uncil."

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. 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.

[* James Madison.]

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 that they had long been in possession of since their
dear-bought independence, and could not therefore be willing to submit
to anything like oppression, even from the mother country.

This national calamity, that seemed to awaken feelings of hilarity to
some few among the multitude, but those of the deepest regret to so many
others, where the parties must at length become personally engaged and
animated against each other with an enthusiastic ardour, and with the
hope to signalize themselves by their bravery--where the impetuosity of
youth and the experience of age are called forth in open field to
execute the decided discussions of government, and to engage with
patriotic zeal in the common defence of their just rights and liberties;
impelled with ambitious impulse to enlist themselves under the proud
banners of their country, while the sound of martial music strikes a
feeling of enthusiasm and enterprise to the bosom of the patriot.

Thus, in the name and cause of honour, the youth, generous and brave,
with all those who are compelled to take arms, s