s of the war were stated to be the impressment of American
seamen, by the British; the blockade of the enemy's ports, supported by
no adequate force; in consequence of which the American commerce had
been plundered in every sea; and the British orders in council."

[_Interesting Events_: Second War (quoting "Grimshaw's Hist.
U. States"):

In the Manifesto of the President, the reasons of the war were
stated to be "the impressment of American seamen by the British; the
blockade of her enemies, supported by no adequate force, in
consequence of which the American commerce had been plundered in
every sea; and the British orders in council."]

The declaration of war was a source of unavoidable regret to the good
and wise president,* which affected his mind with feelings approaching
to melancholy. No one possessed qualities more inclined to peace, and a
wish to settle all affairs of state in a pacific manner, more than he
did, if it were possible, and it could have been done without
sacrificing all the dearest rights and interests of the people; and
nothing but these repeated persuasions in his mind, founded on the
principles of justice and honour, caused him at length to be willing to
yield to the stern necessity of deciding the existing differences by
combat.

[* James Madison.]

[_Lives of Signers_: Morris of New York:

The object sought and desired from the deliberations of that
assembly, was a settlement in a pacific manner, of all the existing
difficulties....]

He possessed the qualities of a statesman in an eminent degree;
he had well reflected on what he considered as inevitable. He was well
versed in political science, and now only saw the realization of
anticipated events, of which there had been sufficient warning. Although
he had to contend with innumerable difficulties, having once formed his
opinion of what was to be done, his patriotism was undeviating, and his
integrity inflexible.

[_Lives of Signers_: Floyd of New York:

Having once formed his opinions, he set himself about accomplishing
his purposes.... His patriotism was undeviating; his integrity
inflexible....]

Since his country was again brought to a lamentable destiny, he now
became ardently active in its cause, and was prepared to carry to the
full extent such measures of defence and resistance as should be
necessary to repel every invasion of the just rights and privileges of
the Americans tha