of glory in which all are qualified to run, and where many may obtain the prize. No compunctive visitings of conscience ever disturb the sleep of the hero. His steps to fame are not in the blood that has filled nations with misery, and that has drawn down upon his head the heaven-heard denunciations of widows and orphans. No! He has the conscious satisfaction of reflecting that he has performed a great duty, that he has contributed to diffuse widely the streams of human happiness; and the blessings of mankind and the approbation of Heaven are his reward."

Several circumstances concur to render the foregoing address worthy of attention. Its object was beneficent, the sentiments are humane and patriotic, and the speaker was well acquainted with the "dazzling attractions of military fame." He had been, we believe, the first in rank among the Generals of North Carolina. A warning and exhortation from such a source must probably have made durable impressions on the minds of the pupils. The example of this gentleman is worthy to be imitated by all who have any concern in directing the minds of young people. It is by the influence of education that children are transformed into warriors, privateersmen, pirates, robbers, and murderers. A proper change in the modes of education will produce opposite results. Let the rising generation be properly instructed; then war and violence, with all their" dazzling attractions," will be to them objects of horror, rather than admiration.

REVIEW OF ALARMING FACTS-NO. 1.

THE Honorable Committee of the Senate of the United States, on the subject of the Seminole war, in their Report, Feb. 24, 1819, have presented to the public some facts which may justly be regarded as lamentable and alarming; among which are the following:

First. "It is difficult to determine with certainty, who commenced these Indian hostilities, or on whom the greatest injuries were inflicted."

This is said of injuries which occurred by the violence of individuals on the one side and the other, prior to the comIf this statement of mencement of open and authorized war. the Committee is correct, then, according to the customary mode of estimating the guilt of war, by imputing the whole to the aggressor," it is difficult to determine with certainty" whether all the guilt and bloodshed of this war will not be imputed to the people of the United States!

Second. "General Gaines, however, demanded a surrender of the Indians who had committed outrages on the frontiers of Georgia. With this demand they- the Seminoles-refused to comply, alleging that the first and greatest aggressions had been made by the white men."

This statement is amply supported by the letter of General Gaines to King Hatchy, and the answer. The King thus answered General Gaines- You charge me with killing your people, stealing your cattle, and burning your houses. It is I that have cause to complain of the Americans. While one American has been justly killed, while in the act of stealing cattle, more than four Indians have been murdered while Byfreebooters" hunting, by these lawless freebooters." he probably meant the lawless and abandoned characters," mentioned by General Mitchel, in the part of his deposition which was quoted in the last Number. The King refusing to comply with the demand of General Gaines, the war commenced, as the Committee represent in the following words:

Third. "In consequence of this refusal, General Gaines was authorized by the Secretary at War, at his discretion, to remove the Indians remaining on the lands ceded to the United States by the treaty made with the Creeks in 1814."

The following passage from the deposition of General Mitchel may show the abrupt and hasty manner in which the war was commenced on our part. He states, that early in March 1817, he resigned the government of Georgia, and accepted the appointment of Agent of Indian Affairs; that

in July of the same year, he called a meeting of the Creek nation, and endeavoured to impress their minds with the importance of preserving peace. About the last of August he received a letter from Major Twiggs, written at the request of the Chiefs of three towns, "expressive of their willingness to agree to the talk delivered by him in July." The General adds " Of the three towns referred to, Fowl Town was one; but before I had an opportunity of sending for those Chiefs, or of taking any measures to meet their proposition, Gen. Gaines arrived with a detachment of troops from the west-sent for the Chief of Fowl Town, and for his contumacy in not immediately appearing before him, the town was attacked and destroyed by the troops of the United States, by order of Gen. Gaines. This fact was, I conceive, the immediate cause of the war. The reasons assigned for the destruction of Fowl Town, in addition to the contumacy of the Chief, were the refusal of the Chiefs of the Seminoles to give up some murderers, and the hostile aspect which they had assumed. Of this demand and refusal, I know nothing more than what has been published; but truth compels me to say, that before the attack on Fowl Town, aggressions of this kind were as frequent on the part of the whites, as on the part of the Indians."

