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resulted to the government. The enemy were exasperated; but not humbled; their repeated resentments called up the attention of the people of the United States, to a consideration of the causes that first excited, and still continued to encourage, and promote this hostile spirit amongst these savages. This was finally traced to the influence of the British in Canada, and at their western military posts, as well as to the influence of British traders, who frequented, in their excursions, this whole interior.

Impressed with a belief of these facts, the president remonstrated to a Colonel Beckwith, who resided at the seat of government, as an informal representative of his nation; and caused his sentiments to be fully disclosed to him upon the subject. Mr. Beckwith denied the charge, and disavowed all interference of the British government, either from Canada, or elsewhere; and declared that Lord Dorchester, then governor of Canada, had in no case authorised any presents to the Indians, other than the stipulated annual donation of arms, and ammunition, and at the usual time. The president remonstrated against this procedure in time of war; and Colonel Beckwith promised to communicate this remonstrance immediately to his lordship.

At this eventful moment, the second Congress convened at Philadelphia, (October 24th.)

The president in his speech at the opening of the session, congratulated Congress upon the prosperous state of the government, and of the nation, and thus concluded :—

"I have endeavoured to carry into effect the laws, and resolutions of Congress, which respected the defence, and security of the western frontiers; have negociated provisional treaties, and used other proper means to attach the wavering, and to confirm in their friendship, the well

disposed tribes of Indians. The means adopted for a pacification with those of a hostile disposition, having proved unsuccessful, offensive operations have been resorted to, some of which have proved completely successful, and others are still depending. Overtures of peace are still continued to these deluded tribes; and it is sincerely to be hoped, that all need of coercion may cease, and that an intimate intercourse may succeed, calculated to advance the happiness of the Indians, and to attach them firmly to the United States.

"A system, corresponding with the mild principles of religion and philanthropy towards an unenlightened race of men, whose happiness materially depends on the conduct of the United States, would be as honorable to the national character, as conformable to the dictates of sound policy."

The president proceeded thus to observe upon the excise law :

"Whatever of discontent might have arisen upon this measure, I entertain a full confidence, that it will give way to motives which arise out of a just sense of duty, and a virtuous regard to the public weal.

"It is desirable upon all occasions, to unite with a steady and firm adherence to constitutional, and necessary acts of government, the fullest evidence of a disposition, as far as may be practicable, to consult the wishes of every part of the community, and to lay the foundations of the public administration, in the affections of the people.”

This speech was cordially received, and as cordially and respectfully echoed, by both houses.

Congress next proceeded to take into consideration a bill, "for appointing the representatives of the several

states, according to the first enumeration." The ratio fixed by the constitution was, that the number should not exceed one for every thirty thousand; but that each state should have one.

The bill thus introduced into the house, appointed to each state one for every thrirty thousand.

A warm and animated debate took place upon a motion to amend this, by striking out the word thirty, in which some reflections were thrown out against executive patronage, the bank, &c. but the motion was lost. Several other amendments were proposed, viz. thirty-five, thirtyfour, and thirty-three-thousand; but these were all lost, and the bill passed as it was introduced.

The senate amended the bill by fixing the ratio at thirty-three thousand, and returned it to the house, who adhered to their own decision, and the bill was lost.

The house originated another bill, very similar to the first, which passed with but few remarks. This bill the senate amended by enlarging the number of representatives; but by an indiscriminate apportionment upon the states collectively, not individually, which at first was rejected by the house, and afterwards agreed to upon a

conference.

This bill was rejected by the executive, as being unconstitutional, and returned to the house, with the reasons of its unconstitutionality annexed, which were approved.

The house then introduced a third bill apportioning the representation to every thirty-three thousand persons in each state. It passed both houses, and was approved by the president.

Congress next proceeded to pass a bill for the establishment of a uniform militia system, agreeable to the recommendation of the president in August, 1789.

Pending these proceedings in Congress, the army under Gen. St. Clair had been completed, and commenced ope

rations, by advancing into the enemy's country, as Gén. Harmar had done before.

On the 3d of November, Gen. St. Clair, had reached the vicinity of the Miami villages, with an army of about 1400 strong, regulars and militia, when he was joined by a small force under the command of Gen. Hamtrank.

In this position Gen. St. Clair, concerted measures to advance against the Miami villages; first by constructing a breast-work to cover his baggage, and next by detaching a party of militia to occupy a position about one fourth of a mile in advance of the main army.

Thus posted, the general contemplated to commence the work of destruction the next morning; but the enemy, alive to their safety, surprised the militia at break of day the next morning; put them to flight, and pursued them with such fury as to drive them back with great disorder upon the main body. Gen. St. Clair beat to arms, and put himself at the head of his troops to cover the flying mintia, and repulse the enemy; but all in vain, the action continued, the enemy appeared upon all sides of the American army; poured in a deadly fire from the surrounding thicket, that strewed the field with heaps of the wounded, the dead, and the dying.

Such was the fury of the contest, that the savages rushed to the combat, and penetrated even to the mouths of the cannon, regardless of danger, and fearless of death; the artillerists were slain, the guns taken, and the enemy penetrated the camp; where Gen. Butler fell mortally wounded. Gen. St. Clair ordered the charge of the bayonet to be renewed; the order was promptly obeyed by Majors Butler, Clark, and Drake; the enemy were repulsed, the camp was cleared, and the cannon recovered; but such was the destruction of the enemy's fire from the thickets, that Gen. St. Clair ordered Maj. Clark to charge the enemy in front, and clear the road that the army might

effect a retreat, and thus be saved from total ruin; this order was promptly obeyed, the road was cleared, and the army commenced a flight, which was closely pursued about four miles, when the savages returned to share the spoils of the camp, and left Gen. St. Clair at liberty to pursue his flight to Fort Jefferson, (about thirty miles.) Here he was rejoined by the regiment under Maj. Hamtrank, and he called a council of war to decide on their future operations; it was resolved to pursue their retreat to Fort Washington, which was accordingly accomplished.

The severity of this bloodly action may be seen by the following statement of the losses of the American army. Thirty-eight commissioned officers killed in action. Five hundred and ninety-three non-commissioned officers and privates killed and missing.

Twenty-one commissioned officers wounded, (several died of their wounds.) Two hundred and forty-two non-commissioned officers and privates, also wounded; the whole American camp and artillery fell into the hands of the enemy.

Seldom has it fallen to the lot of the historian to record a more signal overthrow than this, sustained by the army under the command of Gen. St. Clair.

Such was the uneasiness of the public mind, that the general requested a court martial to investigate the causes, and report upon his conduct; but there were not left in the army officers of rank, of a sufficient number to constitute a court.

Congress gratified the wishes of the general, by appointing a special committee, near the close of the session, to hold a court of inquiry, who exculpated the general in explicit terms, and the public mind became quiet.

Congress took the alarm, and attempted to arrest the depredations which were expected to result from these signal successes of the enemy, by augmenting the army,

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