IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 // 
 
 
 >^ *>>• *<° A Si 
 
 M/ M// ^ 
 
 m^ 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 1.25 
 
 IS: K£ '""^ 
 
 £ Ufi 12.0 
 
 1.4 
 
 !.6 
 
 
 V] 
 
 <9^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 7 
 
 C?/^ 
 
 /!^ 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 
 Corporation 
 
 73WS1T MAIN STREET 
 
 »; .:asTER, N.Y. mssc 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
 ,\ 
 
 iV 
 
 ^^ 
 
 o 
 
 - u 
 
 ^9) 
 
 V 
 
 ^\y^^ 
 
 >>. 
 
 '^l;^l^:U 
 
 '^^^^ 
 
 '<?)'• 
 
 A 
 
 1 1. 
 

 ? 
 
 ,^ 
 
 CIHM/ICMH 
 
 Microfiche 
 
 Series. 
 
 CIHM/ICMH 
 Collection de 
 microfiches. 
 
 Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 
 
Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques 
 
 The Institute has uttempted to obtain the best 
 original copy available for filming. Features of this 
 copy which may be bibliographically unique, 
 which may alter any of the images in the 
 reproduction, or which may significantly change 
 the usual method of filming, are checked below. 
 
 D 
 
 Coloured covers/ 
 Couverture de couleur 
 
 I I Covers damaged/ 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 Couverture endommagde 
 
 Covers restored and/or laminated/ 
 Couverture restaurde et/ou pelliculde 
 
 Cover title missing/ 
 
 Le titre de couverture manque 
 
 Coloured maps/ 
 
 Cartes gdographiques en couleur 
 
 Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ 
 Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) 
 
 Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ 
 Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur 
 
 Bound with other material/ 
 Relid avec d'autres documents 
 
 D 
 
 Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion 
 along interior margin/ 
 
 La re Mure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la 
 distortion le long de la marge intdrieure 
 
 Blank leaves added during restoration may 
 appear within the text. Whenever possible, these 
 have been omitted from filming/ 
 II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes 
 lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, 
 mais, lorsque cela dtait possible, ces pages n'ont 
 pas 6t6 filmdes. 
 
 Additional comments:/ 
 Commentalres suppldmentaires: 
 
 L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire 
 qu'il lui a dt6 possible de se procurer. Les details 
 de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du 
 point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier 
 une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une 
 modification dans la mdthode normale de ^ilmage 
 sont indiquds ci-dessous. 
 
 D 
 D 
 D 
 
 v/ 
 
 D 
 
 
 
 n 
 n 
 
 n 
 
 Coloured pages/ 
 Pages de couleur 
 
 Pages damaged/ 
 Pages endommagdes 
 
 Pages restored and/or laminated/ 
 Pages restaur6es et/ou pelliculdes 
 
 Pages discoloured, stained or fuxed/ 
 Pages ddcolordes, tachetdes ou piqudes 
 
 Pages detached/ 
 Pages ddtachdes 
 
 Showthruugh/ 
 Transparence 
 
 Quality of print varies/ 
 Quality in^gale de I'impression 
 
 Includes supplementary material/ 
 Comprend du matdriel supplementaire 
 
 Only edition available/ 
 Seule Edition disponlble 
 
 Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata 
 slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to 
 ensure the best possible image/ 
 Les pages totalement ou partiellement 
 obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, 
 etc., ont 6td filmdos d nouveau de fapon d 
 obtenir la meilieure image possible. 
 
 This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ 
 
 Ce document est film^ au taux de rdduction indiqud ci-dessous. 
 
 10X 14X 18X 22X 
 
 7 
 
 12X 
 
 16X 
 
 20X 
 
 26X 
 
 30X 
 
 24X 
 
 28X 
 
 n 
 
 32X 
 
The copy filmed heie has been reproduced thanks 
 to the generosity of: 
 
 Library of the Public 
 Archives of Canada 
 
 The images appearing here are the best quality 
 possible considering the condition and legibility 
 of the original copy and in keeping with the 
 filming contract specifications. 
 
 Original copies Jn printed paper covers are filmed 
 beginning with the front cover and ending on 
 the last page with a printed or Illustrated Impres- 
 sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All 
 other original copies are filmed beginning on the 
 first page with a printed or illustrated impres- 
 sion, and ending on the Idst page with a printed 
 or illustrated impression. 
 
 The last recorded frame on each microfiche 
 shall contain the symbol -^ (meaning "CON- 
 TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), 
 whichever applies. 
 
 Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at 
 different reduction ratios. Those too large to be 
 entirely included in one exposure are filmed 
 beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to 
 right and top to bottom, as many frames as 
 required. The following diagrams illustrate the 
 method: 
 
 L'exemplaire U\m6 fut reproduit grdca A la 
 gin^rositA de: 
 
 La bibliothdque des Archives 
 publiques du Canada 
 
 Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le 
 plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et 
 de la nettet6 de l'exemplaire film6, et en 
 conformity avec les conditions du contrat de 
 filmage. 
 
 Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en 
 papier est imprimis sont filmis en commenqant 
 par le premier plat et en terminant soit par Ir 
 dernldre page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second 
 plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires 
 originaux sont film6s en commenpant par la 
 premidre page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par 
 la dernidre page qui comporte une telle 
 empreinte. 
 
 Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la 
 dernidre image de chaque microfiche, selon le 
 cas: le symbols — »► signifie "A SUIVRE", le 
 symbole V signifie "FIN". 
 
 Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Stre 
 filmds d des taux de reduction diffirents. 
 Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre 
 reproduit en un seul cliche, il est film6 d partir 
 de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, 
 et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre 
 d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants 
 illustrent la mdthode. 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
i 
 
 i 
 
 POETICAL ACCOUNT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 AMERICAN CAMPAIGNS 
 
 OF 
 
 1812 and 1813 ; 
 
 WITH SOME SLIGHT SKETCHES 
 
 RELATING TO THE PARTY POLITICS 
 
 WHICH fiOVERNF.n 
 
 THE UNITED STATES, 
 
 DDRING THE WAR, AND AT ITS COMMENCEMENT. 
 
 DEDICATED TO THE PEOPLE OF CANADA, 
 BY THE PUBLISHER. 
 
 1» A L I F A X : 
 
 PRINTED BY JOHN HOWE, JUN. 
 18 15. 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 TO the brave and loyal Canadians, as a hihule 
 »f respect for the noble manner in which they haci defended 
 u Colony so distant from the Mother Country, and so tvcafc 
 in point of resources compared to their laic enemy, the fol- 
 lowing Poetic Epistles, descriptive of the first and second 
 campaigns of the American War, are dedicated. They 
 were addressed to a friend in England, and written in the 
 years 1812 and 1813, since ichich not a single sentence lias 
 cither been added or taken away ; they are the production 
 of a departed friend, whose residence in the United States 
 afforded a full opportunity of examining the prominent 
 Characters of that country, and of describing the passing 
 scenes with the pen of truth, unbiassed by passion or preju- 
 dice. All further knowledge of the Author must at present 
 be withheld ; if, however, what is now given, should meet 
 with the approbation of the Public, there are some other 
 works from the same hand, which may hereafter solicit its 
 favor. 
 
 Should the following pages be found to clear the sight 
 of one deluded person as to the events of the late War, or to 
 divest the American's much boasted Liberty of its false 
 glare, the Publisher will consider the views of the Author 
 as in some measure accomplished, whose ardent heart al- 
 ways beat in unison with the truest patriotism, and n-host 
 life would have been given a willing sacrifice at any time in 
 the service of a beloved Country^ 
 

 Trusting to the generdus feelings f^f my Countrymen, 
 that they will make every necessary allowance for the de- 
 jects of a work presented to them in so unfinished a state, 
 and which has never undergone the ordeal of criticism, / 
 present it to them as I received it, fearful' it may have 
 many faults, hut relying on this most essential qualifica- 
 tion, its truth, which can be proved by tmdcninhle docu' 
 ments in my hands, as to every Historical fact related. 
 
 AN ACADIAN. 
 
 Halifax* 
 
LETTER THE FIRST. 
 
 S. 
 
 'AFE from the ocean and the troubled seas. 
 My pen, at thy coiamaiul, 1 ijladly seize ; 
 To give a transcript, of a land so free. 
 That every daring vice is liberty. 
 
 H«ire that mad dame, in her red \\v^\\i cap bold, 
 Charms, cheats, and woos, by nothing good conlrol'd ^ 
 No beauty decks her form, with manly stride, 
 And filthy hands, to every crime allied ; 
 Up goes her staff — twirling her night cap rounds 
 Her naked broad flat feet with sandals bound. 
 Her bird she calls, he conies at her command, 
 The filthy scavengRr of all the land : 
 She gives him blood — the nectar of his soul. 
 And he returns quick poison to the bowl : 
 On this her followers feed, and, raging round, 
 They trample sacred beauty on the ground. 
 High dignity, and holy order lie (1) 
 Beneath her feet, while strife she lifts on high. 
 Strife sets the beggar on the princely throne. 
 And here for pow'r e'en paltry servants groan. 
 All, all, are equal on this troublous shore, 
 Yet demago^iues command, sind tyrants roar, 
 
;i 
 
 G 
 
 For frrcdom, liberty, ami crpial lijjiils 
 
 And pride to faction every fool invites. 
 
 The hrand o( diseord iu at riuidom thrown, 
 
 Coiifusiou raves in every frenzied tone ; 
 
 At folly's bhrine strife lights his hateful flaiuo, 
 
 And gives it liberty's and freedom'^ name. 
 
 "I'is freedom, lo be vicious, rude or vain, 
 I'reedoni supports, virtue cannot restrain ; 
 
 The chair of State by fraud and vice is gain'd, 
 And this supporting prop — must be retain'd. 
 
 INlark but llic nif'ans that make elections syre! 
 Their demagogues all meet in conclave pure, 
 Each one, in order, waits the upper station. 
 To rule and drive this gull'd and wretched nation. 
 
 This is the compact Jefferson began, 
 AVhich still uncheck'd runs on from man to man : 
 " You swear, I'm good — the same I'll do for you (2) 
 ** And tell the mob how much for them I do : 
 " Their rights 1 guard, that others would betray ; 
 " And guide my thoughts and will, by what they say," 
 
 Then to the next in turn — " 'tis you must lead, 
 " List' to my words, so, shall you sure succeed j 
 " Flatter the mob with every sly device : 
 *' 'Tis easy done, fools are not very nice. 
 
 " Give them your hand — go seek them in the mire, 
 " And bring them in beside the palace fire ; (3) 
 " Or at a log house door from day to day 
 " AVith gamblers sit and waste the time away, 
 " Or drunk with whisky, lead them reeling home, 
 " And give them loigihy tales of Greece and Rome. 
 
 \i 
 
 i 
 
" Ttill liiom hard imiiich, llicy Jo not uiulcrsilaiul, 
 
 " And most of all, with crimes vile ICin;lautl brand. (4) 
 
 " Wc on^^ht to blot out that dtti stcd name 
 
 " From •very work wc read : — destroy her fame ; 
 
 '* Thft language otir forefathorM leani'd to spesik 
 
 " Wosliniild despise- -'twas ever cold and weak, 
 
 " And our friend Webster— Iho' but mean in station (-V 
 
 " For new coin'd words surpasses all the nation : 
 
 " Yet havcwc all a pretty knack at words, 
 
 " Striiii; Ihcin in clusters, like a fowler's birds. 
 
 " Blot England out, the very name 1 hate ; 
 " Forq;et our native tongue, and wc arc great : 
 *' To whet up Webster'^ wits for the design, 
 '' Be it your task, and 1 will make it mine ; 
 " lie has a lens, t hi/ head, and full of rules ; 
 " They may belittle him these English fools, 
 " But his great grammar shows his mighty brains:, 
 " The poets — should e\alt him iu their strains ; 
 " Barlow the great, sliould (U^ify his name, 
 " And write an epic — to his lofly fame. (6) 
 " Barlow's Coluinidail I how qrand his view ! 
 " From asmi'.ll garret look'd he nations throu'>-li : 
 " Time he condensed, worlds rose — were lost and won. 
 " Between i\ie setting and the rising sua : 
 " O'er the huge globe he ran in one short night, 
 " And got safe back before the dawn of light. — 
 
 (( 
 
 But this is not a time to court the wise, 
 " 1 had forgot- the mob, the mob, must rise ; 
 
 " France we must aid — but these, our federal elvet 
 " Nothing regard, save money and themselves ; 
 
1 
 
 \ 
 
 
 ' 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 " V.Uci wc hail yone to war for our dear friend, 
 " And of tlie Knglisli made an easy cud ; 
 •* Our aid is all lie wauls to sink iho slaves, 
 " And tluir small Island, in llitir boasted waves : 
 " Yet still for peace brawls every federal State, 
 •' All lliiiik liy q:eltins; money to be jyrcat. (7) 
 " IJiit the plot Ihiekcns — we have tri<;d their strength, 
 *' And l( tthem run their ropr its utmost length ; 
 " In spile of talking fear will keep them still, 
 •' I r they should light — 'twill be against their will ; 
 ' Talk — talk — is all — and war we mean to wage, 
 " To England we have shown both hate and rage, 
 " Hut all in \ain, wc kick her for our sport, 
 " She will not turn, but still our friendship court; 
 *' JSiiould we begin the long desired fray, 
 •' Wo leave our nothern dogs too much to say : 
 " jiut if we cannot make her strike the blow, 
 ■' I"\;r Canada our Mammoth force shall go." 
 
 Tims Canada, with coarse inflated strain, 
 'I'he Yankees brawl and threaten thy domain, (8) 
 Would fain their dregs, with thy pure worth unite/ 
 To their equality thy sons invite. 
 riiou know'st, when men are equal, 'tis in crime : 
 liearning and science man's rude mass sublime. 
 And tho' the senses and the passions vie. 
 One has a clear — and one a jaundiced eye. 
 When virtue, reason, honor, are combin'd. 
 And grace at once aheav'nly polish'd mind. 
 How uiany equals, in a world so wide. 
 Has nature ever at one time supplied ? 
 
lid, 
 
 waves : 
 tatc, 
 
 (7) 
 ir strength, 
 •gill J 
 I, 
 eir will ; 
 
 Jriigc, 
 
 court ; 
 
 y J 
 
 n, (8) 
 unite/ 
 
 line : 
 le. 
 
 i 
 
 
 > Few in the tan{;ic(l path of virtue stray. 
 Or bear the ligltt, other &u pierciiiy; ruy, 
 But rather tnrn to devious shudcH ot'ni|f^ht : 
 4 I'irror i'orovcr shuiib thuopcn light. 
 
 And whiri' thq niiiltitudo eoinni;inds the few. 
 The wist- and good, have little left to do. 
 Aud neek as here, for Holitude profound, 
 il'iting the>^ccd» that elioak Iho heulthi'ul ground ^ 
 They have no pow'r in Ihi.xi disorder'd Innil, 
 Mo equal rights — no share in the command : 
 Here party rage all friendly joy devours. 
 Shrouds in eternal gloom the social hours. 
 Divides the father from his virtuous child. 
 And rages like a muddy torrent wild : 
 Like their Fotoniae, when it meets the waves 
 Of clashing Shanadoah, and hoarsely raves, 
 Wihily they rush — their troubled waters roar, 
 And through the ridge in hurly-burly pour. 
 Mixing they swell, iu one deep troubled Hood 
 Which round the capital exudes in mud ; (9) 
 AVithin whose walls, in bellowing rude debate. 
 Exudes the mud and troth of every State. 
 For war they rave — fury her banner spreads. 
 And the rank mob bristles his hundred heads. 
 To humble England and restrict her pow'r 
 These able Stati smen urge the present hour. 
 They say her sinews are in snre decay. 
 Her nervous frame, by war, half worn away. 
 
 But happy Isle, whose insulated form, 
 liikc a bright planet rides, amid th(i Btorin: 
 
mn 
 
 10 
 
 triumphant rides, while thund'ring shafts arc liUrl'd 
 From war's dark engines, that disturb the world ; 
 She bright in majesty, like Neptune's car, 
 With trident stretchipgto the northcTrt star. 
 O'er distant realms her pow'r sublimely wields j 
 And where she rules, justice her balance yields. 
 Nor can these rebel tribes, with thrcat'nings vain. 
 Her high commanding destiny restrain. 
 
 Go on, and prate — at midnight strike the blow. 
 Or as e'en now, your wicked triumph show. 
 And boast your courage, on the ocean wide. 
 Having you say llie Little Belt defied. (10) 
 *Tis as yon humming bini, that sips the flow'r, 
 {Should by a buzzard fall in evil hour ; 
 Wheh sporting on the breeze — it thought no ill ; 
 But humming careless sung, and sip'd its fill. 
 When the vile scarotger with fury came. 
 And thought such cowardice would gain a name ; 
 
 Poor buzzard live — and triumph in disgrace, 
 T'le hand of retribution wuits a space — 
 T.iis deed 'vas done to kindle up a flame 
 lii Ei:glai:.l s breast, and brand her hallow'd nam* 
 With causjloss war, and carnage she would shun; 
 But sn-'.Ii the blood of Drituin's patriots run 
 Without revenge ? — No ! By reprisals strong 
 Ergl'^nd riottcts her sons from every wrong. 
 
 But, why so tardy slls she quiet now ? 
 Why moufii her pons, ;»nd their sad fears avow ? 
 Fr i - eJs she CaUac!ji is still her own. 
 And there these Yankees have disseii^ions sown ? (11)1 
 
 :. i;t 
 
11 
 
 They court, they flatter, when they yro\i\d belra^y 
 And like the serpent lure the bird they slay. 
 
 An vmy marches now amongf the wilds 
 
 For Canada, while F r cats and smiles ; 
 
 Basking in stin-shine of their favor kind, 
 
 I fear by flattery lie's rendered blintl. 
 
 Else he would learn, where Hull is marching- slow^ 
 
 Or why, he wears the s.'!iablance of a foe, 
 
 "Why through the wilderness, with weary toil. 
 
 He cuts a road, e'en through the Indian eoil ; 
 
 Through Michigan, from the Ohio's stream. 
 
 Be not deceived, wake, F r, from thy dream. 
 
 The forts are stripp'd, and every man pubh'd on 
 Towards the border, whilher Hull has gone : 
 Fame has already spread the news around. 
 That Canada will soon be Yankee ground. (12) 
 
 'Tis said a word unto the wise will do. 
 
 But F r needs e'en more than one or two. 
 
 I fear the Lion on Canadia's shore 
 Supinely sleeps, invasiori at his door ; 
 France is their hope, England may sue in vain. 
 She should be firm and breathe a loftier st'*ain. 
 They think she fears their pow'r, their mighty strength. 
 And at their mercy she is slretch'd at length ; 
 O I Heaven forbid that such an hour arrive, 
 Or that as equals she should ever strive. 
 Equal with them, first let each English heart, 
 Ff^m the dear Island to the sea dep&it ; 
 There seek among the floods a better fate. 
 Than equal these base sons, of fraud and hate. 
 
til 
 
 13 
 
 Equal in any wise we cannot bo, 
 England is noble, wariike, generous, free. 
 She scorns the cunning arts these people use j 
 Her acts are optn, and unmaskM her views. 
 
 may her patriot sons to wisdom rise 
 
 And not let folly close their watchful eye^. 
 
 Are you not weary of my silly prate ? 
 
 1 know but little of affairs of State ; 
 yet in this land where politicians rise 
 Thick as the sand% ; and every fool is wise, 
 I take a part in the prevailing ill ; 
 
 And chatter politics against my will, 
 
 June, 1812. 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 
 - » 
 
 'i 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 '\i 
 
 i\ 
 
13 
 
 t*OTE» TO LETTER THE IlllST 
 
 i 
 
 
 1 
 
 ffi^fi (Vi faulty artfl holy order lie 
 
 Bencutli Iter feet 
 
 The device to r» j)rcst;nt this favoured RepnMic is a ftv 
 maU figure, trampling; upon the crown and sieptre of Emj- 
 himl ; in one hand she liolds the pole and cap of Jibcrly, in 
 the othir a gohlet, from which a hird, poi/edon the win;;', is 
 feeding: thv; exact reseniblanco of a 'fuikey hn/zurd, or 
 American scavenger. In South Carolina the life of this 
 bird is protected by law ; and the dirty habits of the natives 
 ensure to it an undisputed possession, of all the carrion and 
 fiitii, with which the vicinity, and even the streets, of sonic, 
 of the largest southern towns are infested. 
 
 2. 
 
 You siccnr I'm fcood — the same I'll do fqr you. 
 In a letter from Ji iFerson to Governor Blonnt, of Tennf^s- 
 see,. which afterwards came to tlie eyes of the Public, advi- 
 sing the means to forward the views of the democratic party, 
 ef width he was the head, were tiie.sc words — '* abuse 
 Washington and praise me." 
 
 3. 
 
 And bring them in beside the palace fire. 
 When Mr. Thornton was Charge des Atfairrs in this 
 country, at one of Mr. Jefferson's levees, when thc; foreiga 
 ministers were there in full dress, two liltiiy waggouers, 
 leaving their teams at the door, entered the room, and com- 
 ing forward with a grin, were received by the President with 
 a hearty shake of the hand. These fellows amused tliem- 
 sclves sometime with vulgar remarks and tiien departed. 
 
 4. 
 And most of all tilth crimes vile England brand. 
 There are no terms more degrading ; nor any actions more 
 base than those they give and charge to England, in all 
 their democratic prints and speeches. 
 
 5. 
 
 And our friend JVebster — 
 "Noah Webster, and somo of the wise hctids of thiscouutry, 
 
14 
 
 
 tl' 
 
 i' I 
 
 
 : I 
 
 I. i 
 
 it I 
 
 pronosf (] a ..ow lanc^ua^^, perfccthj oris^inal, tn he callfid 
 
 A.ueiiouu —What a uc.v world of ItHtersf ! It is siippu- 
 
 t A, however, iuey Hud th*^ *aslv ai.luDus, as thr;y have hi- 
 therto coiiiiaoil I'teir a'tenOi . to bail En;!:lisli, talse |iroiiuu- 
 ( ii'^iou, asi I a freo'ientapplicaiion of words dist>;ti!d from 
 Ih- ir re.il Jneanin^•. Dditllc iXwX Un;^t!iij mvq wurcis coined 
 
 Barl.M the ffrcaf should dc'ifij his nam*. 
 And write an epic — 
 
 I'or uM accoi.nt of Mr Barlow's Epic poem, the Colnm- 
 \)\m\, of whieii his countrymen arc so v ry proud, the reader 
 i ; rtfCiTed >o the Hdi'ii»urgli Review for Oclober, 1S09. 
 It is, say the lJe» lowers, a poem of some seven or eii^lit 
 th.)usai.d versus, containin;^^ a skct li of universal history, 
 from the deln>^', to the fiaai conflagraLion delivered in the 
 elunisy, and rev«)llinu^ form of a luiracnlous vision. Mr. 
 I'ailo V, in his cnmbroiis and Indiltid style, is constantly 
 luislakinL; hyperho'e lor grandeur, an.i supplying the place 
 of simplicity, wilh huge patch''S ofm^re t;im<^;neoS and vuU 
 gari'y ; tliis rurons intermixture indeed, of cxlre:ne liome- 
 iincss, and flatness, with a sort of turbuleut and bombastic 
 elevation, is tlie great st characteristic of the work. 
 
 In anolc, these geutlenieu attempt to exculpate Mr. B. 
 from :uiy charge oi'imjjicly for having named the Cross, as 
 one oi t'.ie " agents of the woes of men," as in other places 
 they say, he has spoken with warm approbation of reformed 
 Christianity. How far it comports with the character of a 
 pious imn io be the author of a song in praise of the guillo- 
 tine, which Mr. ^iarlow was, it remains for liis admirers t^ 
 explain. 
 
 7 
 And think hy getting money to he great. 
 
 There is no doubt the present people in power who are 
 c' iefly supported by the slave holding States, do all tUey 
 can to injure corame;'ce, which, confined very much to tii,f 
 Ksistorn States, and creating a large portion of wealth, must, 
 if not checked, eventually give a preponderance of power to 
 th-^ latter. 
 
 The t vo parties hate each other, but neither of them have 
 ajiy partiality for England, except so far as their own indi- 
 
[t is siipjjo- 
 cv liavc hi- 
 Ise |iroiiuii- 
 t );Li!d from 
 »rcis coined 
 
 he Colnm- 
 the rc.iiier 
 3ber, ISOO. 
 ca or cii^'it 
 sal history, 
 orcd ill the 
 ision. Mr. 
 i constJintly 
 ,' the place 
 3,^s and vuU 
 re:ne liomo 
 l bombastic 
 irk. 
 
 ate Mr. B. 
 10 Cross, as 
 >ther places 
 of reformed 
 u'acter of a 
 •f the guillo- 
 admirers t« 
 
 wer who are 
 do alt they 
 much to ti\f 
 ealth, must, 
 ! of power to 
 
 tf them have 
 lir own indi- 
 
 ■'i^ 
 
 
 16 
 
 Vidua! intffcst is concerned. The pooph; of the flastem 
 portion of the Uiiiun, are cuiiuini?, slnuwd, eut 'riuisiiig and 
 industiious ; who will .-."-.'or do any t(rca! .vroin;, except to 
 niak ' H^ood banjfaiii, and L.:.. Any ui.uns itrefuir 
 
 Tiia>».; • '" !!i? fSouLh, supported hy slavos, are indolent, 
 doiniJKieriu^, pompous, cruii and ox;; ^.'^'ii^aut ; tlu^ lower 
 cl.is.^ iy^uoriint in l!ie extreme, and livin;^^ in the moi^t abject 
 poverty and wretchedness. 
 
 8 
 The Yanfcccc hrwJ and ihrealcn ihj domain — 
 
 I have applied this tern Vankv.-^' accordinj; to the Kui-o- 
 pean acccpt;tliou, to all citizens of the L'nilod Slate.-; in- 
 disLii/nin itely, and not as it is us(mI amoni;^.! themselves, as 
 exclusively appliculjle to the iuhabiUiuts oi the Laatern suc- 
 tiun of the Union. 
 
 Which rorinl the cnpifnl exudes in tnud. 
 The Patomac and Shanadoah, two hiri,'e rivers, meet ai 
 Huht angles at the font of t!i? Buio Rido-e, an extciisive 
 mountain, i!irou<fh which they seem to have foried a pan- 
 sat^c, and rushing oviu* a vtxy rocky bfd tor a gr'at a' - 
 tance, come smoothly onto Wjishiiiiflon, which st:i!»ds, or 
 rather a part of it, on swampy laud moistened hy these 
 floods. 
 
 10 
 
 Having' you say the Little Belt defcd. 
 There can b<^ no doubt but that Commodore Rodpors acted 
 in conformity to the views of his jj:overnn)"iit when he at- 
 tacked the Little Belt. From such an antagonist he had 
 not much to fear, and might in'uce Ens^land to dec'are war ; 
 the gallant Commodore boasts of the prowess of this deed, 
 
 and says the Litle Belt made a vcr;/ poor icsistan e. 
 
 Poor resistance! a few pop-guns only, ai;- insl lilU-nltic 
 gans : twenty«four poiinders, and forty-t.vo pound tur- 
 ronadcs ! ! ! 
 
 n 
 
 And therd these Yankees have dissensions soum. 
 This fact then suspected, has been since avowed by Mem- 
 bers of Congress, particularly by Mr. WIk .^ u, wlio pu.)- 
 licly de«lare4 to his knoviUdgc, the guveri«*eut hud sent 
 
' I 
 
 .ri 
 
 : ; ! 
 
 I , 
 
 I I 
 
 !i 
 
 If . 
 
 16 
 
 t^Pulfllo'Cahdii before the (loclnration of war, for the 'ex 
 [trcsH purpose ut' sow inir disuciisioiis in lluit i'roviiic(3. 
 
 12 
 That Canada will soon be Yankee ground. 
 Tltis expcchtlioii was ultiM'ed with tho utmost confidence, 
 and at this period, (i^iural liiiil was ciittiii*^' his Wiiy throu;j^h 
 th« wildorii(;sM, sind cshiljlisliiiig- a lino of posts from tUe 
 Htalc of Oliio to Detroit; llic forts on tlio sea coast in every 
 direction were slrij)]icd of their rigidar troojM, who were 
 marched away toeolu-etat Albany. What t'ould this bti.foFi 
 but an iiivosiuu ct Canada 1' 
 
 
LETTER THE SECOND. 
 
 W 
 
 AR is dcclar'd — and now Ihe open foe 
 Breathes against England mortal strife and woe ; 
 And threatens loudly all her distant tribes, 
 Assailing them with secret fraud and bribes. 
 
 No ships from England, not a force draws near. 
 To strike her renegades, with awe and fear. 
 These 'list in tribes — and by the foe are led ; 
 Thus traitors^ gain from, traitors scanty bread. 
 
 I am so querulous and full of woe, 
 I fear complaints in every line will flow. 
 In happy England you but little feel 
 Of war, or slaughter, or the brandish'd steel: 
 From you away — war, has a glorious sound. 
 You see the laurels, that our heroes crown*d ; 
 But not the horror of perpetual fear, 
 The mother's tearful eye, the husband's bier, 
 
 C 
 
 J 
 
I 'i 
 
 till 
 
 ^1 
 
 ii , 
 
 li' I' 
 
 t: I' 
 
 !! 
 
 I! 
 
 'It 
 
 
 i r 
 
 IS 
 
 The mangled sufttrcr, borne in Iriumpli by, (f) 
 Inlrcating deulli, but not allowed to die. 
 
 For tlio' as yet, the sound of war is younc;. 
 Slaughter has here — his bloed-slaiu'd weapon flui»g ; 
 A civil war — that virtue's sacred fVanio, 
 Manjjfles with joy — a mob — detested name. 
 By fury led, marches the city round ; 
 Wild shrieks . ^. heard — which joyful shouts confound^ 
 Terrific horrors mix in one uproar, 
 As through the streets the crowding wretches pour ; 
 Each whispering queijtions, at some dreadful cry. 
 Who is it now alas ? — who n»'xt must die ? 
 Closed are their doors — they start at every sound. 
 As the wild eye looks fearfully around. 
 
 Ah me ! the field of war — where man to man 
 Displays with noble front the battle's plan. 
 Where order rules — and fortitude appears. 
 In the experienced garb of many years. 
 Is joy to this ; here stalks a ruffian band' 
 Distain'd with filth and gore — eacli murderous hand, 
 A bludgeon wields — or knife, up to the hilt 
 Reeking with blood — but now its fury spilt. 
 
