Star. — London, England, 1814-02-04 00:00:00

I vember last, and a copy of a note which hiairita9nic Majesty's . Ainbassitdor at the Court o( 2t. Priers.; burgh presented to` the • Russian Government on the Ist of September 'preceditig4 " By this communication it appears, that his Royal highness the Prince Regent rejected the mediation offered by his Imperial Majesty. to pronfote peace between the United States and Great Britain, hut proposed to treat directly with the United:States at Gottenburgh or London, and that he had requested the nee: position of the good offices of the Emperor in favour of such an art angement.. " Having laid your Lordship's.communication be fere the President, I am instructed to state, for the intertmition of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, that the President has seen with regret this new ob stAcie to the commencement of a negoclation for the ccorrmaxiati , n of differences between the United States and Great Britain. As the Emperor of Russia was distinguished for his rectitude and impartiality, rent-[ was moreover engaged in a war, as an Ally ot England, vtheeeby it was his interest to promote peace between the United states and Great Britain, the President could not doubt that his Royal High ness tie Prince Regent would accept the mediation which hi Imperial ;Majesty had offered to them. It was the tonfidence with which the high character of tee. Emperor inspired the President that induced him, eiisreearding eeinsiderations which a more cautions policy Might have suggested, to accept the overture with promptitude, and to send Ministers to St. Pe tersburgh, to take advantage of it. It would have -been very sa,isfactory to the President, if his Royal Highness the Prince Regent had found it compatible with the views of Great Britain to adopt a similar nsetsnre, as much delay might have been avoided in accomplishing an object which, it is admitted, is of high iinemtaitce to both nations. The course proposed as a substitute for negocia ;ions at it.. Petersburgh, under the auspices of the Emperor of Russia, could not,. I must remark to your Lordship, hive been required for the purpose of keeping the United States unconnected against Britain, with any atFairs of the Continent. There was nothing in the proposed mediation tending to such a result. The terms of the overture indicated the con trary. In offering to bring the parties together, not as umpire hut as a common friend, to discuss and settle their differences and iespecnve claims, in a to inner satislectory to themselves, his Imperial Ma jesty she wed the interest which he took is the welfare ot both pinks. " Witerever the United States may treat, they will treat with the sincere desire ehey have repeatedly nranlfe,,tect, of terminating the present contest with Great •Britaie on conditions of reciprocity consistent with the 'eights 34 both parties, as sovereign and in dependent nations, and calculated not only to esta blish present harmony, hut to provide, as far as pos sible, against future collis43ns which might interrupt it. " Before giving an answer to the proposition com municated by your Lordship, to treat with the Unit ed States independently of the Russian Mediation, it would have been agree..ble to the President to have heard from the Plenipotentiaries of the United States sent to St. Petetshurgh. .;:he offer of a Mediatioel by. one Power, and the acceptance of it by another, forms a rel..tion between them, the delicaey'ot which cannot but he felt.' Frbnl the known character, how ever, of the Emperor, and The benevolent views with which hii mediation was offered, the President cannot doubt that he will see with satisfaction a concurrence of the United States, in an altern rove, which, under existing circumstances, affords the best prospect of obtaining speedily what was the object of his inter position. L am accordingly instructed to make known to your Lordehip,efer the .information of his Royal Highness . * Ponce Regent, that the PreSident ac cedes to hie,propoeition, and will take the measures depending on him — for carrying it into effect at Got teuburgh, with as little delay. ae possible ; it being presumed, that his Majesty the King of Sweden, as • thti friend of both parties, will readily acquiesce in Lire choice of a place for their pacific negotiations, within his domitlions. • The President is duly sensible of the attention of his . Royal Highness the Pi ince Regent, in giving the orders to the Admiral commanding the British squa dron on. this coast, which your Lordship has cominu nicated.