Great Britain complains that we have allured her, has a right, to expose the safety of the state, and the seamen into our employment by holding up superior lives and fortunes of the citizens, merely to indulge Inducements to them to quit her service and engage its passions or gratify its ambition. in ours; and this too at a time when she was con- So far as conquest may be considered as the object tending for all that was dear to her against the of the present war, its policy, to say nothing of the most formidable and efficient force, that in any age justice of it, must be extremely doubtful. A few of the world has been united under one head." She individuals may gain by an offensive war, but the asserts that her seamen are essential to her safety great body of the people have nothing to gain or that though they are not liable to be taken from our hope for. In republics, the increase of power and national ships, and we have a right to protect them wealth has often occasioned severe calamities, by while they remain within our territories; yet, if increasing their pride and arrogance, and inspiring they pass into her dominions, or if in transacting rash counsels and extravagant measures. But when their own affairs on the high way of nations, they they have been successful in foreign war and acquir come within her power, she has a right to take themed the titles of conquerors, I think they have invain virtue of her prior claim; that the nations of Eu-riably and speedily lost their form of government. -rope have for ages claimed and exercised this A man who has a large army at his control must have right, and that slic can never relinquish it so long the virtue of a Washington, not to make use of it, as we employ her seamen, without endangering the for his own aggrandizement. The national consti. Existence of her navy. What hope of peace, then tution was formed and adopted for our own defence; can be reasonably entertained while such a sacrifice there is not a clause in it, in which an extension of is required of her? A nation ought first to do justice our territorial limits was contemplated. The conto others before it demands justice of them; when gress indeed were authorised to admit new states war was declared we knew that Great Britain had into the union; but every man knew that under the suffered greatly by the desertion of her seamen into confederation it had been proposed to form a numour service; but had we done any thing to prevent ber of states in the western territory, and Vermont of discourage it? though she alleged that they were was even then a candidate for admission. I presume necessary for her defence; and to us, they were only that no one thought of giving congress the power to useful as the means of acquiring wealth. obtain by purchase or conquest the territories of In the war between France and England we profess-other nations, and annex them to the United States, ed to be a neutral nation. This amounted to an en- and form them, or subdivisions of them, into consti gagement on our part, that we would, in all things tuent parts of the union. shew an exact impartiality between the contending A suspicion has been intimated that the hostility parties; and policy as well as justice demanded of of the Indian tribes was excited by British influence; us an equal attention to both. But have we main-as no proof has been offered to us on this subject, it tained this exact impartiality towards the belliger-might be sufficient to say, that a regard to vague ents? Have not the restrictions upon our own com-fand uncertain suppositions exposes a nation to bemerce been so calculated as to wound the interests come an unjust aggressor. But has not our conduct of Great Britain, without impairing the resources towards those tribes been often oppressive and unor disturbing the continental system of her enemy ? just; and have we not indulged an eager desire to We have expressed a just sympathy for our seamen obtain possessions of their lands, when we had alwho are detained in British ships; but have we ready millions of acres which we could neither culshown a like sensibility for those who are confined in tivate nor dispose of? Perhaps the late unfriendly French prisons, until discharged by enlisting on dispositions of the Indians may be accounted for, by board of their cruizers? When the war commenced the march of a hostile army into their country and had we not received as many and grievous insults the battle which ensued, many months before war from the French government as from the British-was declared against England. and in what manner have we resented them? Al-} In the present moral state of the world, it would though in proportion to her maritime means of an-seem that our political friendships should be formed noyance we had suffered much greater losses from with some regard to that state. But are we encou France than from England, has not our language to raged by the moral qualities of the French govern. the former been mild and conciliating, and have we ment