 Just borne along — alifeless form appears, (2) 
 With aged locks bleached white by many years. 
 With robes all stain'd with blood, beside him slow, 
 A lady moves — the monument of w oe ; 
 A stupor glares within her tearless eye, 
 Complaint she utters uot,nor breathes a si^gh ; 
 
. (f) 
 
 )oii fluit^ ; 
 
 is confound^ 
 
 hes pour ; 
 j1 cry, 
 
 ' aoJiid, 
 
 hian 
 
 )us hand. 
 
 ars, 
 Q slow. 
 
 
 The corse she follows as the mob divide, 
 
 And socin to pity General Lingaii's bride. 
 
 She heard the cry oi' death — by ttrror led, 
 
 Slie rush'd to seek her lord — and found him dead. 
 
 Her helpless children, luckless and undone, 
 ' At her approach rou'id their sad mother run ; 
 Hhe shrieks — the stinjj of life again she feels. 
 Death was her hope — her shivering body reels. 
 She faints — she falls — but why should I dilate 
 On scenes so dire — or paint her wretched state. 
 Scenes so distressing — why should I pourtray. 
 Turn then from Baltimore — my soul away. 
 Forget such crimes, have everreacliM thine ear. 
 Such guilt exist without a sign of fear : 
 A mob, the government, the laws protect. 
 Nay, as their instruments, these fiends select. 
 But when this theme I close, what lubject lies 
 Within my ken, but some sad tear supplies. 
 
 When, as departing. Porter took the sea. 
 His fiush'd hopes buoy*d with fame and victory. 
 He held a patriot son of England's biood. 
 Whose honest soul firm to his country stood. 
 Nor would he fight, a traitor to his Isle j 
 Threats could not move, nor bribes his worth beguile ; 
 Healthy and strong and nervous was his frame 
 Worthy the honour of a Briton's name : 
 Mark now his form, disorder'd, bending low. 
 His body scath'd, and bruis'd, with many a blow— 
 Wild you exclaim—what did that Porter do ? (3) 
 Ask of bimstlf— or ask his dastard crew. 
 
2a 
 
 I cuunol name llic deed — hut my weak hand 
 
 Sliould crush the wretch — could I hut strength command. 
 
 r, 4, 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 
 
 !i 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 ■ ; 
 
 ; ; 
 if 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 In Continuation. 
 
 While here I paus'd and silently complain'd; 
 Jlull, as I fcar'dtho Royal Province gain'd. 
 O'er the Detroit he urg'd his wicked way. 
 And spread before him terror and dismay. 
 
 Ilia ji^asconade, and proclamation strong (4) 
 Bellow'd Oanadiii's rocky M'ihls along, 
 Unblushing insolence his prowess cheer'd — 
 lie with bold bragi;ing cover'd what he I'ear'd j 
 The noble Indians, that injured race, 
 Driv'n by his country's crimes from place to place. 
 Should one he said 'gainst him the hatchet wieldj 
 Or with Great-Britain dare to take the field. 
 No quarters should be given — but all should dio; 
 In one deep ruin every colour lie. — 
 
 Canadia'« couching Lion rais'd his head. 
 To learn what these redoubted warriors said. 
 And finding every sentence menac'd death. 
 He shook his bushy mane — but held his breathy 
 
 This pause gave courage to the daring band. 
 And on they rush to desolate the land ; 
 They burst the patriot's unoffending door. 
 And plunder' d every shepherd of his store. 
 When noble Brock, his falchion in his hand, 
 Sent to the bragging foe his prompt coinmand. 
 
21 
 
 h command. 
 
 1, 
 
 (4) 
 
 r'd; 
 
 place, 
 wieldj 
 
 11, 
 
 ireaili^ 
 ,nd, 
 
 d. 
 
 51 
 
 I 
 
 «.' Advance; no fiirtlicr" — " pause and hear iry Yord,' 
 Thry trembled nl his lone — and pnnsing hoard : 
 " \c. hnse invaders of our happy 'and, 
 " Ye soon shall learn the force of I^rilain'M hand, 
 " Unless you fly ere wc have time to -how 
 *' The kin<l allegianre whicli to yon wc owe ; 
 *' Your eonntry's worlh could nototie traitor move — 
 " We wait a niomtnt ere wc bhow our love/' — 
 
 Fear, her cold mantle, round tliesc hoaister^.sprnad, 
 And heller, skeller, o'er the stream they fled. . 
 Canadia wonder'd to behold their flight, 
 And the red chiefs bluHh'd deeper at the sight ; 
 A native tribe stood pausing on the shore. 
 Friendly inclin'd — but friendly now no more : 
 In the red belt — these chiefs were all array'd (5} 
 Who turn'd to Brock for his paternal aid. 
 And the blue Wanr»pum belt, an emblem meet," 
 Of placid skies and peace, laid ut his feet. 
 
 Brock nut their friendship, wilh a kind advance. 
 Round >vent the calumet and Indian dance. 
 The war dance wild — with every gesture bold. 
 The weapon's motion, and the writhing hold. 
 The war-whoop shrill — so fearful to the foe, 
 The couching spring — the marksman's certain blow ^ 
 A thousand varied ways to steal the breath, 
 And send the victim to the house of death : 
 Then strings they interchange of peace and love. 
 
 And, firm the seal as tokens from above. 
 These brave auxiliaries — of Brock demand 
 With him to scour again their native land j 
 
..! 
 
 s» 
 
 "•I 
 
 ! 
 
 1 1 
 
 I' I 
 
 |i I 
 III r 
 
 II 
 
 
 I r 
 
 '■'li 
 
 iji'. 
 
 
 I > 
 
 iijj 
 
 I 
 
 All Mirliif^'nn was llicirs, now ovrrawM, 
 iiy i'nvia, vud ramparts, cniclty .uid traiid. — 
 Ihoriv ii •! Ihiiii oil lliroiii;;li l\n) deep ruliiiig ilood^ 
 
 Aii<,lal Ddr.iit tlio i'earlcsK hody Ntood ; 
 Antiiiid tlio town iu sl(Mid«'r iiiii! llicy Nprcad : 
 And (lii'ou^ii Uk; caluiis, viiisllitd English itrnd, 
 llis-iiiiu' t JO loud to pluaKc u Yankee 'u car, 
 !Souii\*ild disorder ///<i/a/c</ fear, 
 Capitiilulioii, vsliispcr'd every way; 
 And, on llie fori, ^^Icain'd in llie sunny ray, 
 Tlie lliit; of |»cacc, while a<>' llie tliorn olMay. 
 J'arley llie truinpet spoke, the strife was still. 
 And staiigliler stay'd against iUv Indian's will. 
 
 For in their cars, tliese words re ibraU; loud, 
 " No (piarler i;ive — l)ut niassaere the erowd,'* 
 'J'iioireyes shot wildly lorlli, indignant tire. 
 They raisM the tonmhawk — ineensed with ire, 
 lint IJroek restrain'd their rage — to him they bend, 
 And onward loi Ihu Fort, in silence weud. 
 
 On Iho first gale, IIuU's proclamation spread 
 .hist as thateaptive General showM his head, 
 riie Indian eiiief, stoj)p'd forward from his band. 
 And j)ointing to the line with lifted hand, 
 Where Hull had promis'd death to all his race 
 rie flung his hatchet with indignant face 
 And from the paper struck, its eveiy trace. 
 
 Hull's eye beheld the mark, and conscience smote, 
 .Snmc words of terror stamincr'd from his throat. 
 His deep veiniilion face turn'd pale and blue, 
 Whc'-i to hifci aid Cauadia's General flew ; 
 
rv 
 
 i 
 
 * 
 
 *-'«»l 
 
 ftcnigrt lif cfarc, prt.lrction ntul rcpi.gc,- 
 KriHiilii liiH sUiwIiHil, liolli io iViciKlH and \\i s ; 
 All Micliii^^aii was yielilcd Io his pow'r, 
 The iiidiiiiis IkuI'iI with joy the iiiis;)iv'ious Iiour. 
 Hut Muoii llie vclcraii luiul, tlicKo ^^iliU (ovsukc 
 And spocd their way iidi>wi» hri'^ht Miie's hike ; 
 I'or Ihorc, unothtr airny bruv'd llic shcri.', 
 Thai ill coiijuiic'lioii, mii>ln liavc movM h^-forc. 
 IJul Ihisc rare (itucruls, every oiKMirc iVtr, 
 G(i>^'here they like-, nut whurc they uu<^ht to be. 
 
 Over Niaijfara's flood Uiis c1m)so to go, 
 Where hcoxjjrctcd hirt ?. slcirdcr for; 
 Two inooiiM liad lill'd Ihiiir Iiorns, while slov," he pani»%J 
 Canadia's infant shot some terror rnns'd, 
 Th'y were decciv'd ; thinkin;; her baby franjo 
 Woirid fill witli fear — e'en at a Yankee's name, 
 RiM linilin^ more inatnre, h<r nfi'vcn, and slrenu;lh, 
 (»anlio';s he slood — llwn on advanced at len^j^tir 
 To whore the narrow ><, trace llie opposing shore, 
 Aud they could see Ihit notiiing stood before ; 
 IJrock was not tlierc — they were in perfect nlii-^ht 
 To land, and take the lilllfc town thai nij^ht ; 
 Their chittf Van Rennsselcar — a rugged name. 
 In slory largo, and Ictr^thi/ as his fame ; 
 Why famM, I hear you say ? ay ! why indeed. 
 Except, for merit to obtain the meed. 
 Long eff' so beantifnl a wi (salli was due : 
 Or else, as wreaths are scarce, to steal a few.- 
 Be as it may— he crossM at dead of ni$ht > 
 
 ^'hen the 
 
 younjf moon show'd half her borrowed li'4it;- 
 
-EET^Baes 
 
 mm 
 
 I ;ji 51' 
 
 f ! 
 
 I ill i^ 
 
 I 
 
 2' 4 
 
 iicforc ihey left the shore, a deep blood red, 
 
 (GrlowM o'er hm- face, with streaks of darkness spread 
 
 Tlius pensively she cast a feeble light, 
 
 0*er a long field, witi» fulchions gleaming bright ; 
 
 There the invaders stood, and heard around 
 
 On every side the cataract's rnighty sound. 
 
 Tiiey paus'd, and listen'd, not from any fear, 
 
 'Twas but the cataract— not drums ihey hear ; 
 
 And on, the General led his phalanx strong. 
 
 Like midnight murder, mov'dhe slow along. 
 
 But as they gain'd the border of the flood. 
 Somewhat refractory his army stood. 
 All would not cross, intrcaties, threats were vr-u, (6) 
 Down on the rocks they sit— and there remain 
 To learn what fortune those advancing found. 
 And go, if victory their eftorts crown'd. 
 Anotlier evil ck'd out their delay, 
 Fifteen long boats, with oars, had gone astray j 
 Blit this they remedy, then ply the oar. 
 And reach Canadians silent sleeping shore. 
 
 The watchful centinel the town * alarms ; 
 Quick the responsive drummer beat to arins. 
 Cinadia's General — like a ray of light, 
 A splendid meteor on the brow of night. 
 Advanced along, 'ere day began to dawn, 
 Or from his lair had sprung the sleeping fawn. 
 
 Surprised, the foe beheld him lead his band. 
 And on the margin of the river stand, 
 
 * Queenstonm, 
 
 1 
 
55 
 
 No power was left to fly— for, on tli2 sIior(?, 
 One half wore laiuliiiL;— and the rest were o'er, 
 Neur wliere llio whirlpool aj;ilatc.s the llooil, 
 Frowning', willi scorn, llic Britisli heroes stood^ 
 And, on the foes advanee, tlieir voUies j)onr ; 
 'J'rackitjg- with bh>od, the till then hallow'J sliort ; 
 Ycl on tlie invaders came Iho' Brock witlistood. 
 Their force with bayonets duep dy'd in blood ; 
 The treble niimbei'd foe pusliM on with zeal. 
 And made Brock's bright and glittering rampart reel : 
 And now conceive — while carnage uark'd tiie strand ; 
 
 And drcnch'd with blood Canadia's liallow'd laud; 
 Conceive a patriot breast, with ardor fir'd. 
 His firm strnng nerves with energy inspir'd; 
 A Briton, panting for his country's fame. 
 Anxious to strengthen her renowned name 
 Yet here in bondage held, in galling chains,, 
 A mere spectator of the scene remains. 
 "Where hated enemies with pride rejoice. 
 And rage must smother its resentful voice. 
 
 How in the conflict did his heart rebound. 
 How tremble at the shouts that rung around, 
 'Till victory to her son the laurel bore. 
 To Brock, the hero of Niagara's shore ; 
 Who made the fury of the battle's bray 
 Out -roar the cataract's resistless way : 
 A pause ensned, the voice of war was still. 
 The victor's trump was silent on the hill, 
 "When slow, and solemn came the heavy sound 
 ThAt Crock was struggling with a mortal wound. 
 
I » 
 
 n i 
 
 1 t'llii 
 
 1 ill 
 
 Mil 
 
 i ■ 
 
 1 li 
 
 i il 
 
 ' ; .1 
 
 1 
 
 1'^ 
 
 1 ' 
 
 ( 
 
 1 
 
 ! • 
 
 i ■ 
 
 20 
 
 The fieia hckept—'JiU all his foes had fled. 
 Then sniilinc;-, tleatli's cokl mantle round lilm spread : 
 Tlio ground Uiat just hcforc wqrt Idood for tears, 
 Now wet With sorrow's drops forlorn appears. 
 TIk; Indians laid tiieir warlike belts aside, 
 Tijcir strings of wunipiun — and their martial pride. 
 " Near Ihc pale corse tliGsc varied tropliio>3 lay 
 To tell their slrcnglh and pride had pass'd away. 
 
 Silent they R'.ood and gaz'd upon the bier. 
 But h(;av'uiio si^h, nordropp'd one friendly tear. 
 llonov ncd Chief — Joy rest with thy remains. 
 Virtue's* bright current fillM thy manly veins. 
 
 Vv here could more glory dignify his name, 
 Ejjgravo him dejper on. the lists of famc^ 
 He ffcll, repelling the invaders' might, 
 Resloring to the hind his ravish'd right. 
 In honor's cause ]iis noble spirit fled. 
 And her c.icutcheon glitters o'er his bead. 
 
 Say, gTiIant Koadc, as thy lastbicod distill'd 
 In sacred droj^r^. and yon rough bason fill'd. 
 Say could thy p'tllow be more grard aa 1 dread ? 
 Or move sublime thy winding'-sheet be spread ? 
 Than tliors, where uatarc all her power combines. 
 To grace a canopy, wlserc fame reclines ; 
 
 Niagara's shore, whot-e far resounding fiood. 
 Tinges its foam with thy rtspetted blood. 
 
 Whose hui ried cataract and wave sublime. 
 Laughs at the figure of diminish'd time. 
 Where Iris v/ctpi — and spreads lier polish'd bow 
 Bedew 'd with tear* that to thy memory flow. 
 
 'vgv 
 
S7 
 
 Brock'K mausoleum, distant worI.!s shall tell. 
 And paint Niagara, wlure the htio fell: 
 Time spurning flood ! when nations are no more. 
 Thou wilt rtlato the tragic story oVr ; 
 And shew that grave, beside his on the hill 
 Where brave Mucdonald .lohls his station still : 
 For as in iife-in fortune's hours they sped. 
 So side, by side, au laid the heroes dead. 
 
 ktobtr, 1812, 
 
 1 
 
 
I 
 
 13 
 
 1:1' 
 
 !l'l 
 
 I 
 
 • lis'' 
 
 if III '; 
 
 1 ;5l ':!. 
 
 ,'r. 
 
 .f! 
 
 II, i 
 
 II ii: '\ 
 V\ "i 'i 
 
 i i. :i 
 
 I llll.i! 
 l| I I. 
 
 1}^ 
 
 ii( 
 
 i.i; 
 
 • r 
 
 |:'( 
 
 Hi 
 
 ii 
 
 It' 
 
 II . 
 
 
 I, 
 
 28 
 
 yoxr:? to letteii the sncoxi. 
 
 The mniiirlcd horhj borne in triumph hij — 
 Mr. .lulm Thouipson, who was so iiilHimanly treated by the 
 Baitiinoic moh on the :i5ilh and 2'Jth July, 1*^12, remains ii 
 liviiit;" wiiiicss of the wicked and unheard of tortures iidlicl- 
 cd ii|»oii hiiu by these infuriated ujonslers. 
 
 2. 
 
 Just borne along — a lifeless form appears, 
 fjeinral J.inqan was nmrder'd by the same DaUimore 
 mob, and has lelt a wifo with several children ; he was 
 luiatcn, and dra;L;i;cd, with about thirty other gentleni> », 
 from tlie ))rison, w here they hid been phiced tlie day bifoi o, 
 as they were made to believe, by Ihe civil aithority, for pro- 
 tection ; but it is l'i0U^ht, rath: r to disii^nale, niid disarm, 
 tiian save : no uie.wis haviii'^ bei u iiieti, to (|uell the mol), or 
 any guard placed for their detence ; which evinced the cou- 
 iiiv.wice, if not the actual permission of the deed, by both tho 
 civil and military power, as the Mayor, tlie General com- 
 luandiuL;' the Mililia, and the Attorney General of the State, 
 v.'oreaU (/^ />(.s7, (jiiet spectators of the scene This mob 
 wa:> the cominenceiiieut of a systematic attack upon the li- 
 berty of the press, sanciioued by the (iovernment ; their 
 fury was directed against the Editors of an obuoKious paper 
 for lia\inq: announced their determination to persist in con- 
 denniing the war. One printing oliiee had bi.'fn already 
 destroyi.d ; and the press again established in another, when 
 these thirty ge itlemen assembled round the editor toprotec!: 
 him and his property, and intimidate t'le mob, but were all 
 treated as above described, most of them saved by acci- 
 tlcnt^ er left as dead upon the ground. 
 
 3. 
 Wild yon exclaim — " What did that Porter doP'* 
 An unfortunate Englishman who had been deluded into 
 the American service before the war, onboard the Essex 
 Irigate, being unwilling to fight against i.is own country, 
 aj);died to ("apt. l^orter, who had just made a speech to his 
 cis^w to say all should bs discharged who wished to leave 
 
29 
 
 catcd by the 
 2, remains u 
 turcs inllicU 
 
 lO Dallimore 
 
 eii ; he was 
 
 r g»'ntlcm« i, 
 
 e day bt'foii?, 
 
 rity, for pro- 
 
 , and disantt, 
 
 1 the mob, or 
 
 iced the cou- 
 
 , by both the: 
 
 jleiieral com- 
 
 ol' tlio State, 
 
 Tliis iu(di 
 
 upon the li- 
 
 iiineut ; their 
 
 OKious paper 
 
 rsiyt in con- 
 
 ji'on already 
 
 lolher, when 
 
 or to protect 
 
 but were ail 
 
 vcd by acci- 
 
 rr dor 
 
 deluded into 
 the Essex 
 wn country, 
 )eecli to his 
 lied to leave 
 
 lilin, the ponr fellow seized the oftri with joy. When Ihii 
 J'oilrr, regardless of his word or the f(.'eliiiy:s o*^ a man, oi- 
 th red iliis honest patriot to have an American jackcl, 
 whi(h means in our languaf;-e, tar and feather him. This 
 •was insttMilly done.and in this slate he was dra<;f;(d lliroui;li 
 the streets of Ne\v-\ork, where to the honor of Iho Major, 
 Mr. De Wilt Clinlon, he was rescued^ and his life saved. 
 
 4. 
 Uh gasconade and proelatnalion strong — 
 
 Hull's proclamation to the Canadians, at Sandwich, July 
 ilie 12lh, I81'2 — inlorms them, tli;'.t he is come willi a fonc 
 l!iat must look Aown all opposition. Come to emancipate 
 fiom /i/ranni/ and oppression that Colony, and raise its sons 
 to the diynilied station o\' free men. 'I he United States, 
 (said h( ) olicr yon peace, liberlij and security ; your choice 
 lies b( tween these and aar, slavery !ind distraction. No 
 while man found iinliling by the si<le oi an Indian, will be 
 taken prisoner, instant (lestrucliou will be his lot. 
 
 This same uobh General lied ironi Canada on tin; 10th of 
 August following;-, and was taken prisoner wilh his whole 
 army on the IGlh, by Gent ral Brock, and a cession made 
 to his Majesty of all the iMiohigan territwry, containin;;* 
 47&(j inhabitants, of which Hull was the Goveriujr. 
 
 5. ' 
 In (he red bell — these chie/'s were alt arrai/'d 
 
 The red belt of wampum, is t.he Indians well known cm- 
 Hcin of war, the Line that of peace. 
 
 Ail would not cross, inlreaties, threats were vain, 
 TSolhiny but disii[»poiutment seen s to attend the eom- 
 nianders of the American armies. W hen General Van Itenns- 
 selear had suborned his troops for a midnight attack oit 
 Canada, though lodged on the border of the Mauara river, 
 yet when he tame to embark, one of the boa^s containing oars 
 for all the rest, was missnig ; when this evil was remedied, 
 souje of his troops would not cross ; perliaps militia, who 
 had n ad the Constitution. In his own account of the ex- 
 pedition are these words : " The victory alQueenstowii 
 ** was really won but lott for the want of a snail remforc - 
 " nient," to obtain which the General rccrossed the river, 
 Itavinijliis army to take care c/ itself, iu his unhappy di«- 
 
u 
 
 I!i '. 
 
 k I'M 
 
 80 
 
 jifttch he proceeds tlius— " To my utlor astonislimcnt, I 
 found, that at the very moment when cunpletc victory was 
 ** in our hands, the ardour of the unen^^aged troops haJ cn- 
 " iirely subsided — I rode in all directions, urj^e.i the men to 
 ** pass over but in vain. Lieutenant Colonel Bloom, wlio 
 " had bcon wounded in action, ret-.;rned, mounted his horse, 
 and rode through the camp, as did also JudjLJc Peck, who 
 happened to be here, exhorting- the companies to pro- 
 ceed, but all in vain — one third part oflhu iUlg meniuijjht 
 ** have savccl all." Poor General I 
 
 it 
 
 <( 
 
 €C 
 
 k. 
 
ULTTER THE THIRD, 
 
 I 
 
 COULD no more the painful talc pursue*. 
 But mournful took my leave of Brock and you, 
 Some time lias pass'd, and my rellecting" mind. 
 To scenes more dark perforce, became resign'd. 
 
 Confusion through the Stales, more wildly ran. 
 Contempt was brealli'd aloud, from man to man, (I) 
 Their /ow^-«a7n't/ chief they said had been too bold. 
 And he accusM the rest of being cold. 
 
 And had not Dacres flushM each bleaching face, 
 Mi'ith his sad loss — and what they call disgrace. 
 This boasting nation, might herself, have known. 
 And to their corn fields, all her sons have flown. 
 There toiling, they might gain a fitting name. 
 As merchants too — or fishermen have fame : 
 But not as conquerors ; for tho' they lead. 
 Such mighty ©dds, and may by chauct succeet?. 
 

 ,il„ 
 
 
 n 
 
 ■i 
 
 V P 
 
 III 
 
 52 
 
 Yet willj ^ftol bravery lo lake the field, 
 
 '(Jjiiust Kjual .orcc, lluy nmstlhc buuncr yield * 
 
 Except we |)hi\ — and hoidini,^ llieiu in scorn, 
 
 Ciivc lliein the laurels that our brows adorn. 
 
 Too often coiifidencp, will worth betray; 
 
 And lonf; success, put caution faraway, 
 
 \Vc slu)uld bo |Moinj)l— we have botli skill and pow'r, 
 
 Necessity will cheer tin- didlest hour. 
 
 But I niust trace, with all the kkill I may, 
 
 The devious track, where ihcav great chieftains stray » 
 
 " Two armies loitt. — what are tliey all about." 
 Cry'd the ureal President — whose time was out. 
 And he began lo fear his chance was bad. 
 Bad, to secure the very votes he had. 
 When tidings came that told their beaten state 
 lie curs'd the arrrjy — curs'd his luckless late ; 
 His glassy eye-balls rolliuf^ in his head. 
 To his tall wife, " Dolly, my dear, he said, 
 ** 1 must the very truth declare to thee, 
 *' The slarcs in Caiuida will not be free ; 
 ** The knaves have got my wealth, 1 sent a store, 
 " Of precious i>()h!, and promises yet more; 
 ^ Tempted their vanity with high command; 
 " Invited them to rule this haj)py land, 
 " Here Ihey might Presidents and Judges be : 
 " For in this land the very dogs are free, 
 " And all are kings, or might be, through the laud, 
 " Tho' Dolly thou and I have the command ; 
 " Yet after all 'tis but a scur y state 
 *' Te be iu all one'K life, but four years s;reat. 
 
35 
 
 laj 
 
 (1 pow'r. 
 
 ins stray. 
 
 .t." 
 out, 
 
 te 
 
 bre^ 
 
 laudj 
 
 The lady here gave a sarcastic amile, 
 Bui k( |»t her seat — sec-sawiiig all the while, (2) 
 And he resiiui'd, with thoughtlul step and slow, 
 Ills chin iipun his huHoni h;inging low : 
 
 " Wo farm this eiiipiro, hold it as on lease, 
 
 " 'Tis a short period — e'en in times of peace, 
 
 " To make a fortune — hut we'll do our hest, 
 
 " As a j,a)od tenant should, to fill his chest; 
 
 " Kings have a freehold, ending but with life, 
 
 *' No cunniu!,'- need to rule, or paity strife, 
 
 *' No one will plunder, from his own estate, 
 
 " When prido and interest join, to make it great } 
 
 " But we poor Presidents have much to do, 
 
 *' A busy life, and full of danger too/' 
 
 " Dear me," says faithful Dolly with surpris6^ 
 Lifting her (piaker eye-lids from her eyes. 
 And as her snuffy fingers reach'd her nose. 
 From her low rocking chair she stately rose : 
 " You are grown provident my dear of late, 
 " And view the medful, in our transient state, 
 " 'Tis time you should, when you so much bestow 
 " To bribe a spy — Henry a hated foe." (3) 
 
 " The sum I gave was to renew my lease, 
 " And raise the mob, till then too fond of peace, 
 *' Careless indifference annong them crept, 
 *' And mobs must, be in fermentation kept ; 
 I" The chair [ could not hold by other means, 
 " And the large sum, my real meaning screens, 
 
♦ Ml! I 
 
 r 
 
 1 1 
 
 " A Uiflo, (leiir— would not the Inillj uitguise, 
 *' From one, of many Ihousuiid prying lyt's, 
 *' But wIkii (lie lavinliHum ii|»|»c'arM so gnat, 
 "No one could doubt, but 'twas a cause ol Weight ; 
 *' As a smuii tlunte, will light yuur dusky way 
 •* So will the dazzling sun your sight betray ; 
 ** Then dearest Dolly trust my little head, 
 •' The story is bclievM which I have spread, 
 *' That this same war was made, agumst my will, 
 '* And our dear country's blood 1 could not spill. 
 
 <' F r believ'd the tale — and even more, 
 
 '* Hali'the wise heads on his imperious shore, 
 
 " These ancii nt nations in their dotage seem, 
 
 " Or on past splendour doze, and fondly dream. 
 
 " Did England know the truth, could she be told, 
 
 *♦ We go to war, without men, or gold, 
 
 " And mean, her policy should furnish both, 
 
 ** John Bull would growl, and swear hisnativc oath, 
 
 " But so it is we work upon her friends, 
 
 " And from her folly, mean to gain our ends." 
 
 Hepaus'd, and rubb'd his hands, and nodded sly. 
 
 With little cunning glaring in his eye : 
 
 *' Would not make war, forsooth, this all beJievc, 
 
 " And what I wish as readily receive, 
 
 " The federals prate— but round I turn the wheel, 
 
 ** And guide the helm, no matter what they feel, 
 
 *' Daily they swear some project to pursue, 
 
 " Then eat their words, boasters are never true. 
 
 ** But this same Canada has poison'd hope, 
 
 " Given to these prating dogs a fearful scope, 
 
 " Time was I balancM parties to my will" — 
 
 *' Pshaw I"- jiaid the Lady — " you can do «o still— 
 
 ijik iiii 
 
36 
 
 ise, 
 
 il. 
 kvcight ; 
 
 iiy will, 
 
 S|)lll. 
 
 111, 
 earn, 
 be told, 
 
 til, 
 
 tivc oath, 
 
 da." 
 Ided sly, 
 
 , beJieve, 
 
 lie wheel, 
 
 ley fcfel,. 
 
 e, 
 
 er true. 
 
 cope. 
 
 >^ 
 
 *' riattcr liie fools — niul ever spurn the wl«^, 
 
 " Hliiidruld the last — but pive tli«» former cyc« 
 
 " To look Bit you direct, while we ourselves, 
 
 •' Sweep the rich bullion from the treasury shelves." 
 
 Hero a loud knockiiip tiiunder'd at the door, 
 Huz/.as ruu'^ round, uud joyful riots roar. 
 The door tl'^w open, and a mob appear'd, 
 M'lioin with kind greetings, this fair couple checrM. 
 
 Alas I the while, iu one ungracious hand, 
 Blush'd the bright flag— of England's holy land. 
 The upstart ilirong, the splendid trophy bore, 
 And spread its beauty on the filthy floor. 
 Beneath the lady's feet the banner lay. 
 She stamp'd and trod, and kick'd it far away. — 
 
 You laugh, when little souls would fain be great, 
 To see how ill befits them, pow'r and state : 
 You laugli, at insolence presuming still 
 To rule and sway, and show its vulgar will 
 By rudi' indecent means — 1 could not so. 
 But from my wounded eyes the tears would flow : 
 I know not why — assur'd, there's no disgrace 
 To loose the palm in an unequal race ; 
 Yet still 1 wept ; my anxious heart was wrung. 
 Bitter complaints escap'd ray angry tongue. 
 
 But on this wild and longdisordcr'd shore. 
 Where folly rears her crest, yet more, and more, 
 Where ignorance and vanity combine. 
 To plattj and execute, the bold design : 
 
 do so still- 
 
96 
 
 ' f ' P^ 
 
 ^i«i| ;■ 
 
 Tlic mood of sorro'.r caniiol Urry long, 
 If yuiir cuiiiplaiiils, tu policy belong. 
 
