MARCH, 1812. British Intrigues. H. OF R. nothing of the notes taken by gentlemen themselves; whether it was possible, even if desirable, that the contents of these papers could be kept from the public eye? Was it not better that an authorized and correct transcript of them, under the sanction of the House, should be sent to press, than that they should be mutilated, and presented to the public with no more similitude to the original than the reports which passed to the great mass of the nation of the acts and proceedings of this House? Ours is a Government of the people, and ought to have no secrets. It is a Government, which, from the very nature of its ori action, to the success of which, secrecy is so very valuable and favorable. On the whole, then, although he conceived the suggestions of the gentleman from Maryland entitled to the highest respect, because he thought they did honor at once to his heart and understanding, yet perhaps it would be as well to send these papers to press, although he believed that the opinion of a discreet and select committee of the House on the subject would not render the decision less mature or less safe. of those who would, without inquiry, take the words of a spy, traitor, and villain, as truth. It might be well to print a sufficient number for the House, but no more until they knew more about it. However gentlemen in the Eastern States might have been dissatisfied at particular measures, the embargo law for instance, their opposition to them had arisen from their operation on their particular interests, and not that they had any disposition to sever themselves from the Union. This business had been very correctly communicated by the Executive to Congress; but they ought to act on it with temper, prudence, and coolness. Mr. W. protested against consid-gin, cannot use that despatch and promptitude of ering any such disposition as it attributed to a certain party to exist, particularly in the spot which has been frequently and emphatically styled the cradle of the Revolution. He could not feel the same disposition which some appeared to do, to give consequence to this affair. Mr. TROUP did not consider these papers as involving the character of any portion of our people. They appeared to him to be calculated merely to put the people on their guard against foreign emissaries or agents employed for the purpose of effecting a dismemberment of this Union. But there was another aspect in which these As to the opinions this person expresses of par- papers were to be viewed. If they were worthy ties, &c., they are merely the individual specula- of being communicated to the House by the Extions of this man, and cannot have much weight.ecutive, under the discharge of a solemn ConstiBut the documents have a most important bear- tutional obligation, they are, or ought to be, ing. They establish the fact, that a foreign Gov-worthy of being acted upon by us. Although ernment, on the eve of hostility with us, has for the author of this information had been, and persome time past employed an agent to foment divi-haps justly, branded by gentlemen of all descripsions among us; and another fact, which, consid- tions of party with the epithets of traitor and ered in connexion with other circumstances, is of spy; and although the evidence of a person great importance. They show the deep-rooted standing in his peculiar situation ought to be rehostility of this foreign Power to our Republican ceived with many grains, he might say even Government and liberties-a hostility which pounds, of allowance, it did not therefore follow could stop nothing short of a dismemberment of that a committee would not have it in their power the country. After the affair of the Wabash, to extort from him, directly or indirectly, inforwhen it was said that the Indians had been insti- mation which might be valuable to the commugated by the same enemy to hostilities against us, nity. If he could not give it himself, he might the British Minister's choler rose; he denied the either intentionally or unintentionally lead a whole. He avails himself of suggestions in pub-committee of this House to sources whence it lie prints to deny their statements; to state that so far from a disposition to stir up the Indians against us, the contrary was the fact; that, indeed, Sir James Craig has been intent on diverting Indian hostilities. Sir, may we not reasonably believe him to have fomented Indian hostilities in one part of the country, while in another he was promoting disunion in the body of the people? These, sir, are the only facts disclosed of importance; the only facts which would justify the publication of more than the ordinary number of copies. might be procured. As a member of the Committee of Foreign Relations, he could not say that he had any particular anxiety to take his share of this burdensome, and, in some respects, invidious duty; yet, as a reference to that committee had been mentioned, he certainly should not shrink from the discharge of that portion of duty devolving on him in case the House should give that direction to the papers. In some respects, the character, he would not say of a portion, but of the whole nation, was implicated in this affair. The information was Mr. RANDOLPH said, that although he was of either of such a character as ought never to have opinion that the suggestion of the gentleman been submitted to the House; such as was unfrom Maryland (Mr. WRIGHT) was entitled to worthy of notice; such as it would be a comprogreater weight than was allowed to it by the gen-mitment of the national character to act on; or tleman from Georgia, yet he would submit to the consideration of the gentleman from Maryland, and of the House, whether, in a Government like ours, documents of the nature of those read this morning publicly, audibly and articulately read, in the presence of several note-takers, to say 12th Cox. 1st SESS.