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1 2 3

THE

OLIVE BRANCH,

FxVULTS ON BOTH SIDES,

FEI^ERAL AND DEMOCIIATIC.
A SERIOUS APPEAL ON THE NECESSITY OP

MUTUAL FORGIVJiNESS

AND

HARMONY.

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

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;ir<l«d, it in of inf.
t)i!e viomenl, l/,al ynu shoultl properly estimate the inivn-nse value of
your inilional union, to your cflltcnve and individual l,appincs'< i that
you should cherish a eoidtal, habitual and tmmoteahe attachment to it ;
accustomivo i/oiirselvcs to think and speak of it as of the putladiuw of
ynvr political safely and piosperisy ; watching fir its pnservution with
jeal'iU^ anxiety ; discountenancing whoever may suuges. eitn n suspi.
ci'tn thai it (an in any event be abumloned ; and indignantly fioitning'
vpon the first dawning rf every attempt to alien any portion of our
couoliy fiom the rest, or to ehfeeble the sacred ties which now link to-
gether the various pat ts.

" .All <>l»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<tniiiiis!ra(!nii Ihr minor of 'Aw ill conrrrh'd and inroti(:i iions
priijirts of fu<ii<)ii, r.illtcr llian tlif organ of ronsistt nl and « lioie-
suiiie plans, di|i;rs(('d l»y coiiiiiiui) counsels, and modihed by nintnal
inlrrosis

• IIos*fV('r combinations or associalioiis of ilii* above dcacriptioii
may no^^ uitd tbcn answer popTilnr ciid^, (hey ar«' liktly, in Ibc course
of linic mid things, to become poient engines, by which cunnintr,
^imbitions and unprincipled men will be enabUd to tmlivert \\\q power
of the people, and to usurp to themselves the leius of governmcnl ;
deslioyiiig aficrwards the very engines which iiave lifted them to un-
just dniiiinion.

" Party spi,it serves always to distract the public councils, and enfeeble
the public administration It agitates the community tvith ill founded jeal-
ous ei and false alarms ; kindles the animosity of one part against another;
foments occasionally not and in^uriecfion ; and opens the door to foieign
infuence and corruption, tehich find a facilitated access to the government
itself through the channel of party passions^ Thus the policy and will of
one country are subjected to the policy and will of another?^

lit

THIS nooK,

(AS A MARK OFGRAHTL'DE FOR

INESTI.MABLIi BLKSSINGS ENJOY KI),

IN LIBERTY 01' PERSON, LIBERTY OF PROPERTY, AND

LIBERIY OF OPINIONS,

TO A DECREE NEVER EXCEEDED IN THE WORLD,)

IS REM-ECTrt'LTY DEDIC.VTEU

TO A BELOVED BIT BLEEDING COUNTRY,

TORN IN PIECES

FACTIOLS, DESPERATE, COiJVUI^IVE, ,\^D

RUINOUS STRUGGLES FOR POWER.

IT IS LIKEWISE DEDICATED TO THOSE

MILLIONS OF HUMAN BEINGS,
WHO NEITHHR HOLD NOR SEEK OFFICE,
BUT WHO ARE MADE THE INSTRUMENTS
« OF THOSE WHO DO SEEK THEM :

AND WHO, WHILE A FOREIGN ENEMY PRESSES

A I THEIR DOORS,

ARE ENFI*EBLED, KEPT FROM UNION,

AND EXPOSED TO RUIN,

TO GRATIFY THE AMBITION OF

A FEW MEN,

(NOT ONE IN FIVE THOUSAND OF THE WHOLE

COMMUNITY)

WHO HAVE BROUGHT TO THE VERY VERGE OF DES

TRUCTION, THE FAIREST PROSPECT THAT

EVER SHONE ON ANY NA1 ION.

BY THE AUTHOR.

JV'ev. 8, 1814.

■i:3w

fc !

r'**"^;,.

_v<^V •

<^Sf^'~''^

i¥

GO, OLIVE BRANCH,

imO A COMMUNITY, WHICH, DRUGCJED INTO

A DEATH LIKE STUPOR,

BEHOLDS WITH UxNPARALLELED APATHY

THK

PILLARS OF THE GOVERNMENT TEARING AWAY,

PROPERTY SINKING IN VALUE—

THE COUNTRY

PROSTRATE AT THE lEET OF A RUTHLESS FOE j

ANARCHY RAPIDLY APPROACHING j

A NUMBER OF AMBITIOUS LEADERS,

KEGARDLESS OF THE COMMON DANGER,

STRUGGLING TO SEIZE UPON THE GOVERNMENT,

AND APPARENTLY DETERMINED

THE COUNTRY SHALL GO TO PERDITION,

UNLESS THEY CAN POSSESS THEMSELVES OF POWER;

AND, WITH THIS VIEW, OPPOSING AND DEFEATING

EVERY MEASURE,
CALCULATED TO ENSURE OUR SALVATION.

APPEAL, MY LITTLE BOOK, TO THE PATRIOTISM,
THE HONOUR, THE FEELING, THE SELF-INTEREST
' • OF YOUR READERS, - '• '

TO SAVE A NOBLE NATION FROM IMPENDING RUIN*

■— ;-^y!aateae-.:f;:

PHKI AC K

TO THE FUiST EDITKLV.

I sup.Mir lliis liUle uork to my fVllow-citi/eiis \\'\{\\ an
iincoinrn.))) (Icr^ree of Kolk-iliide am! anxiety. Tlif siilijcct
it tMiiIinicfs, uikI the ohji-et it Ikjs in view, are nf inexpnssi-
ble ?nai;nitii(Ie. 'I'lie siihjeet is tlie present erilieal silujitioii
ot'tlie United Stutes, uiih the causes that have led to that
situalioii ; the ohjeet, to dissipate party rage and rancour,
and restore harmony in the eommnnity.

It cannot he any Ions*er (Kmhtcd that there exists a con-
spiricy in \e\v-Kni;lan(l, amoni^ a few of the m<'tst wealthy
and iisiiiiential citi/ens, to ettect at every ha/aril a dissolu-
li(»n of the union, and to form a separate con fe(h:> 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 <!, imlilisliod under tl>e signature of Pulli^.m, in llie
Conn, client Co'"'" t, 1790. Sec piigc '-.uV

'¥

>.. » ^e^. —

^ SI*" -*

rui-iwrr.

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, theern<dty of this prncedtire, it is need-
le 5S to deseanf. It is Ireatiny; tiie hii^iiest [Miblie Inneliona-
ries of the country, eiiosen by the unbiassed su(lrai;es oi' a
free people, worse tiwin we should treat the veriest rascal
ill sneiely. 11* he were accused ot'any crime whatever, his
delViice would be palienlly heard bcf'iire sentence was pro-
nounced. But our iirst magistrate, and other public oi^eers,
arc accused, tried, and condemned, without a possibility ui'
delVnee. •

Tiiis is a s;rcat and deplorable evil — an evil so inveter-
ate, as to render a reine<ly almost hupelcss. It is hardly
possible lor any government to stand against such an unjust
system. It is pregnant with the most awful consecpiences
(o society.

I am not to be told, that there are many papers devoted
to the defence of the government ns well as to run it down.
This 1 well know; but this dies not remove the danger.
Such is the folly of the times, that the mass of our citizens
eoafine themselves to those papers calculated to strengthen
their prejiidices. They rarely read defences if any appear.
And thus it is not surprising that those prejudices become
daily more and more inveterate — and that through the ad-
dress and inthistry of artful men, they are prepared to over-
turn that Constitution, to whose abuse and perversion they
ascribe all those suiTerings which have really flowed from
the rapacity and injustice of the belligerents.

Besides the party in New-FJngland, who are determined
on a separation of the States for their owu aggrandi/.emqnf,

"N,

-*S^'^,

^;'<-^'"

IMinFACK.

fli

—.there H ore hi the tnid'lle Statcn Ofjiially diincjorotj-f.
They nro (laily eii;j;;i^c(l in prepuriii^ tin* (miilic njiinl lor
»c'i'/AUu; ill ' reiii4 or^overtiiiKiit hy violcMice, uiul expcilini^
the |)iil)lie riiiiti«»nurioH.

Wilh (lie!*e ^t'litleinen, it is n fiivorite idiMi '"to Hetul the
Presideul to Klli.i," nnil niipply Wm jihiee with (mip of tlitir
oun IViendA. and lliiiHiiuve tlie |nM»|)le the iieeesxily (if* ais-
otluT (deelion. Mr. IJarent ((ardeiiier, of Ne\v-York, uimI
a few vioK'nt men in Cohi!;ie.ss, are the most active ni' this
|))\rty. All (heir talents and industry are devoted tn thi-«
vile jinrpose.

Tliis (l)l()(»d and murder — lanterns and gnillotine^ apart)
— is a.s revolnliiMiary, as disori^iuiizinj^, as jaeohiiiii-aj u
projest as any of those of Danlun. Le^en«lre, ^ii^rat, IV'Tkiti,
or liobespieri'o, in the early stages of tlie Frerieli re>i)!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

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)<iit iitii(|iie ill the hinlory of the worhl.

Our form of i;i.vrrmncnt has prohahly lint one material
dtJ'i'i't. It wanis a diif de^r♦'e ot'eiicr^y, parliciihirly pend-
ing war. If it were free fioiu lhi»i, it mi^ht last as lungns
tlie liorMaii ^o\ cniment.

This defei't must lie a sniijeet of deep and serious regret

to all

lod men, not merely our eotemporaries or eonnlry

men, Imi to tiioAe in tiitnre times and (li>«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 <lnly of all ^ood eitizens to nji-
hold and support it. Unt all eoiisidetations of duty apart,
mere selfishness on^ht to prompt all men who liave any in-
terest in the wi'Ifare of the eonnlry, who have any fjiinj^ to
lose hy convulsions, an<l tumults, and er.nfiision, and anar-
ehy, to cliiiiji; to and uphold the ejovernnn'iit. w herelty they
ari' pittti'tted in the enjoyment of all the hles«iini;s «»f life.

Hut it is asvfiil to relate, and is without |ireeedent, that
a l)u\<e pioport'on of the wealthiest men in the eonimnniiy
have liiMMi as >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 Ray<t, the Lndlows, the Ilcm-
sens, the Ogdens, the I'earsalls, the i^enoxes, the Harrisons,
the Lawrences, the M^Cornucks,of New-York — the Will-
ings, the Francises, the Norrises, the Biddies, the Lati-
mers, the Tilghnians, the Wains, the Kalstons, i he Lewises^
of Philadelphia — the Gilinors, the Olivers, the 8tcrets,
the tiowards, the Smiths, the Bryces, the Grahams, the
C'ookes of Baltimore — and other sucii estimable federalists
throughout the Union, continue to regard with apathy tho *
dangers of their country, and not make a bold and decisive
stand to rescue her P l\o. It cannot be Heaven hns not,
I hope, so far blotted us out of its favorable remembrance,
as to give us up to such a frightful destiny. It will at this
lalu hour interpose for our salvation, and dispel the horrible

'^Ki,

X PREFACE.

mists of passion and prpjiidiee — of madness and folly —
which intercept from our view the nUyss that yawns bcibre
us, ready to swallow us np in remediiess destrucliou.

In England, the opposition to the ministry is always vio-
lent, and, like the opposition here, is loo generally directed
against all the measures of government, whether meritorious
or otherwise, liut there is in parlian^'iit a substantial
co?/Jifn/ par///, which occasionally votes with the minister,
and occasionally with the oppositioti — supporfii»g or oppos-
ing measures as conscience dictates.

It is a most unfortntiale fact, tluit in Congress the numher
of members of this description is very small. That body
may he t^enerally classed 'uto federalists and democrats,
who too frequenily vote in solid columns. There are, I
grunt, laudable exceptions. But they are too rare.

This is one of the worst features in the situation of the
country. The indiscriminate adherence to party, and uni-
form support of party arrangements, encourage the leaders
to proceed to extremities., and to adopt violent and perni-
cious measures, which the good sense of their followers may
reprobate hut from which they have not fortitude enough
to irilhhnld their support. This has been in all countries
the most frightful of the consequences of the unholy and
deleterious spirit of faction. Men, originally of the purest
hearts and best intentions, are, by this ignis fatuus, grad-
ually corrupted; and led, step by step^ to unite in acts at
whieh, they would at tlie cnninieneement of their career,
have recoiled with horror and ajj'right. J believe it is a
sound political maxim, that a thoroughgoing party-man ne-
ver was a perfectly honest politician ; for there hardly ever
yet Mtvsa party free from errors and crimes, more or lest
gross, in exact proportion to the folly or the \>ickedne8s 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.

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 <he administration — 1 sliouid consider their honour,
their intori'sts, their happiu'^ss, or their safety, as dust in
the l.'alance compared with the salvation of eight millions of
people.

It is diAicuIt to conceive an object more worthy of the
eftorts of aTi ardeut mind. A review of history will e<m-
vince any reasonable or candid person, that there never was,
and indubitably there is not at present a more interesting
porti(»M of the human species, than the inhabitants of the
United Slates. There never was a nation in whicli ail the
the solid blessings and comforts of life were more fully en-
joyed tlu n they are here, and where they were secured by
such slender sacrifices. 1 am not so blind an admirer of
the nation as not to see that it has defects. There never
was a nation or individual free from them. But take all
the leading points that give assurance of happiness. a)id
afford the necessary indieatiops of respectability — and al no
period can there be found a nation standing on more elevat-
ed ground.

The former points of difference hotwcen the federalists
and democrats have lost nearly all their consequence. 'J'hey
are merged in objects of incomparable higher moment.
Evils of incalculable mas^n tudc menace us. A powe»ful
enemy, flushed with succcsii, and with superabundant means

.^ia^

*^>*

xfl

TREIACE.

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.

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 or<ler, and
jacobins, who are endeavouring to destroy the whole fabric
of government, with the slender chance of building it up
again — between peace and harmony on one side, and civil
war and anarchy on the other. A lamentable delusion pre-
vails. The community shut their eyes against the truth on
the subject. But this is the real state of the case, or 1 am
as grossly deceived as ever was human being. And unless
some of our influential men exert themselves to allay the
storm, a few short months will exchange doubt into awful
and dreadful certainty.

While I was deliberating about the sacrifice which such
a publication as this requires^ one serious and aflecting con-
sideration removed my doubts, and decided my conduct.
Seeing thousands of the flower of our population — to whom
the spring of life just opens w ith all its joys, and pleasures,
and enchantments — prepared in the tented field to risk, and
if necessary, sacrifice their lives, for their country's wel-
fare ; I thought it would be baseness in me, whose sun
has long passed the meridian, and on whom the attractions
of life have ceased to operate with their early ^iscinations,
to have declined any risk that might arise from the effort
to ward off the parricidal stroke aimed at a country to
which I owe such heavy obligations. With this view of
the subject I could not decide otherwise than I have done.

On the execution of the work it behoves me to offer a
few remarks. 1 know it is very considerably imperfect.
It is hardly possible to prepare any book under greater dis-
advantages than have attended the Olive Branch. A large

PRE FACE.

portion of it is, therefore, crude, and indigested and witlioiit.
<»rder. Were it a treatise on morals, religion, history, or
science, which could not sutler by the delay necrssary to
mature and methodize it, 1 should be unpardonable, and de-
serve the severest castigation of criticism^ for presenting it
to the public in this unfinished state. But the exigencies
of the times are so pressing, that were it delayed till I
could digest it properly, it might be wholly out of season.

It would be unjust were I not to aeknowledg'; the numer-
ous and weighty obligations 1 owe to the * Weekly Uogisler,'
edited by H Niles, the best periodical work ever publislied
in America, from which 1 have drawn a large portion of
the facts and documenis which 1 haveenijiloyed. 1 venture
to assert that no American library can be complete without
this publication.

I have carefully studied to be correct in point of fact and
argument. But the cireumstancps under which 1 have
written, render it probable that 1 may have fallen into errors.
1 shall therefore regard it as a most particular favour, if
any gentleman who discovers them, however minute, they
may be, will frankly point them out, and they shall be most
cheerfully corrected If of sulficient importance, I shall
make a public acknowledgenient in the newspapers. If the
cause I espouse cannot be supported by truth, candour, and
fair argument, may it perish, never to lind another advocate 1

Philadelphia^ t/Vbi*. s, 18 1 3-.

PREFACE

TQ THE SECOjS^n EDITIOX.

Philadelphia, January 4, 1815.

The unequivocal and decided approbation with which
(he former edition of this work has been favoured, by re-
spectable men of both the hostile parties that divide this
country, 1 regard as amona; the most grateful circumstances
of my life. Its numerous defects — its want of method — and
the great imperfection of its style and manner — were, I pre-
sume, regarded as atoned for by its obvious and undeniable
object — the object of contributing my feeble efforts towards
allaying the eft'ervescence, the turbulence, the animosity
that pervade the community, and are pregnant with sueh
alarming consequences.

Of the time that has elapsed since its first appearance, I
have availed myself, to amplify — to methodise — and to im-
prove it. And although 1 am very far indeed frompresum-
iiii^ it to be perfect, yet I hope it will be found more entitled
to pitronage than it was in its original dishabille.

It embraces a very convulsed period of our history; and
has been written under no common disadvantages. I have
laboured under a great deficiency of various materials and
documents, wbich no exertions have enabled me to procure
— and it has been begun, carried on, and completed in mo-
ments constantly subject to those interruptions inevitable in
the |>ressure 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 m<ist stupendous
etfitrts of the hum.m mind--it has not had the slightest in-
fluenee on me in this case. It would he utterly unavailing
to coiititeract the loathing, the abhorrence I felt for enter-
ing into political discussion, or for making myself once more
an object of nt:w's paper assault, of w hich few men in private
liJV !?;ive been honoured with a greater share.

Xo. I appeal to heaven for the truth of what T now de-
clare. I soared to higher objects, far beyond stjclunarrow
views. I believed — I still believe— that a dissolution of the
uaion is cunteijiplated by a few ambitious and wicked men^

'. ' i:

NVlll

piuaAct:.

that in ihft stale ot*(rxeitement to wliich the public mind is
raised, snid which is hoiirly iiicroasiiig hy the iiiohI profligate
disroQinrd of truth and oJ' Um* welfare of the country—and
by tl>L' 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<l pray it may not. I am disposed
to envy those who are thus gifted. It diminishes the hours
of suffering. In a life so chequered as ours, this is some
advantage. But it has, like all other blessings, a counter-
poising evil. When we disbelieve in the approach of dan-
ger, we make no prep;\rations to repel it.

With these impressions I preferred risquing any conse-
quences, however pernicious to myself, that might arise
i'roin the present aildress, to a state of torpor and inactivity
— to perishing without an effort. In a sanguine moment, I
indulged the flattering, the fond, (pray heaven it may not
be, the delusive) hope that my efforts might he so far crown-
ed with success, as to make me the blessed, the happy in-
strument of arousing even one, two, or three influential
active citizens from the morbid, the lethargic slumber, into
which the commnnity has been so fatally lulled ; that these
might arouse others ; and that thus the potent spells might
be dissolved, which, in a manner unexampled in the history

',y

PREFACn.

XIX

of the worltl, make lis regard with stupid, torpid npafliy and
indirterpiicc, the actual buiikruplcy ot our t^overnmcnl (pro-
duced by a mont daring conspiraev) — the iinpendini;
destruction of our glorious (yOUKtifution, ihe work of Wanh-
in^ton, Franklin, Liviiii;:4toti, Hamilton, Jay, &c. the depre-
ciation of <!very species of property — and tlw approaehini;
ruin of our country. Should heaven ihiis hless me, die
afterwards when 1 may, 1 shall not have lived in vain.
Hhould I fail, on my tombstone shall be graven, *• maj^'nia
excidit ausis.^' M. C.

P. 9. I take tliis opportunity of 6t;\llpp; tlic neglect my applications
for public (IrxnmtMits hikI pap<T8 of v:iiioMs kiiuls have expeiii'iic<;il at
WashiiiKtoii and elsiwliere Some of tlio ijctilK'oitij (if s;tc!i cnidlnct
<)() not b«i' tlie titlu, to wlioin 1 applicil, have not coikIiscoii r<l to nn-
S'.viM- mv leltei's Anil of llic whole at \Vi'.Bliinf:lo;i not nuo foi-nisl.O(!
mcvvilli « single cotnintiiiipiiioii, oxci pt hf r.CvOi'U'-y jii;fn'iMl, Wirli'iid
Kiish, K^(| from whom I rcct ived valuable tulik'j of cxpnit",, to fill op
till" chasm in my fornur edition — and likovvl.'e >^^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 !

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
|ai<oii |>lace 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 «<f any pui t is donhlfiil, aincudmenis may he neceSAui y lo alter
or I X. lain it ^(Jr Ihtl it i.i in vain to expect tftut all will be salinjicd—
Vrre ivverHiiienlH ailmil of an eiidlevB v.niety of inodiKi alioiiM ; and
tlu '.i|Mhioiis enti'itaiiK'd of their rcn|ier(ive mi'riU are equally vu-
rioiij. VVIicii tliecoiibtiliition Mii8csiabli»hed, pcrhi|<Nno man tliut
bccMfiir snlijj'fi to it was perfeclly pleased with every part ij.j It
irii.s tlie. re.iull of »mhnil concession : and such, indeed, iiiusl always be
tile raite, when a foi iii of government is volunlariiy ucceplcd by a
eoiiiniiiiiity

" ^J^ l^ '^'fi minds of some men, there teems to be n loresllessnesSy n-htch
renders them disiatisjied with any uniform course of thivf;^, and ^j' mukes
them euiier in the pursuit of novelty, i^./^" '^^ey abound in projects, and
Q^ arc ei\'r iinditatinp some fitnciful change in the plan of ^orernvieuty
which their ima<>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(otira<je /heir followers to ex/iect that the amendments they pro-
pose will pe'ftdly suit their c««*, and produce the rrry blessings they wish '
ioiliis way they not only efiVcl their irnmeili ne ohjtct, hnl acquire
an influence which enables them afterwards lo accomplish ihi- most
disnstrons innovations Such persons Q^ eticonrage hopes that can
never be realized, and excite complaints which (^ the inoi<t wise and
benevolent admini'^tration is nnaltle to remove.

" Onr forms of government are <loni>tlcs8 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<ire of tlieir countiy.

I. vi lipparatim uftfie ^tat's cannot he effected ivithmit an
\im'nt"liate CIVIL, and an almost continual BOKDI'^-i

W\i{; and it must ineuiatahli/ place us at the mercy of
\Eii_:>;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 ..

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.

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:

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<tlly belifvfd by snjifrficiiil roailois, that party aiid ftutinn are
peculiar to rrptiblica. N«'vcr was ihore u guMier irr«»r There is
hardly a body of mm, \\o« small or iiiHii;itifituiit snevt^r, thai is not
disturbed more or less by p^irty dix! ficMoii Wiihii) lh«> 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

±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:

THE OLIVE BRANCH.

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

THE OLIVS BRANCH.

• p

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«

i ^— ^^^>;*.»eti»»"'*^>^•

-.../*- -.-

THE OHVB BRAXCH.

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*

■*!'

va f"*-"

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

^ mm

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.

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

;":*^„

THE OLivn rr.Axcit,

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.

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 auth<irity or power, they
divested it of, to be^tow on tiie state governments, or
reserve to the people, was regarded as an important ac-
quisition. Against the federcd grovernmeiit tlieir fears
and terrors were wholly directed. This was the ?fion-
struni horrenJwn — la^rens — itifor>nc^ 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

TUB OLivK nnAveit.

(

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.

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 ><f)«fi uiiliom uiu-./finrnt
and attmnation on the heroism of the ui>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.

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.

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(<t merely defenfible ; but ab-
folutelv ncceifarv and indifpenfiblc towards the fupport
of government.* To enable the reader to judge for
liinifelf, without the trouble of referring to a volume of
llie laws, I annex the document itfelf.

'§

"Stc. 1. Be it enartol hy the Senate and House of Rcpresenta-

Jivc's of the United .Slates of Auii-iicii. in Con!{irss Hssembled, That
if any persons shall unlaufully combine or conspire tnoet/ier^ ivilh in-
tent fo oppose any measure or measures of the govemmeni oj the United
Slates, which are or shall be directed Lt/ proper authority, or to im.
pede the operation of any late oj" the United States, or to iiitimidalt- or
jiifvenl any (tersuii holiiint; a place or uffi<'e in or under the {{OVfrn-
Mient c»f the Uniled States, from undertaking, pcrforiuin};, orexecnt-
iug Lis trust or duly ; and if any person or persons, with intent as

* It is but justice to avow that the writer of this hook was aa
itrdtht in his opposition to, and as much alarmed al the probable
consequences of, Mie alien and sedition laws, a> 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.

THE OLIVE BRANCir.

) I

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 >e<irs ; and further, at the
discretion of the court, maybe holden to find sureties fur his or iheif
good behaviour ia such sum, and for such time, as the said court
may direct.

" Sec 2. And be it further enacted, That if any person shall
write, priiit, utter or publish, or shall cause or procure to be uril-
teii, printed, uttered or pubiised, or shall knowingly and willingly
assist or aid in writing, pnnling, uttering or publishini; any false,
tcmxhilowi and malicious tfri/ing or xo^iting^ agaimt flte government of
t/ie Lnitcd States, or either house of the Congress of the United Stales,
or the President of the United Slates, with intent to defame the said
government, or ctlher house of the said Congress, or the said Pre-
sident, or to bring them, or either of them, into contempt or dis-
repute ; or to excite against them, or either or any of them, the
hatred of the good people of the United States, or to stir up sedi-
tion within the United Stu'es ; or to excite any unla-.vfiil combina-
tions therein, for o|)posing or resisting nay law of the United States,
or any act of the president of the United States, done in pursuance
of any such law, or of the powers in him vested by the constitution
of the United States ; or to resist, oppose, or dcA'at any such law
or net ; or to aid^ encourage or abet anij hostile designs of any foreign
jiation against the United States, (heir people or government, I hen such
person, being thereof convicted before any court of the United
States having jurisdiction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not ex-
ceeding two thousand dollurs, and by imprisoumeat not exceeding
two years.

*' Sec. 3. ^nd be it further enacted and declared. That if any pcrsoil
shuW be prosecuted under this act, for the writing or publishing any
libel as aforesaid, it shall he lauful for the defendant, upon the trial of
the cause, to give in evidence in his defence, the truth of the matter con-
tained m the publication charged as a libel. And the jury who shall try
the cause, shall have a rigat to determine the law and the fact, un-
der the direction of the court, as in other cases.

"Sec. 4. And be it further {enacted. That this act shall continue
and be in force until the third day of March, one thousand eight
hundred and oae, aad no longer: Provided, that the expiration of
the act shall not prevent or defeat a prosecution and punishment ot:
any ofi'cnce against the law, during the time it shall be in force."
July, 1798.

Tlie fate of this law holds out an all- important Icf-
foii on faction and party fpirit. Laudable and necefTary,
ris it was, and guarded, as far as a law can be guard-

THE OLIVE BRANCK.

ed, agalnft abufe, tl - oppofition to it was carried to as
•Treat an exccTs, ami it excited as much horror and in-
dignation, as iF it had wholly deflroycd the liberty ot
the prefs, and " Icfi not a trace behind.'* And in this
lenfelefs and difgraceful clamour, were engaged vail
numbers ot the bcft and mod intelligent men ot tlie
community. The Alien and Sedition Laws were made
the fnbjcrt ot an elegant, but violent and inflammatory
report, agreed to by the legitlature of Virginia, as re-
refpcftable and enlightened a deliberative body as any in
the Uiijjfd States, or perhaps in tlie world. But they
were bitten by the mad dog ot ta^iion in common with
fo large a portion of their fellow citizens, and were
feized with the prevalent diforder. They regarded the
two obnoxious laws, as inroads upon public liberty, that
required to be repelled with the utmoft firmnefs.

It would be uncandid not to flate, that the trials under
this a£t, for libels againfl the prefident, and, as far as mv
recolledion ferves me, again il fomc ot the other public
lun^hionaries, were managed with very confidern!>le 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,<?
liable to flrong objeftions. It inveftcd the prefident-
with powers that might be much abufed. But it certainly
never warranted the awful outcry that was raifed againft
it. To enable the reader, however, to form his own
opinion — and, if mine be erroneous, to reje6l it alto-
gether, Ian '\x the moll obnoxious claufe of the aff.
3*

.U*

THE OLIVE BRAKCH.

! ■!

I1:M

Sec. 1. "Be if

of I he United S/ales nf Aiiieriai, in (

emcfed b;^ (he Sprtad' and House of Hepresantalues

ovonss assembled, Th.il it sihall he

Jaw Jill for Mic PiCHidtnl «(t llie Unit<«l SiaH-s at any lime tlm ins »l>
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.

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.

... Treaty with England, ', .. '

Two minifters appointed by Mr. leflferfon, had ncgo-
ciatea a tienty With England, tiie befl Uiey could procure.

THE OLIVE BRANCl/r

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.

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?*'%»*-

itt

THE OLIVE BRANCH.

;'i ■

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;i<te; uhereuN /li.s ma-
Jcsti/ iiuiij conjiittutly appeal to the world on his uniform respect to nenhal
ri-ihts, und htf y:everal und scivpulous ndhireiice to the law o/ nations, v*uh.
out cot (icscriKii'.ig to conlras* bis eoniinet iii liuse purticulurH uiili
that ot'liiseHeiiiy : and with i«'(>ar<l tu ibeonly Kpeeitii'd cliait>e, // 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 ><ybtcu^ it' he sliomd, ihey are coiitideni that the
good sense of liu" Anjcrican {joverninent will peireive the fatal oon-
seqnrnces of su< h prelenlinns to neutral commerce, und that its
spirit and re;;ard lo national honour will prevtnt its acquiest'^nee in
sueii palpuble riolalions of its ri>;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.

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<loiied or taeilly relinquished Ins un-
just pietensinns, or (bal ibr gnvfi-iimenl of the United States tiy its
condtKl or assuianeeN, will bavt- given steurify lo bis majesty that
it will not submit to sueb itiiiovalions in the eslublisbed system of
niuritiine law : and the niiclersi^rned have presented this note from
an anxiDiis wish that it should be clearly under ilood uii both aides,
that without Huehaii abiiiidoiiment on Ihe part of the enemy, or sueh
condu«t oil the p;irl of Ihe United Slates, hi.<> 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.

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.

•..^

THE OLIVE BnAN'eil.

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.

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.

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.

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,

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,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.

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

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.

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'

imiiMn I II -

|||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

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.

^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,

'**.^1 N. »* **-^' -■-••■■*-• •xt.^t..!!^

1^'

!; I

THE OLIVE BnANCH.

ami promifcd fair to enable us to repel the enemy, fliouKi
he make his appearance.

Jianlv of ihe United States.

Among the £(rcat fin'! of tlic tirniorratic party, niii{l
be numhered the non-ienevval ot tlic chailer of th(
bank ol the United States. Tiiis ciremnllancc injmi-
oufly alTe^led the credit and (•hara6};er ot tliis country
abroad -produc<'d a great degree of itagnalicn, difticls,
and dilfieulty at home — and is among the caufes of the
cxilting einbarrallmcnts and dilliculties of the pecuniary
concerns ol the eountrv^ Weie it now in exiilenee, iti
capital might readily at any time be increafed by con-
grefs, 10, 12, 30 or 40 millions, fo as to ai<l the govern,
juent moll ciTec'lually, and fnpport the national credit.

To the renewal of the charter tliere were varicus
objections made, on the ground of inexpediency : but
thele 4iad not much influence — nor were they enter-
tained by mariv ot the members. The grand dilliculty
arole from the idea io lleadily maintained by the demo-
cratic party, that the conllilution imparted no power
to grant charters of incorporation. Many of the mem-
bers who on this ground voted in the negative, mofl: un-
ecjuivocally achiiitted the exp:diency of a renewal of the
charter.

Tliis conuitutlonal objcftion was obviated, it would
appear, unanrwerably. All the depaitments of the gov-
ernment, legillative, executive, and judiciary, had recog-
nized the inlfitution, at various times during the twenty
years of its cxiftcnce.

The courts of different ftates and of the United Staki
had fujtained varicus Jlats brought by the bank in it!
corporate cahacity — by which fo tar as depended upon
the judiciary, it had the feal of conftitutionality ftamped
on It. This was a very ferlous, important, and decifivc
circumftance.

In addition to this, a democratic legillature of tlic

)\)i.i

THE OLIVE nnANCH.

Tlnitcd States had given it a moll folcmn faiiflion. In
M.iicIj i8o.j, an utt liacl pallecl to authorize the iiiOitu-
tioii to ellahlilh hranches in the territories ot tlic United
States, v/hieh power was not einhraccd by tlie original
rhaiter. This all was pa/fed without a divijioii, zvhcn
neurly all the vitmbcrs were pre/cut. No eonflitutional
ob efciion could have been then (ugirclled ; tor luch
Tucmbers as believed the ineafure unconllitutional, would
indubitably have called tor the yeas and nays in order to
record their difl'ent.

The afl was ligned by Nathaniel Macon, fpeaker o\
the houte of re})rel"entatives, Jcdc Franklin, prefident ok"
the fenate, and Thomas Jellcilon, prelidcnt ot the United
States.

Thefe cafes, with otiiers which might be cited, pro--
duced this dilemma. They either, as I have Itated, af-
j'orded a complete recognition ol tlie conlUtutiouality
of the charter, or a crofs, palpable violation ot the con-
flitution, by the three fjveral grand departments of the

government

1 prefumc it cannot be doubted, that if a charter of
incorporation be iinconflitutional, every cxtenfion of
the powers of the corporate body niufl; be equally nncon-
ilitutional — perhaps I might go fo tar as to alleit that
every aft recognizing the charter is in the fame pre-
dicament. But it is not Receflary for my purpofc to pro-
ceed thus far.

It therefore tollows Irrcnflibly that every member who
voted tor the a6t of March 1804, '^"^^ attcrwards voted
iigainft a renewal of the charter, merely on the grounds
ot unconftitutionality, was gnilty of a maniteft, if not
a criminal inconfillency.

A circumllancc coimefted vvlth this tranfaftion, ren-
dered the impropriety ot the reje61:ion of the application
ot the bank, ftill more Itriking and palpable. The gov-
ernment held 2200 fhares of the ftocktill the year 1802,
n'hich they fold to Sir Francis Barring at 45 per cent,
advance, whereby they made a clear profit of 8399,600
beyond the par value. Thofe who purchafed of Mr.

^\f

TMF. OMVF, nnANCIt.

B^nliiiT, and licUl the Hoc '. till tlie Hifroiution of tli(?
bjiik, loll all tins rum, c.xrliidvc ol a confiilcr.iblc till-
lerfnce between the dividends and legal intercft on the
])ni chafe money. They eould never have entertained
anv douht ot the continuance of the charter. They mull
have regarded it as jjcrinanent as that of the bank (d Kn';-.
land. Had they fuppofed otherwife they wonltl not have
bongiit at fo great an advance. And it would not be ealV
to fatisfy any candid indiiferent perlon that our govern,
ment conld with propiirt v or jnllice, make fncli profit owl
of tlici;- ignorance and their confidence in its integrity
and fainiefs.

The Capture nf Tfashivj^ton,

On the 24th ot Anon ft, the capital of the United
States was taken by the encln^', Their force was fniall.
It was by no means of that niagnitude that would have
prevented the dilafter from being accompfUiied by dil-
grace. Had it l)een overwlielming, the lofs might have
excited regret, but we fhould have been fpared mortifi-
cation. But as it flarids a fuhje^l for liiflorlcal record,
the lofs, althuuiTh ver)- great, is undeferving of confider-
ation. Placed hcfide tlic dilhonour, it finks into infigni-
fjcance like a molehill placed hcfide a mountain.

I cannot flate the exatl force of tlie enemy. But
everv pcrfon with wlioni I have converfed, that faw them,
lias beeii of opinion that the numbeis were fo final 1, and
they were fo j uled and di.pirited with their m.uTh, that
had fuitable prejiarations been made, they might have been
defeated and probably captured.

Thtv landed at Benedirt, on the 16th of Ang-uff, and

proceeded in a toleiahiy ncnlar courle towan.s

f'e to

Wall

ton, which was the only ohj.'.'-t woithy of tiieir attention.
'Jliey were eight days on their march. And fo tar as I
liave learned, there was not the fl-gliteff prej)aration made
for their leccption, till one or two or three d.iys before
theii arrival at that city. It is faid that the fecrctary at

THE OLIVE BRASCIT*

ition of tlu"
idcr.ihle tlii-
tcrcll oil the
; entertained
'Vlicy miiil;
);ink ot Vav:^-
ulcl not have
I not be ealV

our govci:i.
leli jMofit out

its integrity

iS waninio:-

^ar ridiculed the idea of tlielr making an attempt on
W.ilhini^ton, till within three days ot tlie battle ol Bla-
den IbMrir.

One obvious plan oi defence, whieh would have flruck
:lie mind of a mere tyro in military afT.nrs, was to have
I'driifoned the capitoi and the I'refident's houle, with as
pou'crtul a force as could conveniently operate there.
The llreni>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

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

■w. -• -^

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

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

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.

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.

.niri^i'i'ii^E^ -

:Jt^

■4

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

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-

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.

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, iie<jueutiv of the moft fLigt,M;t kind.
Tlie charges have been palfed ovei ///; /iUnf.io, for a eon-
li Icrable time. N'.t being denied, tlicv were prefumed
to be adiniltfd. And m fact, liow can tlie puhlie defer-
iiiiue, whetiier hlence under acculalion arilcs from con-
Icioiis guill, a udi-ince upon confcious re.titurle, or a
loolilh andcjinnnal negieet of public opinion ?

f{(

«t

THE OLIVE BRAN'CIf.

I fav, '^ a crimina! ncgleEl of public op'vuon.'' Tlii'^
dcclaidtio!! is not lightly liazardcd. The chara/iler oi a
public officer is in lome fort public property. A private
poi Ion may allow his character to be defhoyed, withoiu
inflittiiig n^-isfortune on any perfon but hinifelh But the
tlelhuttion oi the chara6}cr ot a public officer is really a
public injury — as it materially impairs, it it docs iiot def-
troy his ufcrnlncfs.

There is in the hlftory of Gen. Wafliington, a cir-
cuniftancc which I have alwavs rejravded as a departure
fVoni the found, mafculine good fenie that almoft univer-
fally prefukd over his condu(:h During the revolutiona-
ry war, foniQ of the Britilh cminaries publilhed a collec-
tion of letters afcribed to him, whicli were partly genuine,
but interpolated by forgeries, and partly lette s altogether
forged. They were calculated to infpire flrong doubts
of his attachment to, and confidence in the revolution.
They were edited by a ma fieri y pen.

The attack was unavailing. The attacliment and con-
fidence in the general were unimpaired. The pamphlet
funk into oblivion.

In the year 1795, during the difcuffion that Jay's treaty
caufed, it was reprinted as if a genuine collection, an'!
had an extenfive circulation. Gen. Wafliington did not
at the time notice it. He allowed it to take its courfe,
apparently indiflTerent as to the confequences. But at the
clofe ol his public funftions, he recorded in the office oi
ihe fccretary oi ftate a lormal declaralion of the forgery
I teel convinced the procedure \va3 inj.idicious. li the
pamphlet was entitk'd to anv aniiradverhon, the proper
period was v;hen it was rejiubiifhcJ, and ot courfe when
it would produce all tlie eileft that rould rcfult from it
on his public characler.

