Page images
PDF
EPUB

It is impossible, that they can consent to be
made cat's paws of at this shocking rate,

risk, to talk about marching to Paris, and there dictating terms of peace. The Allies do not want to lose two or three hundred After all, what to think of the result, I thousand men, as they probably would, must confess, I am wholly at a loss. There, and be defeated into the bargain; for, after are very strong reasons why this system of all, we see no signs of disaffection in France; things in England should shudder at peace. we see no fear, on the part of the Emperor, The moment peace is made, it will begin to make known his difficulties in the most to feel the want of its old impetus. The candid manner. His speech as well as that heavy taxes that must still be paid, will. of Count Regnaud, who still retains his ta- want a war to keep them in countenance. lent for eloquent composition, breathe con- Men have had their eyes shut for a long fidence in every line. Language like this while; but, peace will make them look is not addressed to a people ready to fall about them. They will, like birds, whose down before an enemy. This point, which cage door is open, all of a sudden, lift their was the greatest of all (the disposition of heads, stare about them, and begin to try the people of France) seems now to be de- their wings.Since the people of this cided in favor of Napoleon; and, if he has island were shut in by war, wonderful the people of France cordially with him, changes have taken place in the world. the Allies must be very ill-advised, if they Manufactures have been changing their do not choose this moment for treating; place; money has been changing its value; and, on the part of Austria, who means to the capability of living at ease has been leave Napoleon with great power, it must changing its scite. In short, there are be madness not to treat, when she is cer- quite grounds enough for apprehension; tain of securing, by treaty, what she would but, still, how is our government to avoid run some risk, at least, of losing by war, making peace, if the powers of the Continent And, why do we wish to reduce France make peace, and that, too, upon a basis to a state of imbecility? The impudence proposed by themselves? I am aware, that of the proposition is sufficient to render us there would be found wretches to justify hateful in the eyes of the world; but, why them in so doing; but it could not do for do we wish it? To be sure our situation any length of time. The war could not go When taxes were called for, men in peace will be very embarrassing. The on Debt, which this war against the French would ask what was the object of them. has brought upon us, will hang about our It could no longer be alledged, that they necks like a mill-stone. Our system of were wanted to defend us against France, paper-money, all that we see about us, with whom we might have had peace if we seems to depend for existence on war, would. But, are we certain, that, if we which secures tous a monopoly of trade and reject a peace proposed to us by the Allies, commerce, and which, from the unsettled that none of them will become our enemies, state of Europe, has brought so much eapi- and compel us to accept of such peace? I tal into the country. But, if there be a shall be told, that we have already fought peace upon the Continent, upon such terms them all single-handled. No. We have as will make the several countries safe, called them enemies, and have abused them why should we keep on the war? Are we too; but, they merely yielded to the dicto have war for our lives merely because tates of France, by whom they themselves our paper-system would be endangered by were oppressed. Their hostility towards What a horrible, what a cruel us was friendship in disguise, which would peace? -We cut, at this moment, a very not be the case now, if they were to declare idea! awkward figure. We have, for years past, war against us. I do not know how to been bragging of our disinterestedness. give an opinion; but, I am inclined to beWe said, that all we wanted to see was lieve, that we shall be compelled to make the deliverance of the poor oppressed na- peace, after having in vain endeavoured to tions of the Continent. But, now, behold, prevail on the Allies to continue the war. those nations being, as they think, sufficiently delivered, we are urging them, or, at least, some of our writers are, to run new risks. By invading France once, they were all reduced to the brink of destruction, and the moment they are recovered from that, we want them to invade France again! No: hang it the hoax is too palpable.

[graphic]
[ocr errors]

TRAITORS IN CANADA.The reader will not have forgotten, that, some months ago, I noticed a recommendation, in one of our newspapers, for our government to put to death, as traitors, such English born subjects as had been found in arms fighting against us, and made prisoners of war, in the American army. -The following document gives us the melancholy history of this affair; and, it may very soon be too late to endeavour to prevent the bloodshed which it threatens to produce.-GENERAL ORDERS.-Head-quarters, Montreal, Oct. 27." His Excellency the GovernorGeneral and Commander of the Forces, having transmitted to his Majesty's Government, a letter from Major-General "Dearborn, stating, that the American "Commissary of Prisoners in London had "made it known to his Government, that

