Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-12-14
From the Fort Covington N, Y. Gazette.
THE PROCLAMATION.

In another column will be found a neu.
traIity Proclamation from the President of
the United States. We will not attempt
to disguise the fact that we deeply regret
that such document has been issued BY
Mr.. Van Buren,. Neither will be deny
that we are mortified at its tone and tenn
per; for, Of truth, it is manifesto which
we blush to lay before our readers. In our
judgment it is uncalled-for, i'll timed, in,
temperate, and unjust. There is nothing
in the transactions upon which il animad-
vcrts that jus,ifies language so severe, so
harsh, and so reproachtul from the Chief
Magistrate OF our country. 1t breathes q
spirit which does no credit TO the Pres-
dents heart, and manifests a feeling little
in accordance with the sentiments of tho
American Democracy. 1t will gain Mr..
Van Buren, no friends, except among me
Tories Of Canada, and their loving brelh.
rem the Wing merchants and editors of he
city of New York.
There are certain parts of the PROCLAIM.
alton which we cannot forbear to notice.
Though it is painful task, and one which
we regret that circumstances have imposed
upon us, we feel bound to comment upon
the Presidents language in the terms
which its real character demands. When
the Executive of the nation so far forgels
the dignity Of his high Office, and becomes
30 unmindful of what is due 10 the charnc.
ter of his country, as gratituously TO cast
reproach aud obloquy upon band of brave
but unfortunate men, whose chivalry and
generosity had brought them into pcrls
from which neither valor nor for,itudc
could cxtrcate them, he exposes himself to
the deserved and unrestralned censurc of
all men.
What American Of patriotic and gener
Gus feelings can read the last paragraph Of
the Proclamation without reprobot ing the
sentiments, it conveys? The President
evidently aludes, in what he there says, to
the persons engaged in the expedition
ogains, Prescott. We know not whether
Washington before the promu' cation of the
Proclamation. We think probable, how,
ever, that it had. But if it had not, the
President must have been in possession of
information on the 2lst ult.-the date of
that paper-whch rendered it certain that
they would all be slain or taken. In either
case thei. doom was sealed, and he must
have known it. They were in the power
Of their enemies, without a possibility Of
escape. But the President seems to have
thought that their capture, (either consum
mated or anlicipated) and the prospect of
punishment which was before them, did not
render their condition sufficiently miserable.
He sat down and deliberately wrote a pa
per haunting them with their misfortunes,
and upbraiding them in the bitterest and
most unfeeling manner for what he pretends
to consider their criminal conduct. We
envy not the feelings of the man who could
thus harrow the bosoms Of the unfortunate
brave. 1t was an act abhorrent to every
sentiment of humanity, and derogatory 10
the character of Mr.. Van Buren,, both as
an officer and a man. Not satisfied to OK.
press his own opinion Of their conduct, he
even assumed to speak in behalf of Others
He tells them that Hhey must not expect
the interference of this government in any
form. on their behalf, but will be left, re
preached by esery virt,'ous Jeiioao citizen, to
be dealt with according to the policy and
justice of that government whose domlnlons
they have, in defiance Of the known wishes
and efforts of their own government, and
oithoui the shadoaO of justification or excuse,
ne(ariousiy invaded." Those gallant men
do mot expect the Interference of this gov
eminent, in any form, on their behalf" nor
will they ask it. They look not to that
source for favor, or even for justice. Mr..
Van Buren, need not have told them what
they might or might hot expect from him
for they knew already. But by what au'
thority does he say that they will be ere.
preached by every virtuous fellow .citizen''