are led by able and experienced officers. The ablest commanders in the revolutionary war had paid the debt of nature, and those who remained were far advanced in life, and from long repose had laid aside their military habits. There prevailed, however, a disposition to place reliance on the officers of the revolution, from the mere circumstance of having been such; an error which was not corrected until severely schooled by experience.—Such was the situation of affairs, previous to the commencement of hostilities,

But from the hour when war was declared, a steady and systematical opposition was regularly organized against it, The measure itself, and its authors and abettors, were denounced with the utmost virulence. It was, however, at first opposed on the ground of inexpediency, and the want of preparation. Afterwards its opposers rose in their denunciations, and asserted that it was unholy, wicked, base, perfidious, unjust, cruel, and corrupt, Every man who in any degree co-operated in it, or gave assistance to carry it on, was loaded with execration; and in one of the daily papers it was pronounced to be " the most wicked and unjust war that ever was waged," The reader who has perused the account of Mr. Henry's mission from Canada to Massachusetts, and some other of the eastern states, will not be surprised at this violent and rebellious opposition, A party had been formed, denominated the "Peace Party," which combined nearly the whole of the federalists throughout the Union. Their object was, to expose the war, the administration, the congress who declared it, and all who supported it, to reprobation; and to force the government to make peace. This party embraced various descriptions of persons, all enlisted under the banners of federalism; whom, as the history of that period is but little known in this country, it may not be improper to enumerate.

First, those who were clamorous for war with England in 1793, during Washington's administration, for the injuries she had inflicted on their commerce.

Secondly, those who, in 1798, while Adams held the presidency, declared and supported the war against France for similar reasons.

Thirdly, those who were vociferous for war against Spain, in 1803, when Jefferson was president; because he interdicted the United States from the right of deposit at New Orleans,

See page 59.

Fourthly, those who in 1805-6, under the same admi nistration, urged the government to "resist the aggressions of England," as they then expressed themselves, and to make the alternative-redress of wrongs, or war.

Fifthly, those who, after the attack upon the Chesapeak, in 1807, were urgent for war, as the only mode, according to them, in which satisfaction could be had for the "outrage and insult."

To enable the reader to make a fair comparison of the several degrees of complaint, at these several periods of time, a synoptical view of them is annexed:

The calm observer may perhaps feel some degree of astonishment, on reading the above account of dissensions that existed in the United States, at the commencement of hostilities in 1812; but should he inform himself on the nature and existence of prejudice, passion, obstinacy, and, above all, with the character and influence of partyspirit, the mystery would vanish at once: for he would then see that these, and not reason, decide upon political questions.

The attention of all men, of whatever party, was now directed to the time and place when and where the first blow would be struck; and it was generally believed that Canada would be the first scene of action. It was the universal opinion, that at this time, military preparations in that province, were in no greater state of forwardness than on the part of the United States. Governor Hull, an old revolutionary officer, at the head of about 2,200 men, was

on his march to Detroit, nine miles below lake Erie, with a view of putting an end to Indian hostilities, when he received information of the declaration of war. His force consisted of 1,000 regulars and 1,200 volunteers from the state of Ohio. At Urbanna, in Virginia, he was joined by the fourth regiment of infantry, and immediately commenced his march through a marshy country, without roads for 120 miles. It was on the last of June when this little army reached the Rapids, having encountered considerable obstacles, in passing through a gloomy and almost trackless wilderness; on the 5th of July they encamped at Spring-wells, within a few miles of Detroit.

This was deemed the favourable moment for commencing active operations against Upper Canada, and an immediate invasion was determined on. The British, aware of the design, began to throw up a battery to oppose the landing; and, after being twice foiled in the attempt, succeeded the third time, mounting seven small cannon and two mortars. On the 12th, the American troops embarked, and landed without opposition, some distance above the fort. They immediately took possession of the village of Sandwich, but found that the principal part of the inhabitants had been marched to Malden, to assist in the defence of that place. A proclamation was now issued by Hull, declaring his intention of invading Canada, but assuring protection to the inhabitants, and advising them to take no part in the contest. In a few days possession was taken of the whole country along the river Thames, a beautiful river, whose borders are highly cultivated, and well settled. A force of 280 men was then despatched against fort Malden, situated at the junction of Detroit river with lake Erie, and thirteen miles from general Hull's camp.

