The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-09-01

the sound ct war began to blow in our cara
every eye was naturally turned upon the
War Department. The confidence which,
the President seemed to repose in DR.. E.,
produced ITS effect upon many. OF the ma
| NY who had placed an unbounded confidence
IN MIR. Madison, there were many who
were willing to share his confidence i'm Dir.
t-ustis. But the hrst steps Of preparation
were discouraging. The recruiting service
went on at u snVii's pace. Young men were
seen iounging IN cur cities; after their ap-
polntncnt, before they received their lee
ters OF commission ; and DAYS and weeks
new away b. fore they had their bounty-mo-
ney and instructions for proceeding. We
pass over the clothing for the troops, which
are 30 essential TO invite recruits to the
| ranks, because every allowance should he
made for the difficulty of getting materials
O. our real ignorance in the commssarat de :
paftment. Yet when the recruits BEGAN to
be gathered, what did we see. They were
scattered In all directions although il is a
| iact that til much easier TO collect recruits
around others than to collect them at first
IKE the SNOWFALL which gathers as il goes.
Tor each soldier becomes Il sort of rec~.,t
| ing sergeant for the rest, while the yerv
snow or the whole together strikes the eve
q invites additional recruits into the ranks.
| heSe things must not strike rs with nc
l -
tary an opportunity of acquiring the sci;
ence or WARP Not surely amidst his patti
ents, nor his pestle and mortars. AS far
as we know his mind, il had never ia
ken bend thatsway it was consequently
destitute of those habits which are so ne
cessary to WELD the complicated details off
modern war. He had not, like Othel,o.
"seen some service" He was of coursc
without that facility, promptitude and adj
| uress whlch suggest the best enhedients at
| the best time.
! We know too little of the circumstances
that nave transpired to award to each
man the censure which he deserves ::
but the Secretary at War will have his
full share of it.---Why did the British
forts receive the news of the declaration of
the war before our own !. The Secretary
weeks before, had been pretending to make
preparations at Detroit. Yet when the ar
my had reached this post and crossed into
Canada' you see them sending to Ohio for
provisions to be transported on pack
horses.----You see their artillery nnpre
pared for service What is the eject ;
Delay breeds dangers. The enemy feel
new spirits. receive reinforce
ments. The Indians, at first daunted by
the intrepidity OF our army in marching upon
uie enemy, recover from INSTRUMENTATION
and Hook to Maiden. Then it is that Hull
retreats, and perhaps surrentlers. -No
straits perhaps can justify him in this act.
Our blood -boils with Indignation at the idea
or an American officer yielding without a
oiow. But why were not provisions sent up
the Erie and deposited at Detroit in time
for the war; Why is not their artillery
mounted Fit is for these things that the
Dec. at War must answer to his country.
steps should have been taken to prevent
the enemy from reinforcing Maiden A
force should have been every where dis.
played to awe the savage G. to encourage the
canadian n Diversion should therefore
nave been made by an attack OF Niagara or
Erie.--NWe see indeed that troops and ar
.niefy are now marching, as it is said, for
this purpose. But why was this eyol,eior
delayed until it is unavailing?
i Alter such oversights, after the affail
at Detroit. who will conde in the Secreta
/ ry at war ! What regular or what militia.
man VIII willingly march under his auspi
ces What officer Will risk his reputation
and his liberty under his ill-lated genius
We fear not for our country. We dis
trust not the people. Give them but man
OF energy to preside over the department. oil
war give them man to guide and to leac
them to battle, whom they can trust & res.
pect, and our troops VIII march and will
hight with astonishing aiacrity. The nativ,
energy OF their character would display 1T
self. They would rise like An,eus, With re
novated vigour from such a blow. The rag,
OF the people would be reused; and theq
patriotism would burn brighter. 5nch dis
astei wo:id soon be repaired & the torren
rolled back on the shores of Canada. w,
should chastise these Christian do 70
who, false to their religion, disgracing the CT
viiizatlon which they profess, dear TO the
voice Of humanity q insensibie to the rules O
YAH honorable war, had enlisted the savage il
their cause, and threatened TO let loose tn,
murderous tomahawk upon our women ant
children, to force our troops to a capitula
ton. We should avenge the Cause of human
ity and our country.
To the President If the United Stgtes.
S1R-Ihe man who addresses you is as warm
5 friend as any you possess. He comes before yo
charged with tie sentiments Of the people Ii he de
livers his commission in less courteous and circuiu
locutory style than suits tile occa.on. it is becaus
s the emergency is important aud the truth ought I
be told. II ever g came before another wit
his heart i'm his hand it is the man who nov pre-