defences, rendered the enterprize too difficult to be undertaken with any prospect of sucIn consequence, the troops were ordered back, after some loss had been sustained from the sinking of the boats.

An attack which was made upon an American post at Hampton was more successful. This post, defended by a considerable corps, and commanding the communication between the upper part of the country and Norfolk, was thought by the admiral a proper object for an attempt. Accordingly, on the night of the 25th, the troops, under the command of Sir S. Beckwith, were embarked on-board the light squadron commanded by Rear admiral Cockburn, which were landed at daylight the following day, to the westward of Hamp

Whilst the enemy's attention was engaged by a fire from the armed vessels upon the batteries, the troops unobserved gained their flanks, and the action which ensued terminated in obtaining possession of their camp and batteries. Some loss was sustained by the British, but that of the Americans was very considerable.

Admiral Cockburn having received directions from Sir J. B. Warren, to put an end to the commerce carried on by the Americans from the port of Ocracoke, in North Carolina, by means of inland navigation, and to destroy any vessels which might be in that harbour, anchored off the bar on the 11th of July, with a light squadron, having onboard detachments of troops under Lieutenantcolonel Napier, and proceeded to put the design into execution. Three divisions of boats and small vessels, with seamen and soldiers, being equipped, were sent into the harbour on the morning of the 12th, when a fire was opened upon them by two armed vessels, one of eighteen guns and the other a schooner. They were, however, soon silenced and taken possession of by the first division of boats; and the troops landing upon the islands of Portsmouth and Ocracoke, became masters of them without opposition, and thus command was obtained of the channel between them and the coast, through which the inland navigation was conducted. By this mode of warfare, the coasts and inlets of this part of America were kept in continual alarm by the motions and enterprises of the blockading squadrons.

The time had now arrived, when the British navy was to recover a large share of its accustomed honors from that foe against whom its glory had suffered a temporary eclipse. Captain Broke, of his majesty's ship Shannon, who was stationed off Boston, had been singularly assiduous in exercising his men at small arms, and bringing them into a state of the most perfect discipline. In that harbour lay the United States frigate Chesapeake, Captain Lawrence, who had been promoted for the gallantry he had displayed

1813.

in the action with the Peacock. Captain Broke BOOK XI. had long been watching for this vessel, desirous only of contending with it on fair terms; and CHAP. X. that the enemy might not be prevented from coming out by the apprehension of having more than one antagonist to deal with, on the 1st of June he stood close in with Boston light-house, presenting himself as a challenger to single combat. This being accepted by Captain Lawrence, the Chesapeake sailed out of the harbour, and a severe but short action ensued, for the particulars of which we cannot do better than refer the reader to the dispatch of Captain Broke.-It was fought in view of an immense concourse of people on shore.

"Shannon, Halifax, June 6, 1813. "Sir, I have the honor to inform you, that being close in with Boston light-house, in his majesty's ship under my command, on the 1st instant, I had the pleasure of seeing that the United States frigate Chesapeake (whom we had long been watching) was coming out of the harbour to engage the Shannon; I took a position between Cape Ann and Cape Cod, and then hove-to for him to join us; the enemy came down in a very handsome manner, having three American ensigns flying; when closing with us, he sent down his royal yards. I kept the Shannon's up, expecting the breeze would die away. At half-past five, p. m. the enemy hauled up within hail of us on the starboard-side, and the battle began, both ships steering full under the topsails; after exchanging between two and three broadsides, the enemy's ship fell on-board of us, her mizen-channels locking in with our fore-rigging. I went forward to ascertain her position, and observing that the enemy were flinching from their guns, I gave orders to prepare for boarding. Our gallant bands appointed to that service immediately rushed in, under their respective officers, upon the enemy's decks, driving every thing before them with irresistible fury. The enemy made a desperate but disorderly resistance. The firing continued at all the gangways and between the tops, but in two minutes' time the enemy were driven, sword in hand, from every post. The American flag was hauled down, and the proud old British union floated triumphant over it. In another minute they ceased firing from below, and called for quarter. The whole of this service was achieved in fifteen minutes from the commencement of the action.

