davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-15
Fyom t1e Ayanz casen, 7nwsdap. F.h. 4

We stop the press to communicate To our
readers the following extract of a letter from
siitaloe, just put into our hands, conveying
the melancholy intelligence of the defeat Of
the American Army, Under gen. Winchester at
the Miami Rapids.
E*t'aet Of Il Let,er from a gentleman at Bu1,1-
foe' 10 his friend in this city, dateG on WedkHes.
dag idsfi
1t IS with extreme pain inform YOU chat
on saturday last flag came across from the
English side, with captain Fitzgerald Of The
18Th regiment. informing the comm anding of.
hcer on our side that gen. Winchester. and a
bout 1000 men, where Killed and taken prison
ers, at the Miami Rapids. That it was dear
bought victory for the British. He added that
500 of our men were killed and 400 taken pri.
soners. An express has been sent to general
Dearborn, with this distressing intelligence, by
col. Porter, commanding at this post.5
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-15
---- - -
DOM ESTIC.
WASprNGroN CITY, Feb. 10.
DISASTROUS EVENT

IL is our painful task To Law before our rea-
Gers to- day the details, as FAR as they have
reached US, OF most disastrous event OF
our frontier, IN which detachment of the
NORTHWESTERN Army has been entirely cut
OH, the greater part of it AT least having been
slam or taken prisoners by the British and
their Indian allies, who surprised them I'M
her the create st disadvantages, with force
more than double their amount. The sur
prize is represented as having been So com.
pete as to have almost pr0cluded resis-
lance ; and the only consolation we can ten-
der % our readers is, that it was no igno-
m'nious surrender without firing a gun. No
they fought TO the last; and it is get
scarcely known whether any part of the
force accepted their lives at the hands of
their brutal foe. WINCHESTER, the gal
'ant but unfortunate Winchester, is number
ed with the slain And MANY noble spir-
1t walked into action by an indignant sense
oil ms country's wrongs, whose ardor had
borne him to the field. has accompanied his
commander TO the shades of death ! Ken.
lucky must long lament the loss of the flow
err of her youth, cut off i'm their early bloom
for 1t appears that nearly If not quite the
whole of the detachment was composed OF
Kentucky Volunteers, and that many, very
many, have lost their lives.
Gen. Harrison's letter exhibits the pros
poets on the NORTHWESTERN frontier which
1t appears are not blasted by the result Of
the unfortunate catastrophe which has be
fallen Gen. Winchester's detachment.
We add also an act of the Legislature Of
Ohio predicated on this occurrence. This
act OF the magnanirnous young state of o.
hio, while it puts to shame some of her ell
ders, is not more than the recent gallant
conduct her government and citizens au
thorised US to expect from her. Let all but
initiate her example, andyvety soon would
we expel from the continent the red and
white savages who have so long infested
our frontier, and menaced with outrage our
! western population.-Nat..Int.
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-15
Virginia Legislature.
VOUSE OFDELECITES
Tuesddy, FeDTuary ?.

Taesddy, February 2.
The Speaker laid befo,e The House the fol-
lowing communication from the governor.
CovScIL CHAEBrR, Feb. LIST, 1875
The Senate and House Of Dr!egates,
In compliance with your request, lost no
time in transmitting to Com. Decatur. Lieuts.
William II. Allen and John Il Nicholson, undS /
cover OF letter to each, copy Of the reso,uti-
ons adopted by the General Assembly, apprC-
batory Of the distinguished service they had
rendered their country, by the capture of the
British ship the Macedonian; 1t. Nicholson is
the Only gentleman from whom have received
an answer, copy of which, with my letter, is
herewith enclosed marked p 7
JAS. BARBOUR
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-15

ASS proof of the humanity and Christian
virtues OF our enemy, which Parrish, and
ms equally infuriate coadjutors out of the
pulpit, are emblazoning in all the tinsel or
naments of puerle defamation, we cannot
refrain from presenting to our readers an
extract from late British print, which has
this moment caught our eye. After read
ing 1T, our readers cannot surely question
the oUerwcening tenderness and mercy of
Britain for those who, like her, profess 10
worship" the oniy true and living God %
ut is practically demOnsIrated
From The London PILOT Of Nou. %.
PORTSMOUTH, Nov. OF.
Passed by last evening, from, Quebec.
oound to london, the ships Sir George Pre-.
vost and Euretta. Ahe latter, it IS said
has -foe hundred .4BfERICsfN Sell PS
on board"
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-15
Hon BurweH Bdssett,
Chairman offhe .Wavai Committee.
CmrLIcoraE. Feb. ?.


