Star.
London, England, 1813-08-06 00:00:00

AMERICA

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MAY 26.
BARBARITIES OF THE ENEMY.
After the adoption of these resolves,
Mr. CLAY (Speaker) rose, and adverted to that
part of the Message which alludes to the inhumanity
of the enemy, expressed his abhorrence of the enor-
mities committed by them, as well in the massacre of
our citizens on the Western frontier, as the conflagra.
Zion of our little towns on the maritime border. The
latter outrage had not been pretended to be denied,
but bad been apologized for, [by whom he did not
soya on the pretence that our people had first fired
on one of their Flags. Although he believed the al.
legation false, he was glad that it was thought neces-
cessary to make any apology for it. The facts, how-
ever, in both cases, ought to be enquired into, and
distinctly ascertained. If feund to be as public re-
port had stated them, they called for the indignation
of all Christendom, and they ought to be embodied
in an authentic document which might perpetuate'
them onithe page of history. These were substan-
tially the remarks, as written from memory, with
• which Mr. Clay prefaced the following Resolution :
64 Resolved, That so much of the President's
Speech as relates to the spirit and manner in which
the war has been waged by the enemy, be referred to
a Select Committee."
The Resolution was adopted without opposition or
division.
After the other Resolutions were agreed to,
Mr. GROSVENOR moved to reconsider the Resolu•
tion moved in Committee by the Speaker, for the
purpose of amending it. Quoting the Message of
the President, he said that the barbarity of the ene-
any was therein contrasted with the humanity which
had characterized the war on our part. He wished
to see the evidence on this head also, and therefore
was desirous of amending the Resolution, if reconsi-
dered, by adding, after the words " by the enemy,"
the words " and by this nation."
Mr. DESIIA suggested the propriety of recommit-
ting the subject to the Committee of the whole on the
state of the Union, that the mover of this Resolve
(Mr. Speaker Clay) might have an opportunity of
speaking to it, if reconsidered.
Mr. GROSVENOR said he had not the slightest ob.'
jection to this course. He also intimated a disposi-
tion to withdraw the motion be had made; but
Mr. WRIGHT then rose. He was opposed to the pro.'
posed reconsideration, principally because he thought
the amendment suggested would cast a reflection by
insinuation on the conduct of our officers. He was
not disposed at this moment to give sanction to a
procedure which would be a libel on our land and
naval officers, who had distinguished themselves du-
ring the war as much by their humanity as by their
valour. The same pen which recorded the great ex-
ploits of our navy, would record the humanity along
with the bravery of its officers.
The SPEAKER here apprised Mr. Wright, that he
had misunderstood the Gentleman from New York,
if be had supposed him to have cast any imputation
on the conduct of our officers.
Mr. Weronr then said he wished to know, that he
might act understandingly, whether it was intended
to insinuate or suggest that there had been any im;
propriety of conduct on our part? or whether, in re-
ferring the subject to a Committee, it was intended
to state any facts, or shew any cause in support of
that reference ? He hoped the resolve would not be
reconsidered ; although, if there were the slightest
ground for such a course, he should not hesitate to
institute an inquiry into the conduct of any individual
who should have dared to violate the usages of war,
so sacredly observed by the Government and our
people in general.
Mr. GROSVENOR said he merely wished, as the ob-
ject of the Honourable Speaker had been avowed on
making his motion to be the obtainment of an hist°.
rical document to perpetuate the barbarity of the
enemy; and as in the Message that barbarity had
been contrasted with our humanity, that the facts on
the one hand should accompany those on the other.
He should hope, he said, that the call for such a pa-
der
would be far from presenting a libel on our offi-
cers, as the Gentleman from Maryland seemed to
suppose. Mr. Grosvenor was not, however, solici-
tous about the fate of his motion, for which, he said,
he felt but little anxiety.

The Proclamation of Sir GEORGE PREVOST, in an-
swer to the Declaration of Colonel PRESTON, has al-
ready appeared : we are now enabled to furnish the
document which gave rise to that Proclamation.
ADDRESS TO THE CANADIANS.
" Fort Me, May SO, 1819.
IS The Commandant of Fort Erie finding the peo-
ple in the vicinity anxious to obtain special protec-
tions, deems it necessary to make a public declara-
tion, that all those who may come forward and enrol
their names with him, and claim the protection of
the United States, shall have their property and per-
sons secured to them inviolable. Hepinvites all who
mean to pursue this course to take it immediately,
that they may be distinguished from the enemy; and
while he assures them that their interests and happi.
ness will be regarded by the Government of ti'e Uni-
ted States, he solemnly warns those who may obsti-
nately continue inimical, that they are bringing on
themselves the most rigorous and disastrous conse.
quences, as they will be pursued, and treated with
that spirit of retaliation which the treatment of the
American pr soners in the hands of the British so
justly inspirer. (Signed) 4, JAMES r. raLsroN."