In meeting you at the present interesting conjuncture it would have been highly satisfactory if I could have communicated a favorable result to the mission charged with negotiations for restoring peace. It was a just expectation, from the respect due to the distinguished Sovereign who had invited them by his offer of mediation, from the readiness with which the invitation was accepted on the part of the United States, and from the pledge to be found in an act of their Legislature for the liberality which their plenipotentiaries would carry into the negotiations, that no time would be lost by the British Government in embracing the experiment for hastening a stop to the effusion of blood. A prompt and cordial acceptance of the mediation on that side was the less to be doubted, as it was of a nature not to submit rights or pretensions on either side to the decision of an umpire, but to afford merely an opportunity, honorable and desirable to both, for discussing and, if possible, adjusting them for the interest of both. The British cabinet, either mistaking our desire of peace for a dread of British power or misled by other fallacious calculations, has disappointed this reasonable anticipation. No communications from our envoys having reached us, no information on the subject has been received from that source; but it is known that the mediation was declined in the 1st instance, and there is no evidence, notwithstanding the lapse of time, that a change of disposition in the British councils has taken place or is to be expected. Under such circumstances a nation proud of its rights and conscious of its strength has no choice but an exertion of the 1 in support of the other. To this determination the best encouragement is derived from the success with which it has pleased the Almighty to bless our arms both on the land and on the water. Whilst proofs have been continued of the enterprise and skill of our cruisers, public and private, on the ocean, and a trophy gained in the capture of a British by an American vessel of war, after an action giving celebrity to the name of the victorious commander, the great inland waters on which the enemy were also to be encountered have presented achievements of our naval arms as brilliant in their character as they have been important in their consequences. On Lake Erie, the squadron under command of Captain Perry having met the British squadron of superior force, a sanguinary conflict ended in the capture of the whole. The conduct of that officer, adroit as it was daring, and which was so well seconded by his comrades, justly entitles them to the admiration and gratitude of their country, and will fill an early page in its naval annals with a victory never surpassed in luster, however much it may have been in magnitude. On Lake Ontario the caution of the British commander, favored by contingencies, frustrated the efforts of the American commander to bring on a decisive action. Captain Chauncey was able, however, to establish an ascendancy on that important theater, and to prove by the manner in which he effected everything possible that opportunities only were wanted for a more shining display of his own talents and the gallantry of those under his command. The success on Lake Erie having opened a passage to the territory of the enemy, the officer commanding the Northwestern army transferred the war thither, and rapidly pursuing the hostile troops, fleeing with their savage associates, forced a general action, which quickly terminated in the capture of the British and dispersion of the savage force. This result is signally honorable to Major-General Harrison, by whose military talents it was prepared; to Colonel Johnson and his mounted volunteers, whose impetuous onset gave a decisive blow to the ranks of the enemy, and to the spirit of the volunteer militia, equally brave and patriotic, who bore an interesting part in the scene; more especially to the chief magistrate of Kentucky, at the head of them, whose heroism signalized in the war which established the independence of his country, sought at an advanced age a share in hardships and battles for maintaining its rights and its safely. The effect of these successes has been to rescue the inhabitants of MI from their oppressions, aggravated by gross infractions of the capitulation which subjected them to a foreign power; to alienate the savages of numerous tribes from the enemy, by whom they were disappointed and abandoned, and to relieve an extensive region of country from a merciless warfare which desolated its frontiers and imposed on its citizens the most harassing services. In consequence   of our naval superiority on Lake Ontario and the opportunity afforded by it for concentrating our forces by water, operations which had been provisionally planned were set on foot against the possessions of the enemy on the St. Lawrence. Such, however, was the delay produced in the 1st instance by adverse weather of unusual violence and continuance and such the circumstances attending the final movements of the army, that the prospect, at one time so favorable, was not realized. The cruelty of the enemy in enlisting the savages into a war with a nation desirous of mutual emulation in mitigating its calamities has not been confined to any one quarter. Wherever they could be turned against us no exertions to effect it have been spared. On our southwestern border the Creek tribes, who, yielding to our persevering endeavors, were gradually acquiring more civilized habits, became the unfortunate victims of seduction. A war in that quarter has been the consequence, infuriated by a bloody fanaticism recently propagated among them. It was necessary to crush such a war before it could spread among the contiguous tribes and before it could favor enterprises of the enemy into that vicinity. With this view a force was called into the service of the United States from the States of Georgia and Tennessee, which, with the nearest regular troops and other corps from the Mississippi Territory, might not only chastise the savages into present peace but make a lasting impression on their fears. The progress of the expedition, as far as is yet known, corresponds with the martial zeal with which it was espoused, and the best hopes of a satisfactory issue are authorized by the complete success with which a well-planned enterprise was executed against a body of hostile savages by a detachment of the volunteer militia of TN, under the gallant command of General Coffee, and by a still more important victory over a larger body of them, gained under the immediate command of Major-General Jackson, an officer equally distinguished for his patriotism and his military talents. The systematic perseverance of the enemy in courting the aid of the savages in all quarters had the natural effect of kindling their ordinary propensity to war into a passion, which, even among those best disposed toward the United States, was ready, if not employed on our side, to be turned against us. A departure from our protracted forbearance to accept the services tendered by them has thus been forced upon us. But in yielding to it the retaliation has been mitigated as much as possible, both in its extent and in its character, stopping far short of the example of the enemy, who owe the advantages they have occasionally gained in battle chiefly to the # of their savage associates, and who have not controlled them either from their usual practice of indiscriminate massacre on defenseless inhabitants or from scenes of carnage without a parallel on prisoners to the British arms, guarded by all the laws of humanity and of honorable war. For these enormities the enemy are equally responsible, whether with the power to prevent them they want the will or with the knowledge of a want of power they still avail themselves of such instruments. In other respects the enemy are pursuing a course which threatens consequences most afflicting to humanity. A standing law of Great Britain naturalizes, as is well known, all aliens complying with conditions limited to a shorter period than those required by the United States, and naturalized subjects are in war employed by her Government in common with native subjects. In a contiguous British Province regulations promulgated since the commencement of the war compel citizens of the United States being there under certain circumstances to bear arms, whilst of the native emigrants from the United States, who compose much of the population of the Province, a number have actually borne arms against the United States within their limits, some of whom, after having done so, have become prisoners of war, and are now in our possession. The British commander in that Province, nevertheless, with the sanction, as appears, of his Government, thought proper to select from American prisoners of war and send to Great Britain for trial as criminals a # of individuals who had emigrated from the British dominions long prior to the state of war between the two nations, who had incorporated themselves into our political society in the modes recognized by the law and the practice of Great Britain, and who were made prisoners of war under the banners of their adopted country, fighting for its rights and its safety. The protection due to these citizens requiring an effectual interposition in their behalf, a like number of British prisoners of war were put into confinement, with a notification that they would experience whatever violence might be committed on the American prisoners of war sent to Great Britain. It was hoped that this necessary consequence of the step unadvisedly taken on the part of Great Britain would have led her Government to reflect on the inconsistencies of its conduct, and that a sympathy with the British, if not with the American, sufferers would have arrested the cruel career opened by its example. This was unhappily not the case. In violation both of consistency and of humanity, American officers and non-commissioned officers in double the number of the British soldiers confined here were ordered into close confinement, with formal notice