of arms, and store-houses full of clothing, and camp equipage were the farther prize of the victors.

After this affair, the American general Hull arrived at the town of Buffalo, and collecting all the troops in the vicinity, amounting to more than 2000 men, took post at Black-Rock to check the further advance of the British. He was not, however, long suffered to remain there unmolested. Majorgen. Riall assembling a force of about 950 regulars and 50 militia, with 400 Indians, crossed the Niagara river on the night of Dec. 29th, and at day-break on the 30th, moved on to attack the enemy, who was strongly posted. After a vigorous resistance, the impetuosity of the assailants forced the Americans to give way, and they were driven through their batteries to the town of Buffalo, about two miles distant. There a further resistance was made; but in a short time the American troops fled in all directions, and took to the woods, leaving behind them three pieces of cannon. Their loss was not known, but 130 prisoners were made, the rapidity of their flight preventing a larger capture. The British loss in this spirited action amounted to 112, in killed, wounded and missing. Among the wounded was lieut.col. Ogilvy, as he was gallantly leading the attack. After the engagement, an officer was sent with a detachment to destroy two schooners and a sloop, part of the enemy's lake squadron, that were on shore below the town of Buffalo, which service was effectually performed. The town itself, the inhabitants having quitted it, was then committed to the flames, VOL. LVI.

with the whole of the public stores, and the village of Black-rock was likewise burnt. A force was then directed to move down the river to fort Niagara to destroy all the remaining cover of the enemy upon this frontier, which being effected, the whole frontier was left clear and naked.

The destruction of the American villages on this occasion was represented in a proclamation issued by Sir George Prevost, as a measure of retaliation for the acts of plunder and conflagration committed by the Americans in their invasion of Upper Canada, and particularly the burning of the village of Newark, consisting of 150 houses, the inhabitants of which were driven out to encounter, without covering or shelter, the inclemency of a Canadian winter. His Excellency gives several instances of the moderation and regard to private property shewn by the British, and intimates that retaliation shall be carried no farther, unless fresh provocation be given.

On Jan. 7th, the President of the United States communicated. to both houses of Congress, copies of a letter from the British secretary of state, lord Castlereagh, to the American secretary Mr. Monroe, with the answer of the latter, the subject of which was the proposed negotiations for peace. Lord Castlereagh's letter encloses a note from lord Cathcart, British embassador to the emperor of Russia, addressed to the count de Nesselrode, in which he mentions that the Prince Regent had been informed of the arrival of the American commissioners in Russia, and though be

finds reason to decline the mediation of his Imperial Majesty in the discussions with the United States, yet being sincerely desirous of terminating the war between Great Britain and America, he is ready to nominate plenipotentiaries for treating directly with them, and would prefer that the conferences should be held in London, but if that were objected to, he would consent to substitute Gottenburgh. Lord Castlereagh then says, that the American commissioners having declared their readiness to treat in London, he has transmitted this proposal by a flag of truce, and that the British admiral on the American station will be ready to give the necessary protection to any persons sent by the United States in furtherance of the overture. The reply of Mr. Monroe, after expressing the President's regret at the new obstacle which has arisen to the negotiations for peace, and giving reasons why the mediation of the Emperor of Russia had been thought advisable, finally conveys the President's consent to the proposal, and makes election of Gottenburgh for the place of conference. The speech made by Governor Strong to the Legislature of Massachussetts on Jan. 12th, distinctly expressed the desire for peace, and the disapprobation of the reasons for war alleged by the government of the United States, which rom the first were the prevailing sentiments in this part of America. "The friends of peace (says the Governor) are accused of being under British influence; but their accusers ought to reflect whether partialities of an opposite kind have not produced the

evils we suffer; and whether, f our conduct towards both belligerents had been impartial, a war with either would have been thought necessary. We had assumed the character of a neutral nation; but had we not violated the duties imposed by that character? Had not every subject of complaint against one belligerent been amply displayed, and those against the other concealed or palliated? It has indeed been suggested, that we have no con. nection with France in regard to the war; but when France and England were engaged in a most arduous struggle, and we interfered and assaulted one of them, will any man doubt our intention to assist the other?"

