ing it responsible for its own misdeeds, unmitigated by those of another. For the difference made between G. Britain and France, by the application of the non-importation act against EngJand only, the motive has been already too often explained, and is too well known to require further illustration. In the commercial restrictions to which the U. States resorted as an evidence of their sensibility, and a mild retaliation of their wrongs, they invariably placed both powers on the same footing, holding to each in respect to itself, the same accommodation, in case it accepted the condition offered ; and in respect to the other, the same restraint, if it refused. Had the British government confirmed the arrangement which was entered into with the British minister in 1809, and France maintained her Decrees, with France would the U. States have had to resist, with the firmness belonging to their character, the continued violation of their rights. The committee do not hesitate to declare, that France has greatly injured the U. States, and that satisfactory reparation has not been made for many of those injuries. But, that is a concern which the U. States will look to and settle for themselves. The high character of the American people, is a sufficient pledge to the world, that they will not fail to settle it, on conditions which they have a right to claim. More recently, the true policy of the British government towards the U. States has been completely unfolded. It has been publicly declared by those in power, that the Orders in Council should not be repealed, until the French government had revoked all its internal restraints on the British commerce, and that the trade of the U. States, with France and her allies, should be prohibited until G. Britain was also allowed to trade with them. By this declaration, it appears, that to satisfy the pretensions of the British government, the U. States must join G. Britain in the war with France, and prosecute the war, until France should be subdued, for without her subjugation, it were in vain to presume on such a concession. The hostility of the British government has been still farther disclosed. It has been made manifest that the U. States are considered by it as the commercial rival of G. Britain, and that their prosperity and growth are incompatible with their welfare. When all these circumstances are taken into consideration, it is impossible for your committee to doubt the motives which have governed the British ministry in all its measures towards the U. States since the year 1805. Equally is it impossible to doubt, longer, the course which the U. States ought to pursue towards G. Britain. From this view of the multiplied wrongs of the British government since the commencement of the present war, it must be evident to the impartial world, that the contest which is now forced on the U. States, is radically a contest for their sovereignty and independence. Your committee will not enlarge on any of the injuries, however great, which have had a transitory effect. They wish to call the attention of the House to those of a permanent nature only, which intrench so deeply on our most important rights, and would so extensively and vitally our best interests, as could not fail to deprive the U. States of the principal advantages of their revolution, if submitted to. The control of our commerce by G. Britain, in regulating it at pleasure, and almost expelling it from the ocean; the oppressive manner in which these regulations have been carried into effect, by seizing and confiscating such of our vessels with their cargoes, as were said to have violated her edicts, often without previous warning of their danger; the impressment of our citizens from on board our own vessels, on the high seas, and elsewere, and holding them in bondage until it suited the convenience of their oppressors to deliver them up, are encroachments of that high and dangerous tendency which could not fail to produce that peruicious effect, nor would those be the only consequences that would result from it. The British government might for a while, be satisfied with the ascendency thus gained over us, but its pretensions would soon increase. The proof which so complete and disgraceful a submission to its authority, would afford of our degeneracy, could not fail to inspire confidence, that there was no limit to which its usurpations, and our degradations might not be carried. Your committee, believing that the freeborn sons of America are worthy to enjoy the liberty which their fathers purchased at the price of so much blood and treasure, and seeing, in the measures adopted by G. Britain, a course commenced and persisted in, which might lead to a loss of national character and independence, feel no hesitation in advising resistance by force, in which the Americans of the present day will prove to the enemy and the world that we have not only inherited that liberty which our farthers gave us, but also the will and power to maintain it. Relying on patriotism of the nation, and confidently