Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

When our rulers had the unaccountable folly to declare war against England without having previously provided either fleets, armies or military stores, the war-hawks said that fighting was a trade easily learnt and that so anxious were the people for the war, and with such spirit and effect would it be carried on, that within one year Great Britain would be brought upon her marrow bones, suing for Peace : More than one year has past, and how have these vapouring predictions been fulfilled.—army after army has been captured, four of our Generals have been made prisoners, those of our forces which have recently entered the British provinces, retreating, if possible, to get back with whole skins. The Commander in Chief sick and about retiring from the army ; most of our naval force confined by British ships in our harbours --all our ports and harbours from Rhode Island to New Orleans blockaded, and all trade cut off; many of our towns and seaports lying at the mercy of the British Commanders— Our vessels perishing at the wharves -merchants, mechanics and seamen out of business and destitute of employment. To say nothing of the moral evils brought upon society by a state of war and idleness If this is not a melancholy and alarming state of things, it is difficult to say what is. If the present situation of the country does not convince a majority of the citizens of the gross mismanagement of our public affairs by the men in power, it is because they possess that blindness and madness which precedes political destruction.

In no section of the country does the pressure of the war fall heavier than on the District of Maine. The last year was uncommonly unfavorable for raising corn—for by an early frost, it was in many places entirely destroyed --- Many towns in the eastern part of the district, for several months past, have been almost wholly destitute of every article of bread stuff