The iiiftances of ncglefts of this kind on the part oi
Mr. Jefferfon ar.d Mr. Madiibn, are numijcrlcfs. I fliall
inftdiice only two. A clu.rge was brought forward
againil the former of having lent two millions of dollars
to France for fome fecret and finiller purpofe, which I
cannot now recolleft. It had been in univerfal circula-

THE OI-IVK BRA^•C1I.

:;9

Tton, a cir-

lioa ihroughout the union, witliont any formal or fitls-
{aiiory contradittiori tor (omc months. At length, after
it had done all the mllchicF it w.>s 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

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.

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.

)•

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 p<ut\, it rctn.iiiis to j)ertotin the lame office toi tiu.ir
(Opponents. And I leel confident, it will appear that the
latter have as much need to iolicit forgiveness of their
injured countr)', as the former. In the career of mad-
iicls and folly which the nation has run, they have acted
a confpicuous part, and may tairly difpute the palm witli
their competitors.

In the federal convention, this partv made every pofli-
ble exertion to increafc the energv and add to the autho-
rity of the general governmeut, and to endow it vvitii
powers taken horn the (late governments and from tlie
people. Bearing ftrongly in mind tlic diforders and con-
vulfions ol fomc ol the vcrv ill-balanced republics oi
Greece and Italv, their iole ohjefcl of dread appeared to
be the inroarls ot anarchy. And as mankind to()gene4al-
ly find it diific ult to fteer the middle courfe, their appre-
lienfions of the Scvila ot anarchv effe^fuallv blinded them
to the dangers ot the Clunybdis of dcfpotifm. Had th.ey
polleilod a complete afcendency in the convention, it is
probable thev would have tallcn into the oppofite ex-
treme to that which decided the tenor ot the conflltu-
tion.

I'his partv was divided among themfelves. A fmall
but very active divifion were monarcliills, and utteily
(lefbelieved in the elRcacy or fecurity ot the republi-
can form ot government, efpeciallv in a territory lo ex-
ten five, as that of the United States, and embracing fo
numerous a population as were to be taken into the cal-
culation at no diilant period. The remainder were gen-

ri/f

THE OLIVE DRANCH.

A.1

\unc republicans, men oF cnlifrhtcned views, aiul a
liitrh degree of public fpirit anil patriotilhi. '1 Iiey dit-
fcrcd as widely froni the democratic part ot that body,
as from the monarchies. It is unloitiinate that their
counrcls did not j)revaii. lor it is true in government,
as in almoft all other human concerns —

" In medio tulisRiiniis ibis."

Safely lies in the middle courfe. Violent and impaf-
fioHcd men lead thcmlelves — and it is not wonderfui
they li*ad others aflray. This party advocated an ener-
getic, but at the fame time a republican toim of govern-
ment, which on all proper occahons might be able to
command and call toith the torce ot the nation.

The following letter (beds confidertible light on the
views ot Alexander Hamilton, who took a dillinguifli--
cd part in t!ie proceedings of that relpe^.lable body. —
It is obvious t!iat a prelidcnt diUMng good behaviour,
(ould hardly be confidcrcd other tiian a prchdent for
hie.

Neto-Yojfc, Sept. l6 , 1803.

"\lYDrAR SIR,— I will m?kc no apolosiy for my di-lay in iins-
wcvinp your tnimiry K»inic Jieiit" sinrc made, beoaiisf I <?ould oftVr
none which uoulit satisfy myself— I pray you only to bflioie that it
|iro( ccdt'd from any thiii'jr rather than want of lespccl or iigard — [
sltali now comply witli your request.

"The hiiibcsi toned propositions which I made in the convention
wore for a president, senate and judges, dnrini; |;oo<-l behaviour; a
house of repre&entativea for three years. Tiiough I would have rn-
lar|{ed the legislative power of the (;eneral (government, yet 1 never
rontemplatcd the abolition of the state governments; but on the
enuirary, they were, in gome particulars, constituent parts of my
pliin.

"This plan was, in my conception, conformable with the strict
theory of a government purely repubiirnn j the essential criteria of
whirh are, that the principal organs of the executive and legislative
<!cpartments, be elected by the people, and hold their oiKces by a
responsible ami temporary cr defeasible nature

"A vote was taken on the proposition respecting the executive.
Five stales were in favour of it ; among these Virginia ; and thougli
tioiH the uvinncr of voting by delegations, individuals were not dis-
tinguished ; it was morally certain, from the known situation of the
V ;iuia members (six in number, two of them Masoti and llandolph

„if»,.. , 'H,^ .„ ...

THE OLIVE BRANCH.

pioftiniiip: pnpiil:ir iloctiiiics) that IMailisnii must have rniiriineil iit
tti< iiitc of Vii'>iiii;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

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<? in/'ala. The good fortune ot the nation
prevailed, and alter a rcHioii of about lour months, the

! ■ .<

TL'^r' —

HIE OLIVE BRANCir.

nnruri'Pi] in

fonfti'.ntion was finally agreed upon, and fubmiucd to
|nil)lio did'ufHon.

The federal party iinnicdiately took the reins, and
udininiftcrcd the jrovcrnnient of the United States lor
twelve years. Dm ing this period, its want ot fufficient
oiuM-gy, and its dang^-r troni tlic ftate governments, were
iic(iuent rul)je^ts ot inip-dHoned complaint. Kvery niati
ulio oppoled the niealures of the adminiftration, ot
what kind focver thev were, or from whatever motives,
was ftit^m. ized as a diror«rinizer and a jacobin, which
lall term involved the ulmoll extent of human atrocity ;
a jicobin was, in fad, an enemy t<' focial order — to the
r'.;Iits ot propertv — to religion — and to morals — and ripe
iur rapine and ipoil.

As far as laws could apply a remedy to the feeblencfs
ol the general government, they leduloully endeavoured
to remove the defcft. They tenced round the conflitu-
tcd authoiUies, as I have Hated, with an alien and feditiori
law. By tiie former, they could banifh Ironi our (hore?
ohno\!ous i<neigncrs whole period ot probation had not
.'\piicd. By the latter, every libel ag.iinll the govern-
ment, and every unlawful attempt to oppof'e its meafnres,
were fubji.:61 to puniihment, more or lels fevcrc, in pro-
poition to its niagrttude.

The alien law was not, as far as I can afcertain, ever
carried into eirccl;. It was hung up in terrorcm over the
heads ot levcral lorci'Tners, who, in the language of the
(l.iy, were rank jacobins, and of courfe enemies ot'
God and man. But the cafe was far diflerent with the
ledition law. Several individuals could bear teftimony
tVoin experience, to the feverity with which its fanc-
tions were enlorced. Some cafes occurred of a tragi-
comical kind, particularly one in Nev/- Jerfey, in which
tiie culprit was found guilty under this law for the
fmiplc with that the wadding of a gun, difchajged on a
icllival day, had made an inroad into, or fmged the
pofleiiors of Mr. Adams, then prefident of the United
States.

But every tliincj in this fublunary world is liable to
6*

^h!i

v-*>;4*E«*..

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.

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

»rw*i;;i*r^^

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

THE OLIVE fiHANt'K.

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.

THE OLIVE BIIAXCH.

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 a<lo|il-

I *ii liy lui <i)url«i, i'«'l:ili\i' {u luiiliiil (i;i(|»' iii artirics of vnl(i:ii-il
|irn4iMC — Pi iiK i|>l«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 iiii<iiii|niit (i suitstfuu'tiily lo liieir tirst avowstl even diir-

\ inn an mierimdiate and inveteinle n'ar, .'mil ijiii in:: tin- |»rr>si'i'iil lOn of a

Itiuiii wliic/i In no:t) intenlicted and ulli-<r,-d It) be ilUv^nl, I'ut uimli '. r.ulo
U'.is ill lliiil tiiiit^ >aii<'li<int')i by the |iro.i,u!;i:it('il (•Iciisions ot'luT
toiiis, anil Ijy uii (ifKi-ial < (Kiitiiiuii(.al lOii fimr oik- of I In- lnii'.ist

Inriiaiis of \\\v v«;iy gDVci luucit, rtliirli is i).>vv .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 <j;ie.it cautie to a|>|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 <l, ami ihf tlii'ics p:)itl t>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:i<i«'mjja-
Itidii

"111 Komf iii'ituuTH, voiif ni'iuiTi.il'ais lim! »i »• ir «f'/'«. on t'firf.rsl

Jn^^iie /rom tfie XJhiitd S'ti-i's to ltii'>j>f. ur (■

Cit rifi

I nil

'tieir

ic'trscy and ivjunously detained under t/ie vexatious pretence of a "on-

THE OLIVE P.UANCH.

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<tniu> 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 <jffii'rip,riir i>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\ a<i"«>TO 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><td as I liesr hIHih «rt<,
po>s.t<Biiin ao iiiiin<ii«ily extend"' 1 and fnlilt' lenitory, |ii wdnc'ifj; .
mostly iltt nect Kjijiiies «»t iiCf, whiili, with 'he nietcUiiKiize ol)i,i,iid
from aliioad by itie industry and enleipi iz« ot her citiz'iis, sdtis
obliiji'd (n b.MU'i, <ir iiirm.xh in |t'.iyineiil to* nnnoiiit'ons of foriM.n
prndtirc .11 'Jtifiii:*! tiiren ; it Inh^ven her flrenunHsbj to vontend fo tU
rifiht nf nil vjte» cnrnmrrre (k invncent artrclex belivetn ofhtr nutiovi that
ati JOitlin^ .o am rd it, and hersef ., for i1 Ibc ntlH *>»' noi both el nni-
eti I'l'l :tdn»a;e<i, s'-aneiy any of ibe l^nrojican itowirs <'an in fiiMire
be » DjjHtj'il In waifaic, without vmkmi.r the Vnited Sfiret, in n())<os imn
bi)t!- '.■ tier < 11(11 lb and wislirs, riTHEU A V ICTIM MR PA K TY IN THE,
CONTKHT

" Yum inefiion.ilijilP rtnueive these pretensions afi'ord ronstrtul
giio. ' f>. <it' t<.i.isi'»n, 1 oiHimially Wiidin-i (o involve these staUs n
Ihi ijiaiif of Ii«i 'tp»'aii ivais, and wnnul ohh'je the gnvernmeat rni
the o< < 111 i«.'tH.e of '<iu h vvHrs, speediiy to unite willi one oi olbtn ol
thi (»"iii«'« III iifiii- fhrtt tlie (oinrneieeof ihe eonniiy inisiht lit*-
ful « av.il iigtiC <»r tome d<',;)«e of Heeiirilv, fmni the protcelioii
whi'h Its n«ii foree. and ih it of its allies eoiild aHoid. To lli's
StHit of ibinifs, \<«m- men'oiMilmtR believe it ean iii i!li<i be t he ill-
teros' nm wish of theBi<li<^h jrovprniiu-nl to reduce our eountry

'* The iiio&l teiiaiions a'lvoeales for tlif rights of beUi'^erenisi 'i-
mil that diirinjr«,\., neutr tis have a nijht to enjoy in thenluist
lai;li>(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. <l enjoy Iiih i><-- ' praee Iradi^ in its j^ieatest
latiliide, unless this deprivation is I ,. .( by another tr;'.dc, which

riU--. OI.IVE URANCH.

•*.:

it. In nnolli. t
iiilniiMi <! uuiltf

l)!tnislii.'t> i'viiv
;, the nltntuij<,j

1 1 (o noUcf, ill
l>.>'jitioii «>f ilie
countciucinti un/i
■i<t, txlfiid !pi;

ITK 1H'.PU1£1)4
ill!KR9, LN1II,
IK OCKAN, aiiij
ily and aclstf

coir',ii«'henBivf,
inin ij 'ie»Mi)le,

IGHT- iPliNI.T
T iMPtillCANT

f iqiiitv. fnjnin

lies*' Si:H<H nt,

lory, |»it»<J'in1l^

inii(iiz<! a!)ia<iipd

••iliz«'ii8, «h»! is

nous of t'oivi.n

o contend fo >*<i

ihtr mUioiix timt

not l)oth clnni-

IS <•»•» m Ai'iire

>-, Ml f»()pos lion

PARTY IN THE,

Hfi'orii C0il8(.<lil

llitse sta(«s m

wiiveriimf lit iin

Line oi oUkm >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 /'#'«•''•

'/ <luriitf> 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 Inbumis of jnstirc have betomi' snbsti vicnt lo ni« ives of po-
litirul ('X|i('iiien('y, more e.'4 pre i ally in a nation vvbose jmlicial pio-
ceeJin^s b ive frrqiieotiy di'servcit, ami eotnn tnil' vl tbe respect of
all civiiiznl connliies— ytt tliey know no> i':i8ily bo>v lo letonrile on
uny otiit'i' i!*o<in'ls, tl.c cnnlraft' toiy p>oee(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<j, wv»utd never be iniluenccd by
the litne-serviii;; politics of tbe nionient.

" In ill event*., fully relyinsi lliat tbe snbjerl of onr difference with
(iirat' Britain will leceire the due con^idctation of unrernment •, and
ihat Siicb ineasnies »vitl in eonseqnenee he prompili/ (tdnp.'ed df. ^v\\l
tend to DISEMBAllH\SS O^^K COM M ERCE— ASSI- RT OTR,
RKJHIS—AiND. SUPPORT THE DIGNIIYOP IllEUNllED
STATES.

" Vonr inemorialints have tbe honour to remain, in behalf of their
constituents and themselves, most respectfully,

James Lloyd, juii.
Daviil (ireeii,
Arnold Welles,
David Sears,
Boston, Jan '_'L», ISoli.

John Jones,
f»r'M!ie Cabof,
Thoaiab Peikins.

To this memorial I requeft the particular attention
ot the reader. No man can pretend to form a cortcft
opinion on the condu(:l ot the two parties that divide
the nation, without being" tu'lv poflcired ot tlie tenor
ot this and the other fimilar dov:u nent.s. Bcfides the
contents, I wilh two of the fignitures to be molt par-
ticularly adverted to. Thev are thofe of George C tbot
and James Lloyd, jun. The former gentleni.in is now
on his way to the conventiou at Haitfoid, whofe pro-

JQA!^

74i

THE OLLVE BnAN«H.

I >

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, <in the liinh avns, of a larj^e portion of tlicir pro-
perty, wliicli h;ul been omhnrkcd witli the most iinbiKsptctinj; confi-
dence The feelings of your inemorislists are not only excited by
the losses wliich they have actually s»staine«l, in eonsecinence of a
measure insiisccptihle of previous calculation, hut, also, from the state
of uncertainty in wliich they are placed with respect to future coinnier-
tial pcralioiis

•»ln the recent decision, which i)rohiI)its an inipni'tcr of colnuial pro-
diu'e from exprnfinrii lo Kiirope. tliey perceivi; Mitli concern, eitlur rt
ntigatoru ami vextttious reqiilation, ot- n meditcttd blow at what tiny
(hem ail iiicovtcstiltle iind valuuhle riglit.

" If tiic arrival of a shi, in tht country to which it belongs ; tlie land-
ing of tlie cargo; the inspection of the custom-house ; the iiaynient or
security of duties, do not terniinKte a voyage, then we confess our igno-
rance on a point which, never having been before «|uestiorn d, has been
assumed by us as an acknowledged truth. !lf the entry for exportation ;
the embarkation of merciiandize ; the reinB{)ection of tlic custom-house ;
the bond for securing a delivery in a foreign coiuitry ; and a public
clearance do not indicate the commencement of a new voyage— then
ve are yet to le rn the meaning of the expression.

*' But these embarrassnients, though perplexing and vexatiotis, arc
jiot 'hose which principally occasion our solicitude; w« «re compelled
to consider the hile decisions of the British tribunals us preliminary
steps towards a system for controlling the importations and exportatlons
of colonial productions, and thereby ANNIHILATING THE MOST
LUCRA riVK BRANCHES OF OUR COMMERCE. If we owed
this trade solely to the favour of Great Britain, still we might ask what
urgent motive, what imperious necessity, required that the favour should
be resumed at a period when our comm^u'ce was spread over the ocean,
ai.d when a change so essential might destroy its security, and subject
us to incalculable losses. We deny, however, that the > 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

^K-*:

.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 <!istuil/ed the inteic^ta of tliuse ilstrutn tvhich are most rg.
viotefrom our princ.Jml {lorts, icouhl, m fm-pot tion to iktr depeudence
0/1 ffjieiLti BVppltei, be most aexei cly dt-prenKed.

•'It' Great iiit'in jiennit.* coimntrce betivecn her niibjfct" and the
colo'iea ;/ her enemies, may we not wiili the consent of those colonies,
p;.rlicil>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 <i to her own jurisiliction : and wi;
wish merely to claim for oumslvea the same meuaiire of justice, -ivh.cl.
she e.vdcCs from others.

*• This view ot the sulject, wliile it excites our anxiety, furnishes, al-
so, u resource lor our hopes ; we wish only for justice, and helievins
that a commercial natio . which disregartls justice, thereby undermint;
the citailel of her power; we rely on the eff ct of mutual interests and
wishes in promoting a cordial explanation and fair adjustment of evcrv
cause of misur.derstainling; in particular, we rely on the goverjimen'.
nf our counti't/, thut our rights rjtll not be abandoned and tint no wr-
gnment in Javour of an usurpation ivill ever be derived front otir ac
ijuiescence.

" Vour memorialists concUnle with remarking, that they deem tli:
]trcsent situation of pihlic afl'airs to be peculiarly critical and perilous;
and sBch as requires all the prudence, the wisdoni and the energy oi
vhe goTcrntBei.t, su^JporleU by the co-operation «t" all good citizens. B}

I'I'fl '

IHT. OLIVE BHANCII.

UKsTIIOr Tllf

•mission to dc-
iiue«l lull', that
tomeil liarh- m
to llic L'liitfil
I in conunii'ie
'if our cuuHlvj
:/i are most re.
,ir depeudenci

bjfct" and the
lliose colonies,
til the cnt'iiiics
l)lislifil ii) tin.t:
l)c iTtiiliatfii ill
rituiii ? ill tliat

TION ?

tratc tlic mo't
; necessity of n

of export* oi
t the power to
(Vieat Uritniii ;
ntend, is itot <i

no rule, -uihic':

ntlv iliscove! oil
:urily were rc-
) of our riglits;
mmerce of lie'
to herself ihal

Tiiniah, as t!iei"
wliich enables
es, conveys no

numernte tli^

the %icinity o^

I emalatc the

tion : and «r

justice, -ivh.cl.

furnishes, 'A-
aii(i beiieviii;.
y underniiiii.
I interests an'i
luent of ever.
e goverrimei.-
nd th it fio (II •
I from oar ac-

liey deem tlie
and perilous;
the energy oi
citizens. B)

rriUtual cxc rtions, under the benign influence of providetjco upon tliis
hitherto favoured n.tion, we hopi- the clouds which threaten lo ohsciire
Its prosperity mav be .lis elled. Jt.Vn fVH PLlinfiP. UR
U.y/TED SUPPORT LY FMOUR OF At.L THE ME.l-

sviiDS jnoPTEJ) TO vi.ynivATt: a.vi) secure the

JC^T RIGHTS OF OUR COUJSTRY.

JNtfw Yorkt Dec. 38, 1805;

Signed on behalf of the merchants, by

John Broome, chairmanf
Oliver Wolcott,
.lolin Franklin,
IsHHc. Lawrence,
Thoma- Carpenter,
.Idli Taylor,
Henry JWyckoflT,
(ieo"};e .M Woolsey,
J).ivid \\. Clarksun,
(ioelct Httyt,
ElishaCoit.
.lolin II Murray,
LtttVrt LefFerts,
Samuel \. Laurence,
lloherl Lenox,
John Murray,
George Cii'iswuld,
Henry Post,
John It. Livingston,
William Henderson,
Daniel Ltidlow,
Samuel Itnssel,
James Ardon,
William Lovet,
Edmoud Seaman,

James Maxwell,
Hen Uuiley,
Thoinws Farmer,
\V. Kdgar,
Wynant Vjjij Zandt,
Charles WH'ght,
John Do Peyster,
J. Clason,
Win Clarkson,
John U Coles,
yXrchihald (jracie,
}ienjanun C Minturn,
Willinn Hayard,
Gulian Ludlow,
Eben Stevens,
Rtnsselner Havens,
Peter Shermerhorn,
Wm. W. Woolsey,
James Scott,
Jolia P Mumford,
Charles M'Kvers, jun,
John Kane,
John Clendining,
Wni. Codman.

( 1

'fn.t

•#• -, ^A

TIIK OI.rVE BnANCIf.

CIIAP. VII.

IC.ctractsfrnm the xM'mnrial of the Merdwnis of
J'hiludciphiu.

1 proceed to ft.iti' the feniin;onts ot tlu* mcrcliaii!
ot the great citv of Pliilacle!;>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 <f:!;dvc. an e(|ual pleduo of full i'ii)poit. TIcv Hate
that a fnhniinion to thefe claims ot Great ISi itam,
*' would pyouure the ruin of tndivHlnah — the. di'JInu-
/ion of their mnmcrce — and the di^iiradation of their
• ouiiiry."

To prevent thele mifrhty evils, tlicy required the inter-
ierence of tiie yovcrnment, wliieh, at their rcijuifuioii,
did interfere. Wc fliall fee the refuh.

, S

*♦ A jcnlniisy nf our entorprlzc ami prosperity 'ms cxritcd a dcsitrn oi
tlirckiiip; tlie cunnMcri'ial jriowili (if our country, ilii- fruit of wliu'li has
liiv.fn till attempt to iimnviitL' upon ntipit'iil Htu\ iip])rove(l priiicipli s, aiiij
iiiti'odnce U!ilii-iU'<l of iirlicks :iri(| pi ovisinns into tliu code of puhiic hv.

•' We niorcovi-r rurtjsee, in the prevideiitt- < t" tli>' 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 jnsii<e, — tlint interest, not fair and Bdmitted pre-
f'edent, hiivi.- i;neti hjrlh to the principle, tliat nenirals should be re-
.•^trictoil to the s.iit.e commerce with a belligerent, vhich was allowed io
*!ieni hy lljnt itowir in time of peace, is conceived by your meniori:dists
to 1)0 incompatible with the general freedom of neulrsil comnune.
This rule has tlie sanction of no common observance by civilizrd na-
tions, and cMunot bear that f.iilhful tost which every fair and ri^hltO'Os
t riucii>iO of the law cf nations will abide.

;■

XHB OI.IVE ORAN'OU.

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 <'<iiisi>tr?i', tli:jt this |iriiu'i|ilo li!t<t
not lliL wi^itrlit ol n conHiilfiit ami uiiilofiii sti;tiii>i ( 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()ftt<l .rom liicnct , » vcii to tliu inoilifi'
cotntiv of such colony ;" itml iiIho ; *' tlmt liniilin^ tiie rooiIs m d pay-
ing the ilutifs ill llic iii'Ulriil euiintry, hi-faks ilu- continuity ol ilie voy-
ngi-, unil is biicli nii iiiiporMiiion hs Ii {;uliH« » the trinle, ultliriii}r|i iht- i^uoils
be ff»hii»p*-"«l '" 'hi- suine vtsMiU, iiiiti on acconnt of ilic same m iiIimI
projiricto s. iintl tbrwiirdcil I'of iulf to the mollar cnnntry." In lfi().»,
it iH(leciilt.il, lli:tt landi j^aiiil p:ivii)); tliiii <loes not hroiik the com ninly
ol' tilt' V(iMi};u ; uinl lliitt the coiiise ol . .kIc pointed out to the ikimiiiI
liiir year'* hct'ore, as lL'a;:d and s«t'<-, ^

m'li'llt, and AT IhSllK'l) l>K4I.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

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^^^%>

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY. 14580

(716) 872-4503

i/i

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.

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<Milioii anrl ilh'sal wlieii iiiult'itakin »> 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 ch<raiter, thus superiniluced, and still pri served,
be afterwards transported to every quarter of the globe, reject the only
tpoch V, liich can distinctly mark the incorporation, and point out riono
oilier iu its place ;— which proposing to fix with accuracy and precisif>n,
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 <lis'inction in liei- courln. bi.tween
:ui American trade from the colonics to the I'nited Slates, an i froui
t!ie same colonies to l'.uro])e^ will, viv are coniidently jiersuadcd, 7J/-J
UEPEJ.LED If ITU ElJiJl^YESS .LYIJ EFFECT JiY OUR
COVEJiA.MEAT.

•' She forbids us from transporting in our vessels, as in peace wc
could, the property oi' hci." oii-jinie. ; tufui'ses against us a riijovQUs

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THE OLIVB DRAKeU.

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.

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 coiif<Bsrdly solitary in (lie use of (his inven-
tion by which RAPACllY IS SYSTEMATIZED, and a si »te of
neutrality and war are maiie snbslantiiiily the same. In this absence
of ail other authority, her r'jurls have made an appeal (o In r own
early example, for the juslificiition of her own recent practice Your
mt-tnurialists join in (hat appenl as afFordiiii; (he most eonciusive and
authuiitative reprobation of the practice, which it is intended to
support by it

" The solemn renunciation of the principle in question, in the face of
the whole world, by her highest tribunal in mtifter.s of pnzc, reiterated
in a succession of decrees, down to the year l^Sd, and af'erwnrdi, is
powerfully coniirmed by the icquK'scence of Gieat Britain, during
the first, most important, and ad ivc period of the late war, in the
free ind unlimited prosecution, bynfutiais, of the whole » olony
trade of Franct Slw ilid indeed, at lust, p'ohiiiif thai trade, bv an
insli union. UNPRECEDENTED IN THE ANNALS OF MA-
RITIME DEPREDATIONS; but ihe iv\ iViil of her discarded rule,
was characterized with such circums'ance^ of iniquity and violence, "s
ratlipr to heighten, by the efftct of con'ra^t, the veneration of mankind
I for the past justice of her tribunals. The wo 'Id has not foreolien ihe
imttrncliou to which we allude, or the enormities by which its true
character was developed Produced in mystery at a moment when
universal confidence in the integritv of her (;uverninenl had broug;lit
upon the nceau, a prey of vast value and importance; sent abroad
to Ihe different naval stations, with such studied secrecy that it
would elmost seem to have been intended to make an fxperiment ,

^ I I .1—

tft

THE CLIVE nnANCtt.

HOW FAR LAW AND HONOUR COULD BE OUTHA(.F.l)
HY A N\riON PROVLKlilAL FOR RLSIM^C llNCi UOIH-

the hciiilil.i by wvmi it was Ji>st 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.

tllAP. IX.

Xe<i'-Ifttven. Decisive call for resistance Unlimited

jiU'dj^e of support Extracts from Jfcnmrinl of Jler-

('hanti of JS\wburijport, Reliance on ivisdum, firm-
ness and justice of tke government.

Extracts from the Memorial of the Chamber of Com-
merce of JVeu'-lIaven,

" Your menioi'ialisls cannot brliohf, wilhout surprise and regrcl,
a powerful and respectable nation, benHiii}r (he principles of (he
conMnon law of natioHS, (o answer pulitici) purposes, and introdu-
riii^ a versatile policy into the solemn arljiuhcations of her cour(s.
Weholdit t0 be extremely important that all nations should combine m^ainst
fuc/i innovations of their tights; and in parlieulur that the Umled
States, whose gro;;raphical position gives them the best rhanre of
mninlaining neutrality, lUiring wars in Europe, should FIRMLY
RESIST every encroachment upon the rights »f neutral commerce.

" With these impressions of the necessity of measures for defend-
ing our commercial rights, which shall be Arm, but temperate — and
boltl, yet marked with a spirit «f conciliation, your memnrialists
cordially unite with their fcilow-citizcns of other commercial towns,
in expressing: their sentiments freely to (he legislative and executive
authorities of iheir connlry ; with assurances of their dispoDil inn
to give aid and support to EVERY MEASURE of government calcn-
lated to accomplish this important object.

Signed by order,

HENRY DAGGET, President

of the Chamber of Commerce.

Neui-Havenf Feb. 7, l8o6.

Extract from the Memorial of the Merchants of JVew-

huryport.

" In many cases «ur vessels and cargoes have been captured, tried
and condemned in courts of law, under unusual and alarming pre-
tences, which, if permitted to continue, threaten the ruin of our
commercial interests.

" So far from obtaining redress of our .grievances ly the ordinary
modes and processes nf Inm^ we have in most c(f<!es been subject to heavy
costs, and suflTered embarrassing and distrrssiug detention of proper-
ly, even where no pretence could be found to authorize the seizure
of it.

" Having sustained these losses and injuries in the prosecution of
our lawful commerce, nnd in the exercise of cur just rights, t(c rely

«0

THE OMVK llUANtn.

lit

with ronfKlcnrc on fhe nu.uhm, Jirmncfis, and ju.ilicc of out e'^iernmcM,
In ohliiin fur us t/int coni]icv\nli(tn, and to gnint to v<i tfiar protccti')!!
r/mh A lU'tiARU I O TIM. llOiXUUK <)1 OL K tOUNTRv',

»J0 le!>s 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.

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<cessful war, and the aoher uppeai of lea&ou
can ied conviction In foreign nations.

" Your menioriiiliKls, however, have witnessed, with deep rrijrft,
andriiep «iixuiy, thai to ".ome of their trihuttitU the. c ui no iontrn
nppeal for safely. iS'eic interpretations of old rules, and new glosses on

TIIK OLIVE BRANCH.

«T

mificttt (loL'trine, liavc Ucph arrayed (o contruul llif circuit of nni-
iral c-iiiiiiucrce, aiiil reiitraii), if not aiiiiiliiliitv, its iiioti beiulicial
oueraliuiis. Tlicir surjnise h:is bi'cii llu' i;real«'r, liecausc llic nut mil
nlio Ins adopted tlieiii, a uiic from wlntui wo liad ii rulil (n ox|*e<'t
llie must eoiiciliatoiy euudnct •, sinee wil/i /mr u/.tiintUel>/ 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 priii<ipl«R alliiile I lo, if conceded,
JMlsr EVENTUALLY FROsrUATI. OUKTIIADE, OK LKAVli
IT AT I HE ARUITRAKY UlSCKEI'ION OF HELEIGE-
JlKN'l'S VVhetlier peace or war prevail, the baneful iiiflutucc w ill
ivery where be fell : and in Ihc latter predicament we i>h.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 '
it

t M

i /

••

THE OLIVE UUANCH*

into llu- mnikcl ror(;riural (i.-tiisliipuinil, it in uitliin the rNtrption
To (ll^<hll^'UlKli l»lw«i;ii ^Lrtcrai timi particular tBlenlionj, unti i« »»■(), i
rule tliinifft ko siibllt' III tltcir own nalurcN, ami aliiiiiHl iiirajinlilc of
proof, t\n (III' |Mii|»t)!*ra of iiitHinui ili-cisioiis, si-i nm i rejtnvuitnl ;«-
tcivtd J'or the jtrt.stnl u,''^e Tlic iouiiil.itioii of tins iiioilt'rii doiiriiie ig
liiiii III lliis |iiiii( i|)i< , dial 111': iirutitil li.iH no i'i)(lil liy an cxlciiaion
of his liadulo uii'onl Hn|iplM's lrciit 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 aii<l Rvtccpinyf pi'ilicipic \ that cvtry
comnicice with the lH'lli|rfi-nit i«4 iiihibitfii to nenlralH-, for tiem
vommartii: asbUtii h/Di in rt'sisliimp^ und diinmishei his necessities. A dor-
liin« tliUK compithi'iisive, has never yet been avowee), ami it iH pir
iiiinicii iievci' will !»•; Vet such must he the logical conclusion; aiil
it slieaii ini'tjistably the aiisinility of the asisuoieil piemises.

** riie accnstoniid, as well as the niiaiciistonied trade, is within
the li riDS, and must Kland oi- fall to^et!i< r l:liltiei' the thirliinc js
luisoimd, AND ASSl'MKD AS A \1 Kill- PilliTEX T TOH \nK\L-
DATOKV SI-^IZLJKI'^S, oi- neutials have no ri;;hls as such, and must
ciidiue tlitJ calamities iiiHicted hy belligerents in a contest in which
ihey liave no voire, and in which they can reap only injury.

"Other consider, idons add force to the pricediiig remarks. It is
wcM known that in liiiic of Mur, neutrals cannot c.^rry on even llicii'
nreiislunirti trade in its full extent. Tiiey arc prohibited from trai!-
tia<; in coiitrai)aiid (iruxN, and to blockaded ports. Variations lucts-
it,n ily arise in the relilions of llio hostile powers, which the neutral
ou»ht to postess a ri<;hl to turn to his profit, as an indemnity for
ihe obstructions of his old Irarle These ohslrnctions are of a very
serious nature. When exeri'ised in the mildest form, Ihey produre
nl»lMlI>SlVK 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

to I)

>e pa

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.

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
|«lte<l, ere-
liiijr strife,
trial inlcr-

re;y on

TIIF. MISKRIKS, AND IM.l.'NUlLR THK PflOPKRTY OF

Til I'. ', N N« K'l-N r It w.MiKJ huliji ( I iMiHi.iiM i<» li /.in- .im ly an
[ifiiH)ii» •■\H ilioKC of iKliiil liosliliiKH ; hikI iiiiir|i<-ii.l< Ml of UN intlti-
« ii<«! Ill Miiimlatiiii; to Mvcnur mil irlniiulioii, IT W I' I.I) III \ NS-

ii:k thi; hi-m.iiis or iMUcii to any vicroiuous
I slium:k oi" I HE ocimn

" liiii >oiir 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 <airi*'don willi Iumowii |jiu|)tr(y, ul ad fvciils in u direct
trade troin liis own eouiilry.

* ' riiey toiict'ive iUu\ it is vo' ivilJiin the aulfiorify of any nutiorj to
hpiUte /or the >est\ anil that the law of iialions litini? founded on
tltciiit'ii t'onvfiitinn of the nations ttK<t oli^crvc it, tun lie binding
uiily on ih'tsc nations who hate tidi>|>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<lieule the oiiposile If
priitedenls are to decide, the j-uhjnients of a trihunal eslubiished i»
(jreut Britain unrter her unle appoint, neut and acfi»<>- 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
!«■«' t<c< ptons, fiicHS distin^ii'slicd for i;ood f.nth as any on eaitli.
The iinpnt ition thrown on tlicin is a nuisked pretence to repel the odiu>n,
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 «'«-

^ ^' /(.?!

\ l\l

">:

\'\

■^>

I rf'^sr

^ S.^

' "■ ^

\\ll

.1 "

•• UlE OI.rVK RUAM.II.

patlllon la decline Iht common <hni^nr^or shrink /lom tht common contti.
tufion.

" K'lyins «ii till" tvivilom tiiiil finnnrsi of tlu- gi'iirril tfoi'ii itnifiic
ill litis li. Iiiir, tJity fifl no f,fuf;!i'>,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<nia iJiedga of siippui-t.

I b'.'g the r-oadcr will dcvoto a few minutes to a rc-
pcriisal of" thcfc impDitaut, tlicfe inv.ilurihle (lociuncnts.
No man witliDut l)cariii<r in lumd their contents, can
loini a corretl eftinuit" ol tlie policy ot this connirv, or
of the merits and demerits of the two parlies, wliofc;
envenomed, and intnriated hoflility is rap'dly fending
tf> 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.

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

. m

^1
I

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.

" 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

^1 r

THE OLIVE DRAN'CH.

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>

■ ^^.

Kli

*IW^

'arHb m' J

'111

■QHmI

\''ma

ffl^Hrui

■ ' '■* Mr

I^^RIfl

' ~^''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.

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.

«' 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

!*") )

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 ;

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 •<n Eiigluh-
maii, •written in the Eng LkIi la)igu je, shall not be dispatciied from the
j)ost-i fiices, and shall lu- .s« izt-d

3 h.very individual, a subject of Great Britain, of whateve ■ rank or
cotuiition, who is found in countri s occupied by our troops or ihose of
owr alius s all be made prisoner of war.

4 Every ware-house, all merchani'ir.e or pr0j)erty whatever belong-
ing; to a Eny;lishnian, are decl«r' (1 good piize

5 One half of the proceeis oi int'iciiaiidize declared to be good
piize, and forfeited as in the prectdini?; aMicU s, shall go to indemnify
mffciiants who have sufi'ured lusst s by tiie English cruisers.

6. No vessel cominj.^ directly frota England or her colonies, or haviiig
bten there siuc^i the publicatio:. of this decree, shall be admitted into
any port.

7. Rvcry vessel that, by a faUe declaration, contravenes the foregoing
'lisjiosiiion, shall be seized, and the sinp r.nd cargo confiscated as Eng-
lish property.

8. [This article s te.s, that the coun ils of prizes at Paris and at Mi-
I Ian sliall have recogiiizance of what may arise in the empire and in
, Italy under the present article ]

''I

XHE OLIVE BRAXOU.

9 Communications of this riecrcc shall be made to the kings of Spain
Naples, Jlollahd, Ktruria, ami to our other allies, whose subjects as well
as ours, are victims of the injuries and barbarity oi the Knyliah niari*
lime code.

10. CJur luihistcrs of foreign relations, &c. are charged with the exc
culiou of the present decree. ^

•*• KAF0L£0!T.

By the emperor.

H. B. MAHET,

Secretary of Utafe.

Extravagant as this decree appears, it is capable oi.
fome deience ; and that not void ot plaufibility. It was
promulgated to retaliate a blockade oi a great extent of
coaft, of which, as I have ftated, two thirds were not
invefted by any force whatever. And it cannot be deni-
ed that it the blockade of a fingle port three miles in
extent, much more a long line ot coaft, be legal, with-
out a force to fupport it, the blockade of the Britifh do-
minions, or even of a whole continent without a force, is
likewif'i legal. And I am perfuaded that Capt. Boyle's
recent blockade of the Britifli dominions, is quite as
legal and dcfenfible, as the exi fling blockade of fuch
ports of the United States as have no naval force flation-
ed before them.

So far as refpefted American veffels, the Berlin decree
was not enforced for twelve months. This important
fa^ is not afTcrted lightly. It Hands on refpeftable au-
thoritv^ to which no objeftion will lie. This authority
is Alexander Baring, Efqr. member of the Britifh houfe
of commons.

" JVo condemnatio7i of an American vessel had ever taken place wu
der it ; and so liUle did the Trench privateers interfere with the trade
vi America with this coMi.trs , that the insurance on it has been very
ifitte higher than in time of profound peace, -while that on the American

THE OLIVE BRANCH.

trade tvilh the continent of Europe has at the same time been (Jonbhd
and even trebled by the conduct of our cruisers. *

Bcfides the above authority I annex a ftlll ftronger
proof ot my pofition : —

Paris J\ Of. 12,1807.
Sir,

It was not till yesterday tliat 1 received from Mr. Pkipwilh a copy of
the dfciee of tlie cnuiicil of prizes, in the case of tlie liorizoii This
is the first unfriendly decision of that body under the decree of the 21 sf
o/vVov. 180G In this c;ise and on liie petition of the defendant, the
court has recomn)unded the restonition oi tlie ivhnle cargo I did not
liowev'T think proper to join in (isking as a favour, what I helieved my-
stlt eniitl.d to sis a right. I subjoin a copy of my note to the minisar
of foreign aft'airs.

And am sir,

Your most obedient
Mumble servant.

CSignedJ

JOHN ARMSTRONG.

MH. MADISOIf, 8cc.

CHAP. XIV.

^>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<h)n. I»u jli hed, February, 1808. Republished ia Phil»delphiii, by
Bfwiford ana laskeep. "^

jk^.

