Star.
London, England, 1814-10-24 00:00:00

FRENCH 1)4 .E RS.

FROM THE JOURNAL DZ PARIS.
IiTZORT RELATIVC TO ST. DOMINGO, MADE TO THE

CHANIEF.:It OF DEI'L;rIF.s BY H. LAINS.'
Aranng the questions submitted to the examina7,
Clog of the lieptesentatives of the Nation, there•are
few that have excited more lively interest than that
ItiPeOttng. the rit.establialuneet of St. Domingo.—:-
Opinions are divided on the subject. The colonists,
inguetteed by old recollections and personal interest,
i,;cessantly turrVilseir 'yea towards those tine planta,
tions whose-tieb produce nourished maritime corn-
raerce, and gave us a Invonrable balance of trad,N
Obstacles disappear before their hopes, so' often de-
cPived. Nothing appears to them more easy that to
restore the connection between the mother country
and its colonies.
Some persons, less confident, dread, on the part of
the blacks, a resistance which has already cost large
capitals, and the loss of a fine tinny. it it difficult
to believe, say they, that men, for twenty ;ears ac-
customed to independence, and who have fought for
their liberty, should voluntarily submit to the painful
' toils from which they felicitate thensselves on being
delivered. What motives could they have for such
a surrender t- •They have a new country, new habits,
new enjoymenti, and a new ambition. Every thing,
in short, estranges then from the past, which in their
minds excites only fear and resentment.
To be able to decide between these two opinions,
it would be necessary to be well acquainted with the
state of men and things in St. Domingo; but on this'
head we have still only vague and contradictory in-
formation. In this situation we consider it as fortu-
nate that we have it in our power to communicate to
the public the opinion of a man so prudent and en--
lightened as the President of the Chamber of Depu-
ties.!---After some general observations, expressed
with. MS sepial eloquence, M. Laing proceeded as
followS: '
" &fire singling to. St. Domingo sea and land
&ices, it is natural that we should have correct in-

formation as to the dispositions of the Chiefs, who in
' that colony are armed against each other. Doubt-
less, ulten they learned the restcration of the King
• of France, and the peace of Europe, their souls must
hare opened to more pacific sentiments. On display.
ing to the popstlation of the island that white flag, the
omen -6f a purer and milder colopi.l regime, those
-wishes so often expressed will spring up among them,
cf again finding themselyes under the paternal do-
minion of a ging from whom all lock forward to a
better fate.

6, Persuaded of the sanctity of the Royal word,
the men of Sr. Domingo, fatigued with war and ca-
lamities; have no longer to fear those *feeds of vio-
lence which exasperated them, convinced that the
promises which shall be maJe.tp them will be reli-
giru•ly observed t. guaranteed by the Royal autho-
rity, the shelter of France herself, every thing pre-
e.tges both the reconciliation of the Chiefs and the
submission of the rest.

66 If the Government has reason to expect this
happy event, there is no occasion to prepare any
miler espedicion but that which will suffice for the
re-establishment of order, the maintenance of an ac-
tive Pelice, and the prt,tection of all classes and al!
rights.
What previous attempts may have been made—
what preparatory measures adopted, we are yet ig-
norant of; and this is a point on which it would pro-
bably be imprudent to require information from Go-
vernment.

4 The epoch, the nature of an expedition, its force,
its preliminaries, are all matters that must be rtzu-
latekl by facts, by information, by the prudence of
• the Executive. It is proper that all this should be
left to the Government.

" Should the King deem it expedient to send nut
• Agents, either before any expedition or at the periou
when it shall appear to him useful, these Plenipoten•
fogies, invested with. powers from a King of France,
e•will obtain the ascendant necessary to the success of
their mission. If these missionaries of peace add to
the influence of a respected name, a reputation for
• wisdom and equity, they will happily pave the way
• for a• return to peace and order.
It is the inclination of the King and of the co-
lonists, as it must be the wish of the inhabitants of
• the island, that the situation of the labourers should
br meliorated ; that that of the landholders, of all
ranks, of all colours, be' ecured.

But it is impossible, on this occasion, to enlarge
upon the dictates of humanity and justice. We must
• be better nein tinted with the internal state of the co.
-long, to be able to speak of concessions which it may
-be expedient to make in the system to be established,
,for the purpose of protecting the labours of the one
class, the industry of the other, and the rights of all.
• " These things can only be the result of ceunec.