that in the event of a retaliation for the death which might be inflicted on the prisoners of war sent to Great Britain for trial the officers so confined would be put to death also. It was notified at the same time that the commanders of the British fleets and armies on our coasts are instructed in the same event to proceed with a destructive severity against our towns and their inhabitants. That no doubt might be left with the enemy of our adherence to the retaliatory resort imposed on us, a correspondent number of British officers, prisoners of war in our hands, were immediately put into close confinement to abide the fate of those confined by the enemy, and the British Government was apprised of the determination of this Government to retaliate any other proceedings against us contrary to the legitimate modes of warfare. It is fortunate for the United States that they have it in their power to meet the enemy in this deplorable contest as it is honorable to them that they do not join in it but under the most imperious obligations, and with the humane purpose of effectuating a return to the established usages of war. The views of the French Government on the subjects which have been so long committed to negotiation have received no elucidation since the close of your late session. The minister plenipotentiary of the United States at Paris had not been enabled by proper opportunities to press the objects of his mission as prescribed by his instructions. The militia being always to be regarded as the great bulwark of defense and security for free states, and the Constitution having wisely committed to the national authority a use of that force as the best provision against an unsafe military establishment, as well as a resource peculiarly adapted to a country having the extent and the exposure of the United States, I recommend to Congress a revision of the militia laws for the purpose of securing more effectually the services of all detachments called into the employment and placed under the Government of the United States. It will deserve the consideration of Congress also whether among other improvements in the militia laws justice does not require a regulation, under due precautions, for defraying the expense incident to the 1st assembling as well as the subsequent movements of detachments called into the national service. To give to our vessels of war, public and private, the requisite advantage in their cruises, it is of much importance that they should have, both for themselves and their prizes, the use of the ports and markets of friendly powers. With this view, I recommend to Congress the expediency of such legal provisions as may supply the defects or remove the doubts of the Executive authority, to allow to the cruisers of other powers at war with enemies of the United States such use of the American ports as may correspond with the privileges allowed by such powers to American cruisers. During the year ending on the 30 of September last the receipts into the Treasury have exceeded $37.5M, of which near $24M were the produce of loans. After meeting all demands for the public service there remained in the Treasury on that day near $7M. Under the authority contained in the act of the 2nd of August last for borrowing $7.5M, that sum has been obtained on terms more favorable to the United States than those of the preceding loans made during the present year. Further sums to a considerable amount will be necessary to be obtained in the same way during the ensuing year, and from the increased capital of the country, from the fidelity with which the public engagements have been kept and the public credit maintained, it may be expected on good grounds that the necessary pecuniary supplies will not be wanting. The expenses of the current year, from the multiplied operations falling within it, have necessarily been extensive; but on a just estimate of the campaign in which the mass of them has been incurred the cost will not be found disproportionate to the advantages which have been gained. The campaign has, indeed, in its latter stages in one quarter been less favorable than was expected, but in addition to the importance of our naval success the progress of the campaign has been filled with incidents highly honorable to the American arms. The attacks of the enemy on Craney Island, on Fort Meigs, on Sackett's Harbor, and on Sandusky have been vigorously and successfully repulsed; nor have they in any case succeeded on either frontier excepting when directed against the peaceable dwellings of individuals or villages unprepared or undefended. On the other hand, the movements of the American Army have been followed by the reduction of York, and of Forts George, Erie, and Malden; by the recovery of Detroit and the extinction of the Indian war in the West, and by the occupancy or command of a large portion of Upper Canada. Battles have also been fought on the borders of the St. Lawrence, which, though not accomplishing their entire objects, reflect honor on the discipline and prowess of our soldiery, the best auguries of eventual victory. In the same scale are to be placed the late successes in the South over one of the most powerful, which had become one of the most hostile also, of the Indian tribes. It would be improper to close this communication without expressing a thankfulness in which all ought to unite for the abundance; for the preservation of our internal tranquility, and the stability of our free institutions, and, above all, for the light of divine truth and the protection of every man's conscience in the enjoyment of it. And although among our blessings we can not number an exemption from the evils of war, yet these will never be regarded as the greatest of evils by the friends of liberty and of the rights of nations. Our country has before preferred them to the degraded condition which was the alternative when the sword was drawn in the cause which gave birth to our national independence, and none who contemplate the magnitude and feel the value of that glorious event will shrink from a struggle to maintain the high and happy ground on which it placed the American people. With all good citizens the justice and necessity of resisting wrongs and usurpations no longer to be borne will sufficiently outweigh the privations and sacrifices inseparable from a state of war. But it is a reflection, moreover, peculiarly consoling, that, whilst wars are generally aggravated by their baneful effects on the internal improvements and permanent prosperity of the nations engaged in them, such is the favored situation of the United States that the calamities of the contest into which they have been compelled to enter are mitigated by improvements and advantages of which the contest itself is the source. If the war has increased the interruptions of our commerce, it has at the same time cherished and multiplied our manufactures so as to make us independent of all other countries for the more essential branches for which we ought to be dependent on none, and is even rapidly giving them an extent which will create additional staples in our future intercourse with foreign markets. If much treasure has been expended, no inconsiderable portion of it has been applied to objects durable in their value and necessary to our permanent safety. If the war has exposed us to increased spoliations on the ocean and to predatory incursions on the land, it has developed the national means of retaliating the former and of providing protection against the latter, demonstrating to all that every blow aimed at our maritime independence is an impulse accelerating the growth of our maritime power. By diffusing through the mass of the nation the elements of military discipline and instruction; by augmenting and distributing warlike preparations applicable to future use; by evincing the zeal and valor with which they will be employed and the cheerfulness with which every necessary burden will be borne, a greater respect for our rights and a longer duration of our future peace are promised than could be expected without these proofs of the national character and resources. The war has proved moreover that our free Government, like other free governments, though slow in its early movements, acquires in its progress a force proportioned to its freedom, and that the union of these States, the guardian of the freedom and safety of all and of each, is strengthened by every occasion that puts it to the test. In fine, the war, with all its vicissitudes, is illustrating the capacity and the destiny of the United States to be a great, a flourishing, and a powerful nation, worthy of the friendship which it is disposed to cultivate with all others, and authorized by its own example to require from all an observance of the laws of justice and reciprocity. Beyond these their claims have never extended, and in contending for these we behold a subject for our congratulations in the daily testimonies of increasing harmony throughout the nation, and may humbly repose our trust in the smiles of Heaven on so righteous a cause.
