Chapter I: A. Coles (42)

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 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 neighboring territory of
the enemy, with a prospect of 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 among 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 plea 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 a knowledge, and even with menaces, that their fury could
not be controlled. 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 of 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 ardor and determination. In the States
and districts least remote, it was no sooner known, than every
citizen was ready 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 Rensselaer, of the
militia of the State of New York. The attack, it appears,
was ordered, in compliance with the ardor 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
felt, as it includes, among the killed, the commanding general,
who was also Governor of the province; and was sustained by
veteran troops, from inexperienced soldiers, who must daily
improve 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 insure,
for the next, a naval ascendency, where it is essential to our
permanent peace with, and control over, the savages.

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 correspondences 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
in 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 bulwark.

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 cruisers,
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 had an auspicious triumph.
The frigate Constitution, commanded by Captain Hull, after 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
the victory actually achieved, but for that prompt and cool
exertion of commanding talents, which, 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 awaiting the delays of a formal and
final pacification; and our Chargé d'Affaires at London was,
at the same time, authorized 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 blockades violating acknowledged rules; and that
there should be an immediate discharge of American seamen from
British ships, and a stop to impressment 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. 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 impressments 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 a more
accommodating spirit, remains to be known. It would be unwise
to relax our measures, in any respect, on a presumption of such
a result.

The documents from the Department of State, which relate to
this subject, will give a view also of the propositions for
an armistice, which have been received here, one of them from
the authorities at Halifax and in Canada, the other from the
British Government itself, through Admiral Warren; and of the
grounds on which neither of them could be accepted.

Our affairs with France retain the posture which they held at
my last communications to you. Notwithstanding the authorized
expectations of an early as well as favorable issue to the
discussions on foot, these have been procrastinated to
the latest date. The only intervening occurrence meriting
attention, is the promulgation of a French decree purporting to
be a definitive repeal of the Berlin and Milan decrees. This
proceeding, although made the ground of the repeal of 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 the 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 civilizing 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 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 inconveniences and expense incident to
them. The remedy lies in establishing more favorably for the
private soldier, the proportion between his recompense 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
recompense 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 be reasonably
expected to yield to that impulse.

It will merit consideration, also, whether, as auxiliary to
the security of our frontiers, corps may not be advantageously
organized, with a restriction of their services to particular
districts convenient to them. And whether the local and
occasional services of mariners and others in the seaport
towns, under a similar organization, would not be a provident
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 course
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 experience of our own.

A revision of the militia laws for the purpose of rendering
them more systematic, and better adapting them to the
emergencies of the war, is, at this time, particularly
desirable.

Of the additional ships authorized 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
purchase 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 of 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, and 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 to Congress an opportunity of making on the subject
such provisions as they may think proper. In their decision,
they will doubtless equally consult what is due to equitable
considerations and to the public interest.

The receipts into the Treasury during the year ending on the
30th of September last, have exceeded sixteen millions and a
half of dollars; which have been sufficient to defray all the
demands on the Treasury to that day, including a necessary
reimbursement of near three millions of the principal of the
public debt. In these receipts is included a sum of near five
millions eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars, received
on account of the loans authorized by the acts of the last
session: the whole sum actually obtained on loan amounts
to eleven millions of dollars, the residue of which, being
receivable subsequent to the 30th of September last, will,
together with the current revenue, enable us to defray all the
expenses of this year.

The duties on the late unexpected importations of British
manufactures will render the revenue of the ensuing year more
productive than could have been anticipated.