When the advanced party reached Canard's river, four miles above Malden, it was found that the British had taken possession of the bridge; the other part of the detachment, which was to have forded the river five miles below, was frustrated in their design, from ignorance of the country in the mean time, the alarm had been given, and all the posts were considerably reinforced. This induced the invading army to retire; but several skirmishes ensued, with various success, in which both sides sustained considerable loss. These partial actions, however, were only preludes to the great object in view, the reduction of fort Malden; preparations for which proceeded but slowly: indeed it seemed that every thing was to be got

ready after the invasion: It was not until near the begin ning of August, that two 24-pounders and three howitzers were mounted; and no attempt in the meanwhile had been made upon the fort. But a most unexpected disaster had happened to the Americans during the preceding month. This was the capture of Michillimackinac, on the 17th.o July, by a strong party of British troops and Indians, which had embarked at St. Joseph's the day before. The loss of this fort, which was garrisoned by only one lieu tenant and fifty-six men, was afterwards severely felt. had been called the American Gibraltar; and from its situation on a strait of the same name, which connects Jakes Michigan and Huron, 240 miles distant from Detroit, it completely commands the north-west trade, which is compelled to pass under the batteries.

It

This intelligence reached general. Hull on the 23d of July, while engaged in preparing for the attack on Malden. The British, by this time, were considerably reinforced, and aided by an additional number of Indians. The golden moment had been suffered to pass. The officers of the besieging army had given their opinion, that the fort must inevitably fall, if an assault was made in the first instance; but the general declined under various pretexts; one of which was, that he had received no positive instructions to invade Canada! But he soon became fully sensible of his error; the necessity of possessing the post becoming every day more apparent. With the fall of Michillimackinac, Chicago, on lake Michigan, and all the other western posts, might be expected to follow, and the Indian tribes would move down with all their united force, rendering the situation of his army extremely critical. Foreseeing these events, he had sent repeated expresses for reinforcements, in confident expectation of which, he delayed the attack on Malden, contenting himself with carrying on a vigilant partisan war, in itself of little consequence. Reinforcements were not hastened, from the confident belief which prevailed, that the force under his command was fully sufficient for all the purposes which could be accomplished, in that quarter. The spirits which had hitherto animated the troops, were now giving way to feelings of despendency; while their commander had by this time nearly lost their confidence.

By the first of August, every thing being ready for the long-intended attack, a council of war was summoned, and the result was a determination to make it immediately. This decision met the general's approval, and the day was actually appointed when the attempt would be made.

A:

short time previous to this, à detachment of Ohio volunteers had arrived at the river Raisin, with supplies for Hull's army. As they had experienced difficulties on their march, by the attacks of the enemy, it was thought prudent to send a body of troops for their protection. Accordingly major Vanhorn, with 150 men, was sent upon that important duty. On his second day's march, near Brownstown, he was suddenly attacked on all sides by British and Indians, when after a severe conflict, in which he had nineteen killed and nine wounded, he succeeded in bringing off his detachment. Among the killed were three captains; one captain and a subaltern were wounded.

Scarcely had major Vanhorn's party proceeded on their expedition, when a sudden and unexpected change took place in the determination of the commander in chief; Without any apparent cause, he announced his intention of abandoning not only the design upon Malden, but even the position which he then held! This operated like a thunderbolt upon his army; the volunteers murmured loudly; they upbraided their commander with cowardice, and even treachery; and it was with difficulty they could be restrained by their own officers, in whom they confided. The troops were re-embarked, and reached the opposite shore on the 8th of August. Such was the termination of this ill-judged expedition into Canada, of whose success, an account was every moment expected in the United States; but it was decreed that the misfortunes of their arms should not terminate here. A detachment of about 300 men was left at Sandwich, for the purpose of protecting the Canadians who had been induced, by general Hall's proclamation, to join the American standard.

One thing was now on all hands considered indispensable, the opening the communication with the river Raisin, where the situation of the troops, having in possession the supplies for the army, was rendered extremely unpleasant," being cut off from all intercourse with the state of Ohio. To effect this object, 300 regulars and 200 militia were detached, under the command of colonel Miller. The force of the enemy had been increased by a large body of Indians, under the celebrated chief Tecumsech.* The

This distinguished warrior, and extraordinary man, had received the stamp of greatness from the band of nature. He was the determined foe of civilization, and had for years been labouring to unite all the Indian tribes in opposing the progress of the settlements to the westward. He possessed a bold and commanding eloquence, infinitely superior to whatever has been recorded of any of his countrymen ; and he exhausted every topic calculated to operate on their minds, and alienate their affections from the white people. Amongst the different nations his speeches had a powerful effect; but especially among the Creeks. This savage Demos.