 I'Voni Ihe \^il«l AVubuhli— lliis cvtiilfnl liour. 
 The piUiri of chivalry, of kuiyhts the llow'r, 
 Hopkins llu! ^reul — ollicial liilings sPiit (1) 
 Itilalin'jf — nothing as a gri at event. 
 
 r»oni ont the wilds, by lender memory lod^ 
 Thclndi.ms conic to ven* rate their dead, 
 Of distant years — tho* fucs usurp the ground, 
 They come, to pile wilh stones the hallow M inoundj 
 Thus graltful conio, to slo;) oblivion's wave. 
 That gathers fayt around home chiLl'taiu's grave ; 
 Here a banditti lurk, of Yankees >ile. 
 And murder strews again the sacred pile ; 
 Eternal war they wage, with this wad race, 
 And would from nature's book their names cUace ; 
 iMundcr liieiraim ; the Indians fertile land. 
 Rapacious and o'erweening, they demand : 
 Unhappy tribes — this expedition went, 
 They know uat where — but on your ruin bcnl. 
 
 A troop of daring- hardy volunteers^, 
 Left the Ohio's banks with joyful cheers. 
 Expecting honor, for their grc.it emprise, 
 Honor beyond the meed ol common size, 
 The worthy txpedilioii Slielby phmuM, 
 And Hopkins led tiie honorable band. 
 But in what manjier let his words relate, 
 Juslicc I r:?n"ot ;lo — to v«ortli so grcut : 
 
 1 iiil 
 
 « 
 
87 
 
 " To Shelby, Governor, IhcKc lines I srn<l ; 
 *' To his raro excellent e, my valued friend. 
 
 " Our iiinimlcd riflrinoti, that pretty baud, 
 *' Tilt* joy and MundiT ot'oiir li:i|)|)y land, 
 " All arc u;oMC hoine--yc8 Sir, dishandrd, flod 
 *' Ikloru oiu' rascal tnt iny he dead ; 
 " AH yonu — the well-plunn'd enterprise is o%t, 
 '* Uut mark the facts — whieh at your feel I pour. 
 
 ♦* The fourteenth instiint Sir, 1 heard, and you — 
 *' From our good s|)ies, sonic Indians were in vicNf 
 " Aboul the prairie, or soiuewhere near, 
 " \Vc started Sir, wilii every prospect clear, 
 ** And reach'd the U'ahash, cross'd thai loaniinji (lood, 
 *' And on il.s hank n>y tow'ring araiy stood, 
 " Tiure met the spies, and march'd li>r Kiekapoo, 
 ♦' Beli(!v'd that Iriho would soon appear in view: 
 I" Silence was my commaiiil, a cautious word, 
 
 I" Lest our approach should by the foe be heard ; 
 I** We wandtTcd, whispering, four long days about, 
 I" Found one deserted wigwam in our route. 
 But nothing more — nor eye, nor foot of man, 
 
 *' And fear'd starvation, mij^ht subvert our plan; 
 JF* When sad to tell, wc had gone far astray, • 
 
 And ninety miles to west the village lay, 
 I*' Our j^uidcs and spies had been themselves misled, 
 I*' No Indians \rcre there, or they had fled. 
 
 " In a small plain, cnvironM round with trees, 
 f* A rill slulc au'Af and murmur'd to the breeze : 
 
-B»^ 
 
 ■ .!:(i' 
 
 ■' r 
 
 ' 'II I k 
 
 ! i 
 
 'iiii 
 
 liitl f 
 
 '38 
 
 OC 
 
 " There nofKling: weeds, findbriis'iwootl wildly spread, 
 •' A downy pillow forcach warrior's head. 
 
 " Wcleadors sat awhilo i;i "iiartial state, 
 " In somewhat a disorderly dei)ale, 
 ♦' Foruij'fy and faith we could not find, 
 " One- was otthis, and one of t'other mind, 
 " J»ut all to seek no further, stroti"^ incliu'd. 
 
 I 
 
 " Onrahle men thoir coverlids had sj»read, 
 " And like good soldiers, g:one (n peacf? to i>ed ; 
 '* Wiien to our ijreat alarm a whirlwind roso, 
 " Which without clouds, or warnin:^' never hlows, 
 " Yet this came on, crackliny and whizzing- r.jund, 
 '* Tore down the trees, and scem'dto shako the ground, 
 *' yVnd hiing a smoky mantle all around, 
 " Through vvhich gleam'd lights, as tho' the setting- sun 
 " Long gone to bod — had not his journey dons j 
 " Or as if he, the moon, and planets dire, 
 •' Conjointly met. to set the- world on fire, 
 " Rolling along the wild tornado drove, 
 " With lurid light glar'd the autumnal grove, 
 " Ilous'd fron his quiet sleep each hero stood, 
 " And saw the wildfi'-e, rushing througli the wood, 
 " With fearful anguish, terror, and surprise, 
 " Th'^-y rubb'd tha smoky water from their eyes, 
 " And as the raging flames around them spread, 
 " StiflTstood the hair, on every hero's head ; 
 " And rushing through the smoke, all haste away, 
 
 " Not sire for son — or son for sire — ^ould stay— 
 *' But off they start, in dreadful rabble route, 
 *' II f} bless'd his btars who got the soonest out. 
 
 I 
 
 I l!i 
 
 n Hi 
 
fl!» 
 
 •' I ran Sir, too — but could not reach llieir heels; 
 
 *' Where the shoe pinches, every wearer feels : 
 
 ** My btomath. Sir — my slommh grainbicd sore, 
 
 " And kept me back, or 1 had bten belorc, 
 
 " In my own place — but sickiiessi Sir, was mine, 
 
 " And now in vain 1 tried, to lorm my Vine, 
 
 " in vain to ridly order'd — fac'd about, 
 
 " Bui on they kept, in oue wild hurried route ; 
 
 " And I was left, with face towards the foe, 
 
 " Nor with me would one poor five hundred go, 
 
 " Else I Iiad led them — so to them I said, 
 
 *' Whore certain victory her uanner sj)read, 
 
 " But I was left with naked sword 'n\ hand, 
 
 " Alone to strii^i^gle in this hostile land ; 
 
 '♦ The spies were wron^^, this was the very route, 
 
 " The Indians 'twas, the Indians burnt us out, 
 
 *' But few in number, lliis the rascals tried, 
 
 *^ This stratagem their want of slreiig.ii supplied, 
 
 " Bu. for this cunning c\oa\ dog hau died. 
 
 " But there's no doubt, the valou'* we display 'd, 
 ** The boh! appearance that my army mode, 
 *' Mubt strike tlie enemy with fear and Jroad ; 
 " And 1 have not in vani an army led. 
 " Much to my officers, dear Sir, I owe, 
 " liow much, I have not words — or pow'r to show, 
 " Our good Judge Advocate— among the spies, 
 " Cnr mutual friend— yon know, Sir, he iw wise, 
 " A precious spy— let not his glory fade, 
 *' Of him behonorabie nienlion made; 
 " And of my family— and dearest friends, 
 " And next my officers, my heart comniftuds. 
 
40 
 
 '• Tiiry fleJ so fabt llirough 8( orcliin!^ flames and firen, 
 " Their valour, Sir, from iiio, no praise requires 
 " My veteran cliief8 — their iieads are bleach'd wilh ag«. 
 May history place them, in her brightest page. 
 
 <( 
 
 <( 
 
 (( 
 
 Ami 
 
 m 
 
 «^y 
 
 such services ne'er liud an end, 
 
 Trays, my dear Sir, your ever faitiil'iil friend. 
 
 » 
 
 Here ends the Yankee talc, rcsplendant name. 
 To lose, tr win, their honors are the same ; 
 
 No oilier nation would renown acquire, 
 Muknsij;' an army dance through smoke and fire. 
 
 Adieu mv friend, red autumn brosvns the vear. 
 And tells us surly winter lingers near. 
 War will be slill — when icy chains abound. 
 Winter reigns here in majesty profoun^l. 
 
 No: ember, 18T2. 
 
 i' i 
 
 ii 
 
 ^liMNi 
 
 liiiil 
 
• 1 
 
 nd fnen, 
 
 1 
 
 e^ 
 
 1 
 
 vilh ag«. 
 
 i( 
 
 je. 
 
 
 41 
 
 KOTES TO LETTER THE TIIIRP. 
 
 n 
 
 10, 
 
 r> 
 
 ,>^ 
 
 ,,^_; 
 
 Contempt nashreath'd aloud, from man to man. 
 A good account of \incrican honor, subordiiiiilion and <lis- 
 cipliiie may be deduced from thu officers reiterated com- 
 plaints tf each other. Colonel Cass, of Hull's division, in a 
 letter to the Secretary of War, tell;s him the Colonels ot the 
 army, Imd determined to deprive Hull of the command ; 
 which would have been done, had not two of the comman- 
 ders of regiments, been ordered on detachments. — Hull 
 abuses Dearborn, for not advancing troops toco-operate with 
 him — V^in Rennsselear abuses Porter for not supplying his 
 •army — and Smyth, who succeeded him, abuses them all. 
 
 2. 
 
 But kept her seat, see-sawing all the ivhile. 
 The baby's rocking-chair 'sa favorite seat with the Ame- 
 rican ladies ; it is placed even in their best rooms, and of- 
 fered to the distinguished visitor: you must keep rocking 
 from necessity, and raising your voice louder antl louder to 
 drown the noise, or you would fall fast asleep. 
 
 3. 
 
 To hribe a spy — Henry a hated foe. 
 Ihe Henry plot is too well known to need nlucli explana- 
 tion, it is believed to have cost the government one hundred 
 thunsand dollars, though it is not ascertained that Henry 
 1 ccived more than fifty thousand. It was got up in aid 
 /tot her means, for the purpose of exciting suspicions against 
 iiixi Federalists, and to shew the perfidy of England — The 
 shafts, however, were harmless, and only tended to prove, 
 the high price the administration were disposed to pay for 
 any thing they thought would aid their party views. At this 
 very moment, when the American government was so tena- 
 cious of faith and I'onorabld rights. Congress in secret 
 session voted one hundred thousand dollars, for the purpose 
 •f sending among the inhabitants of the Floridas, to raise an 
 
 F 
 
! 'I 
 
 ^4 * 
 
 4ti 
 
 
 if I 
 
 ? 1 
 
 i !l!f.l 
 
 I 1 
 
 I 
 
 .Pi 
 
 -. ' 
 
 Hiii 
 
 ^ Mi 
 
 i ^ 
 
 
 
 insurrection againMl tlie Spanish government, a nation wilir 
 ^liuiu they were aJ peace. 
 
 4. 
 Hopkins the great — official tidings sent 
 I cannot resist the desire of t;iviny (iencral Hopkins's 
 letter to Governor Sh«:lby, ahnost entire, rtjctting only what 
 relates to the mutinous quarrels of'his army, as a rare speci- 
 men of Aintri<anoiliciai productions, and as evidence of the 
 mitnner in which they attempt to destroy every I ndi-.m vil- 
 lage they may accidentally hoar of — this gallant (jJenerai 
 commande.l two thousand five hundred mounted voluntcM-rs, 
 and after the failure of his expedition, another was set on 
 foot, under Colonel Russel, who succeeded in surprisitij; one 
 of the Pioria toWns, and as he siys, " in destroying every 
 thing in it,' t v some poor wounded warriors lie found 
 there, unable t_ it : — 
 
 Copy of a letter from Major-General Hopkins to his Ex- 
 itllency Governor Shelby, dated Fort Harrison, 2ijth 
 October, 1812. 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 The expedition of the mounted riflemen has termi- 
 nated. TJie Wabash was recrossed yesterday. Yes, Sir, 
 this army has returned without hardly obtaining the sight of 
 an enemy. A simple narrative of facts, as they occurred, 
 will best explaitl the reasons that have led to this state of 
 things. 
 
 The army having finished crossing on the 14th instant, 
 marched aboutthree miles and encamped. 1 here requested 
 the attendance of the general field officers and captains, 
 to whom I imparted the objects of the expedition and the 
 advantages that might result from a fultilment of them. The 
 nearest Kickapoo villages were from 80 to 100 miles, and 
 Pioria not more than 160. By breaking up these, or a& 
 many as our resources would permit, we would be render- 
 ing a' service to all the territories — we proceeded on our 
 march early on the 15th, and continued it four days, our 
 course near north in the Prairie, until we came to an Indian 
 house, where some corn, ^c. had been cultivated — About, 
 or after sun-set, we came to a thin grove, affording water ; 
 here we took up ourcaunpj and about this time aro se oa» 
 
43 
 
 • fllie most victlcnt qusts of wind I ever remember to havfli 
 •et'ii not proC'M'dini; from clouds. Tlie Indians liiid set 
 fire to till' i*rairio, wiiich drov.; on us so furi.>usly, that wo 
 were compelled to firo round our camp lo protect ourselves. 
 'I'liis seems to have decided the army to return. I requcst- 
 f'd the comin indcrs of each re^^iment to convene the whole »»r 
 the ofHcer)* heiont^inja: to it, an<l to take fully the sense of 
 th(! urujy on the measure, report to the commandants of bri- 
 gades, who wre requested to report to me in writinjj ; ad- 
 dini; that if o M) vol.iulec rs would turn out, I would put my- 
 self at their head, and proceed in (juest of the towns, and tho 
 bal.uice of the army miL^ht reireat under conduct of their of- 
 ficurs in safety to Tort Harrison. In less than one hour ilv. 
 report was ma<l(' almost uninimously to retun?. — About this 
 time the treo|)s beinj^ parade I, 1 put myself in front, took my 
 course, and direcle I then to follow me: but the columns 
 rnox iiii;((lf quite a cojitrary way, 1 sent Captain Taylor aint 
 M;ijor I.eo, to apply to the oHicers leadinjj^ the columns, to 
 turn I hem. They were told it was not in their power. Thtt 
 army had taken their course, and would pursue it. Discovrrini; 
 great confusion and disorder in the march, I threw myself iu 
 tht rear, fcarini,^ an attack on those who were there from ne- 
 cessity, and continued in tliat postion the whole day. Tb« 
 exhauated state of the horses, nor the hunger of the men, 
 retarded this day's march ; so swiftly was it prosecuted 
 that it was lon^ before the rear arrived at the encampment 
 — I think we marched at least 80 or 90 miles in the heart of 
 th(! enemy's country — so formidable was our appearance in 
 the i'rairie^ and in the country, (as I am told) never trod be- 
 fore by hostile feet, must impress the borderinp^ tribes with a 
 sense of th'ir danjrer. If it operates bfaieficially in this way 
 our labour will not be altogether in vain — To the officers com- 
 mandiu'j^ brigades, many of the field officers, captains, 4^'c. 
 my thanks are due; many of the o!<l Kentucky veterans, 
 whose heads are frosted by time, are entitled to every confi- 
 dence and praise their coimtry can bestow. To the adjutant 
 <|uarter master u^eneral, »S(;. the members of my own family, 
 I feel indebted for ready, abb^ and manly support, in every 
 inst'inee. 1/ t us here i-n lu;le our friend GeoriJi^e Walker, our 
 judge advocate gener .1, w!io lived with me, took more than a 
 r.ommou share Oi':a!!;;iie ;ui I loll, Nvhodid all in hm power to 
 
 f 
 
•' ' 
 
 44 
 
 furlhcr llic srrvice in the corps of spies. 1 have myself 
 
 been in a bad state of health from first to last ; a violent 
 tliarrh(E;v has jmrsued inc ten days past : and reduced me ex- 
 tremely low ; 1 had resolved to continue with the line of 
 inarch a little, if unable to ride. There are yet many things 
 of which] wish to write; they relate substantially to pro- 
 spective operations. Soon shall I have the honor to address 
 your Excellency again. In the mean tin?e be assured of 
 the perfect considevation and high regards of your obedient 
 friend and servant. 
 
 (Signed) SAMUEL HOPKINS, 
 
 ^1 
 
 I i 
 
 : ' I.I 
 
 I ;■, 
 
 a 
 
 f , i 
 
 ii 
 
 tl 
 
 .til I 
 
 •I I 
 
 ■111 
 
 Ii. 
 
 1 
 
 
 ''I ''l' JJ 
 
 '1 '' ' I 
 
ve myself 
 a violent 
 ed me ex- 
 ile line of 
 my thiiif^^s 
 ly to pro- 
 ;o address 
 ssured of 
 r obedieut 
 
 [NS. 
 
 EL p: 
 
 LETTER THE FOVRTIL 
 
 •It .•••tt*«*** 
 
 THOUGHT my last would close the sinking year : 
 Winter bc'{:ran to spread his mantle drear : 
 But war isrous'd, with wild and savage form. 
 His visage lurid as the light'ning's storm. 
 Around he swings his blood-stain'd burning brand. 
 Carnage his cry, and slaughter his command. 
 
 From that deep hostile flood, Ohio's stream 
 Tlic nurse of //frof*. and the nation's theme, 
 Another army General Tupper led (1) 
 
 t where w ild Miami his current spread, 
 here fields of corn, an ample harvest crown'd, 
 ^Ip^e broken saplings rang'd in order round ; 
 There it was said — an English force appear'd 
 To guard the corn, an Indian tribe had fear'd : 
 But Indian tribes — when once on hostile giound, 
 Reijuire no guard —as soon the Yankees found. 
 
 •Si 
 
I 
 
 ] I f' 
 
 I H 
 
 .» 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 j> It) 
 
 I 
 
 l« 
 
 in 
 
 li; i; ! 
 
 
 II 
 
 • m !■ 
 
 « 
 
 46 
 
 Tupper aJvancM to where with sullen roar, 
 Tho rapi.ls fling their foam upon the shore, 
 lie there encauip'd, as safely as he mi^^ht. 
 And Itt the morn, almost wear out liie ni^ht. 
 Silent he lay ; still was the sleeping breeze, 
 AVhen hustling motion shook the trembling trees, 
 Starting, the General rose, and looking round, 
 BclievM he heard the din of battle sound. 
 Long on his naked feet he had not stood. 
 When fearful forms mov'd slowly through the wood. 
 One shaggy head he saw, with bristling hair, 
 "Whose little eyes shot forth an eager stare. 
 
 " To arms," cried Tupper," foes are lurking nigh," 
 To arms they spring, resolv'd to fight or die. 
 Just as the General spoke, a hog then near 
 Bristled his back, and snorting fled from fear. 
 Another, and another onward hied, 
 *' To arms, again the wary General cried, 
 " We are snrpris'd, the foe has gather'd round, 
 " I hear his horses trample on the ground." 
 
 Loud htat the drum, they march'd upon the foe. 
 And made among the hogs a warlike show. 
 The grunting enemy began to fly, 
 Tupper roar'd out with a vociferous cry, 
 *' Pursue, pursue, follow the flying foe." — 
 The day had newly dawned, they did not know. 
 Remembering each his own dark shagu'y face. 
 The difftrence 'tween the hogs, and human race ; 
 But when the sun shot light among the shade. 
 The great diacovery was promptly male. 
 
4t 
 
 Toor liickio88 swiiie — more fiorce llie r.ipjor rncc 
 WIkii all llieliunj^ry soKliers knew the cliace : 
 l,<Mi(i scjiieakM llie liogs — bleeding on every hide, 
 Aiiil llie rich booty -wassurvcy'd wilh pride. 
 
 lint who co;uc.s o'er the flo:)d ? — a cliar^^cr brave 
 AVliile as tiie fo.im, breasting tlio rapid wave j 
 I'lold and erect the rider's stately form. 
 His eye-balls fliushing an indignant storm; 
 Through the deep flood onward the warrior press'd. 
 His (piiverat his back — his spear at rest. 
 Around bis body Wampum beads were strung 
 And to his knee the fringed otter hung ; 
 O'er his dark brow, a plume offjathers liigU 
 In varied colours pointed to the sky. 
 Turcniost he comes, leading his warrior baud 
 With each his torhahawk and bow in hand. 
 The chief of Wyandot ; a warlike name. 
 Dear to his tribe, and terrible his fame. 
 Onward he came, the Yankees scatter'd round 
 Beheld his charger spurn the rocky ground. 
 As when a hawk, just darting ou his prey 
 Beholds the fowler near, and flilts away ; 
 So, from their booty fled, Columbia*s band, 
 Tupper was foremost — scarce he touched the land, 
 Wyandot's arrows reach'd them in their flight. 
 And hogs and men lay scatter'd in his sight, 
 Then o'er the flood, he plough'd his watery way,' 
 And left the beateu foe to steal away. 
 
 ''31 
 
 f 
 
17 
 "1. 
 
 I ill ' 
 
 It. 
 
 ( 
 
 ,1 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 I 
 
 HI 
 
 1' 
 
 
 1' 
 
 ^I'H' 
 
 
 [4 
 
 !! 
 
 If 
 
 i. ;i 
 
 ir . 
 
 .i 
 
 
 :t 
 
 H 
 
 / 
 
 d 
 
 :||i 
 
 
 b 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 ! 
 
 48 
 
 A'tt lliis base enterprise became the Ihemc 
 Of ;i (li ;»:iteb — liow iiiiicli llicse jKople dreHiii^ 
 AikI ev« ry iiiouiihiiii hibuiirs >villi a mouse, 
 Trom \\w greul iirmy to the Senate House. 
 
 But ;ts I write, exulting from the sliore, 
 Loud voices swell and j^uns be<;in to roar, 
 'J'error uuNYontcd, fills my anxious mind : 
 At (lisliince shivcr'd by the truant wind 
 Wliilc sails appear — signals are flying round; 
 Ami the fort guns bellow a joyful sound. 
 () shade of Nelson, could thy soul but trace 
 Yon waving banner — badge of our disgrace. 
 That Hag thy blood was nobly given to save. 
 For whose defence thou tilld'st an early grave ; 
 Coulds't thou but see the British Lion tame. 
 His annals tiirnish'd, on the list of fame ; 
 Yon ship behold, whose lofty tow'ring crest 
 Stood like a gem on Neptune's royal breast. 
 In bondage led by foes of little fame. 
 Thou wouldst with scorn renounce a Briton's name. 
 
 Yet not the MacedoHian — shade of worth, 
 JDemands thy censure on this venal earth. 
 But lliose wiio guide the helm of Britain's stale. 
 And force her heroes on the rocks of fate : 
 Those servile Statesmen who have interest here. 
 
 And cheat the public eye, the public ear ; 
 Speak of Americans — as Britain's friends. 
 Such friendship as the poison'd adder sends. 
 When in his path the careless wanderer stray*. 
 
 Led by the beauty of its flow'ry maze. 
 
 -ML 
 
 m 
 
49 
 
 Can blear cy'd injury, tlie wron^'d forgive ? 
 Or envy die, and worth unspotted live ? 
 Can men respect, or love what thoy defamJB ? 
 Or cliildrcn love their sire — and scorn his name P 
 
 Tho' parly strugjfles for a time divide 
 These sons ofinterest, and ignoble pride ; 
 Let but their vanity, with victory's fame, ('2) 
 Swell into faith, the prowess of their name j . 
 All will with one accord urge on the strife. 
 To humble England — each would give his life. 
 This limb rebellion severM from her side. 
 They thought would change her form, and wound her pride ; 
 Untj o'er the world, as they behold her sway. 
 Great as she soars — to nothing they decay : 
 And tlius with envy, and with hatred burn. 
 And their resentment on her glory turn. 
 
 Too long has England borne these sons of strife. 
 To spurn her pow'r, threaten her valu'd life. 
 Insult the honor of her princely crown, (3) 
 And pull the sacred rights of nations down. 
 Long has she injuries, and wrongs endur'd. 
 Her ministers insulted, seamen lur'd 
 Whose pow'r, as now, against their country hurl'd. 
 Shakes e'en herself— whose prowess shook the world. 
 
 A serpent in the egg is easy slain, 
 
 "Without the waste of blood — or cost or pain ; 
 
 But when he tries his strength, and eager grows 
 
 To circumvent with wary wiles his foes, 
 
 'Tis harder much to bend his forehead low ; 
 
 Or once triumphant crush the daring foe. 
 
 G 
 
 1 f |'> ■ 
 
 it' 
 
 
I 
 
 11 
 
 \i 
 
 m I 
 
 I ' I 
 
 I ;;: 
 
 
 £0 
 
 Tliis cOiiiilry is nnkiiown, like a mile cliil«l, 
 ('oiniimiid sliould Icacli it, nnd not |)rcH'L|»l mild; 
 C'onciliiitioii llicy iiiiscoiislriK; /V^r, 
 And miikc iih |nirtliusc riiiMidsliip unich too d«ar. 
 "J'is IJ()n;i|>:iii(; llicy lovo — he likfi Ihciiisclvcs, 
 Is uiie orioitiiiii's N(;ir-crealcd rlvcs ; 
 And Itraiililul that s(dr-rrfatiori smiles, 
 Wluii iioldisorac'd, by mean dchasi..^^ wdc«, 
 
 When honor, Iriilh, or valour, i;ivps a crown, 
 And pow'r, with mercy, Hcals the brightrcuown : 
 Or when rare jj^enius dignified by worthy 
 (Jraces with beauty the dull ^ar!) of birth ; 
 Then is it lovely, like a clondy ni^ht, 
 AVhcn stars burst forth, with Ireole lustre bright. 
 
 Not such is Bonaparte — by fraud array M, 
 ('licck'd by no crime— of no base deed afraid, 
 lie sei/cs glory with a rufKun hand, 
 And holds o'er worth the shackles of command, 
 Like Satan, for a lime supremely great. 
 He bafrits justice and the will of fate ; 
 'Till — swelling more and more with abject pride 
 The bul)!»le bursts ; his sinews all divide, 
 To notiiing siirink — from whence his pow'r began, 
 And .vay/i/w^*" sometliing more, is less than man. 
 
 Dut I am call'd from this unworthy theme, 
 j'o bright Niagara's wildly rolling stream : 
 
 Where the remains of tiio north-western band, 
 In warlike attitude, and armour stand. 
 For Smytlithey call — a democrat in grain, (4) 
 Aud liireakii Chippewa's fair cultur'd plain. 
 
.Sinvlli heard liis namr, and juiiiping at Ibc sound. 
 Above iiis Iliad Uouruli'd I118 mcujjoii round : 
 So loud his dc'i|) Nltntoiiuu voice was heard, 
 That t cho Irt niblcd lo rc|K!ut the word, 
 Likr the roujjjh H'Aj'rot/t issued lorlh in foam 
 Ah slender thought— left a more .v/cM(/tr home. 
 Ideas were not there— his tender brain 
 Not one of lliesr, had suHatancc to contain, 
 r.iit words he spntlrr'd, at a ready rale, 
 A»id sent hiH oratory round iho Slate. 
 
 Up sprung his myrmidons, a rabble band, 
 Tiie refuse even, of tiiis refuse land ', 
 A mullifarious mob to^etiier run, 
 To ^uard the laurels they liad never won. 
 To L^uard the nation's warlike, noble fame, 
 Support its honor and exalt ils name. 
 
 Yield then your faith — and see the mighty foe, 
 Flourish their eager weapons as they go. 
 Sec them with desperation urge the fray. 
 And act a bloody warfare on the way ; 
 The woods their fury feci — the echo's groan, 
 The distant rapids send, a fearful moan. 
 Thus march they on, with rage terrific, wild. 
 And fright the mother from her sleeping child. 
 
 Poor Canada ! when such a dreadful foe 
 Hangs on thy skirts dost thou the danger know i* 
 I see thy forests, and thy vallies fair, 
 Uni Jouded yet by terror or despair. 
 The time was morning, at the peep of dawn. 
 And the fresh dew hung 011 the spangled lawn, 
 
 m 
 
 M 
 
■ 
 
 w 
 
 * IT; 
 
 I I 
 
 i ■ i ; (I 
 
 - li'; 
 
 ^■■■^- '■' ' 
 
 J -!il, Jill 
 
 
 s engagOj 
 the fray, /* 
 
 When liirkless Erie's lake heheld the band. 
 Of dreadful warriors, on her margin sta^^.d; 
 There where she narrows her condensing wave. 
 And steals compact to herapproaclnng grave. 
 Stood the strong baud, and gaz'd on t'other shore. 
 And on its sons, their threat' ning fury p(»ur. 
 
 The General had some qualms — his fire burnt low. 
 He 'ouldnot learn the number of his foe. 
 The winds blew hard, the rapids foam'd around. 
 He did not like their terrifying sound. 
 He loiler'd thus, 'till wild with heat and rage. 
 His tioops the very rocks, and stones engag?j 
 Like a small cur wheu tiger turns aw; 
 Bays at his heels, and eager seeks the 
 So these were mad at the unsceu delay, 
 And to their boats th y rush, with deadly zeal, 
 The General then unsheath'd his laisrhty steel : 
 Three cheers were given, as they left the shore. 
 And joy kept time to the resounding oar. 
 When in an instant every voice was still — 
 The row-locks groan'd ; drops from the oars dtstill 
 As pois'd thry lie each side the tottering boat. 
 That now unguided, only seem'd to float. 
 Can prescience, divine the secret rause 
 That brought these heroes to sc dead a pause ? 
 No common sight it was, but gaping wide. 
 Two eighteen-pounders stood, on Erie's side. 
 To welcome th^ir approach to Erie's shore ; 
 But things like these — they never fac'd before. 
 Each jostled slyly for the farthest side 
 With ea^y looks as nothing he espi'd j 
 
' /?^ 
 
 d3 
 
 And put llie boats in motion like the sea, 
 
 Tlie trenibiiiig wave — 'tis u luhc sin.ilie. 
 
 Such hcroi s couUl not quake — it is was the boat. 
 
 The boats ail KJiook, and would no further llout 
 
 Then back they ply with speed the willing oar. 
 
 And land upon the spot they Itft bLJore. 
 
 The GenLial first rtach'd the iViondly ground. 
 
 His red eyes flashing valour, all around. 
 
 He rav'd, his orders had been disobey 'd. 
 
 For in thq night, he sout a light brigade 
 
 To spike the guns — spike all thol could be found. 
 
 That they might land, on fair and open ground. 
 
 This mean, this base, and cowardly neglect. 
 The ardour of his fiery troops had check'd. 
 
 But rum and breakfast rous'd a warlike heat. 
 And loud again the drums began to beat. 
 Again, three cheers rung through the dusky wood 
 As in their boats again, the heroi'S stood. 
 And push'd triumphant from their native shore 
 The General, as a leader should, befo "e — 
 Thtir eyes, their ears, were now lesol'M to brave 
 Ten thousand guns — nor heed a trembling wave ; 
 These silly gu»»s — they had no* yet forgot 
 But steady kept their eyes upon the spot ; 
 And all undaunted stood, like heroes bold. 
 Grasping each firelock with a nervous hold. 
 
