tion of peace. But the leaders in the scheme were too keen, too shrewd, too profound, and too hostile to the government of their country, to allow us to extend to them the same degree of charity. Their minds must have grasped all the stupendous and awful consequences; and they had reconciled themselves to the wide-spread devastation.

The success in the eastern states was considerable. Few men have the courage to stem the tide of popular delusion when it sets in very strong. There were some, however, who subscribed openly, in defiance of denunciations and threats. Others, of less firm texture, loaned their money by stealth, and as clandestinely as if it were treasonable. What, alas! must be the awful state of society, when a free citizen is afraid of lending his money publicly, to support the government that protects him-the mildest form of government ever vouchsafed by Heaven to man-whose mildness enabled its enemies to jeop ardize its very existence! Who, that has a soul to feel-who, that has a spark of patriotism or public spirit in his frame, but must be fired with a holy indignation at such a hideous, such a horrible state of the public mind!.

"Money is such a drug (the surest sign of the former prosperity, and present insecurity of trade) that men against their consciences, their honour, their duty, their professions and PROMISES-are willing to lend it secretly-to support the very measures which are both intended and calculated for their ruin."*

This paragraph, the production of John Lowell, establishes the existence of a combination to prevent the success of the loans, who had “promised" each other, or pledged themselves, not to subscribe: some of whom, nevertheless, did subscribebut, to avoid the reproaches and persecution of their associates, did it "secretly." This conclusion irresistibly follows. These "promises not to lend their money," must refer to the combination I have stated. It can have no other meaning. And the fair construction of their lending "secrectly" can be no other than that they were liable to disgrace with, or persecution from, their party, if they were known to lend.

Of the species of denunciations held out to deter from subscriptions, some idea may be formed from the following paragraphs, taken from various Boston papers.

"Let no man who wishes to continue the war by active means, by vote or lending money, DARE TO PROSTRATE HIMSELF AT THE ALTAR ON THE FAST DAY; for they are actually as much partakers in the war, as the soldier who thrusts the bayone!; and THE JUDGMENT OF GOD WILL AWAIT THEM."

*See Road to Ruin, No. 5.

Money lent by Federalists.

"Will federalists subscribe to the loan? will they lend money to our national rulers? It is impossible. First, because of the principle; and secondly, because of principal and interest. If they lend money now, they make themselves parties to the violations of the constitution, the cruelly oppressive measures in relation to commerce, and to all the crimes which have occurred in the field and in the cabinet. To what purpose have federalists exerted themselves to show the wickedness of this war, to rouse the public sentiment against it, and to show the authors of it not only to be unworthy of public confidence, but highly crim inal, if now they contribute the sums of money without which, these rulers must be compelled to stop; must be compelled to return to the policy and measures under which this country once was at peace, and in singular prosperity.

"By the magnanimous course pointed out by governor Strong, that is, by withholding all voluntary aid in prosecnting the war, and manfully expressing our opinion as to its injustice and ruinous tendency, we have arrested its progress; and driven back its authors to abandon their nefarious schemes, and to look anxiously for peace. What then if we now lend them money? They will not make peace; they will still hanker for Canada; they will still assemble forces, and shed blood on our western frontier. Mere pride, if nothing else, would make them do it. The motives which first brought on the war, will still continue it, if inoney can be had. But some say--will you let the country become bankrupt ! no, the country will never become bankrupt. BUT PRAY DO NOT PREVENT THE ABUSERS OF THEIR TRUST BECOMING BANKRUPT. Do not prevent them from becoming odious to the public, and replaced by better men. Any federalist who lends money to government, must go and shake hands with James Madison, and claim fellowship with Felix Grundy. Let him no more call himself a feder alist and friend to his country!!! HE WILL BE CALLED BY OTHERS, INFAMOUS ! ! ! ! ! !

"But, secondly, federalists will not lend money, because they will never get it rgain How, where, and when, are the government to get money to pay interest? And who can tell whether future rulers may think the debt contracted under such circumstances, and by men who lend money to help out measures which they have loudly and constantly condemned, ought to be paid. On the whole. then, there are two very strong reasons why federalists will not lend money-first because it would be a base abandonment of political and moral principles; and secondly, because it is pretty certain they will never be paid again.

