The Washington critic., 1890-02-17
A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, tne enemy by sudden lu-
cursion have succeeded in invading the
capital of the nation, defended ut the mo-
ment by troops less numerous than their
Own, and almost entirely of the militia;
during their possession of which, though
for single day only, they wantonly de-
stroyed the public ediflces, having no rea-
tion In their structure to operations of war,
nor used at the time for military annoy
ance; some of these edifices being also
costly monuments of taste and of the arts,
and others repositories of the public
archives, not only precious to the nation as
the memorials of its origin and its early
transactions, but interesting to all nations,
as contributions to the general stock OF
historical instruction and political science:
And whereas, advantage has been taken
of the loss OF q fort, more Immediately
guarding the neighboring town of Alex
andria, to place the town within the range
of naval force, too long and too much in
the habit Of abusing its superiority, where
ever it can be applied, to require as the
alternative of u general conilagration, an
undisturbed plumber of private property,
which has been executed In manner pecu-
liarly distressing to the inhabitants who
had, inconsiderately, cast themselves on the
justice and generosity of the victor:
And whereas, it now appears by direct
communication from the British naval
commander on the American station, to be
his avowed purpose to employ the force
under his direction Sin destroying and lay
ing waste such towns and districts upon the
coast as may be found assailable;" adding
to this declaration, the insulting pretext
that it is in retaliation for q wanton de-
struction committed by the army of the
United States in Upper Canada, when 1t is
notorious, that no destruction has been
committed, which, Notwithstanding the
multiplied outrages previously committed
by the enemy, was not unauthorized, and
promptly shown to be so; and that the
United States have been as constant in their
endeavors to reclaim the enemy from such
outrages, by the contrast of their own eX-
ample, as they have been ready to termi-
nate, on reasonable conditions, the war
itself:
And whereas, these proceedings and de-
clared purposes, which exhibit deliberate
disregard Of the principles of humanity,
and the rules of civilised warfare, and
which must give to the existing war char
acter of extended devastation and barbar-
ism, at the very moment of negotiations
for peace, invited by the enemy himself,
leave no prospect of safety to any thing
within the reach of his predatory and in
cendiary operations, but in manly and
universal determination to chastse and ex-
pei the invader:
Now, therefore, !, James Madison, presi-
dent of the United States, do issue this
my proclamation, exhorting all the good
people thereof, to unite their hearts and
hands in giving effect to the ample means
possessed for that purpose. eujoin 1t on all
officers, civil and military, to exert them
selves in executing the duties with which
they are respectively charged. And more
especially, | require the officers command
ing the respective military districts, to be
vigilant and alert in providing for the de-
fence thereof; for the more effectual ac-
complishment of which, they are author
Used to call to the defence of exposed and
threatened places, portions of the militia
most convenient thereto, whether they be
or be not parts Of the quotas detached for
| the service of the United States under
acquisitions of the general government.
On an occasion which appeals so forcibly
to the proud feelings and patriotic deyo-
| tion of the American people, none Will
forget what they owe to themselves; what
they owe to their country and the high des-
TIMES which await It; what to the glory ac'
quired by their fathers, in establishing the
independence which is now to be main.
tanned by their sons, with the augmented
| strength and resources with which time and
| Heaven have blessed them.
In testimony whereof, | have
hereunto caused the seal of the
United States to be affixed by
these presents.
Done at the city of Washington
the first day of september, II
the year of our Lord, one
thousand eight hundred ant
fourteen and of the indie
pendence of the United States
the thirty-ninth.
JAMES MADISON.
By the President,
JAMES MONROE,
Secretary of State.