CHAPTER XXVI. Patriotic Proceedings.* I ANNEX a few specimens of the style and substance of the resolutions and legislative remarks upon the embargo-in order to satisfy the reader that I have not exaggerated the deplorable and disgraceful phrenzy of the public mind. Extract from the resolutions of the town of Gloucester, January 12th, 1809. "Resolved, That we will mutually watch and protect what little property we bave still left-that we will use all lanful means to arrest disturbers and breakers of the peace or such others as may, (under pretence of authority from government) go armed by night," or utter any menaces, or threatening speeches, to the fear and terror of the good people of this town; and that we will ever hold in abhorrence pimps, and spies, and night-walkers, who strive to fatten on the spoils of their suffering fellow-citizens. "Resolved, That to our state government we look for council, protection and relief, at this anful period of general calamity." Extract from the resolutions of the town of Bath, December 27, 1808. "Resolved, that we have hitherto borne with silence the severe pressure of these ruinous laws [embargo laws]-and although we now deem it our duty to speak with firmness and decision our detestation of them, and the policy which gave rise to them, we will still keep down the spirit of indignation which swells within us at the endurance of them; and will conduct toward the national government and its several officers with suitable deference and moderation; that we do, however, despair of obtaining any redress of these grievances, from that government, while its principal offices are filled as at present; and that our only hope is that the state governments, by their remonstrances and resolutions, may have more influ ence in effecting this object, than the petitions and memorials of individuals and towns "Resolved, therefore, That a respectful address be forwarded in the name of the people of this town to the legislature of this commonwealth; stating to them the wrongs and grievances we already suffer, and the fearful apprehensions we experience of speedily having our calamity increased by the addition of still more restrictive and arbitrary laws; expressing to them our approbation of the measures they have already adopted upon this important subject, and requesting them to take such other immediate steps for relieving the people, either by themselves alone, or in concert with other commercial states, as the extraordinary circumstances of our situation may require." Extract from the memorial of the town of Boston to the legislature of Massachusetts, January 25th, 1809. "The inhabitants of the town of Boston, in town meeting assembled, respectfully represent-That they are constrained to apply to your honorable body, as the immediate guardians of their rights and liberties, for your interposition to procure for them relief from the grievances which they now suffer, under the operation of the laws of the general government, abolishing foreign commerce, and sub *The factious, and seditious, and jacobinical proceedings that took place in the eastern states in the year 1809, and shook the government to its centre, were paraded In many of the federal papers throughout the union with great solemnity, headed with the words "PATRIOTIC PROCEEDINGS," in staring capitals. It is truly lamentable to reflect on the extravagant lengths to which the spirit of party leads its followers. Never was the word "patriotic" more grossly misapplied. 0 jecting the coasting trade to embarrassments which threaten its annihilation.— Our hope and consolation rest with the legislature of our state to whom it is compe tent to devise means of relief against the unconstitutional measures of the general government that your power is adequate to this object is evident from the organisation of the confederacy." Extract from the proceedings of the town of Topsfield, January 15th, 1809. "Resolved, That such has been our suffering, and so great is our alarm, oceasioned by the extraordinary measures lately adopted, that we shall never be contented until we are secured from a repetition of the same evils. That a bare repeal of the obnoxious acts ought not, therefore, to satisfy a free and prudent people, any more than the repeal of the British stamp act silenced the patriots of That day-that there ought to be a solemn renunciation of the right thus assumed; and it is the opinion of this assembly, that legal and constitutional measures should be adopted for that purpose. "This assembly declare it as their deliberate opinion that there exists NO CAUSE of war with Great Britain; that such a war wonld be unjust, unnecessary, and extremely to be deplored; that the removal of the embargo will not necessarily involve us in war; but should this be the alternative, it ought to be a war with France, and not with Great Britain. "Inhabiting a part of the union the most engaged in foreign commerce, they think themselves qualified to decide upon its risks, and the nature and extent of the injuries to which it is exposed; and it is their firm belief that our commerce, unrestrained by self-destroying measures, might find many sources of profitable employment, without interfering in any degree with those principles of maritime lar, which GREAT BRITAIN deems essential to her existence, and which in an eventful moment like the present she will NEVER YIELD. "And this assembly cannot refrain from expressing their conviction, that neither the honor nor the permanent interests of the United States require that we should drive Great Britain, if it were in our power, to the surrender of those claims so essential to her in the mighty conflict in which she is at present engaged; a conflict interesting to humanity, to morals, to religion, and the last struggle of Liberty," Extract from a Circular Handbill, published at Newburyport. "You have reposed confidence in a COWARD, [Jefferson,] and leaned on a broken staff too long.