to take part in its wars? Or will any one say not to the latter indulged in offensive reproaches that the cause of France is more just than that of and undeserved asperity? Men who sincerely de- Spain, Portugal or Russia, or that her success would sire a peace, will not employ themselves to multiply be more conducive to the happiness of mankind? Or the causes of dispute, and excite jealousy and irri-should we cultivate the friendship of France because tation between the people of the two countries: --she can do us more injury than England, or because they will rather allay the passions than inflame her manners, religion or policy are more congenial them, and will think it no diminution of our dig- to ours? In our embarrassed and alarming situation, nity, if in doubtful cases, we recede from a sup-it is indeed a very favorable circumstance, that the posed right, rather than support it by artifice and people have so generally expressed their utter aver violence. sion to a French alliance; such an alliance would be It has been often asserted that our national honor the greatest calamity and must produce the most compelled us to engage in a war with Great Britain. fatal effects. The honor of a nation consists in the display of its It is my wish, gentlemen, in making these obserwisdom, justice, moderation and magnanimity; it vations, that they may lead to a dispassionate review requires the government to regulate its conduct for of our conduct towards England and France, and of the greatest advantage of the state and pursue that theirs in relation to us. While we attend to what is series of measures which most effectually promotes due to ourselves we are not to forget what we owe the welfare of the people. But that species of ho- to others, and in cases liable to the least doubt the nor which would prompt us to wage war for every claims even of an enemy should be impartially exasupposed instance of abuse or disrespect, is not the mined. If upon such examination we are convinced honor of a wise and moral people. A proud or pas- that the war is necessary, we shall be justified in Bionate individual will claim a right to sport with his affording our voluntary aid to support it. But if we bwn life by putting it in hazard against the life of discover that our opinions or measures have been eranother. But, few men will avow that government roneous, we have the strongest motives both from interest and duty to relinquish them. We may in- The enclosed statement, (A) shows in detail, deed deceive ourselves, and even resolve to cherish the several sources from which the receipts were the deception; but the Supreme Arbiter to whose derived, and the branches of expenditure to retributive justice the most solemn appeal has been which the disbursements from the treasury were ade, cannot be deceived, and will not with impu-applied. nity be mocked. Pursuant to the act of the 8th of February last, In times of party zeal and public commotion, it subscriptions for a loan of sixteen millions of dol may be difficult on some occasions to discern what is lars, were opened on the 12th and again on the 25th right. But I hope, that a fixed attention to the du-of March last. But although a 13 years annuity of 1 ties imposed on us by our national and state consti- per cent.was offered in addition to a 6 per cent, stock tutions, and with a humble reliance on the Divine at par, for the money which might be subscribed, it directions, the members of this government will in this perplexing period, preserve consistency of conduct, and adhere with undeviating constancy to the principles of justice and truth. May 28, 1813. CALEB STRONG. being apparent from the result of the first snbscription that the whole amount could not be obtained on those terms, proposals in writing were invited. Of fers, exceeding by about a million of dollars the amount wanted were received, some demanding a thirteen year's annuity of one and a half per cent. in addition to six per cent. stock at par, but most of The following is the letter alluded to in the pre-them requiring a six per cent. stock at the rate of ceding. "War Department, March 15, 1813. 88 per cent. On these terms, leaving to the subscribers the option, the loan was effected. In con. formity with the public notification the same terms "SIN-In answer to your excellency's letter of the were extended to those persons who had subscribed 1st instant, (enclosing a resolution of the legislature on the first opening of the subscription, and they of Massachusetts of Feb. 27, 1811, addressed to have the same option; which, if the stock at the the president of the United States, and "requesting rate of 88 per cent. be taken, is equivalent precisesuch supply of muskets as may be conveniently fur-ly to a premium of 13 dollars and 63 cents and 7-11 nished, and as may be considered the proportion to of a cent for each hundred dollars loaned to governwhich the commonwealth may be entitled,") I have ment. The enclosed papers under the letter (B.) the honor to inform your