 When on the breeze — along the lake waa borne. 
 The loud shrill 3cho, of a buglo-horn, 
 As the quick ligiit'ning flash'd the General's eye. 
 While all the rest stood dumb, and •ileut by. 
 
I« 
 
 i'l 
 
 4 
 
 i. ''M 
 
 ■ ^' i 
 
 i|! 
 
 ;|! 
 
 ^illlll 
 
 M! 
 
 if 
 
 I li 
 
 II 
 
 ;l! * 
 
 M 
 
 :;it 
 
 il 
 I' 
 
 5t 
 
 Halt, cry'd then leader — storms arc liov'ung near. 
 Hall for awhile, uiilil llio cloudy arc clear. 
 No clouds were there, britjhl wa.s tlic azure sky. 
 But the broad sua dazzled the Geiural's eye. 
 High ill the zenith hlazM his fervid lig^hl. 
 Half-way advanc'd towards the shades of night. 
 
 The welkin now was still — the air serene. 
 The General rous'd once more, his sleeping spkat, 
 His courage rose — " for Canada push on, 
 *' The way is clear — the heavy clouds arc gone," 
 He spoke, as bray'd along the distant rango 
 Tlia haughty bugle with its warlike chan-i^e. 
 Still stood the knight, of all his honors shorn. 
 Forgetful hero — why not have spik'd the horn ? 
 '• Back — back he cry'd, row, row, with speed away, 
 " That Canada, I cannot take to-aay," 
 
 With some great men antipathies are horn ; 
 This hero could not bear a bugle-horn : 
 His troops when landed, homeward hied with speed, 
 They had antipathies, to fight and bleed. 
 From this small cause all Canada vras sav'd. 
 And Britain's banner still triumphant wav'd. 
 
 Like Smyth, to our defects we all are blind, 
 Our own antipathies can seldom find. 
 Perhaps I wander nowm darkness dire 
 Without one spark of bright poetic fire. 
 And at a distance sounds — with breathless scorn. 
 At my tfc ity — the bugle-horn. 
 
 Dccemher, 1812. 
 
55 
 
 NOTEfi TO LETTER THE FOURTH. 
 
 1 
 
 Anothn' aryuij (ivnerol 'I'lippcr led. 
 (if iieral Turpcr was (Iciaclicd by Gciu'ial Ilfirrison to tint 
 rapids ()( the !^li;!Mii, l^ drive oH"a hostile force assembled 
 tin re to take uwny a ([tiantity o! corn then reniaiiiin|,^ in the 
 tieiils. His ofKri'-'.! account oF tlie expedition, his men chas- 
 ing lioL^s — and hciuir in turn cliase'l by the Indians, has af- 
 fonled annisemeiit even in America. 
 
 «» • 
 
 Let hut their vnriiif wifh r'ic1ory''sfamc. 
 The rapture of the (iuerriere and AIa(((h)iiian \vaC\ so swol- 
 len liieir pride, tlie Americans had no doubt h-it they really 
 "vvcre a race of superior beings, ev<Mi men wiio oiiL!,hl l'.> have 
 kiio\vn better, bep:an to reaso.i on the sul)ject, and very wise- 
 ly 1(11 you, that tl.'C j)hysical force of the Enulisli, was n<»t 
 «(pial to that of ti)eir free me ; they forgot that ail thi ir 
 Itesl sailors were ilnulish : For England is not yel aware, 
 how luuch she has been fought !jv her ow!.\ suhj cl«. 
 
 :3. " 
 
 ItisiiU the honor of her prlncchj * rn. 
 
 No true Englishman tan forget the i >\v, insulting inso- 
 leiKte penned by Madison, dictating lo the Kovi! Ma|(sty«>f 
 Kngland the duties of a King, and what woidd best coii.iA'jrl. 
 wllli his honor. — Madison a judge of Princiy honor ! wlv 
 has not himself found outthe duties of a guntltnian, the ljr-»t 
 of which is truth. 
 
 4. 
 For Smyth they call — a democrat in grain. 
 
 General Srnylh succeeded Van Rennsselear. Eikepiip 
 pets these Generals enter, vaunt, swagger, and disappear 
 the one coming now on the lield of action is unitjue, nor i'j 
 it easy to know which to admire uiost — his proclamation lo 
 the men of New-York ; his address to his soldiers; or his 
 own account of the failure of his expedition against Canada 
 — 1 will (jTiotea fnnall tn.nscript m each — In i)ie fir>t of tiiese 
 
06 
 
 irr 
 
 •I 
 m 
 
 vm 
 
 ' ' . 
 
 i ( 
 
 lie says: " The valour of llie American people has been 
 " coiispicu( us ; but tlie uation has I)ppu uu(ortunate iii the 
 srloction ofsomooflhose who havf dirrctodit. One army 
 has been ( 'sj^Mace'ully su.rfndfred aufl 'ost. Another has 
 bten sa( rifif od, the cause of these miscarriages is appa- 
 rent, the commanders wcie popular men — destitute alike 
 uf tlieory and experience in the art of war — in a few days 
 the troops under ini/ command, will plant the American 
 " standard in f'anada, they are nien accustomed to ohedi- 
 '* rnce, silence, and steadiness ; they will conqueror die — 
 ** will yon stand with yonr arms folded and look on in this 
 interesting!: strue:e:lp ? Must I turn from you, and ask the 
 menoftlieSix Nations to support the <;overnment of the 
 United States. Shall I imitate the officers of the British 
 Kini;, and suffer our unp:atlier( d laurels to be tarnished by 
 ruthless deeds — shamt' where is thy blush — no — advance 
 then to our aid — I will wait for you a few days — I cannot 
 tiive you the day of my <!eparture — but cou'e on — come in 
 companies, half c<»m|;atiies, pairs orsiu^^ly — I will orga- 
 nize you for a short lour ; ride to this place if the distance 
 is far — and send back your horses." 
 Next in his address to his soldiers he says: *' Thetime is 
 at hand when vou will cross the streRm of Niaj^ara to con- 
 quer Canada — you will enter a country that is to be otic 
 " of the United Slates — I will order forty dollars to be paid 
 " for the arms and spoils of each savaye warrior who shall 
 " be killed. — Your are superior in number to the enemy, 
 " your personal strength and activity are greater, your 
 " weapons are longer ; the reu:ular soldiers of the enemy arc 
 " P' nerally eld men whose best years have been spent in the 
 " sickly climale ol the Wfst-Indies, they will not be able to 
 " stand before vou, when vou (hargc them with the bay- 
 ** onet. 
 
 In about a forlniufht aCter this heroic haranrrue, having 
 embarked and re-embaijfed several times, the redoubled 
 General screwing up hi., courage to the highest pitch, and 
 resolute to roncpier, embarked fnr the last time, but found 
 his strained strings give way at the vibrati(m of a bugle- 
 horn, and he gave up the enterprise with this excuse in his 
 dispatch : 
 
 " Thcaflair at Qu 'nstown is a eautoij against relying 
 
67 
 
 i has been 
 imte ill ihe 
 
 One ;irmy 
 Another lias 
 es is appa- 
 titiite alike 
 a few days 
 i American 
 1 to obedi- 
 er or die — 
 
 on in litis 
 md ask the 
 itnt of the 
 the Britisli 
 inished hy 
 I — advance 
 — I cannot 
 1 — come in 
 
 will orga- 
 le distance 
 
 peace, 
 
 
 rhetime k 
 ara to con- 
 to he one 
 to be paid 
 who shall 
 le enemy, 
 ater, your 
 enemy arc 
 )ent in the 
 be able to 
 1 the bav- 
 
 s, having 
 redoubled 
 •itch, and 
 but found 
 fa buglc- 
 ise in his 
 
 st relying 
 
 H 
 
l«ita^MM 
 
 H 
 
 LETTER THE FIFTH. 
 
 i ^i 
 
 n 
 
 i! 
 
 A 
 
 T your command again the lines I trace. 
 That paint the follies of Columbia's race. 
 At your command alone, the theme renevr. 
 And promise that the picture shall be true. 
 You ask what stir the little hero made 
 Finding his early hopes and laurels fade ? 
 
 Before to Washington the tidings flew 
 Of those disaters — which to all accrue. 
 So great his hopes — ^his little busy mind. 
 To his good fortune torpid and resigned. 
 Thought only how to hold the chair of state. 
 And four years more be Madison the Great. 
 On his soft couch at noon-day he reclin'd, 
 Conning a speech in his capacious mind. 
 To suit his Congress the ensuing year. 
 Which was, with his election, drawing near. 
 
69 
 
 t'p from his hcd — by iorae rcflcclion stung*. 
 On his smalt feet, atone quick jerk he sprunsr i 
 " Mammoth," he cry'd, " 1 have enough lodo 
 " To court, bribe, flatter, aye and threaten too." 
 Then pausinu:, ground his teeth, and mutter'd low. 
 Some h)ng soliloquy, to curse his foe : 
 " Those dastard English, that I hate to name, 
 ' They blow my wits, he said, into aflame, 
 " My brains evaporate in fume and smoke, 
 
 " Their orders at an hour like this revoke 1 
 
 •' From fear of this, I went before my means, 
 
 " Began the war ; wkat now my secret screens ? 
 
 " 1 must not tell the world, 'tis for my friend 
 
 *' The contest I began — and mean to end, 
 
 •' Should he not prosper — what is then my state ? 
 
 " Bui that's impossible his will is fate. — 
 
 *' Can I then fabricate, with easy face ? 
 
 " Compunction show ! no not the slightest trace, 
 
 *' I rule the realm — and can say what 1 please, 
 
 " Can add, suppress, or change, to suit my ease ; 
 
 " To plan the lie is all I have to do, 
 
 " M\ honest democrats will swear ^tis true, 
 
 " And tlio' the wise may not believe the tale 
 
 ♦* So small that number — it can nought avail." 
 
 Here triumph secm'd to swell the little man. 
 He hugg'd his wisdom, chuckled at his plan. 
 And wheeling round — shaking his joyful head, 
 He saw a messenger dispatches spread. 
 These told the Wabash u'i/d/iV* and retreat. 
 Of Wyandot — the hog chase, and defeat. 
 
J 
 
 4f: 
 
 \ if i 
 
 1 1(1" 'h 
 
 \i 
 
 \l 
 
 :. \ m 
 
 The cajole caught his rye, his seal and crest ; 
 The hanuer of his pride he thus address'd : 
 
 " Thou bird of Jove tell me thy graciouM will, 
 " Au«l 1 thy son will eveiy wish fuKil ; 
 " Must I still hold the Presidential seat ? 
 *' Or is my ruin, dearest bird, complete." 
 Then he the documents read hasty o'er. 
 And into fragments every item tore. 
 Then curs'd his stars — and curs'd his luckless fate, 
 Curs'd the condition of his envied state. 
 " 'Tis mine," he said, " to plan, not execute, 
 *' Thus in the power of every coward brute — 
 " Cowards they ar- — who mean to punish me, 
 " Scared by false fire ; is this their victory ? 
 ♦* Went they but out to hunt a drove of hogs ? 
 " Pack as they are, of yelping cur-like dogs : 
 " Why now my next election is not sure, (1) 
 " I cannot, no 1 cannot, this endure/^ 
 Here the poor President began to cry. 
 Wiping large rolling drops from either eye. 
 His woeful strain echo'd the palace through. 
 And to the tragic scene his Dolly drew. 
 
 " Are you a man," the gentle lady cry'd. 
 Placing her arms a-kimbo on her side. 
 He caught her attitude, and, strutting bold, 
 PausM, as her mind the gentle lady told : 
 
 '* If you're a man — go form some project new, 
 ♦' To hide the truth, from every party's view, 
 ** Impeach your Generals — cut oti'every head (2} 
 " And hurl them at the fee, they are but lead. 
 
 ■■iS 
 
61 
 
 *' Tlius \vill tlrv hrttrr servo yon nuc nn'l nIK 
 '• As tlit'ii pcnliiuice, o.ie foo hy ili in urty iall ; 
 ** Or weave a tissue of j^oo 1 Vaiiko • lies, 
 ' ('iinniii;; y<»u kn')Nv, ctiii da/zle folly's cyns, 
 "• Lies art' tlio frnH of your loiiu; cliprislrd tree, 
 " Nay root aiil hruiifh, of your lovM lihcrty ; 
 " in a republic llieseseetls will grow, 
 " Kasy tlic culture, nor the ripening slow ; 
 " Tln^se flourisji lirst — tlie soil is rank and niJ(I, 
 •' ^^hrulJS of more worth, by faction long cxilM.*' 
 True, Dolly true — in characters of gold. 
 That fact should l»e, by wisdom's hand enrolTd : 
 Mild beauty, cannot tame a poison'd snake 
 Or make the vulgar — vulgar ways forsake; 
 The hog regards not in the flowr'y fields 
 The btids and blossoms nature's bosom vields ; 
 Mor can the many -headed mob be tam'd, 
 By laws of virtue which they never fram'd. 
 They only know to eat, drink, sleep, and roar. 
 And legislate beside a tavern door. 
 Dolly went on but with a mildei eye, 
 Gaz'd on her lord, while he stood quaking by : 
 " Mobs must be cozen'd, cheated, as they cheat, 
 ** Guile is their law — make you that law complete. 
 " Yon tablet mark upon the buzzard's wing, 
 •^ The eagle suffers little birds to sing, 
 " Seeming to say, he has a power ifhuil'd 
 " Sufficient to destroy the feather'd world, 
 *f And yet the mocking-bird will strike his pate, 
 *' And make liim feel the terrors of his hale. 
 
1 
 
 1 
 
 jfe 
 
 
 i ' 
 
 i " 
 
 (V i 
 
 1 ' 
 
 ffi 
 
 ,, 
 
 ■ 
 
 ., r 
 
 , 
 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 |i: 
 
 
 ?"■■ 
 
 ! ! 
 
 'Il.l . 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 
 ■ '" 'i - 
 
 ' 
 
 1 '. 
 
 *»-l 
 
 'fl 
 
 ^> 
 
 
 •' IIo is uo«'!i^:Ir — 'tis a Iviii.; stor>. 
 
 " No aiiti.ils liis ol" ram • — ur ray «»J ijl"ry, 
 
 " A jiiMit' iiiM l>:t/./>iii'(l, liL* (m:i ciis-i iKi iii^liet', 
 
 " lircd ioi* a sravfii^^iT, iii ilirl uiiJ inirw, 
 
 " Vet hoasliii^- loti<<; uf iiis ntdnublrd ii;uiit», 
 
 " All 'iiuiitli his Mluiiilanl Itc lias Uugitt llie NUiae.' 
 
 Aaollicr a\ioiii thai c>\|>l.iiits llm causu 
 
 VViiv all tiio Viiikut'S siiii; llicir oivii ap^)lati»e, 
 
 Wurth |)iits nu label lo her siiiiplc cruwn, 
 
 'lis Iriilh sjocuils the y;ruce olhiyjli icnown, 
 
 Nul envy's shatle can hulo her iiecrlus* ray, 
 
 1-^x.alted wuilh is cleat' as upeii day. 
 
 Nu oriiaineitt she ii( eds to grace her inicii, 
 
 A uob!<; soul Ih.oiigh every guise is seen. 
 
 ** Brag then dear IV. sidenl, and bluster too ; 
 
 '• 'Tis ail our fortune leaves us now to do ; 
 
 " Deealur blusl ers, Iho' ho beat the foe, 
 
 " ^onielhiiij' li»ere is, he would not have one know/* 
 
 " IMraw ! |)shaw ! the peevisli President rejdy'd, 
 " These follows sing their |ut'ans far and wide, 
 I |Hill" Iheni too, hut laugh within n»y sleeve. 
 
 For this short victory they all will grieve ; 
 Antl what in truth the glory after all ? 
 With such great o<lds, the victory is small. 
 Boasting with odds — proves to the haughty foe, 
 Our own inferiority we know ; 
 Great, and immortal, gi aces e^ery name, 
 Tho' lighting ten to one — 'tis all the same/* 
 Fani<' is a stranger, husband — yet to us, 
 Wh( n »he is ours, we shall not make u fuss 
 
 << 
 
 ■• '^'^ \m 
 
(;:< 
 
 '• If wr nic rqual, wilh tlio grraJ, and wise, 
 •' Thill Irur «<niiilily ^ivcs no Hurprisc : 
 '* But iihy vluinve tfsc ImmI a niiiii of Hkill ; 
 " Viv brag, and lioiist, l<> br tliouglil equal still." 
 
 " A tnircdnar Dolly, with tliy moral pralo, 
 " Alll« sons of inoralily 1 hate. 
 " Betorcthr Senate mwls 'lis mine to sliow, 
 " How minli 1 try to reeoncilc llir foe. 
 
 " That friendly Russian— he's the very man 
 " I mean shall exeente m^ able plan. 
 " llis Kuv'Tunu nt the tool, I niran to n»e, 
 " France j, icM hini here, he nothin;j^ can refuse, (!)) 
 " His master's mediation, 1 shall siiy, 
 " I'oinls to the bourne of peace the nearest way ; 
 
 " (food-natur'd Warren will believe the tale, 
 
 " And let my ministers in safety sail ; 
 
 " Then they may ^osccmiug as if hif chamr, 
 
 " If he so wills it — to our fritind in France. 
 
 " Kijjiand and Russia I cajole with ease, 
 
 " Ahd make them think exactly what I please. 
 
 " These ancient nJitions in their tlota^e seem, 
 " They trust to honor — trust a lleelin^f dream. 
 " A fig for honor — and a nation's pride. 
 Get pow'r and money — as the father cry'd. 
 Get money honestly— //»o you can. 
 If not get money son —be that your plan. 
 ** The beatcH track, that nations long have trac'd 
 " Of sacred faith — seems but a dreary waste, 
 " On a great scale nature our country drew, 
 " Aud allis great, and wonderful wt: do. 
 
 t. 
 
 K 
 
 I 
 
 
ll ' ''^» 
 
 1i 
 
 
 61 
 
 *' No rulrs can i^uuV', or musty Iriicts ioiilioi 
 
 " Thi: iiLC Aii.iricau'»t uusliaikloJ soul, 
 
 " CdiMiiig in vvi.>»uoin — lut wl>o cuu lifsl licceive, 
 
 " W lit 10 Uid ^^olid, Ihc ubti':>t record kuve. 
 
 " Bui 1 iiatbl .^uo lliu inot>— my k'vuo see, 
 
 " AiiA wiitv u Hpi'C'cliol' do \\ aright mysUry ; (4) 
 
 '* Tin re U s lln; wrl, to iiniko a yearly M|Kecli, 
 
 " Tlialiio OIK cuullie intent or inruning roach. 
 
 " III this our lireal jihilosojilur * und I 
 
 " With all our eiierjjfy and ardour vie, 
 
 " lie can full tic, but in btttcrnlraiii 
 
 " I can be sly — unknown my thoui;hts remain, 
 
 " Wliilc ho is hiintiiiir lionuMl froj^s f«>r fume, 
 
 '* And HWidliiiy; out a monstrous Mammotk name, 
 
 " 1 makclong Ktridos towarils imperial sway, 
 
 *' But do it, in a little, cunning way, 
 
 *' He keops my secrets, yet I him deceive, 
 
 " And catch him in a net, as spiders weave/* 
 
 But for awhih: let Madison remain 
 To make his speech, in his own cunning strain, 
 I must conclude, greeting the sullen year. 
 That shows his wint'ry form in storms severe. 
 Impatient to retire he hurries fast. 
 Already has November spent his blast. 
 And hangs on dark December's gloomy eve. 
 Loud howling storms their hollow grottos leave. 
 And winter enters with his snow and sleet, 
 Infoldiuij "i^ture in her winding sheet : 
 
 * INlr. Jefferson. 
 
#$ 
 
 It', 
 
 Amid the pnllilcsii waste — the trembling deer, 
 No food; iiui* lierhiigo, nur a bliclter near, 
 Hcliolds lliL* nil mua his Ir.ick pursue, 
 And meets liis fnte, no rcfup^c ia his view. 
 Hi.s criiiisuii blood diMtains the glitt'riii^^ snow, 
 And from his breust condensing rubicij tlow. 
 
 Tlie tender linnet on the naked ijpray, 
 Is swept foilorn by driving stormM away ; 
 Tlic het^ling vessel bni din;,' L* the winds, 
 'I'lic port approach s, but no harbour find**, 
 'i lie (Iriviny; snow niisliads the pilot's Nit{lit, 
 Anil day assumes llie senibliince of tlie ni;;lit, 
 ISoon on the rocks she beats her bilgin;Lj Iruaio, (o) 
 And terror's cry, up((n tiie tc'nj|)est came, 
 Aiiionj,^ the waves that v/ildly foam and roar. 
 Are scaltcr'd timbers drifting for the shore. 
 
 Soft pity's eye Ih' awful scene snrvey'd, 
 Fearless of death, in his worst tjarb array 'd. 
 And still she braves the storm, in hopes to save 
 Soirie luckless wanderer from the briny wave. 
 While as she stood, three human shapes appear. 
 That on a raft were driving onward near : 
 Then overwhelru'd, they seem'd lorcver gone 
 But rose again and rusIiM impetuous on ; 
 The threatening wave, higli swelling roli'd behind 
 More mountain like — press'd by a strongt. wind. 
 This, the rude raft, with treble fury bore, 
 Aud heav'd it high upon the rocky shore, 
 
 III 
 
66 
 
 Jk 
 
 U 
 
 0;- 
 
 II, 
 
 11' 
 
 ill 
 
 Three sliivciiig- lucn cluiijj to a broken mast. 
 And ou the rock, as liltless forms were cast ; 
 The hull tlun severM — sunk — was seen no iiioiCj 
 
 Except in fraj^mcnl's driflin.: to the shore. 
 
 The lucklcsLilrio jj utlc [nly bore 
 
 To charity's b uii^ii, an.l open door ; 
 
 Where warmth restor'd to life, each manly frame. 
 
 And biessifijirs hallow'd pity's holv name 
 
 These oflhe crew, wer»; all that she could save i 
 
 The rest were buried iu a wale y grave. 
 
 December t 1812. 
 
 
 !i 
 
 .4 
 'I" 
 
 n*:!!! 
 
 ■.Llilil. 
 
 
67 
 
 NOTES TO LLTTER THE FIFTH. 
 
 !ti 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 W/ii/ now vnj next election is nof sure. 
 
 The ill. a|)p()iu;ineiit of Mr. Madison at Ine result of Uiist 
 
 canipai*:!! was so much lhc};re;itf r, as no douhls \\,u\ hot n ever 
 
 ciiteriaiiied of »i.' ea^y coimjiksI of Caiiachi, should this great 
 
 jteopU; once att;uk it ; and the dread lest tlu' ill success ot" 
 
 their anus miglit hive an nnfa\oi:«hle (lit tt on fho next 
 
 Presii'ential ( ie tion, which was to tiike place in Ihe oiisii- 
 
 iri'i Marvh, gave no small ularni lo the ch.el ujaL;istrale and 
 
 hiii train of followers, 
 
 o 
 
 Impeach your Generals — cut ojf^ cverij head. 
 Dolly's advice hasii since heen tnken, iind (jieneral Hull 
 sentenced by a court-hiartial to he shot — Ihe charges against 
 iiiin were for treason and cowardice, which were sii|)j»(;rtcJ 
 by the evidence of his own ofiici rs, \vho had been rapidly 
 promoted between the time of his capture and trial ; and this 
 pronioliun it was believed added not a liltic to the aspi rity 
 of theii evidence ; the governn»ent wanted a Uiunflc for their 
 own folly. 
 
 The principle proof and mark of cowardice urged against 
 the General was Ins drivelling tobacco, and rul)bing it all 
 over his iface, which in ordinary times was confined to the 
 circle of his moulh. He was charged with treason, for send- 
 ing his baggage unguarded down the lake, before he knew 
 war was declared, nothing but rumour h'wing reached him ; 
 and he alleges that government promised him in April, that 
 ' should not take place before July . 
 
 3. 
 France placed hhi here — he nothings can refuse. 
 This government at that time considered Russia as com- 
 pletely in the power of Franco. 
 
 4. 
 And write n speech — (^f (loinirii^ht mystery. 
 No one can road many (»f Mr. Madison's speeches to Con- 
 
T 
 
 ^ 
 
 V 
 
 1 
 
 ' t 
 
 J 
 
 " i: 
 
 
 , ' 
 
 ,1 
 
 f. 
 
 
 
 :S 
 
 'If ; 
 
 gross, v'itlioiit allowing him to be a perfect master in iliis 
 ililc ot composilioii. 
 
 5. 
 AVm' on the rocks, she beats her hilghif^ frame, 
 A J^-'itaiiisli vessel wrecked on this coast in the depth of 
 winter williai alew miles of a iar<r<' town, and so humane arc 
 tiie inliabita-iis of i\\\Hj',ce country, >n lure no example t. ach- 
 es virtue, that the few survivors must hnve died from cold 
 stud iauiger but lor the aid of a foreign family. 
 
 m 
 
 r 
 
 fir 
 ill li 
 
 
SEtDSD t-A"^IPAIfiN, 
 
 JLLI 
 
 j.jl:.i\. 
 
 Til 
 
 x-< ' r-, •-( ■ 
 
 J-. x\t 
 
 .o 
 
 W HILE bleak cold wint-r, cloath'd in drifted snow, 
 ^ chrystai r:un]»urt sprj id arouiul the foe, 
 His noiili-west army at tort Moigs reiiinia'd. 
 And every nerve for fresii invasion strain d ; 
 One win<,^ advanciti^ bolder tlr^n the rest 
 ScornM all delay, and on it^ Uad-r [»ress'd ; 
 Towarils conqiui:'d Iilichi;^^u?, through drifts of enow. 
 He jdoiigh'd his way, scoruiUj; his disaul Joe. 
 
 Where Raisin's turbid wave, as pnusing stood. 
 Reflecting Frciichtown from its wici— .jieau Hood, 
 Halted the throng, and soiz'd upon th( town, 
 A thousand warriors boasting their renown ; 
 
>ii 
 
 Ik 
 
 •I 
 
 m 
 
 If 
 
 .Vi'-P 
 
 m 
 
 !!;:; 
 
 ill 
 
 : 
 
 V 
 
 
 70 
 
 Their jnighty General, nothing- fearM ho said. 
 And prov'tl tliut cvri/ nolUlnq was his liead. 
 Kainparls ht! raihj'd, with broast-worl^s lin'd the town. 
 And thus secure, in tiiii!iij)h laid him dovvn, 
 CojivincM his haiwicr he shouM soon dis|)hiy 
 
 O'er hi^ili Qiiehec's iin;)erial, rockv 
 
 way 
 
 Thus like a maniac, v iicn death is near 
 His ij^noraucc precludes all dread, or fear. 
 
 But at Uic reveille, ere the first Iii,^!jt 
 Scatler'd Iho darkness on the rear ot" ni^hl, 
 A band oi" Britons, by their General kd, 
 Surpris'd the foe, and dire con'usion spread, (1) 
 
 The river cross'd, at the dea<l hour of ni^lit. 
 And rous'd the Yankees in a hopeless plight ; 
 Six loud iiL-ld pieces rattled through the town. 
 And shook the log: houses, and cabins down. 
 
 Like thr- long snail, tiiat draws his fearful head 
 Back in his shell, before his horns are spread. 
 So look'd the foe, from cabins, in and cut. 
 Until perforce began their rabble rout ; 
 Then like an ant's nest vomited each slicd, 
 And heltcr, skelter, for the woods they fled, 
 liiit little safety in their flight remain'd 
 The cruel English their desires restrain'd ; 
 Ungentle Brilons to restrain the might 
 Of foes, wiio rathor chose to run than fi"-{it ! 
 Xow blush'd their flag in Sol's uprising ray, 
 Ting'd by the bursting beams of early day; 
 The rroz( n snow, with sparkling jewels spread, 
 fchin'd o'er the way the captive foe was led. 
 
71 
 
 If oiif e discomQtiirc, tlicse lieroex reacli, 
 Some brotlier lieru — makes a NVcM-tim'd speech 
 To |iutriiimi»t-li, uiui keep the sitik,ii)g- ilowu : ['2) 
 
 'Tis a great nation — grbat be its renown. 
 
 Alter a slorm Vlie welkin's troubled fac« 
 Assumes a cal'?!, ali'-ant a little space, 
 i^o ior awliile Britannia's foes were fuundj 
 Uriiaibling atar> like a subsiding sounii, 
 Uniii tlie year nad left its icy bed. 
 And in iiis hand tbe suiilinc; Spring 'was led, 
 Kii( h iiudand blossom open'd to the sight 
 With all the energy of young delight, 
 lYom winter's lap — here is no pause for Spring, 
 He bursts at once and plumes his busy wing. 
 At this blithe season, nature's smiling face. 
 Cheers in the landscape every gloomy trace. 
 The playful hours with blooming garlands crowu'd 
 Assist the year toscatter treasures round; 
 All things look gay — except the face of man. 
 Who still islow'ring o'er some hateful plan 
 Of conquest, devastation, lottery, gain. 
 To swell the catalogue of human pain. 
 His execntions blast the eye of morn. 
 As party hatred blusters out its scorn. 
 Peace dwells alone, beneath the cavern's brow, 
 With nought to break the silence, save the luw 
 Of browzing heitfer, on the distant plain ; 
 Or red-breast wild, chirping his early strain ; 
 In this lone haunt, round which, the surging wave: 
 Murmurs in whispers to the nioss-crown'd cave, 
 W^here 'fore my eyes the oce.m's troubled bed, 
 li'tn to thy shore Britannia is spread. 
 
 ■a 
 
 mi' 
 
 i I 
 
73 
 
 : ^ 
 
 1- 
 
 ■M!i 
 
 I'li 
 
 It. 
 
 m 
 
 
 t-i : 
 
 tVould I miglil peaceful dwell, and net behold. 
 
 The noise and strife these troubled Stales unfold : 
 
 IVould I in solitude niighi r<;st secure, 
 
 Nor heed tlieir tauuliiij^s, nor their strife endure. 
 
 But no, my country needs some silent eye 
 
 To trace the wicked scenes now passing by, 
 
 Some heart, from prijudice, and interest free, 
 
 "'o lift the veil of boasted liberty. 
 
 And show the hateful form Ihut's underneath 
 
 In whose foul presence virturc cannot breathe. 
 