—38 else it was of a character which demanded that they should sift it, bolt it to the bran; that they should call the individual before them, if he was to be found within our jurisdiction; that he should be called upon to say to whom, in what manner, and in what character he had developed 231959 his views. When he said this, he did not give any pledge, that upon his (Henry's) testimony, he would condemn men of high minds and fair fame. You yourself, Mr. Speaker, are too much in the practice of sifting evidence not to know that we may reason from things false to things true; that the falsehood of a witness is not unfrequently an unerring clue to truth. If, sir, he (Henry) should have it in hiɛ power to bring into question the character of any individual in this country, it will be competent to the party thus implicated, either by fair presumption or direct testimony, to rebut any such implication; or presumption or testimony still deeper will go very far to uphold and fix these imputations. You, sir, are too well read in the history of the country from which we spring, not to be conversant in all the plots, from the Popish treasons in the reign of James I, down to those of the Rye-house; and from thence perhaps to the plot of Colonel Despard. This witness, to be sure, stands before us in a most questionable point of view. He evidently undertook a service in its nature not by any means enviable, not generally esteemed most honorable, with a view to reward. He points out specifically the nature of the reward he expected. It was in the power of a Government, at once the most corrupt and most wealthy perhaps in the world, by not a very unreasonable douceur for the services performed, forever to have stopped the barking of this political Cerberus. That Government must have much underrated his services. But is this all? Was it not his business to enhance to this Government, to magnify to a virtuous, and therefore credulous people, the importance of the mission with which he was charged, and the zeal and ability with which he discharged its duties? On whose testimony are we to take the account of the mighty deeds performed? The place is pointed out; we have the where and the when, but that all-important fact, with whom, is studiously kept out of view. He has had it in his power to do great mischief to the United States. This is his story. In proportion to the mischief which he was able to inflict, Mr. R. said, ought his services to have been appreciated by the British Government, they entertaining the views which these papers ascribe to them. As they, for reasons best known to themselves, I suppose from that infatuation which sometimes attends the movement of governments, have refused to give him adequate recompense, he turns his attention to us. In proportion as his services were valuable to those to whom they were rendered, precisely in the same ratio must be the value of the disclosure made to us. Without going further, Mr. R. said he was decidedly of opinion that the Message should be referred to the Committee of Foreign Relations, with power to send for persons, papers, effects, and records; that everything which could be sifted out of this transaction be laid without reserve before the people. Nothing short of this would satisfy the public sentiment, nor did he think it ought. Mr. Fisk said that the remarks which had MARCH, 1812. been made by gentlemen, induced him to ask the indulgence of the House, to give some information and make a few observations relative to the subject now under consideration. This Mr. Henry was an Englishman, but had long resided in this country; so long, that he had obtained a captaincy in the Army raised in the year 1798; he was a man of gentlemanly deportment, and reputed good moral character; that he (Mr. FISK) and his colleague (Mr. STRONG) well remembered, when he passed through Burlington, in the Spring of the year 1808, and that his object was at that time much suspected to have been what he now states; but, as a politician, he was thought by the Republicans to have been a firm believer in the British maxim, "that the end sanctifies the means;" and the Federal party enjoyed the full benefits of his principles and labors while he lived in Vermont. Sir, gentlemen say that he is a traitor, a spy, and, therefore, what he here relates is not entitled to credit. However dishonorable a transaction like this may be deemed by our Government, whose motives and conduct are directed and squared by the principles of morality and justice, yet, I believe, it is not thought so very disgraceful in the British Government, as to be beneath her first characters to undertake. Sir, was the mission to Copenhagen to destroy that city, murder the innocent inhabitants, and rob the Danes of their fleet, a more honorable one than this? Certainly not. And yet, sir, the famous Mr. Jackson, who went on that mission, was considered worthy of being a Minister to this country, where he was caressed and highly esteemed by some; and performed both missions much to the satisfaction of his master. Why, sir, can gentlemen seriously doubt the truth of the facts stated by this Mr. Henry, when they have it from the highest authority, that the former British Minister, Mr. Erskine, while here, at this very time, was in the same business this Henry was sent to perform? In a letter written by that Minister to his Government, and published by its order, he tells them: "I have endeavored, by the most strict and diligent inquiries into the views and strength of the Federal party, to ascertain to what extent they would be willing and able to resist the measures of the party in power, and how far they could carry the opinions of this country along with them in their attempts to remove the embargo, without recurring to hostilities against both Great Britain aud France." And again, he tells them, in his letter of the 15th February, 1809, when speaking of the divisions which then agitated this country, and the opposition made to the laws by the people of the Eastern States: "The ultimate consequences of such differences and jealousies, arising between the Eastern and Southern States, would inevitably tend to a dissolution of the Union, which has been for some time talked of, and has, of late, as I have heard, been seriously contemplated by many of the leading people in the eastern division." Now, sir, when the British Minister was on this business, by order of his Government, is