-The day of political probation is fast verging to a closewhen the fate of America will be decided, and laurels bought with the price of freemen's blood will grace the brows of the Gallic tyrant. Let every man who holds the name of America dear to him, stretch out his hand, and put this accursed thing the EMBARGO, from him. Be resolute: act like the sons of liberty, of GOD and of your country-nerve your arms with VENGEANCE against. the DESPOT who would wrest the inestimable germ of your independence from you and you shall be conquerors! "Give ear no longer to the syren voice of democracy and Jeffersonian liberty. It is a cursed in, adopted by traitors, and recommended by sycophants. "Jefferson-a man, who with the DAGGER of popular confidence first gave the stab to your liberties.”— Extract from the proceedings of the town of Augusta in Maine, Jan. 16, 1809. "The awful crisis has arrived, when it becomes necessary for the friends of our independence, to make a firm and decided stand-when it becomes all-important to throw aside minor considerations, and unite for the common good; and when a sense of common danger draws us together to meet the approaching storm. "With submission almost amounting to criminal apathy, we have suffered pri vations and restrictions never before expected of, or endured by, a free people.— Now, that even the means of subsistence is at hazard, and the sacred asylum of our dwellings, is no longer held inviolable-silence would be crime, and resistance reould become a virtue of the first magnitude ! ! ! "Resolved, that the restrictions and impositions on our trade and commerce, are too great and ruinous any longer to be borne-and that the general distress of our country demands immediate relief." "Every man will presume that he is not bound to regard it [the Embargo] but may send his produce or his merchandize to a foreign market in the same manner, as if the government had never undertaken to prohibit it." Boston Centinel. "We know if the embargo be not removed, our citizens will ere long set its penalties and restrictions at defiance. It behoves us to speak; for strike we must, if speaking does not answer.” Boston Repertory. "It is better to suffer the AMPUTATION of a Limb, than to lose the WHOLE BODY. We must prepare for the operationWherefore then is New England asleep-wherefore does she SUBMIT to the oppression of enemies in the South ?- -Have we no Moses, who is inspired by the God of our Fathers and will lead us out of Egypt?" Boston Gazette. "This perpetual embargo being unconstitutional, every man will perceive that he is not bound to regard it, but may send his produce or merchandize to a foreign market in the same manner as if the government had never undertaken to prohibit it!—If the petitions do not produce a relaxation or removal of the em bargo, the people ought immediately to assume a higher tone. "The government of Massachusetts has also a duty to perform. still sovereign and independent." Boston Centinel, September 10th, 1803. This state is Extract from the speech of Mr. Hillhouse, in the senate of the United States, on the bill for enforcing the embargo. A "In my mind the present crisis excites the most serious apprehensions. storm seems to be gathering which portends not a tempest on the ocean, but domestic convulsions!-However painful the task, a sense of duty calls upon me to raise my voice, and use my utmost exertions to prevent the passing of this bill.-I feel myself bound in conscience to declare, lest the blood of those who should fall in the execution of this measure may lie on my head, that I consider this to be an act which directs a mortal blow at the liberties of my country: an act containing unconstitutional provisions, to which THE PEOPLE ARE NOT BOUND TO SUBMIT, and to which, in my opinion, they will not submit."*+ A senator This speech requires a most serious reflection. of the United States-whose age ought to have secured him from the heyday of passion and violence, and taught him sobriety and gravity, in his place invites and encourages his fellow citizens to insurrection and rebellion !! And the law to which he excites resistance is not so rigorous, as laws which, I believe, he had concurred to frame: for I am pursuaded he was in congress when those laws to which I have referred, were passed. A large volume might be filled with similar "patriotic proeeedings," as they were then styled, which threatened the peace of the nation with destruction.. No pains had been spared to fan the flame. The public mind, by incessant appeals to the *For the preceding extracts I am indebted to a pamphlet, styled "Things as they are," by H. Niles. Boston Centinel, Jan. 12, 1809 passions, had been excited to a species of delirium and madness. And such was the awful and disgraceful delusion, that the sufferings of the country by the lawless proceedings of the belligerents, were unjustly ascribed to the measures of the government, calculated to enforce redress! Greater insanity can kardly be conceived. CHAPTER XXVII. John Henry's Mission to the Eastern States. Instructions from the Governor General of British America. COTEMPORANEOUSLY with the "patriotic proceedings," of which I have presented the reader with a slight sketch in the preceeding chapter, a most extraordinary circumstance occurred