the forts on the frontiers, as a security against Indian incursions; and a direct tax, competent to sustain the expenses which these establishments require. The democratic party opposed these. But the late unfortunate war between our country and the United States, destroyed all political differences and harmonised the parties. All now appear to be convinced of the necesssity of a navy, as a guard for the ocean frontier; and of a body of troops, as a barrier against the Indian depredations, on the side of the woods. It was found that calling a farmer from his plough, and making him march to the frontier, was a most expensive and oppressive mode of defence; and against an enemy invading on the sea side, the militia of the country could be of little service. A thousand regular troops conveyed in transports,that one day could make their attack in one place, and in a week's time could attack in another, a thousand miles off, could keep an hundred thousand militia in employ, at an enormous expense to the government. I believe all parties unite now in one sentiment, as to the best modes of offence and defence; and that there is no back-woods-man to be found, who is not aware, that it is cheaper and better for him to pay his proportion of the expense of a sailor's maintenance, than to turn out with his rifle, to defend the sea board against the attack of line of battle ships. The perfection to which the Americans have brought their naval armament, has been seen with surprise by all the nations of Europe,

and is a necessary consequence of their activity and extended commerce.

The success of most of their different combats against our vessels of war, has also tended to make the navy a favourite with the people; and the merits of their victorious officers have been industriously proclaimed by public dinners and entertainments, songs, speeches, &c. Their portraits adorn the public offices, splendid swords and medals incite their emulation, and the freedom of a city, immortalizes their achievements. You will remember the mortification we used to feel, at reading the accounts of the capture of our ships of war, and the great unwillingness with which we gave credit to the facts; but I can now readily see the causes of our defeats, and should be surprised if such had not been the result of the different actions. The American ships are larger than ours of the same grade; in most instances they have had a greater number of guns; and in all cases, were manned with selected crews. Many of the sailors on board American ships are British subjects, and of whatever country they may be, they have all gone on board voluntarily-for in this country our disgraceful system of impressment is unknown. We opposed all these advantages, by ships of a less size, fewer guns, and smaller crews; and even those, in most instances, were composed in great part, of persons who had been compelled to serve. In such cases, the result must ever be as it was. Wars are always unfortunate, and disasterous; but they

are particularly so when they occur between nations of the same language, religion, habits and morals. The Americans deserve great credit for the urbanity and kindness which they displayed after victory; and this was not confined to the officers, but extended to the rough tars, whose hearts melted at the sufferings of their foe. When the Peacock was sunk by the Hornet, and the crew of the former vessel escaped with nothing but their clothes, the sailors of the Hornet presented each man with another suit from their purser's stores. When the captured crews were landed on the shores of the United States, they were in many instances, permitted to mingle as they pleased with the citizens, and to become citizens themselves. The crew of the Guerrier, captured by the Constitution, was landed at New London, and many of them proceeded immediately into the country, and became farmers or labourers of different kinds. A gentleman who was at New-London at the time they were landed, met a dozen of them some miles out of town, proceeding merrily along, with their bundles on their backs; he asked them, where they were going: " to see our uncles," said one of them laughing. Indeed, I fancy they found more cles" in this country, if hospitality could create a relationship, than they left behind them in Old England. Is it any wonder, therefore, that our sailors should not fight with their accustomed spirit against such a country as this; when they felt that a defeat

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might bestow upon them an invaluable blessing, by placing them on a soil which is emphatically the land of freedom?

The versatility of disposition and facility, with which an American passes from one thing to another, has been remarked by every one who has visited their country. The ploughboy becomes a lawyer ; the doctor, a divine; the mechanic, a member of Congress; the school-master, a statesman; the merchant, an ambassador. This versatility is very conspicuous in their naval officers. Capt. M'Donough, who took the British fleet on Lake Champlain, was a merchant; capt. Lawrence, who, in the sloop Hornet, sunk the Peacock, was a lawyer; capt. Jones, who, in the Wasp, took the Frolic, was a doctor; and probably, most of the others commenced with some business or profession equally discordant to their present pursuit.

If this occurs in the navy, you may readily expect to find the same thing taking place in the army. The most decisive action in the late war, and the one that we had the most signal cause to lament, was the battle of New-Orleans, in which the Americans were commanded by General Jackson, who was a judge, and who had left the bench to assume the General's truncheon. What would be thought of one of our judges, throwing off his robes and wig, and offering to head an army? When the frontier inhabitants were scalped and tomahawked by the savages, of whose merciless ravages an Englishman

can form no idea, unless he will imagine his own family exposed to a troop of wolves or tygers, infuriated by hunger, Judge Jackson took the command of a hastily raised troop of militia, with which, together with a few regular troops, he marched against the Indian towns; and in a campaign, which rather resembled a triumphal march across the country, he put an end to the war. He has been accused of unnecessary severity; but what can be called unnecessary severity, against an enemy whose mode of warfare is an indiscriminate massacre of every age, and to whom the mother and the infant plead alike in vain. Speaking of this savage ferocity, it has been said by an eminent American statesman, who was distinguished as a friend to Great Britain, as well as to his own country," on this theme my emotions are unutterable. If I could find words for them, if my powers bore any proportion to my zeal, I would swell my voice to such a note of remonstrance, that it should reach every log house beyond the mountains. I would say to the inhabitants, wake from your security, your cruel danger, your more cruel apprehensions are soon to be renewed! The wounds yet unhealed, are to be torn open again! In the day time your path through the woods will be ambushed; the darkness of midnight will glitter with the blaze of your dwellings ! Are you a father? The blood of your sons shall fatten your corn fields. Are you a mother?-the war whoop shall waken the sleep of the cradle!"