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READ BEFORE THE LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY OP QUEBEC ON THE 23rd DECEMBER, 1879, BY JAMES STEVENSON, Associate Member. \ QUEBEC: PRINTED AT THE " MORNING CHRONICI B " OPPICB. 1880. Mi •/f^ TI-IE CAUSE A^iO CQfJMEMCEIvlENT OF THE WAR iilOTWr.KX JESAT BBITini AID AMERICA !M 1812. iv.-:\i) UKi'Oi;!-: tifk !JTi:;iAi!V and irisToRiUAr. society of BY JAMES STEVENSOX, Abkociate Membeu. It would not bo easy for mo to say a few words on " The cause and coiiimencomont of the Avar Ijctweon Groat I)ritaiii and America in 1812," v.liicli Avould be intorostinu' to you, without first gUincing- at the contemporary history of the United States. I shall Iheroforo refer to the history of the rise of the Republic as it has been told by American and other authors ; to its position as an independent neutral power during the Napoleonic wars ; to the steps that were taken by the Government of Great Britain to protect themselves from interference by preventing commercial intercourse betvreen the States and the enemies of England ; to the right of search which they insisted upon for British seamen on American ships; to the complications which grew out of the exercise of that right — which led to hostilities, and to the war of 1812, in which Canada took a prominent part as a belligerent power. It will readily occur to you that I cannot giA^e the whole of this programme in one lecture ; but I shall go as far as time will permit, "Vvithout, I trust, taxing your patience too severely. I I'' Tho treaty of poaco l)otvvoen Grout Lrilaiii and the United (States at tlio conclusion of the war for independence was .signed at Versailles on the 3rd of L^eptembor, 1783. That treaty declared the confederate colonies to be free, sovereign and independent States, and that the King of Great Britain would treat them as fjuch, and relin(|uish all claims to tho Government, propriety, and territorial rights of the States, The King', in his ispecch iVom ihe throne, said: " I Jiave sacriliced every consideration of my own to the wi.vdies and opinion of my i)eople. I make it my humble proyer to Almighty God that Great I'ritain may not feel the evils wliich miglit result from so great a dismemberment of the Empire, and that America may be free from those calamities which have formerly proved, in the mother country, how essential monarchy is to the eniovment of constitutional libertv. Itcliaion, lang'uaa:e, interest, allection, may, and I hope will yet prove a bond of permanent union between the two nations, to this end neither attention nor disposition shall bo wanting on my part." In February, 1TS5, John Adams vras appointed Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the Court of St, James, Adams was an accomplished man of business, his services were of great importance to his country. Having studied law at Cambridge, he joined the l>ar in 1750. IIis ih'st open advocacy ot Colonial independence was in the support of the application of the Boston citizens to have the courts of law re-opened, when they had been closed, on the ground that their proceedings were informal without stamps, lie was engnged in the construction of Congress. He was one of the committee for preparing the celebrated declaration. He organized the system which gave its war service to the United States, and was instrumental in putting the army in the hands of Washington. Adams was in every way a worthy representative of the young the I . i 3 Itepublic. IIo was graciously received by King GcorgOj and was afl'octed almost to tears by the honest words of the good King. "1 was the last man in the Kingdom, he said, lo consent to the independence of America; but now it is granted, I shall be the last man in the world, sir, to sanction a violation of it." Pitt, then Chancellor of the lilxchequor, ^vho perceived the advantages which would accrue to Great Britain by the establishment of friendly relations with the T''nited States, introduced a Bill for the regulation of commerce between the two countries, but it Vv'as defeated })y the Tories, and the Government, of which he was a member, shortly after resigned office. It was held by leading economists of the day that the one point to be ascertained by each community is what it can produce the largest amount of at the cheapest rate, and having discovered that, it has nothing to do in the future than to produce it, that every country should be engaged in growing or manufacturing the special articles which nature intended to be its contribution to the common stock. Adams endeavored to negotiate a treaty of commerce, founded on this formula, with the new Cabinet — a treaty which would give cheap bread to the people of England and create a market for their manufactures in the United States of America; but as no regard was paid to his rej^resentations, and finding that he could accomplish nothing in England, he asked and obtained leave to return home. The Tory Ministry subsequently ado^^ted a restrictive or protective policy, hostile to the interests of the United States. All the ports of the "West Indies were closed against their shipping by the enactment of laws prohibiting the importation of United States produce, consisting of fish, flour, beef, butter, pork, lard, &c,, unless in British bottom, and American grain was shut out entirely from the remunerative markets of Great Britain by the operation of the corn laws. -4 — The prospecis of tlie youusi- Ropnhlic