excellency, that as the are copies of the several public notices given on the arms provided in virtue of the act of April 23, subject, and a statement of the monies respectively 1608, for arming and equipping the whole body of obtained by open subscriptions and by written prothe militia of the United States, have been inconsi-posals, and shewing also the sums obtained and derable, in proportion to the militia to be supplied, payable in each place where subscriptions were the president has deemed it most conducive to the opened. general interest, to supply, in the first place, frontier Of that sum of sixteen millions of dollars thus ob states, and the militia who have come forward in the tained on loan, there was paid into the treasury, prior service of the country. to the 1st of April, 1813, the sum of $1,086,737 50 "When the state of the public arsenals will jus-which makes a part of the monies received previ tify the measure, Massachusetts will receive herously to that day as stated in the statement (A). ' proportion of arms, agreeably to the provisions of the law. Very respectfully, I have the honor to be, your excellency's most obedient servant, JOHN ARMSTRONG. "His excellency CALEB STRONG, Governor of Massachusetts." Treasury Report. The speaker (on Wednesday the 2nd inst.) laid before the house of representatives, a letter from Wm. Jones, acting secretary of the treasury, transmitting the following report: The resources for the residue of the year 1813, consist of the following items, viz. 1. The remainder of the loan above mentioned 2. The sums payable on account of customs, and of the sales of pub. liclands, estimated at 3. The five millions of dollars in treasury notes, authorised by act of February 26th, 1813 $14,913,262 50 9,320,000 5,000,000 Say $29,230,000 The expences for the last nine In obedience to the act "supplementary to an act months of the present year are cal- to The balance in the treasury on the 30th of Sept. 1812, was Making together The expenditures from the 1st of October, 1812, to the 31st of March, 1813, have amounted to Leaving a balance in the treasury on the 1st of April, 1813, of 15,919,334 41 900,000 10,510,000 17,820,000 $29,230,000 Of the sum of $1,855,734 53 remaining in the trea1,855,734 53 sury on the 1st of April last, a small part may be considered as applicable to such extraordinary ex. $17,775,064 94 pences already authorised, as may arise during the remainder of the year, and for the same object, the sum of one million of dollars authorised by an act of the state of Pennsylvania to be loaned to the United States, but which was not offered in time to be accepted as a part of the loan of sixteen millions, may be considered as a resource. ed during the year 1812 may be es The interest on the public On 6 per cent stock of 1812, 2,100,000 In this estimate the whole sum of five millions of dollars authorised to be issued in treasury notes, is taken as a part of the resources of the present year. But as it is not deemed eligible to increase the amount of treasury notes in circulation, and as three millions only of those authorised by the act of 1812, were issued in that year and are reimbursable in the course of the present year, it is respectfully On 6 per cent stock of 1813 1,090,000 suggested that in lieu of issuing two millions of the On treasury notes which five millions authorised by the act of February, 1813, congress should authorise an additional loan for the same amount, it being made a condition of such loan that its terms should not be higher than those of the loan of sixteen millions already ef fected. The provision already considered is for the service of the present year only; that which will be necessary for the year eighteen hundred and fourteen requires an early attention. It is difficult to estimate with accuracy the sum which will be received into the trea suryfrom the revenue as now established. During a state of war, the customs at the present rate of duties, have been heretofore estimated to produce five millions of dollars. The additional tonnage duty imposed upon foreign vessels by the act of the 1st of, July, 1812, producing about 200,000 dollars a year, is not included in that sum. It is believed that during the year 1814, a greater sum than five million two hundred thousand dollars ought not to be relied upon as receivable into the treasury from custom house duties. The sum arising from sales of public lands may be estimated at six hundred thousand dollars, making together 5,800,000 dolls. The interest alone on the public funded debt, on temporary loans, and on treasury notes, which will become payable in that year, will amount to four millions four hundred thousand dollars. The other engagements, on account of the principal of the will be reimbursable in 500,000 On the loan for the year 1814, interest The $7,000,000 270,000 3,960,000 440,000 11,400,000 5,800,000 5,600,000 11,400,000 revenue now established, being estimated to produce would leave to be raised To cover the above sum of The internal taxes