BOOK XI. "I have not been able to ascertain yet the number of our troops or of those of the enemy CHAP. VI. engaged; ours, I believe, did not exceed the number of the prisoners we have taken; and their advance, which effected a landing, probably amounted to 1,300 or 1,400 men. 1812. "I shall do myself the honor of transmitting to your excellency further details, when I shall have received the several reports of the occurrences which did not pass under my own observation, with the return of the casualties, and those of the killed and wounded, and of the ordnance taken. "I have the honor to be, &c. (Signed) "R. H. SHEAFFE, major-general. "To bis Excellency Sir G. Prevost, Bart. &c." Major-general Roger Hall Sheaffe was appointed to the command of the troops in the upper province, and to administer the civil government of the same. He humanely consented to a cessation of offensive hostility, on the solicitation of Major-general Van Ranseller, for the purpose of allowing the Americans to remove the bodies of the slain and wounded. It was stated, by private accounts, that the Americans who crossed over in the night, consisted of about 1,500 men: the whole of whom were killed, wounded, or taken prisoners; and about 500 more, who attempted to cross afterwards, were drowned. The total numbers engaged on the side of the English, did not exceed 700 men, and their loss was not more than fifty killed and wounded. Major-general Sir Isaac Brock was a native of Guernsey. On the opening of the imperial parliament, November 30, the prince-regent in his speech thus alluded to this victory: "The declaration of war by the government of the United States of America, was made under circumstances which might have afforded a reasonable expectation, that the amicable relations between the two nations would not long be interrupted. It is with sincere regret that I am obliged to acquaint you, that the conduct and prefensions of that government have hitherto prevented the conclusion of any pacific arrangement. Their measures of hostility have been principally directed against the adjoining British provinces, and every effort has been made to seduce the inhabitants of them from their allegiance to his majesty. The proofs, however, which I have received of loyalty and attachment from his majesty's subjects in North America, are highly satisfactory. The attempts of the enemy to invade Upper Canada have not only proved abortive, but, by the judicious arrangements of the governor-general, and by the skill and decision with which the military operations have been conducted, the forces of the enemy assembled for that pur pose in one quarter have been compelled to capitulate, and in another have been completely defeated." On the 4th of November, the President of the United States had communicated the following message to the congress: "Fellow-citizens of the senate and house of representatives,-On our present meeting, it is my first duty to invite your attention to the providential favors which our country has experienced in the unusual degree of health dispensed to its inhabitants, and in the rich abundance with which the earth has rewarded the labours bestowed on it. In the successful cultivation of other branches of industry, and in the progress of general improvement favorable to the national prosperity, there is just occasion also for our mutual congratulations and thankfulness. "With these blessings are naturally mingled the pressures and vicissitudes incidental to the state of war, into which the United States have been forced by the perseverance of a foreign power, in its system of injustice and aggression. Previous to its declaration, it was deemed proper, as a measure of precaution and forecast, that a considerable force should be placed in the Michigan territory, with a general view to its security; and, in the event of war, to such operations in the uppermost Canada as would intercept the hostile influence of Great Britain over the savages; obtain the command of the lake, on which that part of Canada borders; and maintain co-operating relations with such forces as might be most conveniently employed against other parts. "Brigadier-general Hull was charged with this provisional service, having under his command a body of troops, composed of regulars and of volunteers from the state of Ohio: having reached his destination, after his knowledge of the war, and possessing discretionary authority to act offensively, he passed into the neighbouring territory of the enemy, with a prospect of an easy and victorious progress. The expedition, nevertheless, terminated unfortunately, not only in a retreat to the town and fort of Detroit, but in the surrender of both, and of the gallant corps commanded by that officer. The causes of this painful reverse will be investigated by a military tribunal. A distinguishing feature in the operations which preceded and followed this adverse event, is the use made by the enemy of the merciless savages under their influence. Whilst the benevolent policy of the United States invariably recommended peace, and promoted civilization amongst that wretched portion of the human race, and was making exertions to dissuade them from taking either side in the war, the enemy has not scrupled to call to his aid their ruthless ferocity, armed with the horrors of those instruments of carnage and torture which are known to spare neither age nor sex. In this outrage against the laws of honorable war, and against the feelings sacred to humanity, the British commanders cannot resort to a plan of retaliation; for it is committed in the face of our example. They cannot mitigate it by calling it a self-defence against men in arms, for it embraces the most shocking butcheries of defenceless families; nor can it be pretended that they are not answerable