66 66 chiefs, made stripes and stars for the If we were at peace with all the world, "American colours, and hung it over a and were carrying on our commerce agres66 gun, and gave three cheers for the vic-ably to the laws of neutrality, while the 66 tory. The next morning, at six o'clock, Americans were at war with some other we were brought up and whipped two power; and if the Americans were to im"dozen lashes each for huzzaing for the press Englishmen from on board English "Yankee flag. Shortly after this we ships, bringing up coals from Newcastle to "were all released by the assistance of London, were to force them into their "the American Consul, and Captain Hall, ships of war, compel them to fight for "who knew us.-This deponent further America, and, in short, to occasion, in "saith that they all had protections, and the English papers, statements such as I "shewed them, and claimed to be Ameri- have above quoted. If this were the case, cans, at the time they were impressed. does your Lordship think, that we should "JAMES TOMPKINS." be very quiet? And if such statements "Sworn before me this 17th day of would be likely to set us in a flame, are we April, 1813, at which time the said to suppose, that they have had no effect on "James Tompkins shewed me his wrists, the Americans? "which at his request I examined, and "there appeared to be marks and scars on "both of them, occasioned, as I suppose, "from his having been in irons. 66 66 "WM. W. Bogardus, "Justice of the Peace." Now, my Lord, I do not say that these statements are truc. In spite of all the particular detail of names, dates, and places. In spite of oaths and certificates, they may be false; but as it is to such statements that we owe this unfortunate war, we surely ought to endeavour to prove, that some, at least, of these statements are false. The Republican newspapers team, and teemed long before the war, with publications of this sort. The blood of America was set boiling by such publications. The vote of Congress for the war was the most popular vote ever given by that body. It is, therefore, of vast importance that these publications should be counteracted if possible. They are either true, or false; if the latter, as I would fein hope, they can be easily refuted; if true, which it would be shocking to believe, certainly we ought to be very ready and forward to make atonement to the Americans for what they have suffered. Here, my Lord, as you well know, we have the real cause of that war, which, it is said, is now to engage a hundred thou sand men, two hundred ships of war, and which cannot cost less than twenty millions a year. It has been asserted, that the Congress declared war against us to assist Napoleon on the Continent. This is so foolish, that the writers must think that they are addressing it to men little superior to brutes. It was impossible that the Americans could know where Napoleon was, when they declared war. It was impossible that their war should really aid him in his designs against Russia. It was against their interest that Russia should be crushed by any power, and especially by France. The other charge, that America, "like an assassin, attacked us in the "dark," is equally false and foolish. How could an open declaration of war by a Legislative Assembly, after repeated discussion, be an act deserving such a description? How could that be called an attack in the dark, especially when it had been threatened for years, and when it was followed immediately by an offer for a truce, in order again to negociate for peace? Here we have the real origin of the These statements have, too, produced war. Terminate as it will, this was its another most serious effect. They have origin. This origin must not be forgotten, filled the crews of the American ships with whatever efforts are made to put it out of implacable revenge. To the usual motives our heads. When the war shall have endof patriotism and glory, they have added ed, and we shall sit down to count the the still more powerful motive of ven-cost, this origin must be kept steadily begeance. Against crews, thus animated, fore us. men under the influence of the mere ordi- The Times and Courier are still labournary motives to bravery, really cannot be ing to persuade us, that there will be a expected to succeed, without a great supe-separation of the American States; that riority of force. I leave your Lordship to suppose what would be the effect of state ments like these, if the case were OURS. the four New England States will declare themselves independent of the General Government, and will form an alliance and who, of course, was inordinately proud of his sudden and anexpected elevation, became furious at the election of Mr. Jellerson, and has, ever since, been in a sort of mad fit, doing a hundred things, for either of which, in England, he would be sent to jail for a year or two at least. The truth is, that Mr. Adams had the public good solely in view, and that Timothy had an eye solely to his private interest. Hence the exactly opposite conduct of the two men, when the voice of the country put them both out of power. I am sure that your Lordship and your colleagues, espe cially your distinguished colleague