heretofore proposed And the duty of 20 cents a bushel on Making the sum wanted 5,000,000 600,000 $5,600,000 Althongh the taxes, if early laid, may be brought funded debt, of temporary loans, and of treasury into operation in the commencement of the year notes, which will become reimbursable in that year, 1814, yet as they cannot be expected to have their amount to 7,150,000 dollars, exceeding together, full effect during that year, some auxiliary resource by more than five millions seven hundred thousand dollars the estimated amount of the receipts into the treasury derived from the revenue as now estab. lished. This view of the subject is sufficient to evince the necessity of a speedy and effectual provision for the service of that and the ensuing years. will be required. This may be found in the sum of The mode and the extent to which this provision should be carried, have heretofore been suggested from this department to congress, and have received the consideration of that body. The expences of As reliance must be had upon a loan for the war the peace establishment of the United States, and nal taxes may be considered, with a view to that expences of the year 1814, the laying of the interthe interest on the public debt, including that on object, as essentially necessary; in the first place, the loans made for the prosecution of the war, are to facilitate the obtaining of the loan, and secondly believed to be the least sum that ought, under any for procuring it upon favorable terms. It is ascercircumstances, to be raised within each year. These tained that the terms of the loan for the present year if the expences of the peace establishment are taken would have been more favorable if the taxes had at the sum necessary for the ordinary expenditure of been previously laid; and it is obvious enough, that the United States previously to the additional arma- by affording a security for the regular payment of ments made in the year 1812, with a view to an the interest and the eventual reimbursement of the approaching state of war, and including the interest principal, more stable, and less liable to be weakenon the loans of the years 1812 and 1813, and also ofed or cut off by the natural effects of war upon ex that which will probably be necessary in the year ternal commerce, than a revenue depending as that 1814. will amount during that year to eleven mil-of the United States now does almost wholly upon lions four hundred thousand dollars, viz : The expence of the peace establishment, exclusive of the additional force authorised by the acts pasɛ such external commerce, capitalists will advance with the greater readiness and at a lower rate of interest, the funds necessary for the presecution of the war. Public confidence will be ensured, and the means, The same paper contains a Quebec marine list of afforded of preserving the public credit unimpaired the arrival of about 20 transports, and other vessels, a measure of the utmost importance in a country having nearly 2000 troops belonging to British relike ours, where, from the lightness of the demands gular regiments, and crews of sailors for the lake m.de upon the people during the continuance of flotillas. peace, the extraordinary expences of a state of war A letter from Ogdensburg, dated May 28, states, can be supplied only by a resort to that credit. that in consequence of some British deserters crossThe resources of the country are ample, and if the ing at that place, an officer came from Prescott with means now proposed, and those heretofore recom-a flag, and threatened to give the village to the mended from this department, are adopted, it is flames if the men were not restored. The demand believed they may be fairly and fully brought in-was refused; but the village was standing at our to action. last accounts from it. The legislature of Maryland, at the late extra to the 23 prisoners, who are to be put in close confiresession, passed a law to stay executions until after ment." the next meeting of the general assembly-the need- A party of British landed a few days ago near Ja. ful securities being given. They also refused the maica, on Long-Island, but were soon beaten off by people of Baltimore liberty to tax themselves, for the militia. the detence of their city. The respectful petition Major-general Hampton has left his command at for that privilege (see page 196) was signed by the Norfolk, for Canada, and brigadier-general Taylor representatives of at least three-fourths, and, per-resumes the command. haps, a greater proportion of the wealth of the place, and by thousands of persons. By an arrival at Newport we learn that news of the surrender of Mobile had been received at the Havanna, in consequence of which two brigs with troops and arms had sailed for Pensacola. A considerable detachment of the militia of South Carolina, have been ordered to the sea-board for the defence of the coast. It is stated that all the American news-papers taken by the enemy in the Chesapeake (which are sought for with