In the early part of February, the American army under Gen. Wilkinson continued to occupy its position on the frontier of Lower Canada at the French mills on the Salmon river; but between the 12th and 16th of that month, the troops abandoned this station, after partially burning their blockhouses and barracks which had been erected at vast expense, and destroying their river craft and batteaux. They carried away their ordnance, and the greater part of their military stores. Two regiments proceeded to Sacket's harbour, and the remainder to Burlington and Plattsburg, where Gen. Wilkinson took up his headquarters. The reason for this movement is stated to have been the enormous expense incurred in supplying troops at such a distance with provisions, and their daily decrease by sickness and desertion. As soon as their retreat was made known to Sir

George

George Prevost, he detached a party to press upon their rearguard, which took possession of a quantity of provisions and stores, and completed the destruction of their block-houses, barracks, and boats. The American general remained quiet in his new position till March 30th, when collecting a large force from Plattsburg and Burlington he attacked at an early hour, the outposts of the communication leading from Odell-town to Burtonville, and La Cole mill, the chief attack being directed on the latter post, which was under the command of Major Hancock. The enemy brought a battery to bear upon it, which occasioned two attempts to take the guns, but both were unsuccessful. The resistance by the British commander, however, was so judicious and spirited, that after the enemy had persevered in the attack till night fall, he withdrew his guns and retreated without attaining his object, after sustaining severe loss. That of the defenders, British and Canadian, amounted in killed, wounded, and missing to 61,

A message from the President to Congress, dated March 31st, recommends to the consideration of that assembly the expediency of authorising after a certain day, exportations (specie excepted) from the United States in vessels of their own, and of powers in amity with them, and a repeal of the laws prohibiting the importation of articles, not the property of enemies. This proposed relaxation of the acts restrictive of commercial intercourse evidently proceeded from a sense of the discontents they had excited, and their effect upon the public reve

nue.

The message was immediately followed by the introduction of a bill for the repeal of the embargo and non-importation acts, and for other purposes, which passed by a great majority, and seems to have excited in the more commercial states sanguine ex pectations of the revival of trade, and the renewal of pacific relations. A proclamation, however, by Admiral Cochrane, from Bermuda on April 25th, was calculated to overthrow these hopes. The blockade of the American ports, which before extended from the southern limits of the States to Long-island Sound, and the opposite ports of New York, was now made to comprehend all the remaining coast northwards to the boundary of the British province of New Brunswick. The reason alleged for this extension was that numerous vessels of war had been fitted out from the ports left open, and others were now in prepara tion, for the prosecution of the war against Great Britain, and frustrating the object of the block ade.

An expedition under the command of Gen. Drummond, and Commodore Sir James Yeo, against the American fort Oswego on Lake Ontario, was undertaken in the beginning of May. After a reconnoisance of the defences of the place on the 5th of the month, the attack was made on the 6th, by a select detachment of troops and the squadron of armed vessels on the lake. The landing of the troops was effected under a heavy fire from the fort, and the enemy posted on the brow of a bill, and in the woods, but nothing could retard the advance of the assail

IN 2

ants,

ants, who gained possession of the fort in ten minutes. The whole of the garrison made their escape except about 60 men, half of whom were severely wounded. There were taken seven heavy guns intended for a large ship of the Americans newly launched on the lake; and other guns, cordage, and naval stores, were sunk by themselves in the river. After the barracks in the town and fort had been burnt, and all the damage done to the works that was practicable, the troops were reembarked, bringing away a quantity of stores. The principal advantage aimed at by this expedition appears to have been preventing the completion of the enemy's armament on the lake, and especially the equipment of their new ship, which was calculated to carry 64 guns.