puns with these who exercise authority, arid who are
the existing Chief, of tie population. The imme-
diate cultivaters of the soil in St. Domingo are not
ignorant that tire former Kings of France were full
of solicitude for their fate ; and it will be easy for the.
Jel,..gates of Government to convince the new Chiefs
of the btliciLent intettti,ins of a King,
_the legiliouttgr
buee,essor of him whom they idolized.
41 Thera is ground to hope, that from these tem-
inulicatiorra will proceed regulatidiss calculated to
pot an end tit) 411 talannties:by bridling all the pus.:
starts, and directing all interests aceordrng to justice
!nu ,wiscsom,--„
.
After thili giving some prospect of the possibility
iltrePoofehing St. DolninAn, bl. Lame calls the :it.
tention.of the Chamber to that article in the Iteat)
Of Peace which provides the mcans of repairing. the
tss of population in the coloias. This part ct his
port is errenicly Interesting.
you are not ignorant," observes the reporter, 14 01
the ciAmt.ur. excited in a neighl outing natiqn on the
stal,sittet 4.Cone elfstsse, which, fur an opposite reason,
bas called forth' the complaints of our colonists and
inpitime towqs. These clamours and these corn.
plaints Must be disregarded. The two Goseerimenis
have taLu this, 44emn Treaty for a law, and :since
'France submits I(t is, site is entitled to look for the
snipe respect irom the other contracting parties.
It is very
oneoess4y;. Gentlemen, to gum 4 against
opening a doorto such discuss o :s ; for vu this sub-
ct a great pi e v qui scion alu a 4 s wastes, namely,
the faith of treaties and the witional dignity.
" A nation will on more saurnit tube dictated to
Sn hrnrals th.in in reAgion; and;howrirer the plans
plidautheopy may be, it will alienate nations from

the eontels which it lavishes, should it eodenoill to
compel them to be followed by the infraction of trea-
ties destined to prepare, with prudeqce, the accbm-
plishmeot of the wishes tif humanity.
44 Thus Gentleindig it appears to us, that we
should noCentertain any uneasiness on the frank and
full execution of A treaty of Peace, which restores to,
France, in the place of her conquests, a pan of her
Colonies, and secures to her a rank .mong maritime
powers.
“ We are secured by the promises of the Sove-
reigns, with whom our long differences have been
terminated, and also by their own interests. They
know that it cannot be-attempted, without danger,
to imprison a warlike people on a territory to which
Nature has given three hundred leagues of coast;
they know that, in the interest even of Europe, there
must be conductors to the martial spirit of that people,
aliments for its activity, and compensations for its
losses. Thus secured by the faith and the interest of
the Sovereigns of Europe, our merchants and our
navigators may undoubtedly.continue with security
their maritime speculations."
The reporter had considered the question of delay
demanded by the Colonists for the payment of their
debts; but the commission had judged proper to ad-
journ that examination till-after the discussion should
be held in the Chamber of Peers, on a project of law
relative to the same object, and presented to that
Chamber, in the name of the King, by M. the Chan-
cellor of France.
M. Laine concludes his report by the following re-
solution, proposed to the Chamber in the name of the
Commission t

" Considering that the means to be taken to arrive at the pos-
session anJ pacification of St. Domingo, as well as at the estab-
lishitunt of an interior government analogous to circumstances,
essentiady concern the executive power :
" Considering that the re-establishment of St. Domingo, the
object of the wishes of France, is also the constant object of the
solicitudes of his Majesty; that it is for the Government to pro-
pose the subsidies which it shill judge necessary for attaining
that end:
" Considering that M the Chancellor of France has already
proposed to the Chamber of Peers, on the delay in the payment
of the debts of the colonies of St. Domingo, a plan at law on
which the Chamber of Deputies will soon be summoned to deli-
berate; the Chamber transmits to the Government the Petitions
which have been addressed to it, the report of the Cemnitssion
of petitions, and the present report ."
We cannot close this article without making an
observation calculated to reassure many persons who
think they perceive in the virulent articles of the Lon-
' don journalists the opinion of the English Govern-
ment—it is, that it is impossible for a Government
which so well understands its interests to be blind to
' the consequences which would infallibly result to its
own colonies from the entire separation of St. Do-
mingo from France. A period would sooner or later
arrive when the spirit of independence would pass
from island to island, and deprive European govern-
' ments of possessions which are so highly useful to
them. Can it be imagined that the blacks of Jamaica
are less alive to the p!easures of independence than
those of St. Domingo ? Would the comparison which
they must be constantly making between their own
situation, and that of their brethren the Dukes and
Peers of Hayti, be without danger to the repose vi
tke English colonists, and the security of their pro-
perty ? It does not require much intellect to answ r
.both these questions. It is evident th.,t the interest
of England, as well as that f rca,ui,c4 the
subjection of St. Domingo tl the mother couLtry.—
Whatever be the ultimate determination taken on this
matter, we tru .t its success will be brfaigi t :about
without the necessity of resorting to force of arms,
and that it never will be forgotten that the Africans
are men.

AMERICAN PAPERS.

WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 13.

We are happy to find that strong defences are
About to be erected for this district, to supply the
place of those which have been recently destroyed.
The President and acting Secretary of War visited
the remains of Fort Washington, (14 or 15 miles be-
low this city) on Saturday last, and it was determined
that a strong fort and other works should be imme-
diately erected. The early and vigilant attention of
the Government to this object is a pledge of their de,
mination tltat no hostile tread shall ever again pollute
the soil of this district.
WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 15.
" GENERAL ORDERS.

" Head-Quarters, Plattsburgh, Sept. 14, 1814.

