343 SPEECH and the Hudson, and, by a simultaneous OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR To attack with his maritime force on New THE LEGISLATURE OF THIS STATE. On Tuesday last, at eleven o'clock, his excellency the governor met both branches of the legislature in the assembly chamber, and delivered the following speech: Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the Assembly, York, to form a junction which should To defeat this arrogant design, to save sever the communications of the states. the state from inroad, and our cities from ly, to exercise fuller powers and more destruction, it was necessary, immediateample resources than had been placed in The extreme pressure of public busimy hands by the legislature. The exiness, and the peculiar emergencies of the executive to great responsibility, admitgency of the time, while it subjected the war in which we are engaged,induced me to ted of no delay: I proceeded, therefore, call this session of the legislature. At the to make such dispositions as were deemed close of the last session, a confident ex-indispensable to secure the exposed points pectation prevailed, that existing hostili- against menaced invasion. To effect ties would soon be terminated by a fair these objects, I found it necessary to and honourable peace. Great-Britain, it transcend the authority and means vested is true, had declined the proffered medi-in me by law; but I feel perfectly satisfied ation of the emperor of Russia-yet, as that the legislature will approve and far as professions could be relied on, she sanction what I have doue. In the was still disposed to restore amicable re-mean time, I have requested this seslations between the two countries, upon sion, for the purpose of devising other satisfactory and mutual terms. Subsequent events, however, have shown, that such hopes were fallacious. originally insincere in his professions, or Whether flushed by the recent events in Europe, and the vast disposable forces they have left at his command, the enemy has certainly assumed the tone of arrogance, and a spirit of increased hostility, incompatible with feelings of reconciliation. When we reflect that the present cam-: most palpable delays and evasions have threatened to visit us in his wrath, and to The paign was one in which the enemy had been practised to defer a meeting of ne- make us feel his power, we cannot but exgotiators-while, in the mean time, large ult, that thus far we have sustained the armaments have been despatched to our shock with firmness, and have even gacoast, and powerful armies collected on thered laurels from the strife. He has, it our frontiers, in the presumptuous hope of is true, been able to maraud our seaboard, overwhelming us in a single campaign. and harass and ruin individuals. He has A predatory and wanton warfare, desti- even penetrated to our capital, feebly op tute of all generous principle, and disposed by a hasty levy of undisciplined graced by pillage and conflagration, has been carried on in our bays and rivers; and the enemy has openly avowed his intention of laying waste our cities, and of making a common ruin of public and private property. clothing some public officer with the remeasures of security and defence, and of A particular detail of the steps which quisite powers to carry them into, effect. have been taken, and of those which appear to me essential for the future safety of our frontiers, will form the subject of a special communication. militia, and has wantonly demolished edifices and monuments of art, hitherto held sacred by all but barbarous warfare. But, whenever we have met with him in fair and open contest, the result has been sigof brilliant actions, which shed lustre nally honourable to our arms. A series upon the Niagara army, has entitled its distinguished generals, Brown, Scott, Porter, Gaines and Ripley, and their brave associates, to the lasting gratitude of their country. But, beside the general causes of alarm, our apprehensions have been more immediately awakened for our own security, and we have been called upon to exert all our forces to protect our own homes from desolation. From information received, and corroborated by the movements of the enemy, there were sufficient grounds of ton, and Blakely, have well sustained the The gallant deeds of Porter, Warringbelief that one great object of his cam- splendid character of our navy. paign was to penetrate, with his northers invasion of Baltimore, the foe was At the army, by the waters of Lake Champlain' promptly met, was harassed in his ap proach, and fled back with heavy loss to jand efficient force, than can possibly be his ships. But the late glorious triumph organized from militia at large, hastily asat Plattsburgh, for grandeur of circum-sembled at a moment of hurry and alarm. stance, and importance of effect, render The population and resources of this state all encomium feeble and inadequate. enable us to place at the disposal of the This was the blow by which the enemy nation, for the continuance of the war, hoped to lay open our northern frontier. ten thousand uniformed troops, and to reHe advanced with confidence, in the su-serve for local defence, ten thousand miperiority of his land and naval forces, and nute men, uniformed, equipped and discjcounted on certain victory. After