 Lawless democracy — and selfish ire. 
 
 Light for her succour, discord's hateful lire j 
 
 Yet theory is ranting round the world. 
 
 And folly's weapon still af random hurl'd. 
 
 Because distinctions rise from powW and birth, (3) 
 
 Distinctions, that should oijiy rest on worth ; 
 
 And who shall be the judge odvorlh or power ? 
 
 Or who be umpire in the trying hour. 
 
 And give the palm ? or if bright equals shine 
 
 Who will magnanimous the wreath resign r 
 
 Who is the gtnerbus, impartial man. 
 
 Will not in self both worth and wisdom scan ? 
 
 Or in some friend, that he exhibits high. 
 
 Thinking him competent to rule the sky. 
 
 Thus does another and a third believe. 
 
 And at all preference, save their own will grieve j 
 
 Trace then in gold, this truth in theory's school. 
 
 In democratic States, the base will rule ! 
 
 And tho* in Monarchies some ills may rise. 
 
 Like hail-stones genderM in the summer skies. 
 
 The cleansing atmosphere will hurl them down ; 
 
 For worth, and wisdom, guard an aucieul crowD/ 
 
'l 
 
 73 
 
 ^Tis England's vital spring, the leading vein. 
 To which her all of blessings appertain. 
 Of such a head, her people should be proud. 
 And no reproach upon its worth allow'd ; 
 It we behold some blemish in the frame, 
 bliould we expose a parent's hallow'd name ? 
 
 Britons know your comforts and bebless'd. 
 Adore your King — and leave to Heav'n the rest. 
 He is the head — and you the lesser streams. 
 His glory, sheds on you, its polish'd beams. 
 Abuse it not — guard for your own renown. 
 The splendid head adoru'd with Britain's crown. 
 
 Now, from the purple light of early day, 
 I turn, as Hwere, to dens, and beasts of prey. 
 But hard the task, where fancy bears no sway. 
 Through vulgar scenes to trace a polish'd way. 
 Some rugged features, will of course appear. 
 And some dark tracts, I know not how to clear ; 
 Yet on I stray, to where the Raisin's waves. 
 Roll near a line of long extended graves. 
 There the bald buzzard hovers for his p:ey. 
 And frights the cheerful choristers away ; 
 Above that spot by Miami's rustic flood, 
 Harrison, in vaporing posture stood, 
 Tho' somewhat less at ease, since the defeat. 
 Of luckless Winchester, at Frenchtown beat : 
 And down Ontario's lake, but far below 
 Rests the main body of the numerous foe. 
 
 i 
 
I 'f 
 
 » 
 
 i 
 
 J i!, 
 
 1i 
 
 74 
 
 Led by the Mammoth of llic Yankee name, 
 Dearborn, the liigbcston the lists of fame. (4) 
 In rich embroider'd coat he moves so hriglit, 
 The sun is daz/lcd by his shining lij^^ht. 
 To make an outside show, at any rate, 
 lie bouy^hta coat worth more than his estate. 
 Thus proving true what Shakespear long had told 
 'llial dross may rest envelop'd round witl» gold. 
 To Sackct's Harbour, tluis '^uipp'd he Hew, 
 And met liis hoops — at the fix'd rendttzvuuu. 
 
 His coat sought friends— and from all sides they sprung. 
 Great was his praise— tlie theme of old and young ; 
 His operations would be well combin'd. 
 He had a great, capacious, warlike mind. 
 He would in little space to England show. 
 How terrible is such a mighty foe, 
 
 Now for his use in requisition stood. 
 To waftliim up Ontario's silcilt flood, 
 Barks of all burdens — ships of every size. 
 To forward as they might his enterprise, 
 Kingston, the onli/ place of any pow'r. 
 Saw the dark shades of desolation, low'r, 
 
 Ontario's lake in mournful silence flow'd. 
 
 As the long squadron on her bosom rode. 
 
 She heard their threats — their secret council heard> 
 
 That vomited destruction every word. 
 
 None but true heroes, will to mercy yield. 
 Or go with pity to the embattled field. 
 
75 
 
 These thrcalen'd exlirpalion.fury, flame. 
 And blackca'd as for sport llic British name ; 
 But Uritain fears no stain from such a foe. 
 The polish'd world at large her virtues know. 
 'Tis as the child would his great master teach. 
 And hide his eloquence with bahy speech ; 
 Nor arts, nor science, nor a book, of fame 
 They yet possess— but Britain bears its name. 
 You boasters leurn, the lesson to be wise. 
 And virtuous deeds, in every country prize. 
 Confess with trutii the beauty you behold. 
 And take not filthy dross for perfect gold. 
 
 Now Boreas bustled up a little storm. 
 To show the lake in a disorder'd form, 
 Kingston they pass, and Little York survey. 
 Then moor their vessels in its sheltering bay. 
 
 Near the lake's margin Little York town stood, 
 
 Wrapp'd in a robe of deeply folding wood. 
 Us youthful beauty no <lisorder show'd 
 
 But peace and plenty made it their abode ; 
 
 One fort appeared, but of the smallest size. 
 
 With Britain's ensign waving to the skies. 
 
 From whose dark battery clouds of smoke were spread. 
 
 As the invaders on, their numbers led. 
 
 The General sick and weary staid behind. 
 
 To fight, his bowels were not much inclin'd. 
 
 Pike led the ranks, the General in command. 
 
 Under the squadron's fire, they safely land. 
 
 ! 
 
 And rush along:, how 
 
 courage can inspire 
 
 They seem'd like Yorktown's ship-yard all on fire, (5) 
 
P"1PIP 
 
 iii 
 
 1^ '" ■• 
 
 I'll 
 
 T« 
 
 ■1' 
 
 ■| 
 
 1 
 
 'li' 
 
 On for the town, and liradlonpf for llie fort, 
 
 Expectini^ pillage, and rare Yankee Rport. 
 
 Whenlo the rocks around began to quake, 
 
 The tott'ririij ramparts aad the batteries shake, 
 
 A wild exphision, tore the hollow ground, 
 
 And s;^rea(l a dreadful carnage all around, 
 
 Their General was uplifted in the stow'r. 
 
 And lost amid the widely scattcr'd show'r. 
 
 Like drops of rain, the blood distain'd the ground. 
 
 And dark destruction flapp'd his wings around. 
 
 Dejected pity left the dreadful scene. 
 
 For mercy could not now the sufferer screen, 
 
 All who had reach'd the spot, were seen no more. 
 
 Or seen in bleeding fragments on the shore. 
 
 Thus having bought the town, and somewhat dear^, 
 
 With many a widow's and an orphan's tear. 
 
 They view'd the ground with a s icious eye. 
 
 Lest !ikc their comrades they wen; doom'd to fly. 
 And hiJf! the sun with a thick sliow'r of stones. 
 Or batten the rude desert with their bones ; 
 
 This made them fear to hold the post tlioy won, 
 And off they sail'd w M pleas'd at what was done : 
 But first the flaming torch they bore around, (6) 
 The^-pyal buildings leveird with the ground. 
 
 This great achievement made a mighty noise. 
 And laurels deck'd the head of men and hoys, 
 
 |n a dispatch — bright victory spread her flame. 
 
 And shin'd alike on ev'ry Yankee's name ; 
 
 Virtue is cheap — where every thing is poor, 
 
 A trifle will her honor'd name ensure, 
 
 
But with poor Piko, they were ohlipfcd to tell, 
 8onic fil'ty souls like scattei'd Ikuil-Nloiit H fell, 
 
 But then the too they Siiid — lost Ion times more. 
 Blew up tliomsclvcs— from ttu to twenty seore. 
 
 But old Johu Bull— was never yet so kind, 
 
 Or ever found in 8o oblimint; mind, 
 
 To wound himself, to pleiise u Milly foe. 
 
 Nor would he convoy Yankee souU below. 
 
 While th 
 
 iile ihiM great triumph ijrao'd th" Yankee name 
 And rais'd a trophy worthy of their fame, 
 The north-west army found some cause of fear, (7) 
 They saw the Brit'sh Lion prowliuiij near, 
 He might ere long-, wend o'er the watery way, 
 And as before, the sleeping host betray ; 
 The lake unguarded — every side expos'd, 
 Their fleet at Erie quietly npos'd ; 
 What was the cause of this unwise delay ? 
 I'iicir ships were mann'd and loitcr'd in the bay. 
 
 At Fort Defiance — in the rear rcmain'd 
 A little garrison — by Clay maintain'd. 
 The cautious Harrison, an order gave 
 For Clay to move with promptness down the wave, 
 And succour give to his disordered fort 
 Which ague shook, much needed his support ; 
 Defiance ever was a warlike name. 
 Clay trusted, sound ,x.\\i\. feeling were the same. 
 That his brigade, invincible and strong. 
 Would bear defiance all the world along ; 
 And down they float— like folly with the stream, 
 And naught but conquest and defiance dreaai. 
 
 i 
 
 II 
 
 11 
 
 i ^ I 
 
 )3! I K! 
 
iJL. 
 
 I 
 
 
 i- 
 
 X' 
 
 l¥ 
 
 » 
 
 «.,' 
 
 Hi!'"' 
 '''ill!' 
 
 7>^ 
 
 Ilut crc Fori Mcigu rcoeiv'd tho liau|?lity baud, 
 Tiicy met from llttrriHon a fr«Nli oommaml ; 
 Tor Clay tu land, and take or beat tlic Coe, 
 Thai Willi ii Iritliti^ force had lodijM liclow. 
 Tlic l)old dfliaiicr-inaii» hU ord( tn read 
 Willi great delight — and on, hi« troojiH he led : 
 To where the Brilish lay in perfeot oase 
 In a small breast-work, hid anionic the trers, 
 Tlure like unwary birds that leave the nest. 
 Before the instinct fear has rcach'd their breast, 
 Careless Ihcy hop, e'en to the fowler's hand : 
 So look'd secure, the little Koyal band, 
 Yet they the while — the Yiyikee motions eyM, 
 Beheld them, cautious, quit the (lowing tide, 
 And push along, with sly, but hurried puce, 
 Willi triumph glowing in their leader's face. 
 As the sly li/ard steals upon the Hy, 
 Averting cunningly his reptile eye. 
 So stole they on, until they see the foe 
 Confusion, hurry, and disorder show ; 
 Forward they rush, spurning the rocky ground ; 
 Already are their heads with laurels crown'd. 
 They gain'd the works, but not one foe was near. 
 The English all had (led — the Yankees cheer. 
 And spike one lonely gun that staid behind, 
 Then quick they follow, like the driving wind. 
 The (ields and trees all backward seem'd to ily. 
 As the pursuing heroes hurried by, 
 'Till they advancM, where Proctor made a stand, 
 And boldly fac*d about hia little band. 
 
f9 
 
 A furiouH volly ou Uie fo« ho pourM, 
 
 And tlii'ouL;!! the woods liis docp-inoulliM thunder roarM, 
 
 Advuiiciiii?, on the Coc Ik; forward prcss'd, 
 
 Ilcrr on his ilaiiks nnd there with hreiist to hreast ; 
 
 They like Kinaldo, sturin;^, wildly stood, 
 
 Wiien he beiit Id the deep enchanted wood, 
 
 And every tree an eueiny appcnr'd ; 
 
 ThiisMtood the Yankees, hut inncii more thry fcar'd ; 
 
 Thus panic struck, they fell an easy prey, 
 
 But (ifly with their General got away. 
 
 His heels servM better than the name he priz'd. 
 
 He found dcliance, was the foe disguis'd, 
 
 At the dark hour of night he cross'd the flood, 
 
 And at Fort Meigs iiis shivering body stood. 
 
 Poor Clay, almost dissolv'd — I hear thee moan. 
 
 And wish thy muddy substance had been stone, 
 
 Condole with Harrison, his wings are gone. 
 
 He now must walk — he soarM when they were on. 
 
 Perturbed spirits — rest each aching brain, 
 
 While 1 in silence, for awhile remain. 
 
 May, 1813. 
 
 li 
 
lili 
 
 : ! 
 
 'Ill 
 
 iiif 
 
 
 80 
 
 NOTFS TO LETTER THE FIRST* 
 
 
 
 !• 
 
 Surprised the foe, and dire confusion spread. 
 
 General WiiiclKster, who eommaniied the left wing of 
 
 liarrison's army was surprised and taken prisoner with one 
 
 thousand men, at I'renehlowM, situule<l on the river Raisin, 
 
 which flows into Lake Erie, from the Michigan territory. 
 
 -> 
 
 ^ • 
 
 To puff' Itimstlf and keep the sinkiiiif down. 
 To support the distinguisliinj; characteristic of American 
 commanders, Harrison, in his dispatch detailint; the action, 
 writes tiius : " Never were the affairs of any army in a 
 *' more prosperous situation than ours, hefore the unfortu- 
 *' nate st.-., of marching the detachinent to the River Raisin. 
 " It was n»ade not only without any authority irom me, but 
 " in opposition to my views. 
 
 3. 
 
 Because distinrtions rise from pow^r and birth. 
 It would he well for these querulous Enulisiunen who are 
 dissatisfied at home, to pay a visit to this country ; they 
 would soon find the disliuctiuus of rank, with all the advan- 
 tages of pr( cedence, ^'c. much less irksome to a polish^JU 
 ndnd ; than to he jostled ant' trod upon hy vulgarity, and 
 ig.'jorance — here all struggle to he first, consequently thft 
 best bred vviio caunot elbow, are loft behind. 
 
 4. 
 
 Dearhorn, the highest on the lists of fame, 
 Thh great Commander-in-Chief enteiedthe lists of glory 
 witli ujore eclat and certainty of success than any the world 
 cvei had produced before ; all the hen-roosts were plundered 
 for feathers to adorn his head, and every in>,enious hand sat 
 tut work to grace his cr at with rich embroidery i the first fire, 
 the steel of his great courage struck, was thalof resentmejit, 
 because they were about to cover it with oak leaves, and 
 iiot Canadian laurels. He had been the Commauder-in~ 
 Chief from the bcgiimi'jg of the war, bul had not joined hi? 
 
 
are 
 
 ley 
 
 'aii- 
 
 t 
 
 lO'JL 
 
 Lud 
 the 
 
 81 
 
 firniy ; by f<omc it was said lie waited for his coat, by oilier;*, 
 Ir secure willi Ims help Madison's re-election ; be as it may, 
 he was now on the eve of action. The vcrsatality of this 
 ^reiit man's <;enius is remarkable, and his patriotism always 
 •.Mii|)loyeil h/nn in the service of the I'ublic ; in early life lio 
 was the conductor of a ferry boat, since which he has been 
 the Secretary of War, Collector of the Customs at Boston, 
 and now Couiuiander-in-Chief of tlie Grand Army. 
 
 5. 
 
 Thcij Si(')nd Hk( Yorktown's sh'ip-ijnrd, all on /ire. 
 As the Americans advanced, General .Siiealie, who roin- 
 iiinniled at Little York, set tire to the dock-yard and one 
 vessel upon the ■ tucks ; a; the fort > min(M \ploded as the 
 enemy entered it, the few regulars atationed there had re- 
 tired leaving some Pro\ neials in tlir town toiapituiate and 
 piotect the women aad chil«iren. The Americans lost their 
 leader General I'ike and alwut -jOO men. Tl»<^y then returu- 
 i d down the Lake to prepare for an ?ttack on Fort George. 
 
 6. 
 
 But JirM tU^ finming t^trch thcij bf>rc around. 
 I am happ' to h^veitin my ^w r to aver, that in evi ry 
 spf'ciesofde.sU 't;v<^ warfare since the commrncewient of 
 iiostilities the /Americans bav*r »ct the example, both hy sta 
 uiid land. Uogcrss b^gan, by burning the first merchant ves- 
 sel 1»,^ fell in with : And in Novem^r, 181*2, tb«y boas-tcd 
 ol'having laid waste die whole Canada frontici" on U»e river 
 Niagara, the most fertile in the Province, with a (small 
 force under Colonel Winder, and Captain Angus : and now 
 at Little York, Dearborn has bi.rnt every public building to 
 ! he ground, and these were of considerable value and ex- 
 I lit, as that place was the sedt of Government for the Up- 
 p(!r Province, 
 
 7. 
 
 3 . . north-west army found some cause of fear. 
 General Harrison was stationed at Fort Meigs and en- 
 camped near the rapids of the Miami, with a large force from 
 the first opening of the campaign ; threatening some 
 times to invade Canada, at others dreading an invasion of his 
 own territories ; he had some skirmishing with Hie British 
 and Indian forceitf sit different periods^ at thiv^ time he wai» 
 
 i 
 
 I i >i 
 
 V I" ir 
 
 K. 
 
r-T 
 
 83 
 
 ill 
 
 i;T 
 
 I I' 
 
 !l. 
 
 in miicli alarm ut, tlic appearance of Genfral Proctor on the 
 opposite side olllic river ; he suninioned General Ciay, who 
 coMinianded the Icrtv\in;jr ofliis army, to his aid from I'drt 
 Defiance wiUi about lliirteen linndred men ; as Clay's boats 
 descendrd the river he was orderd by Harri:-}on to hind 
 ci<i^ht hnndred men on thf hit bank, to beat the Eng-lisii ; 
 and himself with his remainiiii;, force to attack the Indians 
 stationed on the right ; this Clay attempted, bnt he scalter- 
 ed his l)rii>ade in such a way that he could only account (or 
 fifty men who with him reached Fort Mei^s in safety. Ge- 
 neral I'roctor killed many, and took about five hundred pri- 
 soners. 
 
 3 * > 
 
LETTER THE SECOSD. 
 
 !l| 
 
 ! 'I 
 
 r 
 
 o 
 
 'N smooth Ontario, to the \Tintry wind. 
 Spreading his caiivas, Doarborn 1 rcsigu'd. 
 One month before — this pause ensued, to gain 
 A reinforcement, and refresh his train. 
 Now for Fort George he urg'd liis speedy way ; 
 His mighty ardor nothing could allay. 
 Except his fever, and his inward pain, (I) 
 Which near Fort George began to rage again. 
 Yet there became, the winds were treacherous grown, 
 And the deluded Lake was all his own- 
 Canadia's sons beheld the coming storm. 
 And pour'd tlieir vollies with a dauntless form. 
 But so divided by their lenglh of coast, 
 Tbey had not strength to beat the mighty host. 
 
FT 
 
 w 
 
 11 
 
 |i II 
 
 I I 
 
 .^!H-t.i'i 
 
 I 
 
 9 
 
 p. 
 
 84 
 
 And (luy bclicl J Ihcm laiulin^^ on the plain, 
 
 AVith louj:^ Jirlillcry, a heavy train ; 
 
 Their well uidiiuM licet, kept up a galling fire, 
 
 'Till from the fort Canadia's sons retire. 
 
 In order march, and gain a distant height. 
 
 Their out-posts stretching in the Yankees sight. 
 
 But these wfp weary, " could not now pursue" 
 
 *' The foe had fled, what was tiicre more to do.'* 
 
 This brave excuse the government rccciv'd. 
 
 An.) this the silly nation, allheliev'd. 
 
 Their luckless General too, continued sick. 
 
 His barrel houy torlur'd to the quick. 
 
 The iMiglish were so hateful in his sight. 
 
 They turn'd his rosi/ visage lilly white : 
 
 Cold ciiilling agues shook his tender frame, 
 
 E'en at the mention of a Briton's name. 
 
 'Twas wratli, an<l rage, his twisting bowels wrung. 
 
 An I o'er his couch the sons of physic hung, 
 
 11 ting all in vain, no remedy they find : 
 
 Tlie red coats sent contagion on the wind. 
 
 He saw their glittering bayonets 0!i high, 
 
 AntI through the night clos'd not his watchful eye, 
 
 And morn beluld his fever raging higher. 
 
 His body burning like a coal of lire. 
 
 I 
 
 llopdess liis case, bad these fea.^eF.nfflisb staid : 
 But soon t!»o healing tidings were couvey'd, 
 Tlr»l all were gone, each vestige out of sight, 
 Fromliis uneasy bed up sprung the knight. 
 His glass he seiz'd, and scan'd tlie distant shore^ 
 Trac'd every busUand forest o'er and o'er. 
 
^m 
 
 85 
 
 Then for his Generals call'd ; at his command 
 Arouiul tlieir leader they obseqiiions stand. 
 From them he learn'd l»ow lar the I'oe iiad ilcd, 
 Then on his pillow sunk his waary head ; 
 
 Lock'd in the arms of sleep he long remained, 
 Until his foe a distant creek had gain'd ; 
 And their entrench'd above the silver bay. 
 On tow'ring heii,Hits the royal army lay. 
 Four days tiicy fotmd, of quiet soft repose 
 Uneheck'd and undislurb'd by friends or foes. 
 But Dearborn's soldiers now regaining strength, 
 RefreshM, and renovated, rous'd at length, 
 ResoWd to follow up the flying foe, 
 Pursue his steps, and Yankee courage show. 
 Three thousand troops the joyful Dearborn sped. 
 With General Winder strutting at their head ; 
 And l^ewis sent, to stop the foes rctre.tt, (2) 
 And make, he boasting said, a sure defeat. 
 
 Next day some doubts and fears his courage hatched. 
 And on another party was dispateh'd 
 To strengthen Winder, who his troops had led 
 Towards the heights — whereto the foo had fled. 
 This sober General m^VU n<>t on in hasle. 
 Slowly he mA\\\\\\^^\uM'A< • '-'ach cottage wastt'. 
 Arriv\>^ iiuie, ihe^nhfuir cloudless day. 
 Within ten milo^ of where *'»e ',\,aish l.\y. 
 On a fair f lnii\, that its Wv .' ^soiii lent 
 An afMiiW ikpa<^». t«o hall — hr sprrad his tent ; 
 liiiis wav V aoug^, no oiler thought was near, 
 }io caui%iia« >ikUi-^^i>(r rcach'd hiu wuilike ear j 
 
 I J 
 
 
 \l < 
 
 its '' 
 
 k. ' 
 
 I 
 
 / 
 
f 
 
 m 
 
 i^' 
 
 I'l' 
 
 8G 
 
 r>ut all siipinr, he and liis army fed 
 
 Oil tlii; poor s|joils torn from tlic peasant's bhcd. 
 
 And lirri^ in lucky hour was Cliundlcr sent, 
 (Generals like snow-ljulls, galhcrM as llioy went; 
 11 is troops holiind liini loitor'd in the roar. 
 But ho push'd on, as the commnndin^- aeer — 
 'Twas in aiispicions hour this Chandler came. 
 To si;;na!i/e eternally his name. 
 A prophet seer he was — who cotild divine ; (3) 
 For him tho gohlet shall o'erflow with wine, 
 The friendly invitation is at hand, 
 Seal'd hy the lire of Vinrent's hunting brand. 
 
 The mnetiuj^ Generals ^.^reet ea(di other kind. 
 And to one tent their lengthy limbs resig^n'd, 
 Soft sleej) invok'd, his friendly curtain drew, 
 'Till day, they thou<;ht should ope his purple view, 
 
 But at dark midnight, when the soldier snor'd. 
 And now no longer Yankee riots roar'd. 
 The sleepy sentinel was lull'd to rest. 
 His drowsy head hung nodding on his breast. 
 Useless against his arm his hrelock lay ; 
 When vengeanee seiz'd, and bore him faraway. 
 That night had shrouded, with her sable hand, 
 A warlike troop from Britain's royal band. 
 Vin ent, a eon p-ch -main with vigour made ; 
 In the Silill camp flitter 'd his naked hiaii , 
 Sihnt he reach'd the twin-Uk^ heroes tcut ; 
 And with his sword the (juivering fragments rent. 
 The sleeping Generals rous'd, aud vainly strove j 
 \ i!i)i!y they swore ; and call'd avenging Jove, 
 
87 
 
 Jove was not {here, niid bolli were led awav, 
 Rolh ill close truminel.s at llic dawn oCday. 
 
 Sore havoc made the little royal throng. 
 Six Yankee field-pieces they <lray:g'd along* : 
 Turn'd on themselves the foes dread thunder roar« 
 And echoes loud, from the resoundinu; shores. 
 
 V^incent triinnphant with his darini; host, 
 liCd many captives, and reg'ain'd his post : 
 At random tied the foe, conceal'd by nijL,^ht ; 
 Nor knew the worst until the dawn of lig-ht, 
 Th'm found with hitterness, eha!.';rin, and pain. 
 Their wild confusion had each other slain. 
 
 y H i\ 
 
 Dear])orn with horror, heard the dreadful newSj 
 Nor could his howels this disgrace excuse, 
 Altho' his malady so sore of late. 
 Told to himself his pitiful estate. 
 Stamping, he cry'd. " forever 1 am foil'd 
 " The laurels work'd upon my coat are soil'd, 
 •' Some vile cnchanler must these English screen, 
 " Like ghosts they move, forevt^r move, unseen." 
 
 Then clown he sat, and thus began to write. 
 Thus, in pure bitterness of soul indite : 
 " By some fatality — the great, llie wise — 
 " I know not how— were taken by surprise : 
 " And yet we beat the coward dastard foe, 
 " Who to our lenity their safety owe. 
 '' The tield was ours— Vincent they say is dea I 
 ■' His army, worse than ours, confus'dly tied. 
 
 } II 
 
 ^1 t 
 
 '■ ^ II' 
 
 
 I, 
 
 1 
 
 
 ji> "Hfe 
 

 
 «8 
 
 " One tield-picce .«rt// or two tlicy bore away, 
 
 ** Some pris'iiers made in lliis hasc miilni^^lit iV.iy, 
 
 •' I'or bt'itiu: dark our soMicrs could not li.^lit, 
 
 *' Tlicy only wailed for a dawn of light ; 
 
 •* r^Tvaiitimt* Ihe I'iiig'ish fled — and as I say, 
 
 " Our two brave (Joiirrals carried faraway. 
 
 *' The army rally'd not 'till Lewis canlo, 
 
 " To I.nwis 1 shall add a leader's name ; 
 
 "■ lie is so bold, so warlike is his in'ad> 
 
 " Had ho been there the foe had never fled ; 
 
 ** He knows the stars, iio knows them every one, 
 
 " And he ean tell from whence the comets run. 
 
 *' liut I must take my leave — weary — forlorn, 
 
 " And am your humble servant, II. l)ear])orn.'* 
 
 This Lewis, full of science — lifted hii;Ii, 
 Walks not on earth — but communes with the sky, 
 Tanr>:ents, and siixns, upon tlie trees ho trac'd, 
 And crampt with dia,Li:rams the dreary waste ; 
 To pitch his tent he mnrk'd out an;i,ks, squares. 
 And parcell'd the wild forest into sharo-^. 
 But now and then some hasty sudden ront. 
 Tram ' df^d his co-sines and his secants out. 
 To government ho wrote — and in bis scrawl 
 With (iinuratuT pourtray'd poor Cliandler's fall. (4) 
 S(]iiar'd with his compass his. v»;;/??rdisirrace, 
 Because his centre was the weakest place. 
 
 Poor Lewis, 'tis bcliev'd, his case is thine ; 
 Thv laui^cnlhnxiu, holds out a fearful sii;n. 
 Thy ij;1(j!)o oi iv'/^dom, knoichd^'c, skill and art, 
 
 'Ti% tli'>ii;'it \\.n ceutio, is the weakest part I 
 
so 
 
 Hill now anolhrr ffTort Doarlnuii inado, 
 And still as usual, woinl'roiis skill <lis|»Iay'(l, 
 A Sif'crot mission o?), ho Boestler scut, (•>) 
 Ati'I for sucroRs his ovcry sinow bout. 
 Six Innuiittl lucii llic ablest of Lis train 
 
 M'f TO j)i(k'(l wili» care — eacii williu^^ to sustain 
 ^Vlialovcr evils llii'y wcrrdot)m'd to sliarc. 
 So l)old witlial thai lions thoy would dare— - 
 Al L};av('r Dam collcctins: their sw|)|)lie.s 
 The Hiitish lay, with force of li! tic si/.o. 
 Some fifty soul-j *twas easy to defeat, 
 And John ronid never flight unless he cat. 
 Therefore lliis victory would crown their name 
 With treble con(juesls, and the wreath of fame ; 
 On thoy advanc'd — their cannon in their rear, i 
 Their streuf^th precliidinij order, caution, fear, r 
 And hover'd on Ihfi skirts of B. aver near, J 
 Beside a wood, whose deep and sombre shade 
 Encircled round a little peaceful glade, 
 ^Vlien like flaminy;os the ijreen trees amonp;', 
 AppearM the British, strctcli'd in line alonjr ; 
 The dazz'ling; red coats i,lar'd on every si<le. 
 Before, behind, all spreadinir Air and wide. 
 And by their sid a warlike Indian band, 
 With each his bow, and tomahawk in hand, 
 Their chieftain's visage glow'd with deeper red. 
 As to behold the foe he raisM his head ; 
 And from his eye-balls tiash'd indignant ire 
 Like a dark cloud shooting its vivid fire. 
 His bow and quiver, to his shoulder slung. 
 
 And in his belt hia heavy hatchet hunii. 
 
 JM 
 
 > i 
 
 ,^!i 
 
 I 1) 
 
 i! 
 
 k ': 
 
90 
 
 f i 
 
 i ! 
 
 
 lie mark'd Filz^^Ililjoii villi a |>i^'rriii^ look. 
 And lioiii llialsil nt stj:ii»', orders look : 
 Tliu >uniig ruiildiaiil, villi inlrcpid lyv, 
 Forvjird udvjjicM— mid li;idc lli ni \ \vU\ or die. 
 His M.ijor's iijiine he iirjj:'.'— whose I'orrc al Iianit 
 "\V(-iilii IrcMc lluirs ; n Klur(!y \ eh rati hand ; 
 And lluir resistance tH.lliini; conld avail, 
 The eresl-rairii Colonel listi iiM to tli( tale 
 Gave ii|> his uien — and as he still dedars — 
 " Kroni |.ure liiinianily," that ever spares. 
 (i( iitle kind ercalure, let his name hf great. 
 He r(d)l)M his friend to aid his Ax s eslutc. 
 
 C'ojiimhiaii valonr, likea straw-hiiilt fire, 
 Fann'd hy a frciiflt hviiy/.v, still ri; s higher. 
 But a l"i w rain-drops sealtir'd from a sloriii 
 'J he wild conihiistion drops lis vivid iorni, 
 Sinouldtring hiaek and low, in ruhbish lies. 
 And can no more make a weak llamc arise. 
 
