The Arkansas banner., 1845-04-23
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE LAKE COUNTRY
 AND OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
NO. ".

turned as quickly 10 her "wooten walls, o and as instiactively, too, as ever Danlei Boon did to his rifle when he saw fresh prints ol inc moccasin Officers were sent othe pflncl- pal seaports of the realm 10 get lists of all the vessels of her commercial marine, that were capable of bearing an armament of so much even as one 32-pounder across the channel. Among the number returned, there were no less than 200 sea steamers, the properly oI her merchants, reported as being capable oI appearing on the cost of France with an ar- mament of from one to six guns each, ol which she has in her arsenais no less than 26,000 pieces, and is now asking Parliament for a vote, this year, of $ l0,000,00O oimoney to buy more.
 Wherever and whenever that country de- termines to make war, if 1t can be done by ships are sent to give the first blow.
 Last war, she sent her soldiers from Cana da against us; but she soon discovered that that would not do Then she recolected the fresh-water ponds in that quarter, and saw they were deep enough to float navy. ln- stanily she took to the water, and eemmen- ced to build and to launch her fleets. But these iared even worse than her army. To provide against similar disasters Tn another war, she set about, when peace came, to open away there for portion of those fleets on the Ocean, which constitute her glory and her might She has no idea of commencing even with us there another tune, by starting with HIS to the forest for shps-she'll send them right from the sea, full armed and equipped for battle.
 Should she ever see fit to contend with Us again in that quarter, the first that we shonld know of her intentions, would be from the lighted matches of her ships, with ports down and tompons out In this manner she made known her intention upon Copenhagen, at Navarino, and still later in Syria. This IS the way in which she has proclaimed hostl- lities lime and again with almost every na- ton under the sun. Nay but four years ago, this is what she was prepared and actually stood read to do in this very quarter
 Her official documents show that when the Ashburton treaty commenced here Ill Wash ington, there happened to be about Halifax and Jamaica, an English fleet ol sixty sail and nearly one-third ol tho whole standing army of Great Britain. Notwithstanding she was then engaged in two active wars the other side of the world, in such good earnest did she prepare to attack us on the Lakes, that, independent of her local militia, she assem- bled iu Canada all army of choice veterans, 25,000 strong.
 That Government understands perfectly where the weak points ef the United States are; she knows that our most vulnerable parts are on the Lakes and the Gulf. At least she has signifed as much by every unequiyo- cal sign. and given us, by the disposition of her forces, plainly 10 understand how and where she would first have at us. She would not commence the negotiation until she got ready her ''dogs of war" Then, but not till then, did she send over her minister with his ultmatum.
 Had that negotiation failed, and war been the consequence, it Is folly to suppose that the commencement of hostlitcs would have been announced on her part, except from the mouth ofher cannon; for when she goes in for fight, 1t is but word and blow with her, and the blow comes first.
 Seeing, therefore, that, without being aware of 1t, you have been so closely threatened on the Lakes. becomes you seriously to con slider what you would do, and what are your means of defence, in case ol an actual attack in that quarter.
 The last report of the board of public works in Canada, informs Us that though the Welland canal ie not finished, nor will be for year to come, yet it can pass every vessel except three or four now on the Lakes, and that as soon as the winter breaks up, three steamers of 1900 tons, will commence their regular trips through it.
 Now, am told that your merchants have, .i~. I l.,, steamers of 500 tons and upwards, fifty brigs and schooners, besides innumcrable small craft" capable of bearing an armament aud defending lhe Lakes. But, do you not know that there is not from one end of the Lakes 10 the other, single piece of ordnance where with to arm them2 What, therefore, would these vessels be without guns, but trophies for an enemy, and monuments of disgrace to us and our country : As far as any national means of defence are concerned, an English force altogether insignificant as 10 strength, might send all these s.steamboats, bries, schooners, and small craft,a over the Falls of Niagara after the Caroline.
 If Great Britain should choose to send fleet through these canals to the Lakes, it is idle to talk of stopping them with militia, or by blowing up her canals. These canals were constructed for military purposes, and it would be at variance with the character of that Government, to suppose it capable of the military blnnder of constructing such works, and negleeting to provide any means for holding or defending them. Before you knew she was coming, her ships would be upon you. The object and end of war is not to fight pitched battle in s,the Bay of Fundv,' or elsewhere. Fighting is the mere incident, the contingent result of war; When the British burned Washington, they did not come here to fight. They came as they would go upon the iakes---to ravage and 10 waste, to distress, to cripple and toskill. These are the great purposes of war, the military end and aim of these ship-canals that lead up into the very heart of the country.
 Therefore, 10 fail to provide for your de- fences, and to talk about protectingyour Lake towns and commerce, after her cruisers have got in upon you, by stopping up these canals. taking Montreal, &c. would be like shutting the gates after the wolf had entered the fold and been glulied.
 Montreal is the key to the Canadas. and Great Britain understands its importance too