"I have to lament the loss of many of my gallant shipmates, but they fell exulting in their conquest.

"My brave first lieutenant, Mr. Watt, was slain in the moment of victory, in the act of hoisting the British colours; his death is a severe loss to the service. Mr. Aldham, the purser, who had spi

BOOK XI. ritedly-volunteered the charge of a party of smallarm men, was killed at his post on the gangway. CHAP. X. My faithful old clerk, Mr. Dunn, was shot by his side. Mr. Aldham has left a widow to lament his 1813. loss. I request the commander-in-chief will recommend her to the protection of the lords-commissioners of the admiralty. My veteran boatswain, Mr. Stephens, has lost an arm. He fought under Lord Rodney on the 12th of April. I trust his age and services will be duly rewarded.

"I am happy to say, that Mr. Samwell, a midshipman, of much merit, is the only officer wounded besides myself, and he not dangerously. Of my gallant seamen and marines we had twentythree slain and fifty-six wounded. I subjoin the names of the former. No expressions I can make use of can do justice to the merits of my valiant officers and crew; the calm courage they displayed during the cannonade, and the tremendous precision of their fire, could only be equalled by the ardour with which they rushed to the assault. I recommend them all warmly to the protection of the commander-in-chief. Having received a severe sabre-wound at the first onset, whilst charging a part of the enemy who had rallied on their forecastle, I was only capable of giving command, till assured our conquest was complete, and then directing second Lieutenant Wallis to take charge of the Shannon, and secure the prisoners, I left the third lieutenant, Mr. Falkiner, (who had headed the main-deck boarders) in charge of the prize. I beg to recommend these officers most strongly to the commander-in-chief's patronage, for the gallantry they displayed during the action, and the skill and judgment they evinced in the anxious duties which afterwards devolved upon them.

"To Mr. Etough, the acting-master, I am much indebted, for the steadiness in which he conn'd the ship into action. The Lieutenants Johns and Law, of the marines, bravely boarded at the head of their respective divisions. It is impossible to particularize every brilliant deed performed by my officers and men; but I must mention when the ships' yard-arms were locked together, that Mr. Cosnahan, who commanded in our main-top, finding himself screened from the enemy by the foot of the topsail, laid out at the main-yard-arm to fire upon them, and shot three men in that situation. Mr. Smith, who commanded in our fore-top, stormed the enemy's foretop from the fore-yard-arm, and destroyed all the Americans remaining in it. I particularly beg leave to recommend Mr. Etough, the acting master, and Messrs. Smith, Leake, Clavering, Raymond, and Littlejohn, midshipmen. This latter officer is the son of Captain Littlejohn, who was slain in the Berwick. The loss of the enemy was about seventy killed and 100 wounded. Among the former were the four lieutenants, a lieutenant of marines, the master, and many other officers. Captain Lawrence is since dead of his wounds.

.

“The enemy came into action with a complement of 440 men; the Shannon having picked up some recaptured seamen, had three hundred and thirty. The Chesapeake is a fine frigate, and mounts forty-nine guns, eighteens on her maîn-deck, twoand-thirties on her quarter-deck and forecastle. Both ships came out of action in the most beautiful order, their rigging appearing as perfect as if they had only been exchanging a salute. "I have the honor to be, &c. (Signed) "P. B. V. BROKE. "To Captain, the Hon. T. Bladen Capel, &c. Halifax."

Captain Lawrence was honorably interred at Halifax. The humiliated feelings of the nume rous spectators on shore, who, instead of a new triumph, saw their gallant ship in so short a time led captive, may easily be conceived. It is said, that Captain Lawrence was so confident of returning victorious into port, that he had neglected to provide accommodations on-board for the wounded, which was the cause of much subsequent distress.

The following message from the president of the United States was received by congress on the 25th of May.