The situation of our country, fellow-citizens, is not
without its difficulties; though it abounds in animating
considerations, of which the view here presented of our
pecuniary resources is an example. With more than one nation
we have serious and unsettled controversies; and with one,
powerful in the means and habits of war, we are at war. The
spirit and strength of the nation are nevertheless equal to
the support of all its rights, and to carry it through all its
trials. They can be met in that confidence. Above all, we have
the inestimable consolation of knowing that the war in which
we are actually engaged, is a war neither of ambition nor of
vain glory; that it is waged, not in violation of the rights of
others, but in the maintenance of our own; that it was preceded
by a patience without example, under wrongs accumulating
without end: and that it was finally not declared until every
hope of averting it was extinguished, by the transfer of the
British sceptre into new hands clinging to former councils; and
until declarations were reiterated to the last hour, through
the British Envoy here, that the hostile edicts against our
commercial rights and our maritime independence would not be
revoked; nay, that they could not be revoked without violating
the obligations of Great Britain to other powers, as well as to
her own interests. To have shrunk, under such circumstances,
from manly resistance, would have been a degradation blasting
our best and proudest hopes; it would have struck us from
the high ranks where the virtuous struggles of our fathers
had placed us, and have betrayed the magnificent legacy
which we hold in trust for future generations. It would have
acknowledged, that, on the element which forms three-fourths
of the globe we inhabit, and where all independent nations
have equal and common rights, the American people were not an
independent people, but colonists and vassals. It was at this
moment, and with such an alternative, that war was chosen.
The nation felt the necessity of it, and called for it. The
appeal was accordingly made, in a just cause, to the just and
all-powerful Being who holds in his hand the chain of events,
and the destiny of nations. It remains only, that, faithful
to ourselves, entangled in no connections with the views of
other powers, and ever ready to accept peace from the hand of
justice, we prosecute the war with united counsels 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.

WASHINGTON, _November 4, 1812_.

The Message and documents were read, and twelve hundred and fifty copies ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate.

THURSDAY, November 12.

PHILIP REED, from the State of Maryland, took his seat in the Senate.

WEDNESDAY, November 18.

ALLAN B. MAGRUDER, appointed a senator by the Legislature of the State of Louisiana, (and who arrived on the 15th,) produced his credentials, was qualified, and then took his seat in the Senate.

WILLIAM HUNTER, from the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and JAMES LLOYD, from the State of Massachusetts, severally took their seats in the Senate.

FRIDAY, November 20.

STEPHEN R. BRADLEY, from the State of Vermont, took his seat in the Senate.

MONDAY, November 23.

JOHN POPE, from the State of Kentucky, took his seat in the Senate.

THURSDAY, November 26.

RICHARD BRENT, from the State of Virginia, attended; and there being no quorum present the Senate adjourned.

FRIDAY, November 27.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the motion submitted the 24th instant, that they proceed to ascertain the classes in which the Senators of the State of Louisiana should be inserted, as the constitution and rule heretofore prescribe; and, having agreed thereto,

On motion by Mr. TAYLOR,

_Ordered_, That the Secretary roll up, and put into the ballot box, two lots, No. 1 and No. 3; that the Senator for whom lot No. 1 shall be drawn, shall be inserted in the class of Senators whose terms of service expire on the third day of March next; and the Senator for whom lot No. 3 shall be drawn, shall be inserted in the class of Senators whose terms of service expire four years after the third day of March next.

Whereupon, the numbers above mentioned were by the Secretary rolled up and put into the box, and No. 1 was drawn for ALLAN B. MAGRUDER, who is accordingly in the class of Senators whose terms of service will expire on the third day of March next; and No. 3 was drawn for THOMAS POSEY, who is accordingly in the class of Senators whose terms of service will expire in four years after the third day of March next.

MONDAY, November 30.

GEORGE M. BIBB, from the State of Kentucky, arrived on the 29th, and attended this day.

MONDAY, December 7.

THOMAS POSEY, appointed a Senator by the Governor of the State of Louisiana in place of John Destrahan, resigned, produced his credentials, was qualified, and then took his seat in the Senate.

WEDNESDAY, December 9.

_Encouragement to Privateers._

On motion by Mr. GILES,

_Resolved_, That a committee be appointed to inquire into the expediency of offering encouragements at this time to all mariners and seamen to bring within any of the ports of the United States British public and private armed ships, as well as merchant ships or vessels, belonging to the subjects of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; and that the committee have leave to report by bill or otherwise.

Messrs. GILES, LLOYD, SMITH of Maryland, TAIT, and TAYLOR, were appointed the committee.

FRIDAY, December 11.

SAMUEL W. DANA, from the State of Connecticut, attended.

_Capture of the Macedonian and the Frolic._

The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:

_To the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States_:

I transmit to Congress copies of a letter to the Secretary of
the Navy, from Captain Decatur, of the frigate United States,
reporting his combat and capture of the British frigate
Macedonian. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on that officer
and his companions on board, for the consummate skill and
conspicuous valor by which this trophy has been added to the
naval arms of the United States.

