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Editorial
February 24, 1815
Daily National Intelligencer
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Editorial from the Aurora praises the publication of U.S.-British Ghent correspondence for exposing British arrogance in War of 1812 peace talks, defending Madison's administration against Federalist lies, and highlighting American military successes that forced British recognition of U.S. independence.
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Full Text
FROM THE AURORA.
The publication of the correspondence between the American and British commissioners at Ghent, appears to have had a good effect in England. The British ministry are very angry that the American government should have published the correspondence, as they know, that when the truth appears to the world, it will be apparent that the claims of Great Britain have been of the most arrogant and unjustifiable nature, and that the war is prosecuted by her solely from motives of hatred and revenge against the United States, as a free and flourishing nation. The broad, unblushing falsity of the Prince Regent's declaration, in his speech to Parliament, was also made manifest, where he endeavored to make it appear, that his desire for peace had not been met with a corresponding disposition on the part of the American government.
The information contained in those documents has a good tendency in our own country—had not the executive given to the people the contents of the correspondence, every man of observation knows the newspapers under the influence of the enemy would have come out with their lying statements and insinuations, endeavoring to prove, that England had made the most equitable propositions for an arrangement, yet that Madison, still adhering to Napoleon, had insisted upon Britain giving up a part of Canada as security for spoliations!—that he perversely insisted upon the flag protecting all property—and that all persons, naturalized or not, should be allowed to navigate ships, with many other falsehoods of the like stamp, which have so often been the theme of their loyal effusions and stipendiary services; but truth is mighty, and has prevailed, notwithstanding all the mean attacks upon the executive Alas, old England! your cause is desperate—your "party in America" know not what excuse to make for you—your pious advocates in N. England have proved themselves worthy of you; their vaporing at Hartford bears the closest resemblance to the vaporing of your commissioners at Ghent—and both have slunk out of their arrogant and bullying propositions, in a manner truly English. The Hartford convention is become a bye-word of contempt—and your Indian, negro and piratical alliances have left behind them only the eternal recollection of your brutal and cruel disposition, with the demonstration that you have found them as efficient as treachery always deserves to be; and not to be depended on. Your veteran troops, warm with recent conquest in Europe, have found their laurels wither before the untaught but resolute Americans—and where you calculated upon easy triumphs, you have found graves for the victims of your insatiable spirit of revenge and tyranny.
To those Americans who wished for an honorable and speedy peace, it may be now said, that we have forced England a second time to recognize American independence, and before she will dare again to molest us, the experience we have had in these three years' war will teach us that to preserve peace we must be prepared for war; and that we now know, should occasion ever require it, how to make peace in a single campaign—by preserving in a state of constant discipline our immortal navy. and such a military force as will furnish officers and non-commissioned officers fit to embody any force we may be called upon to put in motion.
The publication of the correspondence between the American and British commissioners at Ghent, appears to have had a good effect in England. The British ministry are very angry that the American government should have published the correspondence, as they know, that when the truth appears to the world, it will be apparent that the claims of Great Britain have been of the most arrogant and unjustifiable nature, and that the war is prosecuted by her solely from motives of hatred and revenge against the United States, as a free and flourishing nation. The broad, unblushing falsity of the Prince Regent's declaration, in his speech to Parliament, was also made manifest, where he endeavored to make it appear, that his desire for peace had not been met with a corresponding disposition on the part of the American government.
The information contained in those documents has a good tendency in our own country—had not the executive given to the people the contents of the correspondence, every man of observation knows the newspapers under the influence of the enemy would have come out with their lying statements and insinuations, endeavoring to prove, that England had made the most equitable propositions for an arrangement, yet that Madison, still adhering to Napoleon, had insisted upon Britain giving up a part of Canada as security for spoliations!—that he perversely insisted upon the flag protecting all property—and that all persons, naturalized or not, should be allowed to navigate ships, with many other falsehoods of the like stamp, which have so often been the theme of their loyal effusions and stipendiary services; but truth is mighty, and has prevailed, notwithstanding all the mean attacks upon the executive Alas, old England! your cause is desperate—your "party in America" know not what excuse to make for you—your pious advocates in N. England have proved themselves worthy of you; their vaporing at Hartford bears the closest resemblance to the vaporing of your commissioners at Ghent—and both have slunk out of their arrogant and bullying propositions, in a manner truly English. The Hartford convention is become a bye-word of contempt—and your Indian, negro and piratical alliances have left behind them only the eternal recollection of your brutal and cruel disposition, with the demonstration that you have found them as efficient as treachery always deserves to be; and not to be depended on. Your veteran troops, warm with recent conquest in Europe, have found their laurels wither before the untaught but resolute Americans—and where you calculated upon easy triumphs, you have found graves for the victims of your insatiable spirit of revenge and tyranny.
To those Americans who wished for an honorable and speedy peace, it may be now said, that we have forced England a second time to recognize American independence, and before she will dare again to molest us, the experience we have had in these three years' war will teach us that to preserve peace we must be prepared for war; and that we now know, should occasion ever require it, how to make peace in a single campaign—by preserving in a state of constant discipline our immortal navy. and such a military force as will furnish officers and non-commissioned officers fit to embody any force we may be called upon to put in motion.
What sub-type of article is it?
War Or Peace
Foreign Affairs
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Ghent Correspondence
War Of 1812
British Arrogance
Madison Defense
Hartford Convention
American Independence
Military Preparedness
What entities or persons were involved?
British Ministry
Prince Regent
American Government
Madison
Hartford Convention
Federalist Newspapers
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Publication Of Ghent Correspondence Exposing British Aggression
Stance / Tone
Strongly Pro American And Anti British, Defensive Of Madison Administration
Key Figures
British Ministry
Prince Regent
American Government
Madison
Hartford Convention
Federalist Newspapers
Key Arguments
British Claims At Ghent Were Arrogant And Unjust
War Driven By British Hatred And Revenge
Prince Regent's Speech Contained Falsehoods About U.S. Peace Disposition
Publication Prevented Federalist Lies About Negotiations
U.S. Military Successes Withered British Laurels
America Forced Britain To Recognize Independence Again
Prepare For War To Preserve Peace Via Strong Navy And Military