Letter from Gen. Harrison to Governor Meig.
who has politely favored us with tie How
ing extract, dated
Head qaarfeys, cnyying Rioey.
9th January, 1913
"Dear Sir-The event Of which EXPRESSED
so much apprehension in my letter 70 you, from
Lower Ssndusky, has happened. The detach.
ment under Col. Lewis was reinforced by Gen.
Winchester with two hundred and ffy men.
He attended IL, and took he command AZ the
river Raisin on the 2O,h, and on the 22d. h.
was attacked at revellie, by q considerable Bri-
tish and Indian force with six pieces ofartilIe.
~ the troops being surprized and the ground
unfsvorable, had but little opportunity OF form
ing to advantage. They were surrounded and
broke in 90 or IS minutes. A major and can.
tain and about IS priva,es we're all That slIccted
their escape.
had but 500 mon with Inc, about 2 miles
above the Rapids, where the news first reached
me. Immediately ordered them TO prepsre
TO march, and set out with my staff 20 ,yertskc
a detachment Of 500 men that had set out tbat
morning Tor The river Raisin. oyertook them
~ the distance Of six miles, but before ,hc =.
ther troops arrived Colonel Andrevs' Ohio re.
giment) came up, il was ascerained thd The
defeat was complete, aud it was the unsnir,oys
opinion OF generals Payne, Perkins, and Inc feld
officers, that We should return. A detscbmen,
70 the amount ofone hundred and seventy of
'he most active men, vas sent forward with di.
reotions to proceed as far an possible 20 assist
tnose VINO were fortunate enough 20 escape
there we're however but few; the snow vas AZ
ussP mat the figtiyes Wsre catirsIy exhausted
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-15
NAVY DkrARrMxNr, February

Sd, 1913.
SIR,
With reference 70 the note had the
honor to address to you OF the Cd inst, per-
NIT me to add, that ;he authority TO increase
the number of capss. is equally applicable
to the circumstances Of the Adams trigate,
intended for Capt. Aierris, who is no- yet
appointed * for whom their IS 10 vacancy
also pray your attention TO subject
which menaces the service with serious
Inconvenience. Offences committed on board
privateers, are TO be tried by naval courts
martial: two have been called for and or
dered, since / have been IN Office. II is at
all times inconveaient and expensive to in
s;itute these tribunals, and IN many cases
may be impracticable meanwhile the q
cused may be suffering the rigors Of an III
just imprisonment, and the f,cqUenl, of Of
ferces o. charges may create very serious
evils. Indeed case has already occurred
ia which AN individual has suffered several
months close confinement waiting trial.
Cannot some other tribunal be substituted :
am, Sir, your obedient servant,
w. JONES.
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-15
NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES.
NAVY DEPARTMENT,
february, End, 1913.

SIT,
Permit me TO revive the suggestions had
the honor to make to you, in conversation. re-
lative to the better organization Of the NAVY
Department, and though il would be prema.
ture in me to offer any general system of im
pr9yenent yet in my view, there are some
prominent defects in the establishment which
arc susceptible Of simple remedy, similar 10
That which necessity urged the adoption Of in
relation to The War Department
The vital error appesrs to me 60 consist in
loading the chief Of the Department with the
cognizance Of details, and with the execution
Of duties which divert his attention from tine
sound direction Of the great and efficient Oh.
Jects OF the establishment--or theainev,table
alternative is to subsist the exfcaiion of those
duties TO subordinate agents, wluse rcsponsi.
bihty does not afford sufficient t,.is ante 20
the public for the judieious and faithfOI dis
shngs Of the tTssL ofthisnstu is the duty
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-15
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,
February &

MIR. Bond presented a resolution of the
Legislature OF Illinois territory relative te
pre-. empticn rights 20 lands in the ,aid terri
tory, which was referred TO the committee
Of Public Lands.
Mr.. Lewis reporteda bill regulating the
fees Of Constables in the count; of Alexau-
dria in the district of Columbia.
Mr. Potter repaired a bill authorising the
discharge of Samuel Updike from his i'm
prisVnment
These we're twice read and commit
ted
ihe Speaker laid before the House let
to- FROM the Secretary of the Treasury.
emitting = statement Of the District
Tonnage OF he q States.
The bill authorizing The appointment Of
additional officers in the respective terrific
ries of he United States, went through =
Committee Of the whole Mr.. Dcsha in the
chair, and was ordered TO be ergrossed for
third reading.