for the atrocities perpetrated, since the savages are employed with the knowledge, and even with menaces, that their fury could not be controuled. Such is the spectacle which the deputed authorities of a nation, boasting its religion and morality, have not been restrained from presenting to an enlightened age. "The misfortune at Detroit was not, however, without a consoling effect. It was followed by signal proofs, that the national spirit rises according to the pressure on it. The loss of an important post, and of the brave men surrendered with it, inspired every where new ardour and determination. In the states and districts least remote, it was no sooner known, than every citizen was eager to fly with his arms at once to protect his brethren against the blood-thirsty savages let loose by the enemy on an extensive frontier; and to convert a partial calamity into a source of invigorated efforts. This patriotic zeal, which it was necessary rather to limit than excite, has embodied an ample force from the states of Kentucky and Ohio, and from parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia. It is placed, with the addition of a few regulars, under the command of Brigadier-general Harrison, who possesses the entire confidence of his fellow-soldiers; among whom are citizens, some of them volunteers in the ranks,-not less distinguished by their political stations than by their personal merits. "The greater portion of this force is proceeding on its destination towards the Michigan territory, having succeeded in relieving an important frontier post, and in several incidental operations against hostile tribes of savages, rendered indispensable by the subserviency into which they had been seduced by the enemy; a seduction the more cruel, as it could not fail to impose a necessity of precautionary severities against those who yielded to it. "At a recent date, an attack was made on a post of the enemy, near Niagara, by a detachment of the regular and other forces, under the command of Major-general Van Rensellaer, of the militia of the State of New York. The attack, it appears, was ordered in compliance with the ardour of the troops, who executed it with distinguished gallantry, and were for a time victorious; but not receiving the expected support, they were compelled to yield to reinforcements of British regulars and savages. Our loss has been considerable, and is deeply to be lamented. That of the enemy, less ascertained, will be the more BOOK XI. felt, as it includes among the killed the commanding-general, who was also governor of the CHAP. VI. province; and was sustained by veteran troops, from inexperienced soldiers, who must daily inprove in the duties of the field. "Our expectation of gaining the command of the Lakes, by the invasion of Canada, from Detroit, having been disappointed, measures were instantly taken to provide on them a naval force superior to that of the enemy. From the talents and activity of the officer charged with this object, every thing that can be done may be expected. Should the present season not admit of complete success, the progress made will ensure for the next a naval ascendancy, where it is essential, to a permanent peace with, and a controul over the savages. 66 Among the incidents to the measures of the war, I am constrained to advert to the refusal of the governors of Massachusetts and Connecticut, to furnish the required detachments of militia towards the defence of the maritime frontier. The refusal was founded on a novel and unfortunate exposition of the provisions of the constitution relating to the militia. The correspondence, which will be before you, contain the requisite information on the subject. It is obvious, that if the authority of the United States, to call into service and command the militia for the public defence can be thus frustrated, even in a state of declared war, and of course under apprehensions of invasion preceding war, they are not one nation for the purpose most of all requiring it, and that the public safety may have no other resource than those large and permanent military establishments which are forbidden by the principles of our free government, and against the necessity of which the militia were meant to be a constitutional bul-. wark. "On the coasts, and on the ocean, the war has been as successful as circumstances, inseparable from its early stages, could promise. Our public ships and private cruizers, by their activity, and, where there was occasion, by their intrepidity, have made the enemy sensible of the difference between a reciprocity of captures, and the long confinement of them to their side. Our trade, with little exception, has safely reached our ports, having been much favored in it by the course pursued by a squadron of our frigates, under the command of Commodore Rodgers; and in the instance in which skill and bravery were more particularly tried with those of the enemy, the American flag bad an auspicious triumph. The frigate Constitution, commanded by Captain Hull, affer a close and short engagement, completely disabled and captured a British frigate; gaining for that officer, and all on-board, a praise which cannot be too liberally bestowed-not merely for 1812. 