State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-02-29

was both direct insult and of nature
which admitted not of arithmatical valua-
ton. During period of profound peace,
his majesties naval officers had for years
been liz the practice of Selling upon the
seas and forcibly conveying on board of
their own ships of war, American citizens,
separating them forever, or for an unknown
period from their families, kindred and
country. Remonstrance succeeded TO re-
monstranCe, and the studied Indifference
with which they were met, but aggravated
the wrong, and gave poignancy to the in
suit. Not content with thus bullying over
our merchant vessels, one of our ships of
war, in time of peace, in our own waters.
was fired INTO and an American citizen kill
led. 1t was the most audncious and griev-
Gus insult that one nation could offer to ar
other. All this we bore and for n long
course of years we continued to forbear
with the hope that both the calamaties of
war might be averted an our honor saved.
The reparation we asked was, apology for
the insult, and for the injury. the punish
rnent ofthe perpetrators and promise that
the like injuries should be no more repeat
ed. This was refused; and at length war
or dishonOr appeared to be the only alter
natives. Now mark well the circumstances
under which war was declared against
England. She had for series of years
continued to insult us, and not only refused
apology for past, but would not even prom
Use TO discontinue her insults for the future
She had for like period inflicted upon
MS grievous wrongs, and not only refused
to dlsavow the past, but would not even
promise to desist from inflicting upon us
future wrongs. And under all this accu-
mutation of injuries and insults, n large
portion of the nation thought - honestly
thought, we might forbear yet awhile long
er without compromising our honor; a
small ma ority thought otherwise and war
ensued. Compare this representation OF
our once position in relation to England,
with our present one with France. France
has neither murdered, nor forcibly mmur-
ed our citizens in hopeless captivity on
board her ships of war or elsewhere. She
has never spit upon us, she has never tar
nished our honor with blow she has new
er treated our remonstrances with studied
contempt On the contrary, excepting
during the period of revolution and anar-
Chy, and the despotsm which succeeded il
for time, she has from the period of our
existence as nation been on terms of cor.
dial amity with us, and has even treated us
with courtesy and respect What then
has France done that has raised the var
cry against her through all our borders
Why she owes us little money, and has
let in the whimsical notion that she cannot
pay it just now consistently with her honor.
No forbearance must be extended towards
our old and tried fiend; she must not be
humored for day. We could bear an
uninterrupted succession of outrageous in
suits and wrongs heapcd upon lis by Eng
land for score of years together, without q
threat or thought of seeking redress at the
lannon's mouth; but then England only
stole and killed our citizens, and fired into
our ships, and laughed at our remonstran,
ces; whereas France keeps back n little
money which she owes us
A VERMONT FARMER.