Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1814-10-03
DEFENDING THE SOIL.

jet for iardding and subduing the Canadas. nor
Jutied the plumber of pirate property or the de-
structon of towns or villages. Would to God nei-
"e'pd1y' II we must be at war, had been guilty of
acts oil h's sort they are disgrace to human ma
ture, by whoerer and mhererer committed. But the
rulers of this country commenced the war; by inva-
ding the British Provinces, the consequence has
been, the British in turn, have invaded the terrific
ry of this state and the public is apprized of the de-
struction, havoc and misery attending it. The ene-
my have taken possession of whatever portion of the
country they pleased, with little, or no opposition.
Mr. Madison's forts answered the purpose of guard
ing his favorte embargoes for has means of defence
in the New-Engiand States never extended beyond
that object The forts at Castine and Machias were
not worth straw in time of war; the general gov
eminent knew it, and the people in that section of
the State, tho in the neighbourhood of the British
were neglected, abandoned and sacrificed by those
ichose duty ii uas to have protected them for Mr.
Madison by attacking the British Provinces, cirfts-
dHy IN vited the attack upon seaboard; andit
has been made and our republican, an,ia5ie, peopie-
1oeng, patriotic, Chief Magistrate, James Madison,
IN his Message to Congress, has not even deigned
10 notice the fact This defender of liberty and free
DOM this champion of " free trade" and sailors
rights" this presiding deity Of the Union appears as
indifferent to the event, the Autocrat of Russia
would be, to the sale of farm in Siberia, with
hundred peasants on it, Under this state of things
as men and citizens, what course is to be pur sued
Are we to fold our arms in apathy and despair and
suffer the British to take possession of our affairs and
hresides without making one effort to preserve our
feedom and independence, or shall we like Mr.
Madison leave our towns and property to the mer-
cy OF the invaders and FLEE TO THE WOODS for
shelter safety? God forbid that we should ever
be degrdded by such Pusitan mous conduct If there
are any such, they ought to be enrolled as a COM
pany OF Nv ashington City Guards,' and have
| James Madison as their immediate commander. and
the Stare holders of the Ancient Dominion for their
councillors. In defending the SOIL we are not to be-
Come Madisonians nor partizans of the war; II is
IN vain to attempt to the neglect of the gen.
erai government in not providing means of defence.
GRANTED they have acted like traitors, after des-
froy'ng our commerce & fleeing us of our money bv
land tax, shop tax, stamp stax, and bv erhausting
on loan and squandering it on Canada expeditions
henry plots, and host of pimps, spies and other
tools and partizans of the Executive Because scb
has been the measures of the general government.
shaii we De traitors to ourselves, and suffer fore;g-
ers TO lord it over usP In so doing we should be-
Come as infamous and contemplate as the Authors
Of our caamities have rendered themselves by their
wickedness, folly and mbecility. 49,
In guarding and defending the State, we are do
ing neither more less, than protecting our per-
sons and property. Fin doing this, we were to be
considered as disciples Of Mr.. Madson's pocy or
advocates OF the war, we should at once say il was
useless and worse than useless to contend: for we
are as full in the belief of the fact a. that the su,
shines that we are to have the same administration
a the same system Of policy for seven years to come
that we have had for the last seven years. it is of lit
tie consequence who are our rulers or from pbeoce
they come.
Those we now have in the administration have
brought as many plaques upon the country, as the
Egyptians OF old experienced, it only remains for us
to be driven into the woods, as they were into the
sea, and the business is ended. Blu, thank God our
situation is not yet desperate the path of duty for
the people to pursue, is plain and direct one il rs
tbs. DEFEND THE SOIL and con.pei Mr.. MAD
IsoN and the whOie janto of war-hawks. now in
power, to resign, and never more place power or
confidence in orc Of those who have either roted for
or Gdrocated this accused and policy which has
overwhelmed the United States with disgrace, ruin
and misery. If has is done the war will cease be-
fore the end of six months and peace happiness and
prosperity, will once more revisit our now suffer
ing, bleeding country.
We understand that COL SUMNER, who has been
in this place. for the purpose of making in coniuno-
ton with the Maj.-General, arrangements for the
defence of the town and harbour of Portland, has
completed the same and is now engaged in similar
business at Bath Wiscassett, &c. Col S. is special
ly employed by Governor STRONG and the Board
Of Commissioners for the defence of the seacoast, to
call out such portion of the military force and put
them permanent duty, as the state of things may
require-to provide and contract for the substance
of the troops to see that sufficient ordnance pieces
are provided and furnished with all the necessary
munitions of war; and in case there is not an ade-
quate supply of these articles in the District of