speak of the British king and government in terms of gross indecency;
whereas, we American prisoners of war, are often assailed with the
bitterest sarcasms and curses of the _President_ of the UNITED STATES,
the CONGRESS, and some of our military commanders.

The British have been long in the habit of treating the Americans
contemptuously. It began as long ago as 1757, when _Lord Loudoun_,
_General Abercromby_, _Admiral Holborne_, _Admiral Boscawen_, _Lord
Colville_, _Sir Jeffry Amherst_, and _General Wolfe_, came over here
to cut the wings and tail of the wild descendants of Englishmen, in
order to make of them a kind of sea poy soldiery. It is a curious
fact, that some of the Scotch highlanders were at that time shot by
our Yankee sentinels, because they did not know enough of the English
language to give _Jonathan_ the counter-sign! So long ago did mutual
contempt begin between the natives of _Old_ England and _New_.

I have already mentioned that all my family, as well as myself, were
what they called "_Federalists_," or _fault-finders_, and opposers of
_Madison's_ administration; and that I, and all the rest of us, dropt
every trait of federalism in the British prisons, where, to call a man
a _Federalist_, was resented as the deepest insult. I appeal to _all_
my companions in misery, for the accuracy of this opinion. A man who
is willing to expose his life to the balls and bayonets of his
country's foes, to the enemies of his government, and to the
independence and union of his nation, holds his country and the
government of his choice, in higher estimation than his life. Such a
man cannot hear the _United States_ and their _President_ spoken of in
terms of contempt, without feeling the keenest anguish. This I have
felt; and have remarked its effects in the countenances of my insulted
comrades. Situated as we are, it would be great imprudence to resent
what we are often obliged to hear. Captivity, under British
prison-keepers, and British captains of transport-men-of-war, are the
proper colleges for teaching the love of our republican government,
and attachment to its administration; and they are proper places to
make the rankest federalist abjure his errors, and cling to the
constituted authorities of the country whose flag he adores, and for
whose defence he exposes his life. It is inconceivable how closely we
are here pressed together in the cause of our dear country; and in
honor of its high officers. Were all