"It is very grateful to find that the universal sentiment is, that ANY MAN WHO LENDS HIS MONEY TO THE GOVERNMENT, AT THE PRESENT TIME, WILL FORFEIT ALL CLAIM TO COMMON HONESTY AND COMMON COURTESY AMONG ALL TRUE FRIENDS TO THE COUNTRY!!!!!! God forbid that any federalist should ever hold up his hand to pay federalists for money lent to the present rulers and federalists can judge whether democrats will tax their constituents to pay interest to federalists." Boston Gazette, April 14, 1814.

:

"The war advocates appear very sore and chagrined at the failure of the late loan, and in their ravings ascribe the meagre subscriptions to the truths which have appeared in the federal papers on the subject. Boston Gentinel, March 24,

1813.

"Our merchants constitute an honourable, high-minded, independent, and intelligent class of citizens. They feel the oppression, injury, and mockery, with which they are treated by their government. They will lead them money to retrace their steps-but none to persevere in their present course. Let every highwayman find his own pistols.' Boston Gazette.

We have only room this evening to say that we trust no true friend to his country will be found among the subscribers to the Gallatin loan." New-York Evening Post.

"No peace will ever be made, till the people say there shall be no war. If the rich inen continue to furnish money, the war will continue till the mountains

we melled with blood-till every field in America is while with the bones of the people." Discourse delivered at Byfield, April 7, 1814. By Elijah Parish, D. D"If this war is to be supported by loans, paper stock will breed as fast and faster than merinoes. The fleeces, if your pastures are good, will yield the interest; but for your interest of paper stock, you must yield a fleece of loans annually from your own pockets. The admiral and the purser have informed the crew, that they have but few shot in the locker; they must be replenished, or the war laurels must wither. In our old war, when private men were public creditors, and became somewhat impatient of public delay, the administration would promise them one new dollar for two hundred old ones, and try their pa tience again. My brother farmers, if you have money to let, let it bay. If the war continues, you will purchase your stock at four years old, cheaper than you can raise it; so unjust is this offensive war, in which our rulers have plunged us, in the sober consideration of millions, that they cannot conscientiously ap proach the God of armies for his blessing upon it." Boston Centinel, 13th, January, 1813.

The following advertisements contain volumes. They evince, beyond the power of doubt or denial, the horrible state to which a few factious, violent men, by their treasonable practices, had reduced the town of Boston, when those who were disposed to support their own government, were obliged to do it as clandestinely as if they were engaged in some dangerous conspiracy.

The New Lean.

From the Boston Chronicle, April 14, 1814. From the advice of several respected friends, we are induced to announce to the public that subscriptions to the new loan will be received by us as agents un til the 25th inst. from individuals, or incorporated bodies, in sums of $500 and upwards. The subscriptions to conform to the regulations announced by the seeretary of the treasury, dated 4th April. Payments may be made in Boston money, or in any other in the United States, the subscriber paying the customary rate of discount. Applications will be received from any persons who wish to receive their interest in Boston. by letters post paid, or by written applications from individuals in Boston, AND THE NAMES OF ALL SUBSCRI BERS SHALL BE KNOWN ONLY TO THE UNDERSIGNED, according to the proposals of the secretary of the treasury (for more particulare see his advertisement ;) each applicant must name the highest rate he will give and if the loan is granted lower than his proposal, it will of course be for his benefit: but on the other hand, if higher. he will lose the benefit of being a subscriber.--The certificates, and all the business relating to it, will be delivered free of charge.

GILBERT & DEAN, Brokers.

"Exchange Coffee House, Boston, April 12.”

From the Boston Gazeete, April 14, 1814.

THE LOAN.

Subscriptions will be received through the agency of the subscriber to the 25th inst inclusive.

"To avoid the inconvenience of personal appearance to subscribe, applica tions in writing will be received from any part of the state. Each applicant will same the highest rate he will give, and if the loan shall be granted lower than his proposal, he will reap the benefit: but if higher than his offer, he will have

no share in it. The amount, rate, and NAME OF ANY APPLICANT SHALL, AT HIS REQUEST, BE KNOWN ONLY TO THE SUBSCRIBER. All the business shall be transacted, and certificates delivered to the subscribers without expense." JESSE PUTNAM.