"Fellow citizens of the senate, and of the house of representatives,--At an early day after the close of the last session of congress, an offer was förmally communicated from the Emperor of Russia, of his mediation as the common friend of the United States and Great Britain, for the purpose of facilitating a peace between them. The high character of the Emperor Alexander being a satisfactory pledge for the sincerity and impartiality of his offer, it was immediately accepted; and as afurther proof of the disposition, on the part of the United States, to meet their adversary in honorable experiments for terminating the war, it was determined to avoid intermediate delay, incident to the distance of the parties, by a definitive provision for the contemplated negociation. Three of our eminent citizens were accordingly commissioned with the requisite powers, to conclude a treaty of peace with persons clothed with like powers on the part of Great Britain. They were authorized also to enter into such conventional regulations of the commerce between the two countries as may be mutually advantageous. The two envoys who were in the United States at the time of their appointment, have proceeded to join their colleague already at St. Petersburgh.

"The envoys have received another commission, authorizing them to conclude with Russia a treaty of commerce, with a view to strengthen the amicable relations, and improve the beneficial intercourse between the two countries.

"The issue of this friendly intercourse of the Russian emperor, and this pacific manifestation on the part of the United States, time only can

decide. That the sentiments of Great Britain towards that sovereign will have produced an acceptance of his offered mediation, must be presumed. That no adequate motives exist to prefer a continuance of war with the United States, to the terms on which they are willing to close it, is certain.

"The British cabinet also must be sensible, that, with respect to the important question of impressment, on which the war so essentially turns, a search for or seizure of British persons or property on-board neutral vessels in the high seas, is not a belligerent right derived from the law of nations; and it is obvious, that no visit or search, or use of force for any purpose, on-board the vessel of one independent power on the high seas, can, in war or peace, be sanctioned by the laws or authority of another power. It is equally obvious, that for the purpose of preserving to each state its sea-faring members, by excluding them from the vessels of the other, the mode heretofore proposed by the United States, and now enacted by them as an article of municipal policy, cannot, for a moment, be compared with the mode practised by Great Britain, without a conviction of its title to preference; inasmuch as the latter leaves the discrimination between the mariners of the two nations to officers exposed to unavoidable bias, as well as by a defect of evidence, to a wrong decision, under circumstances precluding, for the most part, the enforcement of controlling penalties, and where a strong decision, besides the irreparable violation of the sacred rights of persons, might frustrate the plans and profits of entire voyages; whereas the mode assumed by the United States guards, with studied fairness and efficacy, against errors in such cases, and avoids the effect of casual errors, or the safety of navigation, and the success of mercantile expeditions.

"If the reasonableness of expectations, drawn from these considerations, could guarantee their fulfilment, a' just peace would not be distant. But it becomes the wisdom of the national legislature to keep in mind the true policy, or rather the indispensable obligation, of adapting its measures to the supposition, that the only course to that happy event is in the vigorous employment of the resources of war: and painful as the reflection is, this duty is particularly enforced by the spirit and manner in which the war continues to be waged by the enemy, who, uninfluenced by the unvaried examples of humanity set them, are adding to the savage fury of it on one frontier a system of plunder and conflagration on the other, equally forbidden by respect for national character, and the established rule of civilized warfare.

"As an encouragement to persevering and invigorating exertions to bring the contest to a happy result, I have the satisfaction of being able

to appeal to the auspicious progress of our own BOOK XI: arms, both by land and on the water.

"In continuation of the brilliant achievements of our infant navy, a signal triumph has been gained by Captain Lawrence and his companions in the Hornet sloop of war, which destroyed a British sloop of war with a celerity so unexampled, and with a slaughter of the enemy so disproportionate to the loss in the Hornet, as to claim for the conquerors the highest praise, and the full recompence provided by congress in preceding cases. Our public ships of war in general, as well as the private armed vessels, have continued also their activity and success against the commerce of the enemy, and by their vigilance and address have greatly frustrated the efforts of the hostile squadrons distributed along our coasts, to intercept them in returning into port, and resuming their cruises. The augmentation of our naval force, as authorized at the last session of congress, is in progress. On the lakes our superiority is near at hand, where it is not already established.

