the United States make the exertion which is proposed, it is probable that the contest will soon be at an end. It cannot be doubled that it is in their power to expel the British forces from this Continent, should the British Government,. by persevering in its unjust demands, make that an object with the American people. Against our united and vigorous efforts, the resistance of the enemy will soon become light and feeble. | Success, in every fair and honourable claim, is within our easy grasp. And surely the United States have every possible inducement to make the effort necessary to secure it. I should insult the understanding and wound the feelings of the Committee, if I touched on the calamities incident to defeat.- Dangers which are remote and can never be realized, excite no alarm with a gallant and generous people. But the advantages of success have a fair claim to their deliberate consideration. The effort we have already made has attracted the attention and extorted the praise of other nations. Already have most of the absurd theories and idle speculations on our system of Government been refuted and put down. We are now felt and respected as a power, and it is the dread which the enemy entertains of our resources and growing importance, that has induced him to press the war against us after its professed objects had ceased. Snecess by discomfiture of his schemes, and the attainment of an honourable peace, will place the United States on higher ground, in the opinion of the world, than they have held at any former period. In future wars, their commerce will be permitted to take its lawful range unmolested. Their remonstrances to foreign Governments will not again be put aside, unheeded - Few will be presented, because there will seldom he occaion for them.-Our Union, founded on internal affection, will have acquired new strength by the proof it will have afforded of the important advantages attending it. Respected abroad, and happy at home, the United States will have accomplished the great objects for which they have so long contended. As a nation that will have little to dread, as a people little to desire. vices, otherwise to be turned by the enemy by the militia, even under the present oragainst us: we relieve the coast from the deso-ganization, too much cannot be said.—If lation which is intended for it, and we keep in our hands a safe pledge for an honourable peace. It follows, from this view of the subject, that it will be necessary to bring into the field next campaign, not less than 100,000 regular troops. Such a force, aided in extraordinary emergencies by volunteers and militia, will place us above all inquietude as to the final result of this contest. It will fix,on a solid and imperishable foundation, our union and independence; on which the liberties and happiness of our fellow-citizens so essentially depend. It will secure to the United States an early and advantageous peace. It will arrest, in the farther prosecution of the war, the desolation of our cities | and our coast, by enabling us to retort on the enemy those calamities which our citizens have been already doomed to suffer; a retort which self-defence alone, and a sacred regard for the rights and honour of the nation, could induce the United States to adopt. The return of the regular force now in service laid before you, will shew how many men will be necessary to fill the present corps; and the return of the numerical force of the present military establishment, will shew how many are required to complete it to the number proposed. The next and most important enquiry is, how shall these men be raised? Under existing circumstances, it is evident that the most prompt and efficient mode that can be devised, consistent with the equal right of every citizen, ought to be adopted. The following plans are respectfully submitted to the consideration of the Committee. Being distinct in their nature, I will present each separately with the considerations applicable to it. [Here follow four plans.]—It is not intended by these remarks, should the first plan be adopted, to dispense altogether with the service of the militia. Although the principal burthen of the war may thereby be taken from the militia, reliance must be placed on them for important aids, especially in cases of sudden invasion. For this purpose it will still be advisable that the men be classed according to age, and their term of service be prolonged. Even should this plan be attended with all the advantages expected of it, such an arrangement could not fail to produce the happiest effect. -The proof which it would afford of the impregnable strength of the country, of the patient virtue, and invincible spirit of the people, (From the National Intelligencer.) THE FOURTEENTH CONGRESS, Much exultation has been displayed in the Federal prints on the occasion of the acquisition of Federalism in the recent Conwould admonish the enemy, how vain and fruit-sylvania. Without at present examining gressional Elections in Maryland and Penuless his invasions must be, and might dispose him the causes of the ascendancy of Federalism to a speedy, just, and honourable prace. Of in Maryland, and proving that it must be the very important services already rendered temporary, without deploring the mis elections do not take place until the Spring. There is no doubt, however, that Republicans will be chosen from every district.Kentucky has already, as usual, chosen a delegation of unmixed Democratic character. The election in Ohio has just ended, and there is little doubt but six Republicans are again chosen for that State Louisiania has elected her present Republican Representative. It will be seen, then, that though partial changes favourable to Federalism may have taken place in Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, they are much more than counterbalanced by changes the other way in New York and New Jersey, be sides what may be expected even from Massachusetts.