I transmit, also, a letter from Captain Jones, who commanded
the sloop of war Wasp, reporting his capture of the British
sloop of war Frolic, after a close action, in which other
brilliant titles will be seen to the public admiration and
praise.

A nation, feeling what it owes to itself and to its citizens,
could never abandon to arbitrary violence, on the ocean, a
class of them which give such examples of capacity and courage,
in defending their rights on that element; examples which ought
to impress on the enemy, however brave and powerful, preference
of justice and peace, to hostility against a country, whose
prosperous career may be accelerated, but cannot be prevented
by the assaults made on it.

JAMES MADISON.

WASHINGTON, _Dec. 11, 1812_.

The Message and papers were read, and referred to the committee appointed 9th November last, to consider that part of the Message of the President of the United States which relates to the Naval Establishment.

THURSDAY, December 31.

_Death of the Representative, John Smilie._

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate of the death of JOHN SMILIE, late a member of the House of Representatives, from the State of Pennsylvania; and that his remains will be interred this day at two o'clock.

_Resolved_, That the Senate will attend the funeral of JOHN SMILIE, late a member of the House of Representatives from the State of Pennsylvania, this day at two o'clock; and, as a testimony of respect for the memory of the deceased, they will go into mourning, and wear a black crape round the left arm for thirty days.

TUESDAY, January 5, 1813.

The credentials of JOHN GAILLARD, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of South Carolina, for six years, commencing on the 4th day of March next, were presented, read, and ordered to lie on file.

WEDNESDAY, January 6.

The credentials of ABNER LACOCK, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of Pennsylvania for the term of six years, commencing on the 4th day of March next, were read, and ordered to lie on file.

MONDAY, January 11.

JAMES A. BAYARD, from the State of Delaware, arrived on the 9th instant, and attended this day.

WEDNESDAY, January 13.

_Capture of British Vessels._

The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:

_To the Senate of the United States_:

I transmit to the Senate copies of the correspondence called
for by their resolution of the 7th instant.

JAMES MADISON.

JANUARY 13, 1813.

The Message and papers therein referred to were read, and referred to the committee appointed the 9th November, on so much of the Message of the President of the United States as relates to the Naval Establishment, to consider and report thereon.

The documents are as follow:

BLACK ROCK, _October_ 9, 1812.