In meeting you at the present interesting conjuncture it would have been highly satisfactory if I could have communicated a favorable result to the mission charged with negotiations for restoring peace. It was a just expectation, from the respect due to the distinguished Sovereign who had invited them by his offer of mediation, from the readiness with which the invitation was accepted on the part of the United States, and from the pledge to be found in an act of their Legislature for the liberality which their plenipotentiaries would carry into the negotiations, that no time would be lost by the British Government in embracing the experiment for hastening a stop to the effusion of blood. A prompt and cordial acceptance of the mediation on that side was the less to be doubted, as it was of a nature not to submit rights or pretensions on either side to the decision of an umpire, but to afford merely an opportunity, honorable and desirable to both, for discussing and, if possible, adjusting them for the interest of both. The British cabinet, either mistaking our desire of peace for a dread of British power or misled by other fallacious calculations, has disappointed this reasonable anticipation. No communications from our envoys having reached us, no information on the subject has been received from that source; but it is known that the mediation was declined in the 1st instance, and there is no evidence, notwithstanding the lapse of time, that a change of disposition in the British councils has taken place or is to be expected. Under such circumstances a nation proud of its rights and conscious of its strength has no choice but an exertion of the 1 in support of the other. To this determination the best encouragement is derived from the success with which it has pleased the Almighty to bless our arms both on the land and on the water. Whilst proofs have been continued of the enterprise and skill of our cruisers, public and private, on the ocean, and a trophy gained in the capture of a British by an American vessel of war, after an action giving celebrity to the name of the victorious commander, the great inland waters on which the enemy were also to be encountered have presented achievements of our naval arms as brilliant in their character as they have been important in their consequences. On Lake Erie, the squadron under command of Captain Perry having met the British squadron of superior force, a sanguinary conflict ended in the capture of the whole. The conduct of that officer, adroit as it was daring, and which was so well seconded by his comrades, justly entitles them to the admiration and gratitude of their country, and will fill an early page in its naval annals with a victory never surpassed in luster, however much it may have been in magnitude. On Lake Ontario the caution of the British commander, favored by contingencies, frustrated the efforts of the American commander to bring on a decisive action. Captain Chauncey was able, however, to establish an ascendancy on that important theater, and to prove by the manner in which he effected everything possible that opportunities only were wanted for a more shining display of his own talents and the gallantry of those under his command. The success on Lake Erie having opened a passage to the territory of the enemy, the officer commanding the Northwestern army transferred the war thither, and rapidly pursuing the hostile troops, fleeing with their savage associates, forced a general action, which quickly terminated in the capture of the British and dispersion of the savage force. This result is signally honorable to Major-General Harrison, by whose military talents it was prepared; to Colonel Johnson and his mounted volunteers, whose impetuous onset gave a decisive blow to the ranks of the enemy, and to the spirit of the volunteer militia, equally brave and patriotic, who bore an interesting part in the scene; more especially to the chief magistrate of Kentucky, at the head of them, whose heroism signalized in the war which established the independence of his country, sought at an advanced age a share in hardships and battles for maintaining its rights and its safely. The effect of these successes has been to rescue the inhabitants of MI from their oppressions, aggravated by gross infractions of the capitulation which subjected them to a foreign power; to alienate the savages of numerous tribes from the enemy, by whom they were disappointed and abandoned, and to relieve an extensive region of country from a merciless warfare which desolated its frontiers and imposed on its citizens the most harassing services. In consequence of our naval superiority on Lake Ontario and the opportunity afforded by it for concentrating our forces by water, operations which had been provisionally planned were set on foot against the possessions of the enemy on the St. Lawrence. Such, however, was the delay produced in the 1st instance by adverse weather of unusual violence and continuance and such the circumstances attending the final movements of the army, that the prospect, at one time so favorable, was not realized. The cruelty of the enemy in enlisting the savages into a war with a nation desirous of mutual emulation in mitigating its calamities has not been confined to any one quarter. Wherever they could be turned against us no exertions to effect it have been spared. On our southwestern border the Creek tribes, who, yielding to our persevering endeavors, were gradually acquiring more civilized habits, became the unfortunate victims of seduction. A war in that quarter has been the consequence, infuriated by a bloody fanaticism recently propagated among them. It was necessary to crush such a war before it could spread among the contiguous tribes and before it could favor enterprises of the enemy into that vicinity. With this view a force was called into the service of the United States from the States of Georgia and Tennessee, which, with the nearest regular troops and other corps from the Mississippi Territory, might not only chastise the savages into present peace but make a lasting impression on their fears. The progress of the expedition, as far as is yet known, corresponds with the martial zeal with which it was espoused, and the best hopes of a satisfactory issue are authorized by the complete success with which a well-planned enterprise was executed against a body of hostile savages by a detachment of the volunteer militia of TN, under the gallant command of General Coffee, and by a still more important victory over a larger body of them, gained under the immediate command of Major-General Jackson, an officer equally distinguished for his patriotism and his military talents. The systematic perseverance of the enemy in courting the aid of the savages in all quarters had the natural effect of kindling their ordinary propensity to war into a passion, which, even among those best disposed toward the United States, was ready, if not employed on our side, to be turned against us. A departure from our protracted forbearance to accept the services tendered by them has thus been forced upon us. But in yielding to it the retaliation has been mitigated as much as possible, both in its extent and in its character, stopping far short of the example of the enemy, who owe the advantages they have occasionally gained in battle chiefly to the # of their savage associates, and who have not controlled them either from their usual practice of indiscriminate massacre on defenseless inhabitants or from scenes of carnage without a parallel on prisoners to the British arms, guarded by all the laws of humanity and of honorable war. For these enormities the enemy are equally responsible, whether with the power to prevent them they want the will or with the knowledge of a want of power they still avail themselves of such instruments. In other respects the enemy are pursuing a course which threatens consequences most afflicting to humanity. A standing law of Great Britain naturalizes, as is well known, all aliens complying with conditions limited to a shorter period than those required by the United States, and naturalized subjects are in war employed by her Government in common with native subjects. In a contiguous British Province regulations promulgated since the commencement of the war compel citizens of the United States being there under certain circumstances to bear arms, whilst of the native emigrants from the United States, who compose much of the population of the Province, a number have actually borne arms against the United States within their limits, some of whom, after having done so, have become prisoners of war, and are now in our possession. The British commander in that Province, nevertheless, with the sanction, as appears, of his Government, thought proper to select from American prisoners of war and send to Great Britain for trial as criminals a # of individuals who had emigrated from the British dominions long prior to the state of war between the two nations, who had incorporated themselves into our political society in the modes recognized by the law and the practice of Great Britain, and who were made prisoners of war under the banners of their adopted country, fighting for its rights and its safety. The protection due to these citizens requiring an effectual interposition in their behalf, a like number of British prisoners of war were put into confinement, with a notification that they would experience whatever violence might be committed on the American prisoners of war sent to Great Britain. It was hoped that this necessary consequence of the step unadvisedly taken on the part of Great Britain would have led her Government to reflect on the inconsistencies of its conduct, and that a sympathy with the British, if not with the American, sufferers would have arrested the cruel career opened by its example. This was unhappily not the case. In violation both of consistency and of humanity, American officers and non-commissioned officers in double the number of the British soldiers confined here were ordered into close confinement, with formal notice that in the event of a retaliation for the death which might be inflicted on the prisoners of war sent to Great Britain for trial the officers so confined would be put to death also. It was notified at the same time that the commanders of the British fleets and armies on our coasts are instructed in the same event to proceed with a destructive severity against our towns and their inhabitants. That no doubt might be left with the enemy of our adherence to the retaliatory resort imposed on us, a correspondent number of British officers, prisoners of war in our hands, were immediately put into close confinement to abide the fate of those confined by the enemy, and the British Government was apprised of the determination of this Government to retaliate any other proceedings against us contrary to the legitimate modes of warfare. It is fortunate for the United States that they have it in their power to meet the enemy in this deplorable contest as it is honorable to them that they do not join in it but under the most imperious