijh cruizers, zuere aHunll\\ (Jdl' without breakuii) bulh, tak>'n into French ports by t/ic captors, or thofe who pur chafed from them ! ! .' 1 might here liiiinifs this part of my fubjeft — but as it is one oF the moil important — one on wiiicli Great Biitain and the United States are at iffue in the face of the world — as the chara6fcr of tliis country muft be materially afFe6led by a decifion of it — and further as it is of great importance to the two parties tliat divide this nation, I judge it advifable to enter into it more fully. The only defence ever attenipted of thefe outra- /Tcous pioceedings is the principle of *' retaliation.'^ This is completely invalidated by Mr. Baring in page 108. It is alfo unequivocally abandoned by the moft prominent and infkiential leaders ot tlie federal party. James Lloyd, Efq fenator of the United States for the flate of MafTachufetts, a moft decided federaliff, a fteady, undeviating oppofer of the adminiftr.ition and of all its meafures, has pronounced fentence of condemnation in the moft unequivocal terms upon the pretence of retaliation, in a fpeech delivered in fenate on the 28th of Februarv, 1812. " And li'jto ia it possible, that fj" a third .md neutral partu can make itself n fntr uhject of retnlintion, for measures ivhich it did V9t coiivsel— -which it did not approve — > tvhich militate sti ons^!y with its interest — tvhich it is and ever h(is been nT.xinmlj/ desirous to remove — xvhic'^ it has reiisted by every meuiis in its power, that it thought expedient to ise, and of these means the govern- ment of 'he neutral couu try ought to be the sole judge — j^' which it luis erldeiiviured to get rid of even at great sacr< fives ! — . how is it pos- sible that a neutral country thus cmdncting cuJi make itself a fa r oh- ject 'if reta/'ation for measures wh.ch it did not orinti.te — whuh it could vot prevent I and cannot coutroul ! — Thtis, sr, to my view tlic OQ' ouDi.r.s m coocii. are wholly uajusTiFFABi k, let tuem bb ' «g-. « ■ » . . »■■ » « THE OLIVE nitANClM. sar BOTTOMF.B (Jjr eiTKKIl ON TUi! rUINClPLE OF UETALIATIOV, Q^OR or rtK»-l'-PilKSEUVATlO!*.' m From Mr Lloyd's authority on this topic I prcfwme tiicic will be no appeal. But I am not confined to Mr. Lloyd. Ml. Bayard, a gentleman of equal itandmg, a quondam lenator ot the United States tiom the Hate ot Delaware, now one ot our commiHioners at Ghent, alio a decided iederaliit, pronounced the lame lentencc on them--- *' They wore ailnptetl as a mrasiire of ictalialion, tlion^h iXj" t/tcy mrcr Uf-.-ieivdl that v/iurcic'er He huij .ilwuys ((iiitiKJeied tlu- Berlin mill MiLiii (ItfiMcs •XC7' used as u mere |Mit< xi.— 'I'liose dt-ners were viiiii und cini'ty dciiiiiiriHtioiis in icljiioii lo Eiislaiid 'I'lie plain de- *i::;n of the lUltish ^overnmcnl wai j^ to deprive France of the lienejlls of vxicrnul commerce^ Xj" unless the profits of it tcete divided with herself. i^j" This was fully proved by the license trade X/" iirtlain carries on the Lifij trade she denies to neuirnls and '(^j" hf.ln'j tn^rossed the nholc to her- ^f-/> .i3^ she excludes neutrals frovi a part iciput ion "• 1 UI1I aiiioiit; Ihelast men in ll>e Btimicwlio would jiisiify or dctViid the ordns in couiiril— (j;;j* TlitV Vioi-ATE thk Pi AIN est RIGHTS OP THK NATION — Ij" The ground of lelalialion icus uirvtr vom Ihan a pretext f and ^ their plain obj- ci is to dvpnie Fravce of neutreil trade it aevvr was coiitciided, nor dots Bntiiin iio« ••oiiten(l thai she would be jiutififd by llse Uws or usages of nations lo inlt'rdul onr loinimTce wiili her enemy She Lj' covets her injustice ivith the cloak of retaliation, and insists that she has a right lo relort upon her ene- my lUe evilf of his own poliey — This is a declrine to which I am not (liywied lo agree It Ih ukbtructi ve TO NEUTRALS // ma/ces ihetit the preii of the belligerents. "ir IS A DOCTIllNE WHICH WE rviUST RESIST." But I have one otlicr advocate, at lead equally unex- ceptionable. Harrilon Gray Otis, who at the moment I hold the pen, December 261)1, is in fecret conclave at HaitloTd, deliberating on i^' rcdrefi of p^rkvancc.s, has borne histellimony with equal dtcifion on tliis fuhjoLt, in a letter to a friend in London, dated January 14, 1812, republiflied in the Boflon Centinel, and therein acknow- ledged as authentic. — ■ *' You will perreivc hy the papers t);at our government profess • lie ii.tontion to assume :. very uar'iku nit'tudc ; and that the Xj^ ^en- liiiient of indignation throuokout the country nt the continuation of the ■ ■? fS-.^.,. as 1JI13 ©LIVE BHW'CH. orilevsin t'iiintcil(fj' is loud and universal riinv noTfi pMtTTrs I T|,,. inotlvt'8 wliith iiiduip your governiiuMit to , rill iim. itikiii iirc (jiiilr: incompicheiiiitileta :hc okht fkiknuso/ (fveut /iiitdiuiu t/iis cun :it/,- and (jTj' tlio ell'cct will bi> to ninke tvii* hum ouior* who lin ,-'.'to fxprtss n wisli tor your succi-ss and pro: pt iil> ; ii srriii'ni'nt utif; crm- ■mon tu our bat men, but ivhu.Ii an aUhcroue t'j tliia fi/Kein -uiH tin'uw (ind ciLnCvoi/. (!»•••• Q^ The scriii)uioii« adlurt nci* ot \ in c;ib'n» t to ;iii evi/ili/ [lunctilio. will too ^)|•obl»l»l^ ttiutf l/u whole (•■jiimri/ ni ofi/ioi ii,jji ioi/otir naticn, and sever tbriji nfrm'miis, pci Ik'J) for v\ii,inifffe.-.tt. u'/u< // /line the n.'ost natural cj^iiity, Mnd WKN wuo oiuiif To rttL a.vd lOVJB LIKE UHITUHiiJf," Let us examine this niofl precious document. Mr, Otis ftates that (fj* " the. fenhintnt of indignation agatnjl the orders in council was loud and uriiverjal from bolli porties.'' This is a Ihon/r declaration troni Mr. Otis. The concurrence oi " both parties" who fo icldom agiec in any thiiii^ is conclufive. And lurely it is fair to infer, tl\dt Jvlr. Otis hiniu-lf mull have regarded the orders in council as unjuft, and wicked, and oppreflive, and piratical, and utterly indefcnfihle, when he cordially conteUcs that a continuance of them would produce the i^^" effect to render every man odious who dared to cxprejs a uujh for the fuccefs and pro/penly" ot Gicat Britain. Be it ohferved, that thefc fentiments were ex- prelfed on the 14th January, 1812, Uim\ which time, till the declaration ot war, no change had taken place in the orders. One other ftrong faft, and a few ohfervations, and I fliall have done. On the i8tli of Decend)er, i8c8, a vote was taken in the houfe of reprefcntalives on the following relo- lution. 4t " Jiesolved, Tha' the United States cannot without a sacrifice of their vii<;)its, liotinnr and in icpendence. submit to tlic bite edicts (>t° Great liritHJn nnd France. " Ntiil resolved m the ffirm tive as follows ; yeas 118 ; nays 2; •' Yeas. — Messrs Alexander, VV. Alston, I.. Alston, Flacon, Bnnl, Barkir, Bisse , HlHtklidge, Hlake, lilount, Boyd, Boyle Riown, Uurwell, llmlt-r, Calbnun, Cantpbell, Champion, Chittenden tiny. ( lopton, (.'dl|)eppi r, rults, D.^venpurt, Dawson l)«ant, . tsh.i Uu- rtli, Kliiot, I'M. Findhy Fisk, Franklin, tianiner, C.arni t, Gho sun, fioodwiu, tiray, Green, Harris, lieister, Helms, Holland, Huliue'i ^i--. --ejr^ "^ li- THE OLIVE nRANCII. ^i% llfiwftvJ, Humplircvs, Ilpley, J. C Jackson, K. S. Jackson, Jciikini, Johnson. Jonos, Kelly Kciiaii, Key, Kirkjtatrirk I.Muibcrl, Iicwis, Llojil, Love, M«citn, Mnrion, Masters, M'CrciTy, tMHnov. 1). MoMt- l^uiuoi-y- J. MoMlpoim-iy, N. U. Moore, T. Moore, Jor. Moitomt, Jno. .Vorrow, Alose/eif, ^(inniVircl, Nelson, J\''eubuil, Now ton, Niclmliis, Pithin, I'ortir, Qiiiiin/, liandulph, Hca, l{li«:a, J. UichanU, M Ilicli- Mils Kussil Say, Stn\tr Sliuw, i^io;rtt(ind:\ Viii> Mom, Van IlVnssi'iatr, Vfrplamk, NVhar.oMi Whili-liill, Willmur. VVilliuins, A. Wilson, N. Wilson, Winn— ll«. "Nays — Mcbsis (lardcnier, lloge.— 2. TIlis votr.fo far as rcfpects thofe gentlemen In the at- firmativc, decides the qticflion on the jufticcof hoftilities, Tiiat war, it ever jiiRiHable, is jiiftifiable to prevent " rt fiicnjice cf the rights, honor, and uidepen deuce" of a na- tion, cannot he doubted. And as we were reduced to ihe ahernativc — war, or a ful^niftion to the ordcis in (ouncil, which, according to tliofe gentlemen, was ({rg* a facrifice of I he right i^ hcnor, and independence of the United States" — :t indfputahlv follows, that tlie wjr was jiift and proper in the opinion of the above m-j )rity. It is impoflible to withftind this inference. Here I make a folemn paufc. Thefc orders in coun- cil were, as we have feen, one of the moft prominent grounds of war. I liavc eflablilhed their exiftence and their flagitious injiiftice at the time of that declaration. Yet the fenate of MafTachufetts has declared ilvdf the j war was founded in falfehood."' When I flated the enonnous iranfit duty the Britifh miniflry attempted to co!le6l for ^ pe.rmifjion to trade with France, I mentioned, that to fuch an extravagant Iwigth was their violation ot our neutral rights and of our independent fovercigntv carried, that, wonderlul to tell, they afFetled to conhder the permiffion to trade on thefe terms as a fpecial favour. Left the reader might doubt or difbelieve this aftonilhing, this monftrous, this unparalleled fa6l, I give him the moll; unequivocal autho- rltv — the celebrated Francis James Jackfon. This gen- tleman, in a letter to the fecretary of Hate, dated OSl. ii, iBog, exprefsly ftates — ,, "33* The option given to neutrals QTj" to trade with the ettemittof \. "-*\'t 2^0 THE OLIVE DHANCIl. iiM firedt livitnin (Xj" thvourrh Uritiih pnrtx, jj- (^X PAYMENT OF A 'rU\N>II DlJTY, M « (ir ij;iiially «U'ViHi'>l nnil inliiiiiii (I (Tj' »« a Ml rHi A rU)N ot wliat is ciTlninlv mi>re loirecl, but iiion lijrid in pi'iiiii|)l< — thr total and utK/imliJled interdiction of all trade -uut/t the enemy ! ! ! No man wlio has the Km ft regard to his charuHrr — who is not drprivcd hy hii^Hon aiul party violvmc ol the Mioial (cnlc — aftcr-u perulal ot the picccchni; ohfor- Vcitions and ta8,s, cm he (it : to w luit Icntcncc to j)r(). nouncc* on the accufation, that " the war was Joundtd in iaijehood." CHAP. XXX. Eufinh'ij hifn fhfi just ire of the war cnnt'iniipd. Jl cIp/iv. e.vfilii'it and wiansncrable dcftvcp of i7, on the protniil vf iiiipvcsameut alone, indepeudi'nt of all the oilier /jr/.i"- ances, hi/ the uuc.vri'jifionnble teslimuny of the hon. Jumes Lloyd f Ki^q. of tMusHachuaeiia. Impressment. Of the enormity of this hoiriblc grievance, wliicli (J^ cries to heaven for vengeance, I liave given fuc!i copious drtails in chapters 20, 21, 22, that I need not enter deeply into it liere. Tliat It was ample and adequate rauTc of war, no man can deny, who reads the letter from commodore Rodiiers — the certificate of lieutenant Hoffman, p ii^c 106. and the extract fiom the logbook of the O'ler. rieie, wlierehy it is indifputably eftablifhed that there weie no lefs tli.m the enormous number of torty-eight American imprcfTed Teamen on boaid four Biililli veflels. I muft once rnore beg leave to introduce to the reader, James Lloyd, Efq. When I fhelter mvfelf under fu(;ital iMtiiily ot iiiuiikiiul, klioulil own no cliHrleird iiiivilcgia. In a linic ol nt'iilrnlily, wlnlu aliHlainiii^ fruui injniy to ollirih, it ulionUI ii«' u« (V«'i' as air, lu nil uho iiiiviKulC It, un«l liif 0^' IMTRKSbMI' NT (If A N ATI V K AM» lll< r.AN L'lTIXKN, (^' innofcut qf crime, ami (Jj* owing etsf where no prt' iKirti or fuirnmouiit in (it nil inriniKi'iniiit of rittlilM, (^ j" a.i ^'mft a iioIhIidh ui 1 1' he iveu' amsltU^ turn and trampnUnl iutit sldvtry j'lotn Im yatetnat inlv, as a body. There were illullrious exceptions. But the fide- Ktv of thefe exceptions in redeeming their pi- ige was iiii.iv.iiling {f^ riie [de.Joi' :i\i<{ Jorjmtcd by the body — ' omplddy forfeited. The clear, imlifpiitable, and difhonourable faft is, that alter having impelled and goaded the government into nieafurc" to procure redrefs, they not merely withheld their fupport from thofe meafures, but a^tuallv as far as (Icnended on then), prevented their fuccefs. They hung hoftilely on tlie fkirts of the government, and defeated tlie embargo, non-intercourfe, and all the other reffrifclive meafures. I have thus far confidered the point as it refpefted ihcir plighted faith, and the obligation thev were therebv under to fupport the government in meafures which had arifen out of their memorials, remoiiftrances, and folemn pledges. ■ I now enter on the confideratifjn of their conduff, as It flcmonftrates an unparalleled blindncfs towards then- own in'.erclls and thofe oi their country. Whatever misjudging prejudice, or furious fa61ion, devotion to England, or liodilitv to France may pretend, the folemn fact is, that the United States were mofl iiricvoudv outraged and injired by Great Britain. The violenc" or cxrcffes oi fiance, afTorded no juilifi- 21* ' 'I tikQ THE O.MVft BIlAN'CJf. "k ^ "ijv I'ji r'' l\| i^i m ''■■> m i'i * ' ' m m 1 -t E, i-i y u •/ cation to tiiofe of her enemy. •' Retaliation," 'v ilu words of Mr. Bayard and Mr. Lloyd, " was A .\4KRh PRKTENCtE." .(^ //■ A robs me of my hat, U dots not follow that B has a rTghl to retaliate on MIM, //, rolfbirig ME of my coat or naiflccat. And Hill ids, li A threatens to rob me, but has not the power to do it, has B the ri£;ht to retaliate on him by robbing mt\ Fiance pretended to blockade En/rland, and feize neutial velFels bound there — but was utterly unabie to effetl her purijofes. England retaliated upon France by fc'izinjr OUR VESSELS bouud to that country ; and perfevcrcd in that lawlefs courfe ior entire years, having depredated on the Uniteci States to the amount oi millions, and with every species of aggravation, of which fuch an outtagc is fufcejUible — and all was d(jne to pnnifli France, whom (he was at the fame time fupplying with our produftions lierfelf ! ! ! There is not in the hiilory of the world any- thing more srofs or Icfs detcnlible. When we are laid in our graves, and our fac- tions and convulfions are buried in oblivion, pofterity will pafs a heavy fentence ot condemnation upon thele o;lious, thefe opprefTive tranfacrions. I am fure fuch is the decifion of all impartial and unprejudiced men in Europe. I would forfeit a world, were I ponc'lfcd of one, if this be not Alexander the deliverer's fenti- ment. That America has been the aggrieved nation, and England wholly the aggrcffor, is palpable from one circumftance, that in all the diplomatic intercourfe that has taken pi ice between the cabinet of St. James's and that at Wafliington ; the former has hardly ever made the flightefl complaint ot injuftice againft the latter, except occafionallv of partiality towards France. This, if it mean any thing, mud certainly mean that we bore French depredation^ injult^ and outrage, more patiently than FjighJIi outrage, infult, and depredation. If it have any other meaning, I fhall be gratified to have it demon llrated. V i i •J' HE OLIVR BttAN'CII. 21', France liail one folid, fubft.int'nl, and mod import- ant caufe of com|)laint, to which Enqlnnd had no pre- tence whatever. (]:V* Our commf.reial marine was a conjiant nurfury for Great Britain, to fupply her na- vy per fa% nefasque, with fe.amen to annoy and dijirefs her enemy. Tiius we uniformly fubmltted from 1792 to 1812, to have our neutrality violated, to the material benefit of one belligerent ^nd extreme irjuryot the other. It will not, from the premifes, be denied, that Irom the declaration of war between France and England, the latter power conftantly made inroads upon us — and we as conllantly fought redrels — and that our principal giievances were the outrages pra6lired on our feamen, and the unceafing and intolerable infringement ot our commercial rights and privileges. Under this view of the cafe, the corre/ilnefs of which will not, I truft, be difputed, wliat courfc ought an en- lightened body of merchants to Ueer ? Suppofe them patriotic and public fpirited ; a regard to the national honour and intereft would impel them to uphold the government of their own country in a ftruggle again ft the lawlefs outrages of a foreign nation. But fuppofe them bafe, fordid, felfifh, avari- cious, and without a fingle fpaik ot patriotiim, pub- lic fpirit, or liberalitv, ought not then- very fclHfh- ncfs dictate the fame courfe ? How could they fail to fee that every ftep they took to harrafs, to cripule, to embarrafs their own government, was a llep towards enabling the foreign and aggrefTing nation to triumph over their country, and to enforce its claims, to the manifeft and immenfe injury of their moft vital interefts ? I fhould pity the fatuity of a Idd who had been but fix weeks in a counting houfe, and did not at once perceive the cogency of thefe ar- guments. This point is clear, and plain, and convinc- ing, in theory : But it does not reft on theory. We have a ftrong and praftical illuftration of it by our own melancholy experience, an illuftration that the Ij'ierchants of this country will long have caufe to de- .