1812. BOOK XI. the victory actually achieved, but for that prompt and cool exertion of commanding talents, which, CHAP. VI. giving to courage its highest character, and to the force applied its full effect, proved that more could have been done in a contest requiring more. "Anxious to abridge the evils from which a state of war cannot be exempt, I lost no time, after it was declared, in conveying to the British government the terms on which its progress might be arrested, without waiting the delays of a formal and final pacification: and our chargé d'affaires at London was, at the same time, authorised to agree to an armistice, founded upon them. These terms required, that the orders in council should be repealed, as they affected the United States, without a revival of the blockades, violating acknowledged rules; that there should be an immediate discharge of American seamen from British ships, and a stop to impressments from American ships, with an understanding that an exclusion of the seamen of each nation, from the ships of the other, should be stipulated; and that the armistice should be improved into a definitive and comprehensive adjustment of depending controversies. 66 Although a repeal of the orders, susceptible of explanations meeting the views of this government, had taken place before this pacific advance was communicated to that of Great Britain, the advance was declined, from an avowed repugnance to a suspension of the practice of impressment during the armistice, and without any intimation that the arrangement proposed, with respect to seamen, would be accepted. Whether the subsequent communications from this government, affording an occasion for reconsidering the subject, on the part of Great Britain, will be viewed in a more favorable light, or received in more accommodating spirit, remains to be known. It would be unwise to release our measures, in any respect, on a presumption of such a result. a ing, although made the ground of the repeal of the British orders in council, is rendered, by the time and manner of it, liable to many objections. "The final communications from our special minister to Denmark, afford further proofs of the good effects of his mission, and of the amicable disposition of the Danish government. From Russia we have the satisfaction to receive assurances of continued friendship, and that it will not be affected by the rupture between the United States and Great Britain. Sweden, also, professes sentiments favorable to subsisting harmony. "With the Barbary powers, excepting that of Algiers, our affairs remain on the ordinary footing. The consul-general residing with that regency has suddenly, and without cause, been banished, together with all the American citizens found there. Whether this was the transitory effect of capricious despotism, or the first act of predetermined hostility, is not ascertained. Precautions were taken by the consul on the latter supposition. "The Indian tribes, not under foreign instigations, remain at peace, and receive the civilising attentions which have proved so beneficial to them. "With a view to that vigorous prosecution of the war, to which our national faculties are adequate, the attention of congress will be particularly drawn to the insufficiency of the existing provisions for filling up the military establishment. Such is the happy condition of our country, arising from the facility of subsistence, and the high wages for every species of occupation, that notwithstanding the augmented inducements provided at the last session, a partial success only has attended the recruiting service. The deficiency has been necessarily supplied, during the campaign, by other than regular troops, with all the inconveniencies and expences incident to them. The remedy lies in establishing more favorably, for the private soldier, the proportion between his recompence, and the term of his enlistment: and it is a subject which cannot too soon, or too seriously, be taken into consideration. The same insufficiency has been experienced in the provisions for volunteers, made by an act of the last session. The recompence for the service required in this case, is still less attractive than in the other; and although patriotism alone has sent into the field some valuable corps of that description, those alone, who can afford the sacrifice, can reasonably be expected to yield to the impulse. It will merit consideration also, whether, as auxiliary to the security of our frontier, corps may not be advantageously organized, with a restriction of their services to particular districts convenient to them; and whether the local or occasional services of marines, or others in the seaport towns, under a similar organization, would not be a proper addition to the means of their defence. I recommend a provision for an increase of the general-officers of the army, the deficiency of which has been illustrated by the number and distance of separate commands, which the cause of the war and the advantage of the service have required: and I cannot press too strongly on the earliest attention of the legislature, the importance of the reorganization of the staff-establishment, with a view to render more distinct and definite the relations and responsibilities of its several departments: that there is room for improvements, which will materially promote both economy and success, in what appertains to the army and the war, is equally inculcated by the examples of other countries, and by the experi ence of our own. purpose "A revision of the militia-laws, for the of rendering them more systematic, and better adapting them to emergencies of the war, is at this time particularly desirable. Of the additional ships, authorised to be fitted for service, two will be shortly ready to sail; a third is under repair, and delay will be avoided in the repair of the residue. Of the appropriations for the purchase of materials for ship-building, the greater part has been applied to that object, and the purchases will be continued with the balance. The enterprising spirit which has characterized our naval force, and its success, both in restraining insults and depredations on our coasts, and in reprisals on the enemy, will not fail to recommend an enlargement upon it. "There being reason to believe that the act, prohibiting the acceptance of British licenses, is not a sufficient guard