grest avidity) are first carried to the admiral's cabin, where a regular assortment is made, before even the officers are permitted to read them. The following paragraph is from the Chilicothe Baltimore Volunteers-Previous to the departure Fredonian. The fact is positively stated, and, in of this valuable corps for the frontiers, they were what has really happened, we have strong collateral pretented with an elegant flag by some patriotic la proofs of its verity. But it is of a nature so impor-dies of the seventh ward-a late letter from one of tant that the testimony in support of it ought to be the corps desires that these ladies might be inform known to the world, that such a horrid contracted that "that standard had been placed on the ligh may not rest on a news-paper paragraph. We hope est pinnacle of the government house in the capital the respectable editor of the "Fredonian" will favor of Upper Canada.” us in this re pect"It is a fact no less disho- The Boston Patriot says—“It is ascert;ined that norable to the British nation, than true, that gen. the District of Maine alone has contribuied to the Proctor, in order to induce general Tecumseh to join regular and volunteer service, between four and five him with his forces in the late attack on fort Meigs, thousand men." agreed that gen. HARRISON should be delivered up to THE CAPTURE OF ronk-The following is given as the Indians, to be disposed of as they should think pro-an accurate list of the killed and wonded stjuk, per!" Upper Canada, April 27. The ship Neptune, with Messra. Gallatin and Bayard on board, was spoken on the 24th ult. all Well. 44 The price of provisions at Jamaica are thus reported by a gentleman who lately arrived from Kingston. Flour 588 per barrel; beef 38; pork 36-Lumber 728 per thousand. We have this week to Register a great deal of good news, as well as to notice a disastrous event. See the details. MILITARY. David Humphreys, Esq. a col. in the revolutionary war, and for a long time one of Washington's family, has been appointed brigadier-general of certain volanteer corps to be raised for the defence of Connecticut. We consider this appointment a happy presage of their utility. Killed in battle-1 subaltern, 2 sergeance, i coll Total killed Wounded in battle-2 captains (one since dead) 1 subaltern, 3 sergeants, 4 corporals, 22 pri vates Wounded by explosion-1 brig. gen. (since dead) 1 aid-de-camp, 1 acting aid, 1 volunteer aid, captains, 6 subalterns, 11 sergeants, 9 corporals, 1 musician, 185 privates Total wounded The Montreal papers contain the British official of the navy-2 midshipmen and 1 seaman, kil account of the defeat and dispersion of a body of 1300 men belonging to gen. Harrison's army, (under gen. Clay) near the Rapids of the Miami, on the 5th May; and of the capture of 650 of them, or the led-11seamen wounded Total killed and wounded 14 38 1816 52 32 222 254 52 14 320 A letter we have received from an officer in the military chest containing 14,000 hard dollars, pro-farmy, says "our adherents and friends in Upper visions, &c. [Not true.] Canada suffer greatly in apprehension, or in astua misery. Eighteen or twenty of them who refused ing. The army is under the greatest obligations to to take the oath of allegiance to the king of Eng-that able naval commander for his co-operation in land, lived the last winter in a cave or subterrane-all its important movements, and especially in its ous hut, near lake Simcoe. Twenty-five men, Indians operations this day. Our batteries succeeded in renand whites, were sent to ferret them out, and kill dering Fort George unienable, and when the enemy or take them; but our Yankees (as all Americans had been beaten from his positions, and found it ne are cruelly styled there) killed 18 of the party, and cessary to re-enter it, after firing a few guns and enjoyed "their woods and their liberty," till very setting fire to the magazines, which soon exploded, lately, when some of the feeblest, worn out with he moved off rapidly by different routes. Our light cold and disease, were seized and put into York troops pursued them several miles. The troops jail, whence we liberated them; and from one of having been under arms from one o'clock, in the them, an emaciated, grey-headed old man, (who I morning, were too much exhausted for any further fear cannot long survive to enjoy his liberty) I had pursuit. We are now in possession of Fort George this account, with other anecdotes. May our friends and its immediate dependencies-to-porrow we be speedily and effectually protected our enemies proceed further on. The behavior of our troops, as speedily punished." [Whig both officers and men, entitles them to the highest Augusta, May 28-Mr. FROMENTIN, a senator in praise; and the difference in our loss with that of Congress from Louisiana, arrived here last evening the enemy, when we consider the advantages his poon his way to Washington. Mr. Fromentin travelled sitions afforded him, is astonishing.We had 17 here through the Creek nation without