\ \ '■ m I- 518 THE OI-IVF, nnAN'CH. o plore. By the acobinlcal and diAjrganizing comhina. lions to oppofe tlie meafiircs calculated to procure rcdrefs, England was enabled to enforce tlie orders in council tor four years and a half, whereby, for fixtecn months, fhe cut off our trade with all Europe but Sweden and her own dependencies, th,)t is to ("ay. (lir- forbad us to trade with about one hundred (md thwtv mil- lions of the people of Europe ; — and, for the lenianidcr ot the time, when fhe fomewhat relaxed her orders, with at kajl fifty millions. Ntvcr has the ''un in his courfe beheld fuch tran- fcendent, fuch lamentable, fuch irreparable folly as the merchants of the United States have been guilty of in this inffance. Throughout the whole of the arduous conflict between tlie United States and Great Britain, fl::!" they have con/lautly, and -invariably^ and moll ener. getically thwarted, arid harafjed, and cmharraffed (hz fiovernment. Thev have defended the con(bift of Britairi throughout — and as conltantly laboured, in the face ot reafon, jullice, and common fenfe, to put their own nation in the wrong. And for what end ? <^ To fervc the purpofts of party ; C^lT to enable a few ambitious rde.n, zufio Zi'cre out oj ojfice, and panted to get tn, to ac- complijii this objed. I once more wifh to qualify thefeobfervations. Tliere were here, as in a former cafe, fplendid exceptions anionic the merchants, men who difplayed the mofl exaltrrl patriotifm. Thefe exceptions do not invalidate the rule. I fpcak of the merchants as a body ; — for it is thus only they can be confidercd in fuch a difcuflion ^s the prefeiit; — as their operations on the government and nation were felt — and more paiticularly as they aRcd in the eaft. Any one of the three pacific meafures adopted by this government, had it been properly fupported by the mercantile interefl, would have obliged Great Britain to redrefs our wrongs and very ' >eedily. Wc fhould then have enjoyed an unfhackled commerce. And had our merchants, either from p.itriotifm or felfilhners, fu.fered a Ihort temporary privation ot THE OMVB BRANca. i240 bufiners, M'./iiy and egregiou/lv unju/l. f^ Public fpirit and felfiihnefs eciiially combine to enforce this pn.'cept. Horo tranfcen Iftitfy fupirior Great Britain towers over us, in this refp^cl / IVhat a fublime lejf:>n fJie holds out — what a noble example fat offers us to follow ! Fufi est ah horite docerl. England is torn bv fafclion like Atierica. There is .i conllant tlruggle between the incumbents in office and thofe who pant aitfr the fi-ats thcv fill. Bur when-- evoi t\\t'. honour or vital interellof the nation is ;it ft-ikc, pyttv in a gieat me^fure dies awav or becomes incap tblc Oi injiring the common caufe — ail unite umler the :ia- tiDUdl Ihnu'lard — and, till the end in view is acconiplilh- eJ, diUintiKJus are ahuoll whollv lolt in tlie one ((^rn- luon defigiiation, fupporters oi tlieir country's inteieft urul honour. Nf.t fo in America. It is a fatal truth, that ;!t the prc- I'cnt inonicnt when not mt-relv our intcrelt, and ottr '•1 ^ \ i -t#M"' 230 THE OLIVE BUAKOM. lionour, but even our very falvation is jeopardized, fac. lion mgcs in many places with unabated violence ; and wicked men are incelfcintly employed in exciting our citizens to embrue their liands in the blood ot their countrymen,* inltcad of preparing to oppofe a vinditlivc enemy. May the God ot peace and love, difpel the clouds that impend over us — banilh our dilcords — diul once more unite us in the bonds ot harmony and chantv towards each other. Amen. ^^^ v • -- . - j*; CHAP. XXXII. Turbulence nf Boafon. liosfon acta on ,Mas9achusctls. Jlassachiisefls ncta uii the rest of J^ew-En^hind. Jea- lousies and discord seduloush/ eacited. Hateful picture. of the southern sitites. Commercial and unti-cowun'rciol states. Enquirtj into the claims of A''ew Eng-land. Yankeeism. Moral and religious people. Boflon, tlic metropolis of Mafnichiifctts, has been, for a long period, and more paiticularlv fince the clofc ot the reign of federalifm, the feat of difcontent, complaint and turhulence. It has been itfelf rcftlcfs and uneafy — and has fpread renicnhefs and uneafincfs in every direc- tion. It has thwarted, haraflcd, and cn.barraflcd the general government, incomparably more than all the rcii; ot the union together. Whatever difficulty or diflrcfs has arifen from the extraordinary circmnftances ot t!:c times — and great difficulty and diHrefs were inevitable — has been ag- gravated and magnil'icd to tiie highed degree, for the purpofe of inflaming the public pailions. The leaders in tiiis bufinefs were clamorous, when we were at peace in 1793 and in 1806, for war again fl England, on accouiit of her depredations on their commerce. They were equally clamorous, as we have fecn, in * This is tlic incvilji'olc tendency, althongli ik t the declared pur- pose of a \ciy cousidcrable iiiimbcr of llie publications in ccitaifi iit'Hgpni'cis, THE OLIVE BRAKCIt. 9i#> 1S03 tor war again (I Spain, on account ot the ri^lit o\ ilepofit at Ncw-Oi leans, and fienounccd, in tlic rnofl: virulent ftile, the imbecility and cowardice of the gov- ernment. From the moment, when war was declared, they have clamoured tor peace, and rcprc)b.;ted the war as wicked, unjuft, and unnecelFarv, althouirh the cai "es ot war were incomparably greater in 1812, than in 17 3, 1803, or in 1806. Tiiey have created difficultv "ud obilru6lion in the profecution ot the war ; and (}dr rfpro- ha'e the. admiivftratwn for imbecility in carrxinfr it on. Tliey have, as 1 thall prove, reduced the government to bankruptcy ; and ^T reproach it for iti ni:ceffities and mbarraffintuts. In a word, all their movements have lidd and llill have but one ol j'ft, \o enteebie and dirtr.i6l the government — and this objetl has been too fucccfs- hilly attained. With a population of onlv 33.000 inha!)!tints and wit!) a commerce quite infignificant, compared with that of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, or Charleflon, Bolton has, by management and addrefs, acquired a de- gice of influence bevond all proportion greater than its due (hare — greater in fati than the above four cities combined — a degice of influence which has been ex- eicifed in fuch a manner as to become darigerous to pub- lic and private profperiiy and happinefs. and to the peace and pertnanence of the union. It has brougiit us to the very verge of its difTolution, and tincatens us witii the awful confequence — a civil war. The movers of this mighty piece of machinery — this lever that puts into convulfive motion the whole ol our political fabiic, are few in number. — But they are polfefFed of inordinate wealth — of confiderable talents — great energy — and overgrown influence. They afford a (ignal proof how much a few men tnay effeti by energy and concert, more efpecia'ly when they are not very fcrupulous about the means, provided the ends arc accomplifhed. A northern contederacy has l)een their grand objefel for a number of years. They have icpeatcdiy advocated in the public prints a feparation » ) 'ft ^ \t * 'f *t >iy2 THE OLIVE IJHAKCU. of the flatcs, on account of a pretended dlfcordancc ol views and interells ot the differmt fections. This prcjcfcl of a fcpaiation of tlic fifties was formed fliottly after the adoption of the conflitution Whether •t was vcntiucd before the public earlier thiin 1796, I know not. But of its prorimigation in that ) ear, tlitic is the mod inchibitable evidence. A n ){l elaborate let of papers was then publifhcd at the city of Haitloid, in Connetnt ut, the j;)int produftion of an alfocialion of men of tiie firfl t-iieiits and inHuence in tiie flate. TIkv .ippcarod in the (^)nnetl;icut Courant, publifhed in' Hud- Ion and Goodwni, two eminent printeis, ol, I btlicvc, confidetable revolutionary flanding. There were then none of the long catalogue of grievances, which, fmcc that period, have been fabricated to jufliiy the recent at- tempts to didblve the union. Gcneial Wafliington was prefident ; Jolni /- !ams, an ealfcrn citizen, vice-prcfi- dent. There was no French influence — no Virginia dynafly — no embargo — no non-interc(»urfc — no terrapin policy — no democratic madnefs. In fine, every feature in the affairs of the country was precifely according to their fondeft wifhes. The efiays of Pclham were repuhlifhed in Philadelp'iia in a paper called the New Woi Id, edited by Mr. S. H. Smith. To fow difcord, jealoufy, and hoftility between the difTerent parts of the union, was the firft and grand ftcp in their career, in order to accomplilh the favourite ob- jeH of a reparation of the flates. In fift, witliont this efficient inftrument, all their ef?()rts would have been utterly unavailing. It would have been impo^Tihle, had the honeft vcomanrv of Ncw- F.ngland continued to regard their fouthern fellow-citi- zens as friends and brethren, having otic common in- tereft in the promotion of the general wcltare, to make them inRruments in the hands of thofe who nitended to employ theiTi to ope' ^te the unholy work of deftioy'ng the noble, the augufl, the fplendid fabric of our union and unparalleled form of government. \i .^ THE OLIVE BUANCIt. 2.13 For eighteen years, tljorcforc, the moft nnce.ifiiig ciulcavouis have been ulecl to poifoii the minds o\ the j)eo|)le ol the cailcrn Uatcs towaicis, and to alienate them ironi, tlieir fellow citizens ot the louthcrn. The people (if the latter feMion have heen ponitraycd as demons incarnate, and deditnte ot all tl)e good ijnalities tliat dignity or adoin hinnan nature — that acquire efletni or regard — that entitle to rcfpc^t and veneration. No- thing can exceed t!ic virulence of thefe caricatures, lunie ol which would have luited the terocious iniiabi- tants of New Zealand, rather than a civilized or polifhed nation. To illuftrate, and remove all douht on, this fubjcft, I fuhjoin an cxtiafcl from one ot Pclham's elFays, " Nep;rocs are, in nil respects, cxci])! in vcgarfl to life and dcatli, the cattle of the cilizriis of the sniilhern slaKs. (;^ If theif uwre ifood fbr fo'id, the pyohiihilitii is, that even the Onarr of (taatroijing their lives woiil ' be enj'tijiul hy their o-^vners, an fill h/ cm it is over the liven of theif citttle ^S ^^ ciinnot he, that their laws prohibit the oioiers from k-illirnr their slaves, because thos,- sUrrcs are human be ugs,or he cause it ts a moral evil to ilcHtroy t-em W that wen- thf ease, how can they j their beiiisj; trtatefl, in .ill other lespects, like brutes Hates, lo pretend to inftitute a comparifon between the religion and morals of the people of Bofton and thofe of Philadelphia, New York, or Baltimore, would be regarded as equally extravagant and abfurd, with a comparifon of the gambols of a cow to the fpright- ly and elegant curvetings of an Arabian courfer. The Rev. Jedcdiah Morfe has in fome degree devoted his geography to, and difgraced it by, the perpetuation f)f this vile prejudice. Almoft every page that re- fpefts his own fe6Hon of the union is traught with cncoinium. He colours witli the flattering tints of a partial and enamoured friend. But when once he paifi's the Pitowmac, what a hideous revcrfe ! — Ai- mofl every thing is there frightlul caricature. So- ciety is at a low and melancholy ebb, and all the iombre tints are brought forward to elevate, by the rontraft, his favourite Ely Hum, the caftern Hates. He dips his pen in gall when he has to poiutray the manners or habits, o. religion of Virginia or N'lary- land, either of the Carolinas or Geoigia, or ot the \vefteni country. 1 Ihould enter far into the confideration of thi^ procedure of Mr. Morie, but that it has been ahh" *-po«WirJ<'*!»^'--' ■^<^« "-""i*--^- — -■* *'--"«Tl.-«wfc^ ^^-. -»-.-• *-.^*Y' :-"o-> .-fc'-, j;'z;-'it,._ :^^ THE OMVE liUAXUH. 257 (iilciiilcd by a {"iipcrior pen. The editor oi the Port Folio, himfeir n decided federaliH, reprobates, and pro- jiomues <\ jiift and eternal condcirin ition on the illiberali- tv ot" making a {chool, or indeed any other book, a veiii- •Ic to excMte anmu) fitlcs bttwetn fellow citizens of dif- ierent portions of the lame nation. The character of the eailern Rates for morality has been vanons at various tnncs. It was, n ot 1 onj incc. at a very low ebb indeed. It is within the memory of thofe over whofc chins no razor has ever mowed a harvefl tiiat Yankee and (harper were regarded as nearly fynoni- mous. And tins was not among the low and illiberal, the bafe and vulgar. It pervaded all ranks of focicty. In the miUlle and iouthern flat^is traders were nniver- (aily verv much on tl^.eir (rnard a^ainft Yankee tricks whc!i deiling with thof" of the eaftern. They now arrogate to themfcives, (and, tor party pur- pofes, their claims are foiTietimes admitted by tho;r po. litical friends,) to be, as 1 have ftated. a fuperior order to ■ their fellow citizens. They look d(nvn on thofe ot the foutfiward with as much contempt, and with as much foundation too, as the Pharifee of oL' did on the defpifed publican. Both ot diefe views are grofsly erroneous. Thev never were fo vile as they were formerlv believed. They had, it is true, many worth lefs mifcreants among them, who, on their migration to the other Hates, were p,aih\- of bafe tricks, which, by an illiber??lity difgraceful U) our i'pecies, but neverthelefs very common, were charg- ed to tiic account ot the entire people of the eaflern ftates, and brought them imder a moil undefcrved odium. I teel a pride and pleafure in doing juftice to the yeo- manry of the eaftern ftites. They will not fufTer on a cainp^infon of the fame clafs of ruen in any part ot the world. They are upright, fober, orderly, and regu- lar — (in-ewd, intelligent, and well informed — and I be- lieve there is not a greater degree of genuine native ur- banity among the yeomanry of any country under the ' anopy of lu-wen. And it is lamentable and unacco'ni- 22* \ 31* ft 1 .¥ *Hi ,^ /■ I'. 253 THE OLIVK HHANC1I. table how they have allowed thcmfelve'? to be Co cgrc- ^'/loufly duped as thcv have been. I have known them lonir: and my refpe^l for them has jrradually incrcaCi'd in proportion as my knou'Icdjre of them extended. Put I ihdil never admit an\- excliilive or fuperemincnt claim 10 the virtues which I kno\\' they poireCs. And I have no jiefitation in averrim^, that although Boflon, or Hart- toid, or Newhaven, mav ex!iibit rather mom appearance ot religion and piety, than New York, or Phiiadel|)liia, or Biltimore, yet the latter cities poflefs as much of the reallfy. It would aftoi-uHi and triglitrn many ol the pious people in New York or Pliiladelphia to be inform- cd- hut they may ncverthelefs rely upon the information ris indubitablv true — tiiat a large portion of tiie clergy in the town of Bofton, are abfolute Unitarians ; and fcoiit the idea of li e divinitv of Jefus Chrift as completely and explicitly as ever Dr. Prieftlev did. This is a di- grcfTion. 1 did not intend to introduce it. But fince it is here, let it remain. And let me add, that the prefciit principal of Harvard College was known to t)e an Uni- tarian when he was eletled. This K^.^ eftablifhes the \eiy great extent and prevalence of the doctrine. Tiie high and founding pretcnfions of the eaffern ilates on the fuhjeft of commerce have been almolf uni- vcrfally admitted. No perlbn has ever thought it worth while to examine into the a6hial ftate ot the fa6h. It has been prefumed, that, in a matter where falfehood and deception were fo eafilv dctetlcd, fuch confident aller- tions would not be hazarded, uniefs they refled on a llrong foundation. And in drawing the line ot demar- cation between the eaftern flates and the reft of the union, in the minds of the mafs of the communitv, all to the north and eaft of the line was 'egarded as devoted exclufively to commerce — all to the fouth and weft, chiefly to agriculture. It is hardly poflible to conceive a greater miftake. — The reader will be aftonifhed at the viev/ I fhall lay be- fore him. I have been inexprefTibly furprifed myfelf, and even now can hardly credit my own Ilatcments. Thev are nevt'ilhelefs indifputablc. i\ THE OLIVE nnAxcii. 2^9 'I'uhh of E.rpnrts from the JTnitcd Su ttes of roiiEh 7.V and DO Jlh i'/'r f)ro;!urlioiif> (ui nchiir.etts. J^\iv Yorlc. J^eiinv/lviniin. S. Cirofina. 1791 JS 2,519,000 2,505,000 3.4,'^6.000 2,693,000 1792 2,888.000 2.535.000 3 820,000 2.428,000 179.3 3,755,000 2,932,000 6,958,000 3,191.000 1794 5,292,000 5,442,000 6,643,000 3,867 000 1795 7.117,000 10,304 000 11,518000 5,99^ 000 1796 9,949 000 12.208.000 17,513,000 7,620,000 1797 7,502,000 13,308,000 11,416,000 6,505 ,(00 1798 8,639,000 14,300,000 8,915 000 6,994.000 1799 11,421,000 18,719,000 12,431.000 8,729 000 1800 11,320,000 14,045.000 11,949,000 10,663,000 1801 14.870,000 19,851,000 17,438,000 14,304 000 1802 13,492,000 13,792.000 12,677,000 10,639 000 98,770,000 Aliinilnid. 129,941.000 124.744 000 83,631000 Couiiect cut. Ith-tili' Island. lirq-inta. 1791 S 2,239 000 710 000 470,000 3,131 000 1792 2 623,000 879.000 698.000 3,552.000 1793 3.665 00 J 770,000 616 000 2,987 000 1794 5 6S6 000 812 000 954,000 3,321 000 1795 5.811000 819 000 1,222 000 3.490.000 1796 9,201.000 1,452 000 1,589 000 5,268.000 1797 9,811,000 814 000 975 000 4,908.000 1798 12 746,000 763,000 947.000 6 113 000 1799 16.299 000 1.143 000 1 055 000 6,292 000 1800 12,264,000 1,114000 1,32 000 4 430,000 1801 12,767,000 1.446 000 1,832 000 5,655.000 1802 7,914,000 1 G06 000 2,433,000 3 978 000 101,026,000 fierirviit. 12,328,000 14 113 000 53,125 000 Js'eiv I/umfjfJiire Vtivmont. »A'. Cinol.ud, 1791 S 491.000 142,000 524.000 1792 459 000 181,000 527 000 1793 520 000 198 000 365,000 1794 263,000 153 000 321,000 1795 695 000 229.000 492 000 1796 950 000 378,0^ ,t 671 000 1797 644,000 275 000 540 000 1798 961,000 361 000 537 000 1799 1,396 000 361 '000 20,000 485 000 1800 1.174000 431 '000 57.000 769,000 1801 l,7.55iOOO 555 o;,'0 57 000 874 000 1802 1,85 -000 565'OuO 31,000 165,000 659000 11>1 62,000 3,829. 0'JO 6,764 000 '■?'r 2t)0 THE OMVfc liUANCH./ J/ '-,'"1 Cuwpnrodca viewa of the e.xyorifi from the different .s/r/Hr.s, of fiirci'rn and douiestic nrticleSf frum 1791 to 1802, iucliisive. Si.'c Tahle A. N. 15. 7» the jjtpffflin.oc tfibic or exjiorjR, tlie fijinrcs lielow tlinuRHnt!'