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

66

[ocr errors]

should we be penned up in this island all our lives, when, at a few leagues distance, we could see so many things to delight the eye and inform the mind? Why should those, who are able to travel, be forced to swallow fogs, while they might inhale the wholesome air of Languedoc? Why, above all things, should we hate the people of France? What have they done to us, which we have not done to them? We have beat one another by turns; but, it belongs to us only to deal in abuse. They have never abused us a nation; whereas our abuse of them, under all the changes of their government, has been unbounded." -Here I shall leave this subject for the present, waiting with no small anxiety the result of those able efforts, which my Lord Castlereagh is so likely to display in the way of effecting an union amongst our Allies. Some persons say, indeed, that he" 23 soldiers of the 1st, 6th, and 13th rewill not have so genial a soil to work upon 66 giments of United States' infantry, made as he had in Ireland, where, amongst those "prisoners, had been sent to England and especially with whom he had to do, the en- "held in close confinement as British sublightened state of mind was so very favour- 'jects, and that Major-Gen. Dearborn had able for the reception of his arguments, all "received instructions from his Governwhich going at once to the heart as well as ment, to put into close confinement 23 head of his honest hearers, produced an "British soldiers, to be kept as hostages effect exactly proportioned to their intrinsic" for the safe-keeping and restoration in exvalue. There is some weight in this ob- "change of the soldiers of the United servation to be sure. It does require diffe-" States, who have been sent as above rent arguments to produce conviction in "stated to England :-in obedience to different minds; or, at least, it requires a "which instruction, he had put 23 British greater weight of argument. The argu"soldiers into close confinement, to be kept ments which were sufficient to convince the " as hostages; and the persons referred to keen and docile Irish Members, might have in Major-General Dearborn's letter, being been insufficient to work conviction in the soldiers serving in the American Army, ministers of the Court of Vienna. There" taken prisoners at Queenstown, who had is no doubt, however, as I said before, that" declared themselves to be British-born Lord Castlereagh goes amply supplied with" subjects, and were held in custody in the most powerful kind of arguments, nor "England, there to undergo a legal trial. is there any fear of his wanting the zeal -His Excellency the Commander of necessary to the making use of them. If the Forces has received the commands of his object be, as the Courier says it is, to "his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, prevent the Allies from granting peace to "through the Right Hon. the Earl BaFrance upon too good terms for the latter; "thurst, Secretary of State, to lose no time and, at the same time, to persuade them," in communicating to Major-General that they must not think of meddling with the maritime claims of England; if this be object of his mission; if it be his object to induce the Allies to unite in this respect, he must, indeed, he well stocked with arguments. This task now is a fearful one, compared to that of convincing the Irish Members of the propriety of giving up" their Parliament. He had then to do with men, quite open to conviction, which will not be the case now. Well: time alone" soldiers stated to have been put in close can show what this wonderful man is capa- "confinement by the American Governble of performing. ment.And he is at the same time te

"

"Dearborn, that he has transmitted the "copy of his letter, and that he is in con

[ocr errors]

sequence instructed, distinctly to state to "Major-General Dearborn, that his Excel"lency has received the commands of his "Royal Highness the Prince Regent, forthwith to put in close confinement forty-six American officers and non-commissioned "officers, to be held as hostages for the "safe keeping of the twenty-three British

my reasons for believing, that the Englishmen, thus taken in the American army, could not be fairly considered as traitors.

-Our government has, it seems, decided in the contrary; and, I suppose, we are to see these men tried. I hope, that the Americans will not retaliate, whatever they may consider as their right; but, I fear they will. That nation has been, by one mean and another, worked up to such a pitch of resentment, that I do not expect much forbearance at their hands.I will not here go over the arguments, which I, before used, having then, as I thought, exhausted the subject; but, I cannot refrain from remarking, that, if it was really intended to punish these men as traitors; as persons who deserved to be quartered and to have their bowels ripped out; if this was really intended, our writers have been very imprudent in their unbounded praises of General Moreau, who not only joined the enemies of his native country, but who performed a sea voyage for the express purpose of joining those enemies. He could not plead his attachment to the ancient family of France; for he had fought against that family, and had got great riches in the service of the revolutionary government.