-The result of our estimate will appear in the following recapitulation:ELECTIONS ALREADY DECIDED.-New Hamp ralists; New York, 20 Republicans, 7 Federalists; New Jersey, 6 Republicans; Pennsylvania, 17 Republicans, 6 Federalists; Delaware, 2 Federalists; Maryland, 4 Republicans, 5 Federalists; South Carolina 9, Georgia 6, Kentucky 10, Ohio 6, and Louisiana 1, Republicans. ESTIMATE OF PENDING ELECTIONS.-Massa guided zeal on the one side or the other, of the two sections of the Republican party in Pennsylvania, which has enabled the Federalists to elect members in two or three districts in which they are the minority-we proceed to shew to our readers, not only that the Federalists cannot have a majority in the next Congress, but to shew that their numbers will not be greater in that than in the present. The election in New Hamp shire has just terminated, and resulted in the re election, by a small majority. of six Federal Representatives to Congress. In Massachusetts, the election takes place this fall, and will give at least the present proportion of Republican members, if not an increased number. In Vermont, though the Congressional Election has taken place, the votes are not yet known to have been counted out but as there is reason to fear it may eventuate in the choice of Federal-shire, 6 Federalists; Rhode Island, 2 Fedeists, we shall so estimate it. Rhode Island, always eccentric, has re-elected two Federal Representatives. That Connecticut will reelect seven Federal Representatives, there can be no doubt. The powerful State of New York has given her zealous support to the present Administration, and to the war, by choosing twenty Republican and seven Federal members, of the last of whom, it is said, the eats of two will be vacated in favour of their Republican opponents. New Jersey has just, almost unexpectedly to us, chosen six decidedly Republican Representatives. From Pennsylvania all the returns have not yet come to hand; but it is believed that six out of her twenty-three Representatives will be Federal. Delaware has chosen, as usual, Federal Representatives. In Maryland, the Federalists have obtained Total - 114 Republicans, 68 Federalists. five, the Republicans four members. In Virginia, the election does not take place This sort of estimate of parly power is until April next. We may reckon on her dele- rather an invidious task, particularly at this gation as it now stands, 17 and 6, tho' it will moment, when we had rather see the two probably not result so favourably to Federal- great parties striving which shall most zeaIsm. The North Carolina election does not take lously serve and promote the common good, place until next August. Her delegation than counting noses to ascertain which is the will probably stand as at present, ten to three; strongest; but as our opponents are already bot, making allowance for possible changes, singing hallelujahs for their vast acquisition we will set it down at eight to five. In of strength, it would be wrong not to exSouth Carolina the election has taken place pose their unfortunate mistake. We have, so recently, that we have the returas only therefore, made a simple statement of facts, from one (the most Federal) district, in which which cannot but operate as a sedative to the Republican candidate is chosen. There is their premature transports. We need not Ho doubt, therefore, that the whole Repre-add, after the above estimate, that in the sentation of that State will be democratic. In Georgia it is ascertained that six Republicans are just chosen, to represent that State in the next Congress.--in Tenessee the chussets, 4 Republicans, 16 Federalists; Connecticut 7, Vermont 6, Federalists: Virginia, 17 Republicans, 6 Federalists; North Carolina, 8 Republicans, 5 Federalists; and Tenessee, 6 Republicans. Elections decided-79 Republicans, 28 Fede ralists. Elections estimated-35 Republicans, 40 Fede ralists. Seuate of the United States there must be, for two or three years at least, a decided Republican majority. Printed and Published by J. MORTON, 94, Strand. COBBETT'S WEEKLY POLITICAL REGISTER. VOL. XXVI. No. 27.] LONDON, SATURDAY, DEC. 31, 1814. [Price 1s. $33] LETTER VI. TO THE EARL OF LIVERPOOL, MY LORD, It has all along been my wish to see England at peace with America. My reasons for this I have often explained; and the mode I have pursued has been this; to endeavour to prove, that the grounds of hope of success, held out to us by such writers as the WALTERS, are fallacious. The Division of the States, the Impeachment of Mr. Madison, the Resist. ance of Taxation, and the various other grounds of hope, I have endeavoured to shew were hollow, as much as was the expectation of sweeping the ocean of the "half a dozen of fir frigates, with bits of "striped-bunting at their mast heads."The task of coueracting thess clusive hopes has increased in arduousness with the progress of the war. Beaten ont of one hope, these writers have resorted to others; and, as was the case in the last American war, pride and shame and revenge are mustered up to prolong a war which policy has abandoned. [834 thing of his breeding up, a mortal foe of the American Government and people, Such a man, who had been led to suppose, that the defence of a