Star.
London, England, 1814-11-04 00:00:00

ON THE SITUATION of the UNITED ST,ITES.
FROM THE JOURNAL DE PARIS.]

44 The capture of Washington has made much noise
in Europe. It was generally believed, on the autho-
rity of the London Papers, that this event would have
a decisive influence on the war between Great Britain
and the LTuited States. Already ie was expected that
the American Government would supplicate peace in
a humiliating manner, and submit to all the condi-
tions which the Cabinet of St. James's should impose.
Some persons who judge of. the United States
br the old nations of Europe, announced, with con&
4ence, the clis'solutien of the American Republic, and
•did not think that it could exist after the destruction,
culpable in every respect, of the Capitol. and other
public buildings at Washington. It seemed as if that
growing city was the • of America, and that
.its loss would have been followed by that of all. the
States which composed this grand and splendid Con-
federation.
• gg A profound terror, it was said, had seized all
the inhabitants of the United States ; that every pro-
vince would hasten to escape the British thunder, by
separating itself from the federal union. Boston,'.
Philadelphia, Baltimore. New York, Savannah, and
Charleston, were thought to be on the point of open-1
ing their gazes to the conquerors, and returning to
the colonial system of England.
" Persons better informed were fnr from joining in
this opinion : they knew that a great majority of the
Americans were attached to their Government, and
were ready to make every sacrifice tor maintaining
their independence.
We often hear of parties which exist in the Unit-
ed States. These parties are n factions ; they never
of uniting together when their country is in dan-
ger. In America, as in England, men dispute f
power; but their patriotism is not the less conspicu-
ouson that account. Their discussions are marked by
the same public spirit and national pride, and the
sacred love of liberty rises above every other senti-
ment.

The power of the United States does not consist
in maritime towns, but in that numerous population
which cultivates the earth, which seeks for subsistence
in the midst of forests. These hardy cultivators, these
indefatigable hunters, constitute an excellent militia,
easy of discipline, and ready to encounter all fatigues
and dangers. They are the childrtn of the same men
who triumphed on the plains r f Saratoga and Bun-
ker's hill. The remembrance of these great exploits
still animates their courage. This inheritance of glory
is a national property which they will transmit whole
and entire to their descendant.

66 Those hunters known by the name of Riflemen,
are formidable enemies: They use muskets of-a par.
ticular kind ; and at two hundred paces they seldom
fail of hitting their mark. During the war of inde-
pendence, they did great injury to the English armies,
and took off le odigious numbers of their officers.
61 It must be evident, that the expedition of Admi.
ral Cochrane had for its object, to compel the Ame-
rican Government to rccal the troops which menaced
the frontiers of Upper and Lower Canada. This di-
version would have been advantageous to the Eng-
lish, but it was not effected.
66 Whilst the efforts of the British army failed before
Baltimore, the Americans destroyed the English fleet
on Lake Champlain, and defeated the army of Ca-
nada, which retreated with considerable loss.
e 66 In this affair, for the first time, we have heard
of the famous militia of the State of Vermont, which
so gloriously distingiii•shed itself in the last war, under
the name of green mountain Aus—the children of the
green mountains.
66 The defeat of the English on Lake Champlain
lays open the frontiers of Lower Canada. If from
Plattsburg the Americans should proceed to St. John's,
:t smell-town at the head of the Lake,.they can in two
days come to the banks of the River St. Lawrence,
opposite Montreal, and make themselves masters of
the beautiful plains of Chambli, abounding in pas-
ture and corn. It is not on the coasts that the war
will be decided, but on the borders of Lakes Cham-
plain and Ontario.
66 The English are good soldiers they have ho-
nour and courage ; hut the war they have undertaken
against the United States does not depend on a ma-
ritime expedition, nr a successful battle. Forced to
fight at a great distance from their country, they will
be unable to repair their losses, whilst the Americans
can recruit their forces with facility. The expenses
tor England. are enormous ; of these one can easily
judge from the circumstance of a single piece of can-
non carried across Lake Ontario costing a thousand
guineas.
The British Minister, no doubt., must have judg-
ed, that by attacking the coasts of the United States
and threatening the maritime towns with total
destruction, he would raise a powerful opposition
throughout the country, which would compel the
American Government to ask for peace. la this
hope he must have been deceived. It proves how
well America is known in Europe ; the present Go.
vernment does not stand in need of the support of
what is called the commercial interest. It draws all
its strength from the free and generous attachment
of the farmers, who ere the most enlightened and the
most attached to their country.
66 Besides, the burning of Washington, instead of
allaying their courage, has only irritated them against
an enemy who tramples under foot the principles
adopted by civilized nations. M. Madison, who en-
joys the most enviable honour, that of presiding over
the destinies of a free people—M. Madison, I say,
displays a noble character. All the Americans rally
at his voice ; resolutions full of energy and patriotism
have alteedy been taken throughout the towns most
expose.l to the bombs and rockets of Congreve. The
war is become a national one, and the Americans,
who fight with courage, will hereafter fight with fury.
66 it is not, therefore, difficult to foresee the issue
of this bloody contest. After wasting her strength
in vain efforts, England will be forced to grant peace
on advalitegeous conditions to the United States; and
Akin consider herself very fortunate in being able to
preserve her empire in Nova Scotia, and the two Ca.
11,1(.12. Nobody esteems the English more than I do.
llut I confess I should be such vexed if she obtained
decisive advantages over the United States. e.ihe
needs neither an increase of influence, nor an acces-
sion of territory, and her inttrebt imperiously cpm-;
Mallt:s her to respect the rights bi others."