"apprise him, that if any of the said Bri- " and the rights of war.(Signed) "tish soldiers shall suffer death, by reason" EDW. BAYNES,-Adj. Gen. Brit. N. "that the soldiers now under confinement" America." -I before stated very fully " in England have been found guilty, and "that the known law, not only of Great "Britain but of every independent State in "similar circumstances, has been in conse"quence executed, he has been instructed "to select, out of the American officers "and non-commissioned officers, put into "confinement, as many as may double the "number of British soldiers who shall have been so unwarrantably put to death, " and cause such officers and non-commis"sioned officers to suffer death imme“diately. And his Excellency is fur"ther instructed to notify to Major-General "Dearborn, that the Commanders of his "Majesty's armies and fleets on the coasts "of America, have received instructions to prosecute the war with unmitigated seve"rity against all cities, towns, and vil"lages belonging to the United States, and "against the inhabitants thereof, if after "this communication shall have been duly "made to Major-General Dearborn, and a "reasonable time given for its being trans"mitted to the American Government, that "Government shall unhappily not be deter"red from putting to death any of the sol"diers who now are, or who may hereafter "be kept as hostages for the purposes stated "in the letter of Major-Gen. Dearborn. "His Excellency the Commander of the "Forces, in announcing to the troops the "commands of his Royal Highness the "Prince Regent, is confident that they "will feel sensible of the paternal solici"tude which his Royal Highness has " evinced for the protection of the person "and honour of the British soldier, thus "grossly outraged, in contempt of justice,hu"manity, and the law of nations, in the persons of 23 soldiers placed in close confine"ment, as hostages for an equal number of "traitors, who have been guilty of the base ❝ and unnatural crime of raising their parricidal arms against that country which gave them birth, and who have been delivered over for legal trial to the just laws of "their offended country. The British "soldier will feel this unprincipled outrage, added to the galling insults and "cruel barbarities that are daily wantonly "inflicted on many of his unfortunate comrades, who have fallen into the enemy's hands, as additional motives to excite "his determined resolution never to resign "his liberty but with his life, to a foe so 66 regardless of all sense of honour, justice,

66

46

It was, therefore, very imprudent in our writers to sing the praises of this man, seeing that our government considered the natives of England, found in the army of America, as determined traitors.One more remark I must make.It appears to me, that it is extremely unfortunate, to say the least of it, that our government should find it necessary to resort to such measures. For, in the first place, the fact will be written in blood, that England breeds traitors, and that, in order to deter others from becoming traitors, such measures are necessary. This is a most melancholy fact.- Will not the world wonder what it is that can induce Englishmen to become traitors in such numbers?—I have not heard of any such thing in any other country. The Americans do not seem to be afraid of their people becoming traitors and yet, we are told, that their government and the war is unpopular! Our law of treason, if acted upon in all its rigour, might produce very awful effects.

An Englishman, for instance, who emigrated with his father when a child, and who may now be living in some little sea-port, if he were to take up a gun or

sword to protect his family against a boat's crew of ours attacking his house, would, if taken, be liable to be cut in quarters and to have his bowels ripped out and flung in his face!Horrid, however, as is the idea of this rigour, it is not impossible, that it may lead to good in the end. It will unquestionably tend to the complete separation of the two countries, which, in the opinions of many, would be likely greatly to benefit mankind. It will destroy the party, which, through the means of commercial influence, has divided America. It will diffuse the manufacturing arts. It will make America more independent than she was before. It will hasten the time when she, by being a great maritime power, will be able to interpose and prevent destructive wars between us and France. Her political principles are those of real and not of sham freedom; and, for the sake of her principles, we may (provided she do us no harm) when peace arrives, wish to see her power extended. The Congress has lately received a report from a Committee on the acts of GreatBritain during the war; and the Courier says, that it is quite sufficient to say of it, that it is wholly false. I do not think so; for, though it be really false, it demands a contradiction by authority here,-The acts, charged upon us are so atrocious, that I, as an Englishman, cannot bring myself to believe, that they have been committed; but the same feeling, which makes me reject a belief in them, makes me anxiously wish to see them officially shown not to have been committed; because I know, that the people of other nations may believe, though I cannot. -There are persons, who suppose, that, in consequence of the late events on the Continent of Europe, we may do what we please with America. It is a great mistake. We could do nothing with her when her population amounted to only two millions of souls; and now it amounts to eight or nine millions.Besides, do we suppose, that we shall be permitted to have a word to say in the Continental Peace without permitting the Continental powers to have something to say about our war with America? All these powers are more or less interested in the independence of the American trade. Her commerce is singularly beneficial to them all; and, what is more, they must naturally wish to see her a great naval power, able to form somewhat of a balance against England.

But, like the cock in Pope's Essay on Man, we think that the heavens and the

earth, and all that in them is, were made for us. The peace, which is approaching, may tend to remove the delusion.

MR. MANT and CAPT. PATRICK CAMPBELL.. These two gentlemen, the latter late Captain, and the former late Surgeon, of the Frigate, UNITE, serving in the Mediterranean, are, in a dispute upon the subject of the management of Prizes, now dividing the opinions of people at Southampton, where they both live.- But, from what I have heard, and, indeed, from" what I have seen in a printed paper, it appears to be impossible, that the discussion can long remain confined to such narrow limits.Certainly the public, who pay so dearly for the maintenance of a navy, on which they are everlastingly told, that they solely depend for their safety, are deeply interested in the proper employment and use of that enormously expensive establishment.It is very much to be desired, that this matter should be fully investigated; that the parties should have a fair opportunity of producing legal proofs; and that the public should see clearly where the fault lies, if there be any fault.—Mr. Mant is said to be preparing a publication on the subject, to which, in all probability, Captain Campbell will reply; so that the truth will come out, and, be it on which side it may, the truth ought to come out.

