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jest, the wise calculation of losses and expenditures, and the dull repetition of the Fulton folly,' seemed to have no end. Never did a single encouraging remark, a bright hope, or a warm wish, cross my path. Silence itself was but politeness, veiling its doubts or hiding its reproaches.

15. At length the day arrived when the experiment was to be put into operation. To me it was a most trying occasion. The moment came in which the word was to be given

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for the vessel to move. My friends were in groups on the deck. There was anxiety mixed with fear among them. They were silent, and sad, and weary. I read in their looks nothing but disaster, and almost repented of my efforts. signal was given, and the boat moved a short distance, and then stopped. To the silence of the preceding moment now succeeded murmurs of discontent, and agitations, and whispers, and shrugs. I could hear distinctly repeated, 'I told you it would be so-it is a foolish scheme-I wish we were well out of it.'

16. I elevated myself upon a platform and addressed the assembly. I stated that I knew what was the matter; and if they would be quiet, ana indulge me for a half-hour, I

1807

British Aggressions.

203

would either go on or abandon the voyage for that time. This short respite was conceded. I went below, and examined the machinery, and discovered that the cause was a slight maladjustment of some of the work. In a short period it was obviated. The boat was again put in motion. She con tinued to move on, but all my friends were still incredulous. None seemed willing to trust the evidence of their own senses.

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How the

17. She had the most terrific appearance, from other vessels which were navigating the river. The first steamboats used dry pine wood for fuel, which sends forth a column of ignited vapor many feet above the flue, and whenever the fire is stirred a galaxy of sparks fly off, and Clermont was in the night have a very brilliant and beautiful ap- regarded. pearance. This light of the Clermont first attracted the attention of the crews of other vessels. Notwithstanding the

wind and tide were adverse to its approach, they saw with astonishment that it was rapidly coming towards them; and when it came so near that the noise of the machinery and paddles was heard, the crews (if what was said in the newspapers of the time be true) in some instances shrunk beneath their decks from the terrific sight, others deserting their vessels escaped to the shore, while others prostrated themselves and besought Providence to protect them from the approaches of the horrible monster which was marching on the tides and lighting its path by the fires which it vomited." The trip, from the city of New York to Albany, was completed in thirty-six hours. 'Even then it was doubted whether it could be made again, or, if it could, whether it would be of any great value."

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18. England and France were at war at this time; and while they were making prizes of each other's vessels, the American ships were finding full employment in carrying merchandise to the ports of both nations. To completely destroy the commerce of France, the British government declared the ports of France to be in a state of blockade. Napoleon Bonaparte, who was

British

aggressions.

at the head of the French government, declared a blockade of the British islands. These decrees, in effect, closed Europe against American commerce. Our vessels were captured, and our merchants consequently suffered grievous losses.

19. A still greater grievance of the Americans was the socalled "right of search," by which Great Britain claimed the right to search American vessels on the ocean, and take from them all sailors of English birth, for the purpose of impressing them-that is, compelling them to serve in the British navy. This claim was based upon the doctrine that a person born on English soil is always an English subject. He may go to the country of another nation, he may reside even to the end of his days,-still he is a British subject. The United States, on the other hand, have always held to the doctrine that men may give up the citizenship which they inherited, and transfer their allegiance to other countries.

there many years,

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20. As these doctrines were in conflict, it followed that when the news reached the United States that British shipsof-war had stopped American merchantmen on the high seas and impressed their seamen, a war-spirit broke out. The cry of Free Trade and Sailors' Rights" resounded in every American port. As fresh outrages were perpetrated,' this spirit grew stronger and more determined, and spread to every part of the country. "In passing from town to town, the traveler saw groups of angry men discussing and denouncing the tyranny of England." It was known that more than six thousand American sailors had been seized by British warships, and pressed into the hated service of a hated nation.

In the summer of 1807, an event occurred which greatly increased the popular excitement against England. The British frigate Leopard, cruising in American waters, demanded permission to search the American frigate Chesapeake, then off the coast of Virginia, alleging that there were British deserters on board. As this was refused, she fired into the Chesapeake, and the latter, being unprepared for action, struck her colors, after having twenty-one of her crew killed or wounded. Four persons, asserted to be deserters, were then carried on board the Leopard, but three of them, as was afterwards proved, were native Americans,

1808

The Embargo.

205

21. Our government remonstrated, but in vain. It then undertook to retaliate by laying an embargo upon American vessels-that is, prohibiting them from sailing to foreign ports. The law also prohibited all foreign ships The from carrying cargoes from American ports. Embargo. This sudden suspension of commerce, while it inflicted damage on France and England, especially the latter, inflicted greater damage upon the United States, for "the embargo shut ourselves out from the trade of the whole world. It only cut off England from that of the United States. The loud outcries from the opponents of the measure, especially from New England," made the administration unpopular, the act was repealed, and a non-intercourse law, prohibiting all commerce with France and England, substituted.

Madison's Administration.

The 4th

1 Jefferson served two terms. Towards the end of the second, in imitation of the example set by Washington, he declined to be a candidate again, and was succeeded by James Madison, of Virginia, the candidate of President. the Anti-Federalists, or, as they were then called, the Republicans. This was the same party, in most part, that had elected and supported Jefferson. The new president's administration began. on the 4th of March, 1809.1

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MADISON.

2. As the British still continued their unjust claims and measures, Congress

1 Before Madison became president, the Indians on the western frontier, influenced by British emissaries, and led on by their great chief Tecumseh, began to form a confederacy against the United States. To check their hostilities, General Harrison was sent to the West, and in the important battle of Tippecanoe in the western part of Indiana, while Tecumseh was absent, defeated them with great loss (1811).

declared war against Great Britain in June, 1812. General Hull, the governor of Michigan Territory, who War declared -Invasion had served with credit in the war of the Revoluof Canada. tion, was at the time marching with a force of less than two thousand men from Ohio to Detroit. His

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object was to defend the northwestern frontier from the Indians. While on the march he received news of the declaration of war. Arriving at Detroit, which then contained about eight hundred inhabitants, he crossed the river and thus invaded Canada. After some operations of little importance, he recrossed the river and took post at Detroit. Here he was besieged by a large force

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of British and Indians, and, though his troops felt confident of victory in the expected battle, he ordered a white flag to be hoisted, and gave up the place without striking a single blow.1

3. During the first year of the war the Americans met with nothing but disaster in their operations on the land. On the ocean, however, several brilliant victories cheered them. Eng

Victories land, with her thousand ships, despised the enon the ocean, emy who came against her with less than twenty. At sea, England felt herself omnipotent, but it was there

1 Two years after, Hull was tried by a court-martial, pronounced guilty of cowardice, and sentenced to be shot; but, on account of his Revolutionary services, which were many and heroic, he was pardoned. It is believed at the present day by those who are well acquainted with the facts in the case, that Hull did only his duty, painful as it was, in making the surrender, and that, consequently, the sentence was unjust.

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