obligations, and with the humane purpose of effectuating a return to the established usages of war. The views of the French Government on the subjects which have been so long committed to negotiation have received no elucidation since the close of your late session. The minister plenipotentiary of the United States at Paris had not been enabled by proper opportunities to press the objects of his mission as prescribed by his instructions. The militia being always to be regarded as the great bulwark of defense and security for free states, and the Constitution having wisely committed to the national authority a use of that force as the best provision against an unsafe military establishment, as well as a resource peculiarly adapted to a country having the extent and the exposure of the United States, I recommend to Congress a revision of the militia laws for the purpose of securing more effectually the services of all detachments called into the employment and placed under the Government of the United States. It will deserve the consideration of Congress also whether among other improvements in the militia laws justice does not require a regulation, under due precautions, for defraying the expense incident to the 1st assembling as well as the subsequent movements of detachments called into the national service. To give to our vessels of war, public and private, the requisite advantage in their cruises, it is of much importance that they should have, both for themselves and their prizes, the use of the ports and markets of friendly powers. With this view, I recommend to Congress the expediency of such legal provisions as may supply the defects or remove the doubts of the Executive authority, to allow to the cruisers of other powers at war with enemies of the United States such use of the American ports as may correspond with the privileges allowed by such powers to American cruisers. During the year ending on the 30 of September last the receipts into the Treasury have exceeded $37.5M, of which near $24M were the produce of loans. After meeting all demands for the public service there remained in the Treasury on that day near $7M. Under the authority contained in the act of the 2nd of August last for borrowing $7.5M, that sum has been obtained on terms more favorable to the United States than those of the preceding loans made during the present year. Further sums to a considerable amount will be necessary to be obtained in the same way during the ensuing year, and from the increased capital of the country, from the fidelity with which the public engagements have been kept and the public credit maintained, it may be expected on good grounds that the necessary pecuniary supplies will not be wanting. The expenses of the current year, from the multiplied operations falling within it, have necessarily been extensive; but on a just estimate of the campaign in which the mass of them has been incurred the cost will not be found disproportionate to the advantages which have been gained. The campaign has, indeed, in its latter stages in one quarter been less favorable than was expected, but in addition to the importance of our naval success the progress of the campaign has been filled with incidents highly honorable to the American arms. The attacks of the enemy on Craney Island, on Fort Meigs, on Sackett's Harbor, and on Sandusky have been vigorously and successfully repulsed; nor have they in any case succeeded on either frontier excepting when directed against the peaceable dwellings of individuals or villages unprepared or undefended. On the other hand, the movements of the American Army have been followed by the reduction of York, and of Forts George, Erie, and Malden; by the recovery of Detroit and the extinction of the Indian war in the West, and by the occupancy or command of a large portion of Upper Canada. Battles have also been fought on the borders of the St. Lawrence, which, though not accomplishing their entire objects, reflect honor on the discipline and prowess of our soldiery, the best auguries of eventual victory. In the same scale are to be placed the late successes in the South over one of the most powerful, which had become one of the most hostile also, of the Indian tribes. It would be improper to close this communication without expressing a thankfulness in which all ought to unite for the abundance; for the preservation of our internal tranquility, and the stability of our free institutions, and, above all, for the light of divine truth and the protection of every man's conscience in the enjoyment of it. And although among our blessings we can not number an exemption from the evils of war, yet these will never be regarded as the greatest of evils by the friends of liberty and of the rights of nations. Our country has before preferred them to the degraded condition which was the alternative when the sword was drawn in the because which gave birth to our national independence, and none who contemplate the magnitude and feel the value of that glorious event will shrink from a struggle to maintain the high and happy ground on which it placed the American people. With all good citizens the justice and necessity of resisting wrongs and usurpations no longer to be borne will sufficiently outweigh the privations and sacrifices inseparable from a state of war. But it is a reflection, moreover, peculiarly consoling, that, whilst wars are generally aggravated by their baneful effects on the internal improvements and permanent prosperity of the nations engaged in them, such is the favored situation of the United States that the calamities of the contest into which they have been compelled to enter are mitigated by improvements and advantages of which the contest itself is the source. If the war has increased the interruptions of our commerce, it has at the same time cherished and multiplied our manufactures so as to make us independent of all other countries for the more essential branches for which we ought to be dependent on none, and is even rapidly giving them an extent which will create additional staples in our future intercourse with foreign markets. If much treasure has been expended, no inconsiderable portion of it has been applied to objects durable in their value and necessary to our permanent safety. If the war has exposed us to increased spoliations on the ocean and to predatory incursions on the land, it has developed the national means of retaliating the former and of providing protection against the latter, demonstrating to all that every blow aimed at our maritime independence is an impulse accelerating the growth of our maritime power. By diffusing through the mass of the nation the elements of military discipline and instruction; by augmenting and distributing warlike preparations applicable to future use; by evincing the zeal and valor with which they will be employed and the cheerfulness with which every necessary burden will be borne, a greater respect for our rights and a longer duration of our future peace are promised than could be expected without these proofs of the national character and resources. The war has proved moreover that our free Government, like other free governments, though slow in its early movements, acquires in its progress a force proportioned to its freedom, and that the union of these States, the guardian of the freedom and safety of all and of each, is strengthened by every occasion that puts it to the test. In fine, the war, with all its vicissitudes, is illustrating the capacity and the destiny of the United States to be a great, a flourishing, and a powerful nation, worthy of the friendship which it is disposed to cultivate with all others, and authorized by its own example to require from all an observance of the laws of justice and reciprocity. Beyond these their claims have never extended, and in contending for these we behold a subject for our congratulations in the daily testimonies of increasing harmony throughout the nation, and may humbly repose our trust in the smiles of Heaven on so righteous a because.
in meeting you at the present interesting conjuncture it would have been highly satisfactory if i could have communicated a favorable result to the mission charged with negotiations for restoring peace it was a just expectation from the respect due to the distinguished sovereign who had invited them by his offer of mediation from the readiness with which the invitation was accepted on the part of the united states and from the pledge to be found in an act of their legislature for the liberality which their plenipotentiaries would carry into the negotiations that no time would be lost by the british government in embracing the experiment for hastening a stop to the effusion of blood a prompt and cordial acceptance of the mediation on that side was the less to be doubted as it was of a nature not to submit rights or pretensions on either side to the decision of an umpire but to afford merely an opportunity honorable and desirable to both for discussing and if possible adjusting them for the interest of both the british cabinet either mistaking our desire of peace for a dread of british power or misled by other fallacious calculations has disappointed this reasonable anticipation no communications from our envoys having reached us no information on the subject has been received from that source but it is known that the mediation was declined in the 1st instance and there is no evidence notwithstanding the lapse of time that a change of disposition in the british councils has taken place or is to be expected under such circumstances a nation proud of its rights and conscious of its strength has no choice but an exertion of the 1 in support of the other to this determination the best encouragement is derived from the success with which it has pleased the almighty to bless our arms both on the land and on the water whilst proofs have been continued of the enterprise and skill of our cruisers public and private on the ocean and a trophy gained in the capture of a british by an american vessel of war after an action giving celebrity to