between the contending powers, with respect to the con duct of America, and events occurred, calculated to injure her commerce, and to disturb her peace.

The

This

Berlin Decree of 1806, and that of Milan, in the succeeding year, (both issued by the French government, to prevent the American flag from trading with their enemy,) were followed by the British Orders in Coun cil; no less extensive than the former in the design, and equally repugnant to the law of nations. In addition to these circumstances, a cause of irritation existed some time between the United States and Great Britain. was the right of search, claimed by Great Britain, as one of her prerogatives. This was to take her native born subjects, wherever found, for her navy, and to search American vessels for that purpose. Notwithstanding the remonstrances of the American government, the officers of the British navy were not unfrequently seizing native born British subjects, who had voluntarily enlisted on board our vessels, and had also impressed into the British service some thousands of American seamen.

"On the 22d of June, 1807, the indignation of the country was aroused by the attack on the American frigate Chesapeake, off the Capes of Virginia, by the British frigate Leopard; four men were killed, and sixteen were wounded on board the Chesapeake, and four seamen impressed, three of whom were natives of America."

In consequence of the British and French decrees, a general capture of all American property on the seas seemed almost inevitable. Congress therefore, on the recommendation of the president, on the 22d of December, 1807, laid an embargo on all vessels within the jurisdiction of the United States. "In a moment, the commerce of the American Republic, from being, in point of extent, the second in the world, was reduced to a coasting trade between the individual States." The opposition to the act in several States was so great, that they declared against it; and individuals throughout the whole, seized every opportunity of infringement. In

1809, congress repealed the embargo law, and substi tuted a non-intercourse with France and England.

On the 18th of June, 1812, an act was passed declaring war against Great Britain. This act passed the house of representatives by a majority of 89 to 49; in the senate by a majority of 19 to 13. In the manifesto of the president, the reasons of the war were stated to be "the impressment of American seamen by the British; the blockade of her enemies' ports, supported by no adequate force, in consequence of which the American commerce had been plundered in every sea; and the British orders in council."

105. Mob in Baltimore.

"A few days after the declaration of war the town of Baltimore was seriously disturbed. Some harsh strictures on the conduct of government having appeared in a newspaper of that city, entitled the "Federal Republican," the resentment of the opposite party was shown by destroying the office and press of that establishment. The commotion excited by this outrage had, however, in a great measure subsided, and the transaction was brought before a criminal court for investigation. But events more alarming and tragical shortly afterwards succeeded. On the 26th of July, Mr. Hanson, the leading editor of the obnoxious journal, who had deemed it prudent to leave the disordered city, returned, accompanied by his political adherents; amongst whom was General Henry Lee, of Alexandria, an officer distinguished in the revolution, for his bravery in partisan warfare at the head of a legion of cavalry, afterwards governor of Virginia, and a representative from that State in the congress of the Federal Government. Determined to re-commence the paper, by first printing it in Georgetown, in the District of Columbia, and then transmitting it to Baltimore for distribution, a house was for this purpose occupied in Charles-street, secured

against external violence, and guarded by a party well provided for defence. On the 28th, papers were accordingly issued. These contained severe animadver sions against the mayor, police, and the people of Baitimore, for the depredations committed on the establishment in the preceding month, and were generally cir culated throughout the city.