.«''r^.*.>«--.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 un<Icr her con.
troul, were required to give, and have given, and do give, effect to sucli
crdciS :

And whereas his majesty's order of the 7(h of Janiiiiry last, has not
answered llie des.rcd purjmse, either ot eonnpelling the enemy to recall
tiiose onlers, or of induciii';; neutral nations to interpose, with effect to
ubti'in llieir revocation; but, on the contrary, the same have been re-
cently ent'oreed witli increased rigour :

And wltereas his miijcsty, under these circumst;inces, finds himself
ii'.iinpelied to take furiher nteasures for asserting and vindicating his
y\A I'iglils, and for supporting that maritime power whi«h the exertions
anil valour of his people have, under the blessing of providence, enableJ
him to establish and maintain ; and the maintenance of which is not
more essential to the safety and prosperity of his majesiy's dominions,
than it is to the protection of such states hs still retain their indepen-
dence, and to the geiural intereouise and happiness of mankind.

His maje.sly is tlierefon; pie sed by anil with the adv e of his privy
council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, that al fie parts ami filaeco
of France mid her allies, or of iviy other cuuntry ut iu(ir ivith /us im-
Jt-stt/, ami (ill oth r porta or place'! in Enrofic "fom -whicli, ulthuiish
not at wtr-vit/t his nirjestij, the British Jiag is e.cciuhd and all pons
ur places in the cohmies bclongintf to hin nuijestfs cnernv's shall from
henceforth, he subject to the 'same restrictions m poin of trade ond
vaviifaticn, with llie ^ xeept mis herein fte: mentioned, as if thu same
■were actaalfi' hhckuded hii his m.ij. stf s navul forci^s, in the most strict
find r/pv;r«»?i* manner. And it is liereby farther ordered aad declare*),

'r : *

1UC OLIVE DRANl'II.

lUL

that all UnUe ii. a. tides wliich are of the pro<loce oimsnulaeture of the
^iiid countrifs or colomes, s.iall b« theined nnd consiilereil to ho uuIhw-
lul; niul that every vessel iradiiig from or to the smi] coii' tri«;» or lO-
liiiiifs, togellier with all ^oods und merchandize on hoard, and all articles
of the produce or maitui'actiire oi" the suid countries or colonies, shall be
capliired and condemned hs prize to the CHplors.

Uutidlhouh his majisly would he fully justified, by the rircum-
stnnces ioid consitleialions above recite , in estahlisliinji; such system of
rthlnctions witli respect to all the countries and colonies nf his enen>ie»»
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 <n(l
siil)|»l> , 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'<e colonies of ftis majesty'a
enemies, or from those colonies direct to the country to ivldch such res-
sdbelin^s, or to sonje free port in his majesty's colonies, in such casesj
ami with such articles, as it mny be lawful to import into such free port;
nor to any vessel or carqo of any vessel, belongtnq^ to any country "ot
ut iviir with his majesty -whieh shall have cleared out from some fiorC
bv place in this hinq-dom, or from Gibraltar or Alalta, under such re-
^^luiitiuns as his majesty may think fit to prescribe, or from any port be-
loii;,'ing to his majesty's allies, and shall be proceeding direct to the
port specified in her clearance ; nor to any vessel, or the cargo of nny
\ehsel, belonging to any country not at war with his majes'.y, wliich shall
be commgfrom i«ny port or place in Europe, which is declared by this
order to be subject to the restrictions incident to a stale of blockade,
destined to some port or place in Europe beonging to his i.uijcsty, and
Aviiieh shall be o» her vtiyage direct iher.to; but these excepti ns are
tiot to h.; umlerstuoil as excepting from capture or confiscation anj vessel
or ijoods which shall be li <ble thereto in respect of having entered or
deputed from any port or place actually blockadeo by his majesty's
Sfiuadrnis or ships of war. or for being enera es' property, or for any
other cause than the contravention of this ])re8ent order.

And the commanders of his majesty's ships of war and privateers,
and other vessels acting under his majesty's commission, shall be. and
are hereby instructed, to warn every vessel which shall have commenc-
ed her voyage piior to any notice of this order, and shall be deslineil to
any popi of Krunce, or of her allies, or of any other country at war
"Villi his majesi- or to Rtiy port or place from which the British flag, a«

,i,'^

M u

{]tt»i, ■»»*■"-

„*^:^

109

LHE OLIVl': BHANtiH.

nrot'csuiil, i» oxclii'h'i^, or lo any co!nnv lK'lon;,'iu;^ (u liis injtjesty'a cnc-
niirs, lUiil witiili sli.ill not Iihm' tlfiirt'd out as i-. Iiiitin Ih;'oh' «ll')wr(l,
to <li -coiitiriiic her vomik*-'. '""' •'' I'lnoiml to ^oimu purl or pl.ic, in fliii
kiiiv(<loi<i, i)r lo rjilnalt.ir or Mtill!«. \imI nny vcisil wliicli, at'tt;r limin;;
liccii sii uni'iird, (.r niter n ihhsoi.iIiIc linn; slwtll li.ivc 'it-eii nll'i n.o lo,'
l!io uiiiv;il ol Miforniitlifdi of lliis Ms Ki'.iji-siv'ii nulcr !«• any pnit ov
I'lu.o I'm . wliiuli sliij s!iiL , nv w!iiili. nt'u r lijivin;' notic*' of tins niili.i',
Rf.nll be I'liMi.it ill llie prdstciiiion of iiny v,.m»^i- cniitriry to l.c ir.
»ti'i( lions I'out.iiiuej in il»is otdci- sliull be capiurcil, and, Io^j.-iIkm' with
litr I irfijo, coiitlcmin.'d ;is l\svr"il pii/M- In tin- r:iplois.

.And will I i?,is coundii's umI iimngul in tlii' war liiivc ii<w|iiifs(!C(1 in tlu,'
oi'li-rs o! I'riincf, proliiiiirri;; nil ii juU- in (my ui-titlcs tin.- proiInc; or
iiiiiiinl"jn;inri; of lli^ mitjfsty'a doMiinionf. : ikiid ihi/ nieiciiiiiil;i ol'l'iou-
('.ounfrii s luivt- givon counti/iiiinct' and dl'fcl to thosi; piiiiiiljitiinis, b\ ac-
«tj> 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;<loin, and iis llic most ifl'iiUial in.
lilruincnl of ai'coinpli^iiini; ill ; sainu; and it is lliurefore esscnliidiy iic«
ccssu'v to rtsist it.

Ills 111 ji sty is lliertfon.' i)kaiji.il, by and uiili the a- vice of Iils privy
eouiu!!, t(( order, and it is lit icbv oniirid, that if any vessel, i.ftei rta-
sonahlc lime sliall have been afVorded for rtccivitis? notice of this his
njiijrsly's order, at llie lioit or plaee fioiii wliiih such vessel sIimII Lave
cleared out, uliull be fouiiil cnrt ying anu sttch crrtijiiatn or dficuinni'
us afuresiiid or any ihiumcHt rrfevring to or authenttcativg the ■ iniw,
Mieh vess< I shall bu adjin j;<d lawful prize 10 the captors, togitbtr wilij
llie goods laden therein. be!oii^in|j; lo the piTbon or persjiis by whom, or
Oil whose behalf, any such docnmenl was pin on board.

And theiixht hon (liable ihe lords coniniissioners of his niaje.sty'a
Ircasiii'y, his m .jesty's principal secretaries of slate, the lords cominis-
sioi.ers ol the ailmiralty, and the judg'sol llie iiigli court of admiralty,
and conrls of vice admiralty, are lo take llie iifceasary measures here-

iu, as to them shall respeciively appertain.

W. FAWKENER.

The preceding orders were affigned by Napoleon as the
reaion ior, and jjftification oi, the Milan decree, of
which 1 fubniit a copy ; although it breaks in fomewlidt
on the plan ot this part of my work. But I p'leter group-
ing thcfe three documents together, tor the eafe and con-
venience ot the redder.

THE OLIVE BnANCII.

103

Parh, December '2Q,
IMPERIAL UECIiMC.

Utjoiti'lc)' to hh lirHannic mnjesfi/'s Order in rminril, af
till' Htk JS'ni'citib'v^ iMor. vit our itoijid Palace at
Milan, Ueci-mher 17, 18or.

Na;)olooii, em ernvof tlic- Ficiich, Wvt% of Italr, and protci lor of tli;
Hli ish coiilVdei alioii.

O'lscrvini!; lli* niftsurcH mlojiticl hv tho iSrilish ij;nYoniiiu"iit, n llio;
llili NitvtMiihrr la^t hy wirrli MSbrls bcl')iigiii|j; to h> iiti-al, lilciullj, <ir
e»eii powirs llic ullits ot KuiiImikI, iiic tiiuile I nljl»;, nol <)ii!y (i be
searcli <l i)> 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<j;!ihlt:(l by llir Hriiisli lu};i-l .tine.

Oljst iviii;.': iliitt hy tliese ;a'ts, llic Hrltisli t;ovenimeiit (h-7Ui*ionnfize.f
9lii|)» 01 cri.'i'y nation ill Kiiropc ; tliat it is not toiiiptltiit ibi' ;iiiy Kov-
eru'.iieiit li> 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 <l to havt- hi come Ki^jiish property.

" Art. II. Whether the ships t!»us denalionulized by the ;irl)iti ary
me^sur'S of the Pinglisli government, enter into onr jjorts, or those of
our allies, or whether they fall into tlie liands of oi;r ships of war, or of
our privateers, they are declared to be good and lawtul prize

Art. HI The British islands are declared t' be in a stale of block-
ade, both by land and St a Kvery ship uf whatever nation, or whatso-
ever the nature of its cargo may be that sails fr mthe ports of Eng-
land, or those of the English col nies, and of the coiinlru s occ pied
by linglish troops, and proceeding to England, or to the Enjilish coio-
Dies, or to cou itries occupied by English troops, is good and lawful
prize, as contrary to the present decree, and may ,ie captured by our
ships of war, or our privateers, and adjudged to the captor.

.\rt. IV. These measures, wiiicli are resorted to only in just i\talia-
tioii oi the barbarous system idopt'-d by England, which ssimilaies its
legislation to tbatci" Mgiers, sh.ill c ase to have any elfect wiiu . espeet
to All aatious who shall have the iitiaaess to compel the Uuglish govern-

' n

10-fr

tllE OLIVI: DRANeH.

^i \

ment lo rcapect their fluf;. Tlx y ihall rontinue to he riKoronilv in
f»ir<;i; Its long as llinl govern mcnl <loi« not return to the pri' i-iplt i;| t|,e
law of n;>tioi.s wl i< li \i ^ulllU'H tli< nlitliont oi° ri\iliai<l btiilct in m itate
ul' wur. 'I Ito prtivikiunn ot ilic priHt nt drcrrv tliHll be Hbroitalfd mihI
null, in (uvl, as louii ns I* e Rncliali uhid* ugain b) tlic |iriiici|ilca o| tlii
taw u\ MlioiiK, wliioii nrt' iiNf) tl.t* pi itiriplt-!) >>t jii^iivi- anil ImiKHii-.

Alloiir niiiiisii'is urc <'h.<ri;ctl wtlli tin; txerution nl' the pieHint <]«■
«rce, wliicli ^\\M iv iii«('t-tr(l in tht; luillciin of thu luws

Bv onler ol tlie iniperor, N> 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

1 57

2 92

3 33
. 07

13 J2

•^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

'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 /

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

4.1

4r.

•

1.1

.•m

t>0

•

« «

•

.■S7

QC,

til

•

-i

•

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

40 fi'J

. (12

• 33

>olIar9

2 2?
1 35

1 57
4 44
C 1^
1 57
'i 92

3 33
. C7

13 32

*' 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

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

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.

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'c<l to p rmit tlii-'ir txpoi'tu-
lioi) u'u(k'r such regulutions as sliall be hereafter dctf rmine>I

«< 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<j; lo i!<cir ^oo I b-hiivjour. Taxun we to he '-(u-ied f'lum
tk cowiJimem on the coJithunt : ami (hi y ;.ve to be contriv. .1 with
such judieiois skill as to stcme our own West India . lauters a prefer-
ence 10 those of Cub I and Vl.irtiniipip.'-J-

"The Aineneau mercli-iot, with the best intention<f of Iradinij le-
gally, canuot always know what Ihisrmntry permits ; for we admit
tliat u[)holdin<i; !i t^eutTal pnuciple whicL we never enforce, wc may

* Idcifl, page 12.

t Idem, paj;c iG.

110

THE OLIVE bhancu.

siml do vary our pn mission to neutrals under it as wc please. Sup.
poiiiis; hitii in tins it'spfct not liable to error, liei* expostd lo iinjnst
dtrisi.mK ill our vii e adiuitiiity <«Mn t»— a dunntr of no coininon nia„'.
niHnJc, if uf! arc* to luluve llie iissci tion <if lord Hawkfslmry m ihe
l».nik.eof commons, tlif iir)li» of April, I80|, thai of ais appeals from
those courts, onlf/ ;)j nf the (.ondeninalions were cofjimied.^'*

>'i'

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 </ia/ chur.ge produced the
non-importation act at which we n/fict so much indignation.'''§

" Nor was the injury to the Americans confined lo the application

"Idem, |inge 43.t Itkm, page dr. i Idem, pngc 50. fSIdcm, pngc M.

THE OLIVE BUAXCH.

ill

(if tlicic new and vcxiititius principles-, for our privi.ti'rrs, iijipif-
heiiiliii; liilic (luii)!t>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 <o trial."*

"Tbt'0*nei8 of privateers arc in llic daily pnu-tice of l)i iiiuiii;; in
vnltiublc carjiOes, and oft'eriii|; imiuidiulely lo lekitst- (In \\\ foi ui.i- «ii
two liutidred gnineas Iliey Hoiuttitiii't^ rt'ijiiiie a iiku li l<ii j^tr sniii.
Till' London niercliunt is either obliged lo ':i('quies(c in this iiiKjiii.
loiiH lobbery, <ir let bis «oii( spondent siiflVr the nioie ixpt usivc
vcxiilions wbiih it is unfoi tuii:itci\ in the po>\«.r ot' tliibe |ii<!|iU;(o
iiifliel "t

"The measures resorted to !»y Aniericu, under tin be ciicumstiiiu fs
(if provocation, were certainly of the tnildcst tpeiiis of hotlililij, ami
fuch as ciideniti/ shewed a deitire of peace A law wai p.tsseil piohihit-
\n% the iniporliitioii of ceitain articles nf Bntisfh mannfatlnie ; by
winch a demonstration of eominerciai narfare uuiieerlaiiily inteiiiltd.
Ihit it is sneh as every independent nation, cvtn in lime of |u;.c<\
has a ri;;;ht toiesorl lo wilhonl jrivin^ oii'cnce: and if the eoniineite
of America were to be materially iiiteiruplt^d, a lednciion of her ini-
jioilatioij of Eiuopean articles became indisjiensable. Th.s la»,df-
t«r different siispensions, is not yel npeHled. Of its wisdom, ns a
coniinerrial measure, there may be doubts ; bnt as an annoyance of oar
trade, for the purpose of enforcing respect for thcirSy vie liaie no nghl to
complain of it-"i

"U we ha«l tieated th«' onmmerce of Aineiica wifli sinreiiiy, iii-
sl('t.d of molest ma if, as we have seen, IJV A REPE'HTIOJS OF
THL MOST DISGRACKI L'L CHICANE, that n.mmerce «ouM
liave suffered less, and onr omii ends won Id iiave been answered.
Such an appeal to the good sense of that country, would certainly
have been less likely to produce war than tiie sophistry with which
till y haTH been treated, and of which every man in it inut<t deled.
tliefoily."§

*' F»r so extensive an injury lo a country jvhose right of indepen-
ievt soreretgnty ivas violated, and whose commeiee wns des(niy»d by
tins proteediii;:, il would have been in vain to starch for uuihurilK*
tM- precedents any where."JJ

We have ieen that French conlular certificates oi
the origin of the cargo ot a vcflel, by the oider.s in
council fubje6led both vcflel and cargo to condemnation.

Idem, pp. 57 &c 58. fldcm, page 58. + Idem, page 59.

§ Idem, page 6J. |1 Idem, page Ci.

•i 11

a,...

K^:

rr*~~-«

112

THE OLiVi: BRANCH.

.k; t

On the Iniquity of this feature oi tlie orders, Mr. Ba-
ring remarks : —

"We ill many rnsrss icqnirc foroiirn orliclcs, imported into \\\h
rountry (o be arcomiianitMl l>y (-edirirates fV<in) niir censnln abi nad.
IVotiiiii(j cin therefore, be nn>re frivolous iban the asserlioii of our
viiibt to compiniii of tlie ae(|uie.seeii<e of Adjcrlran nurchaiils in llic
regulalioua of France rebpcctiiig ceitificales of origin."*

'! I

I hope tlie reader will attend to tlie refult of this fea-

ture ot the orders in council. Let it never be forgotten.
It h wortliy ol !)eing home in ctertial rcmenihrdnce.
It they lw-1 no otlier odious teaiure, tliis would he fiifR-
cient to difi^race them and their authors and alicftors.
Suppofe Mr. George Cahot, Mr. James Lloyd, jiin.
Timothy Pickernif)-, or Commodore Dale, or any oth-
er ciXiAcn OI the United States, to fend a veffel to fca,
owned hy hinifelf, manned with American failors, and
Icoaded with American produ6]:ions — hound tor the foli-

taiv corner ot En

rope

Swed

en, wluc

ti w

as not mtcr-

dl(!ied by the orders in council — fuppofe her provided
wilh a Ficnch confuiar certificate of the origin of the
cargo : — and finally, to clofe our fuppofitions, fuppofe
her carried into London hy a Biitiih privateer — and
brought bctbrc Sir William Scott tor adjudication. —
She would mod alfuredly be condemned for an ix-

F lU N G K M K N T O F

HE LAW OF NATIONS, /?? //?•
yV?.<T provided zc'uh a French confuiar ccrhjicate ! ! !
What an awtul mockery of jullice in thofe who pre-
fcribed — what a Ihametul prollration and bafenefs ot
mind in thofe who preached lubmiflion to — fuch a
lawlefs regulation, calcvd.ited to " prey upon the un-
protected property oj a friendly poicer.\

♦* The comprehensive tiafiue of the injury whirh America must
siifi'er from one system, i»y le^iv'n^ no ei ik-. of its popnialion tinaf-
i'cctcd by it, uHortls iitlie hfij)? of the iiitei {erence of aisy for llic

* Idem, p.^ge Cfi.

t See Dobloa Memorial, p:tge 73.

f--mis.

THE OLIVE BIlAXCli.

113

pirscivalion of peace. The urciil iiilcicst whirli a roiintry still
jtOHsfBsiiij; the mraii* of iiidepeiiilftiice, slioiild fi-cl in {\\v |)ii-H(<rva.
tion of «»••■», tcill be tost in the more immeUiate and percvpiiole conn-
iji'.eHces of our Jolly and injustice."''*

" Tlic new oriirrs were of a ilescri|ilinii to produce n rcToIulion in
tlip mIioIc commerce of the world — and a lodil deiancenicnl of llinsje
mntuiil righUatid relations by wliicki civilized iialious huve liillicrto
bctn counected."f

" It must be evident from (be wliole If'nor of our proceedincf!,
tliut ('»u}mer('i,il interest baa been our moving; priiicipU t'lioutjbont ;
tliot every di monstralion oj" the slightest hostility on the other side, hti<
orifiinutcd Lk our attempts to advance that interest in violating the rights
nnd oitercsts of others ; and tbut if we aie at last called upon to take up
arms, i; is on our part a quarrel about sugui and coffecy and not in support
(f nnlionul honour-''''^

*' The conscqncntes of sueb a state of tbinus mujt prodncc rniii
to eviry class hud destcnption of persona in America : and tjiey arc
so ehvione, ro inevilablc, that one cannot avoid tbiiikini;, that llicy
nuut iiuvc occurred to ibe fiainrrs of this new system ''^

•• To make ibis limil^ttion of nriiiral trade a purl of the law of na-
tions, it is not sutiJc.'rnI that it sliotild be assciled bv one powtr —
It matt likewi:se be adniilled by others ; which is sa fur ft urn liavini;
hccu the cusf, that in alt unr discoKsions abont ne\iiial rights, we
h;>v(> 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)))<iiiiion ofeu-
noai b.nent hostile to onr dignity, in refusing; to ndutit into the law
of nations, a principle which has neither been admitted by #r erifoTcetl
UiKfirds others, are we not rather ourselves wantinjj to our o«tt <lii;ni-
ly ii> prnclsiminp: a Uw which we have never ventured to <h'feiitJ — in

ntlnij; up a rij;ht, which, by our treaties with foreign ualtuns, wc

]ittvcuurs«:l\cseneuuragej them to trample on ?"^

" It would have been hlKhly interesting to know how many in-
KlaiiCf's [of fraudulent ownership] bad been discovered, as l>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'^

'I'lIK OMVK MKASCW.

i,(:i

>!}

I)y apiilicalioii (o llir.f of Atnnira, w»iosr Hirirt attention to tlie ilia-
laclt T of li< r t]r,<z lias alwius l»t«n reip ukuldi "*

" I iiMisI s.i\, and I s|Miil; li oni ('(ittsiilt-ratili; vxprrif nrp, lliai llit;
< liaiacl- r of lln u'uat lioiiy «»t' iiu ri-lianls n, America, liUlo <lc8» uch
111" iiiijiisi iiisiiHi;!lioiis ill wliuli wrilns on lliis hiihjrct liau"
iii(iuli:t;(l.'"|-

'•■ i^'.niiit; a (•oiisiiI('ia!»!(' |».irt of ilu' last ami prrsoiil war, we Iinvc
iiiil'Mii i«.'.|)ccl( <l the rmliJs of iIiosl- not roiict'tiied in il I'.ut the
cnnd'u:! nAn of Vrancp- fun fimiishfaxo stronsrer proof's nf a tliurgtnl
i^t" HiDH, (i)i'l of inon- f'lii ri'r)'i.i jijttenca Ay which thfj Irnre fwirt inn/di'l,
Itnn )rinj If; J'dund ill fiur condicl in |>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<j;i»l are to be lielil up, iis
ti.i'v ii^Vf hi.'ii, to llic atli!i;rati(i!> of htalesiiieii, we eaniiol fail lo
iiiiiiiiit' the lilx ral |>«'iHy of An Ciica l«)wai(ls llio proihne nf our iii-
<ir..H!i\, wiiPM *vr < oiisiiif r I lu? t.iiije halaiiie v.liirli slie iiiiniially piiys
ii<, and our illil;rral jealousy of l»er intncours'' with oilier rouii-
lilts, (loni wliiiii aloi.c tliat Iciltn'Cf thii l>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 <lonlit that <ii(r eoiuhui tou:.i(ls it
ill SI I vts the lumeo: Tin: .MOST INQLALIllKl) K\.l L STICE "||

'J'he readier wiio compares the flvlc and fuhrtanre of
the iiic.n.i.orials, with Mr. Baring's efHiy, will find that
C'jincidonce, tliat cnorcncy, that incTiilible conviction
which refiilt ironi trm!i and honourable princii,)Ics. 'I'lic
American merchants, eloquently and convincinaly plead-
ixvz tor the iio;hts of their country,, and their own perfon-
al intereils, linjr.illy airailcd — fpeak nearly the fame lan-
{■(uuge, and make ufe ot" the lame arguments, as Mr.
Baring, when he rou^lit to fave his country from the dif-
grace and difiionour of employing her tranfcendent naval
power to overv;helm and prey upon the coiiimerce of an
unoffending neutial, merely becaufe that neutral was not
in d Rate to defend itfelf.

I truft that no apology can he nrceffary for thefe copi-
ous extrafts on this all-important topic. The high (land-
hig and chara61er of the writer, as I have already ob-
feived, and take the liberty to repeat, entitle his fenti-
ments to peculiar attention. Mot cover, as an Englifh
merchant, intereft, were he fwayed by fuch a confidera-

14 i {

* Mem, pns-e 52. f ''Iciii, page So.
page 88. fl IJcio, page 5".

T Iilcm, page 71. § Idem,

THF. OMVE BIIAKC'II.

LIS

lion, wovild have led him to advocate the orders. But
he li<id too liigh a rc)Tard for the lionourof iiis couDf y to
wilh it to be I'acriliced to paltry ai\d lordid confideiatioiii
ol' intereft.

What a huniiliatin^T contrail tor an American to refleft
„pon — Mr. Baring |)ieadin^ tl»c caufe oi' the injured
Uii'tcd'Stiues in London — and Mr. Pickering and hnnd-
rctls oF other Americans pleadnig in ljt)lh)n an.' elle-
wht-rc agamft th.eii own chantry, and in deicnce ol Brit-
ilii inroads and Britilli violence !

CIIA!\ XVI.

Ewbf!rfi:o. Slfucdion of ,'im'''r\cfin Cnv}-nifr:f. Fifcfious
clamour. Embargo a u-ise^ j^rn.h'utf and ucccssur/f
meui^are.

I now procectl to connder the fiihicft of tlie ciTd)argo,
which w.-is one ot the moft potent uiilrinnents enipl(.'>^•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

% '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<lilot'^, <i:id our cargoes would have augmcn!.
cd the lefouiccs of the belligerent.^, and cntecbled our.
felvcs The only queflion was, whether our veflc!,
fhould remain at our wharves, the property of our nici-
chants, or be carried to France and England, the prcv < ;
privateers. But for the embargo, there would have beti;
fuch a calamitous Iccne produced ax has rarely occurrci!
in any natl.)n. We (hould have fuffered .ll tlie v/orll
confequcnces of war, without any of its comptniatorv
advantages. Our merchants would have once nioie made
*' the welkin rwig" with their complaints of injury — tlieir
eloquent appeals to the law ol nations — their clan ( nis
lor redrefs — their reproaches ot the government lor it
lupinenefs, and their hdemn* pledges of fupport. Wc
fhould have again had to ncgociafe in vain for repai;.-
tion. And we (liould have been goaded ultimately intc
a war, after having been defeated in our endeavours to
cfcapc it, and deprived of the mofl efficient means for
its profecution.

It has been faid that the Berlin decree i" I having been
carried into operation againfl American vefFcls ; and our
governincnt not having received an authentic copy ol the
oiders in council ; therefore it was not j'lflified in !!;;j
recommendation of the embargo. And thus tljat dogicc;
of vigilance and care of the interefls of the country aiv.l
of the property of the merchants, which entitled Mr.
Jeffcrfon to a monument from the mercantile inteiefl,
has been made the ground-work of the moil ferious ac-
cufation.

There is no meafure of the general government fioiii
its firfl organization to the prelent hour, more ftrongly

) t

* I had written *' hollow anA ileceptions"— Tint I stnivk tlie word'
out — how piopiTly the reHifer will decide. 1 am doubtful my.stU oi'
the con-cctiicss of the aUev.^tiou.

■ .. .,;... ^..- jk . >-'

.-k jsfirJS*^*!!^**^*!!"**.-

i^l*^?:^^^^ "--^1

iaifciH,'

THE OLIVE HUAN'Cir.

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 followiu<f para-
graph from a Lonuon paper :

/ " London^ Js'ovembc 10.

" \ prnclam'tion is n^w, wo undc'stanel, in I'rudint'ss iVir h h iiiMiej*

(v's siguv.UwT, iitfbii'iiii;^ Franco and llic uhnlr of liec '■ s-.il kiiiR-

tlo^iis III M stHl" ot" s fj;f, Hud j) (jhibit )Hf nH ititeicouvue with her ov

ihnn — tiiul al entrniice of Vf^SHc!j itito h v or t'leir /luroous, kxi ci'T

ur ^rcil v.-~ 11 AVI CLi.AU!c.U last VIIOM a ilKlTIsU I'OUTj KITUKU
UCMK Oil FOlltlGN."

Thus, between the two nation*;, our commerce was
completely cut up by the roots, 'i'he only part ot Ku-
rope, excej)t her own dominions and dependencies, tliat
Gieat Biitain allowed us to trade with, was Sweden.
An<l tile Milan decree by an extravajjancc ot defpotfrn,
tolly and wickcdnefs, never exceeded in the annals o'l'
piracy and rapine, regarded every neutral vetrel, tint had
been fearched hv a Briiifh ciuizer, as ipfo \<xtio denalion-
dlized, and liable to be taken, bound whcni'e or wrere
ihe might. The uiiud is loll in alloniihmcnt at this ne plus

^.-*i

tl I

lis

THE OLIVE BUAXLH.

I'iV

it/ha ol inacliicls and rapine. It was punllliir g as crlni;
nal, an atl pertcdiy innocem — wholly unavoid ible—
and in wliicli the party punifhcd had been nicicly
paHivc.

Under thcfe cirrnninanccs, wlrat prudent mcrthHiii
would lend a vcIIlI to lea — liable to raplmc whatever
nught be her dellination ? For even it bound to Swedct;,
or any other eoniei ot Europe, (if any fuch there won-
not end)raced in the icope (d decrees arid orders in coun-
cil, Ihe might be (earched by an Knglllh privateer, ami
tliiu be {ubjctted to capture by the next French privateer
tlirtt might overluail her.

AVhatcouiIe had a government to fleer, which, bound
to watch o\er tnc interells ol its conftituents, was lin-
ccrely difjjofed to pertorni tiutt duty faithfullv ? Let any
man not trammeh.'d by latlion or inveterate pr jiidite,
calmly confider this queflion, and I teel molt pettcHly
fatis(icd, he will reply — the alternative was, war againll
both nations — or a general embargo.

Nutuithitandng this plain (l-ite ot the cafe — notwith-
ftandmg the nnjKiious nccetritv ot this nieafure — tlicrc
is no dti of tiir government, fmce the inauguration ol
Ml. JefFejlon, th.:t excited fo much outciv or clamour.
It was the fulj^d of inceiFant abufe in all the federal
papers trom New Hampfliire to Georgia, and from tlie
AlilRlfippi to the Atlantic. It has been ten thoufaiid
times reiterated tiiat it was unnecefFarilv opprefTive — tiiat
it was wicked and tyrannic. d — dictated by Napoleon—
a farrifice of the deaieft intercffs of the nation — and, to
crown the whole, unconjiitutional.

In times of fafction, the public poflefTes a vondeilul
facultv of fwallowing the moil monftrous and improba-
ble falTehoofls. It was almoft univcrfally believed in the
Kaftern States, that the embargo was the result of a com-
Innatwn between ike fouthern and wejiern Jiates, to rum
New England! I ! I have repeatedly heard this alfertion
made by men otherwise of found rninds and cultivated
unrlei {landings, ,'nd whose veracity convinced me that
they did not attempt deception, but were themselves de-

•«^ ■•-'-« -■!»««

TUG Ol.lVk: BIlANCri.

119

a-ivcil. Tiiis extravagant idea proceeds upon tlic fiippo-
iition, iHat \hc incrthatit whofe vcllels arr obliged to rc-
inam unemployed at the wharves, will in eoMsc([uencc
be ruined ; but that the .iirrieulturill whose wheat, flour,
lice, cotton, naval Uores, ike. ftaguate on his hands, will
thereby fuller no injuiv, .lithough thev fall in value 30,
^0, ,50, or 60 per cent. ' i'is pafhng ihange !

Never was there a nu), e taHious or luiloundcd clamour
rvcited. Never, I repeat, was a public nicafure more
loudly called for by exiUing circuniUanccs, never one
ni'tter timed, and never one that would have produced
more salutary consecpienccs, had not fafHoa deprived it
ot its efhoacv.

I feel perferllv satisfied, that with the knowledge Mr.
JcfL'rson |)oireired of the niightv dangers impending over
our commerce, he would have juiUy merited impeaeh-
inent for a derelirlion of his duty, had he not recom-
mended an embargo for its protc«^)ion.

Mr. Pickering was the carlielt, the mofl ardent, and
the nioft ^iealous opponent of the embargo. Alter hav-
ing in vain made every exertion to prevent its palfage in
the fenate, he laboured to excite a flrenuous oppofitioii
to it in his own (late, and in the t)ther eaftern ifates.
He wrote a lojig, elaborate, and impafTioned letter againff.
it to the governor of Mairachufctts, in which he cndca-
voured to prove the meafure wholly unneccffHry — and
infifted that England had done our commerce no efTen-
tial injury. He regarded it ineicly as a meafure of hof-
tility to England.

To form a correct idea of the embargo, it muft be
confidered in two points of view, wholly diflinfcl — one,
its original enaftion — the other its duration. The K^tter
may have been, and I believe was an error. But I
fliould not hefitate at this moment to fubmit thedecifiori
of the queftion to Rufus Kmg, George Cabot, or
James Lloyd, jun. whether an embargo was not an in-
tlifpcnfible meafure, at a period when all Europe, e.\
ccpt Sweden, was declared in a flate of blockade ?

i' ^H

■TT-'^h*

120

TUl. oLiVE BUAXCII.

The cmh-wfrp wMs bid on thf* 23'! of December, t8r. •
Mr. Pickering's letter was dated Feb. 16, 1808 -l\
courle Us t'nunders must have been huiled <nrairi{t \lj-
enattiun ot the law — and had no leterence whatever to
its duration. ' *

I deem it thereforo bio;hlv proper to pl.ice Mr. PlcL
cririg's declarations in c()iitr,.st wit'' each other — and
likc'vife with the rfv.l ilate of affairs. The rolcr
win tiicn be enabled to decide the queUion correctly
hiuifelf.

Let me explain tlie four fuccecding columns. The
firft contains a ilatement of the Bi-tiih depredations
on American conmierce, abflraMed horn the mercan-
tile memorials of 180,5 6 — the fecond, Mr, Bafinir's
ilatement ot the effects of the orders in conned — the
third, the relolution 01 the fenate, Feb. 10, 1806, tm
wliich Mr. Picketing voted in the afRimative — und
tiie fourth, Mr. Pickering's vindication of England,
Teb. i6y 1808.

\!i :

1305—6.
MEMOIllALS.

" V\ r r.iiifine oiir-
Bclvf's to I lie M,«(ic alarm
iiiii. iKMMuse uiore exten
she (latent ovu and con
dtinnat oT)» of Ainencin
ffx'/' 0;/ Great lin-
tc'i "*

" New vt'SR«'ls, on
tVuit fn'it piissijif tV«»iii
the I'nited S; ilt's to lin-
lope, iiif aii«sie<l, fAf-
lifil O'li of Jiuir course,
aii<l I' juri<>ii» 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'-

<l> 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'<i

lenlt-

?//e»'s

l-el'-

TUiiry

IbOtf.

«« TIksc

'arts

f.um-

>iislrctt'

ii><l

a!-

hoDL'b

En.

;lui.tl

Willi

)«i

llc'ii-

<U|(I si)

ll>^ III

.ar,

C(MllJ

ave

lifS-

roytd

(.111 'in

' «S

l!\S

{E«l lY

)0^^^

\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.'<pedinp,ly coufdrng in true, of the power
uhat teas the law of nu- of Fmnce BU I
tions"X THKVFIilKLEV.

"Our vessels and ef ERVUVYTHAT
ftits, to a I ii^e amount, OF BRllAlN-'f
li;ivi- aiely bttii raptur- " l*,^ <i(l< mpt.
C(i by h«r commission- inc to confiue (be
til ctuisf IS, upon the Enropeiin trade of
foniKlatioii of new pmi Anu'iica to Great
c:|)ics^ suddenly invent- B'llain, and by
C(l "§ the avowal of an

" rhr' revival of her intenimn fo tav
disr'ided rule was chu that trade on Us
ractenzed with such cir pa'sa^e to the con'
cumHauces of imquiiy tinent, tve are re-
cirf violence as ralhei to turning to t/iose
liciylitr I by thecoiitrasi principles, lo xvh'ich
llio vt'Heralion of m«n- e'-'^n as a colony^
kind for the past jus- si,,, icould not sub-
tire of her tribunals '"§ rnit It is immntc-
" The heralds (jy rial, whether H he
whom this inslru'-tion a tai on stamps or
\ias first annouuod, on cotton. This
" tjuesiion has been

their hcinp JURY."*
employ«'d in
a trade Mitli
the enemies
of Great Bri- ^

lain, piuhi-
hi led in "e

tunc of

l»eacc, is ar^
tinprovoked
aggression up-
on the pro-
perty of the
citizens of
the United
Si'atcs — a vi-
olation of
their neutral
ri.fits — -and
<iH encroach'
ntent upon
thiir nation-
al inddpend'
ence^

* Bostiin MfirtOri il

IN York Memorial.

\ Pliiludelphia Alc-
moi'iAl

^ Baltimore Memori-
al.'

already the subject

* B'^iring's .Ex-
amination, p 12.
t Idem, p 74
X Idem, p. 76.

* Letter
from (lie
Iton Timo-
thy Pck-
criiig, sena-
tor from
the state of
Mass. to
- hi-s excel-

* Resolu leiicy Jas,
tion agreed Sullivan,
to by the goveruorof
senate of the the said
V. S. 8CC stale, page
page 93. 12.

•.(f'l

.»^

i22

T.iiE OLIVE niiAxcn.

wlierc llic rommanJcrs of a long and blao-
of hiT coiiituissioii«'«J ilu uar ,• and it
nnizrrs, v. lio ;it tlie can hnidlij be sup-
Siimi; linn; carritd it in- po^ed that Aineri-
til cffLCl with every cir- en icill noiv submit
cumslavce of ag^iava- to a diiecl attack
tion, if, of t>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.

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.

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-

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,<r the reign ot iederalifm, to enable the read
cr to tonn his opinion :

Vi'oceedinjrs of PhiUulclnhia ^Meetinz'i Cummodure Tvux

tuji in the Cluiir.

4(
«t

< t

((
i(

a
i c

'* Rdfclved, that v/o confider the late a6l of con.
grels, commonly called, " The enforcing law," to
be a dircrt invafion of the eftablilhed principles ol
civil liberty, and of the exprefs provifions of the
conifitntion ; as arbitrary and fevere to a degree nnric-
celF-irv, even to accomplilli the ohj ris tor which the
law is proteiled to have been en.W^fed ; as creating
an e* ormous and dangerous augmentation of executive
intlnence and power ; and as lumecedarily expofiiig
the citizen to the niileries of civil dilcoid and mili-
tary execution.

" Resolved, that the 9th fection of this aft, which
authorizes a minillerial officer, without procefs of
laiv, to feize goods at his dilcretion, under a pre-
tence that he believes thev are intended for exporta-
tion, or apparently on the way to the territories of
a foreign power, is, in our opinion, a breach ot the
fourth article of the amendments to the conftitu-
tion, which provides, " that the right of the people
to be fecure in their perfons, houfes, papers and eF-
tetls, again ff unreafonahle fearches and feizures,
Ihall not be violated :" and of the ^^th article of the
amendments, which declares, " that no man fliall be
deprived of lite, liberty or property, but by due pio-
ceis of law."

til

" ENFORCING LAW," PRECEDENTS

Signed by Jefficuson. Signed by Washington and Adams.

1. 'That the rollec- 1. 'That every coMector, navaJ officer

'tors of all the districts ' a«d surveyor, or other person especiallj

t^AS^iSahi-iSii?'' - ^-■'^k

rUK OLIVIi IIUANCU.

127

[ree unric-

> 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 lan<ling. or the
delivery of th«" same in
some place of the Unit-
ed Slates, *herc, in
the opinion of the col-
lector, there shall not
be any dans;er of such
articles being: export-
ed'— .Laws U States,

vol IX. page \'j^2, Sect.

0, of I be ict to enforce

the embargo.

' appointed by either of them for that pur-
' \n»>i . 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 <it my

* ship or vessel, wbeiher she shall be with-
' in, or without bis dislrirt, and (he same

* to inspect, sear* li and examine, al^^ if it
•shall appear, that an> 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

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.

* pa<!ed in any tiatiir or comitx )Ci riiiilr;i.