the name of the victorious commander the great inland waters on which the enemy were also to be encountered have presented achievements of our naval arms as brilliant in their character as they have been important in their consequences on lake erie the squadron under command of captain perry having met the british squadron of superior force a sanguinary conflict ended in the capture of the whole the conduct of that officer adroit as it was daring and which was so well seconded by his comrades justly entitles them to the admiration and gratitude of their country and will fill an early page in its naval annals with a victory never surpassed in luster however much it may have been in magnitude on lake ontario the caution of the british commander favored by contingencies frustrated the efforts of the american commander to bring on a decisive action captain chauncey was able however to establish an ascendancy on that important theater and to prove by the manner in which he effected everything possible that opportunities only were wanted for a more shining display of his own talents and the gallantry of those under his command the success on lake erie having opened a passage to the territory of the enemy the officer commanding the northwestern army transferred the war thither and rapidly pursuing the hostile troops fleeing with their savage associates forced a general action which quickly terminated in the capture of the british and dispersion of the savage force this result is signally honorable to harrison by whose military talents it was prepared to colonel johnson and his mounted volunteers whose impetuous onset gave a decisive blow to the ranks of the enemy and to the spirit of the volunteer militia equally brave and patriotic who bore an interesting part in the scene more especially to the chief magistrate of kentucky at the head of them whose heroism signalized in the war which established the independence of his country sought at an advanced age a share in hardships and battles for maintaining its rights and its safely the effect of these successes has been to rescue the inhabitants of mi from their oppressions aggravated by gross infractions of the capitulation which subjected them to a foreign power to alienate the savages of numerous tribes from the enemy by whom they were disappointed and abandoned and to relieve an extensive region of country from a merciless warfare which desolated its frontiers and imposed on its citizens the most harassing services in consequence of our naval superiority on lake ontario and the opportunity afforded by it for concentrating our forces by water operations which had been provisionally planned were set on foot against the possessions of the enemy on the lawrence such however was the delay produced in the 1st instance by adverse weather of unusual violence and continuance and such the circumstances attending the final movements of the army that the prospect at one time so favorable was not realized the cruelty of the enemy in enlisting the savages into a war with a nation desirous of mutual emulation in mitigating its calamities has not been confined to any one quarter wherever they could be turned against us no exertions to effect it have been spared on our southwestern border the creek tribes who yielding to our persevering endeavors were gradually acquiring more civilized habits became the unfortunate victims of seduction a war in that quarter has been the consequence infuriated by a bloody fanaticism recently propagated among them it was necessary to crush such a war before it could spread among the contiguous tribes and before it could favor enterprises of the enemy into that vicinity with this view a force was called into the service of the united states from the states of georgia and tennessee which with the nearest regular troops and other corps from the mississippi territory might not only chastise the savages into present peace but make a lasting impression on their fears the progress of the expedition as far as is yet known corresponds with the martial zeal with which it was espoused and the best hopes of a satisfactory issue are authorized by the complete success with which a enterprise was executed against a body of hostile savages by a detachment of the volunteer militia of tn under the gallant command of general coffee and by a still more important victory over a larger body of them gained under the immediate command of jackson an officer equally distinguished for his patriotism and his military talents the systematic perseverance of the enemy in courting the aid of the savages in all quarters had the natural effect of kindling their ordinary propensity to war into a passion which even among those best disposed toward the united states was ready if not employed on our side to be turned against us a departure from our protracted forbearance to accept the services tendered by them has thus been forced upon us but in yielding to it the retaliation has been mitigated as much as possible both in its extent and in its character stopping far short of the example of the enemy who owe the advantages they have occasionally gained in battle chiefly to the of their savage associates and who have not controlled them either from their usual practice of indiscriminate massacre on defenseless inhabitants or from scenes of carnage without a parallel on prisoners to the british arms guarded by all the laws of humanity and of honorable war for these enormities the enemy are equally responsible whether with the power to prevent them they want the will or with the knowledge of a want of power they still avail themselves of such instruments in other respects the enemy are pursuing a course which threatens consequences most afflicting to humanity a standing law of great britain naturalizes as is well known all aliens complying with conditions limited to a shorter period than those required by the united states and naturalized subjects are in war employed by her government in common with native subjects in a contiguous british province regulations promulgated since the commencement of the war compel citizens of the united states being there under certain circumstances to bear arms whilst of the native emigrants from the united states who compose much of the population of the province a number have actually borne arms against the united states within their limits some of whom after having done so have become prisoners of war and are now in our possession the british commander in that province nevertheless with the sanction as appears of his government thought proper to select from american prisoners of war and send to great britain for trial as criminals a of individuals who had emigrated from the british dominions long prior to the state of war between the two nations who had incorporated themselves into our political society in the modes recognized by the law and the practice of great britain and who were made prisoners of war under the banners of their adopted country fighting for its rights and its safety the protection due to these citizens requiring an effectual interposition in their behalf a like number of british prisoners of war were put into confinement with a notification that they would experience whatever violence might be committed on the american prisoners of war sent to great britain it was hoped that this necessary consequence of the step unadvisedly taken on the part of great britain would have led her government to reflect on the inconsistencies of its conduct and that a sympathy with the british if not with the american sufferers would have arrested the cruel career opened by its example this was unhappily not the case in violation both of consistency and of humanity american officers and officers in double the number of the british soldiers confined here were ordered into close confinement with formal notice that in the event of a retaliation for the death which might be inflicted on the prisoners of war sent to great britain for trial the officers so confined would be put to death also it was notified at the same time that the commanders of the british fleets and armies on our coasts are instructed in the same event to proceed with a destructive severity against our towns and their inhabitants that no doubt might be left with the enemy of our adherence to the retaliatory resort imposed on us a correspondent number of british officers prisoners of war in our hands were immediately put into close confinement to abide the fate of those confined by the enemy and the british government was apprised of the determination of this government to retaliate any other proceedings against us contrary to the legitimate modes of warfare it is fortunate for the united states that they have it in their power to meet the enemy in this deplorable contest as it is honorable to them that they do not join in it but under the most imperious obligations and with the humane purpose of effectuating a return to the established usages of war the views of the french government on the subjects which have been so long committed to negotiation have received no elucidation since the close of your late session the minister plenipotentiary of the united states at paris had not been enabled by proper opportunities to press the objects of his mission as prescribed by his instructions the militia being always to be regarded as the great bulwark of defense and security for free states and the constitution having wisely committed to the national authority a use of that force as the best provision against an unsafe military establishment as well as a resource peculiarly adapted to a country having the extent and the exposure of the united states i recommend to congress a revision of the militia laws for the purpose of securing more effectually the services of all detachments called into the employment and placed under the government of the united states it will deserve the consideration of congress also whether among other improvements in the militia laws justice does not require a regulation under due precautions for defraying the expense incident to the 1st assembling as well as