 Thns hhmk they stood, roiijerlnrini?: what to do, 
 TV li" II hrave l)e Haren hrieflv rame mi view ; 
 Small was his nnn her, hnt his port was hold, 
 His !»tr ngth cjiuealM, nor hy his visage told. 
 
 To him tlipy yi( Id, field-pieees, colours, men. 
 Yon ho.istfiil Yankees, where your courage then ! 
 lUv force that took them, not enough to guard. 
 E'en when unarm'd, had they but struggled hard. 
 
 Drarhorn once more, could not conceive the trick, 
 His head was dizzv, and his soul was sick, 
 
 ..*! 
 
91 
 
 i-'or Boston homo, hr bout liis liuklLSs wny, 
 Aiul i^iivc to Wilkinson liis warlike swiiy. 
 (jIo Deariiuii lo tln' Ciistt) mh, sri/o on ten, 
 Tohi,Hit with smii^^lors, is cjiowyh for thee. 
 ^Twus jiity thou wortiiik* ii Iroui llie ferry ; 
 Tliy litilo skiH', liki! Chiiron's, work'J so merry. 
 Mo miiis, (»r drums, distnrhM thy p ucuful hrcast ; 
 Siife went thy llal, aud llcaviii btstu.v'il thu rest. 
 
 But you arc woary of this pull ry thomc^, 
 AVhcre h(M»<»r's hrii^hl aud iiiiimiliui: beam 
 
 lliis found no Iat< nt spiirk to make it i>Io\t : 
 For victory Iku no^race o'er sucliu ioc. 
 
 11 
 
 !i 
 
 June, 1813. 
 
 tj 11 
 
 I' 
 III 
 
IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 1.0 
 
 l\ 
 
 u Uii 
 
 4.0 11112.0 
 
 12.2 
 
 1.8 
 
 
 1.25 
 
 1.4 
 
 J4 
 
 
 < 6" — 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 V] 
 
 /2 
 
 ^l 
 
 .vi^# > - 
 
 wj^ 
 
 J^ 
 
 
 o 
 
 71 
 
 /A 
 
 Hiotographic 
 
 Sdences 
 Corporation 
 
 23 VfEST klAIN STREET 
 
 WLJ: ER.N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
 
 ^<h 
 

 ■m 
 
 
 i 
 
 ^> 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 ( 
 
^^ 
 
 92 
 
 KOTES TO LETTER THE SECONJI. 
 
 I : 
 
 n 
 
 1 
 
 Jixccpt It'/s fcrrr, and Jiis inward pain. 
 
 Gcncijd liOwis \s riles lliiis of lus Coiiiriiaiulcr's indisposU 
 tioii id ilio .Secretary of War : 
 
 *' 1 liav(! (I()iil)ls wliellur lie >vill ever airniu be fit for scr- 
 
 *• viee, ho lias hcen n j)cate(lly in a stale of eonvalesrenee, 
 
 *' luil relapses on llio l» ast agitation ot" uiiiul." That is 
 
 Avheiicvcr he tame in sij^htollhc enemy, 
 
 o 
 
 Mr* 
 
 And J.dvis sent, to i<top the foes retreat. 
 So M.re V. ere tliei^e hemes of heatinsr Cieneral Vincent 
 that ill*. ir only dread was, lesl he f-lionlo run avvny, to pre^ 
 v< nt wliii li (.!( nerjil l.mvis, villi a huge (Klaeiiment, vaij 
 dispatched dovn llic Lake, to land in his rear. 
 
 3. 
 Apropliil serr he icas,irho couhl divine. 
 At a ptibiic (liiiuer given in ctlebralion of the 41h of July, 
 IS'2, C.( lu lal ( JKinditr gave as a toast : — " Tiie lourih of 
 " Juiv, VM'Z — r.iiivvveon that dav drink ^^ine \vitliin the 
 *' v,i»Ms of Quebec.'' — There can be no doubt his wish was 
 graliiiv'd, as he was taken prisoner with General Winder, 
 e.iul (illier v)iiicers, on the (Uhof June, by General A incei.t, 
 
 A\ lUi a party o. sevc n 
 
 huu'.ired and ten men, in his uallant 
 
 all;ick of lii3 Amerieaii tamp, from three to four iiiousand 
 strong". 
 
 (.eiitril Dearborn en this occasion, as uf^;Mal, claimed tlie 
 victory, he sa;, s : — " Our tioops commanded by General 
 
 this morniiiiv, and l)v souk; 
 
 ( 
 
 an 
 
 Icr, were ailncke 
 
 " s'.range f.;t:'Iily, thor.gh our loss was small, and the cne- 
 " inv (lomnltidv routed and driven from the field, both 
 " i;rig:-.dier (.eurais Chandir^r and Wijuier \. (re taken pri- 
 " son- rs. (ieneral Vinceat is reported to be amojig- the 
 " killed of tlie encniN." 
 
 G 
 
 Witli flia^ rans port raided poor C1iandler\fuU. 
 
 IllCl 
 
 ral Lewis says — " A view of C'luindier's encamp- 
 
sposi- 
 
 93 
 
 moiit. Us centre being its weukesl noint/' ^'»'''"^.^- 
 
 /i .vrrrr/ mt.ision on, he liocstlcr sent. 
 CounelBoestlw- .as .Irlache.Uili. six linn.ln ,1 pi, kr.l 
 men to |j avrr l)a .. lo ,ntrreo,.t some siu,,,i,c.,s : .a nis 
 ^ y l.e was met l,y /../y-.i.. n.en'ofii.e 4911.. oi.,.;,, \^'^ 
 u <>vv [a.l.ans ,uul..r laentenant Fii/ .il>!,0M, >vho\,l| ' 
 
 ;" " V';'''- '" ;-■";'•"« or- M,jo.. 1). (,an.n ; vvlue!. i,o 
 Ot' wil ; f ^="''^''f /"-""•- I'v l!-a,,..eanu..eof that 
 
 tak ,::;»''''/" *^*f ^''"'^"^ = •'^•^ tf>e Americans wcro 
 takHii w.liioiit t;;e l-.ss of a man. 
 
 ^ Colm, 1 ligestler say. I,e capitulalcd on the «corc of ha- 
 
 ft 
 
 I It 
 
 liC 
 
 ^11 
 
 !;■ "■ 
 
I 
 
 T 
 
 LETTER THE THIRD. 
 
 JL ilO* weak my pow'rs, I take my pen to trace, 
 Tiic tuqutudc, once moro, of this \ilc race, (I) 
 Aad «'j* iu truth I rue my want of skill, 
 To paiut what c'eii would bafUe Clio's (j[uill. 
 
 Far iu the desert, ou the eastern side 
 Of -Mississippi, Nvho.iL; majestic tide, 
 Koils fiercely on with bold imperial sway, 
 Throiii^li uati'.nis tiiat his turhid course obey; 
 Au luJiau tribe, iu solilutle rcmaiu'd, 
 Whosii warlike ar.lour, many a fi Id sustaiu'd ; 
 But now thcsimn of peace, tin; warriors made, 
 Ami eacli kind hand, the calumet display 'd — 
 Hij-h ou the oak the chieltuin's hatchet hung, 
 Ills mighty bow beiie[\lli it lay unstrung-, 
 
95 
 
 Mis cinply quiver on llh lluvs'iv Lroiiinl, 
 Willi l)r(»k«'ii <l;iils, and sinMAs s.allcrM round ; 
 Rude cdiliviiiiiiii iiuiik'd tlictr i>iuoiiiiiijL; store 
 And k |)t disli CSS and nteJ, IVoui ever) dour: 
 The clie- rtiil squaws, lli, ir ollqirin;; |>Iuvin.L; round, 
 
 Plnck'd the laryo cm-, or slor'd I lie llirilly gruuud, 
 Wliile IrauiMicis, lor tin tisli — llie men euijdoy. 
 Or the \vi|.| l.lk or IJiillalo desiroy : 
 III us :hil s,) irl ca<'li one einploy'd his hand. 
 And g.illicr'd |di:iity, from Iheir fairy hum. 
 For sn( h a lite, is hless'd, hoyond coMin;irc, 
 Wh re nature's bounty, all aschildron share. 
 The woods, the wills, Iho for'st.nnd the glen. 
 Arc as one vineyard, for these happy men. 
 
 Nor is the Indian's nncidtur^d mind, 
 Insonsibb to actions, great, or kind. 
 
 Untaught refinement in his soni appears. 
 
 And honest feeling in tlie joy of years, 
 
 Mark Ihe old cliieltain, whose long locks are wliite 
 
 Lead the young marksman wish '-xtremo delight; 
 
 lie points the b-arl). his grand-son twangs the bo\f 
 
 Swifl as tho wind the whizzin;;- arrows go. 
 
 And strike the mark — then with an eye of flatne, 
 
 H 'gives the boy some rugged chieftain's name ; 
 
 Kind 'ove and friendship too, their bosoms cheer 
 
 And in the blushing squaw nith trulh uppowr j 
 
 {•See the young widow to tl -" dts* rt lly. 
 
 That nou'j u'av hear he >• song of miserv. 
 
 JShe treads alone the deep sc(duded vale. 
 
 And long renews the mcluucholy talc ; 
 
 i' 
 
 I 
 
I; 
 
 ^1 
 
 Tlu' tendorlinshnnd loo is qeiillo, kind, 
 
 Jealous nin! fond l»is firy fftvorM ruiud, 
 
 riirrrfiil th'^ f:ithrr, but in i;l:ulricss ifnve, 
 
 Ijko the still surface of tlieoorau's wiive, 
 
 Wlieu «;nm»ner's brco/e l>lo\vsr!j,Hilly o!i ils breast. 
 
 And all ils troubled motions arc at rest. 
 
 Biit wh'Mi for war, tlic chief his hatchet flunr, 
 
 Tiirou.,^h tliowil I wood.^, mf.re wild the cLuniiir rnu'^. 
 
 The \var-w!iof)p shrill, sweli'd o!i the distant breeze, 
 
 And rjiis'd u lunmit liko l!ic roarin^j seas. 
 
 This fatal morn, all springini;' li^ht fro'u sleep, 
 A 'and (.f v»airi ;rs clinib'd a dislaiit sleep, 
 Witless of diT.;ei', ora sco'rr't f;>c, 
 Pr:^j)',r'd to h.int— tliey tuniM their eyes below, 
 T.iero saw advancing; on, with wicked speed, 
 
 A finions ba!»d, eacli spurrincf on his stec I. 
 Misty tiij .scene — tlia lagijin^- s'.iad'js of niijht 
 
 Ila 1 scir- eiy left t!io rirn of Dian's li,i;hl. 
 Pallid s'.ie liiniL^, beiido l!»o star of nnrn^ 
 And caught its r \y, on licr diiiiinish'd horn : 
 W iif .1 the l;>ud war-whoop, on the distant mound, 
 Eclud i.s horrors throu.^h the vales around. 
 
 The Iribc of Indians, filiior, mother, ciiil I, 
 Sj'run^' fiuiii rejtoiif.?, and iiuniod forward wiid. 
 An I sa.v advan'-iuij;- 01, the crael foe. 
 Too \v( II ili^' waving stripes the Indians know. 
 Know, the base j)erfi,ly ami rutli!ess ire, 
 R'-pine anj fraud, that fan t!»e Y iTikee fire, 
 t)readrid, the horror of Ih-yi " nameless name" 
 Of which nine hundred, in divisions came. 
 
I 
 
 I.' 
 
 97 
 
 And liavinii ,£»aiiiM tliftau^ilatod town, 
 Ji( i,Mii to mow tlt<' wiianoM suliorers down. 
 The daiiiitloss wurriors sliowM no si'j^ns of Tear, 
 Bill. Sfi/'d t!ie tomahawk the how, and spear, 
 And as the snvaL'^e troopers onward press'd. 
 Each naked Indian (tnooscd his l)reast ; 
 Doforo his wife and clMldreii firmly stood, 
 Biilhinir Mif groinid with one lont^stniam of hlood. 
 Xot inon; th ui ei<:;hl times teti th<'ir nnndx r mjulc, 
 AVho tlicruoppos'd and m I thr mnrd' rous Misde j 
 Thire bravily lell — e'en the last chif^ltaiii ieil, 
 ^«ololie surviv'ii tilt liuteiul tale to tell, 
 Jsor one tor quarter, or lo; lavor sought. 
 But all, and sinj^ly tacii bruvc hero fought, 
 An<l lighting- f 11 — gracM with a palriot's name, 
 1 he noblest title on the list of fume. 
 Their Trophet last, iay strelch'u upon llie ground. 
 His heart's blood welling from a gaping wound. 
 His broken limbs no longer eonld sustain 
 His body's weight, yet heedless of the pain, 
 HeraisM his form — audlwang'd his mighty bow. 
 
 And sent one groaning Yankee down below. 
 Encircled near, another spirit stood. 
 In his own wigwam floating with his blood. 
 Yet firm he stood, nor show'd the least dismay, 
 ^Till hewn in pieces, his dead body lay. 
 His wretched wife, his children pressing round, 
 Receiv'd alike th' irremediable wound. 
 Grasping each other, side by side thry lay. 
 One gore of blood, tinging the lifeless clay, 
 
 N 
 
 !•! [,l ■ i 
 
 HI- 
 
 
 '( !j^ 
 
 *t' 
 
II 
 
 \ {: 
 
 f * 
 
 98 
 
 8omc sqnawfi cscapM, llio youthful molhri* wild 
 l*1o(l to tiic woods, to liidi; licr infant cliild : 
 Worse was lur late — mint' bitter her despair, 
 Her hushami's bier she had been hh ss'd to share ; 
 For taken now — in bondi^e leii along', 
 vShe brtaib\l the wailing?* oian Indian song. 
 
 That Sony so wild, tlie heavy groan thatdic3 
 In the clce|i tone — or bursts in sinother'd sighs. 
 While her fond arms, their tender eliargc infold^ 
 Chill'd by its mother, shiv'rini;, lifeless, cold, 
 Say ye Columbians ? but such a name 
 Your <leeds of savage cruelty defame ; 
 No, you arc nature's f^roundling motley race. 
 Of every nation the most vile and base ; 
 For any wretch, who sells his country's claim. 
 
 In this debasM one, finds an honor'd name. 
 Not one among you blam'd this horrid deed. 
 Which proves, to do it, you were all agreed.. 
 You call it victory, ami noble news, 
 Thus in your children, ficad-like crimes infuso. 
 She ild yon not rather spurn so black a deed. 
 And never triumj)b, when the injur'd bleed. 
 The luckless C reeks, are brothers of your soil, 
 And them you j)!(ui!lcr, murder, and despoil. 
 Lest from afjr liiey hear the battle sound. 
 And may be courtedfromthcir peace profound ; 
 This Mis you say — but there you have no dread. 
 Since your possessions round their town are spread. 
 And a!! must go, wives, children, lands and all. 
 Should they attend the warlike hatchet's fall.— 
 
90 
 
 Jso, base, inviuling hordes, you knew your time, 
 Whcu you miglil execute so black, a criiue. 
 Some nrv iit war, enough you lliink, to liitle. 
 From all the world this wi ked homicide. 
 You stole without pretence, stole ou at night. 
 And murder'd uieii, your courage dar'd not light, 
 Few as the Indians were, in open day, 
 )VitIi arms prepar'd, you dar'd not urge the fray. 
 
 You lost and luckless tribo a sad farewell, 
 Pity will long;, your noble darings tell ; 
 And should on(3 soul survive among your clan, 
 Should Heaven restore to health one wounded man^ 
 He from your ashes will a flanie impart 
 That will consume tlie Yankee's rebel heart. 
 
 Dutah ! no hope is left — no kindly aid. 
 The dead, and dying were together laid. 
 No food nor succour for the wounded nigh. 
 To ease their pain, or soothe them as they die. 
 Thus were they by the cruel Y' nkee's doom'd. 
 The wounded left — the dead all unentomb'd. 
 The few alive, as slaves, were led away, 
 The rest to hungry tigers left a prey. 
 
 Return we now, where tlutt comuianding; chief. 
 Could tiad for all his sorrows no relief: 
 Where he to Wilkinson his sway resign'd. 
 Oh — Wilkinson, who shall thy equal find I ! (2) 
 
 Would I could paint willi great Sir Joshua's art ; 
 Nicely to draw, each liiiXc j) erf at part. 
 
i.l 
 
 ^ ■:>l 
 
 \m 
 
 Wj'.ntiiii^ tlmt pow'r, I will the ontlinf j,mv^, 
 "NVIiirli, wlicii lill'd up witli skill — may msikr liimlivt 
 His lio'ly fivo foci liiu,li, auH scjimrc — his i\\C9 
 llii:!) liills and daics— a widr and vacant space, 
 W'.iore ros'M, \i(dofs, eaiiialiunf? ldo\r 
 Unicaili \\\r skill, and like romiil hillocks show ; 
 S<» imicli iidiiiirM by ovtry lovuly dame, 
 Scarce one can know liim, and rel;*in h r fame, 
 Tlio perfect knuve of lien lis— whose suirrking stare, 
 1 ruiii lilll<* eyes shodls ioith n tewAi r i^ la re, 
 Around li's neck a ril)')iiiMl >;'aily slunir, 
 To which a fcmile j)ictnre « aniiiiMg i:i:ng : 
 Ami from each lob to mark ininntc the lime, 
 T'volarj^e gold watches rnnfr the rri\al chime, 
 r»iM riinij in vain — three months he saiuilcr'd round, 
 IJnt never vctitnr'd once on hostile LiTound, 
 At dih'erpiit points— his mighty Ion e h ' spread ; 
 His limits stood still, to wander al their h< ad. 
 Canuilia's troops, like rear-gnards, scatler'd wide. 
 Could only wat^^h — and let his motions guide. 
 1\n\H all wasqui't — paiiLv^iJu for awhile, 
 'Till 'dmnce should •^•'•vw her sly ignoble smile, 
 AVlii;hsoon si e did — hare was Canadia's plain, (3) 
 
 Ne s"<;cour coul ' her distant sous obtain. 
 And at n.-troit her starvini^ squadron lay 
 "VVailiiig- iiipolies, and men to for<;e its way ; 
 Mcuiwhile, tlie Vunkce fleet, and months before. 
 
 At E 
 
 r.e io(»e — coi 
 
 Ltli 
 
 ng more and more. 
 
 E'en Hriiish sailors, led by force or j^nile ; 
 
 i:ouie ftere e.itiapp'd — others, mure uase and vilcs 
 
 ji 
 
 a 
 
101 
 
 Ti'licmscl'. es submillt tl lo llir jiUjccl slate, 
 Of t.ikiiig' truiiiu citiiil, a bri)k( ii |Mte. (1) 
 
 Lurking, willi " cat-likc walcli," for many a day, 
 Tin; luc lound Harrl-iy slaiviny; in the bay, 
 Exulting found — well his own lorce he kne>f. 
 From their besl sliips was cullM his able crew, 
 I lilanit; not this, hut fclnii^land 'tis I blame. 
 To save her sons— she sliouM have done the same ; 
 l']iii;land was not aware, to lose the Ltike, 
 llcr lljiper I'rovince, snrchj was at stake. 
 Tort (jicorjjfc, and Liille York — the lot; retain'd. 
 And up the lake the Uritish lleet remain'd. 
 Alas ! the hour — lo man that st.irvmg licet 
 And make Ihvir scanty numbers more complete, 
 Landsmen they ta!:e, Militia, nv hat they could, 
 And for th'! foe wilh desijerale eourai^c stood ; 
 Bravely they foui^ht — dark wa!«» the lurid sky. 
 As black and diiise, the smoke eurl'd up on high. 
 Like Cerberus loud, tiie sa'plTrous engines roar'd, 
 As though the fiends were (rnplying all their hoard, 
 Of dire combustion, toctlacothe Lake, 
 Or make its waves the firy ilisshrs slake. 
 
 Silence ensued, slow Si^il'd the smoke away, 
 And show'd the LawrencCj where a wrok kIic lay, 
 Her colours struck — whv seiz'd thev not the prize ? 
 Wounded or dead alas ! each leader lies. 
 Through harchiy^s fleet — but one unhurt remain'd, 
 To teach their u)en, the action lii'^y siistain'd 
 E'en work'd the guns— brav'd too the thickest strife. 
 And gave to England, eith r limbs, or life. 
 
 u 
 
 Ii 
 
 \ f 
 
I« 
 
 102 
 
 'I'lnis vitlory cli:u»i;M licr p<;il — licr sons rcsi^u'd : 
 Ami iMi'j'f* il'iJi ''»'-"'«i<",^'", kiss'd llie \\iii<J. 
 liul who CiUi now llic Viuikcu pruwiHs Icil, 
 Or Niiiko Nvilii noise enough lliu ding-don^ bell f 
 
 Kxullu.l Nelson, tliy soltonorM ikimio, 
 Williuiilu Itlitsli, llicsi! iniidds defunie. 
 '1 liis deed they s:iy, sm'jjasscs all of lliiiio; 
 M>lclilngllieir nriiMsloiie lj|;i/.e witli rays divine. 
 'lis like eomparin;; S(d's eJlicient lijLjIjt 
 '!'(» Ilic dark i^looni of Mrehus nntl ni;;ht. 
 Tor this, while guns were firod, and lin//.as sound, 
 And l»hi/ing iioiiliros cractklM <ill around, 
 Anollier inessonj^* r of joy a|)i)Lai'(}, 
 And chcirinif was ajjain, with riol cheer'd. 
 The luro of I'ort Meigs, cross'd Erie's Hood, 
 And on C.madiii's shore, in triumph stood ; 
 I>o force he met that could his feet arrest ; 
 And Ciesar's laurels blooni'd upon his crest , 
 A'or this illu ainations bla/'d aj^ain, 
 (ireat guns were heard, amid the shouts of men, 
 'j'o t;rcetthc news the hells be:jan to toll. 
 The same for joy — as a departed soul. 
 One bell for eccry faith — each church contains j (5) 
 And these, like empty witlings lacking brains. 
 Would all be heard, and make a clanking noise, 
 Din^-dong they sound tiieir sorrows ami their joys, 
 'Twas victory's knell, and not her chime they toll'd. 
 The strain was rigiit, her form to them is cold. 
 l)y ac;id('nt she gives, one shrivellM bay, 
 i>ul turns frum them, her splendid light away. 
 
103 
 Ahnvotlir hpfX'l of ))lon«l stuiiiM Frir's Klrrn 
 
 fn, 
 
 Thy iiarnrsakc, falli( I 'riiiiiiw , Ww Miisrs lln me. 
 
 From wild St. ("lair wiuds on its polish'd way 
 
 Throntrli nislic sliad* s, and llow'ry vallirs fj;ay ; 
 
 Silent il steals, wlicrr on its hordrr slooj 
 
 A peaceful villau^o, wxtir'dhy rtsHood. 
 
 Reside its course, a level lawn was spread, 
 
 And noddin*;' trees Inmi; 8tat( ly over head, 
 
 Ik'neatli whose shade an a^c I fathf^r urey, 
 
 Sat to !)( hol I a vouthlul tribe at i)lav. 
 
 The ball tin v iirj;M, or twan^^'d the springing- bow, 
 
 And olht r leats ol' boy -like coiirai;e show. 
 
 'i'hese were of <brker li-ie, than tliat ^ri^■ht face, 
 
 In whose soft lines reli^ioii niaikM htr trace. 
 
 The holy man, a Mi sionary'o form, 
 
 Had stood the shock of ininy a winter's storm. 
 
 To rear the bud ofsaercd Cliristiuii grace. 
 
 And on the Indian^s soul lo mark its trace. 
 
 Now for his labour, many a grateful eye. 
 
 And swelling heart would uller blessings nigh. 
 
 Forhini the Savage cloaih'd his nuked br.r^d. 
 Weaving the manlle that conccai'd his chest : 
 Through him, the light of wisdom grac'd his brow. 
 And in the sacred fane he breath'd his vow ; 
 All goiid, he knew, the Missionary taught. 
 Who still to pious virtue btiit his tliought, 
 'J'hus like a parent — free from woriJiy strife. 
 He lives to lead his swarthy tribe to life. 
 Nor ever lets one abstract thought nppear. 
 Which might distract the soul, or make it fear 
 
 i' • 
 
 : 11 
 
TT 
 
 h 
 
 104 
 
 One tcaij he led, one i;Gntlc patli-way trod 
 Towaids liie Missionary's promisM God. 
 Hero, witl-.out vice — without, or strife or pain, 
 Kach villager liis brother would su.staia. 
 One friendly coffer h Id their common store 
 Exhausting, labour'd every hand for more. 
 Through their sweet village beauteous order glow'd. 
 And grac'd with dext'roua care each neai abode; 
 One sacred s'eeple pointing to tlie sky. 
 With care adoru'd, caught tho admiring eye. 
 To decorate liiat fane — their only pride 
 In this, and this alone, Ihey strongly vied. 
 
 On the fair Thames, in force eight thousand strongj^ 
 Floated the Yankee host in boats along ; 
 A tribe of worthies — Harrison their head, 
 Shelby and Perry their joint banners spread ; 
 For now the Lake in Yankee bondage lay, 
 No bar remain'd, to keep their hordes away. 
 Near the Moravian town their numbers pour. 
 Like locusts, as a pest on every shore : 
 Thev view'd the town, and onward rnah'd v.'ith speed. 
 Time was not ripe to do their purposed deed. 
 On they advance, where Proctor in a vale 
 Heard their intent, but trusted not the tale. 
 Supine his trr^ps, and heavy baggage lay, 
 Wh«^n fate demanded, he should haste away : 
 And wheii he mov'd his motion w^a l)nt slow ; 
 His soldiers grac'd the triumph of tlie foe. 
 Five hundred men he lost from wilful ease ; (6) 
 His future deeds must angry fame appease. 
 
105 
 
 A G«»neral ever should, rontmgents see, 
 
 And know what is, and what perchance may hh. 
 
 Not more of glory marks the Yankee name 
 Because eight thousand rushing onward cume. 
 On less than one — we hlarne not Proctor's will. 
 Nor want of bravery — but want of skill. 
 
 Some dozen Generals, with augmented pride. 
 The laurels of this great aflair divide ; 
 Supported, as 1 said, by that ^rta^ name 
 That cast in shade — our Nelson's splendid fame. 
 
 Against them all, Tecumseth kept the field. 
 Though small his force, the hero would not yield. 
 But boldly led along his little band. 
 Poising his hatchet, in his nervous hand, 
 He 'mill the woods a sheltering rampart found. 
 And spread destruclidn on the foe around. 
 Be it forisver to Britannia said, 
 Tecumseth kept the field, when Proctor fled. 
 With hauglity courage, and undaunted pride. 
 The mighty force ofallthefoe defy'd ; 
 Nothing could check his daring, matchless mind. 
 Until a shot swifc borne upon the wind 
 O'erthrew his tow'ring form — falt'ring he stood. 
 He reel'd, be turn'd — and sought the thickest wood. 
 Soon fled his tribe, when once they miss'd their chief. 
 And track'ti his footsteps, to afford relief. 
 They found him, leaning on a blasted tree, 
 Hia body resting ou one feeble knee. 
 
 'f 
 
Tt 
 
 » 
 
 r: 
 
 «*•: 
 
 106 
 
 His manly slioulder 'gaiust llie trunk lie prMsr'rf, 
 And slow untied llie wampum on \nn breast, 
 Thiit blood-stuin'd belt, to wiiicli lus quiver hung-. 
 And his lona; bow — this morn with vigour struny^. 
 His eyes pursued them, as he laid them down. 
 His thoui;htful ijok express'd a warrior's frown. 
 No siijn of weakness in his raven rye, 
 Firndy lie j,^az'd — and.luid the lruj)hif,s by ; 
 " Go, yo," he sail, " go re^.t for future years ; 
 *' The star to li;L;ht my path, no mare appears; 
 " 'J'he groat — great sj)irii says— r»ny night is nigh, 
 " Teeumuelh liv'd — T ocumsoth now must die." 
 He then unclasp'd the brooches from his vest. 
 And fast the current spouted from his^ breast. 
 
 Scatter'd around him, withered flow'rs were laid> 
 Like droopiug mourners iu the silent shade; 
 These he had plutk'd to st9,unch his gaping Wiound, 
 But wash'd away,, they strew'd the dus,ty ground ; 
 The water-lilly, spotless now no more. 
 Hung its fair head, distain'd with clotted gore. 
 Fast ebbM the vital stream, his frame grew weak, 
 \ethis keen eyes their wonted vigour speak. 
 
 'Twas now that slow a])proachiug.Ju the rear. 
 Another band of warriors drew near, 
 'Fore whom a femtile form, presss'd on alone 
 And stood beside him, like a lifeless stone ; 
 She fix'd her eyes upon the hero's face, 
 ]5ut show'd no tear, nor any varying trace ; 
 He gaz'd with pity on her silent form. 
 One tender ray, glow'd in his features warm> 
 
107- 
 
 And soft lie xaul — " great spirit thine I go, 
 
 *' Ciuard thou my sister, fioin the hmg-kiiived foo. (7) 
 
 ** Oil tl»e hroad watt r wlieii tliou ramblest far, 
 
 '* Tell to our brothers — how we died iu war, 
 
 ** Tell to our father, his red ehildreu bold 
 
 " Flineh'd notiu battle, 'till tiieir liiubs were cold, 
 
 " *Till frost and snow — like as the Lake appears, 
 
 «* So rests the body (Vo/:en, uiauy years ; 
 
 '* 'Till the great light, that lives upon the main, 
 " Revives the root, and makes it spring again." 
 lie said, and as he spoke, his eye-lids clos'd. 
 The noble youth upon the tnrf repos'd. 
 
 Resfc, rest, exalted spirit, rest divine. 
 The eye of mercy will to thee incline. 
 The Almighty Father make thy Being rise. 
 And plant thy root in bright cerulean skies. 
 
