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declared against a power which at this period of her
history had brought up her naval forces to a point
double in strength to that of any other country in the
world。 And this war had been declared by a nation
which； comparatively speaking； possessed no naval
strength at all。
For some years the United States navy had been
steadily improving； but this improvement was not
sufficient to make it worthy of reliance at this
crisis。 As has been said； there was money enough； and
every ship…yard in the country could be set to work to
build ironclad men…of…war： but it takes a long time to
build ships； and England's navy was afloat。 It was the
British keel that America had to fear。
By means of the continental cables it was known
that many of the largest mail vessels of the British
transatlantic lines； which had been withdrawn upon the
declaration of war； were preparing in British ports
to transport troops to Canada。 It was not impossible
that these great steamers might land an army in Canada
before an American army could be organized and marched
to that province。 It might be that the United States
would be forced to defend her borders； instead of
invading those of the enemy。
In every fort and navy…yard all was activity； the
hammering of iron went on by day and by night； but what
was to be done when the great ironclads of England
hammered upon our defences？ How long would it be
before the American flag would be seen no more upon the
high seas？
It is not surprising that the Government found its
position one of perilous responsibility。 A wrathful
nation expected of it more than it could perform。
All over the country； however； there were
thoughtful men； not connected with the Government； who
saw the perilous features of the situation； and day by
day these grew less afraid of being considered
traitors； and more willing to declare their convictions
of the country's danger。 Despite the continuance of
the national enthusiasm； doubts； perplexities； and
fears began to show themselves。
In the States bordering upon Canada a reactionary
feeling became evident。 Unless the United States navy
could prevent England from rapidly pouring into Canada；
not only her own troops； but perhaps those of allied
nations； these Northern States might become the scene
of warfare； and whatever the issue of the contest；
their lands might be ravished； their people suffer。
From many quarters urgent demands were now pressed
upon the Government。 From the interior there were
clamours for troops to be massed on the Northern
frontier； and from the seaboard cities there came a cry
for ships that were worthy to be called men…of…war；
ships to defend the harbours and bays； ships to repel
an invasion by sea。 Suggestions were innumerable。
There was no time to build； it was urged； the
Government could call upon friendly nations。 But wise
men smiled sadly at these suggestions； it was difficult
to find a nation desirous of a war with England。
In the midst of the enthusiasms； the fears； and the
suggestions； came reports of the capture of
American merchantmen by fast British cruisers。 These
reports made the American people more furious； the
American Government more anxious。
Almost from the beginning of this period of
national turmoil； a party of gentlemen met daily in one
of the large rooms in a hotel in New York。 At first
there were eleven of these men； all from the great
Atlantic cities； but their number increased by arrivals
from other parts of the country； until at last they；
numbered twenty…three。 These gentlemen were all great
capitalists； and accustomed to occupying themselves
with great enterprises。 By day and by night they met
together with closed doors； until they had matured the
scheme which they had been considering。 As soon as
this work was done； a committee was sent to Washington；
to submit a plan to the Government。
These twenty…three men had formed themselves into a
Syndicate； with the object of taking entire charge of
the war between the United States and Great Britain。
This proposition was an astounding one； but the
Government was obliged to treat it with respectful
consideration。 The men who offered it were a power
in the land；a power which no government could afford
to disregard。
The plan of the Syndicate was comprehensive；
direct； and simple。 It offered to assume the entire
control and expense of the war； and to effect a
satisfactory peace within one year。 As a guarantee
that this contract would be properly performed； an
immense sum of money would be deposited in the Treasury
at Washington。 Should the Syndicate be unsuccessful；
this sum would be forfeited； and it would receive no
pay for anything it had done。
The sum to be paid by the Government to the
Syndicate； should it bring the war to a satisfactory
conclusion； would depend upon the duration of
hostilities。 That is to say； that as the shorter the
duration of the war； the greater would be the benefit
to the country； therefore； the larger must be the pay
to the Syndicate。 According to the proposed contract；
the Syndicate would receive； if the war should continue
for a year； one…quarter the sum stipulated to be paid
if peace should be declared in three months。
If at any time during the conduct of the war by the
Syndicate an American seaport should be taken by
the enemy； or a British force landed on any point of
the seacoast； the contract should be considered at an
end； and security and payment forfeited。 If any point
on the northern boundary of the United States should be
taken and occupied by the enemy； one million dollars of
the deposited security should be forfeited for every
such occupation； but the contract should continue。
It was stipulated that the land and naval forces of
the United States should remain under the entire
control of the Government； but should be maintained as
a defensive force； and not brought into action unless
any failure on the part of the Syndicate should render
such action necessary。
The state of feeling in governmental circles； and
the evidences of alarm and distrust which were becoming
apparent in Congress and among the people； exerted an
important influence in favour of the Syndicate。 The
Government caught at its proposition； not as if it were
a straw； but as if it were a life…raft。 The men who
offered to relieve the executive departments of their
perilous responsibilities were men of great ability；
prominent positions； and vast resources； whose
vast enterprises had already made them known all over
the globe。 Such men were not likely to jeopardize
their reputations and fortunes in a case like this；
unless they had well…founded reasons for believing that
they would be successful。 Even the largest amount
stipulated to be paid them in case of success would be