the subsequent movements of detachments called into the national service to give to our vessels of war public and private the requisite advantage in their cruises it is of much importance that they should have both for themselves and their prizes the use of the ports and markets of friendly powers with this view i recommend to congress the expediency of such legal provisions as may supply the defects or remove the doubts of the executive authority to allow to the cruisers of other powers at war with enemies of the united states such use of the american ports as may correspond with the privileges allowed by such powers to american cruisers during the year ending on the 30 of september last the receipts into the treasury have exceeded of which near 24m were the produce of loans after meeting all demands for the public service there remained in the treasury on that day near 7m under the authority contained in the act of the 2nd of august last for borrowing that sum has been obtained on terms more favorable to the united states than those of the preceding loans made during the present year further sums to a considerable amount will be necessary to be obtained in the same way during the ensuing year and from the increased capital of the country from the fidelity with which the public engagements have been kept and the public credit maintained it may be expected on good grounds that the necessary pecuniary supplies will not be wanting the expenses of the current year from the multiplied operations falling within it have necessarily been extensive but on a just estimate of the campaign in which the mass of them has been incurred the cost will not be found disproportionate to the advantages which have been gained the campaign has indeed in its latter stages in one quarter been less favorable than was expected but in addition to the importance of our naval success the progress of the campaign has been filled with incidents highly honorable to the american arms the attacks of the enemy on craney island on fort meigs on sackett harbor and on sandusky have been vigorously and successfully repulsed nor have they in any case succeeded on either frontier excepting when directed against the peaceable dwellings of individuals or villages unprepared or undefended on the other hand the movements of the american army have been followed by the reduction of york and of forts george erie and malden by the recovery of detroit and the extinction of the indian war in the west and by the occupancy or command of a large portion of upper canada battles have also been fought on the borders of the lawrence which though not accomplishing their entire objects reflect honor on the discipline and prowess of our soldiery the best auguries of eventual victory in the same scale are to be placed the late successes in the south over one of the most powerful which had become one of the most hostile also of the indian tribes it would be improper to close this communication without expressing a thankfulness in which all ought to unite for the abundance for the preservation of our internal tranquility and the stability of our free institutions and above all for the light of divine truth and the protection of every man conscience in the enjoyment of it and although among our blessings we can not number an exemption from the evils of war yet these will never be regarded as the greatest of evils by the friends of liberty and of the rights of nations our country has before preferred them to the degraded condition which was the alternative when the sword was drawn in the because which gave birth to our national independence and none who contemplate the magnitude and feel the value of that glorious event will shrink from a struggle to maintain the high and happy ground on which it placed the american people with all good citizens the justice and necessity of resisting wrongs and usurpations no longer to be borne will sufficiently outweigh the privations and sacrifices inseparable from a state of war but it is a reflection moreover peculiarly consoling that whilst wars are generally aggravated by their baneful effects on the internal improvements and permanent prosperity of the nations engaged in them such is the favored situation of the united states that the calamities of the contest into which they have been compelled to enter are mitigated by improvements and advantages of which the contest itself is the source if the war has increased the interruptions of our commerce it has at the same time cherished and multiplied our manufactures so as to make us independent of all other countries for the more essential branches for which we ought to be dependent on none and is even rapidly giving them an extent which will create additional staples in our future intercourse with foreign markets if much treasure has been expended no inconsiderable portion of it has been applied to objects durable in their value and necessary to our permanent safety if the war has exposed us to increased spoliations on the ocean and to predatory incursions on the land it has developed the national means of retaliating the former and of providing protection against the latter demonstrating to all that every blow aimed at our maritime independence is an impulse accelerating the growth of our maritime power by diffusing through the mass of the nation the elements of military discipline and instruction by augmenting and distributing warlike preparations applicable to future use by evincing the zeal and valor with which they will be employed and the cheerfulness with which every necessary burden will be borne a greater respect for our rights and a longer duration of our future peace are promised than could be expected without these proofs of the national character and resources the war has proved moreover that our free government like other free governments though slow in its early movements acquires in its progress a force proportioned to its freedom and that the union of these states the guardian of the freedom and safety of all and of each is strengthened by every occasion that puts it to the test in fine the war with all its vicissitudes is illustrating the capacity and the destiny of the united states to be a great a flourishing and a powerful nation worthy of the friendship which it is disposed to cultivate with all others and authorized by its own example to require from all an observance of the laws of justice and reciprocity beyond these their claims have never extended and in contending for these we behold a subject for our congratulations in the daily testimonies of increasing harmony throughout the nation and may humbly repose our trust in the smiles of heaven on so righteous a because
meeting present interesting conjuncture would highly satisfactory could communicated favorable result mission charged negotiations restoring peace expectation respect due distinguished sovereign invited offer mediation readiness invitation accepted part united states pledge found act legislature liberality plenipotentiaries would carry negotiations time would lost british government embracing experiment hastening stop effusion blood prompt cordial acceptance mediation side less doubted nature submit rights pretensions either side decision umpire afford merely opportunity honorable desirable discussing possible adjusting interest british cabinet either mistaking desire peace dread british power misled fallacious calculations disappointed reasonable anticipation communications envoys reached us information subject received source known mediation declined 1st instance evidence notwithstanding lapse time change disposition british councils taken place expected circumstances nation proud rights conscious strength choice exertion 1 support determination best encouragement derived success pleased almighty bless arms land water whilst proofs continued enterprise skill cruisers public private ocean trophy gained capture british american vessel war action giving celebrity name victorious commander great inland waters enemy also encountered presented achievements naval arms brilliant character important consequences lake erie squadron command captain perry met british squadron superior force sanguinary conflict ended capture whole conduct officer adroit daring well seconded comrades justly entitles admiration gratitude country fill early page naval annals victory never surpassed luster however much may magnitude lake ontario caution british commander favored contingencies frustrated efforts american commander bring decisive action captain chauncey able however establish ascendancy important theater prove manner effected everything possible opportunities wanted shining display talents gallantry command success lake erie opened passage territory enemy officer commanding northwestern army transferred war thither rapidly pursuing hostile troops fleeing savage associates forced general action quickly terminated capture british dispersion savage force result signally honorable harrison whose military talents prepared colonel johnson mounted volunteers whose impetuous onset gave decisive blow ranks enemy spirit volunteer militia equally brave patriotic bore interesting part scene especially chief magistrate kentucky head whose heroism signalized war established independence country sought advanced age share hardships battles maintaining rights safely effect successes rescue inhabitants mi oppressions aggravated gross infractions capitulation subjected foreign power alienate savages numerous tribes enemy disappointed abandoned relieve extensive region country merciless warfare desolated frontiers imposed citizens harassing services consequence naval superiority lake ontario opportunity afforded concentrating forces water operations provisionally planned set foot possessions enemy lawrence however delay produced 1st instance adverse weather unusual violence continuance circumstances attending final movements army prospect one time favorable realized cruelty enemy enlisting savages war nation desirous mutual emulation mitigating calamities confined one quarter wherever could turned us exertions effect