interruption. killed and 45 wounded. The enemy had 90 killed On his way he fell in with a party of warriors under and 160 wounded of the regular troops. We have the direction of M'Queen, king of the upper towns, taken 100 prisoners, exclusive of the wounded— who had been in Pensacola for the purpose of obtáin- Col. Meyers of the 49th, was wounded and taken ing arms, &c. from the Spanish governor of West prisoner. Of ours, only one commissioned officer Florida; the governor informed the deputation that was killed-lieut. Hobart of the light artiliery. Enhe had instructions to arm the nation generally, but closed is the report of maj. gen. Lewis. not partially, and provided a majority of the nation would make application ke would furnish them with arms-and Mr.Fromentin understood that a meeting of the Indians was to be held immediately in the different towns to determine on the propriety of the application. At the house of Manac, a chief of considerable property and influence, a number of runners from the North Western Indians were constant I have the honor to be, sir, with great consideration and respect, your most obedient servant. H. DEARBORN. Hon. Gen. John Armstrong, On the Field, 1 P. M. 27th May, 1813. DEAR SIR-Fort George and its dependencies are ly assembled, and were daily going and returning his magazines and retired. It is impossible at this ours. The enemy, beaten at all points, has blown up from the seat of war, and they have much earlier information of events in that quarter than their there was no man who did not perform his duty, in moment to say any thing of individual gallantrywhite neighbors. Mobile, May 4-By a gentleman on whose veraca manner which did honor to himself and country. Scott's and Forsyth's command,supported by Boyd's ty we can rely, and who has just returned from Pen- Winder's brigade, sustained the brunt of the action. sacola, we are informed that the former governor of Our loss is trifling, perhaps not more than 20 killed, that place has departed for Havanna; and that Gon- and twice that number wounded. The enemy has zales Manrique, has arrived at Pensacola, as govern- left in the hospital 124, and I sent several on board or of West Florida. The former governor had fathe fleet. We have also made about 100 prisoners vored the assembling at Pensacola, of about 400 Inof the regular forces. dians in the course of last week and the week before, supposed to be Seminoles and disaffected Creeks. Our informant saw about 60 chiefs there last week. The new governor had dismissed them, with his pointed disapprobation of their assembling and of their object. He appears to recommend a peaceable deportment of the Indians towards the people of the United States. The whole of the Niagara frontier, from fort George to fort Erie, is in our possession. The official accounts follow: Copies of letters from major-general Dearborn to the secretary at war-dated Headquarters, Fort George, (U. Canada) May 27, 1813. I am, dear sir, most respectfully, your obedient mander in chief of the Northern Army. Head-quarters-Fort George, May 29, 1813. SIR-General Lewis was ordered to march yesterday morning with Chandler's and Winder's brigades -the light artillery, dragoons and riflemen in pursuit of the enemy by the way of Queenstown I had received satisfactory information that the enemy had made a stand on the mountain at a place called the the Beaver Dam, where he had a deposit of provi sions and stores, and that he had been joined by 300 regulars from Kingston, landed from small veSsels near the head of the lake. I had ascertaine i SIR,-The light troops under the command of co- that he was calling in the militia, and had presum lonel Scott and major Forsyth, landed this morning ed that he would confide in the strength of his posi at 9 o'clock. Major-general Lewis's division, with tion and venture an action, by which an opportunity colonel Porter's command of light artillery, support- would be afforded to cut off his retreat. I have been ed them. Gen. Boyd's brigade landed immediate disappointed-although the troops from fort Erie ly after the light troops, and generals Winder and and Chippewa had joined the main body at Beaver Chandler followed in quick succession. The land- Damn, he broke up yesterday precipitately, continued ing was warmly and obstinately disputed by the his route along the mountains, and will reach the British forces; but the coolness and intrepidity of head of the lake by that route. our troops soon compelled them to give way in eve- Lieut. colonel Preston took possession of Fort Evie ry direction. General Chandler, with the reserve, and its dependencies last evening; the post had been (composed of his brigade and colonel Macomb's ar- abandoned and the magazine blown op. tillery) covered the whole. Commodore Chauncey I have ordered general Lewis to return without had made the most judicious arrangements for si-delay to this place, and it the winds favor us we lencing the enemy's batteries, near the point of land-may yet cut off the enemy's retreat. |