-1 have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) a JAMES MONROE.", COPY Or A LETTER FRONT GENERAL 1100EURE, OF THE NEW-YORK r.,TATE TRi , CPS, 10 THE SECRETARY OF A tt Head -quarters, Buffalo, Dec. 22, 180. "Stn-Iregret to be under the necessity of an nouncing to you the mortifying intelligence of t h e loss of Fort Niagara. On the morning of the 19th instant, about four o'clock, the enemy crossed the river at the Five Mile Meadows in great force, Con sisting of regulars and Indians, who made their way undiscovered to the garrison, which, from the most correct information I can collect, was completely sur prised. Our men were nearly all asleep in their tents ; the enemy rushed in and commenced a most horrible slaughter. sucL as escaped the fury of the first onset, retired to the old Mess-house, where they kept up a destructive fire on the enemy, until a want of ammu nition compelled them to surrender. Although our force was.very inferior, and comparatively small in deed, I am induced to think that thediaster is not attributable. to any want of troops, but to gross neglect in the Coinoaanding ()leer of Me fort, Captain Leonard, in not prepar,ing, being ready, and looking out for the expected attack. • s' I have not been able to ascertain correctly the number of killed and wounded. About twenty regu lars have escaped out of the fort, some badly wounded. Lieutenant Peck,.2lth regiment, is killed, and it is said three others. " You will perceive, Sir, by the enclosed General Orders, that I apprehended an attack, and made the necessary arrangements to meet it, but have reason to believe, from ustormation received from those who h tve made their escape, that the Commandant did not in any r..spect comply with those orders. 6 f On the same morning a detachment of militia, under M jor Bennett, stationed at Lewiston Heights, was attacked by a party of Savages; bu t th e M a j or and his little corps, by making a desperate charge, effected tl,eir retreat, after being surrounded by seve ral hundreds, with the loss of six or eight, who doubt less were killed; among whom were two sons of Cap. Lint Jones, Llama Interpreter. The villages of Youngston, Lewiston, Manchester, and the Indian Tuscarora village, were reduced to ashes, and the inoffensive inhabitants who could not escape, were, without regard- to age or sex, inhumanly butchered by Savages, headed by British Officers painted. A British Officer who is taken prisoner, avows that many small children were murdered by their Indians. Major Mallory, who was stationed at Schlosser, with about forty Canadian volunteers, advanced to Lewiston Heights, and compelled the advanced guard of, the enemy to fall hack to the foot of the mountain. The Major is a meritorious officer, he fought tlie enemy two days, and contested every inch of ground to the Taut iwanty Creek. In these actions Lieutenant Lowe, 23c1 regiment of the United States army, and eight of the Canadian volunteers were killed. I had myself, three days previous to the attack on the Niagara, left it with a view of pro viding for the defence of this place, Black Rock, and the other villages on this frontier, , 4•I came here without troops, and have called out the militia of Gennessc.., Niagara, and Chataugee counties en musse. 1 his place was then thought to be in imminent danger, as well as the shipping, but I have no doubt is now perfectly secure. Volunteers are coming in in great numbers ; they are, however, a species of troops that cannot be expected to con tinue to service for a long time. In a few days, 1000 detached militia, lately drafted, will be on. " I have the honour to be, &c. " GEO. M'CLuftc, Brig.-Gen. Corn. Hon. J. Armstrong, Secretary at War. GENERAL ORDERS. " Head-quarters, Fort Niagara, Dec. 12 4 1813. " Captain Leonard will, as soon as possible, have a proportion of hand-grenades in the different block houses, and give directions to the offices of the in fantry where they should be "pdssed.with their men, in case of an attack ; and should they not be able to maintain the outworks, to repair to the block and mess-houses, and have every thing arranged in such a manner as though he expected an immediate at tack.—Much is expected of Captain Leonard, from his long experience and knowledge c.f . duty ; and the General feels confident be will be well supported by Captain Loomas of the Artillery, as well as the ficers of the Infantry. 4 , By order of Bt ig. Gen. Gen. M•Clure, (Signed) " DONALD FRASER, " Lieut. 15th U. S. Inf. and Vol. A. de Camp." GENERAL ORDERS. " Head-quarter*, Fort Niagara, Dec. 13, 191 S. it The Contractor will deposit in Fort Niap,:tra immediately one month's provisions for thiee hun dred men, and keep good that deposit. He will pro vide and issue at the following places: • At Lewiston, say for 500 men At Schlosser, 200 men Fur one month. At Buffalo, loon mcn a The Commanding Officers at the different sta tions will sign returns. " By order of General M'Clure, (Signed) a JOHN A. RODGERS, " Capt. 2.lth la. Act. A. de Camp. EXTRACT OF A SECOND LEETER FILObI GENERAL M'CLUIt TO Tilh S-I.CItETARY AT /VAR. " Batavia, December 25, 1813. " It is a notorious f.ict, that the - night on which Fort Niagara w•as captured, Cptain Leonard left the Fort about eleven o'clQck, 1. Si. I am assured that he has since given hirnbelf yp to tl.e enemy, and that he and his family are noir - in the Canadian side of the Strait." • DISTRESSING INTELLIGENCE. EXTRACT OF' A LETTER FROM MAJOR GENERAL HALL COMMANDING ON TM: NIAGARA FRONTIER TO HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR TOMKINS, DATED " Buffalo, December 25. 