The New York herald., 1871-10-27
HAPOLEON'S RETREATFRoM MOSCOW
How the Event Was Celebrated by Americans Of
lSlS-A Chapter Of Ancient History
What Rummage Among Old
Newspapers Has Unearthed

lsls-A Chapter Of Ancient History
What Rummage Among Old
Newspapers Has Unearthed.
WASHINGTON. D. c., Oct, 1871.
Fifty-eight wears and half ago the following an
nouncement was made in one Of the newspapers
then printed in the District OF Columbia:-
CELEBRA ATION
All gentlemen In the nelghborhood who wish to
pulslon and precipitate flight or Napoleon from the
iveranoe Of these United States and Of mankind at
large from threatened bondage, and the greatest
quested to send in their names Immediately to the
bar OF the Union Hotel, Georgetown. Appropriate
music. vocal ana instrumental; an emblematlc
be prepared for the occasion. The day of the ain
ner cannot be fixed until sufficient number OF
names are sent in.
TIE SITUATION AT THE TIME.
This was IN April, 1913. James Madison was Presl-
dent Albert Galiatn was Secretary OF the Treasury,
Paul Hamilton was Secretary OF the Navy, General
Armstrong was Secretary OF War; James Monroe
was Secretary OF State, Gideon Granger was Post
master. and william Finkney Attorney General.
The second war with Great Britain had been in
progress more than year ana peace was yet far
distant Party spirit ran high. The old federalists,
the opponents OF the war, composed formidable op-
position. Their newspaper organs were vigorous Ia
assaults upoA the war policy and the administration.
Timothy Pickering was In frequent contribution to
their columns In the shape OF letters to the people
OF the United States on the powers OF the Executive
and the current Interpretation OF the constitution.
The democratic papers were equally vigorous III re-
ply. Joseph Gales was editor or the National intel
,geace. called in thar day the fCourt Journal" and
Madison and the members or his Cabinet inspired ana
wrote nearly all OF Its editorials.
The party prints abused Madison terribly. 1t was
charged that lie was the secret friend or france and
OF Napoleon; that the war was protracted mainly to
further the designs OF the great Emperor by hum.
bling and weakening his rival. The White House was
always referred to tile Palace" Madison as ''Ilis
Royal Aighncss,r and the members OF his family
were ironically styled .'princes and princesses or
the blood" He was soundly abused-the same as
Grant is to.day-for appointing long list Of them
to oce without the slightest regard to their quail
hcations and requirements. No charge appeared
too vile or atrocious TO bring against him. He was
called a coward aud '.miser,n making money on
the misery OF his country.
What delicious glimpses OF the past there are in
some Of these old newspapers! Here Is the
ALARMING INTELLIGENCE
that the city OF Baltimore ls III state "of uproar,
confusion and dismayn IN consequence OF the ap.
OF British squadron "vislble in the bay
from the tops OF the houses" The Queenstown
packet was captured within sight OF the fort and
unoaded In the presence OF the helpless spectators
on the shore. The city totally deficient in mill
tary supplies and the militia companies ordered out
were compelled to find their own ammunition. This
must have been exceedingly pleasant reading for
Mr.. Madison and the timid Cabinet who subse.
Quently ran away at the battle or Badensburg
leaving State dinner cooked In the White House
for the English grenaders. Then we have the an
that the public records were to- be re.
moved from Annapolis; that Mr.. Randolph had lost
his election in virginia through the studied gerry
Wandering OF his district. here IL the advertise.
ment of one OF the virginia Lees onerlug 500 re-
ward for the return of q runaway slave; accusations
against the governmant OF roobing the Post Unlce
mails; the promotion OF Winfield scott; the proca
nation OF tue Prince Regent Notifying the Powers
friendly to him thai he hal bocSaueu Tue pur,s
harbors or the Chesapeake ana the River Delaware;
the conviction In England OF the Marquis
of Sligo OF enticng seamen from His Males
TVS service and the imposition OF a
fine OF $4,000 aud four months Imprisonment;
the advertisement OF Livingston 4 Fulton,
patentees for steamboats,. ''for subscriptions to
form q stock to complete line OF steamboats,
through the North Carolina watcrs;'' the seven.
column declaration OF the Prince OF Wales on the
war, treating OF the 'orders In councri and the
'.grievances' enumerated IN Madlson's war mes
sage and closing in the following sharp language
THIS disposition OF the government OF the United
States, this complete subserviency to the ruler OF
France, this hostile temper toward Great Britain
are evident In almost every page Of the Official
respOndence OF the American with the French gov
ernment. Against thus course OF conductmtne real
EMMY protests. While cOntending against France,
in defence not only OF the liberties OF Great Britain
but OF the world Hi, Royal Hi9hness was entitled 10
look Tor a far different result. From their common
origin. from their common interests, from the pro-
fessed principles OF freedom ana Independence the
United States were the last Power in which Great
Britain could have expected TO ind Wiling insfru
in this his lust expectation, the Prince Regent viii
still pursue the policy which the British government
has SO long ana invariably maintained IN repelling
injustice anu In supporting the general rights OF
nations; and under the favor or Providence relying
the justice OF his cause and the tried loyalty and
frmness Of the British nation. HIS Royal Highness
confidently looks forward to successful issue to
the contest in winch he has thus been compelled
most reluctantly to engage.
Fulton had moi yet succeeded In hls sea mboat pro
jects; Morse had not erected the telegraphlc lines
between Baltimore and Washington; the day of the
fast clippers, the pony expresses and the carrier
pigeons even had not come. The HERALD had not
arrived with Its mar velous enterprise. and this I'M
portant STATE paper was not reproduced in the
United States until sixty days after 1t had seen tue
light IN England.
Then we have
from The Commander IN Chief OF the Russian army.
huuuTsou, ou WHOSE Hdinc, at TIE eSpeIsc y. the
French the English hum0r1sts made so many puns,
announcing that the French army had recroSsed the
Beresna (spelled Berezyna IN those days., pursued
by Admiral 1cntchagof, s'witthOut lntermssiOn, and
gaining repeated advantages over the enemy.u Wis.
count Catncart sends the cheering news TO his gov
ernment that "the disaiiection among Napoeon's
troops has increased to such Pitch that they with
one voice charge him as the author OF all their mis-
cry,n which calls 10 mind similar criticism and
charge against our modern Napoleon after the
Sedan disasters. The then Car Alexander or all
the Russians was quite as good writer Of military
and martial proclamations as the famous Corslcan,
in proof Ol which witness the following extract
from one Of his bulletins lit Is sufficient to say
that out OF the 600 men exclusive OF
Austrans who penetrated into the heart OF Russia
not thirty thousand OF them, even IL they should be
favored by fortune VIII ever revisit their country.
The manner In which Napoleon recr0ssed the IRON
tier can as>uredly be no longer secret TO Europe.
Indeed, II Is diflcult 10 conceive that in q
campaign OF only four months duration 10000
prisoners should have been taken from the enemy,
besides 900 pieces OF cannon, rorty.nine stand OF
ON n he w trni n nj ar tbo