SIR: I have the honor to inform you that, on the morning of the
8th instant, two British vessels, which I was informed were
His Britannic Majesty's brig Detroit, late the United States'
brig Adams, and the brig Hunter, mounting fourteen guns, but
which afterwards proved to be the brig Caledonia, both said
to be well armed and manned, came down the lake, and anchored
under the protection of Fort Erie. Having been on the lines for
some time, and in a measure inactively employed, I determined
to make an attack, and, if possible, get possession of them; a
strong inducement to this attempt arose from a conviction that,
with those two vessels, added to those which I have purchased
and am fitting out, I should be able to meet the remainder of
the British force on the upper lakes, and save an incalculable
expense and labor to the Government. On the morning of their
arrival, I heard that our seamen were but a short distance
from this place, and immediately despatched an express to
the officers, directing them to use all possible despatch in
getting the men to this place, as I had important service
to perform. On their arrival, which was about 12 o'clock, I
discovered that they had only twenty pistols, and neither
cutlasses nor battle axes; but on application to Generals
Smyth and Hall, of the regulars and militia, I was supplied
with a few arms, and General Smyth was so good, on my request,
as immediately to detach fifty men from the regulars, armed
with muskets; by four o'clock, in the afternoon, I had my men
selected and stationed in two boats which I had previously
prepared for the purpose; with those boats, fifty men in each,
and under circumstances very disadvantageous, my men having
had scarcely time to refresh themselves, after a fatiguing
march of five hundred miles, I put off from the mouth of
Buffalo creek, at one o'clock the following morning; and at
three I was alongside the vessels; in about ten minutes I had
the prisoners all secured, the topsails sheeted home, and the
vessels under way; unfortunately the wind was not sufficiently
strong to get me up against a rapid current into the lake,
where I understood another armed vessel lay at anchor, and I
was obliged to run down the river by the forts, under a heavy
fire of round, grape, and canister, from a number of pieces
of heavy ordnance, and several pieces of flying artillery;
was compelled to anchor at a distance of about four hundred
yards from two of their batteries. After the discharge of the
first gun, which was from the flying artillery, I hauled to
the shore, and observed to the officer that if another gun
was fired, I would bring the prisoners on deck, and expose
them to the fate we should all share; but notwithstanding they
disregarded the caution, continuing a constant and destructive
fire, one single moment's reflection determined me not to
commit an act that would subject me to the imputation of
barbarity. The Caledonia had been beached in as safe a position
as the circumstances would admit of, under one of our batteries
at Black Rock; I now brought all the guns of the Detroit on one
side, next the enemy, stationed the men at them, and directed
a fire, which was continued as long as our ammunition lasted,
and circumstances permitted. During the contest, I endeavored
to get the Detroit on our side, by sending a line (there being
no wind) on shore, with all the line I could muster; but the
current being so strong the boat could not reach the shore. I
then hauled on shore, and requested that warps should be made
fast on the land and sent on board, the attempt to do which
again proved useless. As the fire was such as would, in all
probability, sink the vessel in a short time, I determined to
drop down the river, out of reach of the batteries, and make
a stand against the flying artillery. I accordingly cut the
cable and made sail, with very light airs, and at that instant
discovered that the pilot had abandoned me. I dropped astern,
for about ten minutes, when I was brought up on our shore, on
Squaw Island; got the boarding boat made, had all the prisoners
put in and sent on shore, with directions for the officer to
return for me, and what property we could get from the brig; he
did not return, owing to the difficulty of the boat's getting
ashore. Discovering a skiff under the counter, I sent the four
remaining prisoners in the boat, and, with my officer, I went
on shore to bring the boat off; I asked for protection to the
brig of Lieutenant Colonel Scott, who readily gave it; at this
moment I discovered a boat, with about forty soldiers, from
the British side, making for the brig; they got on board, but
were soon compelled to abandon her, with the loss of nearly all
their men. During the whole of this morning both sides of the
river kept up, alternately, a constant fire on the brig, and so
much injured her that it was impossible to have floated her.
Before I left her, she had received twelve shot, of large size,
in her bends, her sails in ribands, and her rigging all cut to
pieces. To my officers and men, I feel under great obligations;
to Captain Towson, and Lieutenant Roach, of the second regiment
of artillery; Ensign Presstman, of the infantry; to Cornelius
Chapin, Mr. John McComb, Messrs. John Tower, Thomas Davis,
Peter Overtacks, James Sloan, resident gentlemen of Buffalo,
for their soldier and sailor-like conduct; in a word, every
man fought with their hearts animated only by the interest and
honor of their country. The prisoners I have turned over to
the military. The Detroit mounted six six-pound long guns; a
commanding lieutenant, a lieutenant of marines, a boatswain and
gunner, and fifty-six men; about thirty American prisoners on
board; muskets, pistols, and battle-axes; in boarding her, I
lost one man, one officer wounded; Mr. John C. Cummings, acting
midshipman, a bayonet through the leg; his conduct was correct,
and deserves the notice of the Department.

The Caledonia mounted two small guns, blunderbusses, pistols,
muskets, cutlasses, and boarding pistols; twelve men, including
officers; ten prisoners on board; the boat boarding her,
commanded by Sailing-master George Watts, performed his duty in
a masterly style; but one man killed and four wounded badly, I
am afraid mortally.

I enclose you a list of the officers and men engaged in the
enterprise, and also a view of the lake and river in the
different situations of attack; in a day or two I shall forward
the names of the prisoners. The Caledonia belongs to the
Northwest Company, laden with furs, worth, I understood, two
hundred thousand dollars.

JESSE D. ELLIOTT.

Hon. PAUL HAMILTON,
_Secretary of the Navy_.

_Lieutenant Elliott to the Secretary of the Navy._

BLACK ROCK, _October_ 10, 1812.