now at Vienna, would scorn to purchase traitors in any country; but, if you were so disposed; if such men as the famous Captain HENRY could possibly prevail on you to lay out any of our money, in this way, on the other side of the Atlantic, Timothy, though so much applauded in the Times newspa per, would not be worth your purchasing. with Old England. Now, my Lord, mind, I pledge myself, that, if any such proposition be seriously made by the friends of the famous Captain HENRY, by the would-be Noblesse of Massachusetts, they will very quickly be decorated, not with coats of arms, but with coats of tar and feathers. The people of New England are "essentially Republicans." They have been, or, at least, a part of them, stimulated by very cunning men, to a violent opposition against Mr. MADISON and the WAR. But only let them see the real objects of the Pickerings, the Otises, the Quinceys, &c. and the fall of these men is as certain as the return of Spring after Winter. It is not by a large majority that even the New England States oppose the war. It is barely" touch-and-go" with the Opposition, even there. What man in his senses, then, can place a moment's reliance on it? And, indeed, the only purpose that it is likely to answer, is, that of deceiving us, and inducing us to leave the New England sea-ports safe places for the building of ships of war and the fitting out of privateers. The leaving of that part of the Union unmolested, while we attack the Southern States, is just what suits America. She has, in New England, unmolested ports and harbours, out of which to send forth ships of war to annoy our trade and engage our navy, and into which to carry her ich prizes. The Pickerings, the Otises, &c. I really believe to be traitors to their country; or, at least, that they would sell themselves, if you and your master were not too honest to buy them. But, hang them! my Lord, they are not worth your notice. They talk big, and hold themselves out as of great consequence; bat they are poor things. Indeed, my Lord, they are.Timothy Pickering used to be thought a very honest man; but, after he was put Botley, Englend, Dec. 22, 1814. out of office, he seems to have abandoned GENTLEMEN,-Without any ceremony, himself to the revenge, which his disap- and without giving myself the trouble of pointment created. He had not the virtue an introduction, I insert, for your perusal to follow the cxample of his venerable em- the following two articles from a London ployer, Mr. Adams, who, upon being out-paper, called the Courier, of the 21st yoted as President, by Mr. Jefferson, said, instant. "I only wished to obtain a majority of "voices, that I might serve my country, and now I shall endeavour to serve it by 66 This is the sort of stuff; this is the rubbish, which the Times would have us rely on for success against the Republic! I beseech your Lordship to consider it, as it is the grossest deception that ever was at tempted to be palmed upon mankind. Mr. Madison cannot silence these men. He has no sops. He has none of that potent drug, of the possession of which Smollett tells us Sir Robert Walpole used to boast. They will, therefore, keep on barking; but, my Lord, be assured, that they are wholly unable to bite. I am, &c. &c. WM. COBBETT. LETTER II. TO THE COSSACK PRIESTHOOD OF THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, First Extract. "SIR,-In the Courier of last Thursday supporting him, who has that majority.""I noticed a paragraph containing a de Timothy Pickering, who had been, to the astonishment of all the world, his Secretary of State, who was no more fit for the office" than your coachman would be fit for yours, scription of the late riot in this town, and as it is very incorrect, I wish you, for the sake of undeceiving the minds of those readers who are at a distance from 66 66 66 66 66 66 66 Second Extract. "the scene, to contradict it.-The facts of "ing-house was destroyed, nor even atthe case are these: The merchants had"tempted; and I am happy to say no perresolved to lower the seamen's wages, "son received any material injury.It "and on Thursday se'nnight, a ship being may not be improper here to observe that "ready for sea, manned with apprentices," the Mayor and other Magistrates dethe mate had agreed to go at the reduced serve, from every peaceable and well-dis wages, which so irritated those who had" posed inhabitant, the most sincere thanks, refused, that they went on board and li- "as their conduct was greatly to be ad"terally dragged him ashore. The Cap-"mired." "tain sent for the Mayor, and requested "him to exert his authority, which he did, "The Morning Chronicle, of yesterday, “and succeeded in releasing the poor felsays that it will become a subject of Par"low, but not till he (the Mayor) had been "liamentary inquiry, why the foreign greatly insulted, and one of them even troops (Brunswick Hussars) were called "threatened to knock him down; they "in to quell a riot at Lynn. The facts next went and took the men from all the" are these, viz. :-When the riot took ships, and swore they should not go till" place, the Mayor of HIMSELF sent an "the wages were again advanced. The express to Norwich, the nearest place "next, morning