Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-03-24

Su uPou MS GACeHenCy LOT d0cu-
ments to justify and support his allega-
ton of {" certain effects,' he must have
found himself embarrassed under a TO-
tai destitution of that evidence, which
alone, a chief magistrate, consulting
what is due TO his own dignity, should
make the basis Of his communications.
II, indeed, the invasion of this State and
OF Connecticut-The assaults upon East
port, Castine, Belfast, Scituate, Ware
ham, in the former, and Petipague and
Stonington in the latter, had been CO.
temporaneous with, or Immediately fol-
lowed the project of the Convention,
there might have been some faint COL
our, tor the presumption that the enc
my were encouraged to make these on
sets In the belief that the measure was
indicative of a spirit of disaffection of
which advantage might be taken.-But
even then, the fault would have been
In the painters and not in the model
But these hostile incursions preceded the
Convention.-They were of nature
to excite alarm, to produce detestation
and resistance to allay the flame of
party, to awaken a sense of common
danger and concert of common coun-
sells among States bordering on each
other, and exposed to similar hostile
visitations.-They had that "ef1ect"
and none other. II is impossible that
an enemy could have calculated upon
any other, and it will be with posterity,
only an additional instance of the
blindness and Observation-Disclosures Of party
feeling, that the reverse of this effect
should have been ascribed to that asso-
citation. Those of the rising genera
ton, whose curiosity prompts them to
investigate the causes which damped
the ardour of their countrymen, and
stimulated the enterprise of the enc
my, must look far behind the Hartford
Conyentlon.-They must raise the veil
which those who rejoiced in the saliva
non OF their country by period put to
the war have been willing, its promo
tiers should drop over the egregious er-
rors which marked its commencement.
Many OF these causes may then be dis
cerned in the declaration of war itself
by one half of the Country, in the total
lmProyldence of means and preparation
ior such an event, and the absence of
the commanding talents in the War De-
Partment which could in any measure,
ny the creation of resources, counter
balance the evils of this precipitancy.
lin contrlving so to manage matters,
as to enable the enemy on the frontier
to get the first intelligence of the war
and capture an important post before
Its defenders were apprised of the e.
vent-ln a plan Of operations, which is
the standing jest and wonder of all mill
tary men, adopted under his ..Exeellen-
cy's auspices, by which Canada was as
sailed IN the point to which those en-
trusted with its defence, whether French
or English, had always endeavored TO
transfer the seat of war.-In marching
our forces through the interminable vii.
derness to breath vein in the LITTLE
finger of the enemy, instead of pushing
directly for his heart. Thus exposing
whole armies TO be captured and scalp,
ed In this Ultima Thule of the civilized
creation, where success would hav,
been OF little avail. In the depIorable
waste OF the " material of war and SUBJ
sistence and its transportation, through
places, over which the " foul iends
had been The only pioneer, at an ex,
pense exceeding the intrinsic value OF
the ladlng. These and the disasters
OF the two first campaigns, together
with strong impression of the hope.
iessness of the contest, had doubtless
the =" certain effect" of depressing the
spirit OF the Country. But even these
dangers were considered Insignificant
III comparison with another. The des.
potism of Napoleon at the commence.
ment OF our war overshadowed Europe.
And 1t was the sober and deliberate per.
suaslon OF many of the frmest and
wisest patriots, in every part of New
England, that the extension of is bale.
tui influence TO our country would be
/ promoted, by a war, with his enemy.
leading to an alliance Cat least de facto(
with the tyrant himself These con-
slderations doubtless produced a deep
sensation, and strong desire in this peo-
pie to abide by the armistice made be-
tween Generals Dearborn and Provost
soon after the commencement of hos
tilltles, and afterwards to embrace the
terms ofpeace offered through Admiral
Warren. When these terms, (Which.
as was anticipated, and. as the event
has proved, were as favorable as there
was prospect Of ever obtainiug) were
rejected; no doubt bitter feeling of
regret and resentment electrised the
people of Massachusetts, who had lust
taken the government from the hands
OF the War party. They posted in all
| directions 10 machines &c +bo;r