trusting that the Lord of Hosts will go with us to battle in a righteous cause, and crown our efforts with success-your committee recommend an appeal to ARMS. the Soon after the above Report was read, Mr Calhoun, one of the Committee of Foreign Relations, on leave being given, presented the following Bill, declaring war between Great-Britain and her dependencies, and the United States and their territories; which, after several day's debate, passed the Senate and House of Representatives, and was approved by the Pres.de .t, on the 18th day of June. AN ACT, Declaring War between the United Kingdom of Great-Britain and Ireland, and the dependencies thereof, and the United States of America, and their Territories. BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That WAR be, and the same is hereby deciared to exist, between the United Kingdom of Great-Britain and Ireland and the dependencies thereof, and the United States of America and their Territories: and that the President of the United States be, and he is hereby authorised to use the whole land and naval force of the United States, to carry the same into effect, and to issue to private armed vessels of the United States, commissions, or letters of marque and general reprisal, in such form as he shall think proper, and under the Seal of the United States, against the vessels, goods, and effects of the government of the same United Kingdom of Great-Britain and Ireland, and the subjects thereof. Approved. June 18, 1812. JAMES MADISON. Yeas and Nays on the above Bill. IN THE SENATE. Yeas 19. -Nays 13. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. New-Hampshire-Yeas, Dinsmore, Hall, and Harper, 3 -Nays, Bartlett and Sullivan, 2. Massachusetts Yeas, Seaver, Carr, Green, Richardson, Turner, and Widgery, 6-Nays, Quincy, Reed, Taggart, Ely, Brigham. White, Tallman, and Wheaton, 8. Rhode-Island-None-Nays, Potter and Jackson, 2. Vermont-Yeas, Fisk, Shaw, and Strong, 3--Nays, Chittenden, 1. Connecticut-None-Nays, Sturges, Davenport, Moseley, Champion, Tallmadge, Pitkin, and Law, 7. New-York-Yeas, Pond, Avery, and Sage, 3-Nays, Bleecker, Emott, Cooke, Fitch, Gold, Sammons, Stow, Tracy, Van Cortlandt, Mitchill, and Metcalf, 11. New-Jersey Yeas, Condit, and Morgan, 2-Nays, Boyd, Hufty, Maxwell, and Newbold, 4. Pennsylvania-Yeas, Seybert, Anderson, Brown, Roberts, Findley, Smilie, Lyle, Whitehill, Bard, Davis, Lefevre, Hyneman, Piper, Lacock, Crawford, and Smith, 16 -Nays, Milnor, and Rodman, 2. Delaware-None-Nays, Ridgely, 1. Maryland-Yeas, Kent, Little, M'Kim, Ringgold, Brown, and Archer, 6-Nays, Key, Goldsborough, and Start, 3. Virgin a Yeas, Nelson, Gholson, Goodwyn, Newton, Taliaferro, Dawson, Bassett, Smith, Hawes, Roane, M'Koy, Pleasants, Clopton, and Burwell, 14-Nays, Randolph, Lewis, Baker, Breckenridge, and Wilson, 5. North-Carolina-Yeas, Alston, Blackledge, Macon, King, Cochran, and Pickens, 6-Nays, Pearson, M'Bryde, and Stanford, 3. South-Carolina-Yeas, Williams, Cheves, Lowndes, Butler, Calhoun, Earle, Winn, and Moore, 8-Nay's, None. Georgia-Yeas, Troup, Bibb, and Hall, 3-Nays, None. Kentucky--Yeas, Johnson, Desha, New, M'Kee, and Ormsby, 5-Nays, None. i ennessee-Yeas, Rhea, Grundy, and Sevier, 3-Nays, None. Ohio, Yeas, Morrow, 1-Nays, None. Yeas, 98-Nays 62-Majority 36. The Declaration of War, was announced the day after its passage, by the President's Proclamation, of which the following is a copy: BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. WHEREAS the Congress of the U. States, by virtue of the constituted authority vested in them, have declared by their act, bearing date the eighteenth day of the present month, that WAR exists between the United Kingdom of G. Britain and Ireland, and the dependencies thereof, and the U. States of America, and their Territories: Now, therefore, I, JAMES MADISON, President of the U. States of America, do hereby proclaim the same to all whom it may concern; and I do specially enjoin on all per⚫sons holding offices, civil or military, under the authority of the United States, that they be vigilant and zealous in discharging the duties respectively incident thereto and I do moreover exhort all the good people of the United States, as they love their country; as they value the precious heritage derived from the virtue and valor of their fathers; as they feel the wrongs which have forced on them the last resort of injured nations; and as they consult the best means, under the blessing of Divine Providence, of abridging its calamities; that they exert themselves in preserving order, in promoting concord, in maintaining the authority and efficacy of the laws, and in supporting and invigorating all the measures which may be adopted by the constituted authorities, for obtaining a speedy, a just, and an honorable peace. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed to these presents. (SEAL) DONE at the City of Washington, the nineteenth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States the thirty sixth. (Signed) By the President, (Signed) JAMES MADISON. JAMES MONROE, |