* I V to ilie tin* tenor hrit-of, &c.'— Act o!
9ti» I'eljruaiy, 1799, sect. 5.

K EM ARKS.

On the ' Enforcing

On the Precedents.

"^mx.

1. Minifterial of-
ficers are authoriz-
ed lo ac^ witiiout
procefs oF law.

2. Miniilerial of-
ficcrs may take
goods into tlieir
cullody found on
board of any fhip
cr vefrd.

Minlfterial of-
ficers, without pro-
cefs, may feize
goods on board ot
iiny velFel, n-hcn
there is reafon to
believe, tliat they
are irdended for ex-

1. Miniftcrial officers arc
tliorized to a6l without prccc!
oi law.

2. Minifteiial officers, o
other per Jons jpeciallx appo-'nlea
h\ them, may enter rtiiy Ihij) or vtl-
fel and the goods on boi'id, a
well without, as intlnn their re.
fpedwe cbjlnd.i : and command.
crs of public veflels n)av Icize
fliips on the high feas, bound or
failing towards <)ny interdiftiJ
French port, there being icalun
to fufpe6l an illicit traffic.

3. Miniftcrial officers, or anj
per /on appointed by them, may
enter any vcfiel, in which tiicy
have reafon to fujpeB goods fiib-
j '£1 to duty are concealed, &c.
And if it (hall appear to them,
that any breach of the laws is
committed ; or (in the cafe oi

THE OLIVQ BRANt'U.

±^^

portation.

4. Miniflcrial of-
ficers without pro-
cefs may detain
goods apparently
on their way to be
cxpoited, till fecu-
rily is given, that
they dial I not be
exported.

5. The power of
foizLire is confined
to goods, &c. toLuid
on board of vefTels,
or apparently on
ikeir zvay to be ex-
ported. There is
no po'vcr olvcn to
ariv iTunidcvial of-
ficer to critcr uiiy
lioafc without pro-
ccfs.

' Commodore

arms and ammunition) that there
was an intent to export, they may
make feizurcs.

4. Minifleiial officers without
procefs may fei7" goods apparent-
ly on their .vuy to be imported
by land ; and veflcis apparently
on their way towards a Fiencli
port, may be feized by military
officers.

5. The feizure is extended to
goods, &c. found on board of vef-
fels, or apparently on their way
to be iinpoited by land, and to
vcfTels on the hijrh feas. There
is no power jriven to a municipal
oHirer to enter houfes wiliiout
}>rocofs.

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;u<l any vpswri,
Mioiit or ollitf waltr

PRECKDENTS, &o.

Under lV'is/iiu>jlin anil /Idami.
•Thill tlif PifSHlciit »>fti»e I'l.ittd States
* lip, jiiiil !n' hercfiv ir uuiliorist-tt Hiid <iii.
' pwiveieil, wheveifr m his opinion ihe puf.Uc
' mfety shall sa require, TO LAY A\ EM 15 \ U-
' Go on iili ships and ve>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 Ciull<iii>0, 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 Unite<! Sintes, Hre ruimiTd lo v\e»
' ciiti iiil |iriTi pts iitiil oi'di rs nC ihe p t-»i.
' (l«Mit of the United SdUcs, issiifil in imi'-
' sn;\iKu or i)y virliic of tliis HCt.' Mcin,
sect 4.

On • The KnfuYchig
Law,*

IlliMAIIKS.

On the Precedent ft.

e ql'ivcrs emu-

lie liciiifr, the

1, Tlieic is no
''.li/l.if.vd power

ijivori to tlie Picfi-
■ Iciit. The coiidl-
tatiun clc'claics that
he Hiall fee
lau's faithfully
cciite-'l. — His
(liuclioris are
lie given in or Icr
to execute the la^v,
not lo ma^!'j it ; and
the inflriictions

mnft be in purfu-
ance ot ihe powers
exprefslv granted
to the collcftors by
the law.

the

cx-

in-

1, The piefid^nt is empowered
to l(i\\ and to revoke enilhiro^oes.
His ilifcidion in cftablilliiucr re-
gulations, isonlv bniitcd " to fuch
ai the crcum/funces of the cafe

ma\ rcq^nre

while his orders

mi(Tht be dire6^ed t), and mud
be obe\ed by, all officers o\ the
United St.utes rix<il and rmlUarw
he being eonftituted the fole judge
ot what orders were necefFarv, to
carry an embargo into efTcWd !

2. The prefident's in/rruclions
to militaiv and civil offuers, arc,
alfo abfolute, witjiout any limi-
tation by law, or any ufe of civil
prncefs, to aid in execution ot"
State Unallh Laws ; to cntorce
tJte non-mtercourfe Larus again ft
France ; and to expel aliens troiii
the country.

Commodore TriLvton's fourth Reaolution,

" Rrfohed, That the elevenlb re6lion of tbe afl
violates a political and civil right, more facred than
at>y 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, <oin-

* miiiiii •nth iii!4iii ){*'>> I** <c (li^priHr, uiitl
'rttiii' |nuii'.«l»ly lo llifii nn|J»rli«i' u.
< builiK, Hitliiii a liiiiitcdtinic.'— 76i(/,Ji'crj.

/ I

UHMAUKS.

Oh * The Enforcing
Law.''

1. In the • Rn-

forcing Law, there
is an authority
given to call out
fuch part of the
military, as is jutl^-
ccl nccefTary to ex-
ecute the law ; hut
it Is not true, that
the military are
authorifed cxprefs-
ly, or by reafon-
abie implication, to
fire upon the people,
without tne fanc-
tion or interpofition
ot the civil autiiori-
ty. No fuch lan-
guage or meaning
can be traced in
the law.

2. The terms ot
the " Enforcing
law'' authorizing a
call upon the mili-
tary, are evidently
predicated upon
the afcertalried in-
competency of the

1^^

Oh the Precedents,

1. In the art of the 5th of June,
1794« ^be hunt; proviliori is nude
for calling out the military to aid
in the execution ol the law with-
out any reference to the fanrtion,
or interpofition ot the civil au^
thority.

^ •"

2. During the refpeftlve admi-
nlflrations ot IVapiington and
ArJams, the military were^ oltoii
called out without the exprofs
fanftion or interpofition of the
civil authority, to aid in the exe-
cution of the laws. The inllaiices
will occur to every man, who rc-

l' mi

ISA

THE OLIVE BRANCH.

, ,"ij

•.''I

\IV

civil power to exe-
cute the law ; tor,
the call must be
judged necelfary to
efifetl the fpecific
purpofcs ol the law :
but it the cuftonri-
houfe oflicers can
execute the law,
with the aid ot" the
civil procefs, it
never could be judg-
ed r.eceflary to call
out the military.

3. The * Entorc-
ing law* does not
require a proclama-
tion.

members the fccnes of 1793 ''"^
1798.

3. The aQ of the 28th of Fc-
bruary, 1795, requires a proclama-
tion ; but it is by way of admoiil-
tion to the people ; and neither
fufpcnds the call, nor the employ-
ment, of the military. Such was
the conftruftion of Prefident
WaPiinirton under the previous
law, ot a fimilar import, pafTed
in 1792.*

To the candour of the reader I freely appeal. Let
him carefully compare thefe various fetlions to-
gether. Let him more particularly obferve, that by
the aft of June 4, 1794, congrefs aftually veiled the
prefident with the power of LAYING AN EMBAR-
GO, *' whenever in Ins opinion the public safety Jliouli
require it ;" which was, fo far as refpefts this impor-
tant branch of legiflation, an adual furrender of tk
legi/lative power into the hands of the executive ma-
gijirate — and that they likcwife gave him the power

• The comparison of, and llie remarks upon, these acts, are taken
from a pamphlet, publishetl in Philadelphia, in 1809, and entitled " The
Constitntionnlity of the Rmbar^o laws, established by precedent"— 3'
iurainous aad unanswerable nn essay as ever published.

THE OLIVE BRANCH.

135

■•of/pvinp^ fuck orders as inight be necffary to carry
viloejftd,'' the law which he had, of hn own mere ino-
twn, the " legi/latwe power'' to enatl. — When lu' has duly
pondered on thefc thinp;s- — and fully alcertaincd that Mr.
JclTcrfon's embargo acl in no in (lance exceeded, and in
mHiiv tell far fhort of, the former ones — will he not he
loll in amazement, how it was pofiible fo to work upon
the public paflions, refpetling this neceirai y mealurc, as
toadually endanger the permanence o\ the union ? lor it
is an indubitable S.d.h\ that infurreBion and rebellion were
threatened — and it has been repeatedly ailcrted and confi-
dently believed, that the eleventh congrefs, through a])-
prehenfion of that illuc alone, repealed the en^.bargr) a(:l.
I ought not to omit that the Icgiilature of Mafrachiiletts
a^liially pafled an afl making a compliance with fome of
the provifions of the embarg(3 law criminal, wvA attaching

to It certam penalties.

IS ou

t of

v power to prociue

the atl, or to ftate its details. Bat of its exi fiance there
is not the fhadow ot a doubt.

I annex a lew fpecimcns oi the ftile and fubflancc of
the relolutions and legiflatlve remarks upon the embargo,
—in order to fatisly the readei that I have not exagcrcrated
the phrenzy of the public mind.

1^'

I'W

b^Vn

^'iptj

^^^Ht'

i*''-)^!!! 'flU

\[ ; f (H

'^ T In

jJiM

' f^^m

^m ''

'fwm.

l''".|B \!

(.^.Mffl

Extract from the resnlnfions of the town of Gloucester,
Januari/ i2th, 1809.

••Resolved, that we will mutually wwtcli and protect what liule pro-
perty we have still left — that we will use nil latvfnl i\HyM.s ' touritsi <lis-
Uiibers Hiid hreakcrs of th<' peace or such others as may, Cumkr pre-
tence nf authority from government J jjo armed :.y uiii;ht,' or uiier any
mt.iHCes, or threate ling speeches to »h. fear and (error of tin- f» toil
people ot this tow j and that we will ever hold in al)liorri;nce pinps,
ai.il spies, and night-walkers, who strive to fatten on the spoils of their
suffering fellow -citizens.

' Res Ived, that to our a. ate government we took for council, protec"
Hon und relief, at tlus aiofu! period of general Kulumitii"

^ t

Extract from the resolutions of the town of Bath,

" Resolvtfl, that we have hitherto borne with silence the severe pres-
sttre of thtse ruinous laws [embargo lawsj — and although we now deem

■ /

■/M

'■■fi\

186

THE OLIVE BRANCH.

it our (lutij to sfyeahvith finnness and thn'iaion our detestation of them
and the fiolicy ivhich gavr rise to /hem, ue will still krep ilowj tlie spj.
rit f)f iivlimiiUioii ^vhich swells witliin us at llic tixliirauce of llitm and
will conduct toward the nalional {^oveiiimciit ninl its stvc-inl ofFii'irs with
6iiit«bl<' (Itference «ii(l ni(Kl(.r:ition ; that wc do liowiver ilespMif mI ob.
tainiiig any redrt'ss nl" tin se trrirvaiiius, from that RovennicnJ, while
its principstl officer are fillid ms sit prt-sont ; and llint our oidj Lopr is
lluu the stale government, hv ttit ir iciihmi tnuu-.i s mid it-solutions, nmy
have more influL'tice n effecting this objtct, than ihi^ pi tilions and me-
inori:ds of indiviilusds and towns

"Resolved, therefore, i\YA\. -a respectful address be forwardt' in die
name ot the i)eople of litis tow. to the Icgishiture ot this tonimon-
wealth, stating to them thewron.sm grit nances we alrea< \ MiliVr,
and the t'esu tid iippiehcnsions we cxptritnce of speedily havini; oiircii-
lainitj increased by the addition ot still more restrictive an<l arliirarv
laws; expressing ti» them our approbation ot the incasures they have
already adoptit! upon th's important object, and requesting them to t^ke
such (illiiir inniiedinti; stcjis for relieving the people, either by tlirm-
»';l\<'3 alone, or in csiice' t with oth r cofninercui/ s.'u'^e.T, as the extra-
ordinary circumstances of our situation viai/ require. '

i:»l

Extract from the memorial of the town nf Boston to the
legislature of Massachusetts.

'• Tl.c inhabitants of the town of Boston, in town meeting assembled,
rispertfiilly represent — That they aie constrained to apply to your
honouratjle body, as the immediate guardians of their rights and liber-
ties, for your i«rer/>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;

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-

war<ltv' ill ilie
Ills toiiimon-
licH'} MitiVr,
laxint; oiiriii-
and ai'liiiiiiiy
•es they lia\c
them to t:ike
ic'f l>y tliMTi-
as the extra-

)ston to tk

ig assembled,
iply to your
Us an<l liber-
m lliL" ^vkr-

laws ot" the
jitjecting tbe

lation. Our
to tohom it is
utionui mea-

Uiiii to this
1809.

)ur,(l it is the opinion of this Hssemhiy thai legal and conblitutional mea-
suri.t should he atloptcd lor th'it purpose

"This assoMiUly declare it as their delihcrate opinion tliat there ex-
j,ii,'\0 CAUSE of war «ith (ireat Britain ; that such a war WBuld he
iiDJiist, unnecessary, and txiremcly to he deplored ; thut the removal
1)1' tiie cmhnrgo will not neeesssarily involve ns in war; hut shoidd this
he the alternative, it ought to be a war with France and not with (Jrcat
Britain

"Inhabiting a part of the union the most engaged in foreign oora.
Dier e, they think themselves qualified to «lecide upon its ris^s^nud the
nstiire and exteiit of tlie injuries to which it is exposed ; ai «1 it isUieir
firm belief that our commerce, unrestrained by Self-desli oying measures,
iiiigM tiiiil n»any sources of profitable em|)loy meiit, wzVAoK^ intrvferirig
in nnij dcrye with those printiples of maritime latu, <« hit h IJ ii kat
BniTAiN deems essential to her existence, and which in an eventful mo-
ment Ilk.' the present she will XEV'KIt Yir.LD.

" \n\ this assembly cannot letVam from expressing tiicir conviction.
lint neither the honour nor the permanent interests of the Uriiictf
Sites req'Jire that we should drive (>reat 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!;:<ged ; a conflict interest-
in,' \.o hwmmity, to morals, to religion, and llic last iriii^c^le of Lbir-

'!/■

1S09.

Extract from a Circular Ilundhill rublished at JS'^eiv-
bari/port.

" You have repo^ ' - .nfidence in a cow.\nn [Jt fTeison] and leaned
on n broken stfifi"t)0 long. — The day of political probation is fast v. rg-
iii^toa close — when the fate (f America will be ilecided, and laurels
boiii^ht with the price of freemen's blood wiil grace the brows of the
(iallic tyrant. Let every man who holds the name of Amerita dear to
iiiiii, stivlrh out his hand', and put this accursed thim;, the KMIJAKGO,
fmiii him. He resolute ; act like sons of lihe ly, of GOD and of yoiii*
I'li'Miiiv — nerve your arms with VEXGiANci, ag.tinst tiie Ukspot
wl;,i would wrest the inestimahle gerra of your independence from
you— and you shall be conquerors !

"(iiNc ear no longer to the syren voice of democracy and Jeffe.rso-
tiian libertii -it is a cursed delusion, adoptnl by tr;iitors, and recom-
iiiciided by svcophanls.

of Tops- H "Jcflersoii — a man, who with tlie VAdRf.n of popular confidence,
H first gave the stab to your liberties.'' — 1809.

fr |!

great is our
utopted tliat
repetition oi
s ought ''ot,
llian then--
It day— lli"t
IS assumed,

Extract from the proceedings of the town of Augusta in
J\Iaine, Jan. 16, ISOU.

"T'le awful crisis lias arrived, when it becomes necessary for the
;'ic;,d> of our iudcpn <' ■'•e, to make a firm and decided !-tKn«l—

12*

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 <it' our dM«-llin^>, 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-

• See page 37.

-U-:'

ill' '

fMl ^i

H|f\

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 <lisli\si, or
■wliicli arcchars;c(I witli (lespatclus or hnsint'ss from lltp Roveriinu nt to
wiiici) tliey lu-lotig, and also packets h»viiig no carpo or rncrchuniasu on
bo.ird And if any p^blic ship or vessel as aforcsnid, not being iiitliided
in (lie exception rtbove menlioni'd, shall enter any harbour or WMters
■uiilini the jniisdieii ) ol the United Stati s, or of the territories tlieit of,
it sliiill be Uwfnl for tlin president of the United stales, or sueli oilup
pcrion as lie slmll hj'.ve empowered for tliat purpose, to emp'oy snih
part of the hmd aid ni\al forces, or of the n4iliiia of the Unite«l States,
or the teriitorifs (hireof, as he shall deem necessary, to coinpe such
ship or venae/ to depart.

bee. ,1, Jind he it further enacted, That from and after the fwni-
tlctri"!av of .May next, the eniraiice of lh« hiirbnurs and WJiters of ilie
Uiiiii (I States ,nd the territories tli'-reol be, and the same is hi rclnjintfr-
dictfd to oil ships or vessels sci/ing under tht\fl(i^ of (,'r i.t Bntuni or
Franc , or oivned in ivho'e ov in part by any citizen or subject of either ,•
I'essels hired, cliartiiid or employ <d fiy the uo^ernment of eiiln i- eoiin-
try, for the sole purpose of carry ing letters or desiatche's, and jilso ves-
sels foreetl in by distress or bv the dangers of the sea, only excepted, —
And if any ship or vessel snihnc^ under the flag of Grent B' itnin or
France, or onvnedin whole or :ii part by any citizen or subject of either,
and not excepted us aforesaid, shall after the said tiventieth dati of
jytay next, urrve cither with m- withcui i. tar^'O, -ivithn the Inn fs of
the United States or of the territorn's thereof, such ship or vessel, to-
gether ivith the cut'PO, if any, lo/uch may be found on board, shall he
forfeited, and may be seized and eonflemned in any court of the I'mted
States or the territorit s lliereof, having competent jurisdiction : —
Rnd all and every act ami acts heretofore passed, whicli shall be within
the purview of this act, shall be, and the same are hereby repealed.

Stc. 4. Jlnd he it further enacted. That fi om and after the t w< ntn th
day of May next, n "shall not be laM'fHl to import into the United States
or the territories then of. any goods -wares, ormerchund/se -whatever,
from any pitrt or place situated in Great Bi itain or Ireland, or U oin
any o( the eoionies oi dependencies of Great Britain; nor from uny
port or place situated in France, or in any of lier colonies or depen-
dencies . nor from any port or place in the actual possession of either
Cireat Rritiiin or France. Nor shall it be lawful to import info the
I'niicd States, or the t-rrilories •!»• reof. from any foreign port or plare
whatever, any goods, wares, or merchandise whatever, being of the
growth, produce or manufacture of France, or of any of her colonies or
•lependeneies, or being of the growth, produce, or manufacture, of
(ireat JJrifain or Ireland, OP of anv of the colonies or ilependencies of
(ireat l»ritain,or being of the growth, produce or manufacture of any
plawe or country in the actual possession of either France or (i!eat
BritHin : provided, that noililng h' rein co tained bIihU be constiued to
aifeet the cargoes of ships or vessels wholly owned by a citizen or citi-
zcnis of the United States, wh.ch hnd cleared for any port beyond the
Cape of Ciood Hope, prior to the twenty second day of December, one
tliousaiKl eight liundred and seven, or which had departed for such
port by perndssion of the president, under tlie acts supplementary to
the i^ct laying an embargo on all ships and vcsstls in the ports nnd !iar<
bors of the Uite<l States.

THK OMVE BRANCH.

iii

8o«. 11 .iiul be it fm'thr enacted Th t tlie prcsidiMit of ll e Unit-
ril Si.ttt s he •.>■'' 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

■T%-

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 <t<'liiiK», oi icji;iuiJ lo u.iijunui cliuiiic-
Icr, will SUBWiT to suck COLRClOiN »

'• It [noit-intcicouisf j is fowuidly ;./«/• // is a base ultempl to biing
on a wai ivilh Great Unfuin — Ii is FRENCH invvvii/ tealuic. /; n
inlemkU as a measure of hoslUity against Great Britain. •\-

l^' (■

CHAP. XIX.

The Erslcine arrangement. Ji most liberal and mn<^-

nanimoiis procedure^ probably nei'er exceeded. Lima-

ly applauded by all pnrfies. Rejected by England.

Cennnred by the federalists. Wuuderfal inconsist-
ency.

Never was there a nieafure of more fainicfs and

candour, than the arrangement made by our govern-

>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.

(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

,'.-.,

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 ()<!ici;r, wlmtii
reciill, «H n inu'k oC iln; kii(jj;'s ilif-plciisiiie, I'l oni an liiplily iiii|ioitMi,f
ami liou«)tiral)!o inhunnhd, inuncdialily issued. |\is majesty ia willii;)- i ,
I'ostoi*' the mill loiriMy taken nut of tin- Cl»fs;t«ic«ke, and, if urcrpin.
h\v to the Aiiici'i ui t;i)vpriinuMi(, to make a suitable provision for iIil
iinrortiinate sntlV ns on that oicasioii

'' I have thf h'Miciirlo hi', wiili »»'iitini( iiln r.f thchigliest respect nnj
eatibidcialiuitj sir. 30111* most ubvdiMiit humble sctvntit,

" Tlie hon Iti^hi'it Smith, Esq.
•I'crctarjr of !iUte, &;c."

" 1». V. tnSKINK.'

Miy'it^

ir«,

(No. IT.)

Department of State, .Ipiil 17, ISOf .

'* 1 liBV*" lai.l hcfnrc the president your note iti •wbicli you have, in
thi- nanii' and l>\ 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 a<ljtistment of the diHerences. which lia\e
so loii;j; and so unhappily siihsisttd beiveeii the two countries, tlic pre.
sidenl cunnot but leet ivc with ]deasiire, assurances, that his Mritaiiaie
niajt'st) is animated l>y 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.

, 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.

(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.

n. N. ERSKIN

fr".'

TIIK OLIVK nRANCir.

(No. IV,)

MR. bMITU TO MR CRSKINE.

?1R,

DtpartmeHl q/' Suilc, Apnl IS, IfSftj).

*• Thf iu»|p wliit h I hn<l the lintinur of imivinjj from y«u tliiii \\.\y,
I loNl i)«i I Mill' III 1. 1^ lilt; li«riii«- I lie iircHidfiil, » ho, I>«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<il.oii of
hiH iii<ij«'9ly to Hniii to the IJiiiliii SlnUHii i>|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<e his Britniiiiic
majeHty hIioiiIiI, id thi> iiicaii tunc, withiliaw hit oriiiis in roiincil of
.l.iiiUiii y <iiii) Noveiiihcr, 1)^(17 bo f.ir as it'8|H ■ ti the U 111 It'll Si al en,
the pi'i'Buli'iit will not fail to isiiuc n proclrtiinttioti hy vnKii' oi ilic
untliiiiitv uiid for llir pin poKtH Hprriliiil in tiie i-l«'Teiith nectioii of
the Mialiiti', ri)ii)moiily calleil the iioii iiileicoiiibc ucl."

1 huvc the houuui-/&c. &c. R. SMITH-

(No. V)

MR. BR8K1NE TO MR. SMITH.

SIR,

Washin^lon, April JQ, I809.

«* In eoii.'irqii' nee of the acroptnncp, by the president, n» staled in
yoiii- letter daicd the lUlh iribt of the proposals made by me on the
part of his maj" '•ly, iu my letter of the same day, lor the rencwid ot
the iiiteieonibe lielween tiie respective (oiinlriih, 1 am nulhonzrd
to declare, that liis iiiajcHty's orders in council of January and No.
veiyjier, IS07, will have been withdrawn as respects the UnilCil
Stiitiei, on ihe lOth day uf June next-"
1 have the honour to he.

With gieat respKt and consideration,

Sir, your moit obedient servant,

O. M. ER9KINE.

Honournbic Robert Smith, &c. &ic. &c.

(No. VI.)

MR. SMITH TO 7!<R. CRSKINE.

Department of Stale, April 19, I80J)

•in,

;■■., \

" Having; l"*!*! before the president your note of this day, roniaiii-
ins; an assurance, that his Britannic majesty will, on the tenth day

3^ii»—

%je£^

THE OLIVK nnANOII.

J4V

of .h\ne nrxl, linve willuiciwn li'ii Arilrm in connril nf Janiinry and
Aovciiilii'r, lt<i»7, MO fur nil it>)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 K<rii«iii,"
f4,., J Uuvc (lie liunuur, ^c. ^c.

R FMITII

IIT THE PUKSIPE.NT OF THK UJ»ITKI) flTATKS Of AMKtUCA.

A PKOCLA.MATION.

*• Whereas it is providfd by liu- rUvcnIli srrlion of (hr nrt of Con-
grrBH, c'lititird, " An act tu iiitt rdirt llif roiiinirin.il inl« lonivr
briucrn Ihi* Ihiiird St:ilrii and (ircal Diilain and I'laorc, luid iIumi-
d('|)tnd«?nri«'s ; untl forullicr iiniposrs,"— llial " in lust- imIIht r'niiiro
orCiieat Iji ilaln kliall so revoke or nindily lirridiiis u» iliat llit\
shall rriiHO (o violate the iicntral roniinirrt' of i lit I'lnud Si ti'ti,"
ihi- iMTRidcnl ia authorized to dirbri* Ilif s;inif liy P" -'••••a! ion, :if.
ttr which the trade snupcndcd hy the Haid. • « '•'"' I'V mi ucl lay
iiii; an rniliarjro on all ships and vc •mllif |inilNand IiuiImmus
ot the I'liiUd States, and (l.- '^ voiai acts sii|)|»lim.Milarv llMrcl
111 IV he riMirvci

I will) |l«' '»''ion so <loiii<» Atid ii'liercui the honour-

I IVIon'--''*' •'•skine, his IJnt.innic in.ijesly'n envoy extra-
„.« iiiiiiister |)teiii|)otcntiary, has, by the order and in Ihe
^v nf W\% 6overei»:n, declared to this tsoverninent, that the Britisl

[I Me D

avi

oiiliiiarv "

ii»

orders in conncil of Jatmary and Novcinher 1807, v^iW have been
withdrawn as rcRjiects the United States, on the tenth (lay of June
next Now, therefore, 1 Ja^Ie-j Madisum, president of tlie L'niled
Ktiiles, do hereby proclaim, that Ihe orders in couneil aforesaid will
have hern withdrawn on the said tenth day of June next ; M'\'^-
which day the trade of Ihe United States with (ircat nri,^}.) '|.,y.
sas|iendrd by the act of cnn^iesB above nicntionr^r,f,,| liaihours of

i.ig an embariro on all chips and vessels in ibft.,,,^,,^,... ti,e,eto, mav
tlic United States, and the several acs

be renewed. ^ ,i,e ^cn\ of the United Slates, at

>f 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^

■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

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 ><v of prf)of of its cxiflcnce alleged. And I
leel perfectly confident, that there are thoufands of
Knglilhrneii in various parts of tlic United' States,
particularly in our fea-ports, any one of whom takes a
mare aclive part in our politics, and has more influ-
ence OM our affairs, than any twenty Frenchmen. —
Talleyrand's obfervation on this fubjeft is perfcftly
i i!t. *' In every part of America through which I
have travelled, I have not found a fingle Englilhman,
who did not feel himfelf to be an American ; nor a
fiiiirle Frenchman who did not find himfelf a flranger."*
There arc Frenchmen in Kew-York, Philadelphia,
and Baltimore, who have been naturab/.ed ten, twen-
ty, and even thirty years, and who do not interfere
f ) much in our ])olitics as Englifli, Scotch, atul Irifh-
iiie^n frequently do within the ^i^ ft month of their ar-
nval. I have never, in thirty years, known tliree

* Mc^mn'.r on t!ie Commercial Relations of the United Stufes Wth
tn-laiul, page 18.

1,S*

;:^'

■\^

I' .»■"

"'fflBliWBj)i,,.

-" ii,.j..ii'iiteii ■

Idtt

THE OLIVE BUAN'C H.

Frenchmen in Philadelphia who took an attivc pan
in our politics. Many of ihcm rarely exercife the
cleflive traiichlfe.

This is a di<.ncirion. Let us return to the Erikiiyj
airangenient.

The condijft oi the federalifts refpefiing this cele-
brated inHrutnent, wp,s to tiie lafl degree inconfiflent. —
They were, alter it was agreed upon, as I have ihitcd,
unanimous and loud in their tribute ot applaiife ol
England, tor her rnagnauiinity in offering, and of Mr.
Madil'on, tor his patriotiirn and public fpirit in ac-
cepting the terms propofed by Mr. Efkine. The forcr
ot the language was exhauPicd, in panegyrical flrdin^.
And all the ptailes of Mr. Madifon were accoinparii-
ed by direft or infinuated abufe of his prcdeccHur.—
The two prcfidents appeared like the two ends ot a
fcale beam — in propoition as one rofo, the other fnnk.
Mr. Madifon Was railed among the cclelti.ds — Mr.
Jefferfon funk among the internals. There was not a
man of the party from New-Hampthire to Georgia
that did not atFert, that had Mr. JefFerfon thought
proper, he might have made an arrangemcrit on as
favourable terms at any time during his admini Ilia-
lion — for England had been at all times equally di(-
pofcd to do us jiiftice.

But when England rcjjf^ed this arrangement — when
fhc gave the lie direft to all their affeverations ol
her wilHngnefs to adjuft the differences between the
two countries, on thofe fair and honourable princi-
ples — they flill defended her — and alTailed, and abuf-
ed, and vilified, and degraded their own government.
And Mr. Madifon who had been placed among the
liars of heaven, funk down at once below the horizon
into pitchy darknefs, v/ith his predeceffor. And tor
what ? Had he committed any crime to warrant this
change of opinion ? No. Had he altered the fyftem of
conduft which had been fo highly extolled ? No. Had
he broken his faith with England ? No. His only
crime was that England broke the jaith her minijlo'

TlIK OLIVE HllANfU.

131

had fo folcmnly pledged to him and his country !! I ! !
Alas ! alas ! poor luiinari nature !

To eftablilh fully what I have afTerted, I annex
cxtrafts from the federal papers and fpeechcs, pub-
lilhed before and alter tliC fatal rejedion of thk ar-
rangement. '■ '^

>< 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 «l<iiie ichnt Mr. 'hffVrtion «f«.* re-
quested by the Btitish gotetnmeitt to do in the note appended to the trea-
ty returned hy him. Mr. IVIudison is now eB'trtii-tlly lesistinjj tlit*
Ki'ciich <lccrccs, hy a total tiun-nilercou<'se with that cotuiny : nnd
cliis lonnlry will thank him for it to the latest gtMiiT.-itioii " United
SUtcs' Gazette, April 24, ISog

" The candour f Ubernlity and "incerily displayed in those documents, are
alike honourable to the two governments." Poulson'a Daily Advortiiier,
Apiil \i2, I8t»9

" Thiit Mr iMadisou does not wish lo emhroil ns with Ens;lnrid,
we are now tliorotii;hly convinced : and whih hf continuPi ,'o pursue an
ht)nt<it and impartial prilicy, y^h* rv he inakfs one entMiiy, h«' will >n\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 /</* eltctionerrinir adrocate^y abandoned pra<tu:ally und
ill llie fare of the vnrld thv polivy and course of the Kaifc, and ron-
cliulf'd w'ilh Mr Erskine an agreement, which knockinc l\u* ignomin-
f'Wi« hfindciiff:* fioin our hands, unmor'ng our sliip^, rejoicing our htarts mnl
elnafing our hopes, drew from the union (the j.ieobuis excepted^ an
unfeigned burst of heart-cheering applause Never did a slatesmatt
act inure popular or more conducive to the true and permanent interest q/'
his country Philadelphia GaZ) Ite, Jone Z3, 1 809

" The p.iblic dommeiits which we this day have the satisfaction of
layini; before our readers are of a hi)(hly pleasingf and interestinj;
cliuracter. The note ot Mr. Criikine furnishes satisfactory evidence
of a real disposition on the part of his government to adjust, oa per*
maiient principles, llie long subsisting differences with this country :
•iiul Mr Siuith'8 answer to tiiat note evinces a candour and prompti-
uide equally honorable to the views and wishes of the American ad-
niiiiistratiou. While both parties are governed by this spirit of con.
iidence in the assurances of each other, we can foresee no possible
circumstance to impede their arriving at a full, liberal, and advant; •
geous accommodation " Philadelphia Gazelle, June 19, 1809

" We sincerely trust that an enlightened administration will coit-
tinue by its measures of prudence, economy, and wisdom, lo increase
the mortification and ra^e of meti, aliens to the Uuo interests and
honour of oar country. Ibid.

*'t^^m:

'W-

i53

THE OLIVE UKAXOH.

Oil the fecond of Myy, 1809, Mr. Randolph niovfd
in thf hoLiIe v< reprclciitiitivcs of the United States, llir
i'ollovv)i;g iclohition —

" Il«>fiolvt (<, (hiU llie |nomptilU(lc ami frHiikiiess with whicli iltc
Pir»<ii('i*l of "'C Uiiitc<l SlaUs Ims iml Jlic ovpittms of tin- {joitrn-
liivtil <if Gical Kritaiii tt)\\»ii)s :i KKtorutuiti of lidi iii«)tiy ni.il fiee
comnn'ici**! ir.iercouisc belweni the Iwo iialious, meet Ihc a^piuba-
tion of this iioiise ''

This occafioned a lono; debate, in whicli the federr.lifls
were nniveilallv in iavor ol the mot ion. Mr. Bdrcnt
Gardnier was anionc, the moil ardent cuKurifts of Mr.
A'lachfon. There appeared to be no bounds to his an-
plaufe. . ■

" Tlji9 !iTe from wliic'i we c\|)rft»>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;!<rc of \\\v itM-lu-
Mim, ♦ llie |Momj>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* <l to be tru( , (or
saying wbieh, I have been s« much censured — censured, because it
suited the purposes of «ome pj'ople, to attribute to me a confidtiirc
ill the j|l^tice of thc British govcinmcLit, which did not become an
American cittzerr.

XHB OLIVE BRAKOS.

iS^

'sxltfit was

x'i'lu prfkiilent very properly retyini; on the assurances of the
Britibli luiitiktcr, tliat llie edirtH of Grcnt Biiiuiii would have bten
talhdjawn on or befo'c the lUlh of June tb«ii uext, aulboriscd u r«:-
uewal of iiitercouise alter that day.*'

The governor ot Maflachufetts in his fpeech to the
legiflature unites his praifes with thofe of Mr. Garden-

icr —

'* We have f^rcnt reason to indulge the hope of realizing those
\icw8 [unsiug from a revivul of conimerc«'] from the pruinpt and
aiiiicable disposition, with which it isundtivtood Ihi' preient fcde*
ml iidininistrution luct the conciliuiory nveitiirpN of Great Britain—.
a tii^posilion which is entitled to, and wilt certainly receive the hearty
upprobalioH of every one who sincerely loves the peace and prosperity qf
ilm nation.^' . ,

The fenate and houfe of reprcfentativcs re-echo the

encomia (lie llrain : ■ - -

" The present administration of the }{cn«rn! povcriimcnt has ha»l
\\\v. wisdom to discern, and patriotism to commcin'e a course of policy
Hi-|<e(liiij; our conuncrre ami foreign rtlatioiis, which is «-alci)1alecl
to prvniote the piuspcrity, and to secure the peace and indepeu*
(li'iice of our couiiiry."

" The pruinpt iucplaucc by the federal administration of the
t<iiciliatory overtures of Great Siiialn, Hnich opened the wAcr fop
tlif ninuval of thuKc grievous enibarraKsnu nis by which the indus.
U\ ami eiiterprize of our citizens have so long been paralized, meets
'k approiatiun and Kill ensure the support of this commonwealth.

Mclfrs. Wagner and Hanfon chimed in with the
general llrain of approbation, which was carried to the
jitniod extent, in order, by the contraft, to blacken the
i^haracterof the former admuuftrdtion.

"Peace with Enirland— The tcor parly and Fmnch paitiznns are
-'■lou'n into complete confusion 'i'he p< rseveraoce of the Ea^tirn
^States, aided by tli<^ returning ueiise of a fonni«lnble body of i\\v peo-
I'l' "f Hie Southward, have URIVRN AUMIN IbTR ATION FROM ITS

(iiloLND. Since Mr Jefl'erson has letiiTd in disgrace into pnvatc
III', Ins successor hat been compelled to abandon the ruinous policy un-
lieruiliich the country has so long stifflred U'itli the /wajtwu/j wi/^, mid
'r^itikness eliaracleristie of a great ami enlightened n:ition, En;;lan(l
■I'Ktea seeoiul uttanpl to renew the terms of amilif and peace between
'<? l<co nations. 1 he parlieuiars of the correspomlenre liem»eu
"i. l.ibUine and the *eciciary of State are given iit this day's jfapei'.

i54.

THE OLIVB fiUANCM.

Sty

It piovps what we linve so oficti icpealcH, nnri wliicli Iia* ever been
Hltilitioiiily <lciiu'(l by tlie democrats, liai Great Britain teas ultca^t
influenced by a sincere desire to uccommodute her u){furtunutn dijftrinas
7vit/i Ameriia '\\w prcsi i vhiioii «iI tlu- couiitiy lias giuwu oui nf Uie
cfloittt o\ I he niiiiorny iii (-un|;ie»d *"

" So])hi8li-y i» htisily at uoik in llie tleniocralic papers In kIkw
tliut itie a( cuminuijiidoii wilU Eii|<lHiid is the rewult ot demsiiaiM-
plaiis thnl IK In 8uy, of the emh!tr||>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 <lepreeiiition of its produre. Every reflecting miiid

feels this at once nor does it rci|nirc any riiruitous argunin t to

be roiiviiu'cd, that a persevering' and ardent opposition to t/iexe demo-
cratic ji'flglc'ii tind not a totunfari/ abandonment of them, broke the
cmkurgo, and placed^ France and Great Britain upon that equal fool-
illgy uhick the LATf^K UNIFORMLY UfiCLAREO WOULD INDUCE
IlEB TO COMPKO,»»"V^

•* Sincere and gei'.^jul as has loecn tlte joy spread by the rrturn of
a f;nod underE<tandiiij; with Eii>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 <iccc(l('(l to niid puhliohni, provitlcii
aii\ n»iu"UH'sU!aJ udoptrd \\\i\r\\ woiihl place (ircut Britain pi u ftato
ot ('i|ii;il.ty uitli/a/ i-nrmietf us t(» the admission <ii ( xchisioii of lii"r
)l>'|>>) 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.<L'> 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.

\ .\V

* .*.

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 at<ach difgrace and difhonour to that minifter in
the eyes of the world ? Neither of thefe gentlemen
will dare to aver that there was.

The reader vho has perufed with attention the Erfkinc
arrangement, and confidered tiie advantageous terms it
infured to England, will be ftruck with furprize — and
he will naturally afk, by wh'it ill-ftarred counfels
were the Britifti ininiftrv influenced to rejeft this
meafure ? This is a queftlon not eafily anfwered. I
ihall attempt a folution.

A recurrence to the 17th chapter of this work, will
fhew the tumultuous and Jacobinical proceedings that
took place in MalTachufetts in the early part of the
year 1809. Open refi fiance to the embargo was advo-
cated in the papers — preaclied from the pulpit — obfcure-

[.*'

TUE OLIVK nUANill,

157.

!y menaced In the legiflatlve 1)0(!\' — niiJ publicly pro-
c!jiiiu*(l ill iiifldinniatorv lefolutiDiis ot town njcclings.