at tlio closo of tlu' war for independGucc ^vero by no moans IniL>ht. Althoiig-li tho Americans Avoro oniancipatod from BriLi.sh rnlo, although a system \vhich forbade tlie manufactures of iron, tho erection of forges, the making- of hats, and generally, imposed restrictions upon colonial trade of every kind which was supposed to allect British interests, ceased to exist, they had not attained to a state of real independence, their manufactures and arls, their literature and laws, science and religion, were largely tributary to tho mother country. They had not yet formed themselves into a nation, and it was not unlil the convention of States which met at Philadelphia in 1787, that their present Constitution was framed. The work occupied four months, and alter a thorough discussion of the instrument in the several States, it was iinally adopted by them all. Tho Constitution went into operation after two-thirds of the States had voted in the adirmative, and then only did the history of the United States properly begin. -j^ The thirteen States were: — Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Mary- land, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina and Ehode Island. George "Washington, of Virginia, was elected President, and John Adams, of Massachusetts, (the same who had been Ambassador to lilngland) Vice-President. Washington and Adams entered upon office on the 30th of April, 1789 ; their administration witnessed a rapid consolidation of the nation, and the inauguration of a sound system of iinanco. It was distin- guished by some impressions and elfects of the French' revolution ; and the rise of two great political parties : the Federalists led by Washington, Adams, Hamilton and Jay, who were satisfied with the organization of the Government, and the turn which alFairs were beginning to take ; and the * Lo^s-ins];— Field book of tlio war of lf<12. Republicans, or Domocrals, asllioj- wow. iiriorwurds called, ulio to a hearty sympaMiy willi llio FuMich Uovolutionisls, joinod a strong- leoling of f>talo rights, Among ilu' leaders of tlu latt'clivo consequenc 'S of serious import in legard lo t^c! war of ISl'J, as we shall s>e hereafter. Jolin Ailams was clecied President in IViiT, and Tiiomas .Tefferson, a Democrat, Vice-President. This administratioli was distinguished by the existence of very critical relations with France, the adjustmoui of their dilferences was 1)arely accomplished Avithout Avar. C. C. Pinckney, Ellridge Clerry, and Joliii Marshall were mxmed Commissioners and sent to Paris to negotiate an amicable seitlement of dilferenccs between the two countries. Instead, however, of obtaining a courteous hearing, they were met l)y an intimation that unless a considerable sum of money were forthcoming war might be the result. " War be it then, not one cent of tri])ute," was the spirited reply ; and hostilities actually began with a naval combat in the West Indies ; but on the accession of Napoleon lo power in France, peace was restored. In 1700, George Washington died at INlount Vernon, in the G7th year of his age ; and in 1800 the seat of Govern- ment was removed from New York to Washington. A census then showed a national population of something' over five million. TOT — G — tho elt'cLiou of Thoiniis JofTLTson as rresidonl, Aiiroii llarr aud Geori>-n Clinton as Vice-rrosidonts in 1801, indicated a radical change in political opinion. JeHbrson was a statesman of consideral)le power, ^vhich he exercised with adniinislrative skill. He had bitter enemies to contend with in carryini^' on thi; (rovernment, but warm and devoted IViends 1o support his policy. Four new States had l)een admitt(>d to the Union: Vermont, Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio, niukin^- now in all a confederatiou of seventeen States. Louisiana, comprising then the -whole of that immense territory enclosed by the Mississippi river, ihe Paciiic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the British Province!^ in the North, belonged to the French by right of discovery, lender the administration of .Tellerson that entire tract, coiisisting of more than 000,000 square miles, was obtained from France I'm- tho paltry sum of A 15, 000, 000 — an acquisition ^vhic]l doubled the national area, nnd added .S-3,0C0 whit.'S and -10,000 slavey to tlie federal population. The .Tellerson administration had many dilficullies to contend with. The relations between the United States and Great Britain w^ere becoming daily more critical. The right of search lor British sailors on American ships which England insisted upon exercising, was considered an insullerablo assumption, The Berlin Decree issued by Napoleon in November, 1806, forbidding all correspondence or trade with England, dellning all e^-^icles of lilnglish manufacture as contraband, and the property of all British subjects as lawful prize of war, induced England to issue, in retaliation. Orders in Council prohibiting all neutral trade with France or lier allies, unless through Great Britain ; and to give efficacy to those orders she kept a naval force at sea and cruisers along the coast of America. The Americans, who till then had had a glorious time of it in carrying and trading as neutrals, complained that they suffered from the acts of the cruizers, that the conduct of — 7 - (^roai Briliiiii was an iiii provoked altack upon their commerce; that the right ol' search which she claimed and practised was an encroachment upon their