"Sam": or The history of mystery./ By C. W. Webber.

"SAM:" OR, THE HISTORY OF MYSTERY.
Great Britain, e.pecially the latter? Such was the state of
things which led to the war of 1812.
Congress was convoked a month before the regular time,
in the fall of 1811, and the message of President Madison
was decidedly in the war tone. The winter was spent in
notes of preparation, and by the 20th of March, Congress
had passed, and the President approved, bills of the following
titles: To fill up the ranks and prolong the enlistment of
the army; to raise an additional regular force of twentyfive thousand men; to raise six companies of mounted rangers
for the defense of the western frontier; to arm the militia;
to authorize detachments of militia to fortify the maritime
frontier; to repair and fit the entire naval force; to procure
camp-equipage, baggage-wagons, etc.; to purchase ordnance
and military stores; to obtain supplies of sulphur and saltpeter; to make further provisions for the corps of engineers;
to establish a quartermaster's department, and create commissary-generals; to provide for the support of the army and
navy; and to authorize a loan of eleven millions.
In the meantime, there had been a vigorous opposition to
these measures; but when, on the 1st of April, Mr. Madisoni
sent in his special message, with the documents respecting
Henry's mission, there was a burst of indignant feeling from
Congress, and from the whole nation, well calculated to unite
the country in hostile measures. From this time till the
declaration of war, on the 19th of June, the utmost spirit of
preparation was manifested in the legislative and executive
branches of the government, to begin the contest.
The well-known moderation of President Madison's char acter demanded powerful influences, to bring him up to the
required temper for the responsibilities of this new position,
as the head of the government; and there was probably but
one man who was capable, by his extraordinary power over
others, of imparting to him the spirit that was needed for
the time. It hardly need be said, that HIE was the speaker
of the House of Representatives-Mr. Clay. By the same
cause, Congress was ready for the war before the president
was. He was still laboring in vain at the oar of negotiation,
with Mr. Foster, the British minister, when an informal
deputation from the other branch of the government waited
upon him, with Mr. Clay at their head, and before they
5ok