Intelligence ot thelc (lilgracctnl, thefc Jacobinical
proceedings readied Etigland cotemporaneoufly with
tlie account ot Mr. Krikine's arrangement. 1 think
it highly probable that the Britilh niiiiiftry fl.iltered
ihcinrclvcs into tlie opinion that our government would
be obliged to abandon the reftriMive In fie m altogether —
;u\d that they wonld then be able to enforce the orders
in council, without lofing the advantaijes ot our traile ;
and tiiat this confuierdtion induced them to rejefct the
aiiangement.

This 1 oder nicrelv as a corjc/durc. That it is plau-
fihli', cannot be denied. But in our tinu-^ there will
probably be no opportunity ot afcertainnig how tar it is
corrctt.

Another reafon has been afTigned, It is faid that
George III. was irritated at the itripiicd cenfiuc of his
govcinment refpc^.ting the conduct of Admiral Herk-
Icy, which, it is alfcitcd, fo tar wounded his feelings as
to induce him to rej<.'6l the airaugement. Man\ of
our citizens have defended the rejeHion on this ground.
Lf't us ctlinly and boldiv in\'eltiii te the afF.ir.

Tlie United States aie in a itate ot picdound peace.
One ot their national vcflels leaves port. She ex-
pects no attack. She is unpieparjd tor refi{l;mcc. She
is followed by a vefLd of lupcrior force, belonging to
a fiiendly power. This veff'el has juff eijoxcd tlie liof-
p'talities ot our ports. S!ic oveitakes oui trig-ite. She
iinperioufly demands four fcamen, faid to be liiitifh. —
Brudh or Americans, they bad entered vohmt.iilly.
And let it be borne in remembrance, the demand is
made by a nation which holds in bondage, thoufand-: of
our citizens, who, in the purfuit of their lawful v •» a-
tion, have been fcizerl by force and violence, aiiti 'ten
with bloodfhed and def'perate wounds. And furthr-r let
it be alfo borne in remembrance, the demand is made by
a nation which HAS proci mmild, as an irrevoca-
ble LAW TO \LL THE WORLD, that she Will hold at
14

■ *

i5B

lUL OLIVE BRAN'MH.

every hazard, ihofe seamen, natives of xvhatfoever coun-
tiy thry may be, who enter her ferv ce vclunta)il) "*
The (U'lnaiid is icpcllfd. Our vcllcl is uttackcd. Our
umcfiUiii^T citizens are cruelly murdered ! ! ! The decks
ot our vellel flow with blooil I ! She is taken. The crew
is overhauled. Four of them are outrcgcoufly fcizcd
;ukI made priioners. One is igtioiniuiojiny hanged!'
The other tiuee, tully proved to he Americans, aic
Leld in bondage I can go no fuith.cr My

f)en letufes its office Does not tliis l)lood cry to
icaven tor vengeance on the murderer ? Can the foul
ILun be efldccd but with blood ? " Whof'o flieddcth
man's blood, by nian fh.dl his blood be flied."

But, rcc' 'er, I was wrong. My leelings led me as-
tray. The atonement was worthy of the juffice ot

t'nc nuinarcii whofc f'ul)j -tls perpetrated worthy of

the nation which fufTcred the hoi riblc outrage. For

Admiral Berkky " was recalled ftom a hifi^hly unpor-
*' tant and honourable command, as a mark of the
*' lung's difplmfure ! ! + But let it be added, he was
taken away to be placed on a better ffation.---He was
removed from Halilax to be ftationed at Lifbun.'|:—
And this vvas tlie only mark of dilpleafure he c\cr
experienced. In 1810, be was promoted from the rank
of vice-admiral to that ot admiial. He is now lord
high admiral of Portugal.

To be ferious. Every man of a correal mind and
found principles felt that bis Britannic majeffv owed
it to htmleH to have difplayed his difapprobation of
the foul deed in fome other and more decifive mode.
The offender ouglit to have been punifhed. And
theiefore it is impoffible not to approve the dign'fied
but mild ffyle in which the prefident treats the tranf-
atllon :-—

• This renson kas been repeptedly assigned, to justify a refusal
of the auiTvnder of naiivcs of America, held in boiidiige on l>oanl
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.

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<!niw llir onlriii in coiiiicil of .liuiiiHr> 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 <ii'i-ai Miiiit^i ; JiminK tlicm in (one
villi roHpccl lo l'"r«iicc, ami tiiu powers wliitli adopt or act under her

•■ 2 (Wlint is of llic utmost import ;inco, iis i>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 <in vcnitetn a luuy he J'uiind cttcTripdtijt lu iKnk
'tuith the fjovta of any of tin sc powers ; wiilioul wlii<li sccuritj for t lie
observance ol tho embarpio, llit- rais.i jr ot it iiomiii'liy niib rfspe( l to
iireat Uritain alone, wciiid, in i'uct, raise il with rcspett to all lli.:
•world.

(i^t' *' On these condiliotn hix m<ij( ^ty ivoultl coJiSi^nt to withdiaw the or-
tiers in cvahcti of Junuunj and Suitnibtr, 18u7, so far us reipu'-i
America.^*

Let US examine this mofl precious document with
ull the attention its importance ilcniands. Let us weigh
its every line and every word. Let us fee what jiii-
ticc, what fair dealing it nicted out to this iiijuinl,
this infuhcd, this plundered n>>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<r off .ill our rclhiHions from the Knglifli
coiiiincrcp.

RcMiouncitur" (lininjT tlir cxiftin^ war, "«'/ trade
with tlic enemies' colonies from winch we wete ex-
(liidefl in time of pe;ue :" in other words, alieniinq; by
ucMtv to the niijnll and exploded rule of i7,'/>.

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*

,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«<i«i>»

IIIF, OMVE nilAXCU.

168

^ppnronl s'mcprlty have i xi)ir':<i(<l tlu li- f .nrs tlirt '\\'<i iinfoi'tnnalc rrnr
of Mr F.rskiiic niuy iiicrcMsc Ihr <litfitiilti(.'s (if h Inemliy iratigi incut
between iIk- c(»ii iirit-s " liitni. Oct. 5, 180'J.

•' Wliat was bill n few "lays jttro a (lonbtt'nl point, !<! now <ii>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

\t<i

U4>

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;*<!eis, pri S( 1M(I ns from a wiu- in Miiitii « cninplttf su(C( ss
Moiihl liuve riveted cliaiiis ou oursthesi." L,S.G:>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 coii<lui:tpd pei fuliouxly in disavowing it. Yit this HSptisinii,
one of (lie most injurious aid provoking that can hv iLrown upon a
nation, has heen uttered, ami inceshantly rei»eated Im vi Mial n.ii.ili.^^,
ill every deiuotratic paper in the uiiiou." Idem, December 20, loO'J.

" Every one acknowlcd,«;c9, th»t Iiad our executive concluded (lie
arrant'ieiiient of .\piil last, v\iih Mr Irskine, know injr that lie was iiw-
authorised, (lie whole nspoiisihility frr th- conbe(iuences, however fsi-
ilous, Moidd hare rtnK'd uimn themselves. It has been maiiitained liy
the editor of this gazette, aiul is no\» deinonslraled by the ii.dubidtliie
anthnriii(.s, adduced by ^1r Dana, ll.jit (fj to have done so •autlrjut
ktimviiip^ that he was aulhoriied, tens K/un/ly unit art atilaUe, atid ttfi tht
adinniisl ration no frround on xoliich lo claim a raiificatiov of the prvcceo'irg
bv the liritish government. Ji is prove i. beyond a donbt, thi.t ijj tlic
.mivernn.ent might, with just as mncli jiropriety, hi ve isjckd with ^(ll•
eral -Sm tli, or any other individual , coii< 1 J<!ed a corl^el■llOll ; pioiidi-
cd to cuiry i'. into cxeciitiou 011 their phit ; and llicn niistd a claiiiOiii

A..,

'Hj^'

'illK OLIVB URAXCU.

16tf

introvert
tlut (lie
have in-
her own

f fnrllii !• in
01 the luir-

nmmt hnvc
rloiv Ptrrtj

erias of the

mcrirn have
\ad f'irvifh-
\ yw vioiis to
esut'l.'- i>i '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.

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 <if (Jrent Ri-itaiii anfl accused them of perfn'v
fli;() l)>(!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 lea<linf; iiKn»ber« of botli bvanclies of their own pohlicks,
(^j'the incomfx'teficy of his trovers. aiiJtheprobuhility of the rejection
cf the ne^refmeiit hy Great Britain — then ihal &'ljnstrm'iit, so f-ir from
he.nti a proof of a (huftosition to ii-ah pence mid settle mtr ilij/'ei eiiccs,
Cj- is lilK SIROXtiKSI EVIDF.NIK OF A MUSI ILK I KM.
I'KIl . because Mr Madison knew, (lud tlie revulsion and the disap-
jioinlniei.t oiM- isioned by it among our ci izens, mouM excite new tlaai-
rirs and would bi cak to pieces tiut foimidable idjaLmx oi men. wlio,
liuiiu;; our embarrassments, had learned to speak and tldnk more fa-
rourabh, and of course mote justiv, of Great Britain." Ideiu, Decem-
ber '.), is(ty.

" If'^nrh had been liis aim (and perhaps a deeper politician docs not
•xlsl) it has been oompletf ly attMined. Hisown party are ag!«in rouse<l
to a war pilch. 'J' Encii some federahstH are open in their censure of
(Jreat Ilvitain fuv Q^'' uoino ii!.h hutv to iiKuski^, and cxerc sing
aright we hav always claimed and rcceivid; and other fedvralists
tioidn, Rud are in fnvour of wailing lo hi ar Mr. Krskine's explanations,

ruui Jj^sriLt. Pll«i!>0-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.z<Mtc
In A')nl (Kited, ihe had rcrcatedly in vain prc(red on xVIr.
JcfR'iion! ! !

I could fiil a Folio vobime with thefe frothy, elab ,ate
and anti A'nerir.?ii defences of the U.;til!i, ,tiid iicij-
P'it oiis oi the United States ^overnnient. But I feel
Idlisficd tliat 1 iiave done cnoujrii ; d\u\ that ti^.e is none
but the wiHuliy blind can deny that mo caiile ever could
b(>ail 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 <m adminiilritioM pmTued with moie rv:-ino' f'e-
l^oG, virulence and with lels ferublance of julhcc than Mr.
'4(111 iibn':5 iias been.

'..^W^BW^^j

160

THE OLIVE BRANCH.

CMAr. XX.

;« '

Impressment of tlmericun Seav.ien.

riea nf Jawer, Mttllson. Of John ({itiiici/ Jlclams. Of
hill. Cobbet. Of Jteei'v(i/ Jiegister.

All idea is very prevalent that the imprefTmcnt of our
fcamcn by ih.e Britilh veifels ot war is a grievance of
little moment, to whicli the malice cntcitained by our
adminiliration againfl England, has attached an impor-
tance ot which it is utterly nndeferving. Hundreds ot
thouf.inds of our citizens have been duped into the be-
lief that tliis item of grievance was created under Mr.
JefFcrfon, or at Icafl incalculably exaggciiited by him and
his fucccin^r. Never was there a more egregious error.
Never was fraud more fuccelstul in propagating — never
was tatuitous crcdul!(\' more drcrived ni bchcvuig, a laic
as totciffij tiomthe trr.th as Eicbus is fiom heaven.

Mr. Madilon has been ten tiiouiand times curfed for
bis tolly and wickednels in involving the country in war
ioi t!ic purpoft- ol feciuing a few ieamen, who are laid to
be vagabond Erigliih,and Iiilli.and SctJtchmen, the Icum
of the caith, from the claims of their lawful prince. It
has been alleited that few or none ot the citizens ot this
country are impieiled — that when lucli an acc'tdfiit tdkfA
place, redrefs is eafv to be had — and fuither, that England
is, and has at all times been, ready to make any arriui/rc-
ment whereby our failois may be guarded againll imprelf-
nicnt, provided Ihc can be fecuied againfl the lofs ot hers.

Fiom the commencement of the war of the French
revolution to the late declaration of bottilitics this was
a cond.mt. uncoahug fubjc6> 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

--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

metican

d (omctimes eve

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.

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

icy

U<\

vohn:

taiii^

cniiMgccl HI It.

av more.

Cir zii/:(I/^ JJie 7mpr(/ft:s her ozun jubje&s jrotn th

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

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

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

— >

^^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<u) be proved.
Let them, Ihe lays, be brought hetore any magi Urate, or
any juihlic civd authority, in anv one of \()in' own
poits, at home or abroad ; and llie is wiljmg to nhidc' by
liie decifion. (jr^" Bur, let not men be feized in her Ihips
upon the liigh leas (and fbmetimes at tlie moutlis of lu'r
own rivers) whrie there is nobody to judge between the
parties, and (j:t5° where the Bi'tdh otlicer gotnc on boird
is at on^e ACCUSER, WITNESS. JUDGE, and
CAPTOR."

L) )

From J\''ilei>'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.

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}<in->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[)^ «<i war,
:i;^i'cfMl)ly to a rif^lit cl:iiint'il and
cMTcisi'ii fof afjcs — a iij;lit clHiin-
ed Mild L'xei ciscd iliiiinj;- ih(;
whole of ll.e !i<liiiiiiisti atioiis of
VV'isli;njj^:oii, of Ndiiiis and of
.!( fl'. rso'i coiitiniii- to t; ki some
of the Br tish smmen found on

* Liter lioin riinolliv Pick- • l.ctti-r frmn I iiuothy I'ickrr-

cfiii^' Ks(|:- si'cretaiN f siat.. to inp; to liie lloi James Suil.vaii,

KtKiis Iv, .!>;;, 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<iiiiN(i Ivik..

placcU uti a I'casoiiul'lu luoiiiig." M!tii.M:.:< riioM cirizuMs ur Tiu;

I'.NJTLi) STATKS."^

1 Idem 13.

On tlicfe incotififlcnt papers I v)frcr no coiTinient.
It would be an aflrout to the puljlic. He Miat runs
may read.

tU\P. \XI.

Tnipressuifnt Jurin^' ihe (tdminliiraiiuu of General ff'ash-
■ih:;^to}i. Letter from T. Jcji'.nion to T. rhihucy,
('"rinii J^lr. ..'.n/ to l.urd GrenviUe. From T. I'icL-
erino; to Itufuii K'iu^\ From liufus King to lord
GreKvilU'.

Kji'tract (if a L, iter froin T. Ji'ffi'n^on^ Esq. secreiary nf
St(iti\ to T/iom(ifi Finkney., minister ylenipotentiurj
fif the Unii'd States at London,

Ifk-

Dcfjavftnnit of S/ntc, Jimc 11, \79\
" "i 1 c |ec!iV,.ii" (iistom in l'i;;^l;iiiil o' iinpreisiiif^ sriuncn on cvri v
• f-jil't ti!) ue of wwr, will occiisifmaliy expost- our 8< union to peculiar
ojiprcs^iDiis :ii,<l vi'MitioDS. It will be expciliei.t tliat jou lake pio-
tier oj'portuii tit f, in llie mefln time, of confrriiitf; with tlie minisim
f»;i ttiiti sul)jt!i;l, in oidi-r to lonn some an'anf^cnient loi tlie piotic-
tioii of oiif sinmcii o!i tlioso occasions. W e eiuii'iiy njcct the iiki'c
\*!iic!i Miisllic sulijccl of CO vcrv; lion between Mr. Monis an<l biin
\> 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 <tl lli«V< : Ulll-.fil to ililivtT ttli hll)K I lllllMfl'UI II i

to 1)1' MHiii- il hv liiiiijicit ) o llic picRS <iirin r wlio Iimh touu nil IiimiiI
!• tlitl |iur|i iM- ; iihd (■ on thru tlie ViriLrictii vo'isul •liitll be cnlli(|
1 I. oi'flv lo iirj; H mH't'iiKMit nf lliis imint Ix Ibi f ;» I'lW on- 1^ on

t III 1% iifi' Itc ■itni'-s Im ilriw tlnii' nttiiii.«»ii in //«? /icr »/'/(;»•
il'tJ'iii e.rc t-il on tlif liint uccunion unit tfif liifflitilii/ of uv ulmj

■IfISC

iiiir mukiuq imtiufil nte repi

in tli

'tt'fv tcuitn n

lifve N nil « ill \\' h<>

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<Io«r ynii a t'n|>> 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|<iite

t IIHII S, ()

II tilt' CO N( (l(° Atl'll M, llV till ( IMlllll.inill'l

Itl- sill

V( s-*i't So 'ifiiiy niiliincft of llui kind /line lid/iptni d,
n<'irsi.ii\ (lii-ir uoM'i'iiin' III sli iiil.l «'X|rii:ii iIiiiiik'
j'(", il till lie Ifit III <|is->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<iii iiM 1)1. ty )•• iiKisl likrly lo imdJuii ihrilisiml
fflTci'i, ami KC(iiii'(i> 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 <il' Ins nation to in(ci|iut>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.

Evh' irt of a note fr-nn ,^fr. Jaj/. Knv<nj E.vtranrdlnnrn
(nil m'ni\fri' Vl "lij) i^euiiiirif of the Vnlted Slnfi's at
J.on foiii to lord Greiiviiic. Secrvtartf of Fore'ti^n "ijfdinif

dated

London, Jnlif 3), tTf);).

Tiir niKiorsiirnoil fiiih it :»Un to b > 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)

I/.

1.0

I.I

1.25

vs. 1120

tti

1.4

1.6

W Jh

Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY. 14580

(716) 872-4503

^<b

«^

ci\

17 J

1IIE OLIVE BRANCH.

rondcmmtion of American vessels und properly, 'umI to vnu\uul /*(^
S'Hiul seierifie^., l)^f ^'' even lo the iinpreanment of /Iniciicnn citizpn., la
acne on bo<irfl of fin>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 iii<i«lfjf « pl«'iiMi;{; (x-
pffliilioii, lli.'it ordfc will Iji- aiwo, Mi'H Ainfriniiii? so riiruinslHiirid
]i" imuiediatt'ly iiWci a!e<l, and lliat persons) lioooiired vviih Wis m ji's-
ty^'i ( oinmi>sii>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- ■> <v« ly. Ill iiu- pot'lN ot* Grt'iil Bniaiii -.iimI liilaiiii, tlu' iiii|iiess
of Bnttjik sit/iji'cl.i, fouxui ou hojm\ of our vi;sst'ls, most douitt k-sa be
ahiiitlcd But I his nliniild be cuiilrouled bv ic^u:i<tioiiB lo prevent
insults and iiijiii its, and to iidinuusttr |ir<iiii)i; i.mf ,'j'wheie Ame-
iK Ki <M(iz<its (wliicU «vill assuiodly bapprn; :<ti!ili be mi>>(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).<tive citizt-iis Tbr 4ih iliss eoiisisti of Bi tisli
lifli ■! sn'yuis, liiit rtlto, «ir ma >y of Mhom, in ly have be< wrii«' < t z<ns
siii)sti]ti< It to the trt'jtv of peace, or whn heitafler may be adinltid
til :|i(> ■i<r|ils of citiZ'-iiH I< IS this riass alone, about winch any pie-
ti'iiK iif iiubt to iiiipi«'ss ran be tirade With r^^aidto tbesf, ii may
lj« rt' nipt d til pint' it ilieni, as vvcll in iinie of war as <»f pt'iirr, in
tii< ioi <»vMiin I -.UH'H ; F'lst, nv'/^M Iheif xliill have serrerl in 4?tieiican vet-
sell, public or priiu'e, fur 'he sa-ne term tn which fnieinnen serving in Hrit-
iih lY'Wp/v vnuld no/uire the linhi" of Bnlish suhji'ct.i, which ts umlt'rstuod
to he ;hree f/P(iK : or secondly, if so much cmniol be oblainul, ivhen thoie
peitnni, nri'jtmally Ihitiah subjcctx, shall have resided Jive years in I'm
U'liifd S/ntes, and been formally admitted to the rights of cifizens, accord-
ing to OUT laivs

" It niU!«t tt'teii happen tli it satlnrs will lose their eertiHeates : pro-
vision shoiiM tbi-iefor*' bv niadc for the udinissi<Mi of othiT reasoiia/ile
|iio(if ol tbi-M citizenship, (<iit-b as their o^tii oalbw, wiib those oftlic
iiiisii'is, iiiatt'8 Oi other eieilitable wiiiu-sses The rolls of the cieiis,
or shippiu); pafiers, may also bi- aiilbriitieati (I by t^<e riiliei tors of the
customs: and tlicii lheyou::htto be udaiitttd as uf equal validity
Willi the individual certifiijtes "

From the same to the same.

Sept lO, 1796.

"lenclosea letter from Francis S. Taylor, depiit> 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<ler
my <ii)sri * ii Mill : ;m)(| iis iiii|i(iit;iiir'f, I cnnffss, is nuul grciiiti tlniH
I |i. il siippi Nf' 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^ <liseli.iri:f of tli» ri iiianmur I4y. I
l»av( lecemfl em nii. ,.' tfin sliipx on honril of ivhich tfie^e stamen

M'fTf (lefainnf, hdiin^, irtu iirfanc'Sf sailed bifore on eiaviinalmti uas

f/ififl ' V7 colli' (jJii'^'CP nf nil/ aiiii/itaU-'nt

*' It if »«i laiit. tlml some of tliose wlio liave nppliffl to tiip, are not
All" IK an nlizeiis Hill the except ions are in mt/ opiniov fiw : aiirl

tht < vtdi'rii e, «'y<lnsive of r< rtificiiies. Iiais heeii such an m- «ini>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."

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<l with some success, be inimi'tiiaiely
issued a general order to all captains and eonnnandcrs of sbips and
vessels of war, .lirecting tbem not to obey any wiit ol' habeas corpus,
nor sufte • any mm to have tlieir Kiij)*. in consetjiienc" of any su'h
wi'it Since the above uienliomMl order was issued, writs have bet-n ob-
uiiicd against Captain Klpbinslone, of tlu Tartar frigate, to prfxlnce
ilnee A nigricans, named in the wi-it, before tiie thief justice ; ;ind
;igaiiist captain Foster, of the Mbiemc, to produce four; and also,
:t ;iinst Captain Otway, of iIk; (^ler^s fii!;ate, lo produce twenty \rn«ri-
'''tiiii, in like manner bcl'ure the chief jubliee. All thoS)« writs weve

Jlt^.

jfit>!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 .<il .flinn ; I ;*?ri.i;ist
C'ljil;.!!, (/iM'uy \vii3 ti>ktii oiil i fUifii <l _\» since. IJiil tlif niHisl. I \im
rcil ht L'li :iblf, iis he sjiys, lo seivr it on (In))! liii Dlvvuy : ;in<l iri..i, «11
tli»t I fill! 1' ;irM, tli" !•!■ is ii'tHiiy jiiob Mlity lliiil ht- will si-i'Vf th writ;
SO iliiit tlie hnv in tliis :nhi7id, it

Here again we fiftrl what rerlrcfs the American flavc
has tt) cxpctt. He is brought ti) tiie gangway, and ^-If ig-
NOMIN' HJUSLY scuuKGi. 1) for daring to try to iiavc
his Cdlc taken into the cognizance ot tiic American agent
ior the reiict ot imprellcd ieamen.

From Tlmotliy Ficherhmj Eaq. secretanj of state, to
Silas Talbot , Esq.

August, 15, iror.

•'Tfnnrnavnl nfficor shall Imve commlttpd snc'i »'> 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 <li(liriilt';t-s \i hich di. m Mid
eon'-i<!< r.iiion at th'' • nMiin.L' session, 'lit y "vu rrasoni'.g: in >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 <l on botr Hiitis' vcs-
stls , ll behoven tlie honnnr .ml fu'th of tfie Rvit sli ^fovenmi'nt,

to adh.rcto tUeir /jrincip e on natur-<l all P'idnce -wholiy tn- to renounce
it wh'iily : 1 ikI an aiiswoi ou this iJoiiit, woul i iiavc become iiis lord-
ship's candour,

•' 1 <v,nsid..v (/' 1. Tall)Ot's as<ency in the West Indies to be no lonsrer
vrrv iinporiani. 'i'ne ii,<!:iil condnct of Adinii-ai Sir Hyde Parker (who
fro:n tlie h. };iniiinrr bus ili. ow n obs'acles i thew y) lea»es bui Idle
room t(i ;;;et nor searnen ivli:iS' u 'I l»e opposition of itu orilcers in
general, induced Col. Talbot to take cut wnls of habeas corpus at Jivmai-

.1 jtfc^ . ^*

TUE OLIVE DRAXeir.

ITtt

US, by whic^, fVircctlv o>' 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 <ntr sci.m- n
liavti 'ft.''! fiunished tor uttciiil»liii;^ to scud Icitcis ti» hnu lo iiitVirm ol"
llu-ir silUiiiioii

" Mr. I.ibloi) assdrcd me, th;it tiie IJritisli otfic is li;ive orders r.ot
(n iiiijiress any Vmcrii-aii si-miKii, (tiid ot coil •><■ 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<i f^'i^g* ministpr plenl-
pttiutiiirj of the United iSttites, tu the secretary tf
slate.

LnniJon, March 15, 1799.
"I mentioned niir diss.iti»frir(ion witli (li«> 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<l\ J'^mrnsli or Aniiiieun snitj-e's, Imi> hIho 1^''h.'1 D(tni.ihf
Swedish, and Oilier fnieian seamen iu/i> cnuld no' rr-cett e :im<iictni pin ec-
iinn^, iveie itnlt'tcrtm nntnti/ tukin from tlu-ti lo'uutaiy se^rne tit <»ir muiral
tmjilni/, and fore* i| into ilif \tat in ih nivi. s<'i»ite «!(()!.•, 1 |{ it.isii.

" riiat on tins snbj'it J" W" had nonin and n;>ain 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'<j for Eic^l md,
tnii safe for us

" Til «i lo decline sneh eonvendmi, and lo ptrwist u a pruti'-e
wliK'li we MCie |»ersu;idcd could not '<» v>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."

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

• Idem, pa^e 0.

16^

TJIIi Ol.lVE unANCII.

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\<Milit |>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<! a conflicting (-!diiu lo llii- (xison.

" ij'The United States^ tbeiofore, require positively, titnt their xrrrnrn
vhi) arc not U tiitfi .fu/)Ji:ctSy wlielher born in America or etseiv/iere^ s/uitl be
txi'iipi f'lom impics^ineut

" ri\»' I iisi ol Ijniisli snlijicls, wlntln r iintiir;»lizfil or not, ib more
qiH Ktmiialile ; but the ri'j^lii evan to impress tlivni is dmicd 'I'lic jiiar-
tueotilio B itisli govcniiiii lit ilscif, iinv ccit.iin'y, in a co.iliover-
g\ »«itli lliat tjovi rmncnt, he nlicilon The privil^ i^c^ ii ctnims (index-
ticHC-.i, ma<j certatnlf be cr.tlcd to oltfrs. J'^j" I'o den;j this would be In
deny the e'liiaitly of nations, und to ma/ic it a question ttf power and not qf
rii;h

'• Iftli** practice of ilip Bi'ilish govornmrnt may he quoted, tliat
pnirliii' is lo m iintaiii ai;ii dcfi'ud in liicir sca scivice all Ihosr, of
tiiiy II (tion, V. ho liuvt- voluntarily en^Hijcd in it, or w ho, act'oniin;^ to
till ii laws, h ivi' Wi loiac III tisli (inl'jcf "s.

" All^n semucn, vol liriiish sufijeits, enrrfined in our merchant service,
vght to ba equdllji ecenipt xcith cmzt-ns fioiu tmpiessinenis : uc liivc a
ri;;iii lo ei:u;.i;;i> 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'.s<tes<t on is nf tite same time an o^ult
«■'.(/ (r' i'ljtt.i/ j^'f'l! is (tn act nf I'K, fence for which 'here exnta no palliittiiP.
" iVe know well lh<t' the diffunlty qf dtilitiniiishinti between naUr«
Amfiicans tmd British ^uhjec's has been used with reaped to natives, as
(in ap'ii.oifjlfor the 'njurie^ coniplame-l (f It is ndt preicndi d tli iJ this
apo ony cm l»<' «'Xlc;ui(rl to iln' tasc of foici^jiu rs ; nid, with KspiTt
to intnes, ue douht tiie cxistinrc of the difK<o'ty alir^jed We
kiioiv well thai anioiii'. that cl.iss of pioi>le 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 ><liy IhccapuUyof mikinir this disliticlion should not be
possessed in the sau>e degree by one nation as by tiiu other.

&^is^

t-iikmm^'^ssr^-- ...... ^

:i '■

IS I

Tilt Ul.IVfc- iniANCH.

•' If lliciefoic no rrgiiliitioii <ni« lie fornnjl »»hit'h 1.I1.1II iffuim,).
ly mruif ull kfuauii tin liii.inl Atiici ictii) iiu-k tiniiti.a-n, (j j u«' //«.«
u ri^ht to expiTl fiom Ifiv jii.\luv of'l/ic Urilts/i got trnment, J'lont 11% n-
^11 III fin the frteniUltip if Ihe I'ntful Slater uud il$ oun honuur^ that
ti u-tU mantfint the unuenty of itn uis/ies to ntiii'ss thil t(fft)ice, by '^'pw
viiliinff those who eommlt tl.

•* \\v lioiif, liowfvcr, tlut an agrccinf iil may be vntrreti into, »^•
liif.K toiy liiiJ beitcticitti to bulli puilifii. The arlicle whi<li ii|t|iciti«
Iw liiivt bci'ii IraiiMiiiiUfU by my |iit'tJrriii«<ii, while it sutisbin tlim
cuniitiy, tvill |irobiilily rtatoit tu tlu- iitival service of Great Biilnin
n ifrtiittr iiiiinlx'i of Heaiiicn ihaii will he lost l)y it. Shnubl \vi ivfH
hv iiiiftl.ikcn ill llns lalniliition, yii the diference cutinol he put tn
luinipvlitiiin H'ii/i the mi'diuf uhivh may result fioin the initation junL'i
txciltid (>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 <uh xbi))s uf war, ihotich not lo impress, yit to
Meruit Huilursuii bcaKi Uiitish mtrrhanlineit Surh are tbt luiiiin'-
nieulM to eiiler 111(0 our naval serviee, that we believe even iliis
piuetiee Moulii very Herioiisly allttt (he navigation of Untuin — IIum',
• ir, would it be rceoived by the Bridbh nation .'

" Is il not ntoie adviHable to de.-iiHt from and to take effeelual mca-
fiirea to pretent an at know leilue<l wroiitf, ibau by peiM veruix e in
thai « roiijj XJ" '" t''rt'"e ogaivsi themseliei the welt founded resenln:^'"!!
of At/iencii, and foice o<ir ^ovcrninenl inio measures which may tery puni'
bty tennivaie in open rupluie /"

Extract of a letter from Ttufm Kln<i\ Esq, to the secre-
turij of stale, dated, LuiMun, tebruary 23, IbOi.

'* TliP progreBS which had been made in our nptj"<' '■•>•'"" **"'' ''''^
government, was sikIi as inu.tl have lii<nii;bl il to a stpeeily eo.'fiii-
»iou, had not a ri»;iiij;e t ikeu pi.iee in the itepartmeot of foreii;i) af-
fairs; that ihe iisuh would, i'l tbe main, bavf been sntisfaetoi y, i»
niorelbrin I am aiith.-nzed to B-.y, altliooah I H.ittered ni\s«lf «iili
the bopeih.W it would be so. Loid IH. ksljiiry assuies on tUal lie
will uive 111 ihe several oubjeels, lOiieh li.ive t.i in pretty Itii!;, dis-
cuseed^ un early and impuitial considsralioii : and 1 am in hopes that

') Iti: OLIVE nRANCM.

Ib3

liinl S( Viiirriil u'<|l likcxviv** Up iiirlinril Id' alliMnl to our riiln .iti><l
rriiioiisliiinn << iiv;.iiiih( tli*' iiiipii'>Miiii;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 <lt litir\ of tiny txA-
oiH, s\il»j»'i Is or i itizciis iM'loiii'ini; li» tin nllitr |>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('iii<l liosli|i|y, voltiiirii ily fiiii rt*il
i;ilii llio snvirc <if llitir own so'-nnjii or iiiitiou, »t lutrc Imn cmn/xll'
alio fn/cr titcicin, accurdtng lo tin l«Hs 'i.ul practice ymaiLin^ in (Ikj Iwo
ounlrics i<^ij»ec!irrly

" ll iH, liowj'vci', Hiidri'^loml, tliit no sti;Mil;ilion in lliis mlilili-
ricii iirlii!c sli ill lie consti <ii il lo (>iii|):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.

. J:i

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 F<ln nary, toii^i''^''' ^^H'' '''s |»i<'jt "fa
liialy for ihf rr< pro' .il dfliveiy of dcscrlers : lYj" nhicli oppnars to
t\e:iecietwi/ ulleil,, inailmi'sil/le, UNLKss IT woL'LI) PtT AM rndTO
IMriUsi'MENTs — which Mr LiKtun srcuifd to iniasuif— «;/ii/(? tlie se-
u.'j/// panioKifi/i of I. is p'ojel e.i/i;e<</^ reco<>niz(S llie lii^ht of »«-
;i'e««;>'g liiiush subjec *•, ami constqiantlu Awouan cili<tns as u( pif-

16*

i'i

§'

M ,

] »

i«o

THE OI.IVE nnANCII.

B. Sfohlard, Esq. secreinru of the A^'avi/ to the Prc^

siiUnt.

Fehninrt/ 06, 1 sno.
" TIjp RceiTtai y of llir navy is rleai ly of opinion, \],nt (J^ il \n heU
fri (!• have ti" -I'Mitt;, .nd mr- i ,,ii cnixcjiimrrs, tli:,ii not o cnume-
file men hunt > (-"(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 <ontitro«'l tu cnipower thenvil, militury or natiil oH]tn> 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>n<iciA or the ofHeeis of the forls, posts, or ves*
scis of tlie other parly, v itii a view to cunipel the deliveiy of such
persons as shall deseit as afurcsuid."

This article was intcndet^ tYtlly to fecure, frotrt im-
prediiient, even in our privvue vefTels, not meiely our
own citizens, but alio the fiil jjcts ol Great Britain.

Mr. Wolcott, fecrctarv ot tlie trcafury, propofed a fub-
llitiite for the aiticle obji?cted to, ft ill more clearly and
explicitly annihilating tiie prctenfions of England to
iuipiefs Teamen of any defcription on board our vef-
I'els.

" It is, however nnderstood, thnt nothinsr in the foiepioing stipnla-
tioiis sti.ill hi' eoiist:tie(l to empower tlie civil or any otiier ftlKeeis,
ofeitluM party, fi.rrihiy t<» enter the loits, posts, or any other place
within iir under the jurisdiction of the other p«rty ; nor to empower
thp n»v,)l e'MTini-inders or oti-.er officers of either paity foredtly to
enter <-• y public or piiinfe ttsnels of the other parli/y on the liij^h »<<s,
with • view o compel the delivery of iny person wliHttver: on tlie
eonlraty, it is expressly declared to be tbe undcrstauUiug of Che

tt.

THE OLIVE IJRANCH.

is:

eBntrncting parties, iliat the miitnal r<*:iuiliona of persons clnlmcrl
gs (), St litis. kIiuII oiily be made by tlie lr« o Jind xoliutarv foitseiit
of tlie ia''.it;rv ofTii eis employtil n llie hmd service, or tlie «oin-
iDHiulers nt lite public or piivule sliips or vessels of tiic two purlies,
Oi- ill (Uii'&ua'icf of llie ikcisions of the coiirih, judfjes or otlitr c ,'in-
lift ;iil «ivd oflkeis of the two nations, in all cases nrisiiiji wiiliiu
their reisi>ettive 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<i;ned)
Jfur Department., Jlpril 1 8, 1 800.

JAMES M'HEXHY.

"The -ttorney general having read and considered the letter of the
sccrcuiry o'' stale, and th j.rojtt of an article drav\n )iy t!ie Sccictarv
of Jie treasury, on the s bje.r of deserU-rs, uhi h are"pr.ipo«ed lo be
sent to the British minister here, expresses his entire nj)probaiion of
llic same "

.Ipril !0, 1800.

CIIAULES LEtk

;^4<

Here is a body of teftimonv that cannot be with-
ftood. It inefiitdbly beats down an odious ptactice,
wiiich to serve her purpofes, faction is labouring to
foften and render palatable. But the men who plead
its caufe in Ameiica, pofterity will unite in CDUflemn-
ing even Ihould they efcapc the reprobation of their cb-
temporaries.

t '

^...m^i

18()

THE OLIVE BTlA\e!H.

To afford a rj)ecimen of the treatment of fome oi
the iinpreffcd Anierican (canicn, \vl ofc cafes it has
become tdlJiionable to treat with indifference, I fubirit
extracts from authentic documents on the lul)ject It
will mcontioveitlbly appear, tl:at the horrors of this
odious and execrable hufiness of inipreffment have liccii
quintupled by the odious and execrable manner in whlcli
it has been conducted.

Eivtract from iJie dcpn^Ulon of FAiphaht JjtthL srcohd
ih flip on honvfl ttie Tliiiuias anri Sarah, of PIiihtdi'l]i}iUi,
and (t niitivf of KxeU^r, JWnc Tlnmpithirc, ^CJ"^ aurr'wcd
to a report to congress of Timothy Fick'ering\ Juq.
secretary of state.

Alugston. .Time 13, 1790.

«' Eliplijtlct l-atUl mii^etli onth tliat on Wcdiusfljiy, tlie 1'2ili ii ?'.
he caiiii on shore willi two stairiLMi bt.-Ioiigin^ to sh'hI sli'p dp.i'.k i! Jolui
Kdos and Israel Huodol, in ord(.r to land » hoiU load of slaves; tlnit
{I prtss ^Hutr: cjnue n;> 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

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 <lei)oi,ent r*ui!iiiieil
on h'lari'i to llrnnswiek '..U tli.'st day and the ncx' nij>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 <in, tlie
captain of the Thomas aiiU Sarah was comisig on board ; tut "sv.'s

h,v

•>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

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^

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.

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<!i Willi I'lis
Vi v\ i liH I Sf'MiMl ronferi ncfb, both witli lord Hawk^bur* ant) Wr.
A;i'iiit;;tfi!i who avowed a s.ini-cie d .spo> 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 <!><y bifir I
Itft Loudon, lord St. Vincent consented to tUe following regulations —

'^^y<;r^.t.

abhnrrcncr
ilcpittcd in

honour a\u\
rifeilors ol
illrous cru-
t tlie tiirelli-
ifritcd dt the
nihle inju-
iido tor re-
it not com-
gilt to have

THE OLIVE BRAVeW.

l«t

Mr. Jrffir-
^ u Ith J.vrd
Is from Sa-

ui^s

f Stale.

nil/, 1803.
its, by way of

"1, Xo senman or spafKrinsr pcrR'in sliall, '"^ufifin the hi'/h ann^,
tn I iviihout the Jiiristliction of either purti/, hv <l iiruiilf il or taken
out III" aiiv shil> 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 <lue ol)S' rvmice of this ••'i;; i^cmeiit.

"2 Kach p«riy will prohihit its citiz-'ns op snlijects from claii-
ilestinely concealing or carrying away From the tt-iiituries or colo-
nial possesiions of tho other, any seamen belonging to the otiier
T.arty.