severe plined, to take the field at a moment's and' bloody contest, his whole fleet was warning, as a substitute for ordinary miliconquered and captured, in the sight of tia. It is, however, due to the militia of his astonished army. His land troops this state, to acknowledge, that they have were likewise discomfited, and driven to a repaired to their country's standard, wheaprecipitate and ignominious retreat, before ever summoned, with promptness and alaa handful of regulars, under Brigadier Ge- crity; that they have cheerfully endured neral Macomb, and an inconsiderable body the hardships and privations of the camp, of the militia and volunteers, of New-and that they have generally conducted York and Vermont, under Generals themselves in action with the coolness Moore and Strong. The conduct of our and bravery of veteran troops. troops, on that occasion, both in repulsing GENTLEMEN, the powerful assaults of the enemy, and It is with heartfelt satisfaction, that I in pursuing and harassing him in his re-witness the unanimity and patriotic spirit treat, reflects the highest honour on the that actuates all classes of the community. commanding officers, and their compa- The acrimony of party has disappeared nions in arms. in the combined exertion for the mainThe achievements of Commodore Mac- tenance of national honour and common donough, and his intrepid comrades, is safety. The present time will form a not surpassed in the record of naval his-proud era in the history of this state. It tory. It sheds glory on the nation at will develope the vastness of her resources, large; but its immediate benefit are more the strength of her population, the intellipeculiarly felt by the states of New-York and Vermont. Permit me to recommend a prompt and public expression, by the constituted authorities of this state, of their high sense of the illustrious services of these brave men, who have so eminently contributed to the safety and glory of the nation; and the presentation of some testimonial gratitude worthy of the dignity of the state, and the acceptance of gallant and high minded heroes. gence and liberality of her legislative bodies, and the valour and patriotism of her intrinsic character, to set an example of open handed munificence that will challenge emulation; to impart vigour and effect to the national arms, and thus to secure and perpetuate the independence of the United State. DANIEL D. TOMPKINS. Albany. Sept. 27th, 1814. The duke of Marlborough, during his long career of military renown, received the thanks of parliament but six times, while the duke honour twelve times. of Wellington has already been awarded that I have heretofore submitted to the consideration of the legislature, the propriety of relieving the poorer classes of the community, from bearing that unreasonable proportion of the burthen of militia duty, to which they are subjected by the exThe king of Prussia has created Marsha isting laws. I must be permitted to re- Blucher a prince, by the title of Prine de new my solicitations upon that subject. Wag tadt-General D'York, Coup de WarThe experience of this campaign, has tenburg-General Bulow Count de Dennewitz; furnished abundant evidence of the une-and Baron Hardenberg. Prince de Hardenqual operations of the present system, The British Parliament have passed a vote and has shown the indispensible neccssiof thanks, to Sir Thomas Picton, Lieutenty of substituting property as the criterion ant General Sir William Stewart, Lieutenant of contribution to the public defence. General Sir Henry Clinton, and Major GeneWe may then establish a more disposible, ral Pringle, for their gallant services in the better disciplined, and more economical late war. burg. VOL. II. NEW-YORK, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1814.. Νο. 21. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED, EVERY SATURDAY, William A. Duer, George Tibbits, Samuel BY BARENT GARDENIER, 34 CEDAR-STREET, AT FIVE DOLLARS PER ANNUM. From the National Advocate of Monday last. Our readers will recollect, that we gave in our paper of the 23d ult. a disclosure of the present views of the opposition faction in the eastern states, extracted from the Connecticut Courant. They will have seen in that disclosure, that this wicked cable propose to raise a New-England army, to be commanded not by the ge nerals of the United states military districts, Du try a comuraнder tu chief set over it by commissioners delegated from these states, and such others as think proper to accede to this northern confederacy-that, with this unconstitutional army, to be raised under the pretext of expelling the enemy from their territory, they propose to make and to maintain a separate peace with him. The following circular letter has fallen into our hands, from which it will be seen, how much reliance is to be placed upon the late patriotic professions of the same faction in this state. Stewart, Peter Jay Monroe, Gerrit Wendell, committee. We have expressed our wish, that the advice from the committee of defence, of our corporation, to the editors of newspapers in this city, to " suspend all party discussions for the present," might be followed by the minority in congress and the state legislature. That wish is not likely to be gratified. We are destined to witness a repetition of the