The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-04-19

{ 10 and on the Penobscnt At BladensLury
taey he'd in confusion and disgrace ard a.
Baltimore, though Stricker's brigade for a
short time eTinced cCmmerdabie degree of
readiness sn,lraso!ution, yet the abrupt fight
of the regiment which guarded one Oh his
tanks, soon compelled HIN to precipitate
retreat. At Plattsbursh, they were puc to
no severer test than skirmishing, and that
principally in the woods At New orleans the
entrchched camp OF Jackson has gained i'm
perishable glory but no stronger instance is
required to cludicats the nature Of militia, 4
to shey its incompetence fcr,the principal o.
perations of war. As soon az the enemy
made his appearance on the shores of the
Mississippi, Jackson, with his characteristic
promphtude and ardor, Mastered to meet
them, at the head of mixed corps of regi,-
lars and militia lie soon became. engaged
with their advance alcng the extent of its
Inc. lhs regulars. he SAYS, distinguished
themselves; the militia behaved with equal
bravery, but they fell into Confusion and fred
on c0ch other Jackson saw the necessity of
recalling them from the field. He retired
short distance. and took up an admirable po-
sition. which fortune had thrown in his way
his TANKS secured by the river and by cy-
press swamp. In this position. be was suffer
ed to entrencii himself, and behind works
where lis troops hadnothing TO do but TO load
and hre, he defy the efforts of the best train
cd legions in Europe. The enemy attempted
to carry them by storm, but having sustained
prodig ons loss, retired without making the
slightest impression. 1t seems the American
camp was commanded by position on the
right bank of the Mississippi: and l. became
necessary to forsify this point, and place
chosen body of troops there.
On the morning of the 9Th of january, Jack
son east many an anxious look to toe position
on his rigat---and his chsgrin may be well
conceived, when the militia there, "deti il
gtioi0iisiy, - without firing a rnrsket. i ne e.
ncmy was now III a situation to rake his camp.
Had general Lambert, on whom the COM
manl of the British forces devolved, possess
ed the seh-presence, decision and resolution
OF great warrior, the Americans would have
been forced from their lines-but jackson.
with his accustomed good fortune, obtained
by negotiation" what he could not have ac-
complished by force. Thus was New-Or-
leans jeGPardized by one of those panics TO
which militia is forever lable. II should be
remarked, that the position at New-Crleans
Is OF a nature that never occurs in an open
country; IL could neither &c passed nor turn
ed; and the American commander sas told
US IL SO many words. that he burst not risk his
untutored levies in the field against the enc
my, consisting of the finest troops of Europe.
we know not which most to admire, the rare
lntrI pidity, the forttudc or the consuInn,ate
prudence Of this man. lie knew it was oulv
when discipline is added to the native
strength and courage of the Americans, that
tney can meet ano vanquish the lsgions of
Wellington IN the open fields as they did on
the plains o. Chippewa and the HEIGHTS Which
overlook the cataraot OF Niagara At the ter
mination Of seven years contest with Great
Dritain, washington n. de use of these mr.
morable words" If called upon TO declare
under oath, whether r,iftia had been most
serviceaole or |re5udiciaI to the American
cause, should subscribe to the latter - Eve
~ months experience of the recent war has
eoanrmsd the wisdom cf tie above remark
@ YET SAYS the sage thirteenth congress, who.
relieved from its Apr tensions Nv cur minis
tiers ~ Client. had one lucid moment of intel
iectt-ai decision before it Expired, {" the nation
must Continue to place its only reliance on
militia? The impolicY os anaihnatire the
army IS not more apparent than the iriAs-
nee OF disbanding its offers vyithant REM.
ncratlon, many of WHOM have impaired their
nealth ana entrenched on their private re-
sources, IN service unexamplctl IN fatigue &
prVation:. t'rt this was to have been expect
cd. Public bodies who are incaDable Of an
enlarged and liberal policy, are as little sus
cept5ie OF any generosity as sentiment.
mere is ano.h9r spoint of view in which
TINS subject assumes 9Th g-cater Importance.
we nave made peace with Great Britain, OF.
rathsI have freed upon Cessation of hostil-
ities for an indefinite period We have form
cd no commercial treaty; we have entered
into 70 stlpulations that she should withdraw
airy PIT of the forces from Canada. How
long TINS true may last. depends on the po-
pular feeling in England, the te mper of the
ministry, and the political sta.c d the CONT
nent but IN much greater degree does Il
depend on the attitude Of offence and defence
in which the United States may be pIaced. II
iswell knows, that this plea is unpopular with
the hritigh Ia ten ; they look upon themselves
as hurniliatetl the balance Of defeat is a.
gainst tlisp.; the talisman Of their naval IN
yincibib:y Il broken, and the cohorts of the
Peninsula, whom they had supposed an over
match tor any troops in the world. are bca-
ten in America by inferior numbers. 1t may
be truly said of our country, that she is
lie NSin1ueor du SaDqueor de In Terre."
But these circumstances ere Of a nature ra~
theT 20 irritate than 10 cast down the high spi-
iit ct the Engleh people. They will SCI k
consolation III revenge. When Il. Britain finds
our navy cooped up in the Mediterranean,
ard OAR rich commerce spread on every sea
when she perceiyes the nation disarrned, &
rcveliiug in golden dreams Of commercial
prosper ty--let America beware DO we
reeolect her wars with Spain, where the first
prelude Of hostility. was seizing on p ch con-
voy from South America Is Copenhagen for
gotten, where the u'9uspecting Danes beheid
tiC approach Of an immense Armament aud