nce would
equally have satisfied our insulted honour, and, at the same time,
instead of annihilating, would have revived and extended our commerce;
and even the evils of such a contest would have been mitigated by the
sublime consolation, that by our efforts we were contributing to arrest
the progress of despotism in Europe, and effectually serving the great
interests of freedom and humanity throughout the world.' 'That we
contemplate with abhorrence, even the probability of an alliance with
the present Emperor of France, every action of whose life has
demonstrated, that the attainment, by any means, of universal empire,
and the consequent extinction of every vestige of freedom, are the sole
objects of his incessant, unbounded and remorseless ambition.' 'Whereas
the late revocation of the British Orders in Council has removed the
great and ostensible cause of the present war, and prepared the way for
an immediate accommodation of all existing differences, inasmuch as, by
the confession of the present Secretary of State, satisfactory and
honourable arrangements might easily be made, by which the abuse
resulting from the impressment of our seamen might, in future, be
effectually prevented.'

"Such were the sentiments of the most intelligent and patriotic
American citizens in regard to the war of 1812-15; they had no more
sympathy with the Madison-Napoleon war than with the recent Fenian
invasion of our shores. And when the war was declared, our fathers knew
their duty, and knew the worthlessness of the pompous proclamations and
promises of President Madison's generals and agents. The blood of our
United Empire Loyalist forefathers warmed again in their own bosoms, and
pulsated in the hearts of their sons and grandsons, and in the hearts of
hundreds of others who had adopted Canada, under the flag of British law
and liberty, as their home. Our Legislative Assembly--specially called
together by General Brock, on the declaration of war--struck the keynote
for Canadian loyalty, sacrifice and action, in a calm, expository and
earnest address to the people of Upper Canada, and truly represented the
already roused spirit of the country. Some of the words of that noble
address are as follows:

"'This war, on the part of the United States, includes an alliance with
the French usurper, whose dreadful policy has destroyed all that is
great and grand, venerable and holy, on the continent of Europe. The
government of this bloody tyr