At the present day such a statement merely excites amusement, as no one takes it seriously; but in 1812 it was different.
[34] Aurora, July 7, 1812, p. 2-2.
[35] Portsmouth Oracle, August 22, 1812, p. 4-1.
[36] Aurora, July 27, 1813.
[37] Caleb Strong was one of the twenty-eight "Barristers and Attornies at Law" who addressed Gage on July 1, 1774 (Boston News-Letter, July 7, 1774, p. 1-1). Those who addressed Gage on his departure in October, 1775, were of course loyalists; but the addresses to Gage on his arrival in 1774 were signed by both loyalists and ardent patriots. Perhaps no one received harder blows from his opponents in the war of 1812 than Strong. The following toast was given at Bernardston, Massachusetts: "The governor of Massachusetts. In 1774 the loyal addresser of Gage, in 1812 and 13 the eulogist and special pleader of the 'bulwark of our religion'" (Aurora, August 3, 1813, p. 1-3). At Pittsfield, Massachusetts: "Caleb Strong—The man, who by cunning concealment and tory prevarication, would endeavor to reason away the rights of his country, is unworthy of its confidence" (Aurora, July 22, 1813, p. 1). At Passyunk: "Execration to the hoary head traitorous vindicator of the barbarities of the monstrous government of England: His treason is only equal to his cowardice; 'England has done us no essential injury:' You lie you V——" (Aurora, July 12, 1813, p. 2-5).
There is an expression in the last toast that has a familiar sound at the present day.
[38] Aurora, August 3, 1813, p. 1-3.
[39] Aurora, July 9, 1813, p. 2-4.
[40] National Intelligencer (Washington), July 29, 1813, p. 1-3.
[41] Military Monitor, April 5, 1813, I, 254. The following amusing paragraph may be quoted here: "Remarkable Incident.—On the 4th of July, 1812, General Chandler gave as a toast at Augusta:—'The 4th of July 1813—May WE on that day drink wine within the walls of Quebec!' On this same 4th of July he was within the walls of Quebec (a prisoner) and from the known hospitality of the citizens of that place we have no doubt his wish was literally gratified" (Columbian Centinel, July 7, 1813, p. 2-4).