"The events of the campaign, so far as they are known to us, furnish matter of congratulation, and show, that under a wise organization and efficient direction, the army is destined to a glory not less brilliant than that which already encircles the navy. The attack and capture of York is, in that quarter, a presage of future and greater victories,

while on the western frontiers, the issue of the late siege of Fort Meigs leaves nothing to regret but a single act of inconsiderate valor.

"The sudden death of the distinguished citizen who represented the United States in France, without any special arrangements by him for such a contingency, has left us without the expected sequel to his last communications; nor has the French government taken any measures for bringing the depending negociations to a conclusion through its representative in the United States. This failure adds to delays before so unusually spun out. A successor to our departed minister has been appointed, and is ready to proceed on his mission. The course which he will pursue in fulfilling it, is that prescribed by a steady regard to the true interests of the United States, which equally avoids an abandonment of their just demands, and a connection of their features with the system of other powers.

"The receipts into the treasury from the 1st of October to the 31st of March last, including the sums received on account of treasury-notes, and of the loans authorised by the acts of the last and the preceding session of congress, have amounted to 15,412,000 dollars. The expenditures during the same period amounted to 15,920,000, and left in the treasury, on the 1st of April, 1,857,000 dollars. The loan of 16,000,000 of dollars, authorised by the act of the 8th of February last, has been contracted for. Of that sum more than a million

CHAP. X.

1813.

BOOK XI. of dollars had been paid into the treasury prior to the 1st of April, and formed a part of the reCHAP. X. ceipts as above stated. The remainder of that loan, amounting to near 15,000,000 of dollars, with 1813. the sum of 5,000,000 of dollars authorised to be issued in treasury-notes, and the estimated receipts from the customs, and the sales of public lands, amounting to 9,000,000 dollars, and making in the whole 29,300,000 dollars, to be received during the last nine months of the present year, will be necessary to meet the expenditures already authorised, and the engagements contracted in relation to the public debt. These engagements amount, during that period, to 10,500,000 dollars, which, with near one million for the civil, miscellaneous, and diplomatic expenses, both foreign and domestic, and 17,800,000 for the military and naval expenditures, including the ships of war building, and to be built, will leave a sum in the treasury at the end of the present year equal to that of the 1st of April last. A part of this sum may be considered as a resource for defraying any extraordinary expenses already authorised by law beyond the sum above-mentioned; and a further resource for any emergency may be found in the sum of 1,000,000 of dollars, the loan of which to the United States has been authorised by the state of Pennsylvania, but which has not yet been brought into effect.

"This view of our finances, whilst it shews that due provision has been made for the expenses of the current year, shews, at the same time, by the limited amount of the actual revenue, and the dependence on loans, the necessity of providing more adequately for the future supplies of the treasury. This can best be done by a welldigested system of internal revenue, in aid of existing sources; which will have the effect both of abridging the amount of necessary loans, and on that account, as well as by placing the public credit on a more satisfactory basis, of improving the terms on which loans may be obtained.

"The loan of 16,000,000 was not contracted for at a less interest than about seven and a half per cent.'; and although other causes may have had an agency, it cannot be doubted, that with the advantage of a more extended and less precarious revenue, a lower rate of interest might have sufficed. A longer postponement of the advantage could not fail to have a still greater influence on future loans.

"In recommending to the national legislature

this resort to additional taxes, I feel great satisfaction in the assurance, that our constituents, who have already displayed so much zeal and firmness in the cause of their country, will cheerfully give other proofs of their patriotism which it calls for. Happily no people, with local and territorial exceptions never to be wholly avoided, are more able than the people of the United States to spare for the public wants a portion of their private means, whether regard be had to the ordinary profits of industry, or the ordinary price of subsistence in our country, compared with those in any other. And in no case could stronger reasons be felt for the yielding the requisite contributions.

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By rendering the public resources certain, and commensurate to the public exigencies, the constituted authorities will be able to prosecute the war more rapidly to its proper issue: every hostile hope founded on a calculated failure of our resources will be cut off; and by adding to the evidence of bravery and skill, in combats on the ocean and on the land, and an alacrity in supplying the treasury, necessary to give them their fullest effect, and thus demonstrating to the world the public energy which our political institutions combine, with the personal liberty distinguishing them, the best security will be provided against future enterprises on the rights, or the peace of the nation.