nalional independence. The whoh> Irouble grew out of the mighty- feud between France and Enghind; and France was quite as much at fault for any injustice suia'red by the young liepublic as Enghmd ; but it was towards Enghmd chielly, if not sohdy, that a bitter feeling of resenlmeiit existed in the United States. England liad no desire to l)reak with America; and although the Ihilish Government refused to repeal the obnoxious Orders in Council or relinquish the right of search, they determined by every rea.sonablo means to avoid a f[uarrel with the oirspring jT Ijlngland across the ocean. That prudent policy, howc.er, was frustrated l)y the proceedings of the Admiral in command of the Jh'itish North American squadron, who, in llio exercise of'+^^" alleged right ol search, authorized n:i a{ta(;k on the U. tS. frigate "Chespeake," for the parpo.^e of seizing on board of that vessel some deserters from the British navy. As this act of aggression may be considered the indirect, if not the direct cause of the war of 1812, it will bo necessary for me to- give a sketch of the event before going any further. AVhile some British men-of-war wore at anchor in Chesapeake Bay, in the spring of 1S07, several seamen deserted and entered the service of the United States on board the frigate "Chesipeake," and afterwards openly paraded the streets of Norfolk, Virginia, in sight of their officers, under the American Hag, protected by the Magis- trates of the town and the recruiting oificer, who refused to give them up, although they were demanded by the British Consul as well as the Captains of the ships from which the men had deserted. Admiral Berkley, in command of the British squadron, thereupon directed the Captains of the ships under his command, in rase of meeting with "the American frigate "Chcsaiocako" at sea, and without the — 8 liuiii.s ol the Uuitocl Slates, to search her for the seamen, as he alleged, accordhif^' ^o the customs and nsago of civilizL'd nations on terms of peace and amity "wilh each o[|n.i-_conceding' the same ]'iyht to Americans if they should make a similar demand. On the morni?ig of tho 22nd ol" June, Ills Majesty's ship "Leopard," Captain Humphreys, i>i'ocoeded to sea, and meeting the American frigate "Chesapeake," Commodore Barron, ahout fourteen miles from land, hailed her, and said, '-he had despatches from the British Commander-in-chief." Tho "Chesapeake" ho\e to, and an officer from the "I^eopard." was sent on hoard v.'i'h tho Admiral's orders and a letter from Captain Humphreys, saying that he hoped to be able to execute the Admiral's order in (he most amicable manner. Upon reading llic ordt'r find the letter, Commodore Barron stated that liis orders fiom his Government were most peremptory, to pr(>venl any foreigner from mustering his ship's company, tliat lie had no deserters, and that his instructions prevented his allowing the "Chesapeake" to be searched. On receiving Ihis answer, the "Leopard" edged down to the '-Chesapeake," and Captain Humphreys hailing, said '-that Commodore Barron must be aware that the order of the British Commander-in-chief must be obeyed," the only answer made to this wa.s "I do not understand what you say," which was evidtiitly evasive, for the '•Leopard" was to v.indward and the hail must liave been heard. Orders v.ere then given (o lire a shot acro.ss the ' Chesapeake's" bow from the lower deck ; aHer a minute another ; and in two more, no satisfactory answer having been given, a broadside was poured into In^r. The "Chesapeake" did not return the lire, but Commodore Barron hailed, when orders were given to cease firing ; but as he only said he was going to send a boat on board, and as they were preparing to return the fire, it was supposi^l to be an artihce to gain time, and orders were again given to lu'c — two more broadsides were tho result — wheji sho i1 I mm — 9 — struck. Two Lieniouants, ^vith scTcral muI«hipmon, Ihoii wont on board the ''Cliesapoako" to search for deserters, and after being- there three hours, returned with four — two others identified "were found killed, and one jumped overboard. Of the "Cliesapeake's" crew six were killed and twenty-four wounded. Of her officers, Commodore Barron, who behaved in the coolest manner during- the attack, was slig-htly wounded in the leg by a splinter. The Commodore wrote to Captain Humphreys, saying that he considered the "Chesapeake" his prize and that he was ready to deliver her up. Cax)tain Humphreys replied that as he had executed the orders of the Commander-in-chi(d", he had nothing more to do with her, that he must forthwith join the rest of the stpiadron, and that he not only lamented mcst sincerely the necessity that compelled him to violent measures, but that if he could render any service ho would cheerfully do it. The attack of the "Leopard" on the "Chesapeake'' was felt by the Government and people of the United States as an outrage upon the honour and independence of the nation, as an insult beyond the possibility of forbearance, calling- for immediate attention and claiming resentment. A Proclamation was consequently issued by President JeiTerson, requiring all armed vessels bearing Commissions under the Government of Great Britain then within the harbours or waters of the United States immediately and without delay to depart therefrom, and interdicting tlio entrance of all the said harbours and waters to the armed vessels and to all others bearing Commissions under the authority of the