SIR: In my letter of yesterday's date, I stated my intention
to enclose to you a list of the officers and men engaged with
me in capturing His Britannic Majesty's brig, the Detroit, and
brig Caledonia. The incessant fire of the enemy, and my own
constant engagements for the protection of the vessels, compel
me to postpone sending that list until another opportunity.
Last evening, having observed an intention, on the part of
the enemy, to remove the ordnance and military stores with
which the Detroit was charged, I determined at once to set
her on fire; thereby to prevent her having the aid of masts
and yards in getting her guns into boats, she having five
twelve-pound guns in her hold, and six six-pounders upon her
deck, that I could prepare them, and, with my sailors, remove
the ordnance during the night, when unobserved by the enemy.
These preparations I am now making, and shall, with as much
expedition as possible, continue to get the ordnance, and place
it in our battery, as we are much in want--- not one piece at
Black Rock. The Caledonia I have perfectly recovered from the
enemy.

I have the honor to be, with great respect, &c.,

JESSE D. ELLIOTT.

_Lieutenant Elliott to Commodore Chauncey, dated_

BLACK ROCK, _October 10, 1812_.

SIR: I have the honor to inform you that, on the morning of the
6th instant, two vessels, under British colors, came down Lake
Erie, and anchored under the protection of Fort Erie; that,
on the same day, a detachment of men arrived from New York,
accompanied by Sailing-masters Watts and Chisson, with some
masters' mates and midshipmen; that, on the morning following,
I, with two boats previously prepared for the purpose, boarded
and took possession of them, with the loss of two men killed,
Samuel Fortune and Daniel Martin, and four wounded--Acting
Midshipman John C. Cummings, John Garling, Nathan Armstrong,
Jerome Sardie, and John Yosen. As there is not a probability
of your receiving this shortly, I have made a communication to
the Department upon the subject, a copy of which I enclose for
your perusal. I beg you will not have conceived me hasty in
making this attack. I acted as if the action came directly from
yourself.

Let me recommend to your particular attention the officers
and men who performed this service--each and all did their
duty. The ensign of the Adams I will send you at an early
opportunity; it is at your disposal. The particulars, as it
regards the vessels, I will forward you in a day or two; at
present I am much engaged. With sentiments, &c.

P. S. I have neglected mentioning to you the names of the
vessels captured. One, His Britannic Majesty's brig, "the
Detroit," formerly the United States' brig Adams; the other,
a brig belonging to the Northwest Company, loaded with skins,
called the Caledonia.

_Commodore Chauncey to Paul Hamilton, Esq., Secretary of the Navy._

SACKETT'S HARBOR, _October 16, 1812_.

SIR: I have great pleasure in informing you that, by a
gentleman who arrived here yesterday afternoon, from Buffalo,
I learn that Lieutenant Elliott, with about sixty sailors, and
a number of volunteer militia, cut out from under the guns of
Fort Erie, on the night of the 8th instant, the brig Adams
(lately surrendered at Detroit) and the schooner Caledonia,
laden with peltry, said to be very valuable; but, in running
these vessels for Black Rock, they both grounded, in such a
situation that the British fort was firing on them, when my
informant left there on Friday morning last. It was, however,
believed that, if they could not be got off, they could be
destroyed. I, however, hope that Lieutenant Elliott will
be able to save both vessels; for, such an addition to our
little force on Lake Erie, at this time, would be invaluable.
Lieutenant Elliott deserves much praise for the promptness with
which he executed this service; as the sailors had only arrived
at Black Rock on the 8th, and he had no particular orders from
me, except to have boats built and prepared for cutting out the
British vessels, which I knew rendezvoused near Fort Erie. If
Lieutenant Elliott succeeds in saving the Adams and Caledonia,
I think that we shall obtain the command of Lake Erie before
December; but, as to this lake, I hardly know what to say, as
there has not a single pound of powder, nor a gun, arrived yet,
and I can make no calculation when any will arrive. I feel
quite discouraged, and shall be tempted to seek the enemy, with
the Oneida alone, if the guns do not arrive soon.

The sailors have all arrived at their places of destination;
but the marines have not arrived. I, however, hope to see them
to-day or to-morrow.

I have the honor to be, &c.

ISAAC CHAUNCEY.

Hon. PAUL HAMILTON,
_Secretary of the Navy_.

SACKETT'S HARBOR, _October 27, 1812_.