a warrant was issued, and" for cavalry, and the Brunswick Hus"five of them conveyed to gaol, when a sars were the only cavalry there, consegreat number immediately assembled op-"quently they marched on the Mayor's "posite the gaol door, and swore they " requisition. When the Mayor's requi"would not only have their wages ad- "sition was received at the Horse Guards, vanced, but also the prisoners set at li-" an order was sent by express for a squa"berty. The Mayor and other Aldermen "dron of the 5th Dragoon Guards to were immediately sent for; but when march from Ipswich, and on their arrival "they came the sailors began to be most" at Lynn to send back the German troops, "tumultuous, and even struck some of" which was duly executed; a detachment "the Aldermen. -Finding no argument" of the Bedford Militia was also sent in "would avail, the Mayor read the Riot " waggons. From this it will appear that "Act; but so far from appeasing them," the Germans were called in by the civil a party went to the Boal Quay, and "authority of the town, and were relieved "having obtained a pole with which" by our own troops as soon as was prac"the lightermen steer their gangs, they "ticable." "battered the gaol outer door, broke open some of the inner ones, broke the "windows, tore out the frames, and libe"rated those five who had just before been "confined.—The Magistrates then called "to their assistance the inhabitants, and "swore in a great number as special con❝stables. The town cavalry were assem"bled, and an express sent to Norwich for further military aid: the next morning a troop of German Hussars arrived, "when two of the ring-leaders surrendered just at this time. While I have pen in "themselves, and since then several others "have been taken. On Monday two "troops of the 5th Dragoon Guards arrived from Ipswich, and a part of the "Bedford Militia from Colchester, by order of the Secretary of State, but I hope "their assistance will not be required, as "the poor deluded fellows appear now to "be quiet; three have been committed "and conveyed to Norwich Castle, under "an escort of dragoons, to take their "trial for the capital part of the offence " at the next Norfolk assizes. No dwell 66 66 "Well," say you, screwing up your sour phizes, "and what of that ?" of news, and other for you hand, pray let me ask you, whether you now get your dues that the Democrats en→ deavoured to deprive you of? whether you receive them in the way of composition, or take them up in kind? No, no: you cunning old foxes, I will not say a word about the news itself. I leave comments to you, and shall be glad to hear what you have to say about it, WM. COBBETT. ; WAR IN DISGUISE;" OR, AN APOLOGY FOR HIS MAJESTY'S NAVY. vernment have all along been the adherents of Bonaparte, and became hostile to this country only because they wished us to One Stephen, a Lawyer, and once a Reporter, become a province of his extensive empire. Of War and of Taxes a gallant supporter, And a Member, like him, for a Borough brought AMERICA. Assuming this to be the fact, the same sort of abusive terms that our newspapers applied to Napoleon are now used as to Mr. Madison, and nothing will satisfy the haters of the former but to see the latter, like him, deposed, and the American territory violated and dismembered, as has, some measure, been the case with France. Considering the total disregard of principle and decency which characterises all our public journals, it cannot excite surprise that they should endeavour, by some such means as these, to justify a war which they find to be so profitable ; but, I confess, it seems rather extraordinary that there should be found in the United States, where the true causes of the war, and the long forbearance of the Government are so well known, a single individual who could adopt the outrageous sentiments that are disseminated aniongst us. Yet such men there are--men, too, who have acquired the rank of legislators, and who, therefore, cannot be supposed ignorant of the real merits of the dispute between the two countries. In a recent debate, in the House of Representatives, Mr. Sirus King made a long speech in the Committee of Ways and Means, against the measures of Government, in which he is made to say, that there were some people in America, and many in Europe, who believed the war to be 66 of "French origin."-" I have no hints (continues this honourable gentleman) to give on this, or any other subject, but assert, as I believe, and I believe it as I do my existence, that this is a French war; and I have no doubt that a majo"rity of this nation, and all Europe, think the same, and act upon that belief. I very well know, Sir, that this Government have lately pleaded not guilty to " that direct evidence of their guilt cannot "this charge, on the ground, no doubt, "be produced. So, Sir, in our courts of 66 « 66 MR. COBBETT,-Now that the original grounds of the war with America have ceased to exist, the supporters of corrup-" tion are using the most strenuous exertions to bolster the unprincipled claim that has been set up for a cession of territory in favour of this country. Wishing to divert the public attention from the well established fact, that the Americans were