to believe that the English government were not concerned in the scheme.

The letters of Mr. Erskine the British Minister written about the time that Henry received his commission, as related by James Fisk, one of Vermont's members of Congress, showed he had endeavored to assertain the views and strength of the Federal party, and to what extent they would be willing to resist the measures of the party in power; and also stating in his letters that he had heard that a dissolution of the Union “had been seriously contemplated by many of the leading people in the eastern district." This attempt to dismember the Union by a secret mission adds to the list of British wrongs and another well grounded cause for a declaration of war against Great Britain.

The year of 1812, when the United States declared war against England, was an eventful period in the history of the American Union, Nathan Hoskins in his history of Vermont, says, it was a time when "faction and its concomitant evils had disordered the Union of society-war and its devastating consequences destroyed the subjects and resources of the government-commerce was driven from the ocean, and peace from the hallowed sanctuary of freedom. Rulers were distrusted by the people, and the people in return were charged with infidelity to the government. Silence was strued into disaffection and loyalty into oppression." Vermont stood in the very forefront of danger laying on the frontier, where in case of war with Great Britain the heaviest blows would be struck.

con

Before the declaration of war Governor Jonas Galusha in his speech to the Legislature in October 1811, stated the situation as follows: "At no period since the commencement of the differences has appeared to me so portentious as at present. Great Britain seems not inclined to relinquish her offensive orders in council, surrender up our impressed seamen, or permit us to enjoy the common and legal rights of a neutral nation-but assume the attitude of a threatening invader, although France has mitigated the rigor of her hostile measures, and so modified her Berlin and Milan decrees that they have ceased to operate against the United States. Let us as far as possible, be prepared for any event which may occur. To be united is indispensably necessary to be prepared either for a state of war or for the full enjoyment of peace."

GHAPTER VIII.

VERMONT IN THE WAR OF 1812-1814.

It seems that the British government had failed to observe the terms of its treaty with United States. Its conduct had become so obnoxious and overbearing towards the United States government it hastened a conflict with the latter. The pernicious effect of the orders of the British government against our commerce, the arrogance of the British Navy on the sea, "the right of search," the utterly unreasonable character of their claims of dominion, their repeated seizure of men-American citizens at that-from the decks of our ships on the plea that they were British subjects, their entire disregard of our flag, their contempt for America and Americans, finally led to a declaration of war against England by Act of Congress on June 18, 1812. In preparation for the expected bloody conflict, Congress, on April 10, 1812, authorized the President to detach one hundred thousand militia, to be organized and held in readiness to march at a minute's notice, and to serve six months after arriving at the place of rendezvous.

On May 28, 1812, the Secretary of War apportioned three thousand of the number to Vermont, and thereupon Governor Galusha as Commander-in Chief of the militia of the State ordered that Ver

mont's detachment should form one brigade to consist of four regiments of ten companies eacheight of infantry, one of artillery and one of cavalry, and to be taken from the four divisions, commanded respectively by Major General Lewis R. Morris, William Cahoon, David Robinson and Hezekiah Barnes, and directing them to take special care that the men detached from their divisions be promptly organized, and completely equipped, with arms and accoutrements fit for actual service, including blankets and knapsacks. The Governor closed his general order in the following patriotic and determined language:

"The Commander-in-Chief views it of the greatest importance, at this momentous crisis, that we should be prepared to defend our sacred rights and dear bought liberties, and protect the honor and independence of the nation, against the invasion of any foreign power: he, at the same time, possesses the highest confidence in the patriotism, zeal and bravery of the officers and soldiers of the militia of this State, and is fully persuaded, that on the present occasion, they will by, a speedy and cheerful compliance with these orders, evince to the world, that they are ready to meet any exigency that may occur, and have but one mind when their country calls."

The order was responded to promptly, and the Vermont troops were at Plattsburgh as early as Sept. 21, 1812, or at least a part of them. General Jonathan Orms was in command of all the militia. in Vermont during the war and had his headquarters at Burlington.

The causes for a declaration of war against Great Britain had existed so long before the declaration was issued and the parties differing as to the policy of declaring war, a large portion of the people had concluded there would be no war and were unprepared for it. The official return of the militia of Vermont in 1809, showed 15,543 rank and file, with 11,523 muskets, 5,273 bayonets, 6, 302 cartridge boxes, 5,657 steel ramrods. No rifles were returned and only 1,041 pairs of pistols and no canons, but in 1812, the United States added 2,500 muskets. The declaration of war aroused the people to action, especially along the northern border of the State, through patriotism and to secure their own safety from British and Indian attacks. The nursery tales of Indian havoc and warfare were rehearsed, the people seem to have been seized with a sort of panic, and supposed that hordes of Canadian Indians would be let loose upon them. The northern counties of Vermont were sparsely settled in 1812, and were actually exposed to attack from their neighbors in Canada, and the consequence was that a great part of the people abandoned their farms and houses, but some only for a short time. The Selectmen of Troy warned a town meeting to be held on May 12, 1812, in anticipation of war, to see what method the town would take in the important crisis to furnish the militia of the town with arms and ammunition, the result of which was an order to the Selectmen to borrow twenty muskets and bayonets on the credit of the town, and to purchase twenty-five pounds of powder and one hun