British Government. This Proclamation was followed by the dispatch of an armed schooner, the "Revenge," to England, with instruc- tions to the American Ministers to demand reparation for insults and injuries in the case of the " Cliesapoako," and — 10 — to suspend all other negotiations until it should be grant- ed. Unfortunately for the success of special negotiations, these instructions also directed them, in addition to a demand for an apology and indemnity to the families of the killed, to insist, by way of security for the future, that the visitation of American vessels in search of British sub- jects should be relinquished. This was inadmissable The British Government refused to treat upon any other sub- ject than that of reparation. The act of aggression was disowned, Captain Ilumphrej-s was recalled. Admiral Berkley was superseded, and every reparation ollered, but there was a decided aversion to treating at all on the sub- ject of impressments, and the views of the Government on that topic vrere plainly manifested by Ivoyal proclamation requiring all British mariners in whatever service engaged to leave it forthwith and hasten to the help of their native country then menaced and imperilled. ]']iigland, anxious to avoid war with the States, sent Mr. Creorge Henry Ivose, M.P., on a special mission of peace to AVushington. On his arrival he had several interviews with the Secretary of State, his powers were extensive, he ollered reparation for the attack and to make provision for the families of American sailors slain on the " Chesapeake," but required the al)rogation of the President's pi'ochuuation, shortly after that alliiir, excluding all British ships of war from the harbours and waters of the United States. To this it was answered that it would not be annulled till other causes of comi)laiiit were removed— notably, that re- lating to seamen. Mr. liose refused to connect the right of search for seamen with tlie attack, for it was considered inconsistent with the maiitime rights of Great Britain to surnnider that power : consequently no progress was made in the negotiations. Meantime the President communicated to Congress the clicct of the Berlin decree and the British Orders iji -ii- douncil upon ill J miritimo iiitorosts and trade of tlio United States. He secured the passage of the Einbarg'o act prohibiliug- all vessels in the ports of the United States from sailing for any foreign Port, except foreign ships in ballast, or with cargoes taken on board before notification of the act, and requiring coast-wise vessels to give heavy bonds to load their cargoes in the United States. The little life that was left in American commerce under the pressure of the Orders in Council of England and the Decrees of France, Was utterly crushed out by this act. Its professed objects were to induce France and England to relax their practical hostility to neutral commerce ; and to preserve and develop the resources of the United States ; but it accomplished neither : opposition in the Eastern States to the measure was violent and incessant. Among the political pamphlets of the day. We find one in verse l)y William CuUen Bryant, then a lad of thirteen years of age : Curse of our Niition, pource of countless woo, From wliose ilarlv \vuiiil>, uurcckoueil misery ll;j\v.-j 'I'lie iMiiliiirLiO ra;^('s, like a sweejiiii^L; wind, Fear lowers before and famine stalks behiml. Many dreading the horrors of war with England, wdiieh they believed the Embargo Act would Ijring about, pre- ferred giving freedom to the commerce of the country — letting it provide itself against the risks that threatened it, and run the gauntlet of British cruizers, rather than kill it outright. ^ Such was the feeling of merchants, but patriotic states- men holding the dignity and independence of the State as of far more consequence than the temporary interests of trade, advocated the most stringent execution of the Embargo Act. The obnoxious act is supposed to have had Lossin,;'— Field book of tlic war of 1812. il! -1^- 0110 g-ood eflect in the United Slates, the encourajvcment and establishment of various manufactures Avhich have been important elements in their national independence and prosperity. * Although the Eastern and Western States were divided on the subject of the Embargo Act, all parties Federalists and Democrats were united, for a time at least, in a firm resolve that G-reat Britain should make reparation for the attack on the " Chesapeake," or be made to feel the indigna- tion of the insulted Republic in the power of war. Com- modore Barron was accused of neglect of duty tried by Court marshal on specific charges of that nature, found guilty and sentenced to live years suspension from the ser- vice without pay or emoluments. The wounded national pride needed a palliative and found it in the supposed delinquency of the unfortunate Commodore f The critical condition of foreign relations induced the President to call the tenth Congress together in October. The administration party had an overwhelming majority in that body, and was daily increasing in strength throughout the country. The confidence of the Democratic party in Jellerson's wisdom, sagacity, and i^atriotism was unbounded. In his annual message he gave a narrative of unsuccessful efforts to settle with Grreat Britain all difficulties concerning search and impressment ; considered the alfair of the "Chesapeake," the refusal of the British Commanders to obey the orders of