"In the course of the day it became known that Mr. Hanson was in the new office in Charles-street, and it was early whispered that the building would be assailed. A number of citizens who espoused his opinions, went, therefore, to the house, and joined in its protection. Towards the evening, a crowd of boys collected; who, after using opprobrious epithets to those within, began to throw stones at the windows; and about the same time, a person on the pavement, endeavouring to dissuade the youths from mischief, was severely wounded by something ponderous thrown from the house. They were cautioned from the windows to desist; but still continued to assail the place with stones. Two muskets were then fired from the upper story; charged, it was supposed, with blank cartridges, to deter them from further violence; immediately the crowd in the street greatly increased; the boys were displaced by men; the sashes of the lower windows were broken, and attempts made to force the door. Muskets, in quick succession, were discharged from the house; some military arrived to disperse the crowd; several shots were fired in return; and at length a Dr. Gale was killed by a shot from the office door. The irritation of the mob was increased. They planted a cannon against the house, but were restrained from discharging it, by the timely arrival of an additional military force, and an agreement that the persons in the house would surrender to the civil authority. Accordingly, early in the following morning, having received assurances on which they thought themselves safe in relying, they surrendered, and were conducted to the county jail, contiguous to the city. The party consisted of about twenty persons; amongst whom were General Lee, General James Lingan, and Mr. Hanson..

"The mayor directed the sheriff to use every precaution to secure the doors of the prison, and the commander of the troops to employ a competent force to preserve the peace. In the evening every thing bore the appearance of tranquillity; and the soldiers, by the consent of the magistrate, were dismissed. But, shortly after dark, a great crowd of disorderly persons reassembled about the jail, and manifested an intention to force it open. On being apprised of this, the mayor hastened to the spot, and with the aid of a few other gentlemen, for a while prevented the execution of the design: but they were at length overpowered by the number and violence of the assailants. The mayor was carried away by force; and the turnkey compelled to open the doors. A tragedy ensued, which cannot be described it can be imagined only by those who are familiar with scenes of blood. General Lingan was killed; eleven were beaten and mangled with weapons of every description, such as stones, bludgeons, and sledge-hammers, and then thrown as dead, into one pile, outside of the door. A few of the prisoners fortunately escaped through the crowd: Mr. Hanson, fainting from his repeated wounds, was carried by a gentleman, (of opposite political sentiments,) at the hazard of his own life, across the adjoining river, whence he with difficulty reached the dwelling of a friend.

64

"No effectual inquisition was ever made into this signal violation of the peace, nor punishment inflicted on the guilty. The leaders, on both sides, underwent trials; but, owing to the inflammation of public feeling, they were acquitted."*

106. General Hull's Surrender.

Soon after the declaration of war, on the 16th of August, General Hull, the governor of Michigan Territory, surrendered his whole army, and the fort at Detroit, without a single battle, to General Brock. "So entirely un

* Grimshaw's Hist. U. S.

prepared was the public for this extraordinary event, that no one could have believed it to have taken place, until communicated from an official source." Hull had been sent at the head of about 2,500 men, to Detroit, with a view of putting an end to the Indian hostilities in that part of the country. At the time of the surrender of the fort, it is said that his force consisted of more than 1000 men, that of the British of 1300, of whom more than half were Indians. When the British column had arrived within 500 yards of the American lines, General Hull ordered his men, who were placed in a favourable situation to annoy the enemy, to retreat into the fort, and that the cannon should not be fired. "Immediately there was heard a universal burst of indignation." The order, however, could not be disobeyed. The men were ordered to stack their arms; a white flag was hung out upon the walls, and a communication passed between the two generals, which was shortly followed by a capitulation. Not only the American force at Detroit, but various detachments from the fort, the volunteers, and all the provisions at Raisin, the fortified posts and garrisons, and the whole territory and inhabitants of Michigan, were delivered over to the commanding general of the British forces. Two thousand five hundred stand of arms, forty barrels of powder, and twenty-five iron and eight brass pieces of ordnance, the greater part of which had been captured from the British in the revolutionary war, were surrendered with them. The American volunteers and militia were sent home, on condition of not serving again during the war, unless exchanged. The general, and the regular troops were sent to Quebec as prisoners of

war.

Being exchanged, General Hull was prosecuted by the government of the United States, and arraigned before a military tribunal, who acquitted him of the charge of treason, but sentenced him to death, for cowardice and unofficerlike conduct. But in consequence of his age and revolutionary services, the president remitted the punishment of death, but deprived him of all military command.