The Sun.
London, England, 1814-10-19 00:00:00

AMERICAN PAPERS.

WASHINGTON, SI;VT. 8.

ET THE TRESIDENT OF THE tiNITF,D STATES OF

AMERICA.
A PaOCLAMATION.

Whereas the enemy by a sudden Incursion have succeeded
in invading the capital of the nation, defended at the nio-

went by troops less numerous than their own, and almost en-
tirely of the Militia; during their possession of which, though
for a single day only, they wantonly destroyed the public edi-
fices haling no relation in their structure to operations of
war, nor used at the time fod military 4nno,yancei some of
thaseedifices being also costly monuments of taste and of the
arts, and others repositories of the public archives, not only'
precious to the nation as the memorials of its 03IGIN and its
car& transactions, but interesting TO ALL nations, as contri-
butions to the general stock of historial instruction and poll-

tical science..
And whereas, advantage has, been taken of the loss of a
fort, more immediately guarding the neighbouriog town of
Alexandria., to place the.town within the range of a naval
force, too long and top much in the habit of abusing- its sn-
periOrity wherever it can he applied, to require, as the alter-
native of a general conflagration, an undisturbed plunder of
private property, which has been executed in a manner pe-
culiarly distressing to the inhabitants whP bad, inconsider
ately, east themselves upan the justice and generosity of the
victor.

And whereas, it now appears, by a direct communication
from the British Commander on the American station, to be
his avowed pUrrose to Cinpl9y the force Under his direction,
" in destroying and laying waste such towns and districts
tipon the coast as may be founded •assailable;" adding to
this declaration the insulting pretext that it is in retaliation
for a wanton destruction committed by the army of the United
States i iUpperCanada, when it is notorious,tliat no destruc-
tion has been committed, which, notwithstanding the multi-
plied ontrages previously committed by the :meaty, was not
unauthorized and promptly shown to be so ; and that the
United St.ees have been as constant in their endeavours,to
reClaitn the 'enemy from snch outrages; by the contrast of
their own example, as•they have been ready to terminate, on
reasonable conditions, tire war itself.

And whereas, these proceedings and declared purposes,
which exhibit a deliberate disregard of the principles
of humanity, and.the rules of civilized warfare, and which
must give to the existing war a character of extended de-
vastation and barbarism, at the very moment of negocia-
tions for peace,. invited by the enemy himself, leave no pros-
pect of safety to any thing within the reach of his predatory
and incendiary operations, but in manful and universal deter-
mination to chastise and expel the invader.

Now, therefore, I, James Madison, President of the United
Stales, do issue this my proclamation, exhorting all the good
people thereof, to unite their hearts and hands in giving ef-
fect to the ample means possessed for that purposii. I en-
join it on all officers, civil and military, to exert themselves
in executing the duties with which they are respectively
charged. And more especially, I require the Officers coM-
manding the respective military districts, to be vigilant and
alert in providing for the defence thereof; for the more ef-
fectual accomplishment of which, they are authorised to call
to the defence of exposed and threatened pla,ces portions of
the militia most convenient thereto, whether they be or be
not parts of the quotas detached for the service of the United
Mutes under requisitions of the general government.

On au occasion which appeals so forcibly to the proud feel-
ings and patriotic devotion of the American People, none will
forget what they owe to themselves, what they owe to their
country and tie high destinies which await it; what to the
glory acquired by their fathers, in,establishing the indepen-
dence which is now to be maintained by their sons, with
the augmente:t st►ength and resources with which time.and
Heaven had blessed them.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and
caused the seal of the United States to be fixed to these

presents.
Done at the City of Washington, the first day of September,
in the year of our Lord 1814, and of the ladepondence
of the United States the

JAS. MADISON.
By the President, JAS. M(NROE, See. of State.
Cliarylaxd Gaulle, Sept_ R)

GAZETTE EXTRA.-GLORIOUS NEWS.

" N.Rw YORK, SErr. 16.

{By the Steam Boat Paragon.)

Copy of a letter from General Macomb, to hii
father in thii city, dated Sept. 12. :

" My Dear Father, " Fort Moreau.
" The British army, under Sir G..PrevoSt, con-
, sisting of four brigades, each commanded by a
Major-General of experience, a light corps and
squadron of dragoons, and an immense train of
artillery. They invaded us for six days, during
which period the troops in small parties skirmish-
ed with them, apd took prisoners and killed many.
Yesterday they opened their batteries on us with
bombs, 24-pounders, howitzers, and rockets, but
we silenced the whole arsix in the evening.
" Their fleet attacked ours at .the same time,
and after an engagement of two hours their large
vessels all struck to our gallant Commodore. The
gullies ran off. The British Commodore was
slain, and the killed and wounded are enormous.
Our loss is 115 in killed and 130 wounded. The
British army raised the siege last night, or rather
this utorning, at two o'clock, and are now in full
retreat;leaving in the field their wounded and
sick. Sir George has requested me to treat them
with humanity and kindness. The whole .force
does not exceed 1500 effeetives.
" I have sent the militia and 'light troops in
pursuit. They are constantly taking prisoners
and sending in deserters. I am, in 'hopes. of de-
stroying at least one-third of the English army.
lam in perfect health. My troops are the rem-
nant of General Izard's army, invalids and coil•
valescents, except about 600 men.
" I am, in haste, &c.
" ALEX. MACOMB:"