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 Att
Head-quarters, Buffalo, Dec. 22, 180.
"Stn-Iregret to be under the necessity of an-
nouncing to you the mortifying intelligence of the
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.
6f On the same morning a detachment of militia,
under M jor Bennett, stationed at Lewiston Heights,
was attacked by a party of Savages; but the Major
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. 124 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.
64 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.