country, like America, was inconsistent with freedom, naturally relied upon the overthrow of the Govern ment, the moment it attempted to raise an army to resist its invaders; such a man would naturally be, as he has been, almost smothered in the foam of his own malignity, upon seeing a measure like this coolly proposed by Mr. Monroe (now Secretary at War), attentively considered by a Committee of Congress, and smoothly passing into a law, made, or to be made, by the real and not the sham Representatives of a free people, elected by that people only a few months before, and knowing that they are again to be elected or rejected by that he people a for months 1.4.rards. It has, This has astounded Mr. Walter. apparently, given his brain a shock tog rude for its powers of resistance. It has upset all his calculations; and he is now crying out for a rebellion in America as fiercely as he ever cried out for bullets," bayonets, halters and gibbets for the rebels There is now a new delusion on foot.in Ireland; but, never losing sight of his Mr. Walter, the proprietor of the Times old object, namely, to delude this nation newspaper, who (shocking to think of!) into the hope that the measure must fail, has been a principal actor in producing and that, therefore, we ought to continue this calamitous war, is now endeavouring to persuade the public, that the President Despicable, therefore, as this writer of America will be unable to raise the may be; contemptible as is his stock of force voted by Congress, to complete the understanding; mean and malignant as regular army of that great Republic to may be his motives, his efforts merit atten 100,000 men, by way of ballot, or what tion, and call upon us to counteract them Mr. Walter calls CONSCRIPTION. without less of time. In doing this I To be sure, this is a measure very well calculated to astound such a man as Mr. Walter, who knows nothing at all about the people of America; who receives all his information through the very worst of all possible channels; who appears to be tremely ignorant himself; who publishes" purely for gain; who desires to flatter the follies and prejudices of his readers; and who, finding himself the gainer by being the avowed enemy of freedom, in every part of the world, has become, to say no" ex the war. must first take the best account that I can find of this grand measure of the American Government, to which has been given the name of Conscription. The following is the report of the Bill, as republished by Mr. Walter himself: An Act to provide for filling the Ranks "of the Regular Army, by classifying "the free White Male Population of the "United States. "Sec. 1. All the white male inhabitants between 18 and 45 to be classed-classes DD "of 25 in each, in every Township, Parish, " or other Territorial Division, are to be "made under the authority of the United "States' Assessors: where there are no "Assessors, under Marshals. Assessors "and Marshals bound under penalty to "complete the classification in a given ❝ time. "Sec. 16. Unimportant details." Such is the measure, which Mr. Walter assures us cannot be carried into effect; but says, that if it could be carried into effect, would deprive us of Canada in a year, unless we sent out our "great Na tional Hero ;" and, indeed, that, under the bare possibility of such a measure's "Sec. 2. Each class shall furnish one succeeding, "we ought to cast aside all "able-bodied man between 18 and 45, to European politics." What a change, my serve during the war-to be delivered Lord! This foolish gentleman used to tell over to the Assessor or Marshals, and by us, that the Americans would be "re"them to be delivered over to the United" duced," as the old phrase was, in "a "States' Officers authorized to receive 66 66 ❝ him. "few weeks." He has often exhausted all his powers of speech to convince his readers, that this enemy was too despicable to be treated with in the same sort of way that we treat with other nations. There is no expression of contempt, con "Sec. 3. Marshals and Assessors are to "determine the precincts of territorial di"visions of each class, so that the property ❝in each division shall be as nearly equal "as possible-and give notice to each re-tained in our copious language, which he "sident in the district of the number of did not use towards America and her Pre"the precinct to which he belongs, &c. sident. And this same foolish Mr. Wal"Sec. 4. In case of failure, each class ter now tells us, that so great is this same "to pay a penalty, which, if not paid in America, that, in order to be able to meet days, shall be collected of the taxable her with a chance of success, we ought "inhabitants of the district, in proportion" to cast aside all European politics." "to property real and personal, to be de- I beg your Lordship, now, to have the cided by the Tax List, or any other just patience to read Mr. Walter's remarks, and equitable standard by which the ac- at full length, upon this measure of defence "tual wealth of the party may be ascer-in America. The article is of consequence; "tained. 66 "Sec. 5. Marshals and Assessors to act "under the direction of the President of "the United States. The penalties for"feited by each class shall be collected by the Collector of Direct Taxes and inter❝nal duties, in the same manner as Direct "Tax is collected. 