The readiness with which numbers of the people had accepted paroles and protections, declared, at most, nothing but their indifference to the contest--declared no preference for British domination.

In this lay the error of the conqueror.

The natural feeling of the people, thus entrapped, was that of indignation.

Their determination might have been conjectured by any reasoning mind.
Compelled to take up arms--not permitted to enjoy that repose with their families, for which they sought the offered immunities of the British--it was more easy to espouse the cause of their countrymen, to which their affections were really given, than that of the invader.

They had committed a great and humbling error in the endeavor to escape the conflict--in taking the proffered protection of a power which had seized with violence upon their native land.