The National Register.
London, England, 1812-12-20 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

DF,C. To.

capable of thinking ; nor will they listen with patience tomen who talk of aiding Russia in a contest with France
while fighting against the exclusion of England from the
Continent, with as much indifference and contempt as if
they were speaking of a grant proposed to enable the Kin,'
of Wall( it(' to make war on the Monarch of Owlndice.
Since writing the above, the grant Las been moved in the
House of Commons, and but feebly opposed by Mr.
ERE AD and Sir BURDETT.

A:UTERI-CAN CONGRESS.

THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

Fellow Citizens of the Senate and Himself i?eprescntatirci,
On our present meeting, it is my first duty to invite your attention
to the providential favours which our country has experienced iu tic
unusual degree of health dispensed to its inhabitants, and in the rich
abundance with which the earth has rewarded the labours bowed
on it. In the successful cultivation of other branches of industry,
and in the pi ogress of general improvement favourable to the tritisial
prosperity, there is just occasion also for our mutual congratulitlis
and thankfulness.
With these blessings are naturally mingled the pressures and vicioi.
tudes incidental to the state of war into which the United States have
been forced by the perseverance of a foreign Power in its system of
injustice and aggression. Previous to its declaration, it was asemot
proper, as a measure of precaution and forecast, that a Considerable
force should be placed in the. Michigan territory, with a general view
to its security ; and, in the event of war, to such operations in the
uppermost Canada, as would intercept the hostile influences!' Great
Britain over the savages; obtain the command of the lake 0 whali
that part of Canada borders ; and maintain co-operating oloioss
with such forces as might be most conveniently employed al;saist
other parts.
Brigadier-General Hull was charged with this provisional sersice.
having under his command a body of troops, composed of ogioss
and of volunteers from the state of the Ohio ; having reached h s des-
tination, after his knowledge of the war, and possessing discroianatv
authority to act offensively, lie passed into the neighbouriog territory
of the enemy with a prospect of an easy and victorious progress.
'f he expedition, nevertheless, terminated unfortunately, not oil) in
a retreat to the town and fort of Detroit, but in the surrender of both,
and of the gallant corps commanded by that Officer. The eauos
of this painful reverse will be investigated by a Military Tribunal.
A distinguishing feature in the operations which preceded and too
lowed this adverse event, is the use nude by the enemy of the mer-
ciless savages under their influence. Whilst the benevolent policy of
the United States invariably recommended peace, and promoted civi-
lization amongst that wretched portion of the human race, sad was
making exertions to dissuade them from taking either side in the war,
the enemy has not scrupled to call to his aid their ruthless imeity,
' armed with the horrors of those instruments of carnage add ;wale
which are known to spare nait her age nor sex. In this'outrage :lona
the laws of honourable war, and against the feelings sacred to Immo
I,o', the British Conontioders cannot resort to a plan of retalioioo
for it is committed in the face of our example. They cannot mined,:
it by calling it a self-del:awe against men in arms, for it embraces the
mast shocking butcheries of defenceless families : nor can it be pi
tended that they are not answerable for the atrocities perpetrato,
since the savages are employed with the knowledge, and ev-.n wiO
menaces that their fury could not be controlled. Such is the specia
de which the deputed authorities of a nation boasting its relation
noarality, have hot been rvoorained from presenting to an enlightenol
age.
The misfortune at Detroit was not, however, without a consan.:
effect. It WAS followed by signal pr. of, that the national spis:
rises according to the pressure on it. The loss of an important pa
and the brave men surrendered with it, inFplred every where Lew Ot
dour and determination. In the states and districts least remote, it
was no sooner known, than every citizen was eager to Ply with 113
arms at once to protect his brethren against the blood-thirsty sassoo
let loose by the enemy on an t xtensive frontier ; and to convert a
tial calamity into a source of invigorated elfots. This patriotic zeal,
which it was necessary rather to limit than excite,
has entho l
a nple torte om the States of Kentoeky and Ohio, and from pa
yal rts
enn,ylvaitia and Virginia. It is placed, with the addition 01 a few
1.0.01 as, under the command of Brigadier-General Harrison,ison %silo
possesses the entire confidence of his fellow soldiers ; among wlvgi
are citizens,—soine of them volunteers in the ranks,—not less
dint ingui,hed by their politicol stations, than by their personal nvo,10:.
The greater portion of this force is proceed* on its destination.,.
wards the Michigan territory, haviog soceeeded in relievin; an ti:;
portant frontier post, and in several incidental operatiens age
hostile tribes of savages, rendered indispensnble by the subservico,;
into :ouch they had liven 4i:ductal by the enemy ; 4 seduction