* fire uiiiioinily omitic*!, as i ol material to llie ci»li;ulaU(m— and alV^clinj; C(jiiHlly bolli bidcii of llic (jucsiioii. I. Maryland exported piglst times as much as Connc61i- ciit ; feven times as niucii as Khode-UlaiKl ; more than *' tl^e great commercial Rrite" of Maliacimfetts ; and nearly as nnich as Maflathuletts, New-Hampfh.ic and Vermont united. Mnryl.ind Ni'w-Hnruiisliii'c Vurmoiil C'omuTliciit liliotk-lhlHiid D8.770 nOO )r..'.,u(ii» 101,02C,0"a I'i'.rvis.coo i;,iia,ooo II. Marvhmd exported above thice times as rnucli ds Nevv-Hampfhire, Vermont, Connecticut and Rliodc- Ifland. IMarylMiid Now-I ruDpshire Vermont (,'i)i)iici'i'nMit Kh(Mlc-l:>i:u.J iCn.'dQ 12,.J'J8 000 14.113.000 101,026,0:'0 30,455,000 III. vSouth Carolina exported nearly fix times as much as Rhode-Ifland ; i'evcn times as iniicb as Connefticut ; above twentv times as much as New-Hampihire ; ,500 times iis much as Vermont ; and one hundred and (ixtv per cent, more than thofe tour dates South Cnrolina Now Manii.sliii'e Cnrintct'cut Ulin «■ Islfiiid Vcnnotit r^.H<29 000 l'2,;i'28 000 i4.,nri,o '0 If) .5. 000 83,031 000 30,435,000 *• V'Ti ItMTi THE OLIVE DUANCH- 2ii.L' TV. Virginia exported nearly filty per cent more than the four minor eallern lt«tes. Virginia 5.3,1 2d,000 New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, &c. See No. 2. 30,435,000 V. Virginia and South Carolina exported 8 per cent more than the five " greuLcomjfieraal Jhifes." Virginia b^oiitli Uarol'na 5;»,125,f)00 83,631,000 Massnchusetts - - - J8 770,000 New Harapsliirc, Vermont, kc. See No. 2. 30,435,000 136,756,000 129,205,000 VI. North Carolina exported fifty per cent more than New-Hampfhire and Vermont. North Carolina ■New Hampshire Vermont 3,820,000 165,000 6,764,000 3,994,000 VII. Georgia exported nearly as much as Connefti* '-Ut. ^ Georgia Cuiineuticut 12,162,000 12,328,000 VIII. The five fouthern flates exported nearly twice as much IS tfie five eaftern ftatcs. 30,455,000 Maryland Virpiinia ... Norili-(Javoliiia, Souiii Curolina Cicorgia Five eastern states, see No. 5. 101 r.ofi.OOO 53.12;),0.'>0 6,764,000 83 f..il.(i00 1, 2l 62,000 25r,, 708,000 129,205,000 IX. Pennfylvania exported nearly as much asjhe ■'five boafled commercial eaftern ifatcs." \'enns)lvjniia Ki^e castcu slates, see No. 5. 124,744 000 129,205,000 m _.! W.--—'V,..ii*ff. 2(i^ THE OLIVE BllAXttll. M 1 1 n Table of Exports from 'he Umtt-d S'ate% of Forei^ni productiom u7iU Muiiitfucturea from IS03 to \H\S. > 50,214.000 JMa.i.^nc' iisetta. JVVry York. PaiWHvh-avia. »S'. CarnHna. 1803 S 3,369,000 3,191,000 3,504,000 947.000 1804 10,on 1)1 ^V. t<;i • nn. 1803 f> 25.000 51000 27 000 26.000 1804 74 OoO 262.000 .55 000 9 000 1805 43 000 218.000 67,000 12 000 1H06 383,000 102.000 3 000 1807 34 000 314 000 55 000 4,000 1808 2,000 25 000 1809 85 000 49.000 IhlO 3,000 9 000 26 000 2 000 18J 1 11,000 53,000 5,38 1 00 4 0cO 181 J 9,000 131,000 1813 1,000 190 UOO 1,386 000 1 075 000 61 uOO \i\ pi productiom S. Carolinii, 947.000 2309,000 3,108,000 2,946,000 3,783 000 260,000 385,000 408 000 210 000 11000 53 000 14 420,000 ul 151,000 395,000 660 000 428 000 367 000 18 000 107,000 189,000 23,000 17,000 2.355 OuG 26.000 9 000 12 000 3 000 4.000 2 000 4 0oO 1,000 Olv/UO THE OLIVB BRANCH. 2f) >u Comparative views of foreign articlefi^ exported from 1SU3 to 1U13. 8ee Table B. I. Maryland exported above five times as much as the tour minor ealtern flates. Maryland Coiint'ctirut Kltodc- Island >it>w Hiim|isliire Vermont r,o\,(ioo C.y.5;),ot)o 1,07,5,000 50,214,000 9,915,000 II. South Carolina exported twice as much as Con- necticut and Rhode Illand, ten times as much as New Hampfhire, and 40 per cent more than the lour muior eartein ftates. South Carolina Coitnef tirtit Kltude Islaud New ilampshirc Four minor eastern Slatrs, No. 1. 501,000 6,953,000 14,420,000 7,454,000 l,3«b.0(>0 9,915,000 I III. Maryland and South Carolina exported 80 per cent of the amount exported by Mairachufetts. Mary In nd South Carolina Massachusetts 50,i>|4,ooo 14,4^0,000 G4. 0.34, 000 8I,3I4,(,0(I IV. Virginia exported more than Connecticut and New Hamplhiie. Virginia Coniurtirut ^ew Hampshire 2.355,009 - 601.000 1,386,000 1,887,00» I , » 1 i fn 264 ^ THE OLIVK IJIlANClf. c. Tal/'c (if Exports from the Unied Stntei, of Domettic productions and J\lunvJ'acturcs,fi'ovi |8(U to 1813 (I ^Initsnchnnetti r. .'Vt'.f- York. J'enn«fflvania. S. Caro'hin. .' 1803 S 5,399,000 7,626 000 4,021 000 6,863,000 1804 6,303,000 7,501 000 4 178,000 5.142 000 1805 5,697,000 H.Ol'ii 000 4.365,000 5,957,000 1806 6,621,000 8,053 000 1,765,000 6,797,000 1807 6,185,000 9,957 000 4 809.000 7,129,000 1808 1,508,000 2 362 000 1,066000 1 ,404,000 1809 6,022,000 8 348 000 1 233 000 2,861 ,000 1810 5,761,000 10 928 000 t, 75 1.000 4 881.000 1811 6,042,000 8.747.000 S 694 000 4,650 000 1812 3,935,000 6.603 000 4.660 000 2,024000 1813 1,513.000 7,060 UOO : 3.249 000 2,815 000 J 54,986,000 85,283,000 44,796,000 Man,land Connect/cut. R. Island. V-rq-itiia. 50 SZI 000 Geortria. i \ 1803 S 3,707 000 1,238,000 664.000 5.949.000 2.345 000 ■l^*^ 1804 3.938 000 1,486,000 917 000 5,394.000 2.003 000 t -', 1805 3,408,000 1,353,000 1,065,000 4,945 000 2.351 UOO ii 1806 3,661 000 1,522 000 . 949,000 4 626 000 82 U'JO 1807 4 016 000 1,519,000 741.000 4,393.000 3 7IO.OUO 18U8 764 000 397.000 139 000 508 000 24 UOO i laoy 2,570 000 655,000 658,000 2,786.000 1 082 000 ) 1810 3,275 000 762,000 874000 4,632 000 2 234 oOO 1' 11 4 553 000 994 000 944 000 4 798 000 2 5y, ^/OO . l.JU 3 956 000 720 000 604 000 2.983 000 1 066 OuO \ 1813 2 782 000 36 630,000 "Vw Tfiim'ishl^'e. 968 (;00 234.000 1.819.000 1 0:M iK;3 11 oUooO 7.789 000 42,833,000 I. Orleans 18..4ofjO Tfrinovt. JV". Caroline Cohimhir.. 1803 S 443 000 89,000 926 000 1 412.000 18U4 453 000 135.000 919.000 1,392 000 l.liZOOO 1805 389 000 101.000 767,000 2,338.000 l,13.]i.O00 1806 411 000 91 000 786.000 2,357,000 1.091,000 1807 365 UOO 148 000 740 000 3,161,000 1.363 OuO 1808 122 000 83 000 117 000 537 000 281 O';0 1809 201 000 125.000 322.000 344,000 681 'Ji-'O 1810 225 000 406 000 401.000 1 753.000 984 OuO 1811 315,000 32,000 793.000 2.501 000 2.06UOOO 1812 104,000 7,000 489 000 1,012.000 1 593, f '00 1813 29.000 795 000 1,013,000 1 387 UOO 3,147,000 1,217,000 7,055,000 16,408,000 13,144,000 prtductiom ahtl a. S. Carolina, 6,86.3,000 5,142 !/;K) 5,957.000 6,797,000 7,129.000 I 1 ,4U'1.000 I 2,H61 ,000 I 4 881.000 I 4.65U OOO ) 2,024..000 ) 2,815 000 ) 50 52.3,000 nia. Georgia. 000 2.345 000 000 2,0U3 000 000 2.351 OOO UOU 82 O'JO ,000 3 710,000 000 24 uOO .000 1 082 OOO 000 2 234 I'OO 000 2 5.). "00 000 1 Obd OjO ,000 ,000 lO.M^K.O 18..4i.t'jO ans I 000 B-000 '.000 ,000 000 t,000 000 000 2.000 3,000 Cohiinl'ir.. 1 412.000 l.loZOOO l,13.-5.000 1.091,000 1.363.000 281 0';0 681 'Ji^O 984 000 2.060,000 1 593,000 1 SB" OOO 3,000 13,144,000 TiiE OLIVE BIIANCH. Comparative vhws of domestic articles, exported from 1803 to 1813. See Tfthle (J. I. SoMth Carolina exportcl witliin eight percent, oi" {lie whole amount exported by MiifLichufetts, and above Uvicc as much as all the reil oi tiic cdilcni flates. SoiUli Carolina Miissncliusells - Ni!w ilHni[)sliirc Vermont Coiineclicut Kliudc Island 3,147,000 1,217,000 11,614,(100 7.78'J,(K)0 50,523,000 54,985,000 23,707,000 II. Virginia and Maryland cxpoitcd more than all the oaftern flates. Vii'Rinifi ..... 42.8.33000 Maryland .... .lO.fiau.OUO Maswcliusetts .... .i-i 985.000 llcniaining eastern state* (See No. 1.) 23,767,000 79,463,000 78,752.000 III. North Carolina exported almoft feventy five per cent, more than New Hamplhirc and Vermont. Nortli Carolina Kew Hampsliire Vermont .•5,147.000 1,217,000 7,055,000 4.. 364,000 IV. North Carolina and Georgia exported more than the four minor eaftern ftates. North Carolina .... 7.055,"00 Ccorgia .... 18,548.0("0 New liampshire, Verraont, 8cc. (Xo. 1.) 25,603.000 23.767,000 V. Georgia exported twentv per cent, more than Con- necticut, New Hampfhire and Vermont. Georgia Conjiecticut New Hampshire Vermont 23 11,614 000 3, 1 47. (KM) I 217,000 I8,548,00a 15,978,0015 ' 'J I i{ 2ii6 THE OLIVg DnANCH. VI. Tlic (liftrict ot Columbia and the flalcof Georgia cxpoitc'd tliiity per cent, iiioic tlidti New Hampshire, Vc/iijont, Cuiuietticut ami Rhode Island. r'oluii.l.ift ..... I3,I*4,'.H10 Cieoifjia .... I8,548.(X)0 New Iliinipsliire, 8tc (No. 1.) ' VII. Virginia, Maryland and South Carol'na expoitcd above fixty per cent, more than all the fivecaflcrn ilales. •T 1, 692,000 U3J(}7 (m 42,833 000 30/1.10,000 50,5'2 ,IM)0 Virrinja .... JMtiiujtuI ... Soutli Cnroliiia Five eastern stiitcs (in No 2) V III, J ; e diflrict of Columbia, of ton miles fquarc, expoitcd more thanNevv Haiiipfhire, Vciniont and Rhode Illand. 129 980 000 78,752 UOO CiluniUirt New H rwpsliire \'('rni«iiit liliude Islitiid 13,144,000 3,147,000 - 1,217,(M)0 7,780,. lOO 12,1. -53,000 IX. The (late of Virginia exported above half as much as the five eaftcrn ftates. 42.433,000 78,752,000 Virginia - . . . - The five eastern states (No. 2.) X. Virginia exported nearly as much, and South Caro- lina 15 per cent, more than Pennsylvania. Viri-inia ...... 42,833.000 Suiul. Cnrolina ...... .';0.5','.^,000 IVimsj Ivania ..... 44 790,000 XI. Virginia exported five times as much as Rhode Ifland ; — almost four times as much as Connecticut ; and above nine times as much as New Hampshire and Ver- mont. Virginia Rlinde Island Connecticut New tiamiishirc 3'ermoi»t 42.833,000 7.789 009 11,614,0 3,147,000 - 1,217.000 4,36'J,0JP b: ./'■,. THE Ol.lVE Dn\NCIl. 2g: XII. Thcdiftrirtof Columbia ami Virginia, expoit- ctl more tiun Mairachufefts. (Juliiinltiil . - 1,1,144,000 Virginia ... 4j,yjJ,iMiu — — - — — . 5.'> ,077,000 IMussacliuvetls ... 54,(j.-t(),u()u XIII Tlie (liftrifl of Columbia exported more tliaii Connefticut and Vermont. CoI«iiiiIm4S,oiio — — 69,071,000 54,n8li,ooo 7,7«9,'>"o 3,147,000 I, '.'1 7, 000 — 67,139,000 II - 'i,36'l,00P XV. South Carolina exported 450 per cent, more tliin Connefticut ; nearly fix hundred per cent, more than Rhode Ifland ; and one hundred and fifty per cent, more than tiiefe two ftatcs. South C^irolina .... r>o,,'i23,ooo Connecliciit ..... ii,6i4,oon Rhode Igjuiid .... 7,7s<),ooo XVI. Maryland exported fifty per cent, more than the tour minor eaftcrn ftates, M;irylan(l . - - - . 3G,G30,ooo Foiii minor eastern states (No. I ) . a3, 707, 000 XVII. North Carolina and Georgia exported more than the four minor eaftern Rates. North Carolina - - 7,o5n,ooo Gtoinia ... is,549, <.o — — — — — '25,6o3,ooo Four minor eastern states (No. ].) - - 83,; "^ .000 f IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ij., ♦.^ <^j- 1.0 I.I 1.25 ^1^ Ni^ ^. lis IIIIIM 1.8 14 111.6 V] ^^ >^ V ^^^ Wj °^ M Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. M580 (716) 872-4503 fV ^^ l7,«i»o — — 15,978,000 XIX. The dlftrift of Columbia expoitcd more than Connedicut and Vermont. toiuinbia ..... 13,l'14,ooo C'oiiiiC( ticut _ . . ] I, til 4, 000 Vermont .... 1,.' 17,000 — 12,831,000 XX. South Carolina, Columbia and New Orleans ex- ported more than the five eaftern flates. South Carolina • «• 5o,523,ooo Coltiinhi.i ... 13,144,000 iXew Orleans ... 16,408,000 — — — — 80,075,006 Five eiistern stales (No. 2) - - 78,752,000 XXI. The five fouthern flates, the diflrid of Colum bia, and New Orleans, exported tar more than double the amount of the five eaflern flates, and within ten pcv rent, as much as the middle r.nd eaflern Hates. Vir<;iiiiii, Maryliiuil uiid South Caroli- 11 1. (No. 7.) ... 129,996,000 North Carolina .... 7.o55,oop tJ»'or({ia .... - l»,54M,oou CtiluiuL>ia .... 13,141,000 Orleans ... Five eastern states (No. 2.) New York PennsylvaDia l6,4(i8,ooo 185,1 39,oot» 78,762,000 85,283,000 44,796.000 — — — .— . 204,489,000 I am tired of this expofure. I fickcn for the honour ot the human fpecies. What idea mull the world form ot the arrogance of the prctenfions on the one fide — and. on the other, of the folly and weakncfs of the refl ot th'- union to have fo long fuffcrcd them to pafs without c\ pofure U> deteflion ' i »■*<■ THE OLIVE BHANCH. 269 .'d more than 13,144,000 - 185,1 ;19,00» - 2o4,489;000 The naked faft is, that the demagogues in the eaflem ilatcs, not fatisficd with deriving all the benefits from the fouthern Hates, that they would from fo many wealthy colonies — with making princely fortunes by the carriage and exportation of their bulky and valuable produc- tions — and funplvinu them with their own manuta6Uires, and the manufattmes and produ(:ti(ms ot Lurope, i.nd the Eaft and Well Indies, to an enormous amount, and at an immenfe profit — have uniformly treated them with outrage, infult, and injury. Rcgardlefs of her vital ititcicils, the cafterii fetiion of the union is court- ing her own defiruBion, by allowing a few reftlels, turbulent men to lead her blindfolded to a feparation, which is pteynant luUh her cm lain ruin. IFIii'iicver that event takes place, Jhe finks to her ntu'ive ^n/nintfi- (ance. \\ a reparation were defn iblc to any feflion of the union, it would be to the middle and fouthern ftjtcs, particularly the latter, who l-.ave been fo long curfed with the complaints, the rellleiriKTs, the turbulence, and the ingratitude of the eadern dates, that their pa- tience has been taxed almofl beyond endurance. " Jc- Jliurun waxed fat, and hckcd,'" And he will be fevere- ly punilhed for his kicking, in the event of a diilolution of the union. It ought to be obferved, that a very large portion of the expoits from the eaftern Hates, confifts in the produclions ol the fouthern it.ites, firft tranfported to Bofton and ether poits, coaflwife. So that even the comparifons I have made, which are fo mortal to the prelenfions of the eaftern ftates, place tlicm on far better ground than they really deferve. For example — fuppofe aiTiong the exports of the eaftern ftates a million ot dol- lars' woith of cotton, half a million of dollars' worth of flour, halt a million of dollars' worth of naval ftores, all drawn from the fouthern or middle ftates — they ap- pear two millions of dollars ftronger on the face of the argument, thm they are in tart and in truth. And there is no doubt f. t this is !hc cafe to a vail extent. 2^* 2ro •rriK OiMvE Bi, C, is tiki-ii fntiii llie table (', pti^c j()t, and cuii tuiiis all tlie doiiiesdc articles expoileil fi oil) \bOj tu \H\J, Eastern Section. Mass. 235 075,000 N. Ham 8362000 Vet iHoiit 2 457 000 II. Island 28 855.000 foiiuec. 24,443 000 J\U(U!e Section. S 299,192,000 N. York 293,276 000 Pciin. 234.658,000 527 934 000 Southern Scrtion. !Md. 187.870 000 Virginia 98 ,U3,000 N Cur. 13 880, OOv; S, (Jar. 148,574.00J (i.oreia 3 j 900 000 Orleans I(r 408.000 Coluail):a 13 144,000 509,089,000 I cannot allow thcfe tables to pafs without rcqueiling the reader's attention to tliein in the nioll particular nian- ]i'.T. As they throw an irnmcnfe flood of light on a fupji^^l mofl. cgregiouflv mirnndcMllood, and on whicii tiie moll ruinous errors have prevailed, it belu)\'es the reader to tefl his opinions by them, and lav alide the pr^'- indices and iriilconceptions, ii any, wiiich he may have iormed on thefe topics. All the coniufion, the tendency to difor^ani/c the country, to overturn the government, atid to iiuroducc civil war, have arifen trorn the crioi.s p^revailing on thi! fubjeft of commerce, of which the cailern {latc-^ have appeared to be the exclufivc guardians and protehoi ^, It is now clearly and indifputably cflablifhed, that the coni- inerce of the eallerii is tar interior to tiiat of the foiithcrii Hates. It appears, beyond t!ie podibility ot doubt or de- nial, that the five eallern ftates have exported, fince the tormation of the government, ot toreign and dome flic aiticles, including an inmienfe amount of fouthcrn pro- duftions, only about 299.000,000 dollars, of which a vafl: propoition was ot toreign produ6}Iori"?. But that the fouthern ttates have in tlie fame period ex- ported to foreign countries no Icfs a turn than 509,000,000 dullajs, principally of their own productions or manufaflures, ' \i ■ L.A •91 J m y I *r'T « ^ M ' Xi4 M THE OUVE BIIANCH. '0\ ■' cxchifivc of tlic prodigious amoiitit o\ tlieir cotton, to- bacco, rice, njval (lores, &c. expoitcd by tlic cvillcrn flatcs. The roiithern fcrtion ot the union which has been fo cruelly, If wickedly, (o unjufllv vilified ,jiul calumniated for its l;')M'.litv to commerce, is theiefore ac- tually more interelled in its pielervation than the caficrn Oates, in the propoition of five to three. There is iv) in (lance to be found, of fo palp.-.hie, fo grofs, fo unfound- ed a calumny, fo open to detcHion and piegnant \vit!> inch ruinous confequenccs, having remained fo long with- out iuveftigation. m ■y 31 i^" 10 1 f .