his proclamation to leave American waters, the Orders in Council and Decrees, the subject of national defences, contention with the Indians on the frontiers, and the relation with foreign Governments. E (forts were made to increase the efficiency of the navy by adding to the few seamen already in the service, 1272 * J>us,siii-in Uppi'r Canada) His Majesty's Jiulgc-s, the Legislative and iilxecutivo Councillors, all the staiF Officers in Garrison, the Cdhi- mandant and other iield Oificers of llegiments in Garrison, and all the diifcrent heads of departments, with several of the Catholic and Protestant clergy. The orchestra was filled with the fine l)and of the King's Kegiinent, by permission of Colonel Young. At three quarters past fiv(», His Excellency the Governor-Generars carriage arrived at the door with His Excellency and Mr. Jackson. They were received and conducted into the House by tho principal merchants. At six o'clock, dinner was announced, and His Excellency the Governor-General took his seat on the right of the President, tho Hon. James Irvine. Mr. Jackson sat on tho left. The rest of the company were placed according to their rank, and the whole, amounting to 120, were commodiously seated. The Vice-Presidents and Managing Committee were John Caldwell, \Vm. Purns, D. Monro, J. Mure, J. Stuart, George Hamilton, P. P. Wagner, J. 1). Hamilton and J. H. JolilFe, ]*]s(p"iires, each of whom had his assigned seat and duty to attend to. These names of our late esteemed citizens are doubtless familiar to many in this room. On entering the dinner room tho band struck up "God save the King," and continued to play different select pieces of music during the dinner. After the cloth was removed, the follovnng toasts were given and drank by every one present with great glee : 1. The King — band playing "God save the King." 2. The Queen — band playing "God save the King." 3. The Prince of \V'ales and Royal family — band playing "God save the King." 4. His Excellency the Governor-General, and may we long remain under his paternal Government. -21 — 5. Mr. Jackson, His Majesty's Ministor '\onipoUMitiavy, whoso urbanity, dis'iiity and lirmnoss, iinitod with superior abilities, havo euabk'd him to maintain tho lionor of our King and country in peculiarly important situations, and u)idor tryinj^ circumstances, as aliocting' his pm-sonal I'eelini^'.s — l)and phiying, perhaps appropriately, "We'll gang nao inair to yon town." "When the plaudits ceased, Mr. Jackson returned thank.s in the graceful language that distinguishes tho expressions of a highly cultivated gentleman ; and alluding to his diplomatic ■ mission to tho United States, ho said: If, gentlemen, I have been enabled, in situations of consider- able dilliculty and importance, to maintain against tho most violent 'persecution by which a public Minister was ever assailed, a persecution unexampled in the history of the civilized world, tho honor and dignity of our ^Sovereign, and those principles of maritime policy which, if ^ve lose, wo 1 ).so our all; if uuder these circumstances, Avhere no means were unemployed to harrow up my feelingvs in their nearest allections, I have been able to preserve tho even tenor ol my way, I owe it to the recollection of tho responsible situation in which I was placed by my Sovereign, and of tho spirit and high feelings of the nation, which, by his favor, I was sent to represent It is, however, but justice to the most liberal and most enlightened part of tho citizens of the United States, to say that their senti- ments, as to my personal situation, were i)i U!iison with friendly feeling, abhorrent of injustice, and double dealing. Mr. Jackson then makes graceful allusion to the Governor- Oeneral whose services, at home and in distant quarters of lIio Avorld, added lustre to his own name and glory to his cii;!itry's cause. He then expresses the lively feelings of in ^L'est and attachment to the city of Quebec, his thanks for i.h.e cordial reception he has met with, and concludes thwii': That activity, that intelligence, that spirit of enter- 00 V pri.so which have at all times so eminently distinguished the British merchant, have accompanied you to those shores. This noble river which, half a century ago, Avitnossod the energies of British valor, is now the peaceful and fertile scene of British industry. The channel of conveying to Great Britain those supplies for which she has been heretofore tributary to other nations. That this happy state of things may long continue is my sincere wish. I therefore, ^vi{h the President's permission, propose : "Prosperity to the city of Queboc." Monseigneur the Catholic Bishop proposed " The British nation, may it long enjoy the blessings of Heaven for the kind and liberal hospitality, relief and support it afTorded to the Catholic clergy after the revolutions of France and Spain." Mr. Jackson, his lady and son, left Woodfield, the country seat of Mr. Matthew Bell, next day fur Montreal, in one of the Governor's carriages, intending to sleep at Hon. Mr. deLanaudiorc's at St. Anne's. After remaining one day at Montreal they proceeded to New York, where the '-Venus," fiigate, arrived to convey thorn to Great Biitaiu. In the early part of 1311, Augustus J. Foster, who had been Secretary to the Britsh legation at Washington, was appointed envoy extraordinary to the United States, charged with the settlement of the allairs of the " Chesapeake," and other matters in dispute between the two