"3. These regulations shall be in force for five years, wa\ no lon-
ger,

•' On partinu; with his lordship, I ene;p:ef1 to draw »p, in the form
of a conventiop, and send hini tluse arilele*, ni llie cniirse of the
creniirj;, who pi'omised to f.rwud thim. with i is approltation, to
inn! Ilawkshury I »• enrMinf^ly [ireparcd atid sent the rii-iift to his
|(ir!s!iip, wlio sent me a letter in the course of t!ie iiij^Iit, statin/ that
on i'nrlliur reflection he was of opinion, that /' the narrn-uf seas
shnn'd he exprenn'ij f.rccpted, they havinjv been, as his lordship re«
m:irkid inuuemori dly consi lere.l to he within the domhiion of (Jrent
llr^tnin; tiut with this correction he had se'it the proposed convention
to lord llawksbur , who, his lord.shI() pi'-snmed, svoiild not siiiti it bc-
i'm-f. hi siiould have consulted the judge of ti»e higii court of ailmiiuliv,
!^ir William •^rotl.

"As I iiud biipjiosvd, from tfie tenor of my conferences with Lord
St. Vincent, tliat ihe doctrine of I'le mare clutisum would u'tt be revived
aE;ainst us on lliis occasion, but that England would be content wirii the
limited juri'.diction tn* d iniuion over the seas, adjacent to her territo-
rius. whifii is assit^ned by the law of nations to wJier states, I was not
a little disappohiled on receiviirj; this coinnmnicution ; an ' after wei;,;h-
iiig well the ni^ture ot the priiciplc, ami tlie disadvantay;es of its admis-
sion X!ir ^ concluded to ahandon the nesrociution rather than to tiC'
qniesce in ih-' doctrine it proposed t'*entahlish

" I regret, not to have be n a!)i. to pu' this business on a satisfacto y
Ordin';, knowing, as I do, its very threat imp ^fiance to both parties ; but
1 fl tier myself l!iat I liav • not inl-^juiKjcl the iutfi-est of oui' conntry,
([j* in rejuximr to sanction a principle iliat in grht be produttive of
more extensive evUs than thjse it xvus our ann to prevent.^*

i *i

, T tlioucrlit it

icnt « itn t!ie

n W iih I 'lis

-b ir» and Wr.

Iritevtr ni'glit

i subject, t at

:. ilh very

in disin-s"!,'

.k'hury li.'iviiig

1 shnulil ('111-

y and reni'ne

<li.y befr I

regulations —

This is an importJint document, and Tnud not be over-
looked in formint*- a dc'Ciuou oti tue queftion of im-
preiftnent. Mr. King is united with, and a leader among-
thofe men who are tiiiiitinif down Mr. Madifon, and
preparing the wav tor anai chv and civil war: and tlie
chiet pretence istiie ftind Mr. Madifon has made atraifift
imprefsment. Nevertuelefs we find it indi(putably true,
that :nore tiian one h-ilf o* tlie miferies ot onr poor, op-
preffed, and cntlaved feanien arc chargeable to the ac-

f/1

1U2

THE OLIVE BRANOH.

t/.J.

count of Mr, King himfelf. And whatever mav be ilic
jnalcdi6lions which his fiicnds are fliowering dow;j upon
Mr. Madifon, a double portion of them have been richlv
oarncd by Mr. King. For wc find, had lie been fo dif.
jjofed, he might have refcued our failors from the hor.
rors of fl^vcry, every where but on the narrow fcas,
which would hjve greatly abridged their fufTerings, as
well as o\n- complaints again ft Great Britain. And yet
now, wilh a moft wonderful and hideous degree of in-
confiftency, he is, as 1 have ftatcd, perfecutiug and try-
ing to crulh Mr. Madifon for the attempt to protefl our
fearnen, in whofe favor he formerly difplayed fuch a
high degree of folicitude.

Extract from a memorial of the inhabitants of Salem,

January 20, 1806.

*• Your memorialists arc sorry, that other instances of hostile conduct
have been mnnifestf.d hy Great Britain, tess direct in their natiiii;. Iiut
not 1« 93 dcroa:ntorv from r>\\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 <if otir
ships on tlie ocean, are subjects worthy of the serious consideration of
our national councds, and will, we have no doubt, receive itn early,
prompt, and decisive attention "

Sig;ned in b half of the inhabitants, by their authority.

•fobn Hatliorue, Kenjamin Crownitishield, junr.

.j'>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,

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<ein's of violence and deprcdattHn->-
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

i94i

TJIE OMVE RRAXeil.

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

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.

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 <j,ine me Ino (tnzcii i/:t)ie,
aihl kejH lilt on 'III' s.iiiK .iM(it«anir ..iiotliri wctk — Itii'n onli'iiil uu;
oil (in k .i>;<iiii, .isUkI rl I uoiiUI j^o ki v«oik; 1 iHli |insiAtei) ili.ii (
U4X an Anicrnaii, iiin! ilial lie liail 00 n^lit lo tiMUiiiaixi my sfivi-
nff MUii 1 nmilil ito 00 vtoik 00 Itoarcl ins tilii|i. ilr loUl mi \\r
wiui (I (jnoisli me iinlil I mus miIIiii}; to work; aun ^ure mc l/ie t.'ittd
two dozen lushes, oiueicd a very lieui f, cliuii) fit round tnij neck, (suck
(1.1 they had used to sUng the lixvtr ijiirdj J'usteiud to a mit; ho(t m tin:
deck, uikI ili.it no |)ti»oo, ex- c|it liio iiiaslci' .il .hiiin, bliotiUI spi ak
to III'.', or ^ive me any lliinu 10 cat or lirink, IxU om«' diji till ami
pint of water Cor iX Iiouih, iir.ti 1 uoiii)) t^o to woik i v«.is k<-|>t lit
tilts kilualioo i'i<» iiiii«' vvi^ks, uliiii l.tii::^ cihaus'i'd hy hu'imr <tnd
thirst, I vvas ubli^rd to y u ill. Al'iii luiiit; on liu.iiil liu' slti|i iikim*
than two yiaiB ami a tialf, tiinl ii«iii|» 7coitnued in en uclion with a
frfnch fhtiute I «as stnl lo tin- lio>|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.

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.<i
Aniericaiis."

U V HOFF.MAN.

Daled Ponj^likfcpsic, April iG, 1313.

Cumpnlsury service nf impresupd ^Iviericans on boaril
Jirilish sliii/a of war.

Dutchess Cuiiuti/, ss.

" Richard Tlioinpson, hti'.ijst sworn, sailh Uni hn isanalivoot"
Nf'.v P;ili/, ..ppiisiW Pou:;lik. cpsie ; lh.it liu saiiid from Wilriimi;-
ton fiinnil (III' ualii of .Ajnil, I8|(», on hoard ihc \>\\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<lered ns lo he pnl in iions j we « re
then kepi in irons about twenty tovir hours, wlieii we werK •akeiiout>
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<ift'

♦• Ho ftirllicr SMilli. (Iii«f he was kciif on bnaitl tlic I'cftcock, nnd iliil
(hilv till lliL- tutiou uiih the llnnut; itfitf «ln- llonift lioisUMJ AnuTi-
c:iii colours. In- ■.nd ilic ollie |- iiiii)i»nsLMl Ainjiirniis i»j;aiii wi'iit to ihu
iMjitHiii of iho I'l-acock, ««kt<l to hr sent Ixlow, sai.l it w:ih :iii Aiiicri-
(Mii slii|j. an<l thitt lliev <li(l not wish to fi;;lit i.fjnmst their I'oiinti'y.
Til- tMliliiio onli'i'cd us to ')iir nuiirt<'r8 ; Citlleil thid hiiimmi S om to
do his dntv ; and if wc did not do oiif tinty, to li'mo our bnunit nw ;

•' nvi ay>' !" 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^' <;;;«/ «;>«<rr/ ? .lOsKPlI 11 \ RIlIS,
m the pramce oj \ .KJllN S. Mil \ K,

E.rfvact frow ike Inn;. hook of «« ojjk.i'r ivLo ir«s on
hoard hi^ inujPHly's s/iip Gncrrlerc in the action wit/i
the (U>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;<t;dii iJucros e()nsi(ltrii.,y; ii a!< unjust lotcntpel a native
ol' ihe IJitili'd States to fight ai^ainsl hl:i coutilryinen, granted tliuin
pcrinissiuM to (juii tiie r ciuarters and i^o below "

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 n<i»'(l s« iijinii, hihI h brii\f t\n<.

'* He Ml I. iivili loiitiil iiiiii s lo I'stui o, Mi.il on |iti, (oni'liil i irt ivii j; ilio iiiiikid hi.

pplllMti-m f.l Ills lW||||;|i;i|i(|( !• Ultl! lIlC <lll|(r <»irH'( I"* 1,1' ll.C riiKlllf, III'

wiis iiitt III il (III ri,iii>.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;<iiMii fij t'lc ^^i[t, tiiiil ||||> 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 >

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 <l I I.

•• Wliiii ll>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't<f droi>r/ltt iUff to the ^•iiii:f\u<iy, -iuA . y recciycii its .'ju-
yi»)Vf Willi III HiiiU! (jMi slioiiH, 4111I ^ii>\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 cii<tc*:ouur!i I'J cbo;t^ic."

JOHN NIC !OLS.

Wittma. JKDUi'il AN Ul'lOX.

Ft-'jui the Sidi'ui li'^hter, Julj, IS I, J.

;;lilist;lis, rc-

"Captf.in I'^ii^on h«s fiiriii><hi.'i| m with n list (if 1 S AmeiicMii sea-
iicii, Alio liuil t)cuii iiii|)r( Silt! 011 jjuiiril Hiilisli Khips ol \t;ir,:iii(l it--
1 vci'til up HS iiri>i 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 l<ueii (it'lained moiu lliun Ijyciirs, uiiil abuut -iO of Uiu
1-8 0:1 bjuril lliu San Ai.t ) .10, bclouij lo lliis sl.itv."

To the Editors of the JVational Intelligencer,

" In tlia raontli of February (797, I belonged to the sblp Fidelity,
ciiiliiiii Cbarles VVeems, lying in flu- liiirbour of St. I'ieiTc's, Mailiniquu.
ACo t one o'clock Sumhiy moi'iiiii!;, 1 was awakened by a noise on llie
ilti'k, and on going up, found tbe ship in possession of a press )>Mng.
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 .11

I
\

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.

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<lvaiice, least he might afTonl some pretext for denying

his ilisi barge whenevtr a proiitr applici'tioir^liould lie nude for it.
wilU the hi^hehl consideration, your most obtdieni humble

'Cl'VUIll..

am, siiv

STKIMIKN UliCAlUK.

Captain CapeVa htier, euclused.

lespatch recriveti
le llrilisb si;u:ii!-
I of mine, foi tlie
will on board the

in tlie Conniion-
naval servici ol'
11(1 detained ever

in conimissioii,
on board her to

mt tin certirniitc
;!• O' (ii'i vidi,
resident ^S*-'''

On board his li, SI- ship La Ilogu-e, off J\'e-iO London, JMarch 14, 1814.
sill,
"I Inive the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter \\\.\X\
tlie cert! "ic;ites of excliaii^e and discharge from parole, lorwanl-
d t'l you at the rKpicsl of col. IJarclay, the commissary general
ot" prisoners of war ; and 1 beg to return you my thanks for your
pnlitf miiiilion,

' 1 re;<ri.t thot it is not in my power to comply with your request irv
nnleri .1^ the s m of Mr. John riniyer to Ire discliargL-d from his majes-
ty's bliip Statin). liut I will foru^ud vonr apjilication to the coin-
muiler in chief, by the earliest opportuiiity, and I have no douLt lie
Mil! Oilier iiis iiniiudiato discharge."
1 an", sir, 8cc.

THOMAS CAPEIi, Captain, &c.

tr. JS)*»i^-:'*l»ti •-',•«!».»-»-.*.•«

:i()2

THE OLIVE BRANt'II.

Extract of a biter from Comwvdore Decahir io //,
secrAari) of the J\'uvi/, dated AeLi> 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 <iou..t tliat lie will clFect l!ic pur-
pose of his visit "

CS.gned ) STEl'HEN DECATUR,

sin,
"We the undersigned, f.ike tlie liberty to solicit your r.3sistnnce in
behalf of Mr H-irnaril O'liren, in ohiaming liis son's leltasi fron. the
UiiUsh £iii[» La iiojjiu' oil" Nf Lom'on,

'• S\ e -re vu-.ll ai.nu.ii.iled uilii the younjjj man, a!id k o\v iiini to
be HI! .\niei ican-hni II (.••i.zen. ili.s iellei to lii'^laihti, daicd on ho rJ
tlie liO liogiie, ilie '.■'•kh of M tiJi, is --nfn.n-i*! piool ol his bing
on board (whii-li \ it<r v, "I! be shewi yon ) Ii jon can ifivc any us-
sista.ice in oMumin;:; In.s i-ef a-.e, lith'i- by letting' Mr Oiirieii '^'o
to the ship by a fl.i"; of trncc, oi in ai.v other w;.v, it will b. tfii.-
sidtiid a particular fa\o.r. conterreii on, su-, y-^ur iuos> 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?<travagant in their
(lenunds formerly, and endangered the peace of their
country by preferring fur.h exorbitant and uiijuft claims
|o:u nation, " Av' 'yu'-D'irk of our holy religion," "//r;/o^..
% for her faivution"—and ''fighting the battles of

i I

f^f

20*

TJIK CLlVi; BKANCil.

Clvijlr.ndom againjl A.niclni/i and his hoji'' — or thev
arc taitliicfs to tliat cjuiitry at picfcnt, aii<l aie \\\\\\<^
ihcir be ft endeavors, for f aft ions puipofcs, to delct
licr in the cfTl^.t to procure fini})le j;il]icc. Tiicrc is
JIG otlier dlternjtivc. hct them choole for theinfcixcs.
Let tiie public ratity or rcjetl the choice. I merely ll.itc
the cafe.

Never Wtis tlicre a more fti iking or revolting in-
fiance ol tlie lickterious I'piiit of paity — and oi its
jiowcr to (leaden all the finer and more honorable
feelings ot human nature, than this queftion e.xlnl)its.
It is dilgraccfu! and humiliating to the human fpc-
ci^s. High-u lided American merchants poflclled
ot imnienle io; tunes — enjoving in profufion all the
luxuries and delicacies this world afforcis — and ow-
iiig all tiieie manifold blefTings to the labours, ti;e
ikill, and tlie induftry of our failors — but ungrateful-
Iv regaidlrfs of the agents by whom tlicv procure
tliefe blelljngs, and blinded by party fpirit, regard
Vvit:; calm and ffonc-heartcd apathy the mileries ot
impreirment — and are not merely indiffeient to the
fiifferings ot the unfortimate tars '''"purloined by mm
Jleakrs^'' from all their humble bleflings — and di.ig.
ging out a mi'erab e exiftence in flavery of the mod
galling kind, witi' a rope's end ready to punifh tlicin
for muvmuring out tlicir forrows. No. They are riot,
I re[)cat it, merelv indifferent. The\' throw themfclvi'S
into tiie fcale ot their enemies. Thev deride the idea
ot (Irugghng for the fecurity ot a tew failors whom,
in the face of heaven and caith, tliey falfely Ccdl va-
gabond'i from England, Ireland, and Scotland, wlioni
our government is wickedly protefting at the hazjid
of the ruin of tiic country ! Almighty tat'-ei ! To what
an ebb is man capable of defcending ! L .1 us fuppt !c
for a moment that the illullrious Hull, Jones, Pciiv,
Porter, Decatur, M'Donough, or any other ot \\A
conftellation of heroes, who have bound tlu r coiiti\'s

brows with a wreatli ot imperifhable gioiy,

loiv. h^ul

'ii

prefled by a Cockburn, their proud ipints fubjctitd

M^',:: .J > 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

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

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.»<! in appropriation ol 1,000,000 dollars. Palfcd Kob,
6, 1812.

,5. A'l afl appropriatiutr 108,772 dollars for the c\.
penfes mcid-nt to (i^ totnpjuies ot nujuritcd rangers.
P..irvl Feb. 20, 1812.

6. An j61 niakin'.r appropriations tor the fnpport of
the 'riilitary eUahliihiiient ot the United States tor
1812, viz.

For pny of tho Jirmy -

Foruj:o _ . - •

Sii'»si«leii(»c • -

Cl.»lhi;)a^ . - . .

l^^^^»ties and prcmimas -
Mcdit'ivl departuii'iit
OnliiiMPe and urdiiaiice stores
Forli!leiitions - -

Fur the qiuirtor mai^tor's depariment
For purchase of horses
ConlinojoMeies . . .

In d'aM di!part;nent
IMil-tia of Louisiana, ^c.
Passed Feb. 21, 1«U*

8fiD,0!iS

0S1,!)()0

2J3,S()fc

7(),0i)()

0'),0()()

1,13;,I)()0

2Ur.J)M)

T.^j.OOO

l.>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.

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,

:>io!

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.

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

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 <in a few of t!ie paragiaphs to
winch 1 reter. They will latisfy even the moil mciedu-
lous reader.

r\r i

y^v ,' ■

"The proj«rl of attarlcinjj Canada is now given up Some otlcr
pl.iii lb lo l)i iti'vihtd." riuiaili'lplnii GiZtitr, Jail. JO, \S\,i

"Titiy [tlu' l« iiiiLTS in coiijiM'ssj have alicady st'xii' f.r n)OUi:i) in
War (;:j^^ Thij art' cotiS(.i«ns they cavnal commtitce^ promn'e, and '.gr-
in nutea iLdi ; th.it the huiwls «hicl» Ix'^iii, «il' isivtr timsh il. 'iVicv
shrink from it, 'I hey already stagger under ike weight.

'* Illusi pedes viliosum J'erre recu^wnl corpus.^*

They are fr iihteved as the aipecl btcome^ a liillt serious, anti wisli to go
Louie, Mill think 1)1 n.'' Philaih-l[>hM G.izcltr, JcMi 10, 1812

'* If you think il vote to raise 25,««<H) men. I«i<)ks like war, ^j^ yuiet
your apprelien.tions Yon do not niiderstfiml what is heie<Mlle(l niriii.
a^eiiK ■ I 'J'hereuill, as I btlitte, be no n'nr J' 'i'/ie Jcariuhiiop, he

videri in inuricil, /he non-triipoitulion, and president a I c(iucu''S<»^' iviU riJU-
ish befoie "Wtiviet " Uaiiunore Fiikial Gazelle, ait quoted iii (he
Pliii.idi ijihia <] ize!!e J.in 13, ISti;.

" 1 Kll \oii Jiinis AI idisoti vrill not dare to niarrli a man lo Cana-
da utththi a\i>»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<ntioels of j^nhic hbcity are U'l^isl.iting away id *' ilit:
full tide o( siiei'»ssrnl • x |)( i iinenl'" ii W ishui>>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 <t we
Anti r'u;!U)3 wro " at onr iVirtii 7voik ugain'* Hiir A^f I (ulvxe yut
not '0 he afavmil tit ihn 1' n't nee of ouv fjrocee Uiisc^. ZjT ^^'^ sli'dl
cuudhiie to bhiater u_ This in 'in' vharactevistc n'j" ^hid ii<k
■mni'lildo more, if wr" cni'd- ijT,/^ But it is not in our porv/n' IVe

hiive not a dollar in he trratiiry — lynn army ilesrrT'titf the nnrnf nf
*"" — Oj' ^'"'^ '"'^ uclUuhv -w.'Jtnut II ttuvti \(iiU'cl ff> 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<l, Davis, Dawson, Dinsmoor,
Enwtt, Findlcy, Fisk, Filch, Frankiiii, Gliolson, Gold, Goldsbornugh,
Goodwyn, Green, Grnndy, B. Hall, O. H<ill, Ilurpcr, //m/?^. Hyne-
tuiin, Johnson, Kent, Ivini;,Lacock, Lefover, Little,Living8lon, Lown-
des, Lyie, \lacon, MaxiveU, Moore, M'Biijde, M'Coy, \rKee, IM'Kim,
Metcalf, Milnor, Mitchill, .Morgan, Morrow, DTo^eli/, Nelson, A'e?t'6o/rf,
Newlon, Ormshy, Pnuldin>;, 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, Fin<lley, Fisk, Pitch, Franklin, Gholsoii,
Quid, Goldsborough, Goodwyn, Gray, Green, Gi undy, B. Hall, O Hall,
Harper, Hawes, Hiifty, Hyneuian, Johnson, K<nit, Kinp, Laeock,
Lefever, Lewis, Little, Liviiii;ston, Lowndes, f..yie, Macon, Maxwell,
Moore, IWBryde, M'Coy, M'Kce, M'Kim, Metcalf, Milnor, MitchiU,
Jl.irgau, Morrow, yi/o.»e/ir, Nf'lHOu, Sewbold, N'-vvtoii, Oi msby, PhuI-
tliiia;, Pearson, Pickens, I'iper, Ptt/cin, Pond, Porter, Potter, Quincy,
Randolph, Reed, Rid^elv, Riii!;gn!d, Rhea, Ro.ne, Robertii, Rodman,
Saje, Sa>Bwion5, 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.

()

.»:''*

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 :

»' Yiii<i — iV1«'S8rs. Alston, Anderson, Archer, Avery, Buoon, B(2Apr,
IJiird, liaitldlf, Bussftt, Biscloxv, BI:iekUdj:e, lileerker, BioiiiK,
.Urccfceniiitge, iSti^fiCTn, Burwell, Butler, CuMioiin, C/imtipion, Clieevts,
(JfiitternUn, Co' liiaii, CU»i)(oii, Coafce, Condil, Crawfoi<l, Uavis, Diiw.
pmi, Desh:!, Dinsmonr, Karlr, Ely, Einntl, Findley, Fitcli, Friinkiin,
(Jholsoii, fVo/f/, f^ioWv/joroM^/j, Goodwin, (Jreen, Grundy, U. Hall, O.
Hall, Harper, Ha«es, H yiieinaii, .^nc^son, JoUiisun, Kcnl, Kiii<j, |,.».
io<-k. Law, Let'ever, l^itlio, Livingston, Lowodis, Lyie, Maxwell^
Moore, M'Kryde^ M'Coy, M'Kmi, Melculf, Milnor, iMilc/iUl, !Miir;;aii,
Mortow, Moselif, NeUon, Ntwbof.d, Ne"tou, Oimshy, P.miilin;;,
Pearson, Pn ktns*, Piper, Pitkin, Pond, Poller, Qniricyy Reed, Ridsicly,
Riiijj;:ol«l, Rhea, Roane, Rolierls, S.i;;e, Sawmo'in, Seavor, Si-vier, Sty-
licit, Shaw, G Sinilh, J. Smith, Strong, Xturira, Sullivan, 'I'ltsunU,
Tiilmadoe, TuUman, Tracy, Troup, Turner, fan Cortlandl, fV/autoa,
JV/iite,\\'u]\ii'>y, (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.
<lwyi», Greri),
lackson, Jwlni-
.y'-e, Maxwell,
Toselii, Nelson,
s, Piper, Pil-
Reed, Ridgdij,
Shiiw, Sinilie,
Tracy, Trou|),
Ison, Bartlelt,

kwn, Cofliraii,
•hill, Morrow,
hill, Williams,

Juiiuary, 6, IS -.

♦•The house took np the hi I tor ruisinfj an adiiiiion.'il military
force: which filially passed, 9 i to 3i The yeas ami iinys were :.3
follovv-i :

•• Y(';i3.— Messrs. Mstoii, Aiulersoti, Archer, Avery, IVtcon, Riud,
J]artlett Bussett, liilih, IShiek'edge, lileecktiv, U'oiini, lirovm. Mur.
vi'll, IJiUlii', (;al!ionn, Clioi,ve«, Clay, Cuchran, Cloi)lo;i, (Jomi't,
Crawford, Davis, Diwsoii, Desha, Diiisnioor, E:.rle, Emott, J'liidley,
Fisk, FraiiU.lin, fiholson, Golds (ji-een, Grundy, l» Hull, O Hal',
llarOiM', Hawes, Hyneinaii, Juliiisoii, Kent, Ivin;;, li'icoek, LeftMci,
Little, Liviiissioii, Lowiulus. Lyie. Miixwcll, Moore, Ai'ioy, M'Kec,
M'Kiin, J\l''tcalf, Ali!noi\ Jlitcliill, .Morgan, Morrow, yelson, New,
Ni.wtoii, Driiishy, Paulili i<r, I'ickeiis, Piper I'ood, I'orter, Q'JIN(,'V,
RiHid, Hing:i;o!d, llliea^ Hoane, Rilierts, S'.kgv, S mimiii^, Scavir, Se.
yJL'r, Scybert, Sh.iw, (• Smith, J Smilli, . liong. .S /.'ivcut, 'Vallmmi,
Talliaferro, Tract/, l'roup,T>;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»<eves,
t'lity, Cochran, Comtit, Cravyford, Davis, Dawson, Dtsha, Dinsmnor,
Earl, Einott, Findley, F'itk, Franklin, Gholson, Gold, (iondMyn,
firein, Grundy, B. Hall, O. Hall, Harper, Hawes, Hufty, Jolinson,
Kent, King, Lai ock Lefev. r, Little, Livingston, Lowndes, Lvie,
Macon, Maxwell, Moore. M'Coy, M Kim, Metcalfe Mitchill, Morgan,

T41

229

THB ©LITE BRANCIC,

1 41

ill

•MoiTOw, Nelson, New, Newholil, Newton, OiniRbv, P'ckcns, Piper
I'leiisant", Wmd, I'oilev, J^ottev, Qiinici/, Reed, Kh iKiidsnn, Kin"*
gold, Rli(.'.'i, Iloane, Roberts, S:»^e. Suinmoiia, Stav r, Si-vi«.r, rfevheii,
£)finw, Smil'e, G. Sinitli, .) Sn.irli, Stow, .Mrou);, 'I'vdcu. Trdup", Tur-
ner, Van Covtlaitdt, WhitLhill, WkIj;' rv, Wini,', Wiip;l">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

t&j

'*'■ wS

Ki'-l

|:f

■w

^: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 m<tj;)rity.

And they were not fatisfied with mere preaching.
They had occafional recouife to violc^nce. A band of
Philadelphia volunteers, during the weliern infurre6lion,
Seized a printer at Reading by force and violence in his
houfe, and fcourged him in the market place for a libel
againft the government, not the twentieth part as virulent
as thofe that are daily publifhed at prefent with impunity.

War is undoubtedly a tremendous evil, and can never
be fuflfiiciently deplored. It ought to be avoided bv all
honourable means. But there are cafes which prefent-
greater evils than war as an alternative. The que ft ions
f€fpe6ling the exifting war with Great Britain are, whe-
ther it was warranted by (he conduft of that nation — and

i'l

TlfE OLIVE BRA.N'OH.

22t

whether, after having been duly declared hy the con (Unit-
ed authorities, it was not the incumbent duty of tlie whole
nation to have united iti their fupport of it. Tfie firft of
thcfe queftions is ot fo much ini;-) Jitarice lliat I fhali de-
vote to it the 28th chapter entire. I have already fulFi-
ciently difcufled t*»e fccond in the beginning of the pre-
fent chapter.

From the hour of the declaration of war, a fteady,
fyflematical, and energetic oppofition was regularly orga-
nized again ft it. The meafure itfelf, and its authors,
and abettors were denounced with the utmoft virulence
,\\\i\ intemperance. The war was unholy — wicked — bale
— perfidious — unjuft; — cruel — and corrupt. And evcrv
man that in any degree co-operated in it or gave aid to
carry it on — was loaded with execration. It has been re-
cently pronounced in one of our daily papers to be the
moil wicked and unjall war that ever was waged. The
difiegard of truth and of the moral fcnfe of the reader,
which fuch a declaration betrays is calculated to excite
ihe utmoft alionilhment. Can this war for an inftant be
compared to the atrocious and perfidious war waged by
Bonaparte again ft Spain — to the treacherous war of Eng-
land againft Denmark, begun by a moft lawlefs and un-
precedented attack upon the (hipping and capital of an
imoftending neutral ? I pafs over thoufands of other
iudances.

Thofe who were unacquainted with the caufes that led
to this war, might, from the publications that appear
againft it, believe that the United States had been wholly
the aggre (Tors— that England had been a tame and (ub-
ini{rive fufFerer of depredation, outrage, and infult—and
fhat our rulers had been wantonly led by inordinate and
accurfed ambition to engage in a ruinous and deftruftive
war, to enrich themfelves— fquander away the public
treafure-— and impoveri(h the nation. They were, it
would appear, aftuated by as unholy motives as ever im-
pelled Attila, Genghis Khan, or Bonaparte, to perj)etrate
outrage and cruelty to the utmoft extent of their power.

Thefe allegations are made in the ilrongeft language

I \^m\

■ *

^K3

^r&i^^-li^L^ t-lH-^-i'-

■j^^.

0^ -mt W

TMl. OMVK URANCII.

hi I,

in the public papers in London. Tiie prince recent has
appealed to the worhl thnt Great Britain was not the air-
grcflbr in tlie war. And the louls ol the admiiiihv al'-
I'ert that war was dec hired aftf^r a^. the grievances of this
counhy had been removed.

The federal papers re-echo and magnify the accuTa.

'tlons of the Britilh writers, and have fucceedcd fo tar as

to inflame a large poition oJ the public with the uioO;

frantic exafperation again 11 the rulers of their choice,

whom tiiey fufpefl of having abufed tlieir confidence.

Governors of Hates in their addiefles, as well as fciiatcs
and houfes of reprefentatlves in their replies, have iakcii
the fame ground-"and all'umed guilt, profligacy, and cor.
ruption as the parents of the declaration of war.

The honfe of reprefentatives of Mafrtchufctts, regard-
lefs of the holy rule, ''judge not, leji ye he judged'' in the
moft untpi.ilified manner, with an utter delUtution of tlic
leafl femblanceof cluuity, affeit, that

*'Tlie \'c\\\ cause of the wwr must !>e 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'uii<ent in h11 its liraiicliLS ; — l<i (ijealoimi/
of rommgvcial sfntes,* fear of their power, contempt of (hnir fnriuiliiy
avdif^nvivunce r.f their tviic character andimpor/aiice ,• — to l!if iiijiiiliiy
ofctit lii' stntts fortlie wilderness reset ved tor the niiaeruijlc iilnjrigiius ;
— to a \ioleitl passion lor coiujiiest," &cc

Witii equal candour the fenate of that flate, not to
be outdone by the other legiflativc branch, declares
that

*' CC/' "^''c ■"""* w^" founded iti falsehood, ^rT tleclared -ivithoutne'
cesaity, imil Q^" ''* ''<*"' ol>je<: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

•iirr. oi.ivK BHANfta.

«D

tx.

.«a3

1z c

3 — .

I "5 .2

<*
a

V 3

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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 );<iv-
pntmrnt, iipmi (ItMiiand, to fuKil I lit* treaty ; thai <trmy lluis nssnii-
lilcil ^liixild im.iK'tlinlfly pioctcd dov«ii tW<> 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.

* 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 <ountr)'s honour, and (^ proud o/ an opportunity
to stimulate it to spirited measures — assumes the dulcet note, and with
avidity despatches an express lo inform governor Claiborne^ not
that the Spanish t;overiiment had restored the United States to their
right by treaty ; but truly '' that the government has given permission
for the deposit of all kinds of provisions in New Orleans on paying
six per cent duty ! ! .'" And thi6 information, says the able a:id inde-
futigable editor of the Eiening Post, is introduced by the words, the
port of New-Orleans open, in lar»c capitals, by way of exultation at
this joyous event. Boston Centinel, April 13, 18U3.

Communication,

*' The president of the United States in his late letters to the exe-
cutives of the individual Stales, on the 8ubj<-cl of the organization of
the miHtia — speaking of the .Spanish conduct at New Orleans, bays—
*• Rights the most essential to our welfare hrve been vinlaledy and an in/iat-
Hon of treaty committed without colour or pretext. This beinu the
ackuowled(;ed state of things, let the world judge, j* whether the
nmtional honour will be more justly vindicated^ and riola'ed tights re-
dressed by the mawkish appeal winch h:\B been made to Spanish fa.tli
nnd jnstice, and French ^«?nero,vi7y and inanagement, by the degra-
dint; solicitation for pnrchised justice, or the disgraceful proffer uf a
bribe— or whether . /" these end* tcoild not more readily be obtained hy
the execution of the minly and npiriied measures recom'Htnded by the eh-
quence of Morris, .,«?/ ihp patriotism and sound understanding qf Ross aii4
the otUet /ederalisti e« a>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.

" 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<!<tippi was a place of deposit :
Mi»t our treaty with Spain gives It was basely withdrawn, our high
fpiiitpd rulers are asked to assert our riirhl. O, no. — 80,uno militia
aie lo be held ready to defend one turnips aiul feed ihe piys and cattle.
lint to take our right— to seize what treaties give and fraud withholds ; this
isnnf their forte

" \ ((real man his bren heard lo say, that wnr in ony case was
wroii^ : and on the qiit siion hciii^ put whether he would think it
wioiiu to aro lo war if our (onntiy vvas tmaifed by a foreign army,
fien ///en some olher way iniijiit be fouiul "nt Th.s is our hoiioni's
kieper, whom we have elected in the »lran>;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

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
<if nitaiiK, such nn aduiintslralion would hatt rrsoitiU io IIh* oiiluia-
ry txjieditnl of tltt- Aoje, to i/ield |nirl of tlicir wealth lo »nve the
If maiiider." Ccniiuel, July a), ibc'J.

♦♦ Like tiuc Spaniels ivc art- tlu' most servile to those wh« 7nost in-
sult us Wo I tee I ve hark our right as ntjuat fav(.nr, and pay tii-

jMift for that which the dtspoiler could no longer witliho'.d ihe free

iiavigaJion of ihr Mississippi and a place of deposit on its shore was
oui right: the pi ivai ion of which a wroHp, and a fiee and enlite re-
Ktotalion, or/l/ciWe lecovery ui \\ should have befti the remedtf. True
IKiiriotiHiii, tiiank God, slill plows, si ill bi.zes, like a serapli in Eug-
hvid — here il smells of alien—hut Great Bntuin must save the un-
«!!/7/Wj§' world to save herself." Cenfinel, Aug 13, 18()3

" 'Ihere is no condition of disgrace granted Itelow ours. \n the
lowest deep there is no lower deep Our nation had Ijetler not exist at
all than exist by syffeiance unU under tribute." L'tntinel, August 93,
1903.

Who could poflTibly fuppofe that the preceding ex-
tracts were taken from the Boflon Centinel, owned
and edited by major Benjtmin RufTcl, who is at prefent
fo ardent, fo zealous, fo benignant a " /ne?icl 0/ peace,"
and who is among the prime lenders of thofe ^^jriends
of peace^' whole pacific proceedings have nearly ovc -
turned the government, fprcad bankruptcy in every di-
reftion, ruined thou lands and tens of thoufands of the
bcft citizens m the country, and laid us pretty nearly
proflrate at the tcet of a vindictive and powcrkil eneiny ?
The expenfe of war is now with miijor Ruflel one of its
chief objeftions. At that period, he was fo heroically
difpofed that he urged war as " the cheapeft and moft
honourable" mode of recovering our rights.

The caufc of complaint in 1806, was much greater
than in 1803. But it bore no comparifon to the griev-
ances in 1812. In 1806, befides the iawlefs depreda-
tion on our vcffels at fea, without notice, we were
interdifted merely from trading with the colonies ot
the French and Spaniaids on other terms than we were
permitted in time of peace. How far this was beneath
the grievances that led to war, will appear in the next
chapter. • .

-*;

TIIK OLIVE BRAN'CII.

tl(1 liave in
f spmt and
lie oiiliiia-
o »avc the

h« jnost in-
lud |iay ti'i-
(J — «he free
s slioie WHS
(d eulitp le-
icdi/. True
iip'ii in Evg-
sare tUe un-

urs. In the
not exist at
August 33,

:eding ex-
i\, owned
; at prefent
ioj peace,''
e ^'friends
early ovc-
I every di-
inds of the
ctty nearly
Lil enemy ^
one of its
heroically
and mo ft

uch greater
the giiev-
depreda-
we were
colonies ot
an we were
A'as beneath
in the next

:1s

Let us fee how far Mr. RufTel was confident on tliis
point.

From Washington.) January 22, 180(5.

" Fear, pnjmlicc or some otlicr dastardly [ii'ii-.ciple, is cnnlinunlly
crossi'ig the piuh of our iiik-rs ; anil the loud calls of our eountrv, its
coinnitTce, ami spoiled inurchaiita, for energetic measures, is uiilitard,
or (iisregitnleil. Jlif fears are, that the President's mesmges -mUIoiiIii
be supported I'll rjiudif defmles, or pen and ink reports."

'*Mr. Jiundol/di, I am told, h:is very murh injured Iiis liealtli, liy
the exertions he is s:iid here to have Uk ile dui in{? the time tlie liouyu
wiis in conclave — lie has not attended the house tor seveial dnys, and
i? sick. From one quarter or another, tite proceedings of the hunsf,
when in secret session, are leaki'ig out. My eiKpiiries lead me lo he-
lieve, that in tlie spirited mesisures which liandolp'i proj)o«ed for sup-
porting the president's co;.fiiIential message, he was joined hy everii
federalist in the liouse ; by a m;ijorit\ of the Vir^nnia representation
and some others ; but that he was in the iniiiorilij : and further : that
lie was opposed by all the New liiigland democrats tu a man ! !"' Bos-
ton Centinel, Jauuary, 1806.

In 1807, the caufc of complaint was ftill lefs fubflan-
tial than in eitlicr of the other inltances.

1 muft be pardoned tor declaring that any man who
was a partifan of war in the above cafes, and reprobates
the prefent war as unjiill and unncccfTary, betrays a mofl
awful degree of inconfiflency. And yet it is an indif-
pntable tatl that the mod violent, the moft clamorous,
the inoft Jacobinical, and the moll feditious, among the
prefent "" fnendi of peace" were among the moll llren-
uous advocates for, and " friends of war" on the for-
mer occafions.

The Bollon Centinel has, fince the declaration of
hortilities, regarded war as the moft frightlnl of all
poHTible evils. But this was not always its view of the
iuhjetl. Within a fortnight alter laying tiie embargo,
that meafure was pronounced more formidable than war
itlelf. ■ ' /

" The embargo, which the government has just laid, is of a new and
alurniiiig nature. Q* W'^"'*- ^reat as the evil is. has less terror, ami
-.mil produce less mtserif than an embargo on such principles." Bostou
i'cntiuel, January C, U08.

!iF'B

«^H'i

'^1

■•■* H

1m, vi

R-'/i

if ' *'

14 ^ '

- »( '-

)

\-'i'r-

^ .

-JO 1

THE OLIVE BRANCN.

CilAP. XXIX.

Enqituy into the justice of the ivar. Ordeya in Councii.
i^t}yngl/ reprobated h, .Messrs. Lloi/d, llayard, and
Otis. British depredations. Trade' with ao,()00,oou
of the inhabitants if Enrnp^' cut /jf.

We have fecn, page 224, t!ui tiie fenate of the fldtc
ot MafTdchufctts has couimittL-d itielf by a broad and
Iweeping declaration, that the prefcnt war was '\foundcd
in falfdiood.'" There is no allowance tor human niiper-
iectioa — tor error in judgment — tor difference in
©pinion. The accufation is preferred in the llrongell
form which our language admits.

It the charge be true, the prefident who recommend-
ed war, and the legiflature of the United States which
declared it, have betrayed their trut>, 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.:: ^

'V^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,

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 ! !

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!*.'

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-.^.,.

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.

" 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;<tl, Siiult, Smilie, J. K Smitli,
,1. Suii.'h, SomhunI, Hiint'onl, Slcdoifin, Storor, St urges. \Tuggnrty
Talnnilge. I'ayliv, Tlioinpsoi), Trip;};, Trwiip, Upliari), Van Allen,
l<i« ('r>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<h
auth'Mity as MefTrs. Otis, Pickering, Lloyd, &c. 1 deem
myfelt impregnable.

