civilized and commercial world. But whatever may have inspired the enemy with these more violent purposes, the public councils of a nation, more able to maintain than it was to acquire its independence, and with a devotion to it rendered more ardent by the experience of its blessings, can never deliberate but on the means most effectual for defeating the extravagant measures of unwarrantable passion, with which alone the war can now be pursued against us. In the events of the present campaign, with all its augmented means and wanton use of them, he has little ground for exultation, unless he can feel it in the success of his recent enterprize against this me. tropolis and the neighbouring town of Alexandria, from both of which his retreats were as precipitate as his attempts were bold and fortunate. In his other incursions on our Atlantic frontier, his progress, often checked and chastised by the martial spirit of the neighbouring citizens, has had more effect in distressing individuals and in dishonouring his arms, than in promoting any object of legitimate warfare. And in the two instances mentioned, however deeply to be regretted on our part, in his transient success, which interrupted for a moment only the ordinary public business at the seat of government, no compensation can accrue for the loss of character with the world, by his violation of private property, and his destruction of public edifices, protected as monuments of the arts by the laws of civilised warfare. On our side we can appeal to a series of achievements which have given new lustre to the Ame

rican arms. Besides the brilliant incidents in the minor operations of the campaign, the splendid victories gained on the Canadian side of the Niagara by the American forces under Major-General Brown, and Brigadiers Scott and Gaines, have gained for these heroes and their emulated companions the most unfading laurels, and having triumphantly proved the progressive discipline of the American soldiery, have taught the enemy that the longer he protracts his bostile efforts, the more certain and decisive will be his final discomfiture. On the Southern border victory has continued also to follow the American standard. The bold and skilful operations of Major-General Jackson, conducting troops drawn from the Militia of the States least distant, particularly of Tenessee, having subdued the principal tribes of hostile savages, and by establishing a peace with them, preceded by recent and and exemplary chastisement, we have guarded against the mischief of their co-operations with the British enterprises which may be planned against this quarter of our country. Important tribes of Indians on our North Western Froutier have also acceded to stipula tions which bind them to the interest of our United States, and to consider our enemy as their's also.

In the recent attempts of the enemy on Baltimore, defended by militia and volunteers, aided by a small body of regulars and seamen, he was received with a spirit which produced a rapid retreat to the ships, whilst a concurrent attack by a large fleet was successfully resisted by the steady and well directed fire of the fort

and

and batteries opposed to it. In another recent attack by a powerful force on our troops at Plattsburg, of which regulars made a part only, the enemy, after a perseverance for many hours, was finally compelled to seek safety in a hasty retreat, our gallant bands pressing upon him. On the lakes, so much contested throughout the war, the great exertions for the command made on our part have been well repaid on Lake Ontario. Our squadron is now and has been for some time in a condition to confine that of the enemy to his own port, and to favour the operations of our land forces on that frontier. On Lake Champlain, where our superiority had for some time been undisputed, the British squadron lately came into action with the American, commanded by Captain M'Donnough; it issued in the capture of the whole of the enemy's ships. The best praise of this officer and his intrepid comrades is in the likeness of his triumph to the illustrious victory which immortalized another officer, and established at a critical moment our command of another lake. On the ocean, the pride of our naval arms has been amply supported: a second frigate bas indeed fallen into the hands of the enemy, but the loss is hidden in the blaze of heroism with which she was defended. Capt. Porter, who commanded her, and whose previous career had been distinguished by daring enterprise and by fertility of genius, maintained a sanguinary contest against two ships, one of them superior to his own, and other severe disadvantages, till humanity tore down the colours which valour had nailed

to the mast. This officer and his comrades have added much to the glory of the American flag, and have merited all the effusions of gratitude which their country is ever ready to bestow on the champions of its rights and of its safety.

Two smaller vessels of war have also become prizes to the enemy, but by superiority of force, which sufficiently vindicates the reputation of their Commanders; whilst two others, one commanded by Capt. Warrington, the other by Capt. Blakely, have captured British ships of the same class with a gallantry and good conduct, which entitled them and their Commanders to a just share in the praise of their country.

In spite of the naval forces of the enemy accumulated on our coasts, our private cruisers also have not ceased to annoy his commerce, and to bring their rich prizes into our ports: contributing thus, with other proofs, to demonstrate the incompetency and the illegality of a blockade, the proclamation of which has been made the pretext for vexing and discouraging the commerce of neutral powers with the United States.

To meet the extended and diversified warfare adopted by the enemy, great bodies of militia have been taken into the service of the public defence, and great expenses incurred. That the defence every where may be both more convenient and more economical, Congress will see the necessity of immediate measures of filling the ranks of the regular army, and enlarging the provisions for special corps, mounted and dismounted,

to

to be engaged for a longer period of service than are due from the militia. I earnestly renew at the same time a recommendation of such changes in the system of the militia, as by classing and disciplining on the most prompt and active service the portion most capable of it, will give to that resource for the public safety all the requisite energy and efficiency.