 Now flush'd with victory the Long Knives stand. 
 Anxious to desolate the royal land ; 
 And back return to those same happy shores. 
 Where silent Thames, his crystal water pours. 
 There turn these victors, sons of great renown. 
 To burn the Missionary's hallow'd town. (8) "' 
 The watchful matron, waken'd by her fear. 
 Fancy 'd she heard the tread of horses near. ' 
 The trumpet too, with harsh discordant sound. 
 Was echoed from the bravs and brakes around ; 
 But perfect rectitude, restor'd her joy. 
 No enemy, would peaceful tribes annoy, 
 They fought no buttles — no resentment show'd ; 
 No blood for them in any quarter flowM. 
 
 y 
 
 ^' ) 
 
 t 
 
i 
 
 103 
 
 Tlius cliecrM with hope, each parent left his htd. 
 Ah thodevoiirint^ lurch was onward led: 
 perry and Harrison, these sons of fame, 
 Light ill the town the all consuming flame; 
 In vain the Missionary's houry head 
 And lifted hands, before these fiends were spread ; 
 In vain the women, and the cliildren'ti cry ; 
 In vain the Indian's reddening martial eye. 
 That spoke reprisals \c would soon demand ; 
 On they advanc'd and spread the burning brand : 
 The crackling fluiuts ascend the holy spire. 
 And with the clouds is mix'd their in>pious fire. 
 Each peaceful shed — each dome of healthful case. 
 Is smouldering low among half burning trees, 
 Ti»e oak is there, the aspin, scath'd with flame. 
 To mark with scorn the Yankee's hated name. 
 
 'Twas for this victory the tallow blaz'd. 
 The bills alltoird, and all the women gaz'd. 
 Brave nation — je art great with little means, 
 The filn* of vanity your eye-sight screens, 
 "Von see not, hear not, know not what is true, 
 Beason and wisdcm have no charms for you : 
 But as the fool the organ ^)ellows biew. 
 And thought the Heav'nly strains that Handel drew 
 Were all his own— so you in word and deed, 
 Not only equal, but the ^orld exceed, 
 
 Kow as their own, they spake of Montreal, 
 And many started to behold its fall : 
 The merchants hurried on to purchase ware, (9) 
 All anxious for their interest to be there. 
 
 r 
 
109 
 
 New-York, her city emptied on the stream 
 Away tliiy tloatj im|icll'il by houl and bteam* 
 
 E'en cautious Wi!kinson/gan rouse his band. 
 And wave dcliance wiln his Uiiked brand. 
 He had, with Annslrouj^;, weigli'd the whole campaign, 
 With steady balance, both Ihu loss and gain, 
 
 Ol taking — Kingston, or of Montreal, 
 Certa'Mi it'hc approach'd, either must fall; 
 Sometimes the wav'ring scale wan tor the last, 
 Then a fresh fo ce, the prospect overcast. 
 But now thf! lime was ripe, mature the plan. 
 And for their shal ops push'd he every man. 
 To Grenadier they ploughM their watery way. 
 Where in his fountuiu hid —St. Lnwrence lay. 
 And there began to si)rea«', his mighty stream. 
 
 Through hill and dale, rich as a poet's dream. 
 
 The isle they jjain — and the commander sent 
 
 To summons Hainpt')n, for the great event : 
 
 Long in llie wdiis, enttiuglGil,and forlorn, 
 
 He Had been lopping trees, and stealing corn ; 
 
 Or more hu.uane, like hateful slriie he slooJ, 
 
 Goa ing the hind lo si»ed his neighbour's blood ; (10) 
 
 When uig'd to action, logs were in hi.s way, 
 
 h\^*^ Guides, iorever, led his fret asuay ; 
 
 McusLs, and mumps, and agues shook his host. 
 
 But lii'^iust news, made his higU courage boast : 
 
 Thuusaiiushe number'd, whi'li he soon could pour, 
 
 Aiul frighten Ciiataguay's imperial shore; 
 
 There he woidd force his ruggod route along. 
 
 And the Grand Army join — ajuactiou strong. 
 
 
rr 
 
 
 110 
 
 i 
 
 1 ' ' 
 
 I ■ 
 
 y 
 
 >*- " 
 
 This gave to Wilkinson oxtieiuc delight, 
 lie always wish'dy'w// compaiuj to liglit. 
 IMcasM h(^ eruhark'd on the St. Lawrence stream, 
 But fate was cruel, and destroy'd his dream. 
 From (jreuadicr, as on he floated slow, 
 Tiie boisterous northern winds began to blow. 
 And sad disasters reaciiM the General's heart. 
 The elements all took Canadians part ; 
 His face that look'd so like a blacksmith's forge 
 When the great bellows does its wind disgorge j 
 Now by despair, began to shrivel in, , 
 And lie in folds about his cheeks and chin. 
 But cheering tidings on the way he learn'd. 
 At Montreal, that laurels might be earn'd (U) 
 Without a blow — his troops its force could eat 
 All at one dinner, and be short of meat ; 
 Cheer'd by the news his health began to mend. 
 And pleasure her delightful follies lend. 
 Thus blithe and gay mov'don, the jolly band. 
 And here, and there for their amusement land. 
 Sometimes Canadians sons would hover near. 
 And freeze them with a momentary fear.' 
 
 Yet on for Prescott merrily they go. 
 
 And open on the ramparts of the foe, . 
 
 Like wild ducks drawing slow'y from the strand, . 
 
 Where they behold the dreaded fowler stand. 
 
 So glide they on with spe^d, for t'other side, 
 
 **■ On their own shore, they may in safety hide ; 
 
 ** Or steal along unnotic'd by the foe, 
 
 "' And meet their boats vvhich raiyhtbe sent below." 
 
Ill 
 
 This counsel, all approve, iin»! land wilh spPiJ, 
 To v^ail for Iiikc more stiiling' to proceed ; 
 Some )eii< ly hour, uiuiilcd, byjjiooiny nii^lit, 
 M'lieii viee may .safe elude the tell-tale light. 
 
 ^Vhil^ ptMi-siiiij,- hero, tlit» General mark'd the flo^ 
 Ori)(;ld^rl. Lawrriiti, sullen---dorp — and slow. 
 Where his (>road waves were spread a mirror bright, 
 Reflecliiig soft the hlazinj^ beams of lii,^ht. 
 Thus fornwhiie he seem'd, serene and mild. 
 But ill an instant rushing forward wild, 
 SweJlini;:, and surging with impetuous sway, 
 His troubled floods in whirling eddies play ; 
 And down flic stoep, his broken current flung, 
 Tiiat with the huriy, ail the desert rung ; 
 The. pensive echo caught tlie troubled sound. 
 And sent it on the breeze in murmurs round. 
 
 Deep contemplatloii seiz'd the General's soul. 
 These waves oiue down, could never backward roll. 
 Sad image for a warrior on his way ; 
 He urg'd his reason hard, lor a delay. 
 
 How casiy 'tis to trace along the sky 
 Some figure wtiiling the observer's eye ! 
 The General niark'd the wind, and saw the rain, 
 Saw cause enough his shallops to detain : 
 
 Again he sent to hapten Hampton on ; 
 Hampton had chang'd iiis mind, and homeward gone. 
 When a most lucky fog — shut up the light ; 
 Prescott he pass'd^ as in the eyeless uight. 
 
1 : 
 
 11-2 
 
 Pfj 
 
 'I > 
 
 AikI boldly k"j)t his way unclicck'd awhile : 
 ilaiii is lliAl ialc, lliat ntvcr wears a smile. 
 
 lirowii \\v dispatch'd — where the \o\v^ Rapids roar. 
 To cloar lor Irs a|)|)n»a(h tin; hostile shore. 
 For cloiiie ahoiil him, parties hovor'd near, 
 
 That /tac't/ him much, an'.' cratch'd him in the rear. 
 
 Poor luckless hero now his strife begun, 
 
 Again he landed one more iieavy gun ; 
 
 As from each brake beside tlie rapid (lood, 
 
 Some cruel marksman drew the Yankee blood. 
 
 Fearful aeeoiiiits came to the leader's boat. 
 
 That made liitn pause before he reach'd the saut. 
 
 Here he dispatch'd two able Cenerals more. 
 
 To drive the foe some diuianee from the shore : 
 
 They reach'd the land— the General tra( k'd their way. 
 
 Saw them advance, where in his boat he lay. 
 
 Soon biaz'dthe thuiid< riiig guns on either hand ; 
 
 He saw his troops forc'd back upon the strand. (12) 
 
 Then in an open field his troop?: he trac'd 
 
 Flying in tumult to the dreary waste. 
 
 What should he do — the long saut foam'd below. 
 
 And no retreat, should he descry the foe. 
 
 Eight miles, its troubled waters rush'd along. 
 
 And once advance — musit on, or right or wrong^. 
 
 That moment boats behind him came so near, 
 
 Adown the saut he held his wild career, 
 
 Mor ever look'd behind : — in vain to turn. 
 
 ^Twas ** neck or nothing" — through the flames, or burn. 
 
 Poor chief with head wrapp'd close beneath hh coat. 
 
 His shallop swang adown the rapid jfawf. 
 
113 
 
 '•I I 
 
 And all llie rest, like gecsc upon the wing", 
 Follow'd their leader — not a wed;re, but strinor 
 
 6'' 
 
 '«. 1 
 
 The whole eigiit miles, his lengthy squaihon strung', 
 
 Tolterin^^ and rolling hy tne eddies rtunjjf. 
 
 But ^ain'd at lust, the Salmon River's flood. 
 
 And stuck their shallops in protectin<j|^ mud ; 
 
 The General tcas'd, snatc/i^l, tortur'd quite cnoughj 
 
 B hold, his visage once sored andblufl'; 
 
 Shriveird, and blue, and thin, he left his boat, 
 
 His chin all hanging like a turkey's throat, 
 
 A large cock'd hat tlapp'ddowu upon his head. 
 
 By soldiers twain his tottering body led. 
 
 He wondcr'd much he said, poor tender heart. 
 That in his grief Canadia took no part ; 
 Her men were loyal, nothing he* could gain. 
 No traitor to assist — or case his pain. 
 
 In future Wilkinson this lesson learn, 
 A loyal heart will base connexions sp\irn ; 
 If dogs affinity with men would trace. 
 The whip repels — and shews the cur his place. 
 
 Now when the General pausM and knew his fate, 
 Paus'd to bewail his pitiful estate. 
 His men in scatter'd parties coining o'er. 
 Naught but dead bodies left on t'other shore. 
 Rage seiz'dhis soul, that Hampton was not there, 
 Who of his troubles ought to have a share. 
 To him he wrote in such ungentle strain, 
 That Hampton could not long his wrath restrain. 
 
 j 
 
 h i 
 
 i\ 
 
 I 
 
w 
 
 I' 
 
 114 
 
 And Iio'.li licgan tospuller foilli their spile 
 111 l.wi:;ii i^a' inor .■ (icliis'ii tli m 1 c:iii wnte. 
 KocriiniiiiilitMi liliM ain \\ UiUcr \>U'^o, 
 Lil>e \>< ';;iii lb sc bold licroii* butli ('H<^ago. 
 
 One hi )rn, as iVoin d liriuiu, bturliii.; wild, 
 So in! raiicy Htiiick lliocliiL't — at wliicli lie s:uil*d, 
 Siiiil'd li!»lf'ii siiiih^ — and liuif a cnnniiiL,^ urin, 
 Ga\c a wise nod nnd stiokM liis slw>;j:j;y chin ; 
 And ii()i<lin^ lU'ti tii ■ tlioiighl— his pun he sciz'dr 
 And halching', his j)rolilic brain was cas'd, 
 AVriliiij; he sal — till the no.»u li.le grew late, 
 Wiicn his kind (ientjraU call'd to know his state j 
 He iiehl Iho paper — told them wiliidelij^ht 
 His great disjfalth, he was abont to write. 
 And by his skill in logic he could prove, 
 And every adverse donbt with ease remove, 
 That victory was Iheir's, percii'd on their shield, 
 Tho' onii chief fell — and three were fain to yield : 
 Mj, first premise observe — the foe's desij^n, 
 His every object was oppos'd to mine, 
 His firm intention, was to stop my botit,. 
 And mine to sally down the rapid saiif. 
 And down I c.;me without or let, or stay. 
 And thus, undoubtedly, I gain'd tin; day. 
 
 They all agreed — and huzzas tore the flood. 
 The very shallops cpiiverM iu the mud. 
 Most glorious shallops, grand their: entor.pris«,. 
 Destin'd hereafter to illume the skies. 
 
 The General sent his long dispatch away. 
 How many kill'd, or missiug, could not say : 
 
116 
 
 But for the enemy, lie knrw his fuli-, 
 Kfi'.'Wiill his loss, treiiittuloiis 'twas aiul ;^reat. 
 Whil(!»uy hold line in triMni|)h sliows its lUcf, 
 And octMi|»ic'8, he 8iiid, a leiis^tluj M|)acc, 
 Hve hnn.lrcd hoits, by tiu.irstron!,' moorings tied, 
 l''ast in thu mud display our country's pi ido. 
 " And I conceive, as the campai^r,, j^ „'er, 
 y For safety we should draw them on tho shore, 
 ^'' As here 1 mean to take my winter station, 
 '' And hope what I have done will please the nation. 
 1^' A list of dead and dy in- I shall send ; 
 " And all the great and worthy recommend." 
 
 November, 1813. 
 
 ; i 
 
 5 
 
no 
 
 NOTES TO lutu.k Tiir, riiir.tt. 
 
 u 
 
 I 
 
 Thi' hirpitinlr onrc marc, of this vile race. 
 
 Gciici'iil .lacksoii, w.iit ooiiiiii iikIo I tli!! H(;v('iilli iiiilitnry 
 (I'lHlrit^t, «l('tu(ii('<l GciicimI Coircc, with iiiii*' liiitiilrcti incii, 
 to (ic'Ntroy tlic r!illiisii-«ttt'li(.-s towns, iiilialntcd l)y CriM'klii- 
 iliiiis. II" suys liis oi(li IS w<'i'(' cxiiMilt*! /« .s/z/r, and that 
 liolli oirhirs atiii iiicii lieliivcd willi ttio wUwwsi biar cry and 
 tU/iht rafioii. 
 
 Ill (i'iioimI (Joir-o's own account of lliis li<»rii(l inassa(M'r, 
 lie jiiiysan involaiilary (rilMiie ol'rcHiiect to tlie IikIiuiin, t'roiu 
 Aviiicii 1 extract till' luilowiti^ : 
 
 " Til ; cii iny milt' ail lliu rosistancn that ai overpowered 
 ** soldier could <lo ; lliey l'ou;^lit as loii^j; as one exisleil, liut 
 *' III ir distraction was very soon coiiiideted, our men rusli- 
 ** ed U|> to the doors ol'tht; houses, and in a lew iiiinutes kiU 
 " led the last warrior of them: the eneiity fought with sa- 
 *' vni;;e fury, and met death witii all its hornus, without 
 *' shrinkiii<^ or complainiii;^, not one asked to be s|)ared, hiil 
 " fought as lon^' as they could stand or sit. In coiise- 
 " oueiiC'iof llieir flyiii;;- lo their houses, and mixinfj with 
 " tlicir faindics, o.ir iiK^n in killini; the males, without inl<>n- 
 *' lion kiiUnl and wound'd a fesv of the s(|uaws and chil- 
 *' dren — the numhc r of the enemy killed was one hundred 
 ** and eighty-six, that virc counted, ami a number of others 
 *' that were killed in the woods, not found. — 1 think the cal- 
 " cnlation a leasonahle one to say. Two Hundred of them 
 ** were killed ; and Ki<;lity-Four prisoners, of women and 
 ** children, were taken : not oik; of Hie warriors escaped.'* 
 
 It do{!s not re([iiire much saL>acity to iiiuK rstand the na- 
 ture of this disgracefid Iransaclioii ; though the officers en- 
 ga«;t d in it were complimented for their brara tj and delibe- 
 ration, disijuiscd as it was under the name of victory, and 
 tsouuded SIS jjrent news from one extremity of the United 
 States to the other. The commander of this humane expe- 
 dition tells tlie world that he <lcslroved, on a moderate com- 
 putalioi); two hundred of tJicm, including- a few stiuaws aud 
 
117 
 
 tliiltlrril, nnd lio look of llirsroiily ri;;lily-f«>ur |nisomrs. I 
 |j(|; it iiiiiy iiol Im> lori^ottcii llial tliis liidiaii town Wiis siirpri- 
 N('<i,aii«l that it is not pn tended any |>n|iaratii>M Nsas made tor 
 ilsd* Itriic, hy iallini^ Nvaniois troni utlicr towns; (Ik n, llioii;;U 
 (icnrriil CotliciniM carclnlly iiNoidcd t('llin;r us (he juojiorti- 
 oti ol ii;;litini; nicn killed to that of tlio Nv«)ni( n and eliildren, 
 Mc can « tisily eonio near lli< trntli, by enriiiring the nundur 
 ofia li t(» l>e found in any \illaL;c eontainin;; alioiil two iinn- 
 (lied an<l ii'-lilv-six inli >l)ilanls. — I will ventnie to sav, llii-H 
 attack ill knowlcd;;! d to have hren made willi a torce of nino 
 Iinndred nn n, was not o|i|)osed U\ above I'ii^lily warriors, all 
 of wlioui (il il had Ik en the |Mdicy of the American coniinan« 
 tier to have done so] lui^lil have been surrounded and taken 
 
 Iirisoners witliont the loss of a man : bul what woidii 
 lave hi in the conscijui nee i' (iineral Collie would have lost 
 his {)oj>nlarily y,\[\i his own country n>en, and only have 
 gaiiteit Ihe respect of Ihuse whose good opinion ho did not 
 
 value. 
 
 o 
 
 Oh Wilkinson, who shall ihij Cijintl /inil. 
 For the character of this aecoinplislu il >;<dili< r, I refer the 
 reader to thelollowini; letter iVom.lnd^e i'ord, addressed to the 
 (icneral hirnsilf. 'I'his h tier is j^ivcn entire, as presenting 
 the likeness of two yrtat men on one canvas : 
 
 To (jlcnaal Janus Wilkinson, Connnanihr-in-Clucfof the 
 Armies of'ihc iniltd States. 
 Sir, 
 IN yonr passage down the St. I.awrenco, npon your expe- 
 dition to .Montreal, yon landed yonr troops three niili^s above 
 this village : ^ our illiberal, and un<;enlleiuanly abuse of my 
 character on that day, anil thesuccoedin|i- cvcnini,^, was sucli 
 .18 none but a man of your cast, would have indulged in. 
 To prevent a)iy mistake I have ascertained, beyond the pos- 
 sibility of doiilil, " y)n declared it to be your wish that O;^- 
 dcnsburg mi^ilit be burnt, and as for Judge Ford you would 
 hang him, and if th(! enemy did not burn his property, you 
 Would bo Ci-d danined if you did not." — Contemptible 
 ■wretch I — that you are much better ipialificd for an inceniii- 
 iiry and a hangnian, Ihnn you are for a (General, has never 
 been a (jueslioa willi lae. — If public opinion is a proper tribu- 
 

 
 ". 1 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 US 
 
 f!ul, yon must lie dull ofapprolicnsion, if you have not disco- 
 Vfcinl thill a h;\lt' r is ;i nc':e.ss iry icquisit; to your hist tlc- 
 vatioii. It ncv'cr lails to be the case, when a wretch, like 
 you, aecid'iitdly gets hims^'M' placed in the situatiofi you 
 art', to ape llic tyrant, and IriHo with [irivilc prop rly and 
 private ch irartcr ll.ul you b'-eii s paratcvl from your army, 
 your dast;ird soul would sooner haveshruuk back toils priiiii- 
 tivc nothin-'-nesH, than von woidd have dared to have taken 
 the liberty you did witli my charaeter. Vour low ribaldry 
 "Was so dis-ustintf that even your political friends w re 
 ashamed, an I tht did that for you wiiicii you were never 
 known to do for yourself— they hlusht'd. 
 
 When you arrivvdat Mr. Thorp's wiiich is hut four miles 
 from where you set out, (the night you moved the arrny 
 throu;^h this vill.if^e) yon diseovercd (or olhers discovered 
 for you) it was necessary to stop and lake a nap, and give 
 time for the innics of liol nim to evaporate. A great Ctue' 
 r/// reijuircs j^reat stimulants. 'Ih' re are none who will 
 d'»ubt your si'cnl nvnlities, or the clearn'Si; of your head, 
 tvhen lis know n,ruit it requires two drinks (ii hot rum, to ena- 
 ble you to i^o through the operation of one shaving 1 shall 
 pass over your contiiuptible foppery, at Mr. Thorp's, in the 
 display of your wile's pi;:ture, and your two watches. Vour 
 folly and your foppisii b(haviour Hi'.d conversation, would 
 have disgraced a school boy. Atler you had sufheienlly 
 gratified your vanity, with those toys, you commenced your 
 virulent abuse of me, and in language which would have <iis- 
 graced a Billinsgate. Aiivv having exhausted a full portion 
 of your ill nature, you proposed nioving on after your army. 
 But as you had not quite hiled the m 'asure of your folly, you 
 proposed entertainir; >; the company with a song, before you 
 set out. For the sake of its sublimity and your taste, 1 will 
 repeat one of tlie verses of your song. 
 
 ** I am now a u^oing to Canada, 
 
 " And there I will get money, 
 
 " And there I'll kiss the pretty squaws, 
 
 " They are as sveet as honey.'* 
 It is no secret that money is your god, and the end has al- 
 ways justified the means for your obtaining it. 
 
 As for your honey squaws that is a matter of your own ; I 
 have no doubt you prefer black honey to white. The gene- 
 
11 J 
 
 rality of proj)]c in tliis part of the country liad an idea you 
 were ii iriai(,soinewliut almvo inodiocrit) liotii as a (icru imI and 
 a (ieiitUMnin It is only necessary lor you to pass tlirou!j;li 
 
 th 
 
 e eouirlry wiMi an army, 
 
 am 
 
 von 
 
 leave 
 
 an ntitvers il ini 
 
 jircssion that yon are noitlicr. They liowijver 'iMniit, tiiat 
 you support icilli dip^uihf your o.d or ler, — Kuii^ltl of the 
 golden spurs. I cannot close tliis note, without rennndiu!; 
 you of \onr auflacions declma'ion at ^S;^^kc^s Harbour — 
 *' That you would venture to tnke the civil liiw into your cwn 
 * lian 's, and ai»ply to llij President lor your justification." I 
 would inform \ou, Ihit von have arrived i i a State, that has 
 
 (thank (lod) a .Itidi 
 
 ilv h 
 
 th 
 
 hut 
 
 lank Uoil) a .hidicKiry who noi only have me power, on 
 the sj)irit, to punish Ji darin<; ontr ye even in the < haracter 
 of the Utile sub'tifraut Wilkinson. Your base conduct at 
 New-Orleans was covered over with the I'residenlial mantle, 
 but I donht, whether he would dare, a second time, to screen 
 yon from tha' punishment which the insulted majesty of the 
 laws (hinands. I shall now leave von to tiie enjovmentof 
 your Billing senate ribaldry, your hot rum, and your honey' 
 sweet squaws. 
 
 (Si-ned) NATHAN FORD. 
 
 Ogdcnsburff, lOlh November, 1813. 
 
 3. 
 
 hare teas Canadias plain. 
 
 Our not havmti,- the command of Lake Ontario, and losing 
 Little Voi'k and Fort Georpe, occasioned serious coiise- 
 .(|uences to our lleet at Detroit. The circumstances under 
 which Captain Barclay cngai^i d the American squadron on 
 L'.ik" Mrie, were such as to rentier the contest very unequal; 
 and nothing couhl havt; authorised his seeking an engagc- 
 iiicu!, but the actual scarcity of provisions that existed, and 
 thetotal im]>ossihility of procuring a supply where he was, 
 eitlier ibr his own tleet or General Proctor's army. His ves- 
 sels were not ma.ined by British seamen, he having under 
 lifty of that description scattered through his fleet: to cn:iblc 
 liim Vj suj^ply the deficiciicy we find, two hundred and fifty 
 men included in the oHicial return, made of a detachment of 
 the right division of the army stated as serving at the 
 time ot the action, on board the squadron as marines : And 
 Captain Perry acknowledges that many of the men taken had 
 
 ! I 
 
 1 If 
 
120 
 
 I 
 
 fiunllios in C;ina«la, wlilili induced him la grant tlicm their 
 jjarulc. 
 
 Tho Aii'Minans lay ju;rcat slroiis on Captain Barclay's 
 haviiiy;tlio urcalest miiiihur of gnus ; but what wore they i' — 
 His whoh^ Ih'ct inonnlin:;' sixty-two v;\i\\s, <'arri(!(l hut ci^/tt 
 hnndud (t)td l/iirh/-/ir() ponnils ol" s!iut, wiiilst (.'attain I'er- 
 ry's vo.s.s( is with only lilty-lonr ijnn.s, carried /i/h<n huu' 
 ((red and Itvcuhj cii^'ht j)i)nn is. But tliis dis|)arity is still 
 j^r<'ater lh;ui at lirst sight ajipcars, bocan -c soin ; of \\w. Ainc- 
 rican vessels had only 0:1;; long gun wliiih was efjually used 
 on cither si(ic, thc'relore the haU of tlicir whole lorce "will 
 not giv(! tint of one broadside, TIk; actual diHerfnce in 
 their favor was, Ffnw hundred and ninctii-two pounds 
 every broadside, allowing' but half the guns wluac more than 
 one was on board. Tor t!io correct ncss of this, 1 refer to 
 Captain Bar< lay's ollirial statement, which cannot bo con- 
 tradicted by (.'aptain l*« rry. 
 
 AVith a fleet so manned, and with such an inequality in 
 the size of their guns, as to r(!coive more than doulde the 
 ■weight of shot every broadside to what he could return, did 
 the gallant Barclay succeed m making Oaptain lorry's own 
 ship strike her l!ag, though he was unfortnnat' ly unable to 
 follow up the blow, from the loss of almost all his oHicers, 
 himself being sever ly wounded. One would suppose tho 
 Americans could not have found nuich to boast of in this ac- 
 tion, and yettiieir modesty has induced them to say, it has 
 surpassed any tiling achieved by our Nelson i'ney rate 
 their own force at 54 guns, and ours at (V2 — but they 
 carefully avoid statinjj^ the size of either, knowing that some 
 of Captain Barclay's vesseU had only four, six, and eight 
 pounders, whose tire was perfectly harmless, from the im- 
 possibility of getting witliin reach of Captain l^errv's gun 
 vessels, carrying long thirty-two pounders. The most insi- 
 dious falsehoofl is th;it which bears the stamp of truth on 
 its face, and which to be rightly understood requires expla- 
 nations, not always at hand, to counieract its evil tendency. 
 OJ' this description is the American account of the action 
 on Lake Erie. 
 
 4. 
 Of faking from a child a broken pate. 
 
 The treatment which r.itish sailors arc obliged to submit 
 
121 
 
 to.wliodcsorllhoir owiiflaijf.aud serve imdrrtlial oftlicUiiitrd 
 
 ',-)• 
 
 Stales, is a just puiiisliiiieiil far llic'ir lolK ; tlic discipline on 
 [•oard tlicir ships of war is iiiliiiitely iiiorr s«'vere lli'.ii in onr 
 service^ and llicir manner of'irryinu^ on duly is dci^radini;' 
 ill tlicextr.'ine to u^ood seamen, who are e(|Mally siihject, 
 with Iho had, to be struck and kickeil alxMil hy i;very hoy 
 who walks Ihf ((uarler-d 'k ; each officer has a ropc's-cnd 
 constaMlly ahout his person, ncnerally coiled up in his hat, 
 which he makes use of on all oc( asions — this oftenlirn's 
 amused onr poor wounded men on hoard the M icedouian, 
 who, as till y lay in their hammocks, would fre([U('nlly call 
 out to SOU!'' of tiie eiKMiiy's crew, who were ilius chastised : 
 *' Oh Jack, is that your liberty." 
 
 5. 
 
 One lull for crcrif fdilh each church contains. 
 The rini'ini'' of bells, as it is called in this (onutrv, is another 
 proof of tluvr wa;it of taste, ajid total i'^iioraueeof what is real- 
 ly i;dod or bad, joyous or sorrowful ;tliey hear something said 
 of the music and hariuouy of bells, and t(dl all at once asma- 
 iiy as their towns may couhiiii, whi(;h, as every iVI etinj^ 
 House holds one., and Ihey are of ditlereut tones and dimon- 
 sious, make a noise like tliatof old tin pots and frviu;;' pans, 
 clattered to drown the hum of the (jiietMi bee, when she isi 
 about to ramble from her hive. All their imitations of Eu- 
 ropean customs are of the same nature. 
 
 (). 
 
 Fire hundred men he lost, from wilful ease. 
 The unfortunatt' capture of General Proctor's force, so se- 
 verely spoken of hy Sir George I'revost, was coiisid red in 
 the United States as a q;reat\ ictory. By doinix so they ap- 
 pear to have formed a just estimate of their own prowess. 
 — They took five hundred men with from Seven to Eight 
 Thouslind ! ! ! 
 
 7. 
 
 the louii'-knircd foe. 
 
 A name by which the Indians desi'niate the Americans. 
 