Extract from the hon. James Lloyd's letter to the hon. <}fr.

Perkins.

*' If •' rf'it f'vitain ly^- did claim nnil cxcicisc the vifjlit fo imprcn
into her service 1 he veal, bonafde, native citizens of the Unittd Stateh

THE «MVE nnANKIf.

2ii

le hull, James

an ihterminable rear nith Aer, or tuilh all Ifif nution.1 of the rmth ((fit
louldnot be o./iuruifc prevenlnlj vui]ht lia uliKv ju$t, nevetsur-f, umlcom-
viendable, 'I'hf ocfuii, for llie iisu uf tlu>(;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 <ilhifHi*tw, qJt ""'^ fitosccuttng u inw/vt C(ninnticc,
0.) i» •« K'irl qf hut own eountrv, is, ax it roptcts the indmitiKil, umL
(ly at it tf{>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
in<if, or tlomtslic altar '* liukton Ccnliiiil, Mttrtli (J, leilU.

The mind jrlows with anitnalion on rcatUinr tbcfc no-
ble, tilde dignified, ihefe niaiilv fentiments, woithy ot
the moll illiillrious ot the heroes ol tlie revolution!
Wliat a won'iertul contrafl between them and tnc j^rovel-
irigrepoit of the committee of the legiilatiire of Maf-
facliufetts ! This fingle extract is fidHcicnt to j illily
tlic war, were there no other grouin.' thaa imprellment
alone.

From the commencement of the French rcvol ♦ionary
war till the declaration ot hoflilities took, placi , jiii vef-
fels were arretted wherever met with h • Bntifli veirel/ii
of war — the crews overhauled — the lititilli capt'tins
feized whom they plcafed, and entlaved them i\t their
diicietion — as thev were, in the ftiong hmgu go ot Cob-
bet-" ACCUSERS, WITNESSES, JUDGES. AND
CAPTORS."

England would have made war agaiiift all the nations
of Europe in fucceflion, had they dared to imprefs
her feamen. And what riglit had the to cl lim a reli-
gions veneration tor her flag, when the was in tlie daily
prri6tice of violating ours in the giotreft manner ?

I requeft the reader's attc 'Hon to this ful^jefcl;. Mr.
Lloyd unites " ihe claim ay J .ha excra/ey The for-
mer is ot no importance in itfelf, and does not atT'eft
the quetlion. Suppofe England " claims a right'' to
all our vetTels — to our territory — to our perfons — it is
no caufe of war. Eut the moment fhe attempts " to ex-
trcift the right" to I'eize any of them, refiflancc becomes
a duty.

ii-t2

THE OLIVE BUA.NCJi.

'f,

It thus appears, lliat the exprefTion "claim" is iiier.':
vcrbiairc. 1 do by ik) means !)elieve it was employed
to delude the reader. But I do aver that I'uch is its efTcft.

(f^^ " The exercifc" then by " Gieat Bjitain of the
jight to imprefs into her ferviec (}::lr the real bona fide
native citizens of the United Sti.tes ^ would, by the
explicit declaration of James Lloyd, juftily an intermi-
liable war with her."

The queftion, reader, is reduced within a narrow
rompafs. It only remains to be afccitaincd whether
" Ihe exercifed" this cxeciable " right of impiell'ment"
of " real bona fide citizens" or not. If Ihe did, the war,
yccording to Mr. Lloyd, is juft. To prove the hit he-
• yondthe pofiibility of doubt, I call in pretty high autlio-
iltv. I will give up for a moment my own calculation
«)t 66co — the fecretary's Ilatement of 6-00 — I give up
lord Calllereagh's admiflion ot 1600.* I will rely upon
tlie committee of the legiflature of Malfachuletts and up-
on the levercnd Mr. Taggart, member ot congrefs from
that flate.

Ttie latter admits tljere were three hundred imprefTed
American leamen on board the Britifh navy on the decla-
ration of war. And a committee of the houf'e of repre-
lentatives of Mairachufetts, f^ " as far as their engui-
■lies went'' J admit that there were eleven imprelled natives
ot the flate on board that navy.

I proceed logically. As " the excrcife of the right"
of imprefling the ^^ ** real bona fide native citizens ot
the United States into the fervice of Great Britain, would
juftil'y an ^ interminable war zvith her or all the ftafions
of the world^' — and as we have clearly eflabliftied that
there were (j:^" at all events 311 native citizens ot the
United States fo imprefTed — it follows that Mr. Lkn'd
muft jujlify the prefent war — and will not dare to afleit
that it is '•'■founded in falfehood.''

Before I clofe the fubjcrt, 1 beg leave to introduce
higher pcrfonages on the Itage.

* Lord Csstlereagh in the British parliament, 1 believe, admlULH'.
this numUcr. ,

* I

THE OLIVE BRANCH.

2*3

The Prince Regent has, as I have (lateil, publicly de-
clared that " it is known to the world that this country
[Great Britain] was not the aggrcHor in this war."

And the lords ot the admiralty, in their proclamation,
dated April 1814, (lee page 46,) cxprefs then" regret on
the fubjefcl ot " tlie unprovoked ag}n''JJion of the Ainetu
can government in declaring war after all the caufes of its
crigmal complaint had been removed."

To enter the lifts againil fuch formidable antagoniOs,
is really prefumptuous and daring. But 1 venture to al-
fert, and hope I have proved, that the war was ruit
" founded in lallehood ;"---that Great Britain was notori-
oiiily " the aggreflbr ;" and that none ot " th.e origin.il
caufes of complaint had been rcmoveil" previous to the
declaration of war.

CHAP. XXXT.

Characler of merchants b)j Edmund Burkp. lUlhorid and
nnfouHflfd. Merchants «s various hi character as other
classiis of men. Jlinerican ni'rckants shrewd and intelli-
gent. Jlost lamentably blinded b/f faction to their dearest
interests. Exarnide of England worthy of imitation.
Struggles between ins and outs. All unite against com-
mon enemy. American factions more di-U'icrious than
those in England.

Edmund Burke* has left on record a moft unfavoura-
ble charafter of merchants, which has been a thoufand
times quoted to their difparagement. He has, if my me-
mory do not deceive me, alFerted that tliey have no na-
tional attachments or patriolifm-.-that their ledger is tlieir
Bible— and gold their God.

This characler is uuj'ift and illiberal, like all other
fu'ceplng denunciations ot entire clafies. Tiic merchants
arc as various in their charaflers as auv other defcriptioii
ot men. There are among them numbers of pci fous of
he higheft refpe61:ability-"gieai patriotifni---a high fcnfc

* In the first etlilion of this wnrk, I erroneously ascribui! these scnli-
M?uts to A<lam Siuilii,

THE OLIVE BnANClI.

of honour— great liberality—and poffeningall the otlicp
virtues that can adorn the human charafcler. There are
likewife others as bafe and vile as the former are ex-
cellent. - -.

There is nothing in mercantile affairs, or commercp,
that has a tendency to deteriorate thofe who follow the
prot'eflion. It is hard to conceive how it Ihould be
othcrwife. The large fcale on which their affairs are
eonducled, appears rather calculated to expand than il-
liberalize the mind.

Moreover, a confidcrable portion of them having
enj )ycd the advantages of the beft education, muft,
iroiR that circumftance alone, have a fair chance of not
meriting the denunciation of Edmund Burke.

That the American merchants are in general fiircwd,
intelligent, and penetrating, cannot be denied. Thev are,
in thcfe refpeds, at lead on a level with the merchaiits
ot any ether country.

It mud, however, be acknowledged, that in the courfc
they have fleered from the commencement of the year
i8o6, till the declaration of war, they have been as la-
mentably blind to their own vital interefls and to the
hi'rlieft interellsof their countrv, as il thev were almoll
;:h()gciher deficient ot the reafoning faculty. They
have inflifted incalculable injury on both. Indeed fo
intimately in this cafe were thefe interefts connoted,
that both were, and mufl neceffarily be, equally affefctcd
by the fame wound. I hope to make this appear to tlieii
ronviftion and that of the public.

By a recurrence to the ^th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and lolh
cliapters ot this woik, the reader will lee that the mer-
cantile part of the cotnmunity felt the higheft indigna-
tion in 1806, at the pretenfions of England to limit tiic
Atnerican trade in the colonial prodnftions of her enc-
v.iies ; that thev verv ftrougly rciJionllrrited with thefrov-
t'rmnent to refill thofe ))retentlu;is ; and that ^/^<?v /;/r'(4'"-
"d themfe'.vt's to thejr countrv audio the. luorld, to jup-
hort the government in wkaUver meajures ??i?^/it h n':-

THE OLIVE BUANCir.

2^3

cdjary to oblain redrefs — obinon/ly, evidently, and undc-
niahh ?nennuig even the ultima ratio j[^enfium.

Tlie pacific meafuies adopted to effect the obje/:!: oi
tlieir defircs were — a prohibition ot the importation oi"
some of the mod important ot the manutatlures ot
Great Britain — an embargo, when tlie injuries of that
nation had been vaftly increafed — and non-intercoufe.

Did the American merchants redeem their pledge ?
Did they preferve their faith ? Did they fupport the
government in all or any of thefe meafures ?

No. They inchibitablv did not. There is not a candid
fcderalift from New-Hamplhire to Georgia, that will af-
fcit, that the merchants, as a body, fuppoited the govern-
ment in any one of thefe meafures. I fay dift in6>lv, 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*

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tikQ

THE O.MVft BIlAN'CJf.

"k ^

"ijv

I'ji

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l\| i^i

m ''■■>

i'i

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i-i

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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.

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-

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I-

518

THE OI-IVF, nnAN'CH.

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<?y would have been re[),iid by a tenfold har-
vejl of mojl lucrative commerce. But taflion led thcni
aftray. They lendeicd wiiolly nugatory all the mca-
furcs adopted, to guard their interells and to extoit
juftice tor their wrongs. Great Britain was thus en-
couraged to proceed in her aggreflions ; and this led
to a wafting war, ot which it is impollihie to calculate
the confcquences. But tor this hoftile oppohtion ot*
the mercantile clafs, we Ihould have eafilv cleaned its
ravages.

In all the wild, frantic, and fatuitous career ot fac-
tion, from the carlieft records of time to the prcient
<ldy, I believe there is no parallel cafe. Never did an in-
telligent, enlightened body of men, make fo immcnfe,
fo wanton, fo irrecoverable a facrifice of their dearcft
interefts, and fo completely contrary to the ditlates'of
reafon and common fenfe.

|jr If Belzebub or Lucifer held the reins of govern-
ment^ policy and f If tnter^jl would ditlate that m all con-
lejls with foreign nations, he ought to be fufyporfed unlefs
moil manif>'./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 ^

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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 ^

'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.

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<i»tif> their beiiisj; trtatefl, in .ill other lespects, like brutes <l
lor it is in this point of view nlone, Ihnt nep;i'oes in <he soiilhci n states
are cooMilered in laei <is different from cattle. They are hought tind
sold— ih y are fed or kept hungiy — tlicy are clothed, or rednn li to
niikedness.— they are hi nlen, turned out to the fui) of tlie elcnirnts,
and torn lV(ini im-ir deaicst connections, With us little remorse us if
they -were beasts of the f eld."

Never was there a more infamous or unfounded cari-
cature than this — never one more difgraceful to its au-
thor. It may not be amifs to Hate, and it greatly enhances
the turpitude of tlie wrUer, that at the icriod when the
above was written, there were nianv tlaves in Cormccli-
cut, who weie fubje61 to all the diladvantages that attended
the foiithcrn (laves.

Its vile charafler is further greatly aggravated by the
confideration that a large portion of thefe very negroes,
and their anceftors, had been purchafed, and rent trom
their homes and families by citizens of the eaftern ftates,
who weie aftually at that moment, and long aftcrwardSj
ctigagcd in the Slave Trade.
22

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i5i

THK OLIVE nUAVffH.

Tlie unlioly and dcnionnc rtjiril tliat irilpurd tl,c
ur'uor ol the ubovc vile libc' Lts Ix cii, I'l on» thai hour
to tlic prclt'ut, inccd'.mtlv cmp; <ycd to excite liollihty
hctvvc'cn the difrcrcnt IcMioris ol ilie uiiioii. To {uch
hoiid)le lengths lias tliis f'piiit been cariicd, that many
paragraphs have occafioiially appeared in tlic Bcjfton pa-
])Cis, intended and calcidatcd to excite the negroes ol the
louthern ftates to rile and njallacic tlicir niaih'rs. This
will nndoubtedly appear incredible to the leader. It is
ncverthelefs iacredly trne. It is a fpecies of turpitude
and bafenefs ot which the world has prothiced few ex-
amples.

Thns foine progrcfs was made. Btit it was incon-
fidercd)lc. While the yeomaiwy of tlie eaftern Ibitis,
were enriched by a beneficial commerce with tiie foutli-
crn, they did not feel dilpofed to quarrel with them for
their hippofcd want of a due degree of piety or moriility.

A d'-c per game was recpiifite to be played, oi all the
pains taken so t^ir would have been wholly fruitlcTs.
And this was fcduloidlv undertaken. The prefs literally
groaned with efforts to |;rove five points, wholly dellitutc
of foundatir)!!.

Fu ft, Tliat the eaftern ftates were fupereminently
commercial.

Secondlv, That tlie ftates fouth of the Patowmac,
were wholly arrricultural. •

Thirdly, That there is a natural and inevitable hoftility
between commercial and agricultural ftai s.

Fourthly, That this hoftility lia?. unitormly pervaded
tlic whole fouthern feflion of the union. And,

Fifthly, That all the meafures ot congrefs were dic-
tated by this hoftility ; and adlually intended to ruin the
commercial, meaning the eaftern ftates.

1 do not aftcrt that thefe pofitions were ever laid down
in regular form, as thefes to argue upon. But I do aver,
that they form the bafis of three fourths of all the eftays,
paragraphs, fquibs, and crackers, that have appeared in
the Bofton papers againft the adminiftration tor many
years paft. *' The Road to Ruin," afcribed to John

, ^,.F;»Ji-.,^*_-%':i;f.;j?-'^- -y^^j .

yf^-*- .^^-* .*-■,.*• *^k-fc« f

;''v^»

THE ULIVE llRANnil.

255

Lowell, now bciore me, is rcinark.jblc lor itj virulence,
its ai rinionv, its uitcnjoerance, and lor the tjU'iits ot the
uritcr. lie undoubtedly places lus fubje^.t in the (liong.
ell point of light pollible lor lucli a luljct. iiut 11 sou
extia^i tioin Ins ella\'s, the pctitio piiucipii ot tliele j)o(i.
tious, all the rell is a mere caput inortuum — all '* icnuid
and liJi y." On thefe to|)ics the changes are riirij^ in end-
lefs luccedion. The fame ojiieivation will applv .md
with equal force, to hundreds and thoulands ol eilays
and p«ragia|)hs, witttcn on the fame topic.

Never w ^ the — gitlfa n<)n in, Jed /acfie caM'uJo —
more complciely verified. Thele politions, however ab-
furd, however extravagant, however ridiculous they ap.
pear in their naked lorm, have, by dint of inceirant repe-
tition, made riich an imprcfiion upon the minds of a lar^e
portion of the people of the ealleni Hates, that tliev are
as thoroughly convinced oi their tiuth, as ol any pioblem
in Euclid.

BoHon having ar}ed upon and indamed Mafraclmrclts,
tliat ftate has atled upon, and put in niovemcnt the lefl ot
the ealfein Hates, more particularly Connc^licut and
Rhode Ifland. New Hamplhire and Verm'Mit are but
partially inlet^ed with tlie turbulent and Jacobinical fpirit
that predominates in Mall'achufetts.

It thus happens, that a people proverbially orderly,
quiet, fober, and rational, have been a^hially fo hiohly
excited as to be ripe tor revolution, and readv to ovcitum
the whole fydein ot focial order. A confederacy has
been formed, which, as I have Hated, and as cannot be
too often repeated, promifes tair to produce a convulfion
— a di/Tolution of the union — and a civil zuar, un\els the
feduced people ot that fe6Vion ot tlie union can be re-
covered from the fatal delufion they labour under, and
leftored to their reafon.

I fhall very briefly, and without much attention to or-
der or regularity, confider thefe pofitions. They are not
entitled to a ferious rclutation, but metely as they have
been made the inllrumcnts of producing fo much mif-
chief.

23fi

THK OLIVE BHANCH.

-'..V?

BcFore I touch upon the commercial points, I fJiaiJ
offer a tew obfervations on the high and exaUed pre-
tenfions of tlie people of the ealltrn ftates to f'upc-
rior morality and religion over the rell ol the union.
There has not been, it is true, quite fo much parade
with thefe exclulive claims as on the fubje^l of com-
merce. Perhaps the reafon is, that there was no poli-
tical purpofe to be anfwered by them. But that the
people of that fe8ion of the union are in general tho-
roughly persuaded that tlicy very far excel the reft ot
the nation in both religion "and morals, no i:ian who has^
been converfant with them can deny. This folly ot
felf righteoufnefs, of exalting ourfelvcs above others,
is too general all over the world; but no where more
prevalent, or to greater extent, than in the eafterr>
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.

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.

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<l .Manufnct

wesfrom lT<Jl to 1802 ( are-

fulif

extracted f'-oni

th tri^u.ury retiivns.

AJa> 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./

'-,'"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

_.! W.--—'V,..ii*ff.

2(i^

THE OLIVE BllAXttll.

1 1

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,o<Ji,000

8,580.000

6,851,000

2 309,000

1805

13.738,000

15,3c<4 000

9,397 000

3,108,000

1806

14,577,000

13,709,000

13,809 000

2,946,000

1807

13,926,000

16,400,000

12,055,000

3,783 000

1808

3619,000

3,2'^3 000

2,946,000

260,000

180'J

6.H'J,000

4,232,000

4,810,000

385,000

1810

7,251,000

6,313.000

6.241,000

408 000

1811

5 192,000

3.518,000

3,865 000

210 000

1813

2,648 000

2,358 000

1.313 000

11 000

1813

294.000

1,124 000

327 000

53 000

•

81.324 000

78 052 000

65 118 000

14 420.000

Aid ii'tivif.

CoHti ( 'ICUt.

Jihoilc hhtnd

Vn-oinia.

1803

S I 371,000

10 000

611000

151,000

1804

5,213 000

29 000

817 COO

395,000

1805

7.150,000

90 000

1.506 000

660 000

1806

10 9U),000

193 OuO

l.i42 000

428 000

1807

10 282 000

105 OOO

915 000

367 000

1808

1 956 000

15 000

102 000

18 000

1809

4,056 000

11000

626 000

107,000

1810

5.213000

5 000

456 000

189,000

1811

2 820,{)i;0

38 000

626 000

23.000

1812

1,929 000

150 000

17,000

1813

1.005 OOO

5,000

2.000

501.000

6 '1.53,000

2,355 OuO

(in, ■■■1(1.

J\\ f/timf'shire.

Fc* >n 1)1

^V. t<;i • nn.

1803

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

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)

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»

» 1

264

^ THE OLIVK IJIlANClf.

Tal/'c (if Exports from the Unied Stntei, of Domettic productions and
J\lunvJ'acturcs,fi'ovi |8(U to 1813

^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

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

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

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

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

11,614 000
3, 1 47. (KM)
I 217,000

I8,548,00a

15,978,0015

' 'J

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

./'■,.

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«iiiiIm<i

CoiMlt-l'tlCUt

Verm oil I

1 1,614,000

\,.i'! 1,'XIO

13,144,000

l2,83l,noo

XIV. South C'lrol'ii"' and GeorL^a exported more
than Vlcjiricliufetts, Rh.^j^ Hland, New Haniplhirc and
Vermotit.

South Cnoliiia
Georgia

MaHsaolimpMn
R'xt.le Maiul
Ni'i« Hampshire
Vermout

riO,5y3,o»o
lH,r>4S,oiio

— — 69,071,000

54,n8li,ooo

7,7«9,'>"o

3,147,000

I, '.'1 7, 000
— 67,139,000

- '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

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

ij.,

♦.^

<^j-

1.0

I.I

1.25

^1^ Ni^
^. lis IIIIIM

1.8

14 111.6

^^^

°^

Photographic

Sciences

Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. M580

(716) 872-4503

^9)

^1?

36S

IHE OLIVE DRAXeH.

J. f 1 ' .» I

l# Ir'.'q

XVIII. Georgia alone exported twenty per ccjitt,
more than Connedicut, New Hamplhire and Vcrnionl.

Georgia - - . _ . I8,548,ooo

Coi.necticut - . . ]l,6l4,ooo

New Hampshire - - - . 3,147,000

Veiraonl - . - l,'>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 '

»■*<■

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<A:«t;H.

CHAP. XXXIII.

('oiiiparliion of the e.vporl^, forei^i-n and domestic, of
ilie d'lQWent slalej, from 1791 to 1813. Glance uf

ionnaL';c.

To enable tlie rcac;cr to form a fair comparlfon be.
tween the commerce of the different ftates, 1 annex a
ivn;ij)t";cal view of the \vhole of our exports. He will
ice at a Tingle gldiice, how very erroneous are the opin-
ions that have hitherto prevailed on this fubjctl: ; and hovw"
liig^li even the fouthcrn foreign commerce ioars over that
of the boaded " commcrciaijiates."

General total of exporta^ nf forci.vn and doinrsiic prn<hic-
ilnns and viannfact ares, from the i/enr 1791 to 18 13,
inclusive.

A 98770,000
n 81,324 000
C 54,985,000

,7\'e-ii' York.

J?9.9n,000
78,05;?,000
85,28.3,000

!2I.,7-44,O0O
65,118 000
-i-4,79'3 000

S. Ciivrjh'va.

8,^6.31000
14.420 000
50 523. 000

§235,079,000 293,276,000 234,058,000 148 574,000

A
li

%MnriiUiii(l.

101,025,000
50,214,000
36,630,000

Connecticut. R. Talaml. Viri(iiria.

12.3;'8,000 1',, 113,000 53 125,000

501,000 6 953,000 2,355X'00

11,614,000 7,789,000 42.833,000

S 187,870,00 24,443,000- 23,855,000 98,313,oOO

JSi". llainfjsJtire
3,829,000
1,386 000
3,147,000

% 8,362,000

Vermotit JV" Carolina. Orleans.

165,000 6,764.000

1,075,000 61.000

1,217 000 7.055.000 16,408 000

;0 13.880,000 16,408.000

(ti'fjrpria.
12.162,000
190.000
18,548.000

30,900,000

Columbia.

13,144.000
13,144,000

EXPLANATION.

'Flie fust line, A, is trtkcii from the tabic A, page Qr.9, and con-
fains tlic wliole fimount of the exports of foreign and tlomeslic arti-
ticlcs; fiom 1701 to 1802.

50 523000
148 574,000

IHE OLIVE nnANCII.

<«i I.

The seroiid liur, B, is Jiikoii from thclaUlc B, paje 2(52, aiiii-oi;'
;aii)s llip wliott of lilt foioiKD iti deles ('X|)Oit)'<l fiotu InO-Jto I8I3.

The third |iii«>, 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

*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.

■y

i^"

10 1 f .■

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.

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<MVV*

5:4

THE OLIVE BUANWrt.

'ii:

is,'

i»-v

The reader muft not be fuiprircd it I often repeat this
fentinient. For '■ Out ot the abundance ot the heart the
mouth fpeaketh" — and bemg eon\ ini.ed this is beyond all
conipaiilon the moll awful daiigei that tinratens us, it is
not to be wondered at, that it engrolles To huge a portion
of my attention.

I lliall conclude this topie with one obrervalion,that as
tar as my knowledge extends, or as far as I am capable of
judging, there has rarely oecuricd an inilance ol one na-
iioi\ To very highly indebted to another as the eallern llatos
aic to thefouthern, and yet making luch a very milerable
and ungrateful return.

Tonna«;e.

Boflon which has maintained fuch high commercial
claims, on the ground of her exjjorts and imports has
likt'Wile preferred high claims on her tranfcendent iupe-
ricntv in point of fliipping. Thefe towering claims arc
unlounded, although not in the fame degree with tiie
relK Let the reader decide 1 have betore me, a flatc-
ment of the tonnage of the United States for two years,
from which I make a few extrads, in order to inter thelo
pretenfions in the fame grave with the others.

Tonnage of

Boston,

New York.

Philadelphia,

Baltimore,

Portland,

Portsmouth,

Bath,

Ncwburyport,

Salem,

Norfolk,

Charleston,

1809

i33'257

243.-538
121,443

102,434

32,007

277'9

23.033

36.574

43537
40.040

50.819

1840

149,121
268,548
125,258

103.444

32.599
28.820

20,344
39,100

41,462
47.643

52,bt)8

From the above ftatement it appears that in the year
1810, the tonnage of Norfolk and Charlefton was
con hdei ably fuperior to that of any port in the eaft-
erii or middle flates except Bofton, New York, and

..^.^ ,

■^*^?^'=^-''?R^'^«'!?!^P^-''.

THE OLIVE BRANCH.

27S

repeat tliis
e heart tlic
beyond all
lis us, It is
re a portion

ilion.tliat as
n capable ot
oV one na-
NilU-rn ilatos
ry milerable

commercial
niports, has
i-nilent iiipe-
T claims arc
ee with tiie
mc, a (latc-
r two years,
to inter thele

•

,548
,258

,444

,'3«9
.820

»344
,100

,462
.643

in the year
lefton was
in the eaft-
,v York, and

Phihi'lelphia ; and that the tonnage of Baltimore was
more than double thatot any port in thceailcrn Hates, ex-
cept Boston.

CHAP. XXXIV.

^Inoiher source of excitemrnt amon^ Hip. enfttprn ftfafef;.
JJntics 0)1 impurta. StatisticH. Sout/u'rn states pni/
very nearly an much as the eastern, tVondevjul delusion,

Thofc men whofe unccafing efforts have been employ-
ed to excite the palTions ot the yeomanry ot the eallern
dates, and prepaic them toi infurrect on and a diHV)lution
ot the union, iiave raifed a great clamour on the ful)jefck
ot the enormous amount ot duties paid by thole itates,
and the inhgnificance ot the fums paid by the fouthern
fection ot the nation. They thence inter the injijllice
and the inequality ot the union, and its opprellivc opera-
tion upon the tormer fetHon,

This item ot complaint is, if pofTible, more fallacious
than the one difculFed in the preceding chapter. The dif-
advantage is all oi\ the other fide of the queftion. The
eaftern Rates import largely from Europe, and the Eafl
and Weft Indies, for the fupply of the fouthern ftates.
Tt»e tormer, it is true, have to bond or pay the duties in
the firft inftance. This appears wonderfully to their ad-
vantage in the tables ot duties. But it can hardly be
neceffary to inform the reader that the mei chant who
bonds the duties is not the actual payer .i them. The
late M«. * • * • * of this city, paid dutic on probably
500,000 dollars' worth of imported goods annually ; but
did not confuine 1000 dollais' worth. Who could be fo
ignorant as to pretend, that the government was beholden
to him for the amount of the duties ! They weie paid by
the farmers in Chester, and Bucks, and Delaware, and
Berks counties. The duties are added by the merchant
to the firft coft, with a piofiton both — and the ultimate
consumer is the real payer.

^■i^' ;\\

\(' !

. .'1

ivi

Vs^/a

:ro

THE OLIVE RRANCn.

TIjc caflcrri ilatcs levy taxes in this u'ay not merely oi;
Miiiyhmd, Virginia, North and South Carolina and
Gcorgi:i, but even on l*ennfylvania ; tor ftrange as it may
feeni, it is ncveithelels true, that nofvvithftanding the ini-
menfe vvcalth, tlie ardt'iit entei prize, and the great eom-
mcreial advantages ol' Phihulclphia, innnoderate quantities
ot Kail India and Chineie goods are fent from Boflon,
Silcm, and other eallern ports, lor fale here.

But even, indL-ju'tident ot the import-ition of the eaflern
for the ("outhern Hates, tiie argument is unlairly ftated.
If tlic former af:lualjy conrumcd all the toreign articles
they import, the duties tliey pay compared with thofe paid
by the (outhein ftates will not warrant their liolding the
high, aiul arrogant, and commanding tone they have al-
ways a {fumed.

To enahle the reader to form a correft opinion on the
ful j>;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.

JV>w TIampsfdre

Vermont.

Connecticut.

Ji. hhwd.

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

Jl J797

27.000

115 000

276 000

il 1798

72,000

1>000

127.000

104 000

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

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

^/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

(

t '

.))

' ■' 'M

ll V'

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

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,<ioo

Rhode Island .... 5,'t2o,<jou

Synopsis of duties jmid from 1791 to ISliJ. "

Eastern Section, xMUldle Section, Southern Section.

IMarylund 3o,345,ooo

Vir{;inia li,.'i6.5,o()0

Mass. 43,338,000 N. Car. 2,J'2l,oo(»

N. tlamp. J, 7 1 5, 000 N. Jersey 259,000 S. Cur. l2,Citt.">,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

h t

11'

; li

§56,083,000

J5 104,981,000

S 54,337,000

..^. .»■< ^

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.

^i!

''^■'^IBJt^

W^'

;l||l|p|

;■ IPj

»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;/

-*■•—'

,■'

. 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

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 En<Jand and Scotland, are the only confidcra-
tions that render a jeparation from Majjachujcfts a mta-
fure to be at all deprecated. IVere we injured from thefe
two evils, the expul/ion of that Hate from the union would
be a meajure of ju/tue, propriety and advantage. It
would be an advantage to the reft of tlie nation. She has
haralFed the national councils to a moll intolciabJe and
Ihametul degree.

She fcems determined, if fie cannet rule the country
herplf to fend it to dejlruclion headlong. She has been
{t)r years a curfe and a fcourge to the union. We Ihould
not have had war J3ut for her*. And among the features
oi the prcfent cri-fis, the moll lamentable one is, that Ihe
lunnot fuirer the punilhment due to her follv, her arro-
gance, her reflleltnefs, her faftion, her j icobinilm, her
anti Wafliingtonifm, without inflifting an equal de-
gree of misfortune on her innocent neighbours. Could
Ihe be made to fufFer alone, it were " a conjummation mojt
devoutly to be wifhed." A llrong navigation a£l, and dil".
eliminating duties, would foon briiig her to her fenfes,
and convince her oi the immeafurable tolly and madnefs
(he has been guilty of. They would fink her to her pro-
per level — that level, which her ungrateful foil — her in-'
iignificance in point of population — and the narrow
limits of her territory, prelcribe — and which, I repeat,
nothing but the advantages flie has derived from her
perfecuted, infulted, outraged, and defamed fifter ftates,
lould have enabled her to pafs. She would repent of
her infatuation, and moll anxioufly fcek to be rellored to
a confederacy, on the major part of which Ihe had un-
.:caringly levied heavy contributions, and to which fhe
owed all that profperity, that weahh, and that affluence,

* This nssertien lins bren cnvillf?(l n( by ^ Boston writer, but not
refuted. Boston, by ber juruhiiiical opposition to Ibe poaccablc nua-
surcs udopUMl to obtiiin frum Enj^bind tb<it rctircss for ubieb sbc her-
si'lf ba«l so loniliy impNtred tbe inlerfcieuce of poTcrninent — and liy
Iter cxritement of a similar opposition tbiou'jboiit I bo tasttMti stBl*s
ut'ufially, defeated Ibosc mcasiites — encouraged England lo proc.td
ill her outrages— wbicb finally led lo war.

I •

V ^ V'

2SB

THE OLIVE BRANCH.

which had rendered her dizzy, inflated her with pride and
arrogance, and brought on iier downialJ.

CHAP. XXXVI.

•Money the sinews of ivar. ^.Associations to prevent the.
success of the loans. Efforts to bankrupt the govern-
ment. Large drafts of specie on A'ew York from
Boston. Understanding between certain persons in Bus-
ton and government of Canada. British government
bills. Treason in United States. High treason in
England. Misprision of treason. Hanging, drawing

and quarterin

'S'

Money has long been proverbially fly led the fmews
ot war. It is no mifnomer. Soldiers cannot be raifed —
nor put in motion — nor arrayed in the field of battle,
without money to clothe and to ieed them. A govern-
ment at war, and deflitute of funds or credit, muft fuc-
cumb to its adverfary— bend the neck to the yoke — make
humble fubmiflion — and receive the law from the con-
queror. To thefe truths hiftory bears ample and uniiorm
teftimony.

Under this impreflion, fliortly after the declaration of
war, there was a combination formed to prevent the fuc-
cefs of the loans authorifed by congrefs. I believe that
nearly all thofe who entered into this fcheme refided in
the eaftern ftates, particularly in Bollon, which was the
grand focus of the confpiracy.

There never was a meafure, however atrocious, but
there was a plaufible plea invented to palliate or juftiiy
its enormit^^ This high handed confjiiracy to deftroy
the credit of the government of their country, which
originated among the " moral and religious people" of
Bolton, was predicated upon two pofitions :

Fii ft, that England was, and had always been willing
to make a treaty with us on fair and honorable terms ;

,.nij.r' -/■''^? iil«fc.^-

THE OLIVE BnANCH.

2sr

ith pride and

prevent the
the govern-
} York from
irsons in Bos-
i government
-h treason in

ing,

drawing

led the fmews
lot be raifed —
eld of battle,
I. A govern-
dit, muft fuc-
e yoke — make
from the con-
c and uniform

declaration ot
event the fuc-
I believe that
erne refided in
which was the

atrocious, but
iate or juftity

cy to deftroy
ountry, whjcii
3US people" of

•

'S been willing
lorable terms;

and that fo great was her magnanimity, fhe would take
no advantage of any of the cmharraiTments or diHictil-
tics that might arife from the deftrutlion of the public
credit.

Secondly, that our adininiftration wa- fo obftinatcly
bent on continuing the war, that it would make no peace
wiiile it had the means of carrying hollilitlcs on.

A corollary from tliefe pofitions was, that if tiie con-
fpirators prevented the fuccefs oi the loans, ^uid deprived
the government of the means ol prufccuting the war, wc
Ihould in confequence have peace.

Thefe extravagant pofitions mufl excite the amazement
of anv calm obfcrver. " But as foon as he ihould be
acquainted with the nature and exiftence ot prejudice,
palfion, obftinacy, wilfulnefs, wickelncfs, and above all,
with the chara,51er and influence of party fpii it, the myf-
tery would vanilh at once : for he would then fee that
the^e and not reafon decide. Rmf'on asks for fatls and
arguments : prejudice, ptiJ/ioN, and the reji, ask [or names ^
founds, noi/'e, and fury. By thofe they are impdkd — by
thefe they decide"*

Our government had given four ftrong and irrefiftible
proofs of a difpofition to conclude the war, which muft
carry conviction to every candid mind.

Fir ft, on the 27th June, 1812, it had offered the Brit-
ifti government an armiftice on the fimpleand reafonable
conditions of fufpending, during the negociation, the
outrageous injury of impreflrnent, and furrendei ing the
American feamen previoufly impreffed. The fufpen-
fion of impreflrnent at that period could not have occafion*
ed Great Britain any poffihle difadvantage ; for, having
nearlv annihilated all the rival navies of Europe, her
ftock of failors could not require to be replenilhed by
impreffment from our veffels. And as fhe had at all
times profeffed a willingnefs to give up our feamen, there
could have been no dlfficultv on the fecond point. She
ought, therefore, to have met our amicable overtures with

* The Examiner, l»y Bavciit Gardeiiicr, vol, I. page 57.

Hi
I

I, ' '<\

'n't

>S88

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,

* 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.

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 whoconi<l not
1)6 induced by mild means, were deterred by denuncia-
tions. A volume might be filletl with the hicubrations
that appeared o,i this iiilj 'd.

The pulpit, as ulual in Bofton. came in aid of the
prefs, to lecure fucccfs. Thofe who lubfcrihed were in
direct terms declared participators in, and accclfaries to,
all the *' murders," as they were termed, that miglit take
place in the " unholy^ unnglUeoiis, wicked, abominable,
and accurfed war."*

To enable us to judge of the dctcflable wickcdncG.-
of thefc proceedings, let us examine what would be the
effetl of complete fucccfs. N) diminution of the guilt
ol any att arifcs from its failure to produce its ufual and
intended efire6l. The man who fires a piftol with intent
to kill, is, in the eye of heaven, equally a murderer with
him whofe bail pafTes through the brains of his viclim.
Had complete fuccefs crowned the efforts of the confpi-
rators, thefe awful confcquenees would have taken place :

Firft, a national bankruptcy + The public creditors
and all who depended on them would have been ruined.

Secondly, with the downfall of the public flock,
would hav^e fallen the ftocks of banks, infurance com-
panies, ;]: &.C. &c.

Thirdly, private bankrnptcv would have follon'cd to
an enormous extent : and wide-lpread ruin would have
pervaded the nation. §

• Sep chapter XXXIX.

t Since the above was written, this cdoct has been produced to a
certain extent hv ihis conspiracy.

t Tliis consequence has taken place to a most alarming dejjree.

§ Stiong tiaces of th^ pernicious cfTtcts ot ihis conspiracy appear
UiroHi'hout the nnion. Some of the conspirators have failen u'nlament'
cd victims to '! ■' owu inuthinatious.

. 35

I ft

^.1

1 !

111

ii h

'4aK

"**. «^

IIIK OLIVK UUANCH.

' 'l

FonitliI\, ilic luuionul armies nuifl liavc been difh.uul-
ed, unci the tiontieis expoled to the de(i)lrtting elle^ts ol
the h.itehet and tomahawk. Tlie agtd matron — thechrillc
and tender wile — the hlooimng maiden — the deeu'uit
grandfiie — the manly lather — and the helpleis inldiit, all
Avonid Lave been involved in one wide, impaitial, and
undiilinguilhing delhiittion.

Fitthly, our Icapoit towns wonid have been cxpofed to
the merey oi Coekbnrns and Gordons. They would
have lliared the late ol Alexandria, ot llTimpton, ol
H<i\'ie-de-Grace, and ot I'lcnchtown.

And fixthly, to clofe the awlul cat.dogiic, onrgovcrn-
iTient would be laid at the meiev ot Great Britain ; — and,
deprived of the means of lefillance, mull have fu'i-
niitted to whatever igncnnnious tenns flie would choolc
to iin[)o{e.

Thcfe were the refulls that nnift have taken place, had
complete fuccefs crowned the horrible pi^joti. Never
was more unholy purpofe attempted.

It is highly probable that many ot the pcrfons engaged
in this confpiracy did not contemplate (uch extenfive
reuilts. They probably looked no farther torward than
to the reftoiation ot peace. But the leadeis in the (chcnic
were too keen, too nirewd,,too profound, and too hollilc
to the government of their conutry, to allow us to extend
to them the fame degree of charity. Their minds mull
have grafped all the tlupendous and awful confequenccs ;
and they had reconciled tliemlelves to the wide-fpread
devaflation, which they regarded as " a confummation
devoutly to be wifhcd."

The fuccefs in the eaftern dates was confiderable. —
Few men have courage to ftem the tide of popular de-
lufion when it fets in very flrong. There were fome,
however, who fubfcribed openly, in defiance ot denun-
ciations and threats. Others, ot Icfs firm texture, loaned
their money bv ftealth, and as clandeftinely as if it were
treafonable. What, alas, mull be the awtul ftate of fo-
ciety, whe^n a free citizen is afraid of lending his money
publicly to fupport the government that protefts him—

niK OLIVE BRANCH.