■ I From a view of tbe preceding tables it appears that the commerce of four of the eallern flatcs is to the lail degree infignificant, compared with that of the fouth- ern Hates, as will apnear on the following compaiifons — Firft, Virginia fince the organization of the govern- ment has expoited four times as much as Coimefticut ; more than three times as much as Rhode Ifland ; twelve times as much as New Hampfhire ; forty times as much as Vcrinont ; and fifty per cent more than thoie four flates. Secondly, Maryland has exported nearly ciglit times as mucli as Connecticut ; above fix times as much as Rhode Ifland ; twenty three times as much as New Hampfhire ; and about three times as much as the four minor eaftern dates. riiirdly, North Carolina has exported more than New Hampfhire and Vermont. Foiuthly, Georgia has expoited more than Conne8i( ut or Rhode Ifland ; and three times as much as New Hampfhire and Vermont. Fifthly, South Carolina has expG)rted above five times as much as Rhode Ifland; above fix times as much as Connecticut ; and 150 per cent, more than the four mi- nor eaflern if ates. THE ©LIVE BRANOM. Sixthly, Orleans and the diftrift of Columbia have exported more tlwiii Connetlicut or Rhode Hland — SevctUhly, Orleans has exported twice as much as New Haiuplhire. Lignthly, Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina have expoitv (1 niuie tnan tlie whole five caftcrn Hates. Ninthly, the loutliern Hates have exported 75 per cent, more than all the ealtcrn. ■• i» lorc than New Since the preceding pages were written, I have ex- .muned an interefting work, entitled " A gcographiciU and Itatiflical view oi: Mairachufctts proper, by Rodol- piius Dickinfon," publilhed anno 1813. It greatly elu- cidates the fubjert I have been difcufhng, and places the unfoundnels ot the high commercial claims ot MafFachu- letts in a much ftronger pomt ol lijdit than any ol the documents I have given. " The exports in 1809 from Bolton and Charlcftown, " of American produdions and manula/durcs, were ■' 4,009,029 dollars, oi which the value of rice, cotton, " flour, tobacco, ftaves, and naval llores, ^ bang "' principally the produce of the fouthern flates, xuas " (Sdr2,294,i09 dollars." The writer adds, this, " it is " prefumed, bears a relative proportion in amount, to •' the exports of other years." Page 78. It thus appears, although Boflon has diAurbcd the tranquility of the United States by her impafTioned com- plaints on the fubjert of commerce, and the injury it i'uftained by the hoflility of the fouthern Rates, that for confiderably more than half of tlie American articles she exports, fhc is indebted to thofe ftates. She moreover finds an invaluable market with them for the chief part ot her numenfe foreign importations, and for her valua- ble manufaQures. It really makes my heart ach'j with vexation, to find fuch mighty, fuch ruinous errors prevailing on thofe nnportant topics — errors that have generated the mod baleful pafhons, which are hourly increafing by artificial excitements and threaten us with the mod awful confc- quences, t.%. ^W*^«*.*-k»-*v. . ^^*f;i:l, I aimex a let of tables of the t/W^ nmnunt of dniios paid by the different States from the i/ear 1791 to 1812 incliifiive, taken from the recorda of the treasury department^ and mihmitted to congress by Jot^epk JS^ourse. Esq. res'ister of the treasury. 1 s JV>w TIampsfdre Vermont. Connecticut. Ji. hhwd. im 1 l'"-^! 5.3 000 206 000 146 000 S , 1792 41.000 142 000 46.000 1 1793 44 000 154,000 133.000 1 1794 38,000 1,000 171 000 89,000 1 . 1795 44.000 155.000 244,000 ' -1 1 1796 53.000 1.000 141 000 137000 1 Jl J797 27.000 115 000 276 000 1 il 1798 72,000 1>000 127.000 104 000 V 1799 99.000 2 000 289 000 260 000 1800 142 000 2,000 169 000 393 000 1801 133 000 328 000 284 O(J0 1 1802 119,000 262 000 178 000 1 1803 122,000 1,000 301 000 366 OUO ■ a f 1804 ', 1805 108,000 348 000 421 ooa 109 000 354 000 3,262,000 34^^ '.100 f ■ 1,204,000 8,000 3,426,000 THE OLIVK nUANC!!, merely oi; rolina and ge as it may liiig tlic Ini- ^KMt com- tc quantities oni Bt)Ron, f the caftern .lirlv Itatcd. C'ijrn articles h thole paid holding the iCy have al- nion on the itcs from the he recor(h of congress hij y- R. Island. 146 000 46.000 133,000 89.000 244,000 137000 276 000 104 000 260 000 393 OOO 284 000 178 000 366 OOO An 009 34^^ 000 3,426,000 r: ^/Vew lfnm!>thire. Vermont. Cvmiecticut. It, hlautl. .tivou^'/it fiji-.t'iivd i;-:o4 000 8,000 ^ 263,000 .1,426,000 18f;6 n7,0CK) ;52.i ,000 :;6 1,000 1807 99,000 314000 123,000 1808 19.000 197 ,000 270.000 1809 39,000 9,000 ]J9,0(J0 35,000 1810 53,000 y.OOO 167,(JOO 435,000 1811 62,000 5,000 "240,000 318,000 1812 122,000 116,000 829 000 •452 000 1,715 000 147,000 5.463 000 5,420 f)00 • Mtissnr/in.tells .V. Vnrk Pcnnntilvdni: tl/nnilitnrf. /.■'• Id. 1791 S 977,000 1,564.000 1.491,000 641" 000 8.51 000 17^'2 678 000 1,169 000 1.096,000 449.000 474 000 1793 950 000 1,195.000 1,804.000 869.000 388 000 3794 1.004 000 1,860,000 1,473 000 795 000 389 000 1795 1,415,000 2,000 000 2.271,000 523,000 396 000 1796 1,334 000 2,158,000 2,012000 761,000 598 OoO n97 1,372 000 2059.000 l,74.v000 1.115.000 606.000 1798 1,168,000 1.743 000 1,029 000 885 000 629 UOO 1799 1,607,000 2,373.000 1.259,000 1,161 000 896,000 1800 1,974,000 2,741 000 1.350 000 623 000 644 000 1801 2,929,000 3,810.000 2 123 000 1,001.000 746 000 1802 1,525,000 2 490,000 1,410,000 6.34 000 689 000 1803 2,490.000 3 524,000 1,655.000 936 000 713 000 1804 4,630.000 3,872,000 2,609.000 1 .538 000 902 OoO 1805 3,308 000 4.882,000 2,300.000 1,130,000 805.000 1806 3 524,000 4.875.000 3017.000 1.446 000 620 000 1807 3,576,000 4.926 000 3.162 000 1.633 000 506.000 1808 1,184 000 2,764.000 1,647,090 588.000 110 000 1809 1,384.000 2981,000 1,405,000 155.000 257.000 1810 2,774,000 4,419,000 2.539,000 928 000 461 000 1811 1,816,000 1,979,000 1.840,000 722.000 195,000 1812 2,719,000 2,890,000 2.090,000 1,782,000 690 000 43,338.000 62,274,000 41,225,000 20,345,000 12 565.000 JN* Cnrn'inn. S. Carolina. Ceorrfia. Columbia. Orleans. 1791 S 115,000 538,000 91.000 1792 78,000 360,000 53.000 1793 63,000 359,000 35,000 1794 78,000 651,000 87.000 1795 99,000 710,000 54,000 1796 68,000 56000 31.000 1797 105,000 700.000 62 000 606.000 3,374,000 41.3,000 24 ( t ' .)) ii ' ■' 'M Uw K ll V' \{ I Or ought 1798 1799 IBOU 1801 IHO'2 180.] 1804 J 80 J 1806 1807 1808 1809 1810 1811 1812 (Jtifolina. foyiiuiril 606,000 120.000 lol.OOO 126,000 125 000 252 000 159,000 186 000 165 000 202 000 196,000 16 000 65,000 58.000 44 000 47,000 HIE OMVE BHANrir « S. Ciirolina. t/eoreia. Columbia. OrUaii*. 3,374,000 413,000 239,000 858 000 1,159.000 1 002 (JOO 663.000 94.000 280 000 211 000 133,000 646 000 182,000 143,000 718.000 180 000 128.000 279.000 843,000 95 000 119,000 342.000 871,000 183,000 137.000 561 000 735,000 489,000 123.000 480 000 225.000 35,000 20,000 77,000 377 000 6 000 60.000 134 000 567.000 134 000 50,000 244 000 338 000 56 000 4.5 000 14H 000 433 000 260.000 80,000 137.000 2,521,000 12,665,000 2,907,000 1,132,000 2 20^000 (^ In thefc tables, as in thofe of exports, there is no account taken of any fums below looo liolbirs, Tlii.s operating equally on both fides, cannot afTcdl the compa- rifon, which is the obje6l in view. From the foregoing tables, the following refults appear, I. The fouthern Hates have paid nearly as much duties to the government as the eaflcrn. Mnrylitntl Virj'ini.'* Noiili (Carolina South Carolina GeorgiH Columbia Ui'lcans Massachusett.s New Hampshire Vermont Coiineclicut IlhoJe Island 20,.'?45,000 1'J,5C5,0(I0 2, .5 CI, 000 12,665,000 2,907,000 1.1.32,000 2;202,000 1,715,000 147.000 5,46.3.000 5 420,000 54,337,000 43,338,000 12,745.000 56,083,000 THE OMVF, It It A NC II. ar% Ha. Oi'Udiis. )00 )00 KJO JOO 279,000 JOO ?)42.um JOO 30\ 001) JOO 4«0 000 uoo 77,000 JOO lo4 000 JUO 244 000 JOO 14H 000 000 137.000 000 2 20. > 000 II. The finglc fl.itc oi South Carolina paid nearly as much duties as tlic tour nunor cailcrn Hates. Soutli (Carolina »'J,r.ri5,<'f)0 I'tjiir New Ehgluiitl itikies Cscc No. 1.) li, 745,0^)0 III. Orleans paid more in nine years than New Ilanip- {hire and Verniont in twenty two. Oilfiiii* .... 1I,'302,000 Ni'w llaiiipHliiru • • l.7l'>)*"*') Vcnuoul - - - 147,000 — — i,8Ga,00O IV. Vir^^inia paid 1,5 per cent more than Coimeclicut and Rhode Uland. Viiginia - - - - l'j,5G'j,000 OoHnciiiciit • - 5.4r).'),()00 Rhode ImIuiiJ ... 5,130,000 10,88.1,000 V. New York and Pennfylvania paid nearly ninety per cent more than the five cailcrn Hates. New York - - ().',274,000 Pennsylvania - - 4l,i2.'i,o(io 10.1,49<),000 Five eastern stales (No. 1.) .... .'j(i,o83,ouo VI. South Carolina paid more than twice the amount of duties paid by either Conne6.licut or Rhode Ifland. South Carolina .... )2,()65,0()U Connecticut - - . . _ 5,46J,,ooo Vermont 147,000 Delawure l,22J,ooo Georgia 2,917,000 Connect. 5,463,000 N. York 62,274,000 Columbia l,lJi,ooo R.Island 5,420,000 Pennsyl. 4l,225,ooo Orleuus 2,202,000 I* h t * 11' ; li §56,083,000 J5 104,981,000 S 54,337,000 ..^. .»■< ^ M 2S0 THE OLIVE BKAKew. Thofe who confiderthe very expenfive habits of tlic pointers of Virginia and South Carolina, and the im- nicnfe amount ot foreign goods received in tliofe flate'-, Irom the eaftern ftates, as well as from New York, Penn- lyivania, and Maryland, asd iiow very large a proportion of the goods imported by Maifachufetts is exported to the other ftates, will probably be led to believe, that Virginia and South Carolina a6lually confume each as much of dutiable articles, and of courfe pay as much duties, as Manachufctts. I acknowledge this is but a rough calcu- lation. But a due confideration of the great number of coafters which in time of peace, are conftantly plyincr horn the ports of the eaftern and middle to thofe of the fouthern ftates, will afford a ftrongfupport to this opinion. A very large proportion of the cargoes of the coafters bound to the fouthern ports is impoi ted goods ; and the vefidue generally articles of domeftic manufafture. The return cargoes are all of raw materials for thefe manufac- tures, or articles of the higheft value for e.xportation to Europe and elfewhere. It is not eafy to conceive of a more advantageous commerce tor the mother countries, as, in this cale, the middle and eaftern ftates may be juftiy jiyled. I repeat it, and hope the folemn truth will be borne in conftant remembrance, that the fouthern ftates are virtually colonies to thofe ftates whofe demagogues have never cealcd flandering and perfecuting them. I difmifs this part of my fubjeft, I hope for ever. I truft that the moft incorrigible effrontery will never dare again to hazard an afiertion of the commercial fuperiority of the eaftern ftates. ,' I HE OLIVE bUANvlH. 2HI CHAP. XXXV. Falldcij of the opinion of any hostility in the Southern against the Eastern States. Commercial and Jigricul- tural states mutually dependent on, and benejiciul to each other. Having fettled the que (lion on the fubjeft of the com- parative chiims of the different fe^lions of the nnion tc* commercial advantages, I proceed to confider the pofi- llons, which aflert the necelfary hoftllity of an agricultu- ral foftlon of a countrv to a commercial one — tlie a6tual exillence of that holllllty in the fouthern Hates — and its baneful influence on the meafures of congrcfs. Never lince fatlion lirft dillurbed the peace of mankind, and m ide tills eaith a fuitahle abode lor demons incarnate, did (he employ a more hollow, hdlacious, or unfounded pretext, to jullify her lavvlefs proceedings, than is here to be combated. It is not ir.ercly untrue : it is the reverfe of truth — it has not even the fliadow ot" plaufibility. Let us for a moment fuppofe, for fake of argument, that tiie eaftern ftates are, as tliev pretend tobe,cxclurively v^omrr .^rcial — and that the fouthern are exclulively agri- cultural. This is placing the cafe in the moft advanta- geous point of light its friends c^uld delirc. Could there be any Ihonger bond of affinity between two na- tions, or two feftions of the fame nation, than the mutual wants which this fuppofcd cafe implies ? The agricultural portion would have imperious neccffity tor the (hips, the feamen, md the capital of ihe connnercial portion, foi; the purchafe and tranfportation of her fuperfluous pro- duftions. And the navigation and capital of the com- mercial portion would find all the advantages they could recjiMre in the tranfportation and fale of the prodiiOions of the other. 24* .':»;'»J THE OI.IVK BliANCH. w ^i! ''^■'^IBJt^ W^' ;l||l|p| ;■ IPj 11 »R j fill ' p.- The agricultural portion, as I have already flateci. would be merely in the fitu.ition ot colonies to the com- mercial. What has alwavs been the grand advant^sge (;t colonies to paref.t countries p Merely to increale their nav;t(;iioii — to tiirnilh raw materials tor the employment of their aitifans and inanuta^birers — and to purchafe tlie proflu/itions ot the I ;i)ouis ot thofe artifans and manu- iaftiirers. It therefore irrenilihiy follows, that Virginia, North and South Carolina, Gxori^ia, and the weflern ftates, hav(? literally been hut colonies to the middle, and more paiti- culariy to the eallern O.iies. The hardy and enterprifiny Vankees pervade every bay, river, creek, and inlet of the fouthern flatcs ; and for their notions carry off the folid loin ot t!;e couutjy ht replenilh their coffers. They every where nndeifeli and undermine the eitablilhed louthern ftorekeepers. Moreover, the cotton, the rice, the flour, the tobacco, and the naval llores of the caflern {fates, has'e enabled the fliip owners to amafs thofe over- ,(»rown nabob fortunes, which render them too afpiring to fubmit to the equal form of government which we en- joy. They have literally lived upon the induflry of the ealfern ftates. Without them their feftion of the union wo!jld rank very low indeed in the fcale of nations. This ftate of things, fo eminently advantageous to the eanern ftates, has never created faction, or complaint, or convulfions, or threats ot difTolving the union, in the iouthern. They have cheerfully fupported a government vvhofe cliief attention has been direfcled to the promotion of commerce — and whicfi never did and never would have experienced any very great difficulty with foreign Jiations but from the cupidity of the mercantile intereU. It requires little elTort to prove, and little capacity to perceive, that there is a commercial rivalry between Maf- fachufetts and Rhode Ifland — between Philadelphia and New York— between Baltimore and Philadelphiao Bufc that a ferious thinking people, like thofe of the eaftern ftates, fhould have ever been duped to believe that there is any real c^Ajfe of jealoufy and hoflility between the ^-4« THE OLIVE BUANCil. QS3 C4)mmercul and afrricultural fefttons of t'le country, is a tolly, of which it is liardly poUiblc to fine! a parallel in the h-{' / oi the madnefs and idiocy of the human fpecies. To view the fuhj:*^^ once more — aitliough it really does not deferve further attention. Suppofe flill the fouthcrn ftdtes wholly acrricuituidl, and the middle and eadern wholly commercial, and that the former have an overwhelming majority in the legillature of the union. How could it ever enter into the mind of any rational be- ing to fuppofe, that the majority could for a moment be ignorant ot the plain truth, tiiat every ftroke aimed at commerce was a Iboke at their own vital interells ? It is well known, that the reprefentatives of the fouthern and weftern ftates are generally gentlemen ol the high- eit grade ot talents in congrefs. Fiom caufes which it is neither necefTary nor proper here to detail, the middle Hates have not made as refpeflable a figure in that body as could have been wifhed. Tiie eaftern have not been (j'iite fo unfortunate. It requires, however, but a mode- rate portion of candour to acknowledge, that although tliey occafionally (end to congrefs men of confiilerable talents, they are on the aggregate far below Virginia, South Carolina, and Kentucky. And could this plain truth efcape the Eppefes, the Gilefes, the Clays, and the Popes, that it was impoflible to injure commerce without inflifting an equal injury on agriculture ? The agricultural poition of this great nation could in- finitely better difpenfe with the commercial, than the lat- ter with the former. Never fince commerce firft began, ilid a nation, having bulky raw materials to fell, and hav- ing demands for large quantities of merchandize, find any difficulty in creating a marine, or, aniidft naval com- petitors for her trade, in fecuring the tranfpoitation of her commodities, and the purchafe ot merchandize, on fair and advantageous terms. But the decay of Portugal, Venice, Genoa, the Hanfe Towns, and other great com- mercial ftates, provesilhat a nation poflelfed of a confid- I f fc;/ -*■•—' ,■' Mi m . v1 ii. 2S4i THE OLIVE nllA^fCIf. enable marine, may, it it affront or oF'^nd the nation?. on which it depends, be reduced to its lidlivcdnct intrin- fic infignificance. The eaftern ftatcs labour under very great difadvan- tages. l^he Iterihtsof their foil will leave them eter- nally dependent upon the fouthern ftates ; for their fitua. tion imperiouily forces them to have recourfe to manu- faclures and commerce. Their agriculture muft always be comparatively iniignificant. They therefore, I repeat, owe their greatnefs principally to the immenfely valuable trade they carry on with thofe ftates, which their ungrate- ful writers and demagogues are conftantly vilifying and abufmg, and which afford the principal pabulum for the commerce of the middle and eaftern dates. Thofe de- magogues are, as I have ftated, unceafingly exciting ani- mofities between the two fe6lions of the union by pre- tending a rivalry of intereft, which is wholly unfounded. There is, I repeat, real caufe of jealoufy between Rhode Ifland and Maffachufetts : but none between either of them and Viroinla or South Carolina. The latter are and will probably forever continue great agricultural ftates. Their immenfe and growing produtVions will find the moft valuable employment for the fhipping and for the manufaftures of the eaftern and middle ftates. Should a reparation take place, which I hope and truft in the goodnefs of heaven is far remote, the eaftern ftates will repent itfirft and laft. They will have reafon eter- nally to curfe the unhallowed counfels of thofe reftlefs demagogues, who ftiall have plunged them in the abyfs of ruin. Their hardy fons who now migrate to the fouthward and weftward by hundreds, will abandon their native foil by thoufands — and daily add ftrength to the rival fetlion of the nation, and equally enfeeble the parent ftates. The latter will dwindle into the infignificance from which they have been elevated by the tribute they have levied upon Virginia and her fouthern fifters. The horrors of an immediate CIVIL WAR, and of a conftant BORDER WAR, fuck as forimrly ex\Jhd kt THE OLIVK BRANCi:. 