in Canada. Sir James H. Craig, governor general of the British provinces in North America, employed a certain John Henry on a mission to the Eastern States, to ascertain the views of the malcontents, and how far, if they obtained "a decided influence," they would "exert that influence to bring about a separation from the general union." Also "how far, in such an event, they would look to England for assistance, or be disposed to enter into a connexion with us" [the people of Canada.] This is a most important feature in the history of our era.I shall therefore, give the whole of the correspondence between Sir James and Mr. Henry, in extenso, without comment. Let the reader decide for himself as to the nature of the transaction. No I. Mr. Ryland, secretary to sir James Craig, lale governor-general of the British provinces in North America, to Mr. Henry. My dear sir-The extraordinary situation of things at this time in the neighboring states, has suggested to the governor in chief, the idea of employing you on a secret and confidential mission to Boston, provided an arrangement can be made to meet the important end in view, without throwing an absolute obstacle in the way of your professional pursuits. The information and political observations heretofore received from you were transmitted by his excellency to the secretary of state, who has expressed his particular approbation of them: and there is no doubt that your able execution of such a mission as I have above suggested, would give you a claim not only on the governor-general, but on his majesty's ministers, which might eventually contribute to your advantage. You will have the goodness, therefore, to acquaint me, for his excellency's information, whether you could make it convenient to engage in a mission of this nature, and what pecuniary assistance would be requisite to enable you to undertake it without injury to yourself. At present it is only necessary for me to add, that the governor would furnish you with a cypher for carrying on your correspondence; and that in case the leading party in any of the states wished to open a communication with this gov ernment, their views might be communicated through you. am, with great truth and regard, my dear sir, your most faithful, humble servant, (Signed) John Henry, Esq. No. II. HERMAN W. RYLAND. Montreal, January 31, 1809. I have to acknowledge the favor of your letter of the 26th inst. written by the desire of his excellency the gov. in chief; and hasten to express, through you, të his excellency, my readiness to comply with his wishes. I need not add how very flattering it is to receive from his excellency the as surance of the approbation of his majesty's secretary of state for the very humble services that I may have rendered. If the nature of the services in which I am to be engaged will require no other disbursements than for my individual expences, I do not apprehend that these gan exceed my private resources. I shall be ready to take my departure before my instructions can be made out II. W. Ryland, Esq. Sec. &c. No. III. General Instructions from sir J. H. Craig to Mr. Henry, respecting his secret mission. [Most secret and confidential.] Quebec, 6th February, 1809. Sir-As you have so readily undertaken the service which I have suggested to you as being likely to be attended with much benefit to the public interests, I am to request that with your earliest conveniency you will proceed to Boston. The principal object that I recommend to your attention, is the endeavor to obtain the most accurate information of the true state of affairs in that part of the union, which, from its wealth, the number of its inhabitants, and the known inteiligence and ability of several of its leading men, must naturally possess a very considerable influence over, and will indeed probably lead, the other eastern states of America in the part they may take at this important crisis. I shall not pretend to point out to you the mode by which you will be most likely to obtain this important information. Your own judgement, and the connections which you may have in the town, must be your guide. I think it however necessary to put you on your guard against the sanguineness of an aspiring party. The federalists, as I understand, have at all times discovered a leaning to this disposition: and their being under its particular influence at this moment, is the more to be expected from their having no ill founded ground for their hopes of being nearer the attainment of their object than they have been for some years past. In the general terms which I have made use of in describing the object which I recommend to your attention; it is scarcely necessary that I should observe, I include the state of the public opinion, both with regard to their internal polttics and to the probability of a war with England; the comparative strength of the two great parties into which the country is divided; and the views and designs of that which may ultimately prevail. It has been supposed that if the federalists of the eastern states should be suc cessful in obtaining that decided influence, which may enable them to direct the public opinion, it is not improbable, that rather than submit to a continuance of the difficulties and distress to which they are now subject, they will exert that in fluence to bring about a separation from the general union. The earliest infor mation on this subject may be of great consequence to our government; as it may also be, that it should be informed how far iù such an event they would look to England for assistance, or be disposed to enter into a connection with us. |