"Will the Americans be abused in this way without retaliation? We are always willing to bestow that respect which is due to strangers; but when our kindness is treated with contempt, and in return receive base epithets and abuse, let us `block the game.'
"Once for all--will you permit this thing in pantaloons and whiskers, this brainless, un-ideaed _cub_, whom a thousand years will not suffice to lick into a bear, longer to impose upon your good-natures? If so, we shall conclude you have lost all of that spirit so characteristic of true born Americans.
"A word to Mr (?) Hodges.--When these meet your eye, a _dignified contempt_ will most opportunely swell your breast--such is ever the case with the _coward_! In affected scorn, you will seek a shelter from the danger you _dare_ not brave, but we warn you that one day must overtake you.
"Americans:--If there is a spark of that spirit in your blood with which your forefathers bequeathed you, I hope you will shew it when men come among us from a foreign shore to get a living, and while here to speak in terms towards our country and ourselves, derogatory to the feelings of an American to listen to. These men that I speak of are Mr Hodges and Mr Corri, Englishmen of the _first stamp_, who declare that the Yankees, (as we are all termed, and proud of the name I dare say,) `are a parcel of ignoramuses--cannibals--don't know how to appreciate talent'--they possess very little I am certain. However, the thing stands thus: they have slandered our country, they have slandered _us_; and if they are permitted to play upon the boards of the _Eagle Theatre_, I shall conclude that we have lost all that spunk so characteristic in a True Born American."
There certainly is no good feeling in the _majority_ towards England, and this is continually shewn in a variety of instances, particularly if there is any excitement from distress or other causes. At the time that the great commercial distress took place, the abuse of England was beyond all bounds; and in a public meeting of democrats at Philadelphia, the first resolution passed was, "that they did not owe England one farthing," and this is the general outcry of the lower orders when any thing was wrong. I have often argued with them on this subject, and never could convince them. This country has now _fifty-five millions sterling_ invested in American securities, which is a large sum, and the _majority_ consider that a war will spunge out this debt. Their argument which they constantly urged against me, has more soundness in it than would be supposed:--"If you declare war with us, what is the first thing you do, you seize all American vessels and all American property that you can lay hold of, which have entered into your ports on the faith of peace between the two countries. Now, why have we not an equal right to seize all English property whenever we can find it in this country?" But this, as I have observed, is the language of the democrats and locofocos. There are thousands of honourable men in America, not only as merchants, but in every other class, who are most anxious to keep on good terms with us, and have the kindest feelings towards England. Unfortunately they are but few compared to the majority, and much as they may regret the hostile feelings towards us, I am afraid that it is wholly out of their power to prevent their increase, which will be in exact proportion with the increase of the popular sway.