Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-05-22

~ ~aN - FNS ~
inviting to an enemy, such as we should have
IN G. Britain, not to be occupied speedily !;
and the city, as well as the flourishing towns
on the Hudson, would long be melancholy
witnesses against us, if we precipitated the
country into a war without preparation. The
sufferings which must follow will at once un-
nerve the public mind, and PROSTATE the pub
lie spirit.
they would of a march on a parade day. Vic
tory and conquest had stamped themselves 80
firmly and deeply on their minds, that they
appeared almost to forget that we were to
have a foe, and might have a battle. We
may make conquests, and obtain victories,
hut we ought to reflect, that they will not be
the frolics of a summers day. Whenever we
go to war, we must meet troops, and veteran
troops; and it is idle to believe, that they will
stand for the simple purpose of being shot at
by us. They will fight, and if we are ~victori-
Gus, as | am bound to wish we may be, it
will be at the expense of much blood.
In looking at our state Of preparation, he
thought it would be well also to take = view
of the disposable force of our intended enemy.
There was a necessary relation between these
subjects, which was too obvious to require
remark or calculation. 1t was not his inten-
ton to remark on the force which the British
already had in or near this country, the num-
Der OF soldiers now in the Canadas or Nova
Scotia, or the number Of vessels on the Amc-
rican station. He would ask the attention of
the house to other facts and other data. He
said, he held in his hand a return of the effcc-
tive strength of the regular and Militia forces,
on the 25th of December last, laid before the
house of common on the 18th Of February,
by which it appeared that the British had a
broad $4,000 men, and at home about 10000
regulars and 77,l59 militia the latter we
know in strength and discipline approach the
regular forces. 1t ought to be recollscted,
therefore, that they have a large organized
force ready to their hands, to meet this war.
Again, it is said and believed, that since
the last news from this country, the British
government had directed all their vessels in
ordinary, to be Immediately fitted for sea and
put in commission. Now, he had also in his
possession a paper which gave the state of the
British navy on the first of january last
From this it appeared that at that time they
had in port and fitting 23 ships of the line,
eight SOS, % frigates, and other vessels, a
mounting in all to Ice that there were in
ordinary and repairing 20 ships of the line,
fourteen SOS, SO frigates, and other vessels,
in all 202 and that there were building 81
ships of the line, two SOS, IL frigates, and
other vessels, in all SO. The magnitude of
this floating force, and how we might be an
moved by it, was sufficiently obvious.
And how, he asked are we prepared TO ap-
proach, or to meet this forrnidab BILE foe. Gen
tlemen had said that this ought to be left to
the executive, and that, as he had recommend
ed the embargo, they would trust to him that
the preparation, should be in a sufficient state
of forwardness. On this subject, every man
ought to feel and act for himself. The SUBJ
ject in all its bearings was one of the most
heavy responsibility. 1t was one about which
we should be influenced by well ascertained
facts. and not from a confidence in the Presi-
dent. We have the facts, and what are theyi
A commander in chief was appointed in Janu-
airy. He wished not to speak OF the man, OF
his military qualifications, or the opinion
,yhich.is entertained of his fitness to lead in
this war but it is well known that he has
not to this moment accepted the appointment,
that in truth he has been, and is now, balanc-
ing between the custom house and the army.
OF the other officers, in the $4,000 army, not
one half have been appointed, and no COM
missions have vet issued. The recruiting for
this army has not commenced and of the old
army of 10000 we certainly have not in ser
vice 5000, and those stationed at places re
mote from each other.
What is the state of our Notifications On
this subject too, he had heard of confidence
in the executive, and that no attention ought
to be paid to the information of private indi-
however respectable. There was a
i adical error in this. An eye witness who
could not be mistaken, and had no motive to
deceive, was surely competent to give infor-
nation, and such information was in its ma
ture equal to any that would come from the
executive, who derived his knowledge, not
from actual observation, but from reports
which came to him at second or third hand.
He said he had information which satisfied