The Life of George M Troup

n. England was the acknowledged mistress of the seas. For years previously, the neutral commerce of the United States had suffered by the desolating wars of Europe, to which we were no party. A detail of the consequences of this state of things, belongs rather to a general history of the country, but they will be noticed sufficiently, in the progress of this work, to give a general idea of the irritating causes which finally led to the war of 1812. It was in vain that the United States insisted upon their rights, as a neutral power, to carry on trade with either belligerent, or with any other European nation? contraband of war only excepted. Negotiation had failed, and was likely still to prove fruitless. As a last resort, Mr. Jefferson, in 1807. recommended an embargo. This was resisted by nearly the whole power of the Federal party, whilst the Republicans as generally supported it. In his message to Congress, of 18th December, the President said : " The communications now made, showing the great and increasing dangers with which our vessels, our seamen and merchandise are threatened on the high seas and elsewhere, from the belligerent powers of Europe, and it being of great importance to keep in safety these essential resources, I deem it my duty to recommend the subject to Congress, who will doubtless perceive all the advantages which may be expected from an inhibition of the departure of our vessels from the ports of the United States. Theirwisdom will also...