Another attempt on a small scale, which had the same purpose in view, proved unfortunate. Captain Popham of the navy commanding a squadron which was blockading Sackett's barbour, having obtained information of the arrival of an enemy's flotilla at Sandy creek, with naval stores from Oswego, to be thence conveyed over land to Sackett's harbour, resolved in concert with Captain Spilsbury upon an enterprize for its destruction. Proceeding to the creek, he reached its entrance with the boats of the squadron, soon after daylight on May 31st, having with him near 200 seamen and marines. The boats cautiously advanced up the creek to within a quarter of a mile from the enemy, and landed armed parties on each side. On coming to a turning which opened

the flotilla full to their view, a 68-pounder carronade on which they greatly depended was disabled, and as they were bringing a 24pounder to bear, they were attacked by a force consisting of 150 rifle-men, nearly 200 Indians, and a numerous body of militia and cavalry. A gallant resistance was made for a time, but against such a superiority it was unavailing. The loss as returned amounted to 18 killed and 50 dangerously wounded, besides prisoners, who are not specified, but it is remarked, that the winding of the creek gave the enemy great advantage in intercepting the retreat. Captain Popham makes acknowledgments for the exertions of the officers of the American rifle corps, in saving the lives of many officers and men, whom the Indians and their own men had devoted to death.

In order to counteract the effects of the general blockade of the American coast, the President of the United States on June 29th, issued a proclamation, in which, after asserting, that the enemy's declared blockade of a coast nearly 2000 miles in extent, abounding in ports, cannot be carried inte effect by any foree actually sta tioned for the purpose, a fact proved by the many arrivals and departures of the private armed vessels of the United States; and affirming that a blockade so destitute of its legal character can form no lawful prohibition to the trade of neutral nations with the United States; strictly orders all the public vessels of the United States, and all private armed vessels commissioned as privateors, or with letters of marque, by no

means

means to molest or interrupt the vessels belonging to neutral powers, bound to any port within the United States, but to render them all the service in their power.

A large American force under Major-gen. Brown, computed in the British accounts at 6000 men, crossed the Niagara river on July 3d, and advanced into Canada, having driven in the picquets of Fort Erie, and summoned the garrison, which, to the number of 170, surrendered prisoners of war. They then proceeded towards the British lines of Chippawa, their attack upon which was anticipated by the sortie of Major-gen. Riall at the head of about 1500 regular troops, besides militia and Indians. This commander made his dispositions in the afternoon of the 5th, for attacking the invaders who had taken a position with their right on the Niagara, strongly supported by artillery, and their left on a wood, with a body of Indians and riflemea in front. In the action which ensued, after the American light troops had been dislodged, the King's regiment was moved to the right, whilst the Royal Scots and 100th regiment were ordered to charge the enemy in front. They advanced with great gallantry through a destructive fire, from which they suffered so severely, (the commanders of each regiment, Lieut.-col. Gordon, and Lieut.-col. the Marquis of Tweedale being both wounded) that it was found necessary to withdraw them, and commence a retreat towards Chippawa, which was effected in good order, and without farther loss. That already incurred was however serious, amounting in killed, wound

ed, and prisoners, to about a third of the troops engaged. The loss of the Americans was also considerable.

The success of an expedition from Halifax to Passamaquoddy bay, near the mouth of the bay of Fundy, was reported in the same month. A party under the command of Lieut.-col. Pilkington, Deputy Adjutant-general, sailed from Halifax on July 5th, and arriving at the place of rendezvous on the 7th, found there Capt. Sir Thomas Hardy in the Ramillies, with transports, having on board the 102d regiment. They immediately proceeded, and on the 11th, anchored off the town of East-port on Moose-island in Passamaquoddy bay, when a summons was sent to the American officer commanding at Fort Sullivan, requiring his surrender of the island. On his refusal, preparations were made for an attack, the effect of which was an immediate capitulation, whereby the garrison became prisoners of war, and the island with all the ordnance, stores, &c. came into the possession of the victors. The island is stated to contain about 1500 inhabitants, and to be highly cultivated. Two other islands were likewise occupied by the expedition, so that the whole bay was subjected to the British flag, and the inhabitants were required to take an oath of allegiance to King George, or quit the spot with their property.

We had to record, at the conclusion of the last year's American campaign, the threats of a system of reciprocal retaliation, which would have fixed a character of sanguinary ferocity on

the