2S3 he nation?. (iud intiin^ t difadvan- tlieni etei- their fitua- : to nianU' null always re, I repeat, ?ly valuable eir ungrate- ilifyuig and lum to: the Thole dc ■xciting ani- lion by pre- untoundcd. veen Rhode n either ot le latter are agricultural lifelions will he Ihipping and middle 36 and trull a Hern Hates real'on eter- lofe relDefs n the abyfs grate to the )andon their ngth to the e the parent fignificance tribute they (lers. AR, and oi; nerly exjied s/ctwcen EnS88 THE OLIVE BUANCJI. frankncfs. It' fhe was fighting for her cxi Hence, as has been r.ud a tlioufand times ; and it our hoflilit\' jeopar- dized It ; it was tlie quintcdence ot madnef>. and lollv, not to have withdrawn from us the number ot licr enc- rnies, when {]rc couKl have done it on fuch cafy terms witliout impairing her credit or character. Secondly, It had promptly accepted the RuITian me- diation tor the termination of hoflilities. Thirdly, To remove all difficulty out of the way on the important fubjetl of imprelTment, an aft was paflcd, on the third of March, 1813, by congrefs, making fuch provifions, to commence from the clofe of the war, as to lecr.re Great Britain againll the leduBion or employ, nient of her feamen on board our vefTels, public or pri- vate.* Fourthly, and mofl particularly, in the appointment of tliree miniflers to negociate, Mr. Bayard, a decided tede- raUff, was chofen — a gentleman ot high Handing witli his own party — of confiderable talents — and ffrenuoufly oppofed to the adminiflration. Unlefs his inflrufclions had been fair and honourable, he would not certainly liave accepted the appointment. In the appointment of miniflers in England or elfe- where, I believe there is no fimilar inftance to be met with, of the choice of a perfon hoftile to the adminiflra- tion who appointed him. It was a very great effort to remove fufpicion and jealoufy from the public mind. Nothing but the incurable folly and madnefs engendered by faftion, could poffibly refifl: the fair inference war- ranted by this appointment. But it was wholly unavail- ing. Faftion is now, ever has been, and ever will be, deaf, and dumb, and blind, to reafon and common feiife. Thefe four fafts notwithflanding, the perfuafion was general among the •' peace party,'* that the govern- ment was averfe from clofing the war. The talents of the federalifts in the eaftern Hates and elfewhcre, iV * Among the membei's who voted against this bill wore Messrs. .lo- siah Quincy and John Randolph Tiieir motives roti't liuve been very extraordinary. I cannot fathom them. ft THE OLIVE DHAXCH. 280 Icnce, as has lllity jcopar- fj. and iolly, oi her enc- h caCy terras RutTian mc- [■ the way on ?i was palled, making fuch the war, as to I or employ- public or pri- ppointment oi I decided tcde- ftanding with nd Ihenuoufly is inftruBions not certainly gland or elfe- ce to be met he iidminiftra- grcat effort to public mind. Is engendered nterence war- holly unavail- ever will be, ommon fenfe. :he perfuafion |iat the govern- The talents nd elfewhcre, |l wore Messrs. .lo- la huvebeen very •.vcrc now put in reqnifition lo iniprcfs this idea on the public niind. The leaders of the party '»(Tetled to be, dud the nthcrs were, inflexible in tlic opinion. Ill conlcquence every pollible exertion was made in Bod.on to deter the citizens trom Itihfciihmg to tiie k)ans. AllDciat-.ons were entered into in t'^e molt folemn and public ni-inner to tiiis effetl. And thofc whoconiii««'iciic. h, flifir lnj.ioni-, tlific (In'tv, tfuir firo/i-nsioiis iiiul l'lt( )M IsKS— in e m .11- inu to IcMil it nicr:'llii — to hMpiKni tin- very iiKubines wliicli arc b(!lli intciiiL'd »\v\ culcuLiicd lor llicir rii;ii "• ^ This paragraph, the prodiu'lioii of John Lowill, cf- tai)lilhes tlui exi Hence or a eoinbination to pr(>\oi)t tho fiicccfsot thr loans, who had " bromijed'" each other, or pledged thciTifelves, not to fublcr.he : Tome of whom, ncvestheh'ls, did fuhlcrihe — hut t) avoid tlie repioaclies and perfectition ot their alFoeiates, did it " sccKtth.'" This conclufion irrcfiilahlv lollows. Tliefe '* bromi/es not to lend thi'ir money^" muft reler to the combmation I have rtated. It can Mavc no t)ther meaning. And the fair conftruflioti ol their lending " secfr'th" can be no other than that they were liable to difgraee with, or perfc- cution from, their party, it they lent openly. Of the fpccies of denunciations held out to deter from fubfcriptions, Tome idea may be formed from the follow- ing paragrtT n\\ \ for Ihty are actuattia* nnich pnrtiikerK in the uin^ til ) he soldier who ihiusts the bayonet i and THE JtuciMtM or GO» WILL AWAIT THKM " ^^ '^ 'f: I m ;^1 i * Road to liuiii. No. 5, sub B lie. ■Mtt^ -^,. THE OLIVK fIRANfU. U^'BhIIII ft i^ !^^ ^^HH m At I'/^IHN ft I'. iMM Il^ ^imBk H ■liUS^m 1 1 iim) SM i.fl olM'i'csiivo mt'«HifCi in iclmion to coinmei-CR, niiH to nil llic iriineh wliicti iiHVu ouiuriiMl in iliu ficlil und in ih> ciliiiu't. To wlu.! |iiir|>(i itUlltoi •« ot it not only to be uiiw.iilliv ot |iiii,l c ididiikni-c hni lli^;llly riiniiiml, it now tlicy cunUibutir the atiuu nt' iiKnity witlinn wLmh, llit'st; inlciR mutt be compelled 10 gf'.f) ; must l><: loinpellcil to return to thv phaj and nii'H^uics undur wliicli itii^ country uncc wuh at [icncc, itnd in %\\\- gulitr prosperity . ♦' Hy the nu>{;nBniinou5 course pointed otit by pfovcpnor Strong, thst il, by wiililioldiii)^ nil voluntary aid in prnMculinj^ llit wiif, and nuinlully «xpi'C!*»iii;; one opinion as to its injiiitlirc and ruinous tcndcnu^ , wa \\,\\a arrt'8tt.'d us i*n)};reH» ; mi'l driv )i tta uuthurt to ubdudon ilu-ir luj'u- rtutta niHcmi'M. tiiid to look unxionnly J],y peace. \\ \\»i thin it wc mnv lend then* money ? 7' it) -wiil nU iinikc pe ice ; tlity wdi Htdl luir.kti lor (,';»:i;ida s liny will still iiss. mldc tones, ani< shod blood on our »ve-.ttrn ironlicr — nui\- piide, it notldn/j else, would make theia do it. 'I'Ik motives wli.cli tiihl bi'oii^''il on the wm- till i-untinuu il, t tiiniu-y tan lie in(\—fHit sonic say — ivilf i/on fet ff't^ vmnilvy become bunkrtipt '.' ^10, the country will never become Ounkv: pt. live I'u.vr i>o not fhivKvc •JUK AHUrtKKs ov THKia 'riiL'.-.r It; I'd.Mi (r iit.\Kiii;i>r. iJo not pro veiil them from becoming odious to lliu public and repl< ccd by bcticr men iij^ Any federalist IV h'i tend* moiny to t^overvment, mmt jo tiud shake lu:nda -with James jiJadison, iind cinim tellowHliip uith i't-lix (orumly iXjf Let him no more cull luinsilf a federalist undo friend to Ins countrij lie \nU be called b| ollurit, kmamuuh. " Hut sceondly, federalists will not lend money bccnase they toill never get it again. How, where and when are tlu governintiit to ^tt ujoney lo pay interest? And ^ who can tell ivhi iher Jiuine t ulern may think the debt contracted under such circnm lances, mid by men ■ioho lend money to help out mrusi.res -which they hux>e loud'y unit cuv- stanlly condemned, ought to be paid ! On the whole then liieic- Hn-lwo vt-ry blroiij; reasons why (cderalists will not leinl nunu)— lirst, because it would be u basi: a'andontnent of ptttiticul atui mural principles ; and secondly, because il i» pretty diiam they will never be p«id again. "It is very grateful to find On l the universal sentinunt is, that ■'^^nnyiHun ivho lenils hs money to the i.ov>rnmeiit, at tht present time -viU forfeit 'ill cUntii to con,inon honesty mid common couriesy among a!l true Jriends to the coimtry. tiod lot bid that any tederalist ahoui.l evur hold up his liund lo p.ty lederulisls tor money lent to the present rulers: and federalists c:ni judge wnellier democrat!) will tu.^ their oonsl.luenls to pay iiiitrtsl lo ledendists." liostun laazettc, April l4th, 18U. " Tlie war ndvocatcs appear very t>ore and chagrined at the failure tst' the hite loan, and in their ravings ascribe the meagre subscriptions to the ir iths which liave appeared in the federal papers on the subject," Cenlinel, Murch 'J4lh, 1813. " No peace will ever be made, till the people sny there shall be no wur. Il tUe rich men continue to luinisti inonty, war will coittiwuc ^ ■ l im IkkH'i- tliiiii miii'Kis Till ir fl> '<•<•'«, it your piiMiiiTs arc (;(io Iti-vt- liut i'vw viiot in ihi- locker; llu-y njist Iji; rcpleuislieil, or ih- war liiiir* U iiiusl willii-r. Ill our oM iir, wlicn |irivi«ic nu'o win* pulilii- ctt'l'tors, iiinl hn-mio Hoiiienliut im|»iilif' I of piililiu ih lay, tin- :nlii»inistriU.on would proinifis tliciij oiii? iH'^v rolla'i 'hi tucrH, il > ou linvr nioiicv lo let, Uf it liy ll llio war rontiuiiis you will puiclnisc jour »tock nt foiir y< his oM, il.« r,M r, tlinu you c .h r; int.- it ; s«i unjust is this oHVosivf war, iii wliirli om i ul rs ll ivi |)luii;ri(l IH, in iIk; solnir coiisuliiaioii of niiilioiis, tlml it'i''i/ ctinnot tuiincieittioiiHli/ upjiiuiicfi the God of uvune/i fur /ti'^. (jli'ssin:r upon it." Ccntincl, I3lli Juniiiiry, 1813. I" T. The f(-llowiiiir advcitifcincnt contains volinncs. It evinces hi\()n(l the power ot di^iht oi deni.il, t!ic horri- ble il ;'tc to which ri lew Iciftioiis, violent men, hy their ticriloiiahle pratlices, had reduced the town ot Boiloii, when thole who weie dilpoled to (upport tiu-ir own j^oveinnient, were ohlijred to do it ,is clm- deftiiudy as it tiiey were engaged in Ionic dangeious eonfpMacy. ^ The J\'*ew Lnan, ll I I4lh, 18U. Frern the Boston C'hronic'e, Jlpril li, I81i. " Frnr.i the ni'vipprf sever»l I'cspictcd I'ri mis, wp «ru iml; cc«I to ;\ii. noiiiiL..' t<; ilif pu(ir(' iliMt siil>siripiioiis to tlie new loan will In- nrtivcd liy us .18 ii;^tMts iiinii t'le 'iJtIi itl^l. tVoiu imlividictls, or incnriiornltMl lioilii s, in sums of §J 500 ritid upwMiiIs The subscriptions to coiilorm 1o (he rL'p;ul!4iioiis aiiu' uticed by the sccrsrtarj of tlie trcMfUiy, ;lu'St rMi- he will g ve, and il' tlif loan is grantnl lowt r ih.m tliis piO;io.sal, il wili of course; be tor his bentfit— but oii tlie oilier liam), if higher, ho will lose ibtj bciitfit ol 2.5* V t ^'J-1 THfc OMVE BUAXUn. 1 A. boinsj a siihsrriliev The corliftcatcs, nnd oil the business rclalwig it (o will be (lehvrred free of ch:irgc nil.nKRT h DK.VN, B.okeis. ** Exchange Coffee /louse, Boslcn, ^flpril 12." •• Ho-rj (fcfradc'l must our co^'frumrjit hn even in thfir hivn eye.i yt'hou tfii'i/ resort to svch tricki) (o ul'tdiii viomni, ivhich a cornmo.: Jeti' (jvohev vJoiiUl be asliuynt'd of 'IJiev must be well atquaitited wiili the liiliiic of l!ie men who v.'*t to loati iliem money, wlien lliev offer, th»t if tliey wii! have the goo iii'oss Uxlo it, their riamea shall not he exjioaed to the -world. They know rifjlit well that the cause is so stieakinff and vile th'U nobody woidd be seen in /'e broad day-light to lend thtm «,o- vey. However, i' is consistent wiiii the system of ileceplion and double dciilinij; which lliey linve alwnyi^ prai-i sid " I a!il(:'llit.'< may Ic inihi>;i i| to suhsciihe to the loan, becpuse it will teiu! !'i shorten llu'. xi'.vire8 as tiay iisk fr.j", 'rjiil iliey nut fight till the nuniiT- ous and most tsiimal)le acqnnintanees in Host n — equal in poiit of honour vind intt grity (o any citizens in the United States And snih I consider tlie muss of the inhabitants. Kut in tinus of factious violence, thi w rst njen always rise uppermost; gain the ascendency; g:ve llie tone to public measures ; and establish an arbitrary sway ""Uf'tiie men who " lnught at pei jury " and "sneer at the restraints of con- science" are precise ly those wJio in such times of frenz) bear sway over Ibeii- tellow citizens, and heur down or force with thein ih dis^'assion.'.te and well intentioneil At all events, the \)ictiire of Hoslon is not n)ine. If it b. iiicf rrett, I am not Answerable. Let Mr. Lowell anvl his friends settle the account between them. \ • -i 1 THE OLIVK BKAXOH. 297 of the hon- mkldle and ifgrace and town where rd is paid to rjuiy," is a frainfs'' are 'j" are facri- " — Wliat an 'fcription ot ide the dcfti- olleiitv ! ior lent, lawkTs, I driving this oflon, where tortune--and pifture, en- \{werable ior kozv to trace mit his (It-feiicc. s. the rt-siilt of '* tin- just odium |is no p'-trt of tliC cly anil so b re- lieve bctii Uiketi BO mnih snrctsf;. e fairness of ibe lis statement re- 1 ha»e ounuT- qi\al in poiit of tes AihI snili I 1 factious violeinf, idenry ; g^vf tli« Kwav '' i>'' ''"^ lesira'iiits of co"- \\ bear swJty over [ill His^iissioDiite Utoti is "not mine. Lowell and bis Me Cit?tfes of human events.'' This is mo ft forry and coiitcfiiptible canting, and can deceive no man beyond the Vdnk ot an ideot. Tnis hideous derangement ol mo- rals is iolely the production of tad'on, wnich confe- crates every means, however wicked, to anfwer its vil& purpofes. *• Administration hirelings mny revile the northern states, and the inerclianls generally, for this mon-tr ns di pravation of ii.or:ils, ij^ ihi.i fxecrable course of smusrorling and fraud But tbi-re is ;« just (^od, wlio knows bow to tr.'ice the caustR of hunan evcnis . an'l he w/U rocels a iiltle more in detail. New York purchafed aigely in Bolton, partly tot bank notes, and partly on credit. ¥o\ the latter portion promHrory notes were giv- en, whieh were traniniitted tiom Bo lion to the New York banks tor colletlion. Very large purchafes were likewife made in Bolton by citizens ot Philadelpiiiii, Baltimore, Richmond, Peterlbnrg, &c. Payments were made in bank notes ot the middle and fouthern ftiites, and in promilP / notes. Both were fent on to New York, the firft tor tranlmifiion to the banks whence they wereilFued — ; nd the lecond for collection This ftate ot things fuggelled the ft u pendens idea, at which the reader will Itand aghaft, of wielding the financial advantages then enjoyed by Bofton, to pro- duce tliC eflfed which the pvefs and tlie pulpit had tailed to accomplifh — that is, tojhp the u heels of the govertwient by draining the banks m the middle and fouthern Jlates oj their fpeae, and thus dt fabling the fri(nds of the gov- trnment from filling the loans ! ! ! This ft heme was piojefted lall winter — and innncdiate arrangements were nude to carry it into execution. It has richly earned tor the projcMors the heted on : Malfachufctts, ' 682,708 dolls. Union, 233,22,5 Bofton, 369,903 State, 509,000 New England, 161.170 Mech antes. 44-rr5 2,000,601 ' It therefore appears that for evesy hunir?d dollars of their notes in circulation, they had jicarly 250 dollars m iK M j-"^*^? ^. 300 THE OLIVE BUANCII. in fpecie-— a ftate of things probably unparalleled iu tlie iiiftory ot banking, troni the days- of tlie Lombards to the prefent time. No man can pretend, that with the above enormous amount ot fpecie, and the moderate amount of notes in circulation, thefe banks would have thought it either advifable or neceffary to make fuel) very unufual and immoderijte drafts, unlefs there were fome extraordinary obje6i to be accomplilhed. Attempts have been made to juftifv thefe proceedings as merely the refult oi the balance of trade in favour of Bofton. It has been affetted, that it was no more than right and proper for the banks of that town to requue the balances due them ; and that the cafe daily occurs, of banks drawing on each other in a fimilar mode, when balances accrue. Thefe pi.lliatives will not (land the teft of fober exami- nation. A large portion of the heavieft drafts, indeed thofe that firft excited alarm, were made during the winter, when the freight was 20, 25, or 30, per cent, higher, in confequence of the wretched ifatc ot the roads, than it would have been, had they waited a few weeks. Th s is a conclufive circumftance, taken in conjunftion with the faft, that there was a fuperabundancc of fpecie in the Bofton banks, and likewifc with the laborious, and unceafing and profligate efforts to deftroy the public credit. It is well known to every perfon mi the flightefl degree acquainted with banking, that when two banks in different cities carry on a large intercourfe with each other, balances will arife in favour of one and againft the other, often to a very large amount; which balances remain unclaimed fometimes tor months together, unlefs the fpecie be wanted. The banks do not choofe unrieceirarily to incur the expenfe ot tranfpoita- tion— and wait in expeftation of the balance being reduced by the regular operations of trade. I think I am fafe in faying that a million o'^ dc.lars is conftant- \y thus circumflanced, between New York, Philadel- IHE OLIVF, BRANCH. 