SIR: I have the honor of enclosing you copies of two letters
from Lieutenant Elliott, giving an account of his having cut
out from under Fort Erie, on Lake Erie, in a most gallant
manner, two British brigs, the Detroit (late Adams) and the
Caledonia. The Detroit was manned and armed as a man of war;
the Caledonia belonged to the Northwest Company, and was loaded
with peltry.

Nothing that I can say, more than I have already said in a
former communication upon this subject, will add to the credit
of Lieutenant Elliott, and the gallant officers and men who
accompanied him. The thing speaks for itself, and will, I am
sure, be duly appreciated by all who may have any idea of the
difficulties that he had to encounter, after getting possession
of these vessels. I have the honor to be, &c.

ISAAC CHAUNCEY.

Hon. PAUL HAMILTON,
_Secretary of the Navy_.

WASHINGTON, _Jan, 8, 1812_.

SIR: In answer to your note, requesting of me "a general
description of the armament and stores on board at the time of
the capture of the Adams, and the probable number of men," I
can state that I sailed from Maiden in the Adams, and arrived
at Fort Erie on the morning preceding the night in which you
captured that vessel. I left her in the afternoon, and crossed
in her boat to Buffalo, with a flag. When I left the Adams, she
had on board five guns mounted, (six and four pounders,) and
six long twelves in her hold. She had also on board a quantity
of powder and ball, and a number of boxes of muskets. I am not
able to state, of my own knowledge, the number of stand of
arms, but I have been informed that nearly all the arms taken
at Detroit were on board; if that was the fact, the number must
have been two thousand. The number of the crew that I left
on board could not vary much from sixty, and the number of
American prisoners about thirty, including three officers. I
have the honor to be, &c.

HARRIS H. HICKMAN.

Lieut. D. ELLIOTT, _U. S. Navy_.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, _October 27, 1812_.

SIR: I have received, with great satisfaction, your
communication of the ninth instant, and have been desired
by the President of the United States to return to you, and
through you to the officers and men under your command, in the
expedition to Fort Erie, which terminated to the glory of the
American arms, his particular thanks. I am, with great respect,
&c.

PAUL HAMILTON.

P. S. Your having abstained from fulfilling your intimation
that you would expose your prisoners to the enemy's fire, is
highly approved.

JESSE D. ELLIOTT, Esq.,
_Lieut. Commanding, Black Rock._

TUESDAY, January 26.

_Honors to Hull. Decatur, Jones, and Elliott._

The amendment to the joint resolution relative to the brilliant achievements of Captains Hull, Decatur, and Jones, having been reported by the committee correctly engrossed, the resolution was read a third time as amended; and the title thereof was amended, to read as follows: "A resolution relative to the brilliant achievements of Captains Hull, Decatur, Jones, and Lieutenant Elliott."

_Resolved_, That this resolution pass with amendments.

FRIDAY February 5.

JAMES BROWN, appointed a Senator by the State of Louisiana, in the place of John Noel Detrehan, resigned, produced his credentials, was qualified, and took his seat in the Senate.

TUESDAY, February 9.

The credentials of CHAUNCEY GOODRICH, appointed a Senator by the Legislature of the State of Connecticut for the term of six years, commencing on the 4th day of March next, were read, and laid on file.

WEDNESDAY, February 10.

_Counting Electoral Votes._

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House agree to the report of the joint committee appointed to ascertain and report a mode of examining the votes for President and Vice President of the United States, and of notifying the persons elected of their election, and have appointed Messrs. MACON and TALLMADGE, tellers, on their part.

_Ordered_, That Mr. FRANKLIN be appointed a teller of the ballots for President and Vice President of the United States, on the part of the Senate, in place of Mr. GAILLARD, absent from indisposition.

