without wafting to our shores intelligence of some fresh enormity. To submit quietly to such unheard of oppression, would be an anomaly in the history of civilized nations. To expect redress by mild measures was out of the question. These had long been tried and found ineffectual. Madison, Pinckney, and Monroe, in their correspondence with the British government, had remonstrated again and again, but to no other purpose than to embolden the aggressor in his nefarious proceedings. There seemed, therefore, no alternative left the United States but to put themselves strongly on the defensive, and by force of arms, put a stop to these accumulating injuries. Every thing lovely in liberty, every thing sacred and hallowed in the memory of those by whom it was won, protested against further forbearance, and forbade further delay in unsheathing the sword of retributive justice. In short, the conviction had become deep and settled that nothing short of _war_ could preserve an inch of canvass on an American vessel, on the face of the ocean. Thus circumstanced, the United States seemed to be shut up to forcible resistance. The eyes of the whole country were turned towards congress, looking for measures of relief. It had been convened earlier than usual, that the subject of a declaration of war might come speedily before them. It is needless to remark that Mr. Clay’s views were favorable to war. An individual like him, jealous of his country’s honor almost to a fault, who could never contemplate oppression but with feelings of the deepest detestation, nor without experiencing the instantaneous desire to punish it; would grasp the weapons of defence instinctively, and if necessary, pour out his blood like water, rather than bow submissively beneath the galling yoke. With him, then, there was no equivocation nor hesitation, in advocating prompt warlike action, although he was compelled to do it in the face of formidable opposition. There was a strong party in the United States at that time, friendly to Great Britain, and disposed, rather than array themselves against her in a sanguinary conflict, to submit quietly to her rapacious attacks upon our liberties and lives. This party was well represented in congress. Many members of talent and influence were found in its ranks, in both houses, and they did not hesitate to employ them detrimentally to the interests of their country. But happily these found in him a giant champion――one who was well able to guard them, and willing to spend his last energy in their support. Lowndes, Calhoun, and other powerful coadjutors also stood with him, who labored hard to inspire the same ardent flame of patriotism in the breasts of others, that burned so intensely in their own.