66 On my receiving information of the enemy cros sing the Niagara river, and taking the fort, I imme diately set off for the frontier. On my art ival at Ba tavia, I found a number of volunteers assembled. I tarried theie one day to forward them to the frontiers, and make arrangements for those who should follow. " I this ,day arrived at Buffalo, and assumed the command of the troops, being all volunteers, now on this station. The whule number here, at Lewiston, &c. may amount to 20(X) of all descriptions. The enemy have made their appearance off Black Rock, and an invasion is to be expected. The troops now out can be kept out but a few days. Those called. out on your Excellency's last requisition cannot all ar rive at this place till the middle or last of this week. The order did not reach me till the evening of the 16th instant. Our loss in the capture of Niagara has been im mense. What number of brave men have been sa crificed, we have not been able to learn ; it must have been - great. Severll in?iabitants have been killed in Lewiston, &c. among whom it is not ascertained there are any women or children. I have the honour, &c. (Signed) 46 46 AMOS HALL." FROM THE SAME TO TUE SAME. a Head-quarters, Niagara Frontiers, Dec. 30, 1813, 7 o'clock, r. (Received by express.) " SIR—I have only time to acknowledge the re. ceipt of your letter of the `.3sth inst. and to add, that this frontier is wholly desolate. The British crossed over, supported by a strong party of Indians, at a little before day this morning, near Black Rock they were ,met by the militia under my command with spirit, but overpOwered by numbers and disci pline of the enemy, the militia gave way. and fled on every side ; every attempt to rally them was ineffec tual. The enemy's purpose was obtained, and the flourishing village of Buffalo is laid in ruins. 6 4 The Niagara frontier now lies open and naked to our enemies. Your judgment will direct you what is most proper in this emergency. lam exhausted with fatigue, and must defer particulars till to morrow. Many valuable lives are lost.—l have the honour, &c. A. HALL, Maj.-Gen." PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, JANUARY 6. LIEUTERANT-GE.NERAL PROPOSED. Mr. MURFREE, of N. D. offered for consideration the following Resolution " Resolved, That the Committee on Military Af fairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of empowering by law the • President of the United states, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate : to appoint one Lieutenant-General• to com mand the armies of the United States, with such powers and emoluments as tnaybe deemedexpedient." Mr. MURREL said, in his opinion the result of the last campaign had disappointed the expectations of every one. That opinion had been.decidedly expres sed by this House in its recent vote for inquiry into the causes which led to the failure of our arms.— However general might be the opinion in this House, it was still more so in the nation. He hoped and trusted the inquiry embraced in the Resolution Just alluded to, would be so prosecuted as to shew where the blame really rests; that, if misconduct has taken place, it may be laid at the door of the person by whom it was committed—for, as the matter now stands, no two persons Su the House would agree on the causes whence this unexpected result had proceeded. But the inquiry, le. irable as it is, though it may point out the cause of r, cent failures, cannot operate any beneficial effect on the next campaign. The time (Mr. M. said) was fast approaching when that campaign ought to commence, and, so far as lie had seen, no measure, the tendency of which was to render the ensuing campaign more successful than the last, had been adopted. Mr. Wittoter, of Md. said he did not rise to oppose the reference of this subject to the Military Committee, but he rose to put the Gentleman right as to the feel ing of the House and of the nation, which he appear. ed so much to have misunderstood. Have the arms of the United States failed in the campaign ? Have we not, on the contrary, been marvellously success.' in!? We have gained a province taken from us. Is that nothing ? Lake Erie, a great inland sea, occu-' pect. hy• the enemy at the commencement of thecam paign, and all its shores, are ours. NVe conquered and took the enemy in that quarter ; we reduced all the Indian tribes under the yoke of the United States, and compelled them to beg for subsistence for their wives and children from us. Here - there is a whole country emancipated from the British sway. Yes, Gila we regained a province we had lost, and con quered all Canada to the East end of Lake Ontario. Under a Pike did we nut succeed in taking Yotk ? JiJ we not entirely succeed in every thing previous to the close of the campaign ? On the Lake Ontario the great Yeo, who was to conquer us with so much facility, was driven into port, anti` we were in posses sion of all the waters of the Lake, with the exception of the water in the vicinity of the harbour . of King. stop. Three weeks storm and rain washed our troops into general sickness and debility ; and yet they pro ceeded on, and are now lying at the key of Canada, and ready to descend to Montreal the moment the season permits. No Officer had deserved condemna tion until evidence appeared against him; and there was no evidence against the courage or conduct of our army, which had displayed, not Roman but American