Governments, lie had hardly entered upon the duties of his olllce, when an event occurred, which dashed the hopesof all those who not unreasonably, had looked for beneficial results from his l^eaceful mission. As we have seen, the American Minister succeeded in cflfectincr a settlement of dilferencos between France and the United States, and an order was issued by the Emperor to the Director-General of Customs, not to apply the Berlin decrees to American vessels bound for French Ports. Ever -2S- feiiice tliat frioncily arrangement was entered into, British cruizers, hovering upon the coasts of America, were extremely vigilant, and kept a sharp look-out for outward- bound ships, determined to give eificacy to the British Ordcrs-in-Council, prohibiting all neutral trade with France or her allies, unless through Great Britain. A richly laden American vessel, bound for France, had })een captured within thirty miles of New York, and the British frigat ; " Guerriere " exercising the right of search, stopped an American Brig, only eighteen miles from New York, took off a young man, said to be a native of Maine, and impressed him into the British service. As similar instances had lately occurred, the American Government resolved to send out one or two of their new frigates, ostensibly for the protection of their coasting trade ; but really to resent the impressment of their citizens b^ Bniish cruizers. The U. S. frigate " President," Captain Ludlow, Was then anchored olf Fort Severn, at Annapolis, bearing the broad pennant of Commodore Itodgers, the senior ollicer of the American Navy. The Commodore was with his lamily at Havre de Grace, seventy miles distant ; the "President's"' sailing master was at Baltimore, forty miles distant ; her purser and chaplain were at Washington, an equal dis- tance from their posts, and all was listlessness on board the frigate, for no sounds of war were in the air. Suddenly at three o'clock in the afternoon of the Tth of May, while Captain Ludlow was dining on board the sloop-of-war " Argus," lying near the " President," the gig was seen, about live miles distant, sailing at the rate of ten miles an hour, with the Commodore's broad pennant Hying, denot- ing that he was on board. Hodgers was soon on the '' President's " quarter deck. He had received orders from his Government to put to sea at once in search of the offending British vessel, and on the 10th he weighed anchor, and proceeded down the Chesapeake with the -24 — intention of ci'uising off New York as an inquirer concern- ing the imiiressment. He stopped on his way down the Bay for munitions, and on the 14th passed the Virginia Capes out upon the broad ocean. He lingered here as an ol)sorver for a day or two, and about noon on the IGth, distant about forty miles, he discovered a strange sail on the eastern horizon.^ The squareness of her yards and symmetry of her sails proclaimed her a war vessel, which proved to be Her Majesty's sloop-of-war "Little Belt," Capt. Dingham, cruizing off the American coast. Bingham also, about the same hour, saw a strange sail, and immediately gave chase. At one, P.M., says ho, I iiscoverod her to bv' a man-of-war, apparently a frigate, standing to the Ea-l- ward, who, when he made us out, edged away for us, aid sot his royals. Made the signal 275, and finding ii iiot answered, concluded that she was an American frigate, as she had a Commodore's blue pendant Hying at the main. Hoisted the colors and made all sail south, the course I intended steering, round Cape Ilatteras ; the stranger edging away, but not making any more sail. At 3.00 he made sail in chase, v/hen I madt? the private signal which was not answered. At (5.30, finding he gained so consi- derably on us as not to ])e aijle to elude him during the night, being within gun-shot, and clearly discerning tlie stars in his broad pendant, I imagined the most prudent method vras to bring to and hoist the colors, that no mis- take might arise, and, that he might see what we were. The ship was therefore brought to, her colors hoisted, her guns double shotted, and every preparation made in case of surprise. By his manner of steering down, he evidently wished to lay his ship in a position for raking which I frustrated by wearing three times. About 8.1o, he came within hail — I hailed, and asked what ship it was Y Ho repeated my question. I again hailed, and asked what * Lossing— Field book of the war of 1812. --25- Siiiip it Was ? Ho again repeated my words, and fired a broadside, -vYhich I instantly returned. The action then became general, and continued so for three-quarters of an hour, when he ceased firing, and appeared to be on lire about the main hatchway. He then filled. I was obliged to desist from firing, as, the ship falling oil", no gun would bear, and had no after to keep her to. All the rigging and sails cut to pieces, and not a brace nor a bowline left. He hailed and asked what ship this was? I told hira. He then asked me if I had struck my colors ? My answer was No, and asked what ship it was ? As plainly as I could understand (he having shot some distance at this time) he answered the United States frigate. He fired no more guns, but stood from us, giving no reason for his most ex- traordinary conduct. At daylight in the morning, saw a ship to windward, when having made out well what we were, bore up and passed within hail fully prepared for action. About 8 o'clock he hailed and said if I pleased, he would send a boat on board ; I replied in the afiirinative, and a boat ac- cordingly came with an oHicer, and a message from Com- modore Rodgers, of the U. S. frigate " President," to say that he lamented much the unfortunate alfair (as he termed it) that had happened, and that had he known our force was so inforior he should not have lired at me. i asked his motive for having fired at all ? His reply was that •' we fired the first gun at him ;" which was positively not the case. I cautioned both the oIRcers and men to be par- ticularly careful, and not suifer any more than one man to be at the gun. Nor is it probal)le that a sloop-of-war, within pistol shot of a large 44 gun frigate, should com- mence hostilities. He offered me every assistance I stood in need of, and submitted to mo that I had ])etter put into one of the ports of the United Stales; which I immediately declined. Ky the manner in which he apologized it appeared — 2G — to mo evident that had ho fallen in with a British frigate, or any shij^ of war equal in power to his own, he would certainly have brought her to action. And what further confirms me in that opinion is, that his guns were not only loaded with round and grapo shot, but with every scrap of iron that could be possibly collected. I have to lament the loss of 32 men killed and wounded, among whom is the master. His Majesty's ship is much damaged in her masts, sails rigging and hull, and as there are many shots through between wind and water, and many shots still remaining inside, and upper works all shot away, starboard pump also, I have judged it proper to proceed to Halifax, &c. M There could be no excuse for the ho3tile action of Commodore Rodgers. No demand was made for any Americans impressed by the British, no complaint was urged ; the frigate commenced hostilities at once, as if the American Government had resolved to cut short all intermission and negotiate only at the cannon's mouth. The "Little Belt" was brought into Halifax harbour on the 26th May in a sinking state — almost shot to pieces, When the news of the attack reached England it created intense excitement, and an opinion generally prevailed that unless reparations vsrere immediately made, or a satisfactory explanation given by the Government of the United States — war would bo the consequence ; and as a preparatory stop for whatever might result, a squadron of four sail of the line, one frigate and a sloop of war, under Sir Joseph York, sailed from Portsmouth for the American coast. Conflicting statements respecting the attack were made on both sides. Commodore Rodgers stated positively that he hailed twice, and his words were repeated, by the stranger ; that she fired one shot which struck the vessel, then three shots, and immediately afterward the remainder of her broadside, before he opened his guns u]ion her, except the single shot, which one of the deserters declared was — 27- disohargod by accident. The American Government dis. avowed hostile instructions. Commodore llod<>-ers was tried by Court martial but acfjuitted ; iinally the Govern- ment of Great Britain had the courage to refrain from unnecessary retaliation, acquiesced in the amende and the matter was buried in official ol)livion. The people, how- ever, of the two countries would not let it drop. When the twelfth Congress assembled the administration party was found to Idc a war party. The Embargo act, which prohibited the sailing of vessels to foreign ports, was supplemented by another act prohibiting exportations by land, whether of goods or specie. Belligerent measures were hailed with joy throughout the country by the war party, w^ho w^erc dominant and determined, but they alarmed the Federalists who were in favor of a policy of peace. In his message to Congress on the 1st of June, 1812, the President recapitulated the wrongs which the people of the United States were supposed to have suffered at the hands of Great Britain. "We behold, in fine, he said, on the side of Great Britain, a state of war against the United States, and on the side of the United States a state of peace towards Great Britain." The message was referred to the Committee on foreign retaliations, and on the 3rd of Juno Mr. Colhoun, the Chairman, in-esented a report in which the causes and reasons for w^ar were stated in historical order. On the presentation of the report, the doors were closed, and a motion to re-open them was lost. Mr. Colhoun then presented a Bill, as part of the report, declaring war between Great Britain and her dependencies, and the United States and its territories. Amendments wvre ofTered but rejected, and the Bill, as Colhoun pre- sented it, was passed on the 4th day of June, by a vote of 79 for it, and 49 against it. 28-- When the Bill readied the Senate it ^Yas referred to a Committee. It remained imder discussion twelve days. Meanwhile the people thronghout the country were excited by conflicting emoiions. The opponents of the Govern- ment, the Federalists, were decidedly against war. A me- morial against it w^ent from the Legislature of Massachu- setts, and another from the merchants of New York, led by John Jacob Astor, recommending restrictive measures rather than war. War meetings were held in various places, and iinally, on the 17th of Juno— the anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill— the Bill, with some amendments, was passed by a vote of 19 against 13; and on the after- noon of that day, the signature of the President was at- tached, and it