against the use of them, for purposes favorable to the interests and views of the enemy, further provisions on that subject are highly important. Nor is it less so, that penal enactments should be provided for cases of corrupt and perfidious intercourse with the enemy, not amounting to treason, nor yet embraced by any statutory provisions. "A considerable number of American vessels, which were in England when the revocation of the orders in council took place, were laden with British manufactures, under an erroneous impression that the non-importation act would immediately cease to operate, have arrived in the United States. It did not appear proper to exercise, on unforeseen cases of such magnitude, the ordinary powers vested in the treasury department, to mitigate forfeitures, without previously affording congress an opportunity of making on the subject such provisions as they may think proper. In their decisions they will, doubtless, equally consult what is due to equitable considerations, and to the public interest. "The receipts in the treasury, during the year ending on the 30th of September last, have ex64. -947 CHAP. VI. 1812. ceeded sixteen millions and an half of dollars; BOOK XI. tions of British manufactures, will render the ternative, that war was chosen. The nation felt BOOK XI. was accordingly made, in a just cause, to the just and powerful Being who holds in his hands the CHAP. VI. chain of events, and the destiny of nations. It remains only, that faithful to ourselves, entangled with no connections with the views of other powers, and ever ready to accept peace from the hand 1812. of justice, we prosecute that war with united council, and with the ample faculties of the nation, until peace be so obtained, and as the only means, under the divine blessing, of speedily obtaining it. "JAMES MADISON." CHAPTER VII. An Indian Town destroyed.-His Royal Highness the Prince-regent's Declaration in answer to the American Manifesto, relative to the War between Great Britain and the United States.-Madison re-elected President.-His Speech. A DETACHMENT from General Hopkins's army, under Colonel Russell, of the 7th United States' regiment, succeeded in surprising one of the Pioria towns. With 400 men, the colonel, by rapid marches, approached the town, shot a straggling Indian, assailed and carried the town. It was It was defended by about 150 warriors, who left twentyfive dead, and who fled to a swamp where their squaws and children had previously secreted themselves. The Americans took four prisoners, sixty horses laden with the baggage of the Indians, and seven scalps which were taken in September, near fort Harrison. The town and every thing in it was destroyed, which could not be brought away, and among it several Indians who had been wounded during the fall. Seven hundred Indians of the neighbouring towns had marched to meet General Hopkins, leaving the above 150 in charge of the women and children. The Marshal of the United States, for the district of South Carolina, had detained in custody twelve British subjects as hostages for the lives of six American seamen, who had been taken out of the privateer Sarah Ann, at Nassau, New Providence, and sent to Jamaica to be tried for treason. The following declaration of the prince-regent, in answer to the American manifesto, relative to the war between Great Britain and the United States, appeared in a supplement to the London. Gazette, January 9, 1813.* "The earnest endeavours of the prince-regent to preserve the relations of peace and amity with the United States of America having unfortunately failed, his royal highness, acting in the name and on the behalf of his majesty, deems it proper publicly to declare the causes and origin of the war, in which the government of the United States have compelled him to engage. "No desire of conquest, or other ordinary motive of aggression, has been, or can be, with any colour of reason, in this case imputed to Great Britain. That her commercial interests were on the side of peace, if war could have been avoided without the sacrifice of her maritime rights, or without an injurious submission to France, is a truth which the American government will not deny. "His royal highness does not, however, mean to rest on the favorable presumption to which he is entitled. He is prepared, by an exposition of the circumstances which have led to the present war, to show that Great Britain has throughout acted towards the United States of America with a spirit of amity, forbearance, and conciliation; and to demonstrate the inadmissible nature of those pretensions which have at length unhappily involved the two countries in war. "It is well known to the world, that it has been the invariable object of the ruler of France to destroy the power and independence of the British empire, as the chief obstacle to the accomplishment of his ambitious designs. "He first contemplated the possibility of assembling such a naval force in the channel as,. combined with a numerous flotilla, should enable him to disembark in England an army sufficient, in his conception, to subjugate this country; and through the conquest of Great Britain he hoped to realize his project of universal empire. 66 "By the adoption of an enlarged and provident system of internal defence, and by the valour of his majesty's fleets and armies, this design was entirely frustrated; and the naval force of France, after the most signal defeats, was compelled to retire from the ocean. "An attempt was then made to effectuate the same purpose by other means-a system was brought forward, by which the ruler of France hoped to annihilate the commerce of Great Britain, to shake her public credit, and to destroy her revenue; to render useless her maritime superiority, and so to avail himself of his continental |