1024 "Sect. 6. Any person aggrieved by "excessive valuations may appeal in the 66 same manner as is directed in the Act "for assessing Direct Taxes. because, though coming from such a source, though proceeding from a son, or sons, of OLD WALTER of Regency memory, it is what will give the cue to almost all the rich people in the metropolis, and to not a few of those in the country. After inserting this article, I will endeavour to shew its folly and its malice; and, were the author any other than a Walter, I should not be afraid to promise to make him hide his head for shame. 66 "No certain or official account of the "Sec. 7 and 8. Relate to the paying rupture of the negociations at Ghent has "over of the fines and penalties by Mar- yet reached this country. Private let"shals and Collectors to the Trea-"ters, it is true, have been received, statsury, &c. "ing that the American Commissioner, "Sec. 9. Money accruing by penalties" Mr. Adams, was about to set off for St. “to be employed by the Secretary of War" Petersburg, and that Mr. Gallatin had to recruit the army. 66 "Sec. 10. Provides to pay Marshals, &c. for services. "proposed that a single individual on each "side should be left at Ghent to take 66 advantage of any opening for renewing "Sec. 11, 12, 13, 14. Subordinate re- "the negociation; but both these state"gulations. "ments are at variance with those con"Sec. 15. Provides that any five white" tained in other letters of the latest date "male inhabitants of the United States," from Ghent, received by the French "being bible to nitary duty, who shall mail of yesterday, according to which ween 18 and 45," the diplomatic intercourse still continued. "We repeat, that we do not think this "the point to which the public attention The exempt from war. 837] 66 "ought to be directed. We should look " his system and carefully as Mr. Mon- pro 66 66 66 may have by this time made their way gress, and before it is known whether "to America, where they will doubtless "the people will submit to its being car"ried into execution, it would be madness" receive a cordial welcome from Mr. "to expect a peace. It would be madness" Madison, and be set to work to rivet the "collar on the necks of the American citi"to expect a peace with persons who have zens; but we own that, with all appli"made their minds to propose so despeup "rate a measure to their countrymen: for "ances and means to boot,' the Presi"either they must succeed, and then the "dent, in our opinion, must fail. Neverintoxication of their pride will render."theless it would be most dangerous to "them utterly intractable; or (which" suffer such an opinion to produce the slightest relaxation in our efforts. The "is, indeed, more probable), they must "British Government should act as if it "fail, and their failure must precipitate saw Mr. Monroe at the head of his hun"them from power, and consequently ren"der treating with them impossible.--"dred thousand regulars, well disciplined, "and equipped, carrying the war, as he "When an American gentleman of splendistinctly threatens he will do, into the "did attainments, some years since, comvery heart of Canada. Late as it is, we posed his celebrated review of the Con"scription Code of that monster Bona-"must awake. Eight months ago the "parte, he could not possibly foresee that" Duke of Wellington with his army might "have fallen like a thunderbolt upon the "his own country would, in so short a "time, be subjected to the same barbarous "Washington Cabinet, leaving them no humiliation. The prime and flower of" time for conscriptions, no means of col"the American citizens are to be taken by "lot! and delivered over to the Marshals, We are 66 66 66 lecting French officers to discipline their troops, no opportunity to intrigue for "who are to deliver them over to the of" friendship and support among the Con"ficers authorised to receive them, who "tinental Powers of Europe. It is not yet too late for striking a decisive blow; 66 are to act at the discretion and under "the arbitrary direction of the President." but that blow must be struck with all our heart and with all our strength. "Thus does Mr. Madison, from a simple "Republican Magistrate, suddenly start"Let us but conceive the proposed hun"dred thousand regulars embodied in the up a military Despot of the most san"guinary character--a double of the "course of the ensuing spring. Does any one "believe that, without a mighty effort on "blood-thirsty wretch at Elba. "convinced that this sudden and violent" our part, the Canadas could be re"shock to all Republican feelings, to all "tained another year? Would not the ex"the habits of the people in all parts of " ultation of seeing himself at the head of "such a force urge Mr. Madison, at all "the Union, cannot be made with impu"hazards, to complete his often-tried in"nity. Certain it is, that this law can"not stand alone. To give it the least"vasion? Even if his scheme should but a defensive war for "chance of being put in execution, it" partially succeed, and he should be only "must be accompanied with all the other" able to drag on "chapters of that bloody code by which" another twelvemonth, who knows what "France was disgraced, and barbarised," Allies that period may stir up for him, "and demoralised. Who is to hunt down" under the false pretences of regard for ? On our side, to conclude a peace "the refractory conscripts? Who is to "neutral rights, and for the liberty of the "drag them, chained together in rows, to "the head-quarters of the military divi-" at the present moment would be to con"fess ourselves intimidated by the warlike "sion? Who is to punish them, their pa rents, relations, and friends? Even Bo-" preparations of the enemy. It seems, "therefore, that we have but one path to "naparte was many years in bringing to DD 2 "its diabolical perfection the machinery of" follow. Whatever was the force des seas |