301 phia, Baltimore, and Richmond. New York owes large- ly at times to Philadelphia—Philadelphia at other titnes largely to Now York — and fo ot banks in otlier places. To render the llroke at public credit more unerring — and to place the refult wholly out ot the reach of contin- gency, there was an arrangement made by fome per/'ons at prefent unknown, with a,i^ents of the government of Low- er Canada, whereby an xmmenfe amount of BntiPi govern- m'tnt hillSf drawn on Quebec, were thrown into the maikets in New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, which were sold to monied men on such adv/ntngeou? terms as induced them to make large purchafes^* And thus was abforbed a very large portion of the capital ot thcfe three cities. Thefe bills were tranfmitted through the hands ot trufty perfons in Bofton : and the proceeds being placed to their credit, added immenfely to the command the Bof- ton banks had over thofe in the middle and fouthern ftates. Let us here make a folemn paufe. Let us ftrip thefc ia/is ot the thin veil thrown over them. Let us confider them in all their nakednefs, in all their deformity. My heart fickens at the inveftlgation. I turn with difguft, with horror, with affright. Boflon, the cradle ot the revolution, which claims fo high a degree of pre- eminence for her " morality and religion," after having failed in her endeavours to prevent tiie fuccefs of the loans, draws away the fpecie from the middle and fouth- ern ftates, to bankrupt the government, regardlefs of the * These bills are openly advertised for saie in the Boston papers. I anne.Y an advertisement taken From the Botton Daily Advertiser, Dec. 16, 181*. GOVERN MKNT IJILLS 1 Bill for ....;... 2/. SOo") Hrllish government Bills for sale 1 diuo '2.K>5. by CHARLt> VV (illKEX, 1 ditto '203^ No. 14, India Wharf. L. 1,253 26 y SOS THE OLIVE BUANCIl. luilvcifal ruin in wliich it would involve indifcrimlnately friends ot war — tnends of peace — tcdcralifts — democrats — young and old — men, v/ omen, and children ! And, to add a deeper die to the tranfathon, the /f?eat is tranfmUted to agents of the governor of Canada^ for the purpofe of enabling him to difpatch his red alhet to funm in blood on the deftncelefs frontiers of then oivn country !* This is the work of fell, accurfed iafclion, the hcavicft fcourge that ever iilucd fiom Pandora's box ! The confequences of thefe vile operations are flill feverely felt. Many eftiniable individuals have been ab- folutely ruined. Bank paper has become an obje£l of brokerage, and is fold at various rates from three to ten per cent, difcount. A general ftagnation has been pro- duced. The lofs falls moft heavily on the poor, as is ufual in all fuch cafes. The rich are enabled to make moft extravagant profits ; and many of them are literally preying upon the middle and poorer clallbs of fociety. The entire profits of bufmefs arc fwal lowed up by the extravagant difcounts paid on bank paper, a cafe hitherto unknown in this part of the country. And thus, in a feafon of diftrefs and difficulty, the embarralTment of the citizens is doubled or trebled. And what is the moft daring and profligate pait of the bufinefs, the men who <« \ have played these pranks before high heaven " are impudent enough to charge the whole of the diftrefs to the account of the adminiftration ! *' "Che offence is rank — it smells to heaven,** To render the affair more fliocking, more grofs, more hideous, thofe who have perpetrated this wickednefs, hy- • Mr Lowell h«s attempted to deny the existence of this a> range- rnent. Kutit stands on too strong ground to admit of being disproved. That these bills, to an immoderate amount, were transmitted from Qiiebee ; that they were drawn for the support of the armies employed ii« hostilities against this country; that they were paid for ix specie, de- voted to the support of those armies ; are facts too stubbort* to be set aside. They ar« abundantly sufficient to establish the iniquity of the cttse. ■ »" ■ » " H T' THE OMVE nilANCrt. UO.i pociitlcally refufc to rejoice in the vlfcloiics of tlicii country — as ' unbecoming a moral and religious people ! !' There is not iii the world a country, b' tht-' United States, wherein fuch a crime could he perj^Jiialcd with impunity. Even by our mildelt of all mild conllitii- tions itistreafon. " Treafon again 11 the United States, •' Ihall confill only in levying war again ft tliein, or in •* adhering to their enemies," GIVING THEM AID "AND COMK(3RT." If fupplying an enemy wuii fpecie to enable him to cany on tl;e war again (1 their native country, be not giving him *' rtu/ and L0>iifo}t,'' and tliat of the moil fubltantial kind, I know not what are '^ aid and comfort." > Every man concerned in the hufinefs of furniflilng thefe aids to the enemv, is ipfo jaclo a traitor. His lije has been forfeited. That he has not expiated his crime by paying the forfeit, he owes to the ill-re(|nited lenity of an infulted government. Every perlon who knew of the commiflion of the crime, and did not reveal it, was guilty of mifprifion of treafon. Compare this offence with the rebellion in Maflachu- fctts under Shays, the wliifkey infurreftion, or with that of the poor, deluded, ignorant Fries ! you may as well compare the Andes to Mount Pleafant ! This crime in England would fubjeft the perpetrator either to be hung and gibbeted, or to be hung, di awn, and quartered. In the former cafe, his carcafe would be expofed to be devoured by ohfcene birds of prey — in the latter, his head would be elevated as an ornament on the tower of London, to deter other traitors from the perpe-^ tration of fimilar crimes. Let us once more, though the fight turns us aghafl, examine this hideous, this execrable fcene — which finks the perpetrators and connivers into the lowelf abyfs of infdiny. Men in the " moral and religious'' town of Bofton are ^ obliged to lend their money to their own government by /iealth---bui in the face of dav, within the knowledge of a whol c community, ^ they fend money to the com- ,!k u;,i. ,, I . ,1! m^ ' W lJ! .i^liWWii-iJ 301 TJIK OLIVE HRANCa. 7)10)1 oirjny lo I'lj^l''))! hi 1)1 a;y(iinfl their own coiDUry I Can Iiu.n.iii iiatu.L' (uik lower? Thcv are j;:^- '' Ido moral and /Oi; reltgioui' to r.'jone at the viclones of their fclloic citi- zens — out Q4" they are neither " too moral nor too reiigtous" to aid the enemy to viclory ! An age ot penitence in Cick- clotli and allies would nut efface this foul blot from the rfcntcheon ot B()ih)n. It IS luidly pollihie to add a fliade to the enormity ot ihis crnne. But owii c i ream Han ce enhances its atrocity. It was pcrpetr.ited while negociations for peace were go- ing on, the fiiccels whereot it had fo direct a tendency to defcriT, by placing the Britilh in a Hate to rife in thcii dcm uu!s ; although the guilty perfons profcfl'ed to be- long to the " peace party." The innmenfe magnitude of this fnbje£l induces me to dwell a little longer on it. And as I may have been led altray by the blindnefs which is felt by almoft every man who forms an hvpotiiefis, I fhall therefore flate anew the naked fads ot tlie cafe, unaccomj)anied by my comments. Let the reader duly weigh the evidence, and acquit or con- demn the accufed town as he nuv judge proper. Fir ft, engagements were entered into in Bofton by individuals pledging themfelves not to fubfcribe to the government loans. Secondly, when fome of them afterwards did fubfcribe, tliey found it necefTary to do it *'• fccretly^' to avoid the odium which was excited againft all who lent their mo- ney to the government. Thirdly, the utmod influence of that powerful inftru- rnent, the prefs, and likewife of the pulpit, was employed to difcourage and denounce fubfcrihers to the loans.... They were profcribed as "/rt/aw^wf" in the public pa- pers nioft extenfively patronized, and declared, in thofc papers, and from the pulpit, to be abfolute " mur- derers'' Fourthly, during the winter, when the roads were ja wretched order, and ^vhen carriage was ot rourfc trom freigl . ^.. — — _. — , — ,-, 20 to 30 per centum dearer than the common \X. G.-1- the. Bofhn hanhs mad-- 'fllE OLIVE DIIANCH. A)3 OH ohprffjive, unprecedented, and hojlile draja ^f fp^' tlie Nezu York hanh. Fifthly, dt this period tlie former banks had in tlieir vaults an miparalh-'lcd quantity ot fpecic-'-o//*' hund- red and jifh p''r cent, more than their notes in circulation, Sixthly, thcfc drafts were continued through the fprin^ and riiinmcr, and ohliired the banks in the n, id- die and fouihern (fates To far to cm tail then- accom- modations, as to bring the c(»mmcrcial world to the verge of bankruptcy. Large and ruinous bankruptcies did take place : twenty and upwards occurred in New York in one day. Seventhly, the drain of fpecie was carried fo far that on the 26ih of Augufl the banks in Baltimore — on tlie 2()th tiiofe in Philadelpliia — and on the 3 ill thofe in New York were reduced to the painful neceflity oi fufpending the payment of fpecie. Eiglithly, coteinporaneously with thefe immoder.ite drafts, a very large amount of bills drawn by the govern- ment of Lower Canada, were, through tlie medium of agents in Boflon, dillributed in New York, Philadelphia, n d Baltimore. Ninthly, thefe bills prodigioufly increafed the balances again ft the fouthern banks, and the power of drawing poITefTed by thofe in Bofton. Tenthly, the fpecie received for thefe bills Jrom Neiu York was forwarded to the ai^ents of the government of Canada. Eleventhly, vyhen fubfcriptions for loans were opened, large quantities of public flock were fent from Bollon, and thrown into the markets in New York, and PhiJadelphia, and Baltimore, and fold at reduced rates, to lempt the monied people to invefl their money therein, and thus to impede the fuccefs of the pending loans.* I fubmit all thefe ftrohg fa£ls to the reader. Let him examine them, and decide for himfelf. If he be an upright, candid, honourable man — if he have a •| jl ll (J :i f:( * 1 here p-iblio' clia'.len^e anv man to disprove ihese clear Rllegatioh's. 26* 30A TMK OMVK hnANtIt, (park of public rpiiit in his comnofition — it \\6 lia"c not rcfu niucd all picttnrujiis to the name ol ii Walh- ingtoni.ui — he will pronoimcc ft-ntcncc ol iiil.iniy again II this tr.jn(.i^;tion, \ 'IIIK OMVK nUANCII. aor '•? if h<^ lii< 'd ,1 ;. Walh. ol" iMl.iniy I'tnilVcuics, ivcfl at it. f,," 1 trull the m'uMIt: cotiiicxion, s, fiuli lii-'a- >ital an item govcminent ivc bccM the Ihcv have iiclciihcd hy ihe brink, ot hie lievafta- in\)Uiti(ja ot jnagii.Hilinitv from which Their poftcrity perity— the IV ot tlieir ^e united as ar, with its ake is im- and enlight- ;en. 1 ie blind lead- cent .' Road legrade and laflathufetts. attacked by the BritiOi with a final I force. They have hccii al- lowed without an effoit to difnienihrr it. T!u*v h.ive eftabhihed a rek^ular ^ovcrnmrnt in their corupu'lls. As no effort was made ()y this ftate, wiiofe population anioinits to above 70(»,ooo fiee people, tv) prevent the COIH) ue IK f o none is niai le to e\p( I th e eiu'inv En. llavt-.l by ia^iion, (lie wiiincs, ami Icohh, and nunniurs, and winces, and t'areatens, and curies t!ie .iduiinillratuxi for not delending her, althoutrh ihe had made every pof- (il)lc exertion to enfeeble the government, and render it incapable of defence. To fuMi up the whole. MafTachufctts is pncrjrctic, firm, bold, daiing, aiid decifive in a contefl witii tlic general government. She will not abate an inch. She dares it to a confliH. She fei/es it by tlje throat, determined to ftrangle it I She is untimcabie a,< a lion, or a tiger, or a panther. But fhe is long-fuirering, and niild, and patient, and harmlefs, and inofrenfive, and gentle, and meek, as a lamb, or a turtle dove, when Uie comes in contatl with the etiomv ! There is Tome myllery bangs about this afTiir, which time alone can develope. That the Britilh lliould attaci; Mali tchufetts, where they have fo many friends, and fpare Pennfvlvania, wheie the great majority are hoitilc to them, is fo contrary to all the rules of true policy, as to be almoft inexplicable. I daie not trull myfeit to hazard a corije6hire on the fubjecl. The tame acijuief- ceuce of fuch a powerful (late, in fo degrading a fituation, inufl have fome extraordinary motive. None occurs to my mind that I would choofe to commit to paper. But mark the contrail ! — what a contrail ! Tennef- fee, with a large territory of 43,000 fquare miles — a white population of only 217,727, and a black one of ij4,535, to guard again ft, is alfailed by the moft power- lul combination of Indians, and thofe of the braveft charafter, that ever exifted fmce the firft fettlement of this country. — She neither winces — nor \%qir s — nor curfes the government — nor (brinks from fiS^ger — nor threatens a reparation. She nfes in her ftrength. -*j' I / 1 »• 308 THE OLIVE RRANCK. 1/ She girds on her armour. She calls her fons from their counters and their ploughs — from their anvils and their looms — from the bench and the bar — from the fenate houfe and the council chamber — and with a very fmall degree of afTiftance from Georgia, fhe vanquifhes the hardy warriors whom a falfc reliance on Biitifh aid had decoyed to their ruin. Every fuc- eefTive effort on the part of the deluded aflailants is equally pregnant with deftruclion. Completely van- quifhed, they bend their necks to the yoke. They curfe that feduftlon which tempted them from cafe, and comfort, and happinefs, and imprinted on the forehead ot their nation, the broad feal of perdi- tion . The genius of Columbia hides her face with fhame, and forrow, and anguifh, when fhe regards the ancient Hate of MafTachufetts, degenerated from, and a difgrace to, her hardy anceflors. But fhe looks down with piide and pleafuie, and exultation, on the youthful, high fpirited, patriotic, and heroic Tenneffee and Georgia. It is hardly pofTible to find a ffronger contrafl — more difgraccful on the one fide — more honourable on the other. The blind leading the blind. There is no man whofe zeal in inflaming the public mind, has equalled that of the writer of the Road to Ruin. He has publifhed as many different fets of papers to excite the abhorrence and delegation of New Eng- land again fl the adminiflration, as would fill two or three volumes. He is, in politics, as very an enrage as ever lived. So violent are his paffions on this topic, that they lead him eternally aftray. He commits himfelf by the raofl extravagant pofitions, which nothing but the epidemical madnefs of the times would have ever fuffered to efcape the keeneff ridicule. In "the Road to Ruin," he mofl pathetically deplores the deflruftion o'f commerce, and the introduftion of manufaftures, both of which he regards as equal fub- THE OLIVE BnASCH. 309 jeft.; of lamentation. And to make the flronger appeal to the paflions of his reader — to enhance the misfor- tune ot tlie lofs of commerce — he very gravely ftatcs its profits at "///y p^r cent!!!'' It is hard to con- ceive a higher grade ot extravagance and folly. The average profits of fuccefsful commerce are not twelve per cent. And if the whole of the commercial capital employed during the la ft twenty years be taken into view, including that of the merchants who have become bank- rupts, it is probable that the profits do not exceed eight })cr cent. The failures among that clafs are verv nume- rous, and out of all proportion greater than among any other. Of the merchants in New York and Philadelphia who were in eminence ten years ago, I think I am war- ranted in faying that nearly two thirds have been utterly ruined. It is well known, that the Weft India trade has been almoft always a lofing one — in fafl, of the few for- tunate merchants who elcape fhipwreck, it may be fairly laid, *' Apparent rari nantes in gurgite vaJloJ* riiis writer is either a deceiver — or he has deceived him- Iclf. In either cafe, he is " a blind leader of the blind:" And it can never be fufliciently deplored, that a man in this fituation fiiouhl have had fo commanding and fo very pernicious an influence on the dejhmes of eight millions of people and their pofterity. He has chofen a moft felicitous title — " the Road to Ruin" — for verily he has fo long been leading his deluded followers on " the road to ruin," that he has brought them to the very verge ol the precipice. Left the reader fliould fuppofe I have done him injuf- tice, 1 fubmit his own words. If I have tortured his meaning, on my head be all the cenfure I have io freely beffowed upon him — m •' fr^ take fiotn trade a capilnl tchtth produceri riiFTr PERCENT, •jntl n-p inie^: il in innri'i/ucluit."!, PilKCARIOLS IN TUf.in NATUur, whitli tiiay never |)t'oiiiicc i-.vciUy, and wliich miy prove oui rum."*' * See iu the Cxuininci, vol I. page 441, the Roa4 to Ruin, No. Vlil. ^ ^:^^^,''^-^M^ ---gT™i ^y . " ^t ff ',t: FT' / aio THE OLIVK BUANCH. \ 'I This ilioit paragraph is as iallaclous as any equal num- ber of lines ever publiflicd. Every pofition it lays flown is deceptions. When the wriier emphatically ftates, that manufactures ^xit'"' precarious in their nature," he mull mean, by way ot contradillin6lion, that commerce is blcft with ablolute fecurity. Both are arrant errors. Commerce is proverbially infecure. No degree ot pru- dence affords full fecurity in that department. Manufac- tures, prudently managed, have as much certainty as any othei human undertakings whatever. One word more. What dependence can be placed upon the affertions, the infinuations, the allegations, on fubjefts abftrufe or difficult to decide upon, of a man who makes fuch an egregious, fuch a momentous error in a cafe where detetlion treads fo clofely on his heels ?* CHAP. XXXVIII. r Pulpit fiolUicfi, Vile prostitution of the sacred functions. ^Massacre on board the Ocean, jin anthology of sedition. Success of the ivar. Of all the abominations that difgrace and difhonour this country in thefe portentous times, I know nothing more deferving of reprobation than the proftitution ot the pulpit for party or political purpofes. No man ot correft mind can ferioufly reflc61 upon it without Ihud- dering with horror. A clergyman whofe funftions pre-eminently require him to preach ^^ peace and good zvili among fnen" a(- cends the pulpit among a congregation alfembled to unite in praifing and adoring tlieir Omnipotent Creator. He holds in his hands the Te/lament of Jefus Chn/i, which breathes nothing hut peace — he pronounces, and has for a text the W01 ds of Jefus Chryi, or of his apofUes of the • I hei-e make n piihlic «polop;y for having erroneously .ascribed these •editions hiuI inflammatory piih'.ications to the late i»!Tiia>'le Judge I ovvell. My (listwncf iroin the place of pubiieatiOQ will, I trust, apolo- gize, as well as account for the error. THE OLIVE BBAXCH. 