 8 
 To hum the Missionaries Itallow^d town. 
 A volume would be insutHcient to reuister the numerous 
 acts of oppression committed by the Americans on the poor 
 
ili 
 
 ^»w<wr' 
 
 1122 
 
 Indians. Tlio town of Fairfield, sitiititod on the river 
 Thanios, destroyed hy (ieiicral llanison, (jovrnior Sliclhy, 
 Captain IVrry, and oIIkt W(»rlliics, >vas inli'ilnlcd exciu- 
 ftivcly l)v In lians, coiivcrled to Christianity l)y llie Mora* 
 vian Missionaries, who were |»er(celly ntiilral, and at^ainst 
 wliorn no chaise whatever is alledued, as an exetise lor siieh 
 harharity 'Ihcsc poorpeopie w( re the remains of anntre enn- 
 siderahle sellleinent InrnH riv within Ihc liniilsol" the United 
 States, I'roin whence th(!y were; driven ahout the con(dnsittii 
 olthc Revolutionary War ; at whieh time, aho\e eighty in 
 nnniher, w ho had plae< tl Iheniselves nntl: r the protiction of 
 the Anu'rieans, were shi:t up in houses, 'uid del, b'raiely jniir- 
 di red hy a party svln» wenl (Von* I'itishur!^ for that express 
 purpose, two hoys only csenped, who i;ave information of 
 the Ireaehcry of the white people, whieh prevent<'d many 
 others froiii sharing- the same fate ; lands were afterwards 
 i^rant<-d to 1Im)s^ who escaped, in I'ppcr Canada, and they 
 had surrcedc'd in estahlishin ; a llonrishini^ settlement on tho 
 river Thaines, which has heen so wantoulv destroyed. 
 The Siiperint! ndant of the Moravian Missiotiary Society, 
 cstnMished at liethlehem, in Pennsylvania, pititioned the 
 Congress ot the l-n'.lr*"! Stnt; s in their favor, and I ean?iot 
 refrain troni j;ivini: the foliowi?>g extract from his memorial, 
 which, t!ieii;;h cotiched in the most respectliil i.Tms, gained 
 for tite sniiirers neither rittention or relief : — 
 
 " After the destruction of the three flourishing settle^ 
 " nientsof our Ii diar. converts on xMuskingnm river, they 
 *' were at last vompelhd hy dire necessity to take nfugein 
 *' Canada, where a nnnd)er of them have since remainid, and 
 fori «'d a SI tilemcnt on the river Retrench, or Thames, 
 wliich, at the time of the late declaration of war against 
 (ireal-ljritain, consisted of about one hundred and fifty 
 inhahitaats, and of near fifty houaes, inclusive of tho 
 church. A grant of upwards of fifty thousand acres of 
 " land had hcen made to our Indians by the l^ngli '« Go- 
 *' vernm(nt,and they had snccessively c leared more than two 
 " hundred acres of it, which yiehled to them a yearly crop 
 ** of about two thousand bushels of corn on aji average. They 
 ** had begun to substitute the plough for the hoe, and had 
 " uctually seven ploughs in operatiftri : their women had been 
 ** taught by the wives of our Missionaries, to spiu tlax, and 
 
 it 
 tt 
 
 n 
 • r 
 
 *< 
 
123 
 
 
 ** hud made sucli proficiency in H|)iniiiiv.r, thai, lliey liad iliii 
 " oonteiiipluliuii lu smd tiieir y:ini lo tli(; loom to b:^ inuiiti- 
 " t'uctiircd into linen. But all (Ir ir (air |»rosiM:clM liave al 
 '* oiue been blasted, by llie total dr>ti'iu'tion ol tli< ir sellle- 
 •* nient by the army oltbu Lailid Stulcs, imdur IIk; com- 
 *' Miiuid (»t Gemral Harrison. How Car such it nHasure isjns- 
 li(iablc by lUe rulesol* wiua(li»|»ted anion <;civili/ed nations, 
 and more especially consistent vvilh that justice and huma- 
 nity which it has always been the nobh? pride ol'the t'nitiul 
 •* JSlates to exercise even in Iheir w.irs, il is n(»t lor th' un- 
 " dersigned to decidt; ; bul he leels hi^nsell' coniptdled by 
 ** every sense of duly to m.ike to your homtr.iole body a just 
 " representation ol llic distressing; situation of these poor 
 ** Hi^itive Indians, who, at the approach oC winter, were do- 
 *' prived of shelter and snslenan.e, and to claim for them 
 *' such indemnification as ('ony;ress, in tJieir wisdom, will, on 
 a proper examinaliini of the cas';, (ind Ihcm to be entitled 
 to. And your petitioner will ever pray, ^•c" 
 
 (Si-ned) " JOHN G. CUNNOW." 
 
 " Bethlehem, iOth Fchrnary, l«i4. 
 
 For the particulars of liie premeditated massacre alluded ta 
 tlie former part of this note, the readier is ref rred to the ac- 
 count given of it by (i. II. I.oskieljin hi« History (d' the Missi- 
 on of the United Brethren among the Indians in NortU Ame- 
 rica, translated from tlic German, by J. C. Latrobe. 
 
 9 
 The merchants hurried on to pnrchdse ware. 
 At the time General Wilkinson gave such proofs of bis de- 
 termination to take Montreal, the papers spoke of Ids success 
 as certain, and it would ap()ear that many merchants were 
 of the same opinion, as the steamboats from New-York to 
 Albany were crowded with them, ;;oing to be ready to prolit 
 ty its fall. 
 
 10 
 Goading the hind to shed his neighbour's blood. 
 The following extract, so honorable to his head and heart, 
 is made from one of Major-Gencral lXamptoir& dispatches to 
 the Secretary of War: 
 
 " I have directed the conunencementofa petty war, orin- 
 *' vasion of the Lines, at and near LalvO Cha:nplain, by C olo- 
 *' uel Clark." C'^o""0 ** J'li^i<>' has been iucuica ted 
 
TT' 
 
 
 #i 
 
 1-21 
 
 *' l»y i)\f arlificos of I lie Hrilisli, ;• sliaiiit fiil and cornij)! neu- 
 
 " trality (Ml (lie Lines (or the |Mir|ios(> ot gain. 1 liavc di- 
 
 ** rcctcMl tlicsc oflicc IS to l»r( ak tin tnu'c. And, slioiild other 
 
 " niiaiis fail, load the part of the !nisehicvoiis iin hill, ^Iio, 
 
 *' to get two |)ea<('al)le tahhies at * making the fur fly,' liold 
 
 •* lh( in lip together hy the tail — what 1 am aiming ut, h(»w- 
 
 " ever, is trani|iiility on the road^ hy kicking up a dust 
 
 " on the Lines." 
 
 n. 
 
 At Mnulrcal (hat laurels mi^lit he earned. 
 Extract of a letter from (ieneral Wilkinson, to the Secretary 
 of War, dalc<l Novemher lOlii, 1^513. 
 *' It is a fact, for which I am authorised to pledge my- 
 " s(lf on the most conhdeiitial authority, that on the 4tli of 
 " the present u>ontii,tlie garris«)ii ofMoiitr(al eonsistefl sole- 
 ly of 400 marines iMid 200 sailors, which had been sent up 
 from Qiiehcc. — What a gold* n, glorious opportunity, has 
 heen hist hy the caprice of Major-Cicncral Hampton." 
 The (ieneral had under his command at that very inoinent, 
 upwards of Eight Thousand men, and yet he says : " To 
 •' (jieneral Hampton's outrage of every principle of subcr- 
 " dination and discipline may be ascribed the failure of the 
 ** expedition." 
 
 The following well-merited compliment to the Canadians, 
 who opposed his progress to Montreal, is also extracted 
 from one of his letters to the Secretary of War : — " The ene- 
 " my deserve credit for their zeal and intelligence, which 
 *' the active universal hostility of the male inhabitants of 
 " iho country enable them to employ to the greatest advau- 
 " tage." 
 
 He saw his troops beat batlc upon the strand. 
 The deffjat of a large detachment of Wilkinsoirs army un- 
 der Generals I'oyl, Covington, and Swartwout, was ert'cct- 
 ed by Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison, in the most gallant luan- 
 11' r, willi a vastly inrcriur force. Wilkinson's attempts to 
 prove he gained tlie victory are worthy so great a man — he 
 aeknowledges the loss of one fipld-pi<'ce, and many killed 
 and wounded, but, snys the General, " He is to be ac- 
 *' coiinted victorious who etf'ecte.i his purpose, the objects 
 «' of the liritish and American cominauders were precisely 
 
125 
 
 o I>o 1 lU. laitor homnl l,y l|,n n.ost solo.nn clutir-s ,. 
 
 >y .lut.es CMjually „..,H.rious to ret.r.l such .l.sr.nl 1 ' 
 sol,, accounted victorious who (.«;.ctc,l his ,.,„.„..s',. fUr 
 
 I III her, and decamped. 
 
TT 
 
 ■ ( 
 
 ,1 
 
 'f ( 
 
 LETTER THE FOURTH. 
 
 M 
 
 I 
 
 _^()UI) bowls llio surly blast, and storms severe 
 I^Yll liie last struggle ol llic closing year. 
 
 S'.:cli outlities (it the scenes I bave to trace, 
 Paiiitiiii.': the outrage of tliis cruel race. 
 Nor will 1 b';nue, tiiinn'riteil^ a foe, 
 Anil lliougb my lines witli indignation glow, 
 Xlie cause is niigitty — e'en tlie cloudy ray 
 Of b;ineful prejudice, I drive away, 
 Triitii shall irradiate each rustic line ; 
 Tlie light and siiade be ber's, the pencil mine. 
 
 I've shown already — the consuming brand. 
 Spread by these people, with a ruthless hand ; 
 
 Aitlio' to trust tliein — wben lUcy tell the talc,, 
 
 Vice cannot any way tbeir souls assail. 
 
 
>«#*•■*■■■ 
 
 127 
 
 brccitful faith ; in llicm lliis lact is plain, 
 VirtiK' i . not u gratr, nor vice a stain, 
 TliC'V want pxamples of theiyoo*! and wise ; 
 And s. anty, Troin tlio mob -art- such supplies. 
 
 Now the ciinpui;;'! vas <1rawin.2; lo a close, 
 They rated glory hy inlVidins' wucs. 
 
 Disgrac'd, and driven fr;)ni all Canidia's shore* 
 Save where Niao^ara s|);^iul>i his mighty roar 
 In distant sonnds — below whose rusliin^ Hood 
 Where liie Fori G or-o and lovely Newark stood* 
 
 There still one Genera 
 
 ! held a sli:;ht command, 
 
 With plif^hted faith to let the vilbijfo sUnd, 
 And all its properly, in peace secure : 
 But when did Yankee f.iilli or truth endure 
 To ev'ry veeriui? blast inl'rest inclines. 
 And in their souls — hoijor to fraud resisrns 
 
 It 
 
 s sacrec 
 
 1 ple<li,M 
 
 unce Wilkinson was beat* 
 
 Their safety counsell'd IIk ni a swift retreat. 
 
 Yet still in confidence fair Newark slood, (1) 
 Crowninj,^ the head of bright Ontario's tlood. 
 And never on Brilannia'y blooniinp; strand, 
 A sweeter village stretch'd along the land. 
 But thes e invaders, like a howling blast. 
 Destruction and despair around it cast 
 
 The time was midnight — every eyewasclos'd ; 
 Canadia's sons, in conlidrnce, repos'd. 
 The Yankees wak'd, if any doubts remaiu'd. 
 Of what humanity their hiarts retain' d. 
 
128 
 
 4 
 
 !.| 
 
 nclioM it now — wlicn at llic <1';;«(1 of ni,;lit, 
 
 'llic Hilton Wiis liaH'oIiscmM hy. Mu/.iiii;- li^lltt 
 
 lii'ric lit'iids <'sca|>'«l fnnii Tiirrinis pridoiMid, 
 
 'I'lu'V Mjin'jul tli( ir wilJ coiisuiiiiiin- tiri's aromitl ; 
 
 Fa'st, wilii niili.iIlovvM slcjis ami iiaii is iM'ofatii', 
 
 1'!i('Y plarM llii; iiiilcli licn'aMi l\\v holy iaiio, 
 
 Aioniiil is liasr.', tlir maiillirji^ ll uiics \sva\- spread, 
 
 And ii;! ils sides — and to its st<'{|di! ifd. 
 
 Walv'd l)y llio dnadrnl Ma/' , llic inotlirr wild 
 
 SpniMu: IVoni licr coiicdi, and riaspM li r slt'cjun^ child. 
 
 Loud cries were heard — as dtso'ution rose, 
 
 IJiastinji" t.uo tend r eye of soft re|)os-' ; 
 
 Scarno time was left, so fast the rnin spread, 
 
 Vorsiow <lis<)rd«r'd aj^e to <|uit its bed. 
 
 Confasion i;iar'd aioiiiid on every side. 
 
 Fury and (lame their saving hopes defy'd ; 
 
 Alnni; the streets, fragments of iiliiiidcr lav, 
 
 And scatter'd tropliies traek'd tiie mournful way ; 
 
 Wlurc to the woods lied women, children, sct-rs. 
 
 And creepinjr age, (•h.ng'd hy the wait of years. 
 
 To I'id the awful scene, hla/ingon high, 
 
 Th(>s|ee|)le's glowing eolunni rea( h'd the sky. 
 
 Then rocking — reeling — to (Ik; ground it fell, 
 
 And Iiore along liie heavy clanging hell ; 
 
 The Icariiil echo caught the hooming sound. 
 
 And hoarse and hollow, inntter'd it around ; 
 
 Suiien ; nd sad the deep vihratumsroll, 
 
 And seeiii the knell of each ailrighted soul, 
 
 Tiiat cro\\('iiig on together anxious press'd. 
 
 And all wiih speechless agony dislrcss'd, 
 
 
120 
 
 Awliile liirnM back to viow the sparkling liglih 
 
 Asa volcuiio oil the brow ofniglit ; 
 
 Then with wild i;r'w(, their droiiry track pursue, 
 
 Lit by that inatisiou where tlieir coniforts grew. 
 
 The chill cohl hiast of winter, hh)wiiiy hard, 
 
 liuird its luud howl, as tho' in kiud rc<^ard. 
 
 In pity to the scene of inij;hly wop. 
 
 E'en cold December chcck'd his driving snow; 
 
 Yet cold enough — around each houseless head. 
 
 The chilling dews their freezing vapours spread ; 
 
 CondensM, they sparkle on the crusted ground. 
 
 Or shine on drifts of snow high heapM around ; 
 
 Fold upon fold these fleecy pillows spread. 
 
 Tempting, like Circe, the unhappy head. 
 
 For ruin waited the disorder'd frame. 
 
 That should repose from such mefe seeming claim. 
 
 Sad stood each shiv'ring form 'till dav appear'd^ 
 Nor that alas ! the chilling prospect checr'd. 
 Sad, sad indeed, rose the first gleam of light. 
 Succeeding such a wild and dreadful night ; 
 When calm reflection view'd their luckless statcj 
 An<l found no ray of hope to brighten fate. 
 There stood the mother, and her helpless brood. 
 With little left of covering, wealth or food. 
 The wretched father loaves and branches spread, 
 To make a shelter for his consort's head j 
 No help was near, or friendly tire-side. 
 All had been plundered, stretching far and wide. 
 
 More sad than all, a low bent tree beside. 
 
 Whose naked, wither' d limbs a shed supply 'd^ 
 
 R 
 
lao 
 
 I 
 
 IVlicrp ff'^ci y white, coiigfa'.M ih': Rliinin'^; «lctt, 
 And lonuM II 'niiopy-— 01 wimrm^" : licet ; 
 Hi< Hi a sw( . : iiiruut on ila luollicr'ti l»re;>l, 
 Cur less of iiMCslumlKiM in |>caci liil rt^al J 
 Supporliiig l)«tli, whilo a;,M)ni/'d v ilh woo, 
 The wrelohed hustaiid piHSsM ihe drilled sijow. 
 
 foinotwrlve idoous p,otiP, had sC«'ii ihc yuuUirul pair. 
 
 >Vith lilillisonic jf>v, lo hymen's faac repair : 
 
 Tli« II l»lli«' halio— iiut JDiig h:iJ siM» thu hj^ht, 
 
 it;; iiulul (lay led on llils i'uLii ui^lit. 
 
 As the sad (uUicr vicwM Iht lovely |)air, 
 
 Hard drew hia brtutli^ as smolii«.r'd hy dtsp»iir. 
 
 Ills wild vyvs travus'd every spot uroujid, 
 
 But vM'.niilh, or coMilbrt, no \\hore tould he found : 
 
 'llitn fn>ui hiu coul, hural llie dc;e|> yro. n of gri-jl, 
 
 His gtnlic biide essayed her hcstr 'livf, 
 Uu Jier svifttlacc a patu nt sjnile aj>pcur'd, 
 Sliu was (jiiile Will bhc said — ** for him siie fcarM'." 
 Thus did her leadeiuvss her cares impart, 
 Tosooliio, if so shfc <;ouIcl, hi^ hursliiig heart : 
 And lliuti did i l.- awhile his iiupcsi deceive. 
 And make itis s-ul willj teHr'.»]d sorrows {^ricve. 
 Slic try'd to live— blie si- 'I'd— the cold damp dew 
 Beaunjlj'd her frauie — nearer iiis breast siie drew ; 
 Ills folding arms, slill ch)ser slraiuM hcrfoiin ; 
 But death's chill froi,t, no mortal pow'i caii warm: 
 In vain his task — her closing Land^^ grew cuM, 
 And could no more her luckless infant hold ; 
 The wretched father tauglit his falling child, 
 la phrenzy, curs'd the fuc, with acceuls wiul. 
 
lai 
 
 Their auff'ring neighhonrs nocLM to o«:Vi' aiJ, 
 And all tiny h i<l ofromlort, th( roc..nvry*a : 
 IJut all ill Viiiu~|ir..\ vital npui k had He .1 ; 
 like a a. vccl broken lijjy i,„n^r \ur h.ri.l ; ' 
 0.. i:... rol.l «u.MV~.a8 col.l h^r crsn wa/|..i.l. 
 A bicr «ml cradle, that wmo snow dis-.lay 'd. 
 1 can noinoro dcscrihe the wretched talc, 
 And stcril to cover if. the Grecian veil. 
 
 //i Continuation. 
 
 I pausM .'uvhile— no longer to pnrMue 
 Hie fatal bier, that still was in my view. 
 
 Tiic grief we cannot soothe, corrodes the heart. 
 If of the niotirn'r's woe, we take a part, 
 if not, the bosom closes ; pity's eye. 
 By talcs of wretchedness is render'd dry. 
 
 Thus the fair novelist, while fancy glews, 
 Is roi)b'd by sympathy, of her repose : 
 The high wronrrht tale, matur'd in fiction's brain. 
 Closes the our, to sorrow'g A'cble strain ; 
 The wretched mendicant may pass her door. 
 She wept for nothing, 'till she feels no more. 
 
 But turn again to where the sufferers stood 
 Buoid of shelter iu theleaness wood ; 
 
FT 
 
 II 
 
 132 
 
 Hopeless of succour, or of timely aid, 
 OiK! view of frantic ij^rief the scene display M. 
 "WliL'ii h, a heavy drum startled the car, 
 A martial band — tli;«t seem'd .ijjproaching near ; 
 Tiie merry fifo- lie cymbal, and tl»c horn, 
 Bnatii'd their loud cadence, on the opening morn. 
 Fear sei/'d the throng, each palsied heart was t'ead. 
 And sorrow from tiiat breatlii-iss terror fled : 
 Had not the foe (jis cruel vengeance stay'd ? 
 Or weie tiicy yet to j^reater ills betvay'd ? 
 Silent they stood, gazing with speechless dreadj, 
 As *'ia* their stiii'aud frozt.n limbii were dead. 
 
 "When, welcome, as the ray of early light;, 
 Britannia's colours met their eager sight j 
 A burst of joy rung through the woods around. 
 And thanks, that mercy had their prayers crown'd. 
 On they advuni-e, with hoj)es to save the town, 
 jjut every vestige h-^d btei; toppled dor/n. 
 
 Sheds, huts, and tents, kind Drummond*s army spread^ 
 And to revenge their v rongs with promptness lied. 
 
 The foe had safely reached his native shore. 
 Their tiiere wild revellings and riots roar. 
 ]\ot long these drunken wassails spread their noise, 
 Shiii't was the tumult of their beastly joys : 
 Biit.iunia's vengeance rearhM thesav^age crew. 
 And on Niagara's fort her veterans llew j 
 Tiia: ♦ortresrj fell with one resistless storm ; 
 
 Newark's bright flame jaade her defenders warin. 
 
 
 
133 
 
 Newark the avenging won], as on they speJ, 
 Newark was echoed as tlie Yankees fled ; 
 A second Newark, Lewistown display M, ' 
 Blazing reprisals through the gloomy shade. 
 MjChire was hunted like a stricken deer: 
 i he sure attendant of the vile is fear 
 Black Kock and IJuffalo-by him resigaM, 
 Spread their broad dames ..non the driving wind. 
 1 he poison'd chalice l,c so liberal ^ave. 
 Hurried his comrades to a nameless grave, 
 Which, they declare, were left for swine to eat : (2) 
 And prove, with falsehoods, the.rown base retreat. 
 Unhappy nation, void of moral truth. 
 Without examples for the eye of youth. 
 So in uncertain paths their footsteps stray. 
 By pride and folly urg'd some devious way. 
 Those elder nations thathave gain'd i .ame 
 In glory's trark-they can out-vie in fame. 
 They know not yet that youth is frril and weak 
 That they shoula learn-before they vannting speak. 
 Should win renown, before Us praise they claim, 
 lis hard to force the stubborn will of nime^ 
 Here orators, in every shed arise. 
 And noise, and nonsense, reason's tlieme supplieg. 
 They talk of virtue, as her form they knew. 
 And then present a drab t public view, 
 Buth-ving hearers, andallowM to prate. 
 They swell, and puft; wUh consequence elate ; 
 And fancy eloquence in every flow 
 Of childish folly breatli'd in language low .; 
 
FT 
 
 fii I 
 
 ■■5 ; 
 
 13t 
 
 Tlioy meeUhe vcrlrl wllh hold assrrtion strong, 
 And lioM itliiiit — be the fuct riglit or wroiiy:, 
 Few arc the excpplious — lluongli tlie sevciitccii States, 
 To this same riuf j iii all Uieir bcbt debutes. 
 
 H.'ireselfii>!j pissions fill thj seal of law, 
 Tlicse gainst the trulii, Aita wicked bias draw^ 
 
 Towardy tluil end, tiicir interest m;ty require, (3) 
 Or (o ^^hit veiigeai'ce, or appease liesiro ; 
 "j'riitii is uot ciieriih'd in a venal Slate, 
 Justice is simother'd, wilh insulting- j)rate ; 
 Law has no pow'r e'en criuiinais to bind. 
 Law is the will of every Ruler's mind, 
 And while !>.is '3 falsehood loads the theme of pow'r. 
 Interest and frand will iioncsty devonr ; 
 When untauglit i<3niorance is plac'd to rule, 
 Pcw'r gives an ample field to play the fool ; 
 Despots dwell hero — in every paltry town, 
 V/ho pull the sacred rights of freedom down ; 
 " Like dogs in office," domineer wiih pride ; 
 AVhatis that pow'r, which honor cannot guide, 
 Kor moral rectitude — nor holy rii^ht? 
 'Tis hateful darknesr^, hiding Heav'niy light. 
 
 Oh happ.y England — wliile this theme I trace. 
 The stream of sorrow steals adown my face. 
 How art thou paUied — how art thou emp'oy'd, 
 That in thy justice there appear-^, a voif] ? (4) 
 Know'st thou in prisons dire thy sons are bound. 
 In loath«o<ne cells, Ktr'^tch'd on the filthy gromd ? 
 Confin'd for wretches, born without a name. 
 Whom th'^ base government pretend to claim ? 
 
 
% 
 
 135 
 
 Sleep.-, still thy thunder ? Can this lawless race 
 Willi base impunity thy sons disirrace P 
 Or why, when glory rests upon thy Crown, 
 Permit the eye of iiupotence to frown ? 
 
 Perhaps my woumied mi-ul capacious grown 
 Of daily evil... I uai ilo.uuM to inoun. 
 May want li..; pow'r— her |u)iicy to trace, 
 And not perceive the gdrd in our disgrace '; 
 But she will pardon—wliiic my head and heart. 
 Their painiuilhoughts-a.id l.ii.V'r doubts impar;. 
 Parlie;* I frar deceive h. r honest race, 
 And turn her launder from its destin'd place. 
 All here are passion's slaves— not coolly wisr. 
 Passion the energy of trulh supplies, ; 
 England they hate-they envj' her renown. 
 Envy the brighiness of her splendid Crown : 
 Whilc3 they arc rul'd by hirelings-upstart i;nave., 
 The mob-and all its tribe, of cunning slaves. 
 Ali iie.'e are great-all legislate, and rule, 
 tl'en noys are prating orators at school. 
 Ai! geier-nen— not like old Calo wise, 
 - '!o thought his ploughshare needed no disguise, 
 « ., [hat Ihe man would dignify his stale. 
 And worth and wisdom nuike his station great; 
 Here they all brag-.nd hide with flimsv jruise. 
 The danghiil that their parent stem supplies. 
 ThatCoesar Rogers— in a lo--house bo'rn. 
 His infant cradle, now, beholds with scorn. 
 Talks of \mfa7mh/-its pow'r and worth' 
 And scorns the poor, for their /.m; abject birth. 
 
I 
 
 j^'^ !r w>tv Pfip^iap ,\»"<f,-»- 
 
 
 i:! ■» 
 
 5i.ai 
 
 136 
 
 flis kind biographer — declares him great, 
 IJorn, as he says — on his own sire's estate ; 
 *Tis very true — and 1 will paint its size — 
 Vaint all its beauty to the dullest eyes : 
 A niansion, twelve feet square, one side a doer, 
 A shingled roof — hung o'er an unplan'd floor,, 
 Kcceiv'd each traveller, who deign'd to slay. 
 
 And bait his horse, or breakfast on the way ; 
 This was his own estate — but now it stands. 
 As fed by betl ' o^mis, and abler hands ; 
 In better garb arri.^ , a ivooden seat, (5) 
 Painted, and white-wash'd, all around, complete ; 
 Here rnusliroom-like — they all spring up by chance. 
 To make a gentleman he need but dance ; 
 Then ollthey fling, and strut, and brag aloud. 
 And trample down tiic humble menial crowd. 
 Get placM in office, and like beggars ride. 
 And make the wretched feel their upstart pride. 
 
 Think not I scorn the poor — or low-born worth ; 
 Or look for virlue in high-titled birth, 
 /k;i no ! the violet beside the stream. 
 Or blooming rose that greets tlin morning beam. 
 On the wild desert or the mountain's side, 
 More lovely seems — than all the garden's pride, 
 liCss sullied, and more sweet it drinks the dew. 
 Cheering with excellence the dreary view : 
 The garden's gaudy pride rich compost g^ivesj 
 In purity the mountain lilly livejs. 
 
 ,'''■■ 
 i 
 
137 
 The Daw, in WrowM feaihers I deride. 
 Not the wild Goldfiach^singing by his'side. 
 
 Adieu, the wintry wind blows hard around. 
 And nature in an icy chain is bound. 
 May Spring revive in England's happy Isle 
 With cheerir, . hopes, and most propitious smile, 
 And may the war, and my sad exile end, 
 I'rays with sincerity thy faithful friend. 
 
 t/nited States of America, 
 dJecembar, lbi3. 
 
 } 
 
rr 
 
 !.^' 
 
 1G8 
 
 WOTKS TO LETTER THE lOURVfL 
 
 Yft sfiUin vo'\/id(^itccfuir Newark stood. 
 
 Tlie <lt'.stiucL(.ii of Newark was one of tliose wanton 
 
 dccils of unfeeling- cruelty wliicli cannot he palliated by the 
 
 Ijalion, as the iinuntl-oriseil act of an individual. General 
 
 M'Tlmr, N\lio cncin.auded on the frontier, writes lo the Se- 
 
 iixl;:r\ ul War thus : " This step has not been taken witli- 
 
 ** onlcoiiiis'il, and is in conforniity with the views of your 
 
 " Kxci llcncy, disclosed to nic in a former communication/' 
 
 o 
 
 Whivh thcij (Icclnrc, were left for swine to eat. 
 (joacr;;! Druniit! ij.j lout no time in retaliating for the de- 
 »tru'.;lion of Newark, hy the hiirnin,<,^ of Black Rock and 
 Buffalo, at the sa.ije time takina: Fort Niay;ara. For these 
 pro'jediiig's the Eng'ijh were of o'»urse abused, and amon^^st 
 »){her tJMnus they sne eharj^cd with icavinj^- the dead Ame- 
 ricans ^"or t!:e ho^'-s to cut. 
 
 3. 
 Toward.i that end their interest may require. 
 
 Or ioj^lut vct>t(eiince, or appease desire. 
 
 To elucidate this, innuarrablo instances might he adduc- 
 ed ; amona: mrxriy otl;'jrs, Ihj following- have come within 
 my own knowl'.di^e : 
 
 I have heard it bo'^s^ted by men, called oi the most res- 
 pectable ch;u'ajters, that th-y had been able, hy givin«f a 
 tee often nounds, to prevent the passage of an Act through 
 their State Legisl;.ture. 
 
 I hive known several inslancos of Sheriffs being murdcr- 
 with impunity, in the proper dischargo of their duty, the 
 cidprits having only to transport themselves into the next 
 State, to avoid punishment. 
 
 I knew tt General OJlicer v,!jo having lost a horse, weutiFi 
 purs.iit of him, with one of his rehitions^ t^hey overtook a 
 man on iiis bick, and shot him dead on the spot, took the 
 horse aud returned home, no question ever being made as 
 to the propriety of the act. 
 ^4. Judge abscond, fur wtcaliug' some articles from a silver 
 
 
 '^i" *;!! 
 
VM 
 
 ^mitli's sliop ; and anolher, Ihc Cliitf Justice of the StaU'., 
 entnr the Court so iuebriiited, as to be unable to attiud to. 
 the business bcfttre him, and ibis was far from injuring' biia 
 ill the opinion of his fiUow-citi/ens, v.a was aflcrwiirds prov- 
 ed, by his bciJii? elocted Governor of the same Slate. 
 
 A very rich citi/cii bus been known to cuter the lioiisc of 
 his deceased brother, chuulestiucly break open his locks, 
 nntl lake away his papers, in llie expectation of being- able, 
 to injure the just riy;hts ofliis widow; without any loss of 
 i'epulation, or dre.id oHeg-.d puuishment. 
 
 A man was murdered, as it was said, and generally be- 
 lieved, by his own wife and her gallant, not only without 
 their being jjunishcJ, but without any investigation wlu^l- 
 tivev taking place. 
 
 4. 
 T/iat in thy jnsl'tce there appears a void. 
 
 It was extremely distressing to every true Briton who. 
 aaw his countrymen imprisonecl as hostages, without any 
 power to alleviulc their sulferjngs ; shut up in cold cells, in 
 the depth of a severe winter, in some instane(s without beds 
 or bedding, and, as has been allowed by the American* 
 tliciiisolves, otherwise ill used; the measures token, how- 
 ever, by His Majesty's (jrovernmont, soon dispelled all ap- 
 prehensions of danger res\ilting from the adoption by the 
 United States, of a system calculated to protect a set ofrc- 
 negadoes, at the expense of brave and honorable enemies, 
 who bad unfortunately fallen into their bauds. This (io- 
 vernment made a parade of the imprisonment of hostages, 
 for the a\owcd purpose of protecting these scoundrels, but 
 more with the intention of decoying others, and 1 am 
 sorry to say they were but too successful ; as it has been the 
 fate of the writer to meet many, amongst others, some sea- 
 men who formerly belonoed to the Macedonian, who, when it 
 "was observed to them, that if taken, they would be hung 
 wp at the yard-arm, replied, that " Madison would hang two 
 for one." 
 
 6. 
 In better ^nrh arrayWI, a wooden seat. 
 
 Every hou5>o situated on the side of the road, with twa 
 rooms on a Hour, and two stories high, is dignified with tlie 
 name of scat.