The National Register. — London, England, 1812-01-26 00:00:00

I - `1 THE NATIONAL Z'ttc ConZtitution, anti tat: KS. PRINT/ D AND PUBLISHED AT NO. 5, PICKETT.•STREET) ST/LAND; NEAR TEMPLE BAR. N° 213. FOLI ICAL DISQUISI No. 200. AMERICAN POLICY AND BRAVADO. We have frequently been, compelled to expose the du. I plicity and arrogance which have marked the conduct of I the American Government towards this country. When 1 doubt still hovered over the public mind, we unfolded the' secret connection that existed between the United I States and France ; to which alone the hostile disposition 1 of the former could be justty attributed. 'When party spirit recommended the abandonment of the liberal but 1 firm system of policy adopted towards Amei ica, and the I prostration of our national honour, to purchase reconci- 1 nation, we pointed out both the impropriety and .the i , uselessness of such a degradation. We repeated that the .1 Government of the United States had bound itself to I join our enemy at a future.. period, to be fixed only by .1 the state of willingness and readiness to which the people could be brought to enter into so- ruinous a con test. We remarked, that any attempt, on our part at settling differences could therefore meet with no success, and if attended with ricers of reparation derogatory to our dignity, would only serve to swell the pride of France. Our statements attracted attention, but did not - then command general belief. They were ranked among improbable possibilities. Other causes had been as signed by the oppo , :ents of Ministers, to the enmity of America. It had been represented as proceeding from 1 our own misconduct. The continuation of our orders in Council, after the supposed repeal of the French De crees had been urged as a sufficient reason fnr the irrita- ' tion manifested by the United States. All the weight of public indignation was, therefore, attempted to be hurled against those who would —not credit a mere as sertion in the Moniteur, but required satisfactory proofs brim Lbey 40doned a measure, the efficiency of which had been est:;.'uriSbed by evris:i:aLn It was difficult to divert the popular opinion, thus aitz' fully engaged, into a new channel, although that of truth. The unfolding hand of time has, however, • assisted our endeavotirs ; and the events that have since occurred, as well as the cortduct of the American 'Execu-: tive, have, in every particular, corroborated the state ment we had made. Every mean which could impress on the Citizens of the United States the necessit7 of Waging war with us, has been successively adopted and. skilfully applied. Official misrepresentation has -per verted facts, magnified, or created injuries. Out cruiseta have unjustly been charged with impressing 410ericris, Y'. V. Ni t CCV.U. SUNDAY, JANUARY 2fl, 81;2. PRICE 9d. and refusing to restore them to their families . and their country. Our Government has been accused of prosecut ing measures which had the effect, without producing the retaliation, of war, on the prosperity of the United States. These charges, calculated to inflatne the popular mind, that obeys the impulse of its feelings, not that of reason, were followed by measures of a doubtful nature—not de cidedly. hostile, but likely to produce hostilities. Under the pretence of guarding the waters of the United States, and protecting their sailors and their trade r frigates were armed and sent out to watch our cruisers, and check their pretended depredations. At that very period the French privateers were admitted within the American hat boors, laden with American spoils. A desperate engagement was fought between one of those frigates and an lingliJ2 , brig, and blood was at last shed, whilst the Executive still wished to deceive us with vain professions of an as sumed regard 1 , ..r peace ; because it had not yet completely - overpowered the public apprehension of war. It per ceived at last that the arts which it had employed had not failed. Misrepresentation triumphed; and the PURSE DENT, encouraged by the alteration which had taken place in the opiniOn of the country, at last dared to ac. knowledge his own, .openly stated in the speech with Which he opened the present Session of Congress. It has since become matter of discussion, and has led to the adoption of measures and the expression of sentiments ‘vhlch can only be regarded as the forerunners of actual hostilities. The Resolutions submitted to the consideration of Con gress, by the PRESIDENT, in Consequence of the view lie had thought pfoper to take of the relative situation of England and America, had been referred to, a Com mittee of Foreign Relations. The Report of that Com mittee has been made public ; and its nature chews, that the time is' at last arrived., when the Democratic Party, finding themselves strongf-enough to carry their point, have resolved to fulfil )their secret engagements with France, and to force their. country to take an active shay In the contest against us... Our , 4 Orders in Council were of themselves a Sufficient ,cause for war," in the opinion of the Committee. 'Why then not have declared it, when they were first issued ? 'Because France had also proinul-. gated obnoxious Decrees, and the Citizens of the United States had not yet been taught to feel,' as 'injuries only, those'evils which proceeded from us, and to which all Neutrals are by their situation exposed:: War, if d'44". dared at all at that period, must haver' been waged :witl4 . France, as well as with England ; 61.4' the Head of thi r French, GovernMent had .s_cured the, friendship o Ile.- , Ainericlln _Executive, and though plundered by his REGISTER.