valour ;—so conspicuous, indeed, had been the courage displayed by both our army and navy, that he hoped the man who should hereafter speak of Roman valour, on this floor, would be coissideted as . speaking of the second clegrre, and not thefirsi ! ! This motion was agreed to without a division ; and the Resolution ties over for fuitler consideralion. GOVERNOR CIIITTENDEN. Mr. SHARP. (of Ky.); after a number of introdue t()ry remarks, expl,inatory of the laws relating to the Militia, which subject them, when in actual service, to the rules and articles of war, and place tl:e-n dur ing such time, in all respects, on the footing of regular troops, adverted to the recent Proclaim mon of Go. vernor Chittenden, of Vermont, calling the Militia of that State from the position assigned them by military orders. This act, he said, was in direct violation of the statute which makes it penal to entice the soldiers in the service of the United States to deiert. This act was dyne too at a critical time, and by a person stand ing in so conspicuous a station as to require partieti• laxly the punishment due to this offence. Mr. S. ad verted to the peculiar state of the Militia thus ordered home, on a frontier requiring their presence for its protection, and whence he said, from their character, they might indeed have been expected, being the descendants of the Green Mountain Boys, who so much distinguished themselves during the revo lution under the illustrious Aliens, to have volun tarily aided in the invasion of the territory of the enemy. Under these circumstances, and v..hen their services were most needed, they were invited by Governor Chittenden to desert their position.— , His conduct in this respect must meet the decided re , prehension, not only of every Member of this House, but of every good citizcn in the nation. h ought, then, to receive legal scrutiny. His offence ought to be punished, lest our laws should be subject to the remark which was applied to Solon's—that they were like cobwebs which entangled the weak, but which the strong could break through. To bring this sub ject directly before the HouSe, he offered the follow ing Resolutions : ‘, Resolved, That the Militia of any of these United States, or the territories thereof, when lawfully em ployed in the service of the United States, are subject to the same. rules and articles as the troops of the United States. 44 Resolved, That every persbn 'hot subject to the rules and articles of war, whashall procure or ertice. a soldier in the service of the United States to desert, is guilty of an infraction of the laws of the United *States, and subject to punishment. •4 Resolved, That his Excellency Maititithitten den, Governor of the State of Vermont, by issuing his Proclamation dated at Montpelier, on the 10th day of November, in the year of our Lord, j 813, did entice soldiers in the service of the United States to desert—Therefore, Resolved, That the President of the Uoiteil States be, and he is hereby requested to instruct the Attorney•Gen:•ral of the United States to institute a prosecution agatnst the said Martin Chittenden." The Message was received from the President, and the house adjourned, PORTSMOUTH, N.H. JANUARY I. A Court-martial has been held on board the Con. gress this week, for the trial of Mr. 'William Harper, sailing master of the Enterprise, on a charge of cowardice in the action with the British sloop of war Boxer. Mr. Harper, we understand, repeatedly ordered the flag of the Enterprise to be struc k in time of action, Captain Hull is President of the Court..' • HIGH TREAsex.—Last evening two persons were committed to jail in this town on the charge of high treason. They were apprehended in Berwick, in pursuance of a warrant from the Hon. Judge Storey, by Mr. Thaxter, Leputy Marshal, and conducted, by hint:to this place. We understand that the chat r alledged against them is supplying the British ships off Cape Harbour with cattle.—Borton Chronicle. . NEWHAVEN, JANUARY 5. Two persons have been detected in Fort Trumbull. New London, as sp:.es (one of them dressed in wo man's apparel), by a private in diat fort. They bad been on board of the American squadron and in fort Griswold. They were sent on board the fri United States, Commodore Decitur: The one it/ woman's clothes proves to be the Second Lieutenant of the Ranidies. • NEW YORK, JANUARY $. At an early hour yesterday morning, five dwelling houses, and Sr. George's Chapel (one of the finest Episcopal Churches in this' city), in Beekman -street, and one dwelling house, and the African School, Cuff-street, together with a number of work-shops and other small buildings in the rear, were destroyed hr fire. The flames continued to rage with uncontrolled fury for several hours. The wind was high, and the flakes of fire flew in various directions, and to a great distance ; and were if Pot that the roofs were covered with snow which was then falling, an immense num her of buildings must have been destroyed. Vera providentially the steeple of the church fell within the building ; had it fallen into the street, most pro bably many lives would have been lost. A letter received in Baltimore from Washington, of the date of December 