The National Register.
London, England, 1812-06-07 00:00:00

SU vDAY, JUNE 7, 1812.

N° 232.

AMERICA..

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

Sta,—l believe there is no act of the American Govern-
ment, provided it be extravagantly rash, intemperate,
and imbecile, that will excite astonishment on this side of
the Atlantic. The genius of folly has presided so long
over the councils of that country, and impelled the con-
duct of its government, that a wise or temperate measure
is never expected among the exports of the Republic.—
The motley, grotesque Power with the cap and bells—
the inspiring deity of Mr. MADDIsON's politics, seemed
determined to shew the influences he has over the Presi-
dent's head, by impelling him to the violent and wrong-
headed measures he has recently adopted against this coun-
try. Wretched politician ! What object can he have in
contemplation, in thus ligh!ing the torch of war and dis-
cord. The enjoyment of freedom always gives an exalta-
tion and expansion to the feelings and intellects. But the
Americans are an exception ; and the v.-esent of liberty
vthich the founders of their revolution gave them, has only
pre; aced the insolence of runaway slaves, or the feroci-
ous demeanour of maroons.

I have tortured myself Whit ruminaCng t)n the object
the American Executive can have in view, in plunging
their country into a war with this. It has been the cus-
tom of all states, even those the least civilized, to shew
v,rne cogent, specious reasons—extension •f terri-
tory, or punishing insults or\ injuries, when they exposed
themselves to the chances and risks of war. They calcu-
lated their means and probability of annoying their ere-
tnies. They made adequate preparations. They used
in the interval, the language of conciliation and the cour-
tesies of civilized life. But America, determined to
kneel; her head against all prudent precedents and ex-
amples,. bep,ins hostilities without any prospect of injuring
her opponelit ; without having made adequate prepara-
tion,, without army, or navy, and without even a scheme
of acquisition in view, that would justify the loss of a
singieAmerican's life. The only kind of hostilities they
can wago, or co:,.template, is a •predatory, or piratical
wir—ore, I must acknowledge, perfectly suitable to the
clnracter of that selfish and dastardly people. This they
wii! carry on with a ferocious spirit ; and I should lament
to he a passenger in a British merchant ship, that should
fall into the hands of an American buccanier.

I do not know, Sir, if the Americans be justified, ac-
cordirg to the strict pl inciple cf the law of nations, in
gol'z to NN•ar from such motives. I do not know, Sir,
as they have no other than a predatory object in view,
whe:!ler they ouAlit not to be treated and Eunislied as
VeLsi• AO. CEXXXIL

PIMP 9d.

pirates. Their hostility, and their political tenets, all the
civilised nations of the Old World most heartily de-
spise; and the French, more than any other people upon
earth, look down upon them with derision. What will
they have? War! just God! where are their armies, their qe.
neral, stores and magazines ? Surely they cannot call au un-
disciplined rabble, which they dignify with the name of Mi-
litia, an armed force ? Will they have the madness, with
an irregular mass of that description, to nteet the first
soldiers in the universe ; at whose aspect, the French,
undoubtedly excellent soldiers, tremble ? Yet an Ame-
rican rabble, without a single leader of talent, reputation,
or experience, will dare to encounter them ! Sir, I most
warmly deprecate an idea of the kind. If we have 5000
regular troops in Canada, such is the high state of disci-
pline, the bravery and intrepidity of our troops, that they
would surely be an overmatch for 20,000 men of the spe_
cies of force which the Americans can muster. I have
no doubt those men have great courage in their clubs
and meeting', and think nothing easier than to be-labrur
heartily an English regiment. They may be serious at
present in all this. But when they enter upon actual ser-
vice ; when they are engaged in a tedious march ; when
they encounter the privations and dangers of war ; when
they have a little skirmishing with our troops, and re-
ceived a specimen of their mettle, I am certain there will
be few of those doughty who will not curse the
ill-fated moment, when they became warriors.

From the texture of the American Government and
Confederacy, there is nothing so difficult as to raise an
effective military force in that country. The great duty
of a soldier is obedience : It is the body and soul of dis-
cipline. 'Whitt means has an American Officer of en-
fo:-jng a rigid system of discipline ? The Americans
would not submit to it ; and would desert their standard
or murder the Officer who attempted to enforce it. Such
are the people who threaten to invade and conquer Canada,
and to become future masters of cur West India islands !

It is difficult to comprehend and describe the American
character. It has the violence, obstinacy, and wrong-
headedness of a people recently emerged fr(..rn the savaLe
state. They wrangle and dispute about an alleged grie-
vance for years ; adopt every day a new remedy, a
new resource, which they reject the next. The more they
reflect n the subject, the more they misunderstand it ;
and with all the low, selli,h cunning, and tlartiality
sa-
vages, they consider only that side of the (Jipute
which- intei-ests themselves, without_ atiy attention to the
interests of their rival. The,/ :hen get heated, and rail at
their opponent, and at last blindly and impetuously adapt
some extreme detet mination, without calculating the co. fs.
seer,iences, or their means of execution._