A message from the House of Representatives informed the Senate that the House is now ready to attend the Senate in opening the certificates and counting the votes of the Electors of the several States, in the choice of a President and Vice President of the United States, in pursuance of the resolution of the two Houses of Congress; and that the President of the Senate will be introduced to the Speaker's Chair, by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The two Houses of Congress, agreeably to the joint resolution, assembled in the Representatives' Chamber, and the certificates of the Electors of the several States were, by the President of the Senate, opened and delivered to the tellers appointed for the purpose, who, having examined and ascertained the number of votes, presented a list thereof to the President of the Senate, which was read, as follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------+
| President. | Vice President. |
States. +----------+----------+----------+----------+
| James | De Witt | Elbridge | Jared |
| Madison. | Clinton. | Gerry. |Ingersoll.|
------------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
New Hampshire | - | 8 | 1 | 7 |
Massachusetts | - | 22 | 2 | 20 |
Rhode Island | - | 4 | - | 4 |
Connecticut | - | 9 | - | 9 |
Vermont | 8 | - | 8 | - |
New York | - | 29 | - | 29 |
New Jersey | - | 8 | - | 8 |
Pennsylvania | 25 | - | 25 | - |
Delaware | - | 4 | - | 4 |
Maryland | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
Virginia | 25 | - | 25 | - |
North Carolina | 15 | - | 15 | - |
South Carolina | 11 | - | 11 | - |
Georgia | 8 | - | 8 | - |
Kentucky | 12 | - | 12 | - |
Tennessee | 8 | - | 8 | - |
Ohio | 7 | - | 7 | - |
Louisiana | 3 | - | 3 | - |
------------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+
Totals | 128 | 89 | 131 | 86 |
------------------+----------+----------+----------+----------+

The whole number of votes being 217, of which 109 makes a majority; JAMES MADISON had for President of the United States 128 votes, and ELBRIDGE GERRY had for Vice President of the United States 131 votes:

Whereupon, the President of the Senate declared JAMES MADISON elected President of the United States, for four years, commencing with the fourth day of March next, and ELBRIDGE GERRY, Vice President of the United States, for four years, commencing on the fourth day of March next.

The votes of the Electors were then delivered to the Secretary of the Senate; the two Houses of Congress separated, and the Senate returned to their own Chamber; and, on motion, adjourned.

THURSDAY, February 11.

_Vice President Elect._

On motion, by Mr. FRANKLIN,

_Resolved_, That the President of the United States be requested to cause to be transmitted to ELBRIDGE GERRY, Esq., of Massachusetts, Vice President elect of the United States, notification of his election to that office, and that the President of the Senate do make and sign a certificate in the words following, to wit:

"_Be it enacted_, That the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America, being convened at the city
of Washington, on the second Wednesday of February, in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirteen, the
underwritten President of the Senate, pro tempore, did, in the
presence of the said Senate and House of Representatives,
open all the certificates and count all the votes of the
Electors for a President and Vice President of the United
States; whereupon it appeared that JAMES MADISON, of Virginia,
had a majority of the votes of the Electors as President,
and ELBRIDGE GERRY, of Massachusetts, had a majority of the
votes of the Electors as Vice President; by all which it
appears that JAMES MADISON, of Virginia, has been duly elected
President, and ELBRIDGE GERRY, of Massachusetts, has been duly
elected Vice President of the United States, agreeably to the
constitution.

"In witness whereof, I have herewith set my hand and caused the
seal of the Senate to be affixed, this ---- day of February,
1813."

And that the President of the Senate do cause the certificates aforesaid to be laid before the President of the United States, with this resolution.

MONDAY, February 22.

_Capture and Destruction of the Java._

The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:

_To the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States_:

I lay before Congress a letter, with accompanying documents,
from Captain Bainbridge, now commanding the United States'
frigate, the Constitution, reporting his capture and
destruction of the British frigate, the Java. The circumstances
and the issue of this combat, afford another example of the
professional skill and heroic spirit which prevail in our naval
service. The signal display of both, by Captain Bainbridge, his
officers, and crew, command the highest praise.

This being a second instance in which the condition of the
captured ship, by rendering it impossible to get her into
port, has barred a contemplated reward of successful valor,
I recommend to the consideration of Congress the equity and
propriety of a general provision, allowing, in such cases, both
past and future, a fair proportion of the value which would
accrue to the captors, on the safe arrival and sale of the
prize.

JAMES MADISON.

FEBRUARY 22, 1813.

The Message and accompanying documents were read, and referred to the committee appointed the 9th of November, who have under consideration the naval affairs of the United States, to consider and report thereon.

TUESDAY, February 23.