14, says 1,4 4 Informatke k was received last evening, that a British farce u. two thousand troops had, arrived at Pensacola, an 4 that a British squadron had swept all the American property afloat on the coast betvieen Orleans Pensacola." CAfI'GA, DECEMBER e 4. • You will have heard, ere this comes to hand, that the British passed the Niagara on Sunday mowing that they captured Fort Niagara, with the galli um , consisting of about 2()0 regulars, and an immense quantity of stores ; and that they have destroyed every thing, both public and private, from Lewis. town to the Fort. This is all correct so far, but hap pily-no lives - were lost. The fort was completely surprised—not a gun was fired on either side. Yesterday morning the enemy appestreerrt OaL Orchard creek, between Niagara and Gennessee river. where they destroyed the mills, &c. and when the express came away, they were on the way to Gen nessee river, where a: large quantity of pi ()visions are deposited. Our people have all marched to the diffe. rent points of the frontier, w:tere the enemy - Alight be expected. I have no • apprehension that• they- wilt attempt any other place, there being no object wort:t the risk. ". ' The United States barracks at Derby, Vermont, were burnt on the 16th ult: by a small pitly'of Bri tish, there being no troops in that quarter to Oppose the marauders. Their contents, consisting, it i*.stated, about 1000 cartridges, 30 camp kettlas, several ales, saws, &c. and about 300 pounds of lead, were carried off by the enemy. • The Champlain squadron, tinder Comreotlore M'Donough, have put into the mouth of Oztei cr,Lk, Vergennes, Vermont, for winter-quarters. ALBANY, DECEMBER 91. Err R %Cr OF A LETTER, DATED BATAVIA, DEC. 23, 1813, TO A GENTLEMAN IN Tills CITY. " I hasten to give you a correct statement of the movements of the enemy oa the Niagara • frontier, received here by expresses, and by people that hire remoVed to this place in consequence of their homes having been destroyed by the enemy—the first express arrived here on Sunday evening—he left. Lewiston in the morning, at which time the British were cross ing at the five-mile meadows ; their force vans esti mated at seven hundred regulars, and the same num ber of Indians. They immediately marched for Lewiston, which was commanded by Major Bennet ; the force under his command is stated u) have beets 40 Tuscarora Indians. The Major, after having given the enemy a few shots, set fire to the buildings that contained the public property, and retreated, leaving them in full possession of Lewiston ; after having burned the village, and as it is supposed, murdere.lx. great number of families who could not make th,ir escape, they proceeded eight mass into the coin - my, plundering and burning. every house. It is stated that many women and children were inimma!ay murdered by the Indians. After these ontra z :,?es,. they proceeded to attack Niagara Fort; the va rious reports relative to the circumstances ( - it this attack, ri.-Ider it almost impossible to obtain any cor , rect information of the manner iu which it was made; but it appears the Indians rushed tire F , rt. before our troops had time to dischare x single gun ; the Commander, C•tptain Leonard, it is said, w.ts four miles. distant when it was taken by the enemy. After they had taken possession, and murdered several 'Tr sons after they had surrendered, they sent out a party, to Schlosser, arid burned thai place, together with. Porter's Mills ; and probably ere . this, they !rave piue• tiered and laid waste the country for 15 or VU miles aropnd. By. the last accounts they were at the mouth of Tonawanta Creek, 20 miles trom this place, and len - from Buffaloe; the militia of this place have beers tirdered to repair to the frontiers veithoct delay ; ' Eller& are . 1500 or 2000 assembled in this 'Village, :ill ready Co march, except the want of arms, Whic:i .ire coming on as fast as possible. 1< have-no donbt tl ere will be 5000 men on the much in twenty-lour hours. from this time." • .. COMMODO'IE RODGERS. Extract of a Letter from an Officer on bciard his Majesty's ship Albion, off Nantucky, dated Dec. 11 : 46 We have this moment fallen .1n with a Russian ship from RhoJe Island, bound to Liverpool. and from thence to Gottenburgh : her master stat,:s the inimmation, that Commodore RODGEAS sailed from Newport last Saturday evening, after having laid an embargo on all the eutward-bOund vessels the live Jays preceding. She contrived to elude the vigi lance of our cruizers on this station, which is extraor dinary, as we have seen and, spoken with, in this week, his Majesty's ships RAstutEs, tom, and OR PHEUS, and there are smaller vessels cruising in shore." LAST DAY of DLIAVaNd.--TheTickft, No. 11,158,. drawn on Wednesday se'nnight a Prize of Ten Thou sand Pounds, was sold in Shares by SW.IFT CO. who likewise sold No. 1,499, is Prize of Y wady Thou sand Pounds, at their Oflices, No. 11, Poultry; 12; Charing. Cross ; and 31, Aldgate High -street, in the last Lottery.—Tickets 4nd Oates are now on sale for the New Lottery, to begin on the 4th March., The Scheme, with only 8,000 Tickets, cont4ins :;11.0 Prife# pf £20,000, besides vwcuty other Capitals. V