it extraordinary or incredible that this Henry should be sent on the same errand by Governor Craig? The occurrences of those times place the fact out of doubt. I perfectly recollect that, on my return home from this place in March, 1809, I was informed of this Henry having passed through the country; and it was then conjectured that he was on the very business which he now states. But, say gentlemen, he libels and calumniates the Government! Why, sir, he does not more so than has often been done on this floor, by a gentleman not now present, or than has been done for years by one description of presses and newspapers in this country. The division of the Union is not a new subject. As early as the time the Jay Treaty agitated this country, I saw two numbers in the "Centinel," printed at Boston, holding out the idea of a separation of the States. I am very far from believing it was ever the wish of the great body of the Federal party, or that they would knowingly join the enemies of this country, to effect such a purpose, but that there are some who call themselves Federalists, and who in principle and feeling are Englishmen, that would do it, I have no doubt. H. OF R. conduct of that Government, and he would, therefore, vote for printing 5,000 copies. Mr. MACON said, this was one of those debates which sometimes arose in the House, in which all were on one side of the question. Nothing can be more true than that these papers do prove that Great Britain has not yet ceased her attempts to disturb the peace of this nation. That they were genuine, he believed, although they came from a man whom that Government had employed. There was nothing new in the manner of communicating them. How was it in the conspiracy of Blount and Liston? Mr. Adams communicated the disclosure to Congress. I imagine that Burr's conspiracy was communicated by some one who was or had been engaged in it. In this case, a man who had been in the service of this Government, preferring the British, was, while in Canada, engaged by Governor Craig, to go into a part of this country to endeavor to procure a division of the Union. Mr. M. said he had, four years ago, stated that both Great Britain and France had agents in this country. Had they not had them in other countries? They had; and he cited Holland as a particular instance. From the very nature of things, all monarchical and despotic Governments must always be The Constitution, said Mr. M., is founded on inimical to, and seek the destruction of, this Gov- the Union of these States, and, (if I may be alernment, while it remains a free one; and the lowed to use a word once fashionable,) on the only means of effecting this, is by fomenting di-indivisibility of the Empire. And, what was the visions among us; angering one party against the object of Great Britain? For what did she emother, and thereby dividing the Union. I believe ploy this man? To separate the Union; to dethis to have been the constant object of the Brit-stroy the Constitution, the greatest work of the ish Government, from the date of our Treaty of Peace until now, and they will always join the minority, be its political character what it may. And I humbly hope this occurrence will be received as a solemn admonition by all citizens of this country, to unite in support of their Government and liberties, and convince them in what estimation they are held, notwithstanding the professions of friendship made toward this country by the British Government and its agents. greatest men this country has produced. Sir, I was almost struck with horror, when such documents were reading, to see that any man could laugh at them. They expose an attempt, not to stab an individual, but to stab a nation. Owing to our relative situation, in consequence of our Revolution, you can never expect Great Britain to look upon you with as much friendship as other nations. There is another reason for her jealousy; we have predicted over and over again, that we shall, at one time or other, clip her maritime wing. She believes it; and the existence of the nation depends on her preventing it. Mr. SMILIE said the character of this man was nothing to us, though it might be to him, and he therefore should not follow the example of gentlemen who had made so free with it. There The only question that presents itself is, Is the was one point in which he considered the publi- information useful to us? Does it not confirm cation of these documents, which was of real im- every man in the belief that, while she is making portance; that they exhibited to the American professions of friendship through her Minister people what sort of a nation we had to deal with. here, Great Britain is, in another direction, plotIt appeared to him that Great Britain considered ting our destruction by her secret agents? It no means dishonorable provided they would ac would be happy for us if we had not also French complish the attainment of her object. With agents here. I never did believe the Federal party respect to Mr. Wright's idea, that the publication had any notion of joining Great Britain; but this of the papers would throw an odium on the lead-nation, favored as it is, has yet not been clear of ing parties in this country, said Mr. S., none of those papers said anything more disrespectful to the parties in this country than those parties had frequently said of each other in the public prints. He never had believed that the mass of the Federal party wished a separation of the Union; but that there were men in it, attached to the British interests, he knew to be true. There was at least enough in these papers to put every man on his guard with respect to the insidious, dishonorable discord; and, to say that there is not a man in the Federal or Republican parties who would wish a union with Great Britain or France, would be to say what I do not believe. So long, sir, as both belligerents remain as they have been, for the last hundred years, willing to disturb the peace of the world, so long we ought to watch their motions. Let the Executive have obtained these papers as he might, it became his duty to communicate them to Congress. They will convince every man in the