guns on the starboard side of the Saratoga being either dismounted or entirely unmanageable, Commodore Macdonough was obliged to put out a stern anchor, and to cut the bower cable, by which means the Saratoga winded on the enemy's frigate with a fresh broadside, which being promptly delivered, the Confiance immediately after surrendered, with 105 round shot in her hull, and her captain and 49 men killed, and 60 wounded. The Saratoga had 55 round shot in her hull, and had been twice set on fire by hot shot from the Confiance, but she sustained a loss of only 28 in killed and 29 wounded, notwithstanding she mounted 13 guns less than her anta gonist. The Confiance had no sooner surrendered, than the Saratoga's broadside was sprung to bear on the brig, whose flag struck fifteen minutes after. Captain Henley, in the Eagle, had already captured one of the enemy's sloops; and the Ticonderoga, after having sustained a galling fire, caused the surrender of the remaining vessel. The principal vessels of the British fleet being now all captured, and three of their row galleys sunk, the remaining ten escaped from the bay in a shattered condition. The total loss of Commodore Macdonough's squadron, amounted to 52 men killed, and 58 wounded. The enemy's loss was, 84 men killed, 110 wounded, and 856 prisoners, who alone amounted to a greater number than those by whom they were taken. The capture of his fleet being announced to Sir George Provost, he immediately, withdrew his forces from the assault of the American works. From his batteries, however, he kept up a constant fire until the dusk of the evening, when, being silenced by the guns of fort Monroc, under Colonel M. Smith, and of forts Brown and Scott, he retired within the town, and at 9 at night sent off his artillery, and all the baggage for which he could obtain transport. About midnight he made a disgraceful and precipitated retreat, leaving behind him all his sick and wounded, with a request that they might be generously treated by General Macomb.* Thompson's His. Sketches of the Late War. 117. Hartford Convention. During the second war with Great Britain, the people of the United States were divided into two political parties; one condemning the war as unwise and unnecessary, the other contending that it was just, and necessary for the maintenance of national honour. The opposition to the war was the greatest in the New England states, and during its continuance this opposition was confirmed. Enlistments of troops were in some instances discouraged, and dissensions arose between the general and state governments, respecting the command of the militia, called out by order of the former, to defend the sea-board. In October, 1814, the legislature of Massachusetts appointed delegates to meet and confer with the delegates from the other states of New England, or any of them, upon the subjects of their public grievances and concerns. The delegates met at Hartford, Conn., Dec. 15, 1815, and sat nearly three weeks with closed doors. This convention consisted of delegates from the states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island; two members from New Hampshire, and one from Vermont; these last were appointed at county meetings. After their adjournment, the convention published an address, charging the national government with pursuing measures hostile to the interests of New England, and recommending amendments to the federal constitution. These alterations consisted of seven articles; first, that representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned to the number of free persons; secondly, that no new state shall be admitted into the Union without the concurrence of two thirds of both houses; thirdly, that congress shall not have power to lay an embargo for more than sixty days; fourthly, that congress shall not interdict commercial intercourse, without the concurrence of two thirds of both houses; fifthly, that war shall not be declared without the concurrence of a similar majority; sixthly, that no person who shall be hereafter naturalized, shall be eligible as a member of the senate or house of representatives, or hold any civil office under the au thority of the United States; and, seventhly, that no person shall be elected twice to the presidency, nor the president be elected from the same state two terms in succession. "The report of the convention concluded with a resolution, providing for the calling of another convention, should the United States refuse their consent to some arrangement whereby the New England states, separately, or in concert, might be empowered to assume upon themselves the defence of their territory against the enemy,' appropriating a reasonable proportion of the public taxes for this purpose; or 'should peace not be concluded, and the defence of the New England states be neglected as it has been since the commencement of the war.' The committee appointed to communicate these resolutions to congress, met at Washington the news of peace: and owing to this event another convention was not called. The proposed amendments of the constitution were submitted to the several states, and rejected by all except Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. 118. Gen. Jackson's Victory at New Orleans. In the month of December, 1814, fifteen thousand British troops, under Sir Edward Packenham, were landed for the attack of New Orleans. The defence of this place was intrusted to Gen. Andrew Jackson, whose force was about 6000 men, chiefly raw militia. Several slight skirmishes occurred before the enemy arrived before the city: during this time, Gen. Jackson was employed in making preparation for his defence. His front was a straight line of 1000 yards, defended by upwards of three thousand infantry and artillerists. The ditch contained five feet of water, and his front, from having been flooded by opening the levees, and by frequent rains, was rendered slippery and muddy. Eight distinct batteries were judiciously disposed, mounting in all * Goodrich. |