The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-11-06

British commanders cannot resort 70 a piles
of retaliation: for it is committed in thc face
LOT our example. They cannot mitigate il,
by Calling it a seif-defence against men i,
arms: tor it embraces the most shocking
lbutcheres of defrnceless families. Nor can
it be pretended that they are not answera-
Die tor the atrocities perpesrasel; since
Ithe savages are employed with a know
ledge. and even with mcnaces, that their
fuzzy could not be controlled. Such is the
spectacle which the deputed Authorities oi
u nation. boastng its religion and morality,
have not been restrained from presenting to
AN enlightened age.
| he misfortune at Detroit was not, howe
yer, without = conscling effect. 1t was fol-
lowed by signal proofs. that the national spi-
rt rises according to the pressure OH it
he loss of an important post, aid of the
brave men surrendered with it, inspired eve
ry where new ardor and determination in
the states and districts least remote, il was
no sooner known, than every citizen was
ready to ffy with his arms, AT ence 20 pro-
tect his brethren against the bloud-thirsty
,savages let Loose by the enemy oii AN ex-
tensiye frontier and to Convert partial Ca
iainity into a source OF inviyorated efforts.
i his patriotic zeal, which II was necessary
rather to limit than excite, has embodied an
ample force FROM the states of Kentucky &
Ohio. and from parts of Pennsy lvaij,a and
virginia IL is placed with the addition Of
q few regulars, under the command of Bri-
Igadier. General HARRISON, who possesses the
entire confidence of his fellow soldiers, a.
| lnonS whom are citizens, stme of them vo-
lunteers in the ranks, not less distinguished
bYt their political stations, than by their per-
soHal merits, The greater portion OF this
force is proceeding on, its destination, to-
| wards. the Michigan territory, having sue
ceedcd in relieving an important frontier
post, and in severalincidental operations a
gainst hostile tribes Of savages, rentlet ed in
|d,spensable by the subser viency into which
they had been seduced by the enemy !; "A Sc
lductIon the more cruel, as it could not fail
to impose necessity OF precautionary seve-
rifles, against those who yielded to it.
! : AT a recent date, an attack WAS made or
lapost of the enemy near Niagara, by de
ltachment of the regular and other forces
Iunder the mmand. os major, general Van
Rensselaer, of the militia of the state OF n
York. The attack it appears, was oi der
led in, compliance with the ard = of the
Troops who executed it with, distinguish I'd
lgailantry, and were tr time victorious
but not receiving unexpected support. they
were compelled to yielus to reinforcement,
lof Briiishregulars ami savages. Our loss has
been .conslds rable and is deeply 10 be lamen-
ted, That OF the enemy, less ascerlained
VIII De The more elt.ras it, includes amone
the killed the com handing gene raj, VIII,
was also the Governor of the Pr, vince 6,
was sustained by veteran troops, from un.
experienced soldiers, who must d lily lin
prove in the duties Of the field.
Our expectation Of gaming the command
ot the. lakes, by the invasion of Canada from
Detroit, having been disappointed, measure.
were instantly taken to provide, on them. :
naval force superior to that of the enemy
From the talents and activity of tie Office,
charged with this, object, every thing that
Jean be done may be expected. Should the
present season not admit of complete sue
tcess, the pr gress made will ensure for tile
next naval ascendancy, where it is essen
tai to our permanent peace with, and con-
troll over, the savages. 81
| Among the incidents to the measures o.
the Sar, am constrained to advert to the
refusal of the Governors of Massachusetts
and nnecticur to furnish the required! de
tachmeDts OF militia towards the defence o
the maritime frontier. The refusal was
founded on a novel and unfortunate exposi-
ton OF the provisions ofrhe constitution, ieIa-
ting to the militia. The correspontlences
which WILDE before you, CONTAIN the re-
quis!te information on the subject. 1t is
obvious, that if the authority of the United
States to call into service and command the
4
J frustrated, even in state of declared war,
g OF course under approximations of invasion
: precedi war, they are not one nation tor
the purpose most of all requiring 1t {; & tina,
the public safety may have 10 other resour &C
than in those large and permanent military
establishments which are forbidden by the
principles Of our free government, and a.
ganst the necessity OF which the militia
were meant TO be u constitution al bulwark
On the coasts, and Oh vhe ocean, the wal
has been as suCcc ssful as circum stances IN
separaDle from its early stages could pro
mise. --"Our public ships and private
cruisers, by their activity, and where there
was occasion, by their intrepidity, have
made the enemy sensible Of .he difference
betwern a reciprocity of captures, and the
long confinement OF them to their side. Our
tade, with little exception, has sa fely rea
ched our ports having been, much favorod
IN 1T by the course pursued by a squadron OF
f our trig ites, under the com mand Of com
modore Rodgers. And in the instance. i,
which skill and bravery were more partlc
ularly tried with those of the enemy, the
american flag had an auspicious triumph
The tiigate Constitution, commanded by
capt Hull. after a close and short engage
ment. completely disabled and captured q
British trigate; gaining for that officer ant
all on board, praise which cannot be to,
! Literally Bestowed not merely for the vic
tory actually achieved, but for that prompt
! and cool exertion of commanding talents
: which, giving to courage It's highest charac
ter, ind to the force applied It's full effect