worst acts of that opposition, which, we reassert, is not to the administration alone, but to the government-to the union-to the country." Conciliation is," indeed, "out of the question with our political opponents." Nothing will conciliate them but the possession of power. Nor are they content to partake it with us. Hence the forbearance and moderation of the majority in the state, and in the union, is lost upon them. Hence the conciliatory language and conduct of the president of the United states and the governor of this state, is thrown away upon men, who attributed both to fear, and whose resentment is not to be propitiated, but by complete submission to their will. We conclude, by asking a few questions. club to overawe the proceedings of the legisla Is this meeting of delegates to be a jacobin ture? ALBANY, September 27, 1814. Sta-The legislature convened at this place yesterday, and commenced their proceedings. in the true jacobinic spirit of proscription. It Or is to it devise measures to defeat the exis therefore evident, that conciliation is out of ecution of the several violent and extensive the question with our political opponents. Projects" which "the majority have in con templation?" We understand, that the majority of the two Or, that the federalists throughout the houses have several violent and extensive state should have a perfect understanding projects in contemplation. Hence, it is de-about the course which the party are to pur sue" relative to the project of raising a Newsirable, that the federalists, throughout the England army? state, should have a perfect understanding What is the PARTY which is contradistinabout the course which the party are to pur-guished from the public authorities of the sue. To effect this, it is proposed to have a state and union? meeting of delegates from the different counties, in this city, on the fifth day of October next, to consult and decide on that subject. Permit us, to request you to confer with our friends in your county, and to make arrangements to send a delegation to the proposed meeting. We are, with great respect, Your obedient servants. James Emott, Henry Livingston, Ab. Van Vechten, Theodore Sill, Samuel M. Lock Is it the once honourable party of federal ists, whose pride and principle it was to strengthen the bands of the federal uuion-to support the laws-and to respect the constituted authorities? Is it "the party" who would thus sow the seeds of civil war? Or is it the British party in America," as Mr. STEPHEN, the author of war in disguise, called it in the house of commons ? The following is the article alluded to: From the Connecticut Courant. Food, Jacob R. Van Rensselaer, Daniel Hale, mity, the cry of every one is, What can be 1 done to save our country? We cannot stand | astonished readers, that the communias we are―the states exposed to invasion and cation in question, is nothing more nor stripped of the means of defence; our men and money sacrificed in weak and wicked attempts at foreign conquest; our capital taken; our towns laid under contribution, and the less than “ a disclosure of the present views of the opposition faction (meaning thereby, the federal party, and that not only in Hartford aforesaid, but in Connecticut also; and not in Connecticut, only, but) in alt the eastern states.” Before I proceed to comment on this atrocious outrage upon the feelings and principles of the people of New-England, I must be permitted to call the reflections of men of all parties to the consequences of such publications; I do not complain of whole seaboard threatened with fire and the sword. Is it a time to expend our strength in unavailing complaints? But the question is, What can be done? For one I answer: Let the New-England states, and all such others as will join at the approaching sessions of their respective legislatures, appoint commissioners to meet immediately for the purpose of concerting some general plan of defence. Each state has a right, and if the United States do it not, is bound to raise forces suffi- this evil now, because it is calculated to cient to defend itself. Self defence is the excite and inflame the most base and unfirst law of nature. Let us prepare to retain just suspicion and hatred of the vicdulous, in our hands the means which God and nature against the federalists: we are so accushave given us; and with them let us defend tomed to be misrepresented and belied, ourselves. Let the states who are not willing that we find on the score of personal feelto become the prey of a foreign enemy, nor iugs, no difficulty in regarding such cathe victims of traitors at home, raise an army lumnies with silence as well as contempt. and place it under the command of men of taI do not ask for truth and justice to be lents and integrity: not under district generals. With this army, say to Britain, we will not practised towards federalists; the fainvade your territory, and with it we will pn-vourites and followers of Washington, are nish every attempt to invade ours. To the traitors who have brought this war upon us, With this army we will defend ourselves, and with this army we will have an honourrble peace. Let Connecticut set the example. Our elections are approaching. Freemen, unless you are prepared to become slaves, choose honest men, not covetous, but men of