spared southwestern border creek tribes yielding persevering endeavors gradually acquiring civilized habits became unfortunate victims seduction war quarter consequence infuriated bloody fanaticism recently propagated among necessary crush war could spread among contiguous tribes could favor enterprises enemy vicinity view force called service united states states georgia tennessee nearest regular troops corps mississippi territory might chastise savages present peace make lasting impression fears progress expedition far yet known corresponds martial zeal espoused best hopes satisfactory issue authorized complete success enterprise executed body hostile savages detachment volunteer militia tn gallant command general coffee still important victory larger body gained immediate command jackson officer equally distinguished patriotism military talents systematic perseverance enemy courting aid savages quarters natural effect kindling ordinary propensity war passion even among best disposed toward united states ready employed side turned us departure protracted forbearance accept services tendered thus forced upon us yielding retaliation mitigated much possible extent character stopping far short example enemy owe advantages occasionally gained battle chiefly savage associates controlled either usual practice indiscriminate massacre defenseless inhabitants scenes carnage without parallel prisoners british arms guarded laws humanity honorable war enormities enemy equally responsible whether power prevent want knowledge want power still avail instruments respects enemy pursuing course threatens consequences afflicting humanity standing law great britain naturalizes well known aliens complying conditions limited shorter period required united states naturalized subjects war employed government common native subjects contiguous british province regulations promulgated since commencement war compel citizens united states certain circumstances bear arms whilst native emigrants united states compose much population province number actually borne arms united states within limits done become prisoners war possession british commander province nevertheless sanction appears government thought proper select american prisoners war send great britain trial criminals individuals emigrated british dominions long prior state war two nations incorporated political society modes recognized law practice great britain made prisoners war banners adopted country fighting rights safety protection due citizens requiring effectual interposition behalf like number british prisoners war put confinement notification would experience whatever violence might committed american prisoners war sent great britain hoped necessary consequence step unadvisedly taken part great britain would led government reflect inconsistencies conduct sympathy british american sufferers would arrested cruel career opened example unhappily case violation consistency humanity american officers officers double number british soldiers confined ordered close confinement formal notice event retaliation death might inflicted prisoners war sent great britain trial officers confined would put death also notified time commanders british fleets armies coasts instructed event proceed destructive severity towns inhabitants doubt might left enemy adherence retaliatory resort imposed us correspondent number british officers prisoners war hands immediately put close confinement abide fate confined enemy british government apprised determination government retaliate proceedings us contrary legitimate modes warfare fortunate united states power meet enemy deplorable contest honorable join imperious obligations humane purpose effectuating return established usages war views french government subjects long committed negotiation received elucidation since close late session minister plenipotentiary united states paris enabled proper opportunities press objects mission prescribed instructions militia always regarded great bulwark defense security free states constitution wisely committed national authority use force best provision unsafe military establishment well resource peculiarly adapted country extent exposure united states recommend congress revision militia laws purpose securing effectually services detachments called employment placed government united states deserve consideration congress also whether among improvements militia laws justice require regulation due precautions defraying expense incident 1st assembling well subsequent movements detachments called national service give vessels war public private requisite advantage cruises much importance prizes use ports markets friendly powers view recommend congress expediency legal provisions may supply defects remove doubts executive authority allow cruisers powers war enemies united states use american ports may correspond privileges allowed powers american cruisers year ending 30 september last receipts treasury exceeded near 24m produce loans meeting demands public service remained treasury day near 7m authority contained act 2nd august last borrowing sum obtained terms favorable united states preceding loans made present year sums considerable amount necessary obtained way ensuing year increased capital country fidelity public engagements kept public credit maintained may expected good grounds necessary pecuniary supplies wanting expenses current year multiplied operations falling within necessarily extensive estimate campaign mass incurred cost found disproportionate advantages gained campaign indeed latter stages one quarter less favorable expected addition importance naval success progress campaign filled incidents highly honorable american arms attacks enemy craney island fort meigs sackett harbor sandusky vigorously successfully repulsed case succeeded either frontier excepting directed peaceable dwellings individuals villages unprepared undefended hand movements american army followed reduction york forts george erie malden recovery detroit extinction indian war west occupancy command large portion upper canada battles also fought borders lawrence though accomplishing entire objects reflect honor discipline prowess soldiery best auguries eventual victory scale placed late successes south one powerful become one hostile also indian tribes would improper close communication without expressing thankfulness ought unite abundance preservation internal tranquility stability free institutions light divine truth protection every man conscience enjoyment although among blessings number exemption evils war yet never regarded greatest evils friends liberty rights nations country preferred degraded condition alternative sword drawn gave birth national independence none contemplate magnitude feel value glorious event shrink struggle maintain high happy ground placed american people good citizens justice necessity resisting wrongs usurpations longer borne sufficiently outweigh privations sacrifices inseparable state war reflection moreover peculiarly consoling whilst wars generally aggravated baneful effects internal improvements permanent prosperity nations engaged favored situation united states calamities contest compelled enter mitigated improvements advantages contest source war increased interruptions commerce time cherished multiplied manufactures make us independent countries essential branches ought dependent none even rapidly giving extent create additional staples future intercourse foreign markets much treasure expended inconsiderable portion applied objects durable value necessary permanent safety war exposed us increased spoliations ocean predatory incursions land developed national means retaliating former providing protection latter demonstrating every blow aimed maritime independence impulse accelerating growth maritime power diffusing mass nation elements military discipline instruction augmenting distributing warlike preparations applicable future use evincing zeal valor employed cheerfulness every necessary burden borne greater respect rights longer duration future peace promised could expected without proofs national character resources war proved moreover free government like free governments though slow early movements acquires progress force proportioned freedom union states guardian freedom safety strengthened every occasion puts test fine war vicissitudes illustrating capacity destiny united states great flourishing powerful nation worthy friendship disposed cultivate others authorized example require observance laws justice reciprocity beyond claims never extended contending behold subject congratulations daily testimonies increasing harmony throughout nation may humbly repose trust smiles heaven righteous
