Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-06-05
Rvxx,S DEFENCE.
From he .Amsrieas Statesman.
MEMOIRS OF TIE CAMPAIGN OF THE
NORTH WESTERN ARMY,

NVIt II Eo ELM hItVui
IN The YEAR 1919.
addressed 10 Che people fshs United States.
No. xiv.
FELLOW CITlzENs:
On the subject Of the number which
I shalt now present to you, | feel
more interest than on any other
which has been, or will he discussed.
1t is the proclamation which I issued
to the inhabitants OF Canada. This
va, not made an article of charge a
gainst me, because it would have re-
acted on the administration. By the
letter of the Secretary Of War, of
the cath June, and which was re-
ceised before the proclamation was
issued, | was authorised, when I
commenced offensive operations, to
give assurances of protection to the
Inhabitants, in their persons, proper
~, aud rights. This was the founda-
ton of the proclamation, and the
substance oft was authorised in this
letter, and the other parts of it con-
tanned reasons 90 induce the inhabi.
tants not to take any part in the con-
test. shall endeavor to give it a
fair aud candid explanation; and
stale the motives which induced me
to issue it IN the form it appeared.
Whatever opinion You may form of
it-whether it meets with your ap-
probation or Observation-Disclosures
myself To produce autheatic testimo.
ny, that as soon as it was published,
it vas sent to the government, ap-
proved by the government, aud con.
sequently became the act Of the 60
yernuRent; and that, in publishing it,
/ was Influenced by pure and honora-
bic motives.
l feel the more solicitade on this
subject, because many honorable
men, who have approved of my con-
duct generally, during that cam
paign, have not been salts fed with
every part of the proclamation. As
many of yoa, perhaps, have not had
an opportunity of seeing it, I shall
here transcribe the whole of it; after
which, l shall give such explanations
as in my opinion the text will justify.
BY William Hull, Governor of the
Territory of Michigan. and COM
handing the North Western Ar
my.
A PROCLAMATION.
inkabitents Of Canada-Aftsr thir.
~ years of peace and prosperity, the
United States have been driven TO arms.
The injuries and expressions, the in.
suite and indignities Of Great Britain,
have once more left them 30 alternative
but manly resistance or unconditional
submission. The army under my COM
msnd has invaded your country; the
standard Of the Union now waves over
the territory of Canada. Tothe pence
sble, ~unoffendiDg inhabitants, it brings
neither danger nor difficulty. come
TO find enemies. not to make them.
come to protect. not to injurs you.
Separated by an immense ocean and
an extensive wilderness from Great Bri
tain. you have no psrticipa,ions in her
connciis, no interest 10 her conduct
You have felt her tyranny, you have
seen her injustice But l DO not ask you
to avenge he one or redress the other.
The United States are sufficiently pow.
erful 10 afford every security consisten,
with their rightsa ID your expectations.
I tender to you the invaluable blessings
of civil, political, and religious liberty,
and their necessary result, individual
and general prosperity: shat liberty
which gave decision to our councils and
energy to our conduct, in q struggle for
independence; which conducted VI safe.
ly and tr~iumphsntIy through the stor-
my period of the revolutioD-,hat liber.
ty which raised us to an elevated rank
among the nations OF the world, and
which afforded a greater measure Of
peace and security, OF wealth and inn
prosement, than ever fell to the lot OF
any people,
In the name Of my country and the
authority of government, l promise you
protection, to yosr persons, property
and rights. Remain at your homes:
pursue your peaceful and customary q.
vacations, raise not your hands against
your brethren. Many of your fathers
fought for the freedom and indepen.
dence we DOW enjoy. Being children,
therefore, of the same family with US,
and heirs to the same heritage, the arr
rival of an army of friends must be hail
ed by you with a cordial welcome. You
will be smancipated from tyranny and