Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1815-01-12

in dreadful doubt.
Our war, however intended, must be the |
tyrants gain We knew it was better, far
better, that all your inFasions ahould be
turned back upon you, than, that your
conquests should add one nerve to that iron
arm which was beating down the indepen-
dence of every nation. We could not ard
in your schemes of ambition and conquest
AS men, as patriots, az christians, we could
not voluntarily mingle in the unjust con
fict.
Yet sir. for defence we have been always
ready Defence which could be separated
from your lnyasions of Canada This last
is YOUR sole property. The wreath OF Ca
madam conquests, whether it be woven OF
the laurel, or the cypress, whether 1t beam
with justice and glory, or be dyed In the
black and crimsonsl hues of disgrace and
guilt, shall decorate your brows alone -
We have not, we never had, we never will
have part, or lot in that matter. But for
the defence Of our country, even from those
dangers, with which your madness alone
has surrounded her, borne down, perseca-
ted, slandered, as we are by the very go-
vernment which should protect us, here
we stand, here we have always stood, pre-
pared to furnish every aid, even to the last
| vital drop which warns our hearts Such
| is the very front of our offending. Like
| our opponents we are at the bar OF the peo-
| pie, Like them we shall soon be at the bar
! of heaven.
T; The name of an honorable gentleman,
! formerly of this hodse, now commission
er at Client, has been introduced. A gen
tleman from Vermont, Mr.. Fisk, abiding
to the charge of the British commissioners,
that the conquest of Canada was one object
! of this war; expressed some indignation at
| the Massachusetts remonstrance, which
they had quoted in proof of their charge
My hcnour.ple friend from Massachusetts
! remarked in reply, that it was strange the
British commissioners wandered so far for
testimony, inasmuch as simple question
to Mr. Clay, iftruly answered, would have
placed the subject beyond the power Of
doubt
+ The hon. gentleman from Kentucky, af
ter an eulogium upon the character OF MIR.
Clay, remarked that although he might
have mentioned an invasion of Canada, as
mean of compelling the enemy to do jus
tice. yet lie never contemplated perma.
nent conquest, and an annexation of a Bri
fish province to the union. Mr. Speaker it
is strange to me that any doubt exists on
this subject. The permanent conquest Of
Canada, has beenoften svowed within this
house, and by gentlemen high in. the conf.
dence of the COVE And to me it is
wholly unaccountable that all The American
commissioners have ventured to deny it.
The conquest of Canada it is true, was not
set forth in the manifesto, either of the
President, or of this house It was not to
be expected, that an object, SO shameful
would be officially avowed But you find it
avowed in all the gazettes in the confidence
ofthe government, in the speeches of those
members of Congress, who declared the
war, IN the proclamations of those gene
rails, who have conducted the. war. And
never, to my knowledge has it been disa-
vowed by the executive government, unless
the assertion OF our commissioners at Client.
may be deemed such dsavowal.
SIR. | have often heard it asserted on
this floor. lhave heard it avowed by Mr..
Clay while a member of this house. |
hold in my hand speech of that gentleman
delivered. some time before the war was de.
clared II was accidentally in the house
and to shew that my friend from Massachu-
sets, Mr.. Ward, was in no wise mistaken,
will read an extract from this speech.
81 am not, sir, 10 favor of cherishing the
passion of conquest. But must be permit
ted to conclude, by declaring my hope to see,
ere long, the negc United States Of you will
allow me the expression) embracing not
only the old thirteen states but the entire
country east of the Mississippi including
East Florida, and some ofthe territories
to the north Of as also"
These latter . territories nare none other
than the Canadas Is not this the plain and
palPable spirit of conquest? Was my friend
from Massachusetts mistaken? At the time.
the orator was the champion of administra-
ton in the Senate. He was transferred t.
this house, and afterwards Mr. Speaker, oc,
cupied the place to which you have sue
ceeded. 1t is we'll known he was the con-