Великий военный синдикат

           Anothereventofasomewhatdifferentcharacterwastheoccasionofmuchexcitedfeelingandcomment,particularlyintheUnitedStates.ThedescentandattackbyBritishvesselsonanAtlanticportwasamatterofpopularexpectation.TheSyndicatehadrepellersandcrabsatthemostimportantpoints;but,inthemindsofnavalofficersandalargeportionofthepeople,littledependencefordefencewastobeplaceduponthese.AstotheabilityoftheWarSyndicatetopreventinvasionorattackbymeansofitsthreatstobombardtheblockadedCanadianport,veryfewbelievedinit.EveniftheSyndicatecoulddoanymoredamageinthatquarter,whichwasimprobable,whatwastopreventtheBritishnavyfromplayingthesamegame,andenteringanAmericanseaport,threatentobombardtheplaceiftheSyndicatedidnotimmediatelyrunalltheirqueervesselshighanddryonsomeconvenientbeach?AfeelingofindignationagainsttheSyndicatehadexistedinthenavyfromthetimethatthewarcontracthadbeenmade,andthisfeelingincreaseddaily.ThattheofficersandmenoftheUnitedStatesnavyshouldbepennedupinharbours,ports,andsounds,whileBritishshipsandthehulkingmine-springersandrudder-pinchersoftheSyndicatewereallowedtoroamtheoceanatwill,wasaveryhardthingforbravesailorstobear.Sometimestheresentmentagainstthisstateofaffairsrosealmosttorevolt.ThegreatnavalpreparationsofEnglandwerenotyetcomplete,butsingleBritishmen-of-warwerenowfrequentlyseenofftheAtlanticcoastoftheUnitedStates.