meet present interesting conjuncture would highly satisfactory could communicate favorable result mission charge negotiation restore peace expectation respect due distinguish sovereign invite offer mediation readiness invitation accept part united state pledge find act legislature liberality plenipotentiary would carry negotiation time would lose british government embrace experiment hasten stop effusion blood prompt cordial acceptance mediation side less doubted nature submit right pretension either side decision umpire afford merely opportunity honorable desirable discuss possible adjust interest british cabinet either mistake desire peace dread british power mislead fallacious calculation disappoint reasonable anticipation communication envoys reach u information subject receive source know mediation decline 1st instance evidence notwithstanding lapse time change disposition british council take place expect circumstance nation proud right conscious strength choice exertion 1 support determination best encouragement derive success pleased almighty bless arm land water whilst proof continue enterprise skill cruiser public private ocean trophy gain capture british american vessel war action give celebrity name victorious commander great inland water enemy also encounter presented achievement naval arm brilliant character important consequence lake erie squadron command captain perry meet british squadron superior force sanguinary conflict end capture whole conduct officer adroit dare well second comrade justly entitle admiration gratitude country fill early page naval annals victory never surpass luster however much may magnitude lake ontario caution british commander favor contingency frustrate effort american commander bring decisive action captain chauncey able however establish ascendancy important theater prove manner effect everything possible opportunity want shin display talent gallantry command success lake erie open passage territory enemy officer command northwestern army transfer war thither rapidly pursue hostile troop flee savage associate force general action quickly terminate capture british dispersion savage force result signally honorable harrison whose military talent prepare colonel johnson mount volunteer whose impetuous onset give decisive blow rank enemy spirit volunteer militia equally brave patriotic bore interesting part scene especially chief magistrate kentucky head whose heroism signalize war establish independence country seek advanced age share hardships battle maintain right safely effect successes rescue inhabitant mi oppression aggravate gross infraction capitulation subject foreign power alienate savage numerous tribe enemy disappointed abandon relieve extensive region country merciless warfare desolate frontier impose citizen harass service consequence naval superiority lake ontario opportunity afford concentrate force water operation provisionally plan set foot possession enemy lawrence however delay produce 1st instance adverse weather unusual violence continuance circumstance attend final movement army prospect one time favorable realize cruelty enemy enlist savage war nation desirous mutual emulation mitigate calamity confine one quarter wherever could turn u exertion effect spar southwestern border creek tribe yield persevere endeavor gradually acquire civilize habit become unfortunate victim seduction war quarter consequence infuriate bloody fanaticism recently propagate among necessary crush war could spread among contiguous tribe could favor enterprise enemy vicinity view force call service united state state georgia tennessee near regular troop corps mississippi territory might chastise savages present peace make lasting impression fear progress expedition far yet know corresponds martial zeal espouse best hope satisfactory issue authorize complete success enterprise execute body hostile savage detachment volunteer militia tn gallant command general coffee still important victory large body gain immediate command jackson officer equally distinguish patriotism military talent systematic perseverance enemy court aid savage quarter natural effect kindle ordinary propensity war passion even among best disposed toward united state ready employed side turn u departure protract forbearance accept service tender thus force upon u yield retaliation mitigate much possible extent character stop far short example enemy owe advantage occasionally gain battle chiefly savage associate control either usual practice indiscriminate massacre defenseless inhabitant scenes carnage without parallel prisoner british arm guard law humanity honorable war enormity enemy equally responsible whether power prevent want knowledge want power still avail instrument respect enemy pursue course threatens consequence afflict humanity stand law great britain naturalizes well know alien comply condition limited short period require united state naturalized subject war employed government common native subject contiguous british province regulation promulgate since commencement war compel citizen united state certain circumstance bear arm whilst native emigrant united state compose much population province number actually borne arm united state within limit do become prisoner war possession british commander province nevertheless sanction appear government think proper select american prisoner war send great britain trial criminal individual emigrate british dominion long prior state war two nation incorporated political society mode recognize law practice great britain make prisoner war banner adopt country fight right safety protection due citizen require effectual interposition behalf like number british prisoner war put confinement notification would experience whatever violence might commit american prisoner war send great britain hop necessary consequence step unadvisedly take part great britain would lead government reflect inconsistency conduct sympathy british american sufferer would arrest cruel career open example unhappily case violation consistency humanity american officer officer double number british soldier confine order close confinement formal notice event retaliation death might inflict prisoner war send great britain trial officer confine would put death also notify time commander british fleet army coast instruct event proceed destructive severity town inhabitant doubt might leave enemy adherence retaliatory resort impose u correspondent number british officer prisoner war hand immediately put close confinement abide fate confine enemy british government apprise determination government retaliate proceeding u contrary legitimate mode warfare fortunate united state power meet enemy deplorable contest honorable join imperious obligation humane purpose effectuate return establish usage war view french government subject long committed negotiation receive elucidation since close late session minister plenipotentiary united state paris enable proper opportunity press object mission prescribe instruction militia always regard great bulwark defense security free state constitution wisely commit national authority use force best provision unsafe military establishment well resource peculiarly adapted country extent exposure united state recommend congress revision militia law purpose secure effectually service detachment call employment placed government united state deserve consideration congress also whether among improvement militia law justice require regulation due precaution defray expense incident 1st assemble well subsequent movement detachment call national service give vessel war public private requisite advantage cruise much importance prize use port market friendly power view recommend congress expediency legal provision may supply defect remove doubt executive authority allow cruiser power war enemy unite state use american port may correspond privilege allow power american cruiser year end 30 september last receipts treasury exceed near 24m produce loan meet demand public service remain treasury day near 7m authority contain act 2nd august last borrowing sum obtain term favorable united state precede loan make present year sums considerable amount necessary obtain way ensue year increase capital country fidelity public engagement keep public credit maintain may expect good ground necessary pecuniary supply want expense current year multiply operation fall within necessarily extensive estimate campaign mass incur cost find disproportionate advantage gain campaign indeed latter stage one quarter less favorable expect addition importance naval success progress campaign fill incident highly honorable american arm attack enemy craney island fort meigs sackett harbor sandusky vigorously successfully repulsed case succeed either frontier except direct peaceable dwelling individual village unprepared undefended hand movement american army follow reduction york fort george erie malden recovery detroit extinction indian war west occupancy command large portion upper canada battle also fight border lawrence though accomplish entire object reflect honor discipline prowess soldiery best augury eventual victory scale place late success south one powerful become one hostile also indian tribe would improper close communication without express thankfulness ought unite abundance preservation internal tranquility stability free institution light divine truth protection every man conscience enjoyment although among blessing number exemption evils war yet never regard great evil friends liberty right nation country prefer degraded condition alternative sword drawn give birth national independence none contemplate magnitude feel value glorious event shrink struggle maintain high happy ground place american people good citizen justice necessity resist wrong usurpation longer bear sufficiently outweigh privation sacrifice inseparable state war reflection moreover peculiarly console whilst war generally aggravate baneful effect internal improvement permanent prosperity nation engage favored situation united state calamity contest compel enter mitigated improvement advantage contest source war increase interruption commerce time cherish multiplied manufacture make u independent country essential branch ought dependent none even rapidly give extent create additional staple future intercourse foreign market much treasure expend inconsiderable portion apply object durable value necessary permanent safety war expose u increase spoliation ocean predatory incursion land develop national mean retaliate former provide protection latter demonstrate every blow aim maritime independence impulse accelerate growth maritime power diffuse mass nation element military discipline instruction augment distribute warlike preparation applicable future use evince zeal valor employ cheerfulness every necessary burden borne great respect right long duration future peace promise could expect without proofs national character resource war prove moreover free government like free government though slow early movement acquire progress force proportion freedom union state guardian freedom safety strengthen every occasion put test fine war vicissitude illustrate capacity destiny united state great flourish powerful nation worthy friendship dispose cultivate others authorized example require observance law justice reciprocity beyond claim never extend contend behold subject congratulation daily testimony increase harmony throughout nation may humbly repose trust smile heaven righteous