compelled to draw the sword to defend themselves against our reiterated aggressions, the enemies of freedom, finding that the Treaty of Paris, which restored peace "rious offenders plead the general issue justice, we every day hear the most nototo Europe, naturally gave the death blow "of not guilty-and even be acquitted to their former pretexts for war, have," by their country, because there was not ever since that event, endeavoured, and "sufficient evidence of their guilt; though are now, with uncommon industry, enevery honest man in the nation bedeavouring to persuade the deluded natives "lieves them guilty. I was induced to of Great Britain, that the American Go-"advert to this French crigin of the 66 66 66 26 Perhaps it will be thought that the evidence arising from the above official documents, requires neither comment nor illustration-I am exactly of that opinion; but I cannot permit myself to close this war, for the purpose of distinctly stat- "hostilities with France, if she did not ing to the American people, that the" repeal her Decrees!" "allies of Europe, the great and good "Alexander the Deliverer, among the rest, "all so consider it; nay, more, Sir, they "believe your administration only a branch "of the power of the late imperial, now fallen, tyrant: which power they are de-letter without citing the following short "termined to destroy root and branch." 66 66 article, upon the same subject, from the Now, Sir, I shall not occupy your va- National Intelligencer of the 4th August, luable columns with attempting to shew, 1812, which it is well known speaks the what must be apparent to every man, that sentiments of the American Government: it is incumbent upon this Mr. King, and "We state, with pleasure, a fact, which all who think as he does, to bring forward" we know to be true, that our Government the proofs upon which they rest the charge" will not, under any circumstances that against Mr. Madison. It might be suffimay occur, form a political connection cient to rest the point upon his own ad- with France. To the injuries received mission, that "direct evidence of their "from her, a just sensibility has always "guilt cannot be produced," and to plead "been felt. The war with England has the well known maxim, that a party ac- "not abated it, nor has it diminished cused must be held innocent until guilt is "the zeal or weakened the effort to obtain established. But the groundless nature of "redress. The idea of a political conthe accusation is not merely apparent from "nection with France, as au expedient to the total absence of proof on the part of "extort justice from England, is treated the accusers. There is incontrovertible "with disdain by every person connected evidence of the fact, which even the most "with the Government. It is not desirconsummate adept in sophistry will find it" able to enter the lists with the two great difficult to impugn. belligerents at once; but if England acts Let her Government "do us justice; let the other continue to refuse it; and from that moment we "have no doubt that the United States will assume a correspondent relation with "both." Yours, &c. PACIFICATOR. LIBERTY OF THE PRESS AND FREE In the instructions given by Mr. Madi- " with wisdom, and France perseveres in son to Mr. Pinkney, and to General Arm-"her career of injustice and folly, we strong, in the year 1808, there was no dis- "should not be surprised to see the attitude tinction made between our aggressions and of the United States change towards those of Napoleon. The Decrees of both" those Powers. We are now at war were termed unjust, and hostilities threat-"with England. ened against both, if a relaxation did not speedily take place. On the 22d of July the President wrote to Gen. Armstrong"If France does not wish to throw the United States into the war against her, "for which it is impossible to find a rational or plausible inducement, she ought "not to hesitate a moment in revoking at "least so much of her Decrecs as violate "the rights of the sea, and furnish to her "adversary the pretext for his retaliating "measures."-To this may be added what Mr. Erskine wrote to Mr. Canning on 25th March, 1809 :—“ I continue (said "Mr. E.) to be firmly persuaded that Mr. "Madison would most willingly seize the "first opportunity of recommending to the new Congress to assert the neutral rights "against France, should his Majesty deem "it to be just or expedient to cause his "Orders in Council to be withdrawn, as "he has frequently in conversation said to 66 me, that no hesitation would be felt in "this country (America) of entering upon MR. COBBETT,-In my last 1 ventured to make some remarks on the policy of State Prosecutions, for matters of opinion, and also on the Bible Societies. I now propose to shew the state into which the Republic of Letters is thrown respecting the Bible itself. In doing this I am well aware of the censure that will be cast upon me; but feeling satisfied that much good arises from discussions of this nature, I take pleasure in exposing the clamours of those whose interest it is to take advantage of the ignorance and credulity of my fellow-creatures. Whatever subject will not stand the test of the minutest investiga |