A part of the squadron on Lake Erie has been extended to Lake Huron, and has produced the advantage of displaying our command of that Lake also. One object of the expedition was the reduction of Mackinau, which failed, with the loss of a few brave men, among whom was an officer distinguished for his gallant exploits; and the expedition, ably conducted by both land and naval commanders, was otherwise valuable in its effects.

The monies received into the Treasury, during the nine months ending the 13th of June last, amounted to 32 millions of dollars, of which 11 millions were the proceeds of the public revenue, and the remainder derived from loans. The disbursements for Public Expenditures during the same period exceed 34 millions of dollars, and left in the Treasury on the 1st of July near five millions of dollars.

The demands during the remainder of the present year already authorised by Congress, and the expenses incident to an extension of the operations of the war, will render it necessary that large sums should be provided to meet them. From this view of the national affairs, Congress will be urged to take up without delay, as well the subject of pecuniary

supplies, as that of military force, and on a scale commensurate with the extent and character which the war has assumed.

It is not to be disguised that the situation of our country calls for its greatest efforts: our enemy is powerful in men and money, on the land and on the water; availing himself of fortunate circumstances, he is aiming, with an undivided force, a deadly blow at our growing prosperity, perhaps at our national existence. He has avowed his purpose of trampling on the usages of civilised warfare, and given earnest of it in the plunder and wanton destruction of private property.

In the pride of maritime dominion, and in his thirst of commercial monopoly, he strikes with peculiar animosity at the progress of our navigation and manufactures: his barbarous policy has not even spared those monuments of taste with which our country had enriched and embellished our infant metropolis. From such an adversary, hostility in its greatest force and worst forms may be looked for. The American people will face it with the undaunted spirit. which, in their revolutionary war, defeated his unrighteous projects: his threats and his barbarities, instead of dismay, will kindle in every bosom an indignation not to be extinguished, but in the disaster and expulsion of such cruel invaders. In providing the means necessary, the national legislator will not distrust the enlightened patriotism of his constituents. They will cheerfully and proudly bear every burthen of every kind which the safety and honour of the nation demands.

We have seen them every where

give their taxes, direct and indirect, with the greatest promptness and alacrity: we have seen them rushing with enthusiasm to scenes where danger and duty call; and offering their blood they give their surest pledge that no other tribute will be withheld.

Having forborne to declare war, until to other aggressions had been added the capture of nearly 1000 American vessels, and the impressment of thousands of seafaring citizens, and until a final declaration had been made by the Government of Great Britain, that her hostile orders against our commerce would not be revoked, but on conditions as impossible as unjust, whilst it was known that these orders would not otherwise cease but with a war, which had lasted nearly 20 years, and which, according to appearance at that time, might last as many morehaving manifested on every occasion and in every proper mode, a sincere desire to meet the enemy on the ground of justice, our resolution to defend our beloved country, and to oppose to the enemy's persevering hostility all our energy with an undiminished disposition towards peace and friendship on honourable terms, must carry with it the good wishes of the impartial world, and the best hopes of support from an omipotent and kind Providence.

JAMES MADDISON.

Declaration respecting the Royal Title of Hanover.

Hanover, Oct. 24. Count Munster, the Hanoverian Minister of State, delivered, on the 12th instant, the following note to

the Austrian Minister and to the Ministers of other Powers assembled at Vienna :

"The undersigned State and Cabinet Minister of Hanover is charged by his august Master to acquaint the Imperial Austrian Court with the following declaration concerning the title which his Royal Highness the Prince Regent of Great Britain and Hanover thinks it necessary to substitute for that of Elector of the Holy Roman Em pire.

"

The Powers who concurred in the Peace of Paris having agreed by the 6th Art. of the said treaty of Peace," that the States of Germany should remain independent, and joined in a federal union," the title of Electoral Prince of the Holy Roman Empire has ceased to be suitable to present circumstances.

"Several of these principal Powers have, in this point of view, invited his Royal Highness the Prince Regent to renounce that title, and have given him to understand, that by taking, instead of it, the title of King, he would facilitate many of the arrangements which the future welfare of Germany seemed to require. These considerations alone have induced his Royal Highness to consent.

"The House of Brunswick Luneburg being one of the most illustrious and most ancient in Europe, the Hanoverian branch having filled for more than a cen⚫ tury one of the most distinguished thrones, its possessions being among the most considerable in Germany; all the ancient Electors of Germany and the house of Wurtemberg having erected their States into Kingdoms; and, lastly,

as