nerves sufficient to meet the present crisis. CHATHAM. REMARKS. not to expect these from the party whom Washington declared under his own hand, to be "the curse of this country,” as in truth, we have found them: justice to federalists is as little to be looked for in this country, from Mr. Madison and his minions, as favour to christians is to be expected from the dey of Algiers and his musselmen pirates, in Africa. But the federalists are continually represented in An anonymous writer, in a Hartford the administration prints, as being favournewspaper, availing himself of the liberty able to England; as plotting perpetually of the press, and indulged in using it, to bring about a dissolution of the union. ventures to submit to the readers of that Considering how resolutely they have print, in a production, evidently of the every where behaved, when their counmoment, his opinion of what ought to be try was really in danger, the reiteration of done in that condition of our affairs, such calumnies, was certainly most base which every one now allows to be alarm-and inhuman. But let that pass; we are ing, and concerning which, every body is to expect nothing less. To keep Mr. giving his advice. On this unlucky com-Madison and his retinue in power, it is munication, the editor of the National perhaps indispensable that we should be Advocate, has pounced with true theatri- calumniated and belied-let it pass. But cal make believe horror; announcing to his there is one view of this matter, which is 1 real, of immediate public concern. [tain, they are certainly undeceived by When good and wise men are lied out of this time. The federalists have proved, estimation, the evils are remote. It is that although they are opposed to Mr. Malike infusing a slow poison into the blood;dison, they are devoted to their country. years may elapse before it breaks out. They were opposed to this war, because Into the American political body, this it would injure their country. They poison was commenced to be infused, by would not engage in it, heretofore, beMr. Jefferson and Mr. Madison, in 1792, cause they did not wish to make a bad but it did not fairly break out till 1807, and unnecessary quarrel worse. But now when it appeared in the shape of embargo, their country is attacked: and now they continuing to grow annually worse and come forth to defend their country. There worse, until in 1812, it broke out all over, has been no period, in which their conin the shape of war; an evil, for which duct was not calculated to promote the none of the state quacks, seem now able prosperity of their country. But to sum to find a remedy-let that pass too. But up all, gentlemen democratic editors: are why are these calumnies so perpetually the federalists really devoted, think you, trumpetted by all the democratic editors, to Great-Britain? Then you are traitors by all the democratic spouters? If they to proclaim it. Is the accusation false ?— were founded in truth, the publication of What are you then? them, which is but the same thing as the If ever this paper should chance to fall enemy's knowledge of them, would pro-into the hands of any of his majesty's claim our country's weakness. Would a liege subjects, who may have been misled prudent commander advertise a besieging army of the weak points of his defences? and would these democratic gentry really apprize the enemy of the friends they have in this country, if they really believed that all the members and all the wealth contained in the federal party, were devoted to the enemy? They would eat their pens, and their fingers too, sooner than they would dare to do it. But they know it is not true; and not being true, they think they may safely invite the enemy to come on; for they know that the nation's best defence rests, and securely too, upon those very federalists, whom they incessantly belie. But I beg leave to suggest, that if their dupes are misled by these calumnies, herc, the British cabinet may also, be misled by them, in England. And if it is, the war must necessarily be protracted as long as that delusion shall exist in that cabinet. If honest men had ever thought that what was, in truth, mere opposition to the folly and wickedness of our democratic rulers, was attachment to Bri either by the spirit, with which federalists have resisted and execrated the ruinous measures of our mad rulers; or, who have believed the falsehoods and calumnies of the hireling editors of these mad rulers, when they declare that the British government has in this country a party whose co-operation that government has good reason to expect, I beg them to transmit this present number of the Examiner to his royal highness the prince regent, that he may have the plain assurance of a plain federal republican, well acquainted with the men and principles of that party, that it is the summit of princely folly for him to expect from that party any aid, co-ope ration or assistance whatsoever in this war. And let bim send his thousands, and tens of thousands, to subdue and plunder us, he will find the followers of Washington in 1814, exactly what they were in 1776; however democratic editors may endeavour to persuade him to the contrary. And now for the treasonable letter in the Courant. I shall not at present stop to inquire whether the notions of the wris |