On the above advertisements, and others of a similar character, the following comments were published in the same paper. "How degraded must our government be even in their own eyes, when they resort to such tricks to obtain money, which a common Jew broker would be ashamed of. They must be well acquainted with the fabric of the men who are to loan them money, when they offer, that if they will have the goodness to do it, their names shall not be exposed to the world. They know right well that the cause is so sneaking and vile, that nobody would be seen in the broad day-tight to lend them money. However it is consistent with the system of deception and double dealing which they have always practised

66

Capitalists may be induced to subscribe to the loan, because it will tend to shorten the war. But what pledge have they when they have poured all their cash into the lap of government, that the war will end?

"No one doubts of their rancour and ill-will towards England; that they are willing to fight her as long as they can get money. Well then, if they can gull the rich men, and get as many loans as they ask for, will they not fight till that is gone? yea, and until they can negotiate new loans upon the same terms?

"Perhaps monied men may be bribed by the high interest that is offered. But if they withhold their aid, and so force the government into a peace, will not their capital be better employed, if engaged in trade? will they not have better security for its payment, and at their command when they ask for it?

"On the whole, we think it no way to get out of the war, to give money to the government, when the very thing that prevents them from carrying it on, is the want of money." Boston Gazette, April 14, 1814.

After having intimidated the citizens from lending their mo ney publicly, by the most inflammatory, and seditious, and threatening publications, of which the preceding extraets afford a slight specimen, these writers revile and abuse the government, because those who wish to lend, are invited by the brokers to do it secretly! What transcendant wickedness and injustice!

Hundreds of similar paragraphs and essays were written with a view to dissuade and intimidate monied men from subscribing to the loans. Canting hypocrites, who were violating the fundamental laws of society, encouraging “smuggling," and "perjury,"-" acquiring ill-gotten wealth at the expense of publie morals"-and endeavouring, though a small minority, to trample down the majority, had the wickedness to invoke "the judgment of God," upon the supporters of a lawful and mild government!

In the middle states, the federalists did not enter into the project, or to a very limited extent. Many of them were subscribers-some on a very liberal scale. And thus the loans, in spite of the press, and the pulpit, and the efforts of the conspirators succeeded, to their infinite mortification. New means were brought into operation, which were temporarily crowned with success.

CHAPTER LIII.

Smuggling carried to a great excess in Boston. Specie abundant there. Oppressive drafts on New-York. Arrangements between persons in Canada and in Boston. Government Bills.Treason in the United States. Misprision of treason. High treason in Great Britain. Hanging, drawing and quartering.

How strong soever may be the general sense of the infamy of smuggling, it has always prevailed; and will never be wholly suppressed, while it holds out such great advantages, and while there are men to be found who worship gain as their God. It is not therefore surprising, that the non importation, the embargo, &c. being denounced as oppressive, unjust, and unconstitutional—and the war as wicked, and unprovoked, and corrupt, smuggling should be carried on to a most prodigious extent, especially as the public papers in Boston repeatedly invited and urged the citizens to set the restrictive system at defiance. These circumstances conspired to supply that town with smuggled goods on a very large scale.

Of the extent to which smuggling, and fraud, and perjury have been carried in Boston, some idea my be formed from the following "precious confession," written by John Lowell. It describes a state of society not exceeded in the most corrupt countries in Europe.

"Encouraged and protected from infamy by the just odium against the war, they engage in lawless speculations--sneer at the restraints of consciencelaugh at perjury-mock at legal restraints—and acquire an ill gotten wealth at the expense of public morals, and of the more sober, conscientious parts of the commu nity."*+

It was worthy of the most serious reflection of the honourable and public-spirited federalists of the middle and southern states, how far they could, without disgrace and dishonor, “follow the lead" of a town where such a state of things existed.

*Road to Ruin, No. 6.

Mr. Lowell denies that the above portrait was drawn for Boston. He says, "the remarks were intended to apply to other states than Massachusetts"-but he does not specify which are the states. I have reconsidered the subject, and am not disposed to admit his defence. The depravation of morals he describes, is, he says the result of smuggling." And this is protected from infamy by "the just odium against the war. "" Now it is well known that there was no part of the United States where smuggling was carried on so largely and so barefacedly as in Boston-and none where so much pains were taken to excite the public passions against the war, or with so much success It is therefore not in Mr. Lowell's power to remove the fairness of the application.