nation, it appears to me, that all the talk about the friendship and good disposition of the British nation toward us was a mistake. May we not reasonably suppose that Great Britain moved the Prophet? When ever we come near a point with Great Britain, do not the Indians move? How was it before Jay's Treaty, and whenever she is likely to assume a hostile attitude? Exactly at those moments are the Indians moved upon you. To conquer this country by force of arms, if united, is impossible. France and England together could not do it. I do not believe the world could. All we want is union at home. MARCH, 1812. cessary, to expel and destroy the British authorities in that quarter. Mr. J. said, he wished to know whether the House had not now record evidence of an attempt on the part of the British Government to alienate the affections of the people from their own Government-to organize opposition to the laws of Congress, and to produce a dissolution of our happy Government, a dismemberment of the Union, and the erection of a monarchy upon its ruins-and whether such a case did not call for equal union? Mr. J. asked, who would now assert that Great Britain was friendly disposed towards us; that she was fighting our battles, or the battles of freedom; that she stood As to this man, he is just such a one as the between us and universal domination; that good British usually employ for these purposes; he is men would pray that our arms might not be sucone of their own agents. Can England complain cessful against that Government, which had so of our giving credit to a man with whom her long trampled upon our rights; that Great Britfirst Secretary of State and the Governor Gen-ain was acting upon the principle of retaliation eral of Canada correspond? I care nothing about towards France? Mr. J. said, it was now reduced the cause which brings him here, it is an affair to a certainty that the hostility of Great Britain between him and them. The question is, Has towards us, in the continuance of her orders in he told the truth? I verily believe he has. I un- Council-in the impressment of our seamen—oriderstood enough of the papers, as read, to knowginated in a determination to destroy the union that he was the agent of the British Government, of the States, and from a belief that a separation sent here to sow disunion, and that was enough could be effected, in case of a war with Great for me. So long as we are governed by interest, Britain. It was now evident, that the disavowal mutual wants, or common sense, so long shall we of Mr. Erskine's arrangement, and her subsequent continue united. We are placed in such a situa- conduct towards the United States, arose from tion that we ought to love each other, and we the delusive hope that the people of the New always should, did not our mad passions some- England States would join Great Britain in the times run away with us. One part of the nation conflict. This communication also accounts for delights in using the sea; another in agriculture; the news we are daily receiving of the hostile we supply each other's wants; we ought never to intentions of the savages upon our borders. Mr. J. dream of separation. And, sir, when these mes- said, he wanted 5,000 copies to be printed, that the sengers of hell are sent here, shall we not look at people might judge whether Congress had wanthem? Let us have the papers printed, sir. tonly sported with their rights, or whether they had not been driven to the brink of war by a conduct on the part of Great Britain that would disgrace the most abandoned, the most savage, and the most piratical nations on earth. Mr. J. said, he hoped the House would no longer debate what course to pursue, and that no additional arguments would be required to convince them of the propriety of breaking up the rogues' harbor, and Mr. JOHNSON said, he did not feel disposed, nor taking possession of the Canadas; without which, was it a time, to say much-the documents spoke the United States never could enjoy, in tranquilfor themselves-nor did he address the House to lity, those rights which were transinitted to the identify the Federal party with this British con- citizens of the United States by their ancestors. spiracy to dismember the Union; nor did he intend Mr. STANFORD Suggested the propriety of a refto load the individual who had made this com-erence of the subject to a Committee of the Whole munication to the President with the opprobrious on the state of the Union. This is the second attempt Great Britain has made to divide the country, and I believe France would do the same; for I have no confidence in the morality of either. Our affairs are in such a state, that, with one, we must try what has been called the last resort of Kings. I have made up my mind on the subject, and, whenever we are ready to declare war, I shall vote for it. epithet of spy and traitor; but to call the atten- Mr. KEY made some remarks which were not tion of the House, and the gentleman from Vir-all distinctly heard by the Reporter. He wished ginia, to the position which had been taken by that the publication could have been accompahimself and others upon the discussion of our for-nied with some refutation of its contents, as it eign relations, respecting the British influence in stimulating the savages against our infant and innocent settlements upon the frontiers. Mr. J. said, when he had ascribed the hostility of the Indians to British influence, the gentleman from Virginia could not place any confidence in such intimations; and he moreover stated, that if such influence could be proven, he would himself join heart and hand in measures against Great Britain, and would even march himself to Canada, if ne would go to alarm the people with an idea of the existence of a spirit in one section of this country which he was sure did not exist. He was not only for committing the subject, but for following it up with a full and prompt examination. Sure I am, said Mr. K., that the people of Europe have mistaken the American character. Whatever difference of opinion may exist among ourselves, there can be none as to the propriety of supporting the integrity of the Union. There can |