311 mofi pacific tendency : and, by loay of a fuUahk accom- paniment^ tor an h )ur long he employs all his zeal, all his talents, all his Intliience, lor the anti-chridian purpofc ot enkindling among his hearers the mojl baleful, the mojl fu- rious pajfwns — of preparing them for uifurredion and revolution— for all the horrors of civil war. •' The alternative then is, that if you do not wish to hecome the slaves of lliose who own slaves, aiw! wlio are then)selves the sl:ivi-s of Vrertfh slaves, you must either in the langUiige of the t,; .>4iW? 1^1 . /I ijijiiSiSaeBsmsii^i^m. m m ^iiititli W.r oi'3 THE OLIVE niiANCH. ' ^ , r.^-iMfl ^m n HfH 1 H' w i purpofes of party, a fabulous ftorv was circulated, oi the niairacrc, by the French, of the crew ot a vcfTcl called the Ocean. It was one ot the thoufanri l-iirehoods invented to anfwer momentary piirpofcs oi the iame kmd. A cicr/jjyman, whole name I fparc, feized the floiy with a\'idtty---wove it mto his fermon-'-and invoked the vengeance of heaven on the murderers. But mark th'j end of it. The holy zeal of the auditory had not time to cool, when, to cover the preacher with conlu- fion, a reiuireclion of the murdered crew took place ; they returned home fafe and found irom the flilettoes and daggeis of the blood-thirfty French--.and held out a itiong memento to the preacher againft a repetition of Inch an antichrillian procedure. To enable the leader to form a correft eftimate of the abomination which I have here denounced, and ot the correftnefs of the denunciation, I prefent him with an antiudogv, feletfed from the fermons ot three clergy- inen, the Rev. MelFrs Panth, Ofgood, and Gardiner^ to whom no imall portion of the feeds of infurrefclion, rebellion, and civil war, fo plentifully fown in the eaftern Hates, is juftly chargeable. Never, fmce the firft eflab- lifhment ot the clerical functions, were they fo miferably cmpl'iyed— -fo contrary to the divine injunftions of the meek and mild Jefus, whofe difciples theie reverend gen- tlemen profefs to be—'Whofe do6bines they protefs to teach— and whofe example they profefs to follow, and to liold out for imitation. *' It is a war T' wiexam/jled in tlie history of tVe worM; Q;^ win- tonly proclnimed on ihe ny' most fnvohtu and groundlesa pretences, againsi a nation from .< hose tVieiKlslup we might derivt; the most sigiinl advantages, and from whose hostility we hayt reiison to -iread thi ^aost tremendous losses." Discourse de'iv<.'red at Tr nitij Church, lio-tnn, July 23, 1812, on a day of public fast, by J S. J. Gardiner, .1. M. page 3. " So far from there being British partizans in this country, it is difii- cult to find an individual cundid enough to lo that natio;i cnn»mOi< jus. tice,'' liicm, page 10. *' Every pyovocat.nn has been offered o G)fat linti./' uii ■nir part and our resentment as risen in proportion as shQ has she-M a conciliating spirit" Idem, pag« 12. h FIIE OLIVE UUANCH. 313 ** Wliat consequence is it to you if tViey be repealed or not, if you are sold to Napoleon, at you iiave reason to believe, by the slaves wlio have abused your confidence ! !" Idem, page 11 Let bretb ill no considorations whatever, my brethren, deter you at all tuner, and in all places, t'roni execratnig ilic present war. It is a war, unjust, t'nolisli, and r>iinous. It is unjust, because X/' ^^cat liritain has uf' fercd us even/ concession short of luhut she conceives -n'Oiitd be her ruin." Idem page 15. " As Mr. Madison has declared war, let Mr. ISladison carry it on." Idem, page 17. " If at the command of weak or wicked rulers, they undertake an unjust war, each man who voUinleers his services in such a cause, or loans his uiuncy for its support, or by his conversation, his writings, or any other mode «f influence, encour:i}(es its prosecution, thai man is iiii accomplice in the wickedness, ^ " loMds his conscience with the black- est criuKS, Jj" brings the guilt of blood upon his s ul, and, Jj^ in thu sight of G Oil and his law, is a muvdewv.^' .1 aoLinn pvntest against the late declaration of-war, in a discourse delivered on the next LoriPs liny, afer the tidings of it -were received. By David Osgood, D. U, Pastor of the church in Medford. Pag«. 9 " Since the period of their pretended repeal, scores, ip not mux* DRKiis of our vessels had been seized in Fre ch ports, or burnt at sea by French ernis rs, while many of their unott'endiiig crews wt re Hy manacled like slaves, confined in French prisms, or forced on board French ships to fght against England " Idem, p^ige II. •♦ Our government, with a hardihood and effrontery Xj^ o/ which de- inoHS might have blushed, persisted in asserting the repeal." Ibid. •' My mind has been in a constant agony, not so much at the inevitable loss of our t mporal prosperity and happiness, aule, that they may awake, like a giant from his slumbers, and whk.\k thkir vkxgkance on' thkih bkthatku.s, by driving them from their stations, and placing at the helm more skilful and faithful hands " Idem, page 17. " If, at the present moment, no symptoms of civil M'ar appear, ^J' they certain y -will soon — unless (he courage of the war party should fail theui." Idem, pa e 14. (rjr- «« ^1 civil ^oar becomes as certain as the events that happen ac- cording to the known laws and established course of nature " Idem, IS. " Nothing short of the surrender of every maritime r ghl on tli- part of (Jreat Britain, and her entire prnstration, would satisfy' Napoleoii and his Ami? ■ I pro-cousul-" Idem, page 13. 27 m :i ■:V .-S'' '"ii; : -^.i^HViJ^f-iV.. ■ ■ - v-«Kr / VV' rr S %• 1 1'* ai'if THE OLIVE URANCII. F-.imW «* The nritisli, after all, suve for us Uy ihcir convoys, infinitely more propti'ty than tlicy (It-prive us of . ^' IVlieve they take oim ship, ti.ey protect twenty VVlui't lli«j commit oi c oulPHge, ility ilo rmmy ucts of kitiilness.'' JJiscuurs/; by the liev. J fi. J. Guuliner ^Ipril'J, 18l'2 " The Isrueliies became weary ot yielding the fruit of their labour to pamper their pleninon, nor (Jarmel, nor Zion iiivitcs us acioss the deep." Idem, pstge 14 " Which sooty slave in all the ancient dominion has more obsequious* ly watclied the eye ol h:s master, or flew to the indulgence ol his de- sires more servilely, tlian the smne masters have wdted and watrtud, hnd oVcvc'd the oi'der of the great Napoleon" Discourse delix>eredat JiyfeUl, .'Ipril 8, 1813. By Elijah Pariah, D D. page '21. '* Let every man who sanctions this war by his suflVage or iniluence, rrmen»l»er that he is labouring to cov r hims< U' and his country with blood. (j3^Thi: blood of the slain will cry from the ground against him." Idem, pnge '23. " How will the supporters of 0^ this anti-thrist m tvarfare endore their sentencti — endure their own refleriio is — _; endure the fire thuj. f'jr ever burns — jjj^" the tvorm which never dies — tlie hosann ahs of hea- ven — ,^ , -utfule the smoke of their torments asceiids fortver ana ever ?" Idem, p ge 24. III! I had begun to write fome comments on thefe extrafls. But 1 have changed my purpofe. I leave them to the judgment ot the reader. I Ihall fimply fay, it the preach- ers believed all they afferted, what tranfcendcnt intatua- tion ! It they did not, what tranfcendent turpitude ! In either cafe, what tranfcendent prqfanati'-n of the clerical fundions ! — and of a religion breathing peace and good will among men ! THE OLIVE DRANCIT. 319 vev aiut ever :• Success of the IVar. Tlie enemies of the adtninlftration have been lavlfli of their reproaches, on the ill-fuccers of the war, whicli to many oi them has been a lulje6tot as much triuniph, as if they belonged to a hoftile nation- --as if whatever dilhonour and difgrace may arife from it, attach thcmfelvcs wholly to the adminiftration. The blindnefsand pcrverfi- tv of the public mind, on this topic, are utterly aftouilh- ing. Wiidtever of glory is acquired, or ot dii^race fuf- lained in the war, its friends and enemies paitakc equally in the eyes of the world. It has been likewife a fubjoft of reproach to the ad miniftration, and of rejoicing to fome deluded people whom party paflTions have led a (tray, that theadminiilra- tion has abandoned its ground on the fubjetl of improfT- ment ! A moll melancholy fubj"fl of rejoicing ! It is not the power of England, nor the downfall of Bona parte, that has produced this abandonment ol the claims of the poor fuffering nautical hero ! No. Internal dif- cord, more fatal than tens of thoufands of embattled enemies,has riveted the chains of iinpreflment on countlefs numbers of future Hulls, Perrvs and M'Donoughs. But had the war been infinitely more unfuccelsful than it has been, it would not be furprifmq;. It would have worn a different afpe^, and covered the nation with the proudeft laurels had "Bofton oblcrved an impaitial neu- trality. But (he has perfeculed the government with as much virulence, and malignity, and violence as it it was adminiftered by demons incarnate. She has involved in the vortex of difaffeftion no fmall portion of the popu- lation of her own and fifter ftates, and has done England more effective fervlce^ than all her armies.* * or the stile nnd manner in wliich the povernment has been asstiled on the subjett of tiie loans, the reader will find in pp. 291, '2, and 3, a *'ew specimens. Many of tUe paragraphs on tliis and other topics dis- ]ilay a decree of malice, a»id virulence, r.nd ribiildrv, that can only be equalled by the writers of the Courier and the Times \>'litsion to the enemy is visible in the elaborate defences of his conduct that so fre- ^^ l\ •-'•^«IS.' ^^ 316 'lilE OLlvE BUANOIl. I The war, to tl»e mortification of the enemies of the eountry, has crowned tlie United States with luival glorv. We have more impaired the naval ftanding of Great Britain, than all the enemies fhe has had for half a centu- ry, and our Gcotts, and our Browns, and our Gainei'es, and our Maeombs, and our Jackfons have fatisfied tiie world, that nothing but our intefline diviiions prevent us trom acquiring by land, honour and glory equal to what has been acquired on tiie water by our Hulls, Decaturs, Bainbridges, Perrys, Jc)iiefes,and M'Donoughs. Let thofe infatuated men who have caught the gov- ernment by the throat, and almoft llrangled it, by the deffru6fion of its credit, and by Ihackling all its efforts, only refleft tor a tew minutes calmly on the c^cdi of their conduft. They defired peace. But they have veally prolonged the war. If, notwith (landing the im- menfe di fad vantages under which it has been carried on, by tiie difaffedfion of fuch a large body of our citizens, we have fo fiaralfed and crippled the trade of the enemy, what would have been the refult, had the united energies of the nation been employed to avenge the national wrongs -"had all the ports of the eaflein dates contributed their portion towards the common caufe ? Great Britain would in that cafe have been fick of the war in twelve months. She would have given us an honourable peace. Millions of debts and taxes would have been faved—thoufands of lives on both fides prefcrved— and the deftruilion of public and private credit prevented. ...The two nations would have been long finee reflorcd to the relations of fommerce and friendlhip. This is an awful view oi the labours of the *' peace parly." > . mifintly appear in a large proportion of the papers puhlislied to liio easlwitnl. Ami, striinge to tell, lliri-e was a most eljiborate set of «s- srtvs pulilished tiiulcr the signature of I'acificus, dcfeniling tlie nionitifiiR daini to IfijjOOOjO'XJ of acres of our territory as a tontiitiou of ^leacc. tltl _, -jiifcR. .J!^" -■ I Tr-Tw — "'?'• rilK OLIVE URANCFI. CHAP. XXXIX. 317 I Parties clinn:;^ nnnifin and rhnrncfpy. Jacnhinn. D<'fini' thm. Unhnbj . . , u^x^Ip f'>r pnwer, the cause of all our difficulties. Camlid confession. Parties fomftimcs clwngc their names, an(l retain tlieir principles. B'lt they more freqtientlv chinrre their char- a£ler, and roudufl:, and |)rincii)!rs, thoutrh they retain their names. On m my occafions in Kntrland, whiir arlmiiiif- trations have enforced torv mcaliires. And fonie o\ the mod whitTjrilh mcafures have heen ad()|)ted hy tory ad- mini (tratioiis. Very inany of the democrats in 1793, particniailv in the wellern ])arts of Pennr\lvania, were rank j icoSii\s and dilorgani/ers. Ti'.ev (offered violence to the iTovernment, and raired an inCiMrc^Hon \o fiee thcmfelvcs from a uaUry excife on wliilkev, one ol the mofl; rational and falntarv taxes ever deviled. Moft of thofe mei\ who then violated the laws in this relpetl arc now (Iremio'is fnpporters ot the government. On t!ie other hand, the federal! Its of 1793, 4, ,5 and 6, were 7/.mIoiis ^^ friends of order and good government.'* Ttiis was with them a fort of watch- word. They were ardent fiipnotters of the honour of the condituted au- thorities, which they identified with their own. A very lartre portion of them (till adhered to the good old faith and prattice. But tnere are too many who are as arrant jacobins and diforganizers, and as ripe for tumult and commotion, as the mofl violent of the democrats in 1793. They may murmur and may curfc me for this declara- tion as much as they pleafe. I care not. They may exhauft Ernulphus' whole colleftion of malediClions on my devoted head. Bat were thcfe maleditlions ten times told over, tliev would not efface from their efcutcheon the foul blot of jacobinifm. A jicohin is a man of vio- lence in politics — an enemv to le^^fil government — and ripe for revohi''on. This definition is fublfantially cor- 27* } 4 ■ t ■I Ittlfttii i Mr'firti i i rmt . wfe i iifi ^Sy" rr^ Slf^ Tiir. oLivF, M HA. veil. reft. And therefore every man Is a jacobin, wlio is (or Jtriilinii to Elhn, the P)e/iJcnt of the United States, chofcn by the unbiiiderl votes ot a tree nation. Every man is a rank ](Uob:n, wlio is kn puttinjr down the admitiijhatio)t bv loice. Every nian is a rank jacobin, who witli Mr. Kinir ot Manacluifclts, reiraidlefs of ilecencv, decorum, propriety, or dij^nity of eharafter, threatens the prehdent in an inuendo with n halter. To the difgrace ot the houfe ot reprefentatives of the United States, this vile piece ot Billinglgatc was fnflered. Every fnan is a rank jacobin, who, witli Mr. Coleman, prefers zoar with all its horrors, all its dtvajlations, to a continuance of the prcfent ad mi III jl ration. Every man is a rank, furious, envenom- ed, and dangerous jicobin, wlio, witli Mr. Blake, a quon- dam democrat, ic'izcs ihii advantage of a diitrefling war, to organize one portion of tliis nation again 11 the rell.* In fine, every num who wilhes tiic minority to trample down and rule the majority — who himfelf oppofes, or "who excites oj)porition to the laws — who feeks to difiolve the union under any pretext whatever — who defends the enemies of his country right or wrong, and flanders and * Mr. Blake is likely to a be conspiruniis character. Tf things that can he tMagineil, ivhich ounlit not to be dtplned, and avoided, as /Ae HEAVIEST OF CALAMITIES, if Us tendmcy is topeipeluate ,s %\ ' 'I m »-■'» I , 'V 'I IS i-n i . ;}' M .'i«'U fHfc OI-IVK lll(.\Nl!H. pntvei- in I fit prqff'gtite hands that for iixteen yearf hnvt gnverneH thh uttf happy cuunl'j/.' The man who can re;ul thcfe dcclanitions wltlioiit flnul- dcring with liwnor, unill li.ivc his moral tcchii^s dcllioy- C(l, or at IcaU bkiiitcd to an extreme dej^iec. 'riiefc 'en- timents huvc appeared in other papeis befides the New York Evening l*olL This parrivatiuM ot it there, finds the antipathies of his loids and nialtcrs transferred to many of thofe whofc fellow citizen he intends to become. To fome ol thefe narrow, infatuated, bigottcd, and illiberal men, a Hottentot, or a CafFrarian, or a Japanefe, would be more acceptable than an Irilhman. One circumftance — were there no other on record — ought to endear to Americans, the name, the country of an Irilhman. It has a high claim, not cancelled, on the pen of the hiftorian. It has not yet had juftice done it. Let me grace my book with the narrative. Duiing the American revolution, a band of Irifhmen were embodied to avenge in the country ot their adop- tion tiie injuries of the country of their birth. They formed the major part of the celebrated Pennfylvania line. They fought and they bled tor the United States. Many of them fcaled their attachment with their lives. Their adopted country vas fhanietully ungrateful. The wealthy, the independent, and the luxurious, for whom they fought, were rio'.ing in all tiie comforts and fuperflu- ities ot life. Their defenders were literally half ftarved, and half naked. Their fhoelefs feet marked with blood their tracks on the highway. They long bore their griev- an«"es patiently. They at length murmured. They re- monlfrated. They implcred a fupply of the nece^Tarics of life. But in vain. A. deaf ear was turned to their complaints. Thev felt indignant at the cold negleft — at the mgratitude of that country for which fo many of their companions in arms had expired on the crimfoned field of battle. Thev held arms in their hands. They had reached the boundary line, beyond which forebear- ance and fubmidion become meannefs and pufillanimity. As all appeals to the gratitude, the juftice, the generofity of the country had proved unavailing, they determined to try another courfe. They appealed to its fears. They mutinied. Thev demanded with energy that redrefs tor which they had before fujjplicated. It was a noble deed. Li THE OLIVE BRANCH. 