The National Register.
London, England, 1809-12-31 00:00:00

principle ; and Whilst he bemoans and strongly condemusi,
on the part of other Governments, the substitution of
violence for right, of inadmissible pretension for general
law, of passion and re-crirnination for reason and cairn
investigation of differences—he pursues the very con-
duct he so loudly reprobates in others. How that Gentle-
man will justify this insolent pretension, we are at a loss to
determine. We are not much versed in the works of the
American Civilians. But certain it is, that neither reason,
nor the custom of Europe, nor British feelings will bear
him out in this assumption. He may, perhaps, borrow
the principle from that great prototype of presumption
and violence,—the Corsican lawgiver. To judge from his
submission, his fears, his obsequiousness, he must have
a great deference for that respectable authority. But let
him beware; the skin may fall off; and, instead of the
lion, he personates, a long-eared, braying animal, the
object of our contempt, and which calculated too
much upon British forbearance, may expose himsellio
ridicule, and his countrymen to chastisement. The con-
duct of the American Executive has been studiously cal-
culated of late to clash with the vital interests, the long-estab-
lished rights of this country ; whilst their language holds out
principles, which we cannot admit without ruin. A bias in
favour of the enemy is insultingly visible on their part.
They oppose to their violence, complaint, or at most,
humble remonstrance ; whilst they have the audacity to

pretend to exact from the British Government, a renuncia-

Lion of those rights, which all the naval powers in Europe
had severally recognised, and in vain attempted to destroy,

Under these circumstaeces, it wiil be asked how far this its-
soleace ought to be tolerated ; how we should take this new
outrage; how far patience is a virtue, and equanimity on
our part may create more friendly sentiments on that of tlh►e
Americans. To ero to war with them is ridiculous. They are
not worthy of a single discharge of gun-powder. But, we
may carry on against them reprisals of another nature
much more painful ; and that is to enforce to the full letter
and spirit, our Orders iu Council. Our Minister should be
immediately recalled ; and as they are not capable of re-
specting and maintaining the courtesy 'and principles adopt-
ed by all civilised governments, no diplomatic intercourse

should be admitted with theirs. They may then pass as many
Non-intercourse and Embargo Acts as they please; pass

violent resol►tions, in their Clubs and Assemblies. against

the Tyrants of the seas ; burn our Ministers, ►►►►d Rritaia
herself, if they please, in effigy ; but, i‘e are convinced,
they would soon grow tired of this fooli.h wrath, thase
idle inoffensive menaces; and convinced of their inability
to injure, learn to be rational and moderate.

The evacuation of Walcheren is completed ; and with it
closes the last act of the mad and disastrous expedition to
the Scheidt. As every visible monument of it is thus
destroyed, except the mourning dress still worn by the re-
latives of our brave and immolated soldiers, or the con-
sumptive hectic complaints caught by the survivors—it
may not be unfit, whilst the impression is still alive in our
distracted recollection, to bestow upon it a few parting re-
flections. It is si'most imperious duty Dot to let tbe me-

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