WM. COBBETT.

OFFICIAL PAPERS.

FRENCH PAPERS.

Paris, Dec. 19th. To day, Sunday, Dec. 19, his Majesty, the Emperor and King, set off at one o'clock from the palace of the Thuilleries, to repair in state to the Legislative Body, where, having been received with the usual ceremonies, his Majesty, after taking his seat, made the following speech :

"Senators, Counsellors of State, Deputies from the Departments to the Legislative Body:

"Splendid victories have raised the glory of the French arms during this campaign: defections without parallel have rendered those victories useless; all has turned against us. France itself would be in danger, but for the union and energy of the French. In these weighty circumstances, it was my first thought to call you around me. My heart has need of the presence, and of the affection of my subjects.

[ocr errors]

Dilcounts. 44

17]

[18

-I have never been seduced by prospe- energy, which may recommend your gene-
rity. Adversity will always find me superation to the generations to come. Let them
rior to its attacks. I have several times not say of us, They have sacrificed the
given peace to nations when they had lost best interests of their country! They have
every thing. From a part of my conquests I acknowledged the laws which England has
have raised thrones for Kings who had forsakin vain sought, during four centuries, to
en me. I had conceived and executed great impose on France!' My people cannot
designs for the prosperity and the happi- fear that the policy of their Emperor will
ness of the world. A monarch and a fa- ever betray the national glory. On my
ther, I feel that peace adds to the security side, I feel the confidence, that the Frenchy
of thrones, and to that of families.. Nego- will be constantly worthy of themselves,'
ciations have been entered into with the and of me!"
Allied Powers. I have adhered to the
preliminary bases which they had present-
ed. I had then the hope, that before the
opening of this session the Congress of
Manheim would be assembled: but new
delays, which are not to be ascribed to
France, have deferred this moment, which
the wishes of the world eagerly call for

-On my side, there is no obstacle to
the re-establishment of peace. I know and
partake all the sentiments of the French,
I say of the French, because there is not
one of them who would desire peace at the
price of honour.It is with regret that
1 ask of this generous people new sacrifices;
but they are commanded by its noblest and
dearest interests. It was necessary to re
cruit my armies by numerous levies: na
tions cannot treat with security except by
displaying their whole strength. An in-

crease

Paris, December 21.

Legislative Body, under the Presidency of

His Excellency the Duke of Massa.
After the usual introductory business,
Count Regnaud de Saint Jean d'Angely
spoke as follows:→→

"Gentlemen, in the two last campaigns,
without having been abandoned by victory,
we have been betrayed by fortune.In
the first; one of those winters which afflict
nature but once in a century; in the second
an abandonment, defections, of which Ett-

I have ordered to be laid before you all the original documents which are in my port-feuille of my department of foreign affairs. You will make yourselves acquainted with them by means of a Com-rope offers few examples, have rendered mittee. The Speakers of my Council will steril the most brilliant successes: acquaint you with any will on this subject. Happily, Gentlemen, the nation which had enjoyed prosperity without being intoxicated by it, has supported misfortune without dejection, and after having ge nerously in the preceding wars, defended the territories of our allies from the evils of war, we are prepared courageously to pres serve our own from them.Called round the throne under weighty circumstances, the Emperor has just associated you, Gen tlemen, in the views of his policy, as in the efforts of his administration.I have said the views, and not the secrets, of his of taxes becomes indispensable. policy; and in short, this policy has alWhat my Minister of the Finance will ways been the defence, and the indepen propose to you is conformable to the system dence, of the honour, of the industry, and of finance which I have established. We of the commerce of France and her allies. shall meet every demand without a loan, But nations, like governments, 'deep. which consumes the future, and without ly impressed, strongly pre-occupied by the paper money, which is the greatest enemy more recent events, forget those more disof social order. I am satisfied with thetant, keep faintly in their memory first sentiments which my people of Italy have causes, and lose sight of the links of that historic chain which connects the past with testified towards me on this occasion............. Denmark and Naples alone have remained the present. God forbid Gentlemen, faithful to their alliance with me. The that should now describe here any past Republic of the United States of America grievances, calculated to irritate any minds, continues with success its war with Eng to rekindle any resentiments.I do not land. I have recognised the neutrality carry back my thoughts; I do not call your's to the past, but because that in each of the nineteen Swiss Cantons. “Senators, Counsellors of State, Depu-of the pages in which the remembrance of ties from the Departments to the Legislative Body: You are the natural organs of this throne: it is for you to give an example of

it is preserved, one can discover with cer tainty who have been the provokers of the war. War has existed in Evrope for 20 years. The last was 'connected with

« PreviousContinue »