Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-11-06
IRON THE NATIONAL IN7HLLIcEHcER
EXTRA, OF November 4.
The President of the Unit
ed States this day commune
Gated, by Mr.. Coles, his Pri-
vate Secretary, the following
Message to Congress
heltoqo- Citizens offhe Senate and
House of Rekresentatives,

House Of Representatives,
On our present meeting, it is nv first fu-
~ to invite your attention to the Providential
1avors which our country has experienced.
IN the unusual degree ofhealth dispensed 70
IT'S inhabitants, and in the rich abundance
with which the earth has rewarded the la
Dors bestowed on it. In the successful cultiva-
tion OF other branches of industry, and in
the progress of general improvement favor
able to the national prosperity, there is lust
occasion, also, for our mutual congratulate
ons and thankfulness.
With these blessings are necessarily min
gled, the pressures and vicissitudes inciden-
tai to the state of war, into which the United
States have been forced, by the perseverance
OF foreign power, in its system of Injustice
and aggression.
Previous to its declaration, it was deemed
proper, as a measure of precaution and fore
cast, that considerable force should be
placed in the Michigan territory, with
general view to It's security, and, in the e.
vent OF war, to such operations in the upper
most Canada as would intercept the hostile
influence of Great Britain over the savaprs.
obtain the command of the lake on which
that part of Canada Borders, and maintain
cooperating relations with such forces as
might be most conveniently employed against
other parts. Brigadier- General Hull was
charged with tins provisional service; ha-
wing under his command body of troops
composed OF regulars and of volunteers
from the State of Ohio. Having reached his
destination after his knowledge of the war.
and possessing discretionary authority to act
Extensively. he passed into the ncighborinp
territory of the enemy with prospect % ca
Sy and victorious progress. The expedition
nevertheless terminated unfortunately. not
only III retreat to the town and fort of De-
troit, but in the surrender Of both. and of
the gallant corps commanded by that officer
The causes of this painful reverse viii be
investigated by p military tribunal.
A distinguishing feature in the operations
which preceded and followed this adverse
event, is the use made by the enemy, ofthe
merc!'ess savages under their influence
Whilst the benevolent policy of the United
States invariably recommended peace and
promoted civilization among that wretched
portion OF the human race and was making
exertions tn dissuade them from taking either
side IN the war, the enemy has not scrubbed
to call 10 his aid their ruthless ferocity, armed
with the hCrrors ofthose Instruments of car
mage and torture, which are known to snare
neither age nor sex. In this outrage against
the laws of honorable war, and against the
feelings sacred TO humanity, the BrtiSircom-
manders cannot resort to a plea of retalia
ton for it is committed in the face of ON.
example They cannot mitigate it, bv cal
ling 1t self defence against men I'm arms
Tor IT embraces the most shocking butche-
r'es OF defenceless families. Nor can il be
pretended that they are not answerable for
the atrocltles perpetrated; since the sava-
ges are employed with knowledge and e.
ven with menaces, that their fury could not
be controlled Such is the spectacle which
the deputed authorities of a nation. boast
ing its religion and morality, have NOT
been restrained, from presenting to an en-
ghtened age.
The misfortune at Detroit wss not howe
YER wlthou. a consoling effect. 1t was fol.
owed by signal proofs, that the national
PIT RISES according to the pressure on it.
The loss of an important post, and of the
brave men surrendered with il, insured ev-
Try where new ardor and DETERMINATION. Tn
The states and districts least remote. it was
10 sooner known, than every citizen was rea-
~ to fiy with bis arms, at once to protect
us brethren against the biood-thirsty sayages
ct loose by the enemy oman extensive frontier
md toconvert partial calamity into source
i invigorated efforts. This patriotic zeal
yhich 1T was necessary rather 20 limit than
xcite, has embodied an ample force from
ne states Of Kentucky and Ohio, ard from
arts of Pennsylvania and Virginia. 1t is
'laced, with the addition Of few regulars
ndsr the command of brigadier general
harrison who possesses the entire conf
ence of his fellow soldiers, among whom
rc citizens, some of them volunteers i'm The
anks, not less distinguished by their politi
81 stations, than by their personal merits.
he greater portion OF this iofce is procee-