CHAPTER XVIII.
And many an aching heart at rising morn, A sad memento of the day that's past, From long protracted slumbers, slowly drawn; From wearied spirits--with a gloom o'ercast.
All business of importance, at this time, was in a manner suspended inNew-York; the face of things wore a dismal aspect, and the greater partof the community were in dismay; occasioned by the continuance ofhostilities with Great Britain. All appeared in a declining state,discouraging to the industry and best prospects of the inhabitants;--andalthough there had been some rumours of peace, it was not yet concluded.
[_Alida_ page 35 (chapter IV):
All material business was in a manner suspended in New-York; the face of things wore a dismal aspect, and the greater part of the community were in dismay. A heavy gloom hung over the inhabitants generally, while all their affairs appeared in a declining state, discouraging to the industry and best prospects of the people.]
A severe battle had lately taken place at New-Orleans, in which theAmericans were victorious. Another was fought some little timeafterwards on Lake Champlain. The British fleet, with 1050 menapproached Plattsburgh, while the American fleet were lying off thatplace. The British fleet bore down upon them in order of battle,commanded by sir George Prevost, Governor General of Canada. CommodoreMacdonough, the American commander, ordered his vessels to be clearedfor action, and gallantly received the enemy. The engagement wasexceedingly obstinate. After a contest of two hours, the British shipsand several sloops of war fell into the hands of the Americans. Beforesunset the temporary batteries of the enemy were all silenced, and everyattempt to cross from Plattsburgh to the American works was repelled. Atnine o'clock the object was abandoned, and the British general hastilydrew off his forces. Large quantities of military stores were leftbehind, and fell into the hands of the Americans.
[_Interesting Events_: Piracies in the West Indies:
An engagement with the pirates ensued, in which the Americans were victorious.]
[_Interesting Events_: Battle on Lake Champlain:
In September, 1814, an army of 14,000 men, under the command of Sir George Prevost, Governor General of Canada, and a fleet on Lake Champlain, under Commodore Downie, carrying 95 guns, and 1050 men, approached Plattsburgh.
The American fleet, commanded by Commodore Macdonough, carried but 86 guns, and 826 men. While lying off Plattsburgh, on the 11th of September, the British fleet bore down upon them in order of battle.
Ordering his vessels to be cleared for action, Commodore Macdonough gallantly received the enemy. The engagement was exceedingly obstinate.... After an engagement of two hours and twenty minutes, the British ships were silenced, and one frigate, one brig, and two sloops of war, fell into the hands of the Americans.]
[_History of New York_:
Before sunset, the temporary batteries of the enemy were all silenced, and every attempt to cross from Plattsburg to the American works repelled. At 9 o'clock, the object was abandoned, and the British general hastily drew off his forces... Large quantities of military stores were abandoned, and fell into the hands of the Americans.]
The people of the United States were at this time divided into twopolitical parties; one party condemned the war as unwise andunnecessary; the other contending that the war was just, and necessary,for the maintenance of national honour. The opposition to the war wasthe greatest in the New England states, and during its continuance thisopposition was confirmed. Enlistments of troops were in some instancesdiscouraged, and dissentions arose between the general and stategovernments, respecting the command of the militia, called out by orderof the former, to defend the sea-board. Accordingly the legislature ofMassachusetts appointed delegates to meet and confer with the delegatesfrom the states of New England, or any of them, upon the subject oftheir public grievances and concerns. The delegates met at Hartford,Connecticut, in 1815, and sat nearly three weeks with closed doors. Thisconvention consisted of delegates from the state of Massachusetts,Connecticut, and Rhode Island; two members from New Hampshire, and onefrom Vermont. After their adjournment, the convention published anaddress, charging the nation with pursuing measures hostile to theinterest of New England, and recommended amendments to the FederalConstitution.
[_Interesting Events_: Hartford Convention (quoting "Goodrich"):
During the second war with Great Britain, the people of the United States were divided into two political parties, one party condemning the war as unwise and unnecessary; the other contending that the war was just, and necessary for the maintenance of national honor. The opposition to the war was the greatest in the New-England States, and during its continuance this opposition was confirmed. Enlistments of troops was [_sic_] in some instances discouraged, and dissentions arose between the general and state governments, respecting the command of the militia, called out by order of the former, to defend the sea-board. In October, 1814, the Legislature of Massachusetts appointed "delegates to meet and confer with the delegates from the States of New England, or any of them, upon the subjects of their public grievances and concerns." The delegates met at Hartford, Con. Dec. 15th, 1814, and sat nearly three weeks with closed doors. This Convention consisted of delegates from the States of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode-Island; two members from New-Hampshire and one from Vermont: these last were appointed at County meetings. After their adjournment, the Convention published an address, charging the National government with pursuing measures hostile to the interests of New-England, and recommending amendments to the Federal Constitution.]
The report of the Hartford Convention concluded with the resolutionproviding for the calling of another convention, should the UnitedStates refuse their consent to some arrangements,--whereby the NewEngland States, separately, or in concert, might be empowered to assumeupon themselves the defence of their territory against the enemy. Thecommittee appointed to communicate these resolutions to Congress, met atWashington the news of peace: and owing to this event, anotherConvention was not called. And may it never be the fate of America, tobe again involved in hostilities with her mother country, from whence isderived her revered religion;--each nation possessing towards the otherreciprocal fellow-feelings, becoming Christian brethren.
[_Interesting Events_: Hartford Convention (quoting "Goodrich"):
The report of the Convention concluded with a resolution, providing for the calling of another convention, should the United States "refuse their consent to some arrangement whereby the New England States, separately, or in concert, might be empowered to assume upon themselves the defence of their territory against the enemy"....
The committee appointed to communicate these resolutions to Congress, met at Washington the news of peace: and owing to this event another Convention was not called.]
How shall we to his memory raise A theme that's worthy to record; The tribute of a nation's praise In grateful accents sent abroad.
Let eloquence his deeds proclaim. From sea-beat strand to mountain goal; Let hist'ry write his peaceful name. High on her truth-illumin'd scroll.
Let poetry and art through earth, The page inspire, the canvass warm, In glowing words record his worth. In living marble mould his form.
A fame so bright will never fade, A name so dear will deathless be; For on our country's shrine he laid The charter of her liberty.
Praise be to God: his love bestowed The chief, the patriot, and the sage; Praise God! to him our father owed This fair and goodly heritage.
The sacred gift time shall not mar. But wisdom guard what valour won, While beams serene her guiding star, And glory points to Madison.
[Park Benjamin: Ode on the Death of James Madison (here quoted from _The American Monthly Magazine_, N.S. 2, 1836):
How shall we mourn the glorious dead? What trophy rear above his grave, For whom a nation's tears are shed-- A nation's
funeral banners wave!
Let Eloquence his deeds proclaim, From sea-beat strand to mountain goal; Let Hist'ry write his peaceful name, High on her truth-illumined scroll.
Let Poetry and Art through Earth The page inspire, the canvass warm-- In glowing words record his worth, In living marble mould his form.
A fame so bright will never fade, A name so dear will deathless be; For on our country's shrine he laid The charter of her liberty.
Praise be to God! His love bestowed The chief, the patriot, and the sage; Praise God! to Him our fathers owed This fair and goodly heritage.
The sacred gift, time shall not mar, But Wisdom guard what Valor won-- While beams serene her guiding star, And Glory points to Madison!]
Alida; or, Miscellaneous Sketches of Incidents During the Late American War. Page 57
