f the people
do not pour out their indignation and imprecations, I have yet to learn
the character of American freemen.

* * * * *

Part 2

Henry Clay, "On the Seminole War,"
U.S. House of Representatives,
19 January 1819.

IF MY recollection does not deceive me, Bonaparte had passed the Rhine
and the Alps, had conquered Italy, the Netherlands, Holland, Hanover,
Lubec, and Hamburg, and extended his empire as far as Altona, on the
side of Denmark. A few days' march would have carried him through
Holstein, over the two Belts, through Funen, and into the island of
Zealand. What, then, was the conduct of England? It was my lot to
fall into conversation with an intelligent Englishman on this subject.
"We knew (said he) that we were fighting for our existence. It was
absolutely necessary that we should preserve the command of the seas.
If the fleet of Denmark fell into the enemy's hands, combined with his
other fleets, that command might be rendered doubtful. Denmark had
only a nominal independence. She was, in truth, subject to his sway.
We said to her, Give us your fleet; it will otherwise be taken
possession of by your secret and our open enemy. We will preserve it
and restore it to you whenever the danger shall be over. Denmark
refused. Copenhagen was bombarded, and gallantly defended, but the
fleet was seized." Everywhere the conduct of England was censured; and
the name even of the negotiator who was employed by her, who was
subsequently the minister near this government, was scarcely ever
pronounced here without coupling with it an epithet indicating his
participation in the disgraceful transaction. And yet we are going to
sanction acts of violence, committed by ourselves, which but too much
resemble it! What an important difference, too, between the relative
condition of England and of this country! She, perhaps, was struggling
for her existence. She was combating, single-handed, the most enormous
military power that the world has ever known. With whom were we
contending? With a few half-starved, half-clothed, wretched Indians
and fugitive slaves. And while carrying on this inglorious war,
inglorious as regards the laurels or renown won in it, we violate
neutral rights, which the government had solemnly pledged itself to
respect, upon the principle of convenience, or upon the light
presumption that, by possibility, a post might be taken by this
misera