became law. Bv a remarkable coincidence the revocation of the obnoxious Order in Council, so bitter- ly resented by the States, was announced by His Majesty's Ministers to the House of Commons on the very day the Senate passed the Bill declaring war against Great Britain and her dependencies. When this news reached this side the Atlantic, hopes of peace revived ; but they w^ere doom- ed to be extinguished ; for political expediency appeared to the American Government to iioint to w\ir with Great Britain as a necessity : and accordingly war was declared, ostensibly to establish the principle that the flag covers the merchandise, and that the right of search for seamen on neutrals is inadmissable ; but really to wrest from Great Britain the Canadas, and, in conjunction with Napoleon, to extinguish her Colonial Empire. It is alleged that the Americans counted upon the sympathy, if not the support, of the French population in the coming struggle ; but in this they were mistaken, Kepublican sentiments were re- pugnant to the Canadians. An extract from a sermon p-T; 'hed a short time previous to the war of 1812, by the cMr6 ':'■ ' vibec, Messirc Plessis (afterv/ards Bishop) on receiving ■ '.1. i J- rrs of one of Nelson's naval victories over the French, almudtuitl}' testifies to the prevailing feeling in Canada on — 29 — iho subject of British concction : — " Ilelas !" says he, " oii on serious nous, mes freres, si de tels espvits prenaient lo (Icssus, si ce pays, par uu facheux rerers, retournait a ses anciens maitres ? maison de Dieu, temple augus.o, vous seriez biontot converti en une caverne de vol curs ! ministros d'une religion sainte, tous seriez deplaces, proscrits et peut-6tre decapites ! Chretiens fervens, vous seriez privcs des consolations inelTablcs que vous goutez dans Tiiccom- plissement de vos devoirs religieux ! Terre consacreo par les larmes et les sueurs de taut de vertueux missionnaires qui y ont plante la foi, vous n'oifririez plus aux regards de la religion qu'une triste et vaste solitude. Pores et meres catholiques, vous verriez sous vos yeux des enfans chcris sucer, malgre vous, le lait empoisonne de la barbaric, de I'impit'te et du libertinage ! tendres enfans, dont les cccurs innocens ne respirent encore que la vp" tu, votre piete de- viendrait la proie de ces vautours, et une education feroce cffacerait bientot ces heureux scntimens que I'humanite et la religion ont deja graves dans vos ames, Mais quo fais-je, et pourquoi insister sur des reflexions douloureiises dans un jour ou tout doit respirer la joie ? Non, non mes freres. Ne craignons pas que Dieu nous abandonne si nous lui sommes lideles. Ce qu'il vient de faire pour nous, no doit inspirer que des idees consolantes pour Tavenir. II a terrasse nos ennemis i^erfides. Rejouissons-nous de ce glorieux evenement. Tout ce qui les alFaiblit, assure nos vies, notre liberte, notre repos, nos proprietes, notre culte, notre bonheur. Actions de graces ! Prions-le de conserver longtemps le bienfaisant, I'auguste Souverain qui nous gou* vtrne, et de continuer de repandrc sur le Canada ses plus abondantes benedictions," •ing The declaration of war was received in Quebec on Mon* day, the 20th June. 1812, and created a perfect tumult of excitement. Orders were read on the Esplanade for the whole Militia of the Province to hold themselves in readi- 6 m ' '■')! — 30 — ■■' #- ness to be embodied. The regular forces consisted only of the ordinary peace establishment of British troops, and some Colonial Regiments, war with America had not been contemplated by the rulers of England — not another soldier had been sent across the Atlantic — nay, so decidedly Pacific were the intentions of the British Government towards America, that two regiments were actually under orders to leave the country. All was bustle and activity among the military authorities of Quebec in getting ready the means of defence at their immediate disposal. The Militia of the City voluntarily did garrison duty with the regulars ; the students of the Seminary had the honour of mounting guard at the Castle of St. Louis ; and public prayers were offered up in all the Catholic and Protestant Churches in the City, for a blessing on His Majesty's arms. There was ample evidence that the aptitude of the people of this country for the profession of arms had not been destroyed by the repose of half a century. s^ In preparing the foregoing paper I have to acknowledge my indebtedness to American authors lor information relating to the war, particularly tc Mr. Benson J. Lossing, from whose work " Pictorial Field book of the War of 1812," to which I have duly refen'ed and from which I have in many cases transcribed interesting statements verbatim. The archives of the Literary and Historical Society have furnished me with some facts relating to the war, v, hich are, perhaps, now noticed for the first time. If the subject proves interesting, and if my engagements admit of my pursuing it, I shall probably continue the narration of the war on a future occasion, when I intend to dwell more particularly upon the financial arrangements which were made to meet the exigencies of the service — thereby con- necting this lecture with the papers on the currency of Canada, which I had the honour of reading before this Society in former years. ly of some been Idler iciiic 'ards irs to the eans fthe the Hard 3red 'ity, ople for pose sdge tion ing, 12," I in bim. lave lich ject my the lore ere !on- ' of :his