Historical records of the New Brunswick Regiment, Canadian Artillery

24 HISTORICAL RECORDS OF THECHAPTER1812-1815.III.The Bight of Search—Drifting towards War— Military Governors Appointed—WarDeclared—Letter from the People of Eastport—March of the 104th—Loss of Materiel—A Prize in the Port of St.John— Recollections — End of the War.'^^HE bitter feelings engendered by the revolution of the\J American colonies were not destined to quickly die out.Though nominally at peace with England, yet many ofthe states saw in the great struggle between that nation andErance, an opportunity for striking another blow at the motherland. This feeling was confined to the Southern and Westernstates, while those in the North-eastern portion of the Unionsympathized with the British colonies across the line. Thegreat naval contest in which Britain was then engaged made theobtaining of seamen a matter of vital importance. Desertionswere frequent under the rough discipHne of those days and,alluring as their tales of glory now may be, it was necessaryto resort to impressment and other severe measures to keep upthe supply and prevent unauthorized abandonment of the service.The American merchant service was growing and thatnation being at peace with all the world employment in hermarine was eagerly sought. Men who had served in the BritishNavy were of course most desirable seamen and by thatclassthe American vessels were principally manned. Great Britainresolved to put an end to desertions and claimed a "right ofsearch " of all vessels on the high seas for that purpose. So