From the facts and evidence now before us, is it not at least very probable, that our people were the aggressors in the Seminole war? and hence probable that a heavy charge of injustice and murder lies against the United States? It is our desire ever to treat the rulers of this nation with due respect, and never needlessly to complain of their public acts. But every freeman has a right to call the attention of his fellow-citizens to such public measures as are in his opinion of a dangerous character. We therefore submit the following inquiries:

First. Is there no reason for alarm when we find the gov ernment of our country so hasty in commencing a war on the Indians?-so hasty that, after the war is closed, a respectable Committee of the Senate of the United States, on exam

ining the subject, are unable to find any satisfactory proof that our people were not in fact the aggressors in the war! Who does not lament that such stain has been fixed on our national character ?

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Second. If acts of unauthorized violence, committed by individuals of the Indians, and perhaps in revenge of prior wrongs done to them by a set of lawless and abandoned" white men, are to be so hastily made the ground of public hostilities, what security can there be that the whole race of Indians will not become victims to the injustice, ambition, or avarice of the people of the United States?

Third. Where are the documents to show that, prior to open war, there had been any pacific measures to avoid an appeal to arms? The letter of Gen. Gaines to King Hatchy was much more adapted to provoke war than to prevent it, and it was answered accordingly. It is true that Gen. Mitchel had commenced a course of proceeding which was of a friendly character; and there was for a time a prospect of success. But on the arrival of Gen. Gaines, the endeavors of Gen. Mitchell were defeated by a hasty commencement of hostilities in the destruction of Fowl Town. Where then shall we find evidence of that spirit of kindness, forbearance, magnanimity, or even justice, which became a great nation, towards a small tribe of brethren, or which became professed Christians, towards uninstructed savages? A sincere regard for the present rulers of the nation induces us to admit as probable, if not certain, that they were misled by information from prejudiced persons, or from a "set of lawless and abandoned characters." But even this admission may not be sufficient wholly to excuse them, in the view of an enlightened posterity.

How much more noble and magnanimous it would have appeared in our government, had they, instead of a military force, sent in the first place, a respectable number of Commissioners, well known as men of a pacific character, to inquire into the true state of things between the Seminoles and their white neighbors,-to hear the complaints and the testiVol. II. No. 5.

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monies on each side, and to employ their influence to effect a reconciliation? What is all the glory acquired by the war, compared with what would have resulted from such a benev olent policy! The greater the regard which any one has for those in power and for the honor of his country, the more deeply must he deplore that such a humane and conciliatory course had not been adopted.

What a contrast between the saving policy of William Penn, and the destroying policy pursued in the Seminole war! He conquered Indians by beneficence; others conquer them by force. He acquired laurels which grow brighter and brighter as the light advances; but the laurels acquired in the Seminole war will—as soon as the sun is up-wither like the eaves of a plant smitten by a frost.

REVIEW OF ALARMING FACTS.-NO. II.

"THE Committee find the melancholy fact before them, that military officers,-even at this early stage of this republic-have, without the shadow of authority, raised an army of at least 2500 men, and mustered them into the service of the United States. Two hundred and thirty officers have been appointed and their rank established, from an Indian Brigadier General to the lowest subaltern of a company."Report of the Committee of the Senate.

Of this 2500 men, fifteen or sixteen hundred were Creek Indians, procured by Gen. Gaines; the remainder were Tennessee and Kentucky volunteers, procured by Gen. Jack

"There was," say the Committee," this difference in the two cases: Gen. Jackson raised an army in disregard of positive orders; Gem Gaines without orders took upon himself the authority of raising at least 1600 Creek Indians, appointing their officers, with a Brigadier General at their head, and likewise mustered this force into the service of the United States.

The Committee further remark- This war was waged