20 L

tlio mildc'd lorm of jtoverntncnt ever voiichf.itcd In' licav-
cii to niiiii— w olc niiMiifls cinMcs its ciiciinVs to
jcop-u'dizc Its voi V cxillcinjc ! Who, that luis a (otil to
tool — wlu* that has u fpaik of patriotiliii or |)iil)li(: (|;m t
in his frame, l)ut mull i)C fiicil with a holy in(lim».;tioii
at fuch a hideous, hich <i honihic llal^; oi the pjildic mind !

*• Money i'^ such a »lrii}( (tlin siift-st sijrii nf the fhyrrifr pro^pi liiy,
n\u\ fument nsri'inily of trndo) iliitt m«;ii aR'nisi il.i'ii' i\>ii««'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 paragr<iphs, taken from various Bullon papers.

*• Let no man who tchlies to continue the war hi) active means, bi/ rote
tr lending money, DARK TO PIIO^'J lATf IIIM^KI.F AT THE ALTAR
ON THK »A>tT 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:

;^1

* 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

■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<tc
have If.-dci aiists uM-ru'd llifiuJiL-lven to hIumv du' wn-kuliuns oi" tins Mur,
ami III louxe tliu public !»i.ri(iineiii nKiiiiKt it, and to mIkmv tlit> 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

■ <i

TIIK OMVE IIIIANCH.

itfua

\\\\ llif lll'ln^l.•^ill^ «rp milJctI »iili bli o<l — lill rvjTV fU-M in Ampncn \n
HrliUr Willi t'i»« l»f»Mi;!* ( I tlic luriplj- " DscoiUSC litliVi icI Hi UjcI'mIiJ,
April 7 181 V. Hv • lijitli !*nl*li, I) O

" II litis Win- in to 1)1" supix.iiefl hy Innni, pHpri* »lnck wl'l I rm! us
f:4>l im IkkH'i- tliiiii miii'Kis Till ir fl> '<•<•'«, it your piiMiiiTs arc (;(io<l,
will \i<lil till' i;iJ<rt:^l; Imi lor your ii,i''H^l of pHpi r Jilmk. yo\i n.nst
yiilii ;i tV'i-cf ol' loans iimui:ilh Irom your own |ioik< t» 'I'ln- ;uliiiin'l
him! ill.; puiMT li!«ve ii ('"iriiifd iln' cicw, ll'wt tln> 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 <l' ilur lor tuo |(uuilr»*il olrolla'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.

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,

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, <l;iU!(l
4lli \pril PdvmtMits iTiiiy Uc niarle iu lloslon \uoiioy, or in any oilier
in til!' United States, the suhstrhir paving the custoinary rnic ot dis-
cou it. \pplirsitions will b" rect-ivc I'roni any persons wlio wish to rc-
w'wii thtir inltrcst in tiobton, by letters post paid or by written applj.
cMioes from individuals in Jtoston (mil the namet of nil mihscrthtra

nha.'l fie kno-tVii onhi lo the iiuilevsi^ned, aetonlm'^- tr^ tlie propoxMls of
tl.t St ei etaiy (.f the treasuiy (or inon piitieiilirs see liis advtriise-
me;il;) eacji Jipplicant ml|^t nnne the |ii>;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<nr. lint wli;;t pledge have iht-y when they liavr
]>'.vire<I all tlieir cosh into liie lap ot the go\crninenl, that the loan
vili eii;i .'

" No one doubts of their rancour and ill-will towards England : ap()
thit iliey are willini; Vi fijj;itt het-HS lon.y; as tliey cin get money Well
ihf', it" thc'V ean gull llu' rich men, and j^et as many loai>8 as tiay iisk
fr.j", 'rjiil iliey nut fight till th<it /; goiir y yea, «nil nnlil they can utgo-
vi.'Ac ni.'.v lunns upon the siune Icrnts ?

" i'erhnps fnni/u*! i«en my l)e bi-ihcd by tlie high interest that is ol-
f'trel I5iu il" iliey Vrithliold their aid, and so force thf^ government into
u pence, will not their oaj)!tal i)e better employed, ii engaged in trade ,
Avill ihcy uc)t hav(,- better security for its iia^nieul, and at their comniaid
when tliey ask for it i

* On ilie -sviioU', wc think it no way to get out of the war, to giv:'
money to the govermwHt, when tlie vtry thing that prevents tl;em iVnni
carrying it on, is liie want of money 7 ' liobton Gazclte, April Ii,

After having huiinidated tlie citizens from lending their
•money publicly, by the inojl inflatnmatory and rc':i;t!Ou.s
public.!tions, oi which the preceding extracts afford a
llight fpecinicn, thefe writers revile and abufe the gov-
ernment, becanfe thofe who wilh to lend, are invited by
tlie brokers, and are forced to do it fecretly ! What tran-
fcendent injufticc !

Thefe are fair fpecimens of hundreds of paragraph;
and efTays written with a view to dilfiiade and inti-
midate monied men from lubfrribing to the loans.
Canting hypocrites, who were violating, the fundamen-
tal laws of fociety, cncom-aglng " fmuggling," and
"perjury" — "acquiring ill-gotten wealth at the ex-
pcnfe of public morals"— and endeavouring, though a

THE OLIVE BRANCH.

S9J

iinall minority, to trample down the nitijority, had the
wickednefs to call down " the judgment of God*^ upon
the fijppoiters ot a lawful and mild government !

In the middle ftates, the federalilts did not enter into
the pr( JL'ft, or to a very limited extent. Many ot tiiem
were fubfcribers — fome on a very liberal fcale. And
thus the loans, in fpite of the prefs and the pulpit, and
the efforts ot the confpirators, fucceeded, to their infinite
mortification. Nevv means were brought into operation,
which were temporarily crowned with fuccefs.

How ftrong foevcr may be the general fenfe of the
infamy of fmuggling, it has always prevailed ; and will
never be wholly fupprelTed, while the advantages it holds
out are fo great, and while there are men to be found who
worfhip gain as their God. It is not therefore furprifing,
that, as the non-importation, the embargo, &;c. were de-
noiniced as opprefTive, unjult, and unconllitiitlondl — and
the war as wicked, and unprovoked, and corrupt,
fmuggling fhonld be carried on to a moft prodigious ex-
tent. The public papers in Boflon repeatedly invited
ani urged the citizens to fet the reftriftive fyflem at de-
fiance. Thefe circumftances confpired to fupply that
town with fmuggled goods on a verv large fcale.

Of the extent to which fmuggling, and fraud, and
perjury are carried in Boffon, fome idea may be
formed from the iollowing "ptecious conteflion,"
writien by John Lowell. It defcribes a ftate of focie-
ty not exceeded in the mofl corrupt countries in
Europe.

''A

" Encouraped and protected from VJfomy by the Just odium against
the tvur, (f^ t/iey engage tnhne'essfil}ecufiitio7ia—;^'j'sn'ev at the
restraints ui' conscience — ^XJ" laugh at perjury— ; }=• mock atlega' res-
traints — and y acquire an'JU-gottcn iveaith at the expense of public
morals, and of the mure sober, conscientious part of thu co;«nj»;»'/^."*t

• Road to Ruin, No G.

t Mr. Lowell (Jenics that tlic aliove portrait was i)rawn for Boston.
He says '' the remarks were inteiultd to wpply to otiier states llian
Massachus'itls"— but he does net specily which are the states. 1 have

296

THE OLIVE IJRANC'H.

' Ills worthy of the moft fcrious reflefllon of the hon-
ourable and public-fpliited fedeialifts of the middle and
fouthein ftates, liow far they can, without difgrace and
dilhotionr, any longot "'follow the lead" of a town where
fuch a ftate of tilings vxifts — where no regard is paid to
*^ the rejlramts of confcience" — where "perjury," is a
fu'j-M of "laughter" — where **" le^al rejlraints" are
** let at defiance" — and where ''public morals" are facri-
ficcd to the acquifition of " ill-gotten wealth" — What an
awful confideratioii it is, that fuch a defcription of
citizens fhould have it in their power to decide the defti-
nies ot eight millions of people and their poller ity ! for
it is a moft frightful truth, that all the violent, lawkTs,
Jacobinical, and wicked meafurts, which are driving this
coimtrv to perdition, have their origin in Bofton, where
"pel jury and fmuggling" are the roads to ioitune---and
where "confcience affords no reltraint."*

Mr. Lowell, after drawing this frightful pifture, en-
deavours to make the adininiftiation anlwerable for
the whole to " a juft God," who " knows hoxv to tract

mm. I

reconsidered tlie sirbject, and am n«t disposed to admit his (fefencc.
Tlie dopruv^^tion of morals lie dcsci'i))es, is, he sitys, the rtsnlt ok'
" smHq:glin!T." And tliis is protected from infnmy ly " the jnsl odium
a^ aiiist llie war " Now it is well know that there is no pHPt of the
T'uiti<l '•t;'ti s where sn><iirn;liiiw is Ciinied on so largely and so b re-
facedly as in Rnsff n — ai.d iid e where so much psiiiis li«ve been tnken
to xei(( the pii'«Iic passion at;aihst the war, or witit so miuh sneccSK.
It is therefore not in Mr, Lowell's povver to remove the fairness ol the
ap[ilieatiun.

• I wisli here to avoid being misunderstood. This statement re-
specting Hoslon is to be received wi'l) due qn difiiHtion. 1 ha>e 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 <i8'
swc'lly vimt upon the authors of thin -war, all the ini<]xiit.eit of xehich it
has been the occns on If the gii ./»/ deserve our scorn or our pity y the
tempters and seducers deserve our execration."*

Tiiis is very juft and true. The guilty deferve our
korn. The feducers merit execration. But who are the
leducers ? Thole, indubitably, who tor fo many years
liave been employed, by every means, however bale or
vile, in exciting the people to forcible oppofition to the
rulers ot their choice — who have, in the public papers,
openly invited thofe, who needed no fuch invitation, to
violate laws fairly and conftitutionally enafted, which
they denounced as oppreflive and " unconjlitutionair
Thefe are " the. feducers.'' Thefe are the men on whom
heaven in its righteous decrees, will " vifit all the iniqui-
ties," to which their ambition, their turbulence, and
their faftious fpirit have given pccafion.

Many valuable Britifh prizes were fcnt into Boflon,
which greatly added to the ftock of goods introduced
there by fmuggling. The middle and fouthern ftates,
which refrained from thefe pefliferous praftices, drew
nearly all their fupplies of foreign merchandize from
that town. This courfe of events filled the vaults of the
banks in Bofton with incomparably more fpecie than
ihey ever held before — and raifed very heavy balances
again ft the banks in New York. The Philadelphia
banks were indebted to thofe in New York : thofe in
Baltimore to thefe in Philadelphia ; and fo on, more to
the fouthward.

• Ibid.

\ ii

I 'J

y }

• .fi

208

THE OLIVE linANtll.

It may not be unamufing to the reader to explain this

f>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 he<jvy cuifes of the widows and or-
phans, and other perlons on whom it has entailed fo
much diltrefs.

Accordingly the New Yoi k bank notes held by the
Bolton banks were lent torward with demands tor tlieir
amount in Ipecie— and drafts were likewife drawn on the
New Yoik banks for the balances on tlie face of the
books, to enormous amounts. I am credibly informed
that t[ie fum was at leall four millions v)t dollars troin
the time of commencing thefe operations till tire 29th
of laft Augult. To relieve themfelves from this pi ef-
fure, the New York banks drew as largely a^ tiie Itate of
the accounts would ad'Tiit, on tliofe in Philadelphia — the
latter on tiiofe in Balitlmore --thofe oir Richmond, Sec.
A leaitul alarm Ipread through the community.
Tb.e iilue was looked tor with terror. Waggons were
loadmg With fpecie at the doors ot our banks alraoft

THE OLIVE BIIANCH.

299

every week. There have hecn three at one time loading
in Pniladelpliia. The hanks were obliged to curtail their
difcounts. Bankruptcies took place to a confuicraule
extent. Even wealthy men, who were wiiolly unprepar-
ed tor fuch a crifis, fnffered great inconvenience. Some
wiio had (ubfcribed to the loans, were unable to comply
Avith llieir engagements : and others were withheld from
iubfcribing, by the general preiFuie for money. In con-
fequence, the loan, then pending, partially failed, to the

ifTi

)f th

id diftrels

My great emoarraument ox tne government, ana a
of the public. This zuas the nefarious ohjcd in view.

1 have before me " A true abftraft of tlie Itatcments
of the feveral bank corporations of Mairjchufctts, ren-
dered January, 1814," and publiihcd by the fecretary
ot that commonweaUh, from which it appears that at that
period, the fpecie in the vaults of the Bofton banks was —
Mairachufelts, 2,114,164 dolls.

Union, ' 6,57.795

Bolton, 1,182,572

St ite, 659,066

New England, 284,4.56 - ;

Mechanics, 47.39^ '

4,94,5,444 dolls. -
At this timethefe banks had in circulation onlv the fol-
lowing amount o[ notes: ot cdmfe there could not he
the lead pretext of want of fpecie to anfwer the utmoll:
ilemand that could be reafonably calcul<>ted 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

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

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<i immoderate, ccntviued.

"•-fc;4>--

'fllE OLIVE DIIANCH.

A)3

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

•|

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, <tll its agents, its einillarics,
its accomplices, and ajrainU all who connived at it.
II' this be '' ftdcrabjia vj the Bojlon llamp;' I tiiilt
the hi^li-niinded and honefl Icderalills ol the middle
and Ibutlu-rn fbttes, will renounce the odious coimcxion,
and dii'rldiin all paitii ipation in liich nelaiious, fuih irea-
ionahle praTtices.

Tl)e millions ol dollar.';, which lorni fo eaj)ital an item
in Ml. Oakley's late fj)eech, were loll to the government
by this confpiraey.

A icw ambitious demagogues in Bo Ron have bccM the
guide (d Icderalills throughout the union. Tbev have
led tlioni a devious courle tVom the paths pielciibed hv
Wafhiiigton. I'hc)- have allured them to the brink ot
inliurcvtion, rebellion, civil war, and horrible de\afta-
tion, wiiich nre all Ivnonimous with a dilloluiicm ot
the union. Whether the latter will have magnanirnitv
enough to regiin the honourable paths trom which
they have been i'educed, remains to be feen. 'J'heir
toteinporaneous lame — their charafter with pofterity
— their peace, their happinefs, their profperity — the
late of their wives and cliildrerj — the defliny ol their
country — the ([ueiUon whether we Ihall be united as
a band oF brothers, or involved in civil war, with its
train oi horrors — are all at Hake. The flake is Im-
ment'e. Pray heaven they may torm a juft and enlight-
cd decilion !

CHAP. XXXVII.

J\lfissncfiusetts compared ivUh Tennessee. The blind lead-
ing the blind. Profits of trade fifty per cent .' Road
to Uu'.n..

Never did faflion more completely degrade and
fmk a pvC^.e, than llie has done in Mafl'achufetts.
That once high-minded ftalc has been attacked by

> \

'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.

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)

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.

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 —

•' 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.

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 <Iay, (J3^ CUT
TllK COXNEXiON, or so far alter the national coniiiHct, as to insure
yourselves a due share in the government."

This elegant and fublime morceau, which breathes
fo much ot the fpiiit ot" St. Paul, ''let every foul be
fubjeB to the higher powers,'' is taken tVoin a fermon
preached in Bolton, by the Rev. Mr. Gardmer, July
23, 1812. The chriftian injiinftion of ''cutting the
connexion," that is, rebelling againft their own govern-
ment, wonderfully accords with the declaration ot
the text, which, gentle reader, is — " / am for peace'*
Pfalm 120, V. 7. Never was there a more wondertul
aflbciation — ^ "Cut the connexion" — and ^" I am
for peace .'" From fuch apoftles ot peace, good Lo.'-d
deliver us !

This pra6tice is abominable when a congregation is all
united---ali of one fentiment, if fuch a cafe ever oc-
curred. But when they are divided, as muft necelTdrlly
almofi: always happen, what a view does it prefent ? That
portion of the congregation differing fiom the- pol:tics ot
the preacher, are reduced to the alternative of either ab-
fentmg ihemfelves from divine worfliip, or fitting patient-
ly filent under the undeferved reproaches, and abufe, and
malediftions of a man who flies in the face ot all his
duties, and to whom they cannot offer a reply.

It is impolfible much to aggravate the hideoufnefs of
this procedure. But when the preacher co'nmits li'mfelt
by falfehood, even undefignedlv. as fometimes happens,
it caps the odious climax. On the eve ot a general
cletlion a few years fince in Malfachufctts, to anfwer the .

'I'

> t,;

.>4iW?

1^1 .

ijijiiSiSaeBsmsii^i^m.

m m ^iiititli

W.r

oi'3

THE OLIVE niiANCH.

' ^ ,

r.^-iMfl

HfH

H' <mR

'%i

Ipaj

'^Hnf

fii

HyH ^HH

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.

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, au<l the complicated mi-
series of war asat its guilt, its outiage against heaven, against all truths
honesty, justiee, goodness — agai/isl allthe principles of social happiness.
Idem, page 12.

" Were not the authors of this war in character nearly akin to (he
deists and atheists of France; were they not men of j^" hardened
hearts, seared consciences, reprobate minds, and desperate wickednesSf
it seems utterly inconceivable that they should Luve maile the declara-
tion." Idem, page 13.

" One hope only remains, that this last stroke of perfidy may opeo
the eyes of a besotted peo;>le, 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.

■:V

.-S''

'"ii;

: -^.i^HViJ^f-iV.. ■ ■ -

v-«Kr

/ VV'

%•

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 plen<li<l tyrants. 'I'hey left tlii-ir (ifilitical woes I hey
separated. (Tr'VVIlEUE IS OUU VIO^ES? If here in the rod t^ his
miracles ? ff/ter'e is Jiaroii ? Mas ! no voice from the burning

b'.tili has directed (hem here." Discourse delivered at liyjield, ^Ipril
7, 18 4. By EUjuh Parish D. D page 18.

** Sncli IS the tempt r of 'meiican republicans, so called. A new
Inngu ge must lie invented before we fttlempt to txpiusu i^j the base-
■ness of their conduct, or ^^ the rottetinens oj their hearts " Idem,
page '21.

"New Eiii;lind if invaded, would be obliged to defend hersel*'. Do
you not then owe it to your children, and owe it lo your God, to make
peace for yourselves ?" Iticm, page 2.3.

'• Alas'.o^ IVe have no Jloses to stretch his rod (ver the sea!
03^ No liel)>inon, 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-

•-'•^«IS.'

316

'lilE OLlvE BUANOIl.

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

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*

}

■ 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. T<fcither
MaraC, Duiitmi, nor Robeispiene ifsja?* Iheir eaiecr will) more vio-
Ifiice thiiu lie has alrt:a<Iy «lis|ii!\yfti. Nemo ropenle turpissiiims. Hi;
will improve H9 he girs on. I stake my exif^tenre, Ihal Hhouid a civil
war lake place— as will be the case, shimlij Mr. Blake's cuiiasels pre-
vail — and shniiUI his puity not be crushed in the conflict, as they pro-
bably will — if he has the ascendency, there will be as Ruinmnry ; ro-
cess with ihedeniooratH of tlinl qnarler, as there were with the rnyal-
listH under the guillottne government oj Paris— Men are monsters all the
iiotld overywhen unrestrained by law and constitulton. I hope in the
tcuilcr mercy of God, we shut! not try the experiment. But if, in the
vent;eanc« of heaven, we are destined to do it, we shall add our ex-
ample to that of France in proof of the theory. Mr Blake tran-
scends his friend Mr. Otis far. The latter gentleman is snrely vio-
lent enunsh— -but he is obliged to curb and restrain the convertid de-
mocrat. Perhaps this is a ru.ve r/e/^uerre^perhaps the outrageous vio-
lence of Mr. Blake is intended to form a contrast to the mildness of
the project of .Mr. Otis, who is thereby to gain the popular title of a
modere- Old Lord Burleigh, or Machiavel himself, could not arrange
the matter belter But, reader, I do hwi guess at these things. I am
ton for removed from the cbfss board., tu jv.dge of the stale of tlic

THE OMVK n RANCH.

310

ter. Ncithrr

degrades Ills own government, is an cnr.i^c — a diforgan
izcr---a jacobin.

Sti'us;s;li'. fur OJJicc.

It is in vain to (llfiruife thctinth. Would to God, I
had a voice oi thunder to prochiim it throno|h the nation !
Ail the convuKions and danj^frs ot the country have
arifen troni the lull ot office and power. To embarrafs,
difjjrdce, and render odious and mipopular the men pof-
fefled of power tor the purpofe tot dilplacing them, and
vaulting into the vacant feats, is as ancient a procedure,
as government itfclt. And that it has been almoll uni-
vertally prevalent here, is beyond doubt. It is not won-
(lertul that thofe whofe grand and foie ohj;'H is power,
Ihould pmruc this plan. Tlie depravity ot human na-
ture {'ufficicntly accounts tor it. But tliat a large portion
ot the community vviio neither have nor hope tor place
ot honour, or proMt, (hould lend tliemielvcs to fuch a
Icheme — fliould alU)W themlclvcsto be made inftruments
to be wielded tor the purpoft,* — that they Ihonid, as the
iiillory ot this young country has often verified, (hut
their eyes to the vital interefis ot the nation, to promote
the aggrandizement ot a tew men, is re. illy aftonidiing.

The following paiagraph tiom the New York Even-
ing Poll, is the mod candid confeiRon ot a finiiler objeft
that ever was made. While we are expofed to all the
horrors ot war — our cities and towns liable to Copenha-
genifm — our wives and our daughters to violation — it is
ingenuoufly avowed, that all thele trighttu! things are of
710 account compared with the exclu/ion of Mr. Coleman' $
friends irom office. It is impollible to miftake the idea.
It is capable of no other than this interpretation. How-
ever we reprobate its want of public Ipirit, its candour
commands applaufe.

" Wliat would bp the rahie of a peace, if hot attended with a
«baiii;e of ihoRe rulers who are driving the counlrv headinnt; to ruin ?
A PEACE, tf such be Us effects, WOULD BE THE HEAVIEST

OF CURSES.— TAerc isno event that could happen— no po.tsiblc condition
f>f things that can he tMagineil, ivhich ounlit not to be dtplned, and avoided,
as /Ae HEAVIEST OF CALAMITIES, if Us tendmcy is topeipeluate

' 'I

»-■'»

I ,

'V 'I

i-n

i .

;}'

.'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 par<igrai)h ad'ords a complete cine to all the con-
vnlfivc Hriiggles in congre(s---all the elloits to prevent
the (iiccels ot every meaiure calculated to in<'et the pre-
fent cnrergency. The pcjlledion ot power on the one
hand, or the perdition ot the country on the otliei, are
the alternative. The aHors have no hefitation about
forcing the choice on their ill flarred country. i

CHAP. XL.

JUiherality of prfjufiiccs «^y//w.s7 furc'ii^nera. Unz^'ntcfiil
on the part of .ii/u r/r«. Ivishmoi nntl Frenclnm'U pPiU-
liarljf objects of (liHlike. l^pntisj/lvduia line- K.vtreme.
fiujf'-r'nii^'. Ti'inj/liii;:; (dlKrcnifiits. Urislinki'n virtua
and liei'uism. Jruuld. SU(ts Ueane. Hefu^ees.

"The rffll rniificn of tlie wnr musl bp Irnrcil io ♦ ♦ * * * niid llie
indiinicr of wnrtfi/eos JoieiQiierfi ov» c itif iimsb, pixI ^hv <l«*'il»eial(om»
of tlir t:<iv( riiiiit'iit III ull itf) hirtiulii's " t^epti/ of llie house of repre'
stntaltici of MassUchusetts to tht speecli of governor Strong, Juncy is* I 4.

" Tread on a ivorm, and it will turn.^*

I have long panted lor a fair opportimity of hand-
ling this topic. I have long felt indignant at the in-
difcriminate abufe hurled on foreigners in general-—
and more particularly on the Irifh, on whole devot-
ed heads " the vials of rvralh" are incefTantly *' poured
out."

There is no country that owes more to— there is no
country has more need of---foreigners. There is no
countiy in which they are more the obje£ls of inve6live,
©f reproaches, of envy and jealoufy.

TIIK OLIVR nUANCU.

9»i

i*H tfiit ut^

A jcaloufy of foreigners prevails in Enjrland. Rut i^
IS couhnc'il to tlic canaille, vviio, tiuii(llin|» their barrows —
lu'oeping the llreets — or pmruing their j»pnteel offices of
ciiimncy Iweeps and night men — hate and defpile the /w
dfici tail pdtUyvooi—tlie hlundenng Injhman—-the fimpfit
Jawney Scotcliman—the leek-eating li^*dcliman. In fa6l,
every man who wears a coat dilFerent from their own. or
wlio dilplays anv indication that proves him not to he a
" true-born Knglilhman," is an objetl ot contempt to an
l^nj^iUh (cavenger.

Hut it is not thus in high life in that country. A fo-
reigner of genteel manners---decent addrefs-.-and good
^haraRcr, is treated with the attention and pohtenefs he
dclerves.

With a degree ot magnanimity, deferving of praife,
and worthy of being made an example, England, who
pofTefTes abundance of artifts of high ftanding and fter-
ling merits, appointed the American Weft, as prefident
ot the royal academy. France, v.'ith a conftellafion of
native talents never exceeded, confided her finances to a
Swifs banker, Necker. At another period, fhe entrullcd
lier armies to a Berwick, to a Saxe. Rullia placed over
her fleets Scotch naval heroes. In faft, go through
Chriflendom, and you will find there is no country fo
favage, fo uncultivated, or fo highly polifhed and re-
fined, which docs not cheerfully avail itfelf of the prof-
tered talents of the foreigner who makes his permanent
domicil there.

But in this *• 7nofl enlightened'' of all tlie enlightened
nations ot the earth, party fpirit has cxcitetl a peculiar
degree of malevolence again ft the Irifh and the Frcnch---
aiid for the fame rcafon, becaufe England is hoflile
to both. The urbanity, the mildnefs, the equanimity,
the refinement, and the politenefs of the Frenchman avail
him nothing. He is an objetl of jcaloufy and hate, in
Ipite of all his own good and endearing qualities, and in
fpitc too of the fervices his nation " in the fiery hour of
trial" rendered the United States. The poor, perfccuted,
prufcribed, and opprefl'ed Irifhman, hunted out ot his

ik,
■n

i I

i ;'

•'*:'<

)

fm.

322

own country, and knowing the value of liberty here, from
the |>rivatiuM 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.

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<?y and
gladnefs. Lord Howe hoped that a period had arrived
to " rebellion,'' as it would have been termed. 1 iiere
was a glorious opportunity of crufhing the half formed
embryo of the republic. He counted largely on the
indignation, and on the refentment of the natives of " tke-
emerald i/le.'* He knew the irafcibility of their tem-
pers. He calculated on the diminution oj the ftrr-ngth
of " the rebels,'' and the accefiion to the numbers ot the
royal irmy. MefTengers were difpatched to the mutineers.
They had carte blanche. They were to allure the poor

' \

4fj

mM4^-'

BMBSH

924!

THE OLIVE BRAXea.

Hibernians to return, like prodigal children, from feeding
on hufks, to the plcntii'ul foid of their royal mafter.
Liberality herlell' pre(id(?d over his offers. Abundant
fupplies of provilions-. -comfortable clothing to their
heart's defire— all arrears of pay— bounties— and pardon
for paft offences, were offered. There was, however, no
hcfitation among thefe poor, neglefcled warriors. They
refilled to renounce poverty, nakednefs, fuffering, and in-
gratitude. Tiie fplendid temptations were held out in
There was no Judas, no Arnold there. They

vain.

i'eized the tempters. They trampled on their fhining ore.
They fent them to their general's tent. The miferable
wretches paid their forfeit lives for attemping to (educe a
hand ot ragged and forlorn, but illuflrious heroes. We
prate about Roman, about Grecian patriotifm. One half
of it is falfe. In the other half, there is nothing that ex-
cells tliis noble trait, which is worthy of the pencil of a
Weft or a Trumbull.

Let me reverfe the fcene. Let me introduce fome
charafters of a different ftamp. Who is that mifcreant
yonder— dark, defignirig, haggard— treachery on his
countenance— a dagger in his fiand ? Is it not Arnold ?
It is. Was he an Irishman ? No. He was not of the
dcfpifed caft, the foreigners. He was an American. Irilh
blood flowed not in his veins. ' •

Behold, there is another. Who is he, that Judas like,
is pocketing the wages of corruption for which he has
fold his country ? Is he an Irifhman ? No. He is a
native American. His name is Silas Deane.

But furely that numerous band of ruffians, and plun-
derers, and murderers, who are marauding and robbing-—
who are (hooting down poor farmers and their wives, and
their cliildren, are ^'Joreigners." It is impoffible they
can be natives. No native American would perpetiate
fuch barbarities on his unoffending fellow citizens. It is
an error. They are refugees and tories— all native born.
I am an Irifhinan. With the canaille in fuperfine
cloths and filks, as well as with the canaille in rags

THE OLIVE BUAN'CII.

3 ^^6

feedhig
mafter.
)undam

their
pardon

;vcr, no

They

and in-

1 out in

They
ling ore.
liferable
(educe a
;s. We
3ne halt
that ex-
icil of a

ice fome
iiifcreant
on his
Arnold ?
ot of the
Irilh

das like,
he has
He is a

nd plun-
bbing—
ves, and
ible they
erpetiate
IS. It is
ive born,
u per fine
in rags

and tatters. This is a fuhjeft of reproach. Tor every
man, woman or child, bafc enough to attach dilgracc to
any perfon on account of his country, 1 led a moll lov-
creign, an ineffable contempt. Let them move in what
fphcrc they may, wliether in coffee houfes or ball looms,
orpallaces, or in hovels, or garrets, or cellars, they arc
groveling, fordid and contemptible — To exprcfs the
wliole in two woids---i»ity there were not words rnorc
forcible— they are MERE CANAILLE.

I glory, 1 feel a pride in the name ot an Irifhman....
There is not under the canopy ot heaven another nation
which, ground to the earth as Ireland has been, for fix
hundred years, under fo vile a pro-confular government
— almoll every governor a Veries,---a government whofo
fundamental maxim is " divide and deit,rov"---whofe ex-
iftence depends on fomenting the hollility of the proteft-
antagainft the prelbyterian and catholic, and that of the
cathoMc againfl the proteftant and prefbyterian- -there is
not, I fay, another nation, which, under fuch cii cum (lan-
ces, would have preferved the (lighted ray of refpettabili-
ty of character.

Motwithftanding all thefe grinding, thefe debafing
»-ircumltances, t[»ere is no country in Chrinendom. which
has not witnelfed the heroifm, the gencrofitv, the liberality
ot Irilhinen — none, where, notwuhdanding the atrocious
calumnies propagated againd them by their opprclfors,
they have not forced tiieir way through the thoinv and
briery paths ot prejudice and j^'aloufy, to honour, to el-
teem, to lefpe^f. '^ '*

It has been faid that they are in this country, turbulent,
and retiattory, and diforderly, and fa6tious. The charge
is as bafe as thofe by whom it is advanced. There is'
more turbulence, more fa6\ion, more difaffettion in Bof.
ton, whofc population is ianly 33,000, and which has as
tew foreigners as any town in the world, than there is in'
the two dates of Penulylvania, and New York, witli a
population ot 1,700,000, and which contain probably
two thirds of all the native Irifhmen in this country.
While nativ'- born citizens, fome of whom pride thcnv^
28

■v.!-

I I

'•V»i

t J

6i%

THE OLIVE BnANCtf,

felves on Indian blood flowing in their veins, and others
who boall ot a noly deCcent tiom thof'e '\faintsd pilgrims"
whom Britilh perlecution drove to the howling wilder-
iiels, aie fdcrilegioufly and wickedly deftroying the
glorious (would to heaven I could fay the immortal)
Idbric of our almolt divine form of government. Of
the Irilhmen m this country, high and low, ninety nine of
every hundred are llrenuoufly labouring to ward off the
Ihoke.

I laid there is no country that owes more to foreiorn-
ers than t!ie United States. I owe it to myfelf and to my
r.ader, not to let a point of fuch importance reft on
mere airertion. Of tlie men who acquired diftin6tion
in tiie cabinet, or in the field, during the revolutionary
v/ar, a very large proportion were foreigners. In *' the
times that tried men's fouls," their fervices were accepta-
ble — they were gladly received, and courteoufly treated.
But now, like the fqueezed orange, they are to be thrown
afide, and trodden under foot.

The illuftrious La Fayette, Gen. Lee, Gen. Gates,
Gen. Stewart, the ineflimable Gen. Montgomery, Gen.
Pulafki, Gen. Kofciufko. Baron Steuben, Baron De
Kdlb, Gen. M'Pherfon, Gen. St. Clair, Gen. Hamilton —
Robert Morris, the amiable Charles Thompfon, Judge
Wilfon, Baron De Glaubec, Thomas Fitzfimons, Wil-
liam Findley, and hundreds of others, eminent during the
revolution, were foreigners, and many of them were not
excelled for fervices, and merits by any native American,
whether the dingy blood of a Pocahontas crawled through
his veins, or whether he defcended in a right line from
any of " the Pilgrims" that waged w^ar againft the po-
tent Mafldfoit.

Since the preceding pages were written, I have met
with a pamphlet of infinite merit, faiJ to be written by
one of the authors of Salmagundi, from 'vhich I quote
the following ftatement with pleafure — as affording an
able vindication of the Irifh nation, and a fair detail of
the opprelFions and wrongs they have endured. In the
name of the nation I thank the writer for this generous

Wil.

THE OLIVE BRANCH.

327

and others
i pilgrims''
ig wilder-
oying the
immortal)
ment. Oli
lety nine of
^rard off the

to foreign-
f and to my
ice reft on
diftinSlion
ivolutionary
;. In *' the
ere accepta-
lufly treated,
to be thrown

Gen. Gates,
imery, Gen.
1 Baron De
Hamilton — •
pfon, Judge
mons, Wil-
li during the
were not
American,
led through
ht line from
linft the po-

I have met
written by
hich I quote
affording an
fair detail of
ired. In the
this generou?

effufion, of which the value is greatly enhanced by \hc
extreme rarity ol' fuch liberality towards Ireland oi Infh-
men on this Tide of the Atlantic. The work in qiu nioii,
has, moreover, the merit ot being an excellent dcicncc
of this country again ft the abufe ot Biitilh critics.

" The history of Irelnnd's unhappy connection with F.tip:!«n»l rxliib'ils,
from first to last, a detail of the most pe srvt'riii{>;, {;»"'"<?. Rrimlin!;. in-
sultini;, anil svstemnlic opprr&sion, to be foiiiul any wln-if V > 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 abnse<l
country. As Christians, t!«e people of Irelini'l have been denitrl, under
penalties and disqualiflnations, tiie exercise of ihe rites of the catbnlie,
religion, venerable for its antiquity, adtniraiile for its unilv, an«i eonse-
erateii by tlie belief of some of the hrst men th^t ever breathed Xs
men ihey have been deprived of the common ri;;lnsof Hritish subj'ots,
tinder the pretext that tln'V were incapable of enjtivin.s; ihcm ; wbiid*
pretext had no oilur foundation than tlicir ri;Gistaiice of t.ppi't ssi n,
only the more severe In being 8unrtione<l by the liiu? i^' E jrlami
first dewed them the means of improvemcvt ; aud {}^ then iusxiUed
them ivith the imputation of burhurism''"'

While on the point of clofing this pacre, I have been
furnifhed with a noble effufion on this fubjeft, from very
high authority. Its fterling merits, and its juUice to-
wards the nation 1 have dared to vindicate, will warrant
its infertion, and amply compenfate the perulal.

••••••••* "A dependency of Great Britain, Q^^ Ireland ha.i

long languished under oppressions r' probated by humanity, and dis-
countenanced by just policy It would ar^ue penury of human (Vi lin;;
and ignorance of human rights, (J^ to stthmit p<itienthj to those ot>pres-
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.

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

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

)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*

• ■ ,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'.

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(hin<jfton. The
title is a glorious one. Let us te(t the praHices of your
lenders, by the holy maxims of Walhington. He railed
his voice againit — warned you to Hum — and pronounced
the ftrongeff condemnation upon

1. All obftmctions, of what kind foever, to the execu-
tion of the laws ;

2. All combmations to direft, controul,or awe the con-
ftituted authorities ;

3. All infidious eflforts to (jtlT excite hojlUuy between the
different fedions of the union \ •.

4. And in the moll emphatical manner, ^all attempts
to dffolve the union.

Wl. But the leaders of your party, particuhirly in
Bofton, have

1. Openly obftrufted the execution of the laws : —

2. Have combined to controul the conftituted author-
ities ;

3. Have aftually excited as dire hoftility againft the
fouthern ftates in the breads of thofe under their influ-
ence in the eaftern, as exifts between France and Eng-
land.

And 4. Have been conftantlv endeavouring by a feries
of the mod indammatorv and violent publications to
^pr^pfire the tajiern people for a diffolution of the union.

XVII, In fine, all the fteps they take and their whole

,i » u w n ^.iiii » i M

THE OLIVE DIIANOII.

Z3i

courfc of proceedings are in dire6l hoflility witli tlic

<iieed, tijc ad

vice, and the pratlice ol VValhington.

XVIII. Willie you tollow fuch leaders, yon may pro-
fefs to be difciples of Wafhington, but an inipaitial
wot Id will rejed your claim.

XIX. Suppofe the leaders at W i{hIn£Ttop fnccocd in
diivuiiT M|-. Madifon and t!u: i)t:iei public luiW-tu)u »i ics
fjoni olFice, and feize the iritis ol i;ov<innu-iit tiii'ir-
felvcs, what a melancholv, difirnc'lui tiuiMij)U it would
be, to raife your paity on the rums ot your ioim o\ gov-
ernment ?

XX. Such an ufurpation cannot fail to produce civil
war.

XXI. l\ your party fet the example of fuch .itiocions
violence, can vou pcrliMde yourfelvcs tliat " ihe poi/o >e.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

■

-■■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
convention, as may be judged proper. But while the

TRR OLIVE DRAV«II.

3af

vefTel of ftate is on rocks and quickfands, let us not mad-
ly Ipcnd the time, winch ought to be devoted to (ecurc
her fdlvcition and ours, in the abfurd and ill timed attempt
to amend--. in other words to deftroy— the charter paity
under which fhe fails.

May tlie Almighty Difpofer of events inflame your
Iiearts---cnlightcn your undeiflanding— and direfi yon in
the pr(>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<lu'ule<l as visionary. Be it so. But Mr. Mad. son can-
not couiplele Ills tt'rm ot service, if the var continues. It is nut jiossi-
ble, i<nd if he knew human nature he would see it." Federal licpubli-
ea , Noveniher 7. 18l4

*' !s ih. re - federalist, a patriot in America, who conceives it his duty
to shed his blood for liuiiapiirle, for Madison, for JeiFerson, and that
MOS I OF UUFFI.WS m congress, who have set their faces against
U.S for years, and s, irited up the uitorAL i-aht of the populace id
destroy us ? Not one —.Shall we tiien any longer be heUl in slavery,
and driven to desperate poverty, by such a graceless faction ?— Heave*
forbid." Bustua (Jazette.

THE END

i r

^„

n of this they,
lory ot France
I till the corn-
that appears in
lOHi the charge
Mtains on this

I not ouf of oflice,
eastern section of
the states lunl 6e
lint. Like ev«."ry
•y tlay, iliis warn-
iVlr. Mad son can-
». It is not jiossi-
Federal licpubli-

iceives it liis duty
jfferson, and lUnt
heir faces ag<inst

PHE POPULACK lO

held in slavery,
iction ? — Heavc'»