_Naturalized Citizens Claiming Protection._

Mr. LEIB presented the memorial of a number of inhabitants of the city and liberties of Philadelphia, stating that they are natives of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and citizens of the United States by adoption; and that, by a late proclamation, issued by the Prince Regent of said Kingdom, the penalty of death is denounced against such of the natural born subjects thereof as shall adhere or give aid to the United States, thereby subjecting them to the punishment for treason against said Kingdom whenever the United States shall call upon them to take part in the existing war, and praying such provision for their protection as the wisdom of Congress may dictate; and the memorial was read.

WEDNESDAY, March 3.

_Six o'clock in the evening._

_Adjournment._

The Senate proceeded to consider the resolution from the House of Representatives, for the appointment of a joint committee to wait on the President of the United States, and notify him of the intended recess, and concurred therein; and Messrs. VARNUM and GAILLARD were appointed the committee on the part of the Senate.

Mr. VARNUM reported, from the committee, that they had waited on the President of the United States, who informed them that he had no further communications to make to the two Houses of Congress. Whereupon, the President adjourned the Senate to meet on the fourth Monday in May next.

INAUGURAL SPEECH.

_From the National Intelligencer of March 5, 1813._

Yesterday being the day on which commenced the second term of Mr. Madison's re-election to the Presidency, he took the oath to support the Constitution of the United States, administered to him by Chief Justice Marshall, in the presence of many members of Congress, the Judges of the Supreme Court, the foreign Ministers, and a great concourse of ladies and gentlemen. The President was escorted to the Capitol by the cavalry of the District, and received, on his approach to it, by the several volunteer corps of this city, Georgetown, and Alexandria, drawn up in line for the purpose. Previous to taking the oath in the Chamber of the House of Representatives, the President delivered the following

SPEECH:

About to add the solemnity of an oath to the obligations imposed by a second call to the station in which my country heretofore placed me, I find, in the presence of this respectable assembly, an opportunity of publicly repeating my profound sense of so distinguished a confidence, and of the responsibility united with it. The impressions on me are strengthened by such an evidence, that my faithful endeavors to discharge my arduous duties have been favorably estimated; and by a consideration of the momentous period at which the trust has been renewed. From the weight and magnitude now belonging to it, I should be compelled to shrink, if I had less reliance on the support of an enlightened and generous people, and felt less deeply a conviction, that the war with a powerful nation, which forms so prominent a feature in our situation, is stamped with that justice, which invites the smiles of Heaven on the means of conducting it to a successful termination.

May we not cherish this sentiment, without presumption, when we reflect on the characters by which this war was distinguished?

It was not declared on the part of the United States, until it had been long made on them, in reality though not in name; until arguments and expostulations had been exhausted; until a positive declaration had been received, that the wrongs provoking it would not be discontinued; nor until this last appeal could no longer be delayed without breaking down the spirit of the nation, destroying all confidence in itself and in its political institutions, and either perpetuating a state of disgraceful suffering, or regaining, by more costly sacrifices and more severe struggles, our lost rank and respect among independent powers.

On the issue of the war are staked our national sovereignty on the high seas, and the security of an important class of citizens, whose occupations give the proper value to those of every other class. Not to contend for such a stake, is to surrender our equality with other powers on the element common to all, and to violate the sacred title which every member of the society has to its protection. I need not call into view the unlawfulness of the practice by which our mariners are forced, at the will of every cruising officer, from their own vessels into foreign ones, nor paint the outrages inseparable from it. The proofs are in the records of each successive administration of our Government; and the cruel sufferings of that portion of the American people have found their way to every bosom not dead to the sympathies of human nature.

As the war was just in its origin, and necessary and noble in its objects, we can reflect with a proud satisfaction, that, in carrying it on, no principle of justice or honor, no usage of civilized nations, no precept of courtesy or humanity have been infringed. The war has been waged on our part with scrupulous regard to all these obligations, and in a spirit of liberality which was never surpassed.

How little has been the effect of this example on the conduct of the enemy!

They have retained as prisoners of war citizens of the United States, not liable to be so considered under the usages of war.

They have refused to consider as prisoners of war, and threatened to punish as traitors and deserters, persons emigrating, without restraint, to the United States; incorporated, by naturalization into our political family, and fighting under the authority of their adopted country, in open and honorable war, for the maintenance of its rights and safety. Such is the avowed purpose of a Government which is in the practice of naturalizing, by thousands, citizens of other countries, and not only of permitting, but compelling, them to fight its battles against their native country.