8974. WASHINGTON (City), British capture of.—[continued].
[The incendiarism at
Washington] enlists the feelings of the world
on our side; and the advantage of public opinion
is like that of the weather-gauge in a naval
action. In Europe, the transient possession of
our capital can be no disgrace. Nearly every
capital there was in possession of its enemy;
some often and long. But diabolical as they
paint that enemy, he burned neither public
edifices nor private dwellings. It was reserved
for England to show that Bonaparte, in atrocity,
was an infant to their ministers and their
generals. They are taking his place in the eyes
of Europe, and have turned into our channel
all its good will. This will be worth the million
of dollars their conflagration will cost us.—
To James Monroe. Washington ed. vi, 408.
Ford ed., ix, 496.
(M.
Jan. 1815)