"The contest in which the United States are engaged appeals for its support to every motive that can animate an uncorrupted and enlightened people, to the love of country,-to the pride of liberty,-to the glorious founders of their independence, by a successful vindication of its violated attributes; to the gratitude and sympathy which demands security from the most degrading wrongs of a class of citizens who have proved so worthy of the protection of their country by their heroic zeal in its defence; and, finally, to the sacred obligations of transmitting, entire, to future generations, that precious patrimony of national rights and independence, which is held in trust by the present from the goodness of Divine Providence.

"Being aware of the inconveniences to which a protracted session, at this season, would be liable, I limit the present communication to abjects of primary importance. In special messages which may ensue, regard will be had to the same consideration. "JAMES MADISON." Washington, May 25, 1813."

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LIEUTENANT-COLONEL Bishopp, with a detachment of troops from the centre division of the British army in Upper Canada, embarked early on the morning of the 11th of July, for the purpose of destroying the American naval establishment at Black Rock on Lake Ontario. The detachment landed, unperceived, before daylight, and immediately proceeded to attack the batteries, which they carried with little opposition, the enemy retreating with precipitation. They then set fire to the block-houses, barracks, and navy-yard, with a large schooner; and the stores which could be got off were carried across the river. Before they could be taken away, however, the Americans, reinforced by a body of Indians, advanced, and rendered it expedient for the troops to retreat to their boats; and they recrossed the river under a heavy fire, which occasioned a considerable loss, the commander himself being severely wounded. The object of the expedition, however, was, in a great measure, accomplished.

On the 20th of July, the president was induced to issue a strict injunction on all naval officers to exercise the utmost vigilance in stopping and detaining all vessels and craft proceeding, or apparently about to proceed, towards the blockading ships; it being ascertained, that such intercourse had been carried on to a great extent, both by natives and foreigners, thereby conveying provisions and intelligence to the British. Attempts were also publicly encouraged for the destruction of the British men-of-war upon the coasts of America by torpedoes and other explosive machinery. One of the concealed methods of doing mischief, by the Americans, merits unqualified reprobation, from its truly insidious character. A schooner was fitted out from New York, laden with provisions and stores, under which were deposited several casks of gunpowder, with trains communicating with a piece of clock-work contrived to go off at a certain time. The vessel was

1813.

thrown in the way of the Ramilies, which sent a BOOK XI. boat to take possession of her, when she was deserted by her crew, and brought near the man- CHAP XI. of-war. Fortunately the captain, Sir Thomas Hardy, directed, that she should be placed alongside of a captured sloop, and not of the Ramilies. A dreadful explosion soon took place, which proved fatal to the second lieutenant and ten seamen, who were on-board: had she been close to the Ramilies, the loss would have been much greater

In Upper Canada the American forces still occupied the position of Fort George and its immediate vicinity, where they were straitened by the advance of the British commander, Major-general De Rottenburg, to St. David's, within seven miles of the fort. The enemy's fleet, consisting of two ships, one brig, and eleven schooners, had sailed from Sackett's harbour some days before, and the British squadron had gone in search of it. With a view of calling off the attention of the Americans from this province to the defence of their own settlements, Sir George Prevost sent. out an expedition of gun-boats and other vessels, with 800 picked men, to make a movement on Lake Champlain, which was attended with the most complete success. The land-forces, under Lieutenant-colonel Murray, proceeded to Plattsburg, where they destroyed the enemy's arsenal, block-house, commissary's buildings, and stores, together with the extensive barracks of Saranac, capable of containing 4,000 troops. A quantity of naval stores was brought off, particularly equipments for a large number of batteaux. The barracks and stores at Swanton were also destroyed. A detachment, sent to destroy the public building and stores at Champlain Town effected their purpose without opposition. The militia, assembled for the defence of Plattsburg, disbanded on the appearance of the armament. The naval part of the expedition captured and destroyed four vessels, without any attempt from the enemy's armed vessels to rescue them.

At