323 liere, from his loids 3fc tellow (e narrow, entot, or a stable than I record — country ot ed, on the ce done it. f Irifhmen their adop- •th. They enHfylvania lited States, their lives, etui. The tor whom id fuperflu- alt ftarved, with blood their griev- They re- nece^tarics ed to their negleft — |fo many of crimfoned ids. They ih forebear - hllanimity. generofity determined lars. They redrefs for noble deed. I hope in all fimilar cafes, fimilar meafurcs will be pur- fued. [Let me digrefs for a moment. I cannot refill the temptation to bear my teftimony again ft a condatt con- fiderably analogous to what I have reprobated. Philadel- phia was lately ftruck with fear of an invadmg toe. Thoufands ot citizens, many ol them hundreds o( miles remote trom us, volunteered their ferviccs in our delence. Tiiey left their homes, their fire- fides, their parents, their wives, their children, and their bufinefs, to protect us. And we made them a bafe return. Thev pined and lan- guiihed in the hardlhips of a camp, negle6ted, grofsly negleded by thofc for whom they were piepared to rifque their precious lives. Contributions were requefted by the committee of defence for the comfoit of the foldiers, and for the fupport of their wives and children. It is painful to ftate, that in a city where there are probably one hundred pcrfons worth above 2,50,000 dollars--- thirty worth 3 or 400,000-— and fome fiippofcd to be worth millions— -the whole contribution did not exceed 5,000 dollars— a fum which half a dozen individuals ought to have contributed themfclves. " The quality nf mercy is not strained ; ** It (lroi>petli as tlie gentle ilew from heaven *• L'pnn Uie plain htiieatli It is twice bless'd, *' It blesseth him thai gives, and him that takes." The fun has not (hone on more defpicahle conilufl.] To return to the Pennfylvania line. The intelligence was carried to the Britifli camp. It there fptead j;, {;»"'" ci'Vpt among the helots of Spuria. I hare is not m natioiitil tii line: tliiit I'as not been insiiiied ami irodiien umier fnot; a nationtil r trlit th.it lins uol l)een withheld, untd teai' forced it from ihr Rrasj) ol Ki,Kl'i"d ; or a dear, or ancient prejudice, that has nni bcefi violHtcd in that abnsepres- aiont. Centuries have toitneused the struggles of Jr hnid — but with only partial success. Rebellions and msuireclions iiave continued ■with but short intervals of tranquility. N'any of the Frisb, like the French, are the hereditary foes of Great Britain i^ ^Imevica has opened her arms to the oppressed of all nations. No people ha\e avail- ed themselves of the as\luni with more alacrity or in Riefiter numbers thin the Irish. (^ High is the meed of praise, rich the regard, ■which Irishmen have merited from the gratitude of Jlmevica. .\H HBHOES AXD STAlBS.VlfciN, THEY liONOUii THEiK ADOPl'ED COUNTRY." The above fublime and corre8 tribute of praife, is ex- tratled from the Federal Republican^ of June 22, 1812, • See pamphlet, entitled «• The United States and England," p. 90. % s .A i-f ■■'•J »-"•• — - •>4.8 TllK OLIVE BRANCH. and forms pait ot" an unanimous atidrcfs aarceJ \o by the JeJcral members ot the Icgiflatuie ot Mar) land, pubhlhcii in cunlequcnce of the Baluniore riots. CHAP. XLl. Addretis to the Federalists of the United Statea. Gentleme;;, I i u-u -n An attentive perufal of the preceding pages can, 1 lopc, hardly have tailed to place me beyond the fufpicion 1 ot tiie defplcable vice, flattery — and mull give to my coinincnddtion at lealt the merit ot fincerity. Alter thefc introductory remarks, I make no fcrnple to (ic'cl ire my decided conviftion, that in private life I know <){' no party, in ancient or modern hiflory, more oiU:tled to rofpeil;, to cfteem, to regard, than the Amerl- ta:i tcderalills in general — in all the focial relations ot liufb.m Is, parent!;, brotb.crs, chiidien, and friends. — i iiere are exceptions. Rnt they aie as tew as apply to any l)ody equaliy numerous. Political prejudice, or the wided diifviience ot opinions, has never fo far obfcured my vii'ual r:iy, as to prevent me from difccming, or my realoninor faculty froin acknowledging this ftrong, this honourable truth — the more decifive in its nature, tro in )e nor pronounced by a po >lit:cal opponent. But, fcilow citizens, after this frank declaration in vour piaife as to private life, aiid for priv«jte virtue, bt me freely difcijfs your public conduct. Believe me I mean not to ofl'ond. I trufl I {hall not. I addrefs you the words of truth. Tl:e crifis forhids the ufe of ceremo- ny. I hope you will give the fu' j Z:!: a lerious confidcra- tion- uul receive witii mdahieme wlrat cman ■ !> ;tcs f lom •andi idf or ana triendiir.p iih THE OLIVE nUASCH. a^o I believe there Is not to he found in tlic wideft range of hiftory another inftdncc o\ a party fo enlightened, fo in- telligent, fo refpertable, and in private lite fo viituons, yielding themfelves up fo hiindiv, fo fuhniinivciv, and with fo complete an abandonment ot the plainell dic- tates of rcafon and common fenfe, into the hands ot leaders fo undeferving of their confidence. In and alter the days of Wafhington, you ftood on a proud eminence — on high and commanding ground. You were tlic friends of order and good government. You were trem!)lingly alive to the honour of yoin- cotmtry. You ideuttlied it " "h your own. But it is difhcult to find a more ' occ 'e change in tlie - ..du'i of anv hody ot men thati has laken place with vour leadcTS. The mind can hirJiv conceive a greater contraft than between a genuine Wafhingtonian federaliil of i-qo, i. 2. 3, 4, 5, and 6, and the Boitonian, wlio, covered with the pre- tended mmtle of W.iihington fcdcialifm, deftrovs the credit of iiis own government — and collets the nut.diic medium of the nation t>) follcr tlie armies preparing to at- tack and lav it wafle. Never were holy terms foprolfi- tuted. Walhington from heaven looks down with in- dignation at fuch a vile pervcrnoii ot the authority ot his name. Let me requefl your attention to a few faBs — and to refiecviions and queries, refulting from them — I. Your proceedings and your views are eulogized in Montreal, Quebec, Halifax, London and Liverpool. The Courier, and the Times, and the Morning Chroni- cle, and the Ledger, and tlie London Evening Port, and all the government papers are loud and uniform in your praife. (Jrf" This is an awful faB, and ought to make you paufe in your career. II ^Your party rifes as \our country finks. ^ It Jinks as your country ri/ei This is another awtul t^ct. It cannot fail to rend the heart ot every public fpirited man among you. For the love of the God of peace — by tlie fhade of Wafhington, by that country that contains all you hold dea-^. f adjure you to weigh well this fenlenct 28* r^ k aI % • ■ ,1 % 330 THE OLIVK liHAXCH. ^ you fink as your country rif'u Yes, ll is itidnbitably fo. It is a terrific and appulling truth, And ^^ \ou rife at thatilfffwnchniiJ'icenited, pfrifn\n>r, htlrayed coun- try finks. " i would Kuhcr be a doi^ and bay the inoon," than Hand in tins odious prcdica)nent. III. Had there been two or tlirce furrendcrs likp Gen- eral Hull's — had Copenliagenifm befallen New-Yoik, or Piiilidclphia, or Baltimore, or Charlefton — or bad our Conflitutions, and United States, and Prefidents, and C'tnneilations, and our Poiters, and Dccatnrs, and Bain- bridge.;, and Perrvs. and Hulls been funk or carried into Halifax, your leaders would have been crowned witli complete fuceefs. They would have been waited on a fpring-tide to that power which is *' the God of their ido- latry." ^^ Every event that pieds lufhe on the arnn of Anifnca is to them a defeat. It removes to a diftaiu c the prize to which their eyes and efforts are direif-K*d. ^^But every arcumfhmce that entajls difgrace or dijlrefs on the cou>itry, zvhether it be hanki upfcy, defeat^ treachery, or cow- ard' ce, 1! auft)ic7ous to then views. IV. (J:^ Never has th^ fun in hu ,r!oriou.s courfe, beheld fo eflimahle^ fo refpeclahle, fo enlightened a party as you are, ni the fr^rlitful fiuation, in which the ambition of vour leaders, and your own tame, thoughtlels, inexplica- ble acqiuefcencc, have placed you. V. By iulniinations [rom the pulpit — by denunciations from the prefs — gj" by a profufe ufe of Britifh government ■ hills — by unufual, unneceffary, hoftile and oppreflive drafts for fpecie on the New-York Banks — and by vari- ous other unholy, treafonable, and wicked means, the leaders of your party in Boflon have reduced he govern- ment to temporary bankruptcy — have produ .ed the fame cffeft on our banks — have depreciated the flocks and al- inoft every fpecies of property from lo to 30 per cent. VI. Thefe treafonable operations have ferved the , caufe of England more efTeftually, than lord Wellington could have done with 30,000 of his braveft troops. They have produced uicalculable, and to many remedilefs dif- Irefs. ' ^^^W 9 i^iB, mmmr^wv^ THE OLIVE nUAXCH. 331 VII. C'^" Apcr having thus treafonabh dKJ}ro\ed the L-redif of tht govnnm-nit, o/id of their j'lron^ejl accu/atiuns is, that It ii banknipt* VIII. VVitli equal juftice mitrht a man wljo tics anot'ier neck and heels, aiul gis^s him, blow out his biaiiis tor not fmging Yankee doodle, or dancing a f iraband, ;is thofe who produce bankruptcy inculpitc the bankrupt with his forlorn and defpcrate circumftinces. IX. There is no other co.nitry in the world, where tliefe proceedings would not be puniihed feverelv — in many capitally. Tncir guilt is enormous, clear, and in- difputable. They flrike at the fatety and even tlie exift- ence of fociety. X. By the fedition Iaw+ena8ed by fome of tliefe very men, and their followers, heavy fines and tedious impiif- onment were awarded againft offences incom])aidbly in- terior. XI. While you fupport leaders, whofe career is fo in- iquitous, were you in private lite as pure as archangels, yoj partake largely of the guilt ot thofe whom you up- liold ; whofe power of deftruBion depends on your fup- port ; and wiio would fink into infignincance, bat lor your countenance. XII. If the pretext, or even the ft romr belief, on the part ot a minority, that a war, or any ot:icr meafure is un- juft, can v^Mrrant fuch a Jacobinical, feditious, ajid trea- fonable opoofuion as the prefent war has experienced, no government canexift. The minority in all countries, uniformly denounce all the meafures they have oppofed, as unjult, wicked, unholy ur unconftitutional — or all uni- ted. XIII. The mofl; unerring chara6lerlftic of a defperate • It is impossibU for iHngnage to convey tlie contempt nnd abhorrence that are »'arned by somo of the canl'mg, winning speuclies diliveied in congress on the bankruptcy of the government by men who were deeply .guilty of proilucing it— wIiosl- trortson^ble efPn-ts have been crowne(i with success — wlio have largely coiitiilintetl to hhist the most cheering pi'Osi)acts 'hat heaven ever vonchsalVc) to accord any of the hiiiian race 'I'he tears thus she. I, arc exactly typifiml by those that so pleiUiCiilly fall from the voracious croooJilc over the prey he is going to Oevour. t See page 2'. 1 1 J 333 THE OLIVE DRANCM. faflion Is (Jir an uniform oppofition to all thi weafincs prnl)i>l?d hy if.i opponents, whether good or had^ and (JmT without offgrniiT fnhjtitutes. The more rlaiigerous the crilis, A\v\ the more neceirary the meafures, tlic more iii- lallible the criterion. XIV. This charartcridic cxaBlv and moft indifputa- bly applies to yoiu leaders. The country is ou the b^ink o\ perdition. Yet they have oppofed and defeated every meafure devifed tor our falv.ition. Thev appear deter- mined to deliver us tied hand and foot into the power ot the enemy, unlefs they can feize tlic reins of govern- ment. XV. You profcfs to be difciplc; of Wa(hine.d chalue' will not, at no very didint period, be retained to \')\\\ own lips ? XXII. Y'^n profefs to dc fire peace. I firmly believe you do. But aie aivifk-us, and difliaMions, and enven- cnied ("cKlions, an I threatened infurrettions, tlie feed to iow for a liHvoR ot peace ? XXIII. Al! the fc'ditious and treafonahle nieafurcs adopted m B>Ii.)n and eliewhere, to barafs, cripple, and cinbarrafs vour {TovernuK'nt, have ii.id, previous to the war, a\\ ine\iti'>lc ten Iciicy to enable Great Britain to tcLT'iI.ite, controul, -md ' -Ih :(ht your commerce— and to i :t at defiance all the attcnipts to procure redrefs — and fiuce the war, their tenden<:) has been to prolong its ra> va.^cs XXIV. Are von picpared — can vou reconcile \our- fclves to incur all t.ie nhpie — to funi-r all the ruin that a levoiution will inf.illit)ly produce, to ciia'olc Kittus King, 'I'imothv Pickeiing, Chriftophcr Gore, C)ius Ki'.g, and Daniel Wehller, to (eize the reiiiS of govern- ment, and exile '''to EI/ui"-— or' execute with Cyrus 'King's celebr«»ted '' haiirr'" your veneral)le fi. If n.ngis- Irate ? Sipnofc t;iev fuccecd, what will be the advautdj'C fo y( 'P!. u individual .'v o ■ I I -■■v* •.j^aiis -iifc - -Ki'Ti- »3i THE OLIVE nnANOIt. 1 plead not, fellow-citizens, for democracy — I plead not for fcdcrdlifin. 'I'hcir diflcienees lidve funk into niter infignificance. Were the (ontell between them, I ihould not have foiled a (ingle Iheet of paper. I plead again (l jacobinirm — 1 plead again fl tafchon — I plead a- gainll attempts to " overawe and contioul the conftitiited aiithoiitics.'* 1 plead the caule of order — of govern- ment — of civil and religions libeity. I plead tor the belt conllitution the world ever faw — 1 plead tor yonr own honour as a p.at) , i^ivlnch it 171 the utmojl jeopardy. I j)lead tor youi l)leednig country which lies proflrate and detencelefs, picrcccl with a thoufand wounds — I plead for your aged parents, for your tender children, lor your beloved wives, tor your pofterity whofc tate depends upon your conduct at this momentous crifis. 1 i^lead for your eftates which are going to ruin. All, all, loudly implore you to withdraw )our fupport from thofe who ate leagued for their dcftruHion, and who make you inftruments to arconinlilh tlicir unholy pur- pofes. You are on the verge of a reaping vortex, ready to (wallow up yourfclves and your devoted country. To advance a fingle (tep may be inevitable perdition. To the right about. It is the path to honour, to fafety, to glory. Aid m extricating your country from danger. And then it you fele6t calm, and dilpaflionatc, and mo- derate candidates for public otTice, there can be no doubt of your fucceft:. I am firmlv perfuarled that nothing l)Ut the intemperate and unholy violence of your leaders has prevented you from having that (liarc of influence in the councils of the nation to which your weahh, your num- bers, your talents, and your viitues give you fo fair a claim. The conftitution may be imperfcff. Every thing hn- man partakes of human infirmity and human error. It has provided a proper mode of amendment. As foon as peace is re(fored, and the fermentation ot public palTions has fubfided, let the real or fuppofed detefts be brought fairly forward and fubmitted to the legifl.itures, or to i>er coiwTe to fteer at this momentous crifis ! And nidv l»c extend to our common country that gracious biefTinir wliich brought her fafely through one revolution, without entailing on us the frightful curfes infeparablc from another ! POSTSCRIPT. Ja ' lary 9, tsia. As the apprehcnfions on the fubjcft of the d /^olution of the union, which are repeatedly cxpieffcd ii das book, and wliich have led to it'* publication, a: ' treated by ma 7 as chimcrical---and as the refult oi the Ha tford conven- tion, juft publiihed, appears to countenance the idea that the danger is overrated, the writer, in )uftification of his fears, fimply dates, that even admitting that the leading men to the eaftward do not contemplate a dllToSution of the union, it does not by any means fodow that wc arc fafe from fuch an event, while the public pafTions are fo conflantly excited, and kept in fuch a high ftate of fer- mentation. It is an eafv procefs to raifc commotions, and provoke feditions. But to allay them is always ardu- ous—often impoflible. Te^ men may create an infutrec- tion— which one hundred o- ^ jual talents and influence may be utterly unable to fupprefs. The weapon of pop- ular difcontent, eafily wielded at the outfet, becomes, after it has arrived at maturity, too potent for the feeble grafp of the agents, by whom it has been called into ex- iftence. It hurls them and thofe againft whom it was fii ft employed, into the fame profound abyfs of m'.fery andl i35 THE OLIVE BRANCH. deftnifllon. Whoever requires illuftration of this theo- ry, has only to open any page ot the hiftory ot France from the era ot the national convention till the corn- mentenient of the reign ot Bonaparte. The ftyle of a poition ot tlie writing that appears in fonie of our papers, will jultity the autiioi fion» the charge of nifanity, in the appiehenlions he entertains on this fuhjed. a. g. " (Jn or hefore the 4lh of July, if James Madison is not out of ofiice, a neiv form of government -will be in upemiion in the eastern section of the union histantltj ofter. the contest in many of the states iviil be ivhether to adhere to the old, or join the if to zovernmant. Like every thiiijj; else tbritoUt ycai'S ago, and vvhicli is verified every day, lliis warn- ing will he also ri