" The Governor-general of the CanaJas, and Com,
islander in Chief of the British forces in North Ame-
rica, having invaded the teuitories of the United
States, with the avowed purpose of conquering the
country as far as Crown Point and Ticonderoga,
there to winter his forces with a view to further con-
quest, brought with him a powerful army and flptilla.
An army Amounting to 14,000 men, completely
equipped, and accompanied by a numerous train of
artillery and all the e:lgines of war—men who had
conquered in France, Spain, Portugal, the Indies, and
in other pa• is Of the globe, and led by the most dis-
linguished generals in the British army. A flotilla also''
superior to ours in vessels, men, and guns, had deter-
mitted at once to crush us, both by land and water.
" The Governor-General, after boasting of what he
would do, and endeavouring to dissuade the loyal in-
habitants of the United States from their allegiance,
by threats and promises, as set forth in his proclama-
tion and order, fixed his head-quarters at the village
of Champlain to organize his army, and to settle the
g4,veron4ent of Ills intended conquest. On the second
day of the month, he marched from Champlain, and
on the sth, appeared before the village of Plattsburgh
with his whole army, and on the 11th, the day fixed
I for the general attack, the flotilla arrived.

The enemy's floti;la at eight in the morning
passed Cumberland Head, and at nine engaged our
flotilla it anchor in the bay of the town lolly con&
:teat of crushing in as instant, the whole of our naval
force, but the gallant Commodore Macdoneugh, in
ihe short spice of two hours, obliged the large yes..
wls to strike their colours; whilst the gallies saved
thenitiehei by flight. This glorious achicvaneut

was in full view of the several forts, and the ASWAN(
forces had the satisfaction of witnessing the victory.
The British army was also so posted on the surround.
ing heights, that it could not but behold the interest.
ing struggle for dominion on the Lake. At the same
hour the fleets engaged, the enemy opened his bat-
teries on our forts, throwing hundreds of shells. ball.,
and rockets,.and attempted at the same time to cross
the Saranac at three different points to assault the
works. At the upper fort he was met by the militia
' and volunteers, and after repeated ataempts was
drinn back with considerable loss in killed, wounded,
and prisoners. At the bridge near the village he was
repulsed by the picquets and brave riflemen under
Captain Grovenor, and Lieutenants Hamilton .aad
Riley, and at the bridge in town he was foiled by the
guards, block-houses and the artillery of the forts,
served by Captain Brooks, Captains Richards ands
Smith, and Lieutenants Monntford, Smith and Crom.
well. The enemy's fire was returned with effect from
our batteries, and by sun set we had the satisfaction to
silence seven batteries which be had erected, and to
see his column retiring to their camp beyond the reach
of our guns.
14 Thus beaten by land and water, the Governor Ge-
neral withdrew his artillery and raised the siege. At
nine at night, sent off his heavy baggage, and under
cover of the darkness retreated with his whole army,
towards Canada, leaving his wounded on the field and
a vast quantity of bread, flour, and beef, which he had
not time to destroy, besides a quantity of bomb-shells,
shot, flints, and ammunition of all kinds, which re.
mained at the batteries and lay concealed in the ponds
and rivers. As soon as his retreat was discovered,
the light troops,- volunteers, and militia, were ordered
in pursuit, and followed as far as Chezy, capturing
several dragoons and soldiers, besides covering the
escape of hundreds of deserters, who still continue to
be clotting in. A violent storm, and continued fall of
rain, prevented the brave volunteers and militia from
further pusuit.
44 Thus have the attempts of the invader bees frus-
trated by a regular force of only fifteen hundred men;
a brave and active body of militia of the State of New
York. under General Mawr:, and volunteers of the
respectale and patriotic citizens of Vermont, led by
General Strong, and other Gentlemen of distinction ;
the whole not exceeding 2500 men,
" The British forces being sow either expelled or
captured, the services of the volunteers and militia
may be dispensed with.
44 General Macombe cannot, however, permit the
Militia 3f New York and the Volunteers of Vermont
0, depart %ohmic carrying with them the high sense
he entertains for their merits. The zeal with which
they came forward in the defence of their country,
wL.n the signal of danger was given by the Gene,ral,
reflects the highest lustre on their patriotism and spi,
lit ; their conduct in the field has corresponded with
the laudable motives which led them into it. They
have deserved the esteem of their fellow-citizens, and
the warm approbation of their Commanders. They
have exemplified how speedily American citizens can
be prepand to meet the enemies of their country.
" In testifying his sense of the merits of the troops,
the General cannot but express his sorrow and regret
for the loss of some brave and virtuous citizens, and
for those who have been wounded. The loss, no
doubt, will be keenly felt by their friends and coun-
trymen, but at the same time will be borne with that
fortitude and resignation which become good citizens
and good Christians. The affection of the General
will accompany his brave associates in arms, where-
soever they go, nor will any thing give more plnsure
than opportunities of testifying to them individually
by actions as words the high regard he cherishes for
them. The General, in the name of the United States,
thanks the Volunteers and the Militia tor tfletr dibtin
guished services, and wishes them a h ►ppy return to
their families and friends. (Signed)

" AL ZIA; I;Elt SACOMBIL"

INTERCEPTED I.E f fER*c

The flowing letters were intercepted on th; it way
from Montreal to Niagara. by a detachment of our
Army:

COPY 01 A LZTTLR }llO4l SIR GEORGE PRIVOST TO