Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-05-06
HukL,S DEFENCE.
From the Boston, amsr,can Statesman.

7iUkL'S DEFENCE.
From the BOSTON, american Statesman.
MEMOIRS OF THE CAMPAIGN OF THE
NORTH WESTERN ARMY,
IN THE YEAR 1879.
addressed 20 the people ofahe United State
No. Ill
FELLOW CITIZENS,
Asa desire for military fame, and
motives of ambition, have been imputed
to me, by some of you, my fellow citi.
zsns, / consider it q duty which ! owe
both to myself and to you, to explain
the true reasons which finally, and We.
~ reluctantly induced me to accept an
appointment in the army, and to satisfy
you that the impntation is without any
Foundation. 1t has likewise been re-
presented, and believed by many, that
| urged on the government the exPedi-
ency of a declaration of war against
Great Britaia at the time of my appoint
ment, and made representations that
the Canadians were dissatisfied with
their government, were desirous of
indie pendence, would join the American
standard, whenever it was displayed in
their territory, and the conquest ofthose
provinces might be easily effected, and
with small force. So far from ever
expressing or entertaining opinions Of
this kind, l shall prove to you, from
the records of the government, the re-.
presentations which | made, both be-.
fore and after / accepted military ap.
pointment; these communications we're
made, Il will be considered the best evil
dence the nature Of the case will admit,
of the views | entertained. Before |
present the to you, | will ask your at
tention to the particular reasons which
induced me to accepta military appoint
ment before the declaration Of war, in
Juoe, 1912.
Beng at Washington, in February,
1912, being atthat time governor of the
territory of Michigan &accou u ts having
been received from that section of the
country, that th, Indisas we're becoming
hostile to the defeDceless inhabitants of
that exposed frontier, it was natural for
me to feel a solicitude for their safety.
urged on tho officers of the admins.
tration, the expediency of providing a
force for their protection. At this tune,
in consequence of the differences which
existed between our government and
Great Britain, Congress- had thought
il expedient to augment the army, and
was taxing measures for the purpose.
These measures were we'll known to
the officers who administered the 60
vernment in the provinces of the Ca.
padas, and the causes which produced
them. In the event of war with Eng
land. they were satisfied that the inva.
sion of those provinces would be the
fret object. The numerous and power.
full tribes Of savages, which not only
Inhabited that country, but also the nor
thern and western Territory of the u.
pitsd States, were considered as the al
lies and friends of England. On them
she depended for assistance whenever
her doniDions were invaded. The
strong Indications of war, which we're
then apparent. induced his Britannia
Msjesty's officers to adopt measures of
precsution and safety from the impend
ing storm. Messages were therefore
sent to the different tribes, iDfor m;ng
them of the wariike preparations which
were making by the United States, OF
the events which probably would soon
take place, and inviting to JOIN their
standard in such an event. These mes
ssges we're accompanied with unusual
quantities Of presents, consisting of mu.
niticns of war, clothing and ornaments,
gratifying to their pride and vanity -
The British nation, ever since her pos,
session Of the Canadas, has expended
Immense sums OF money, not only to
the Indians who inhabit her provinces,
but alse to those who reside within the
territories Of tine Uni ed States. On
this occasion every effort was made 20
prepare them for the approaching crisis.
Of all employments, war is the mos
grateful to savage. The prospect OF
it did not fail to make the excitement,
intended by the mesDs made use of by
the British agents. 1t became aPPa-
rent, from the manner they assembled
to celebrate their war teasts, and from
che hostile dispositions they manifested
towards the inhabitants of the frontier,
and particularly towards those Of tie
Territory of Michigan, which borders
several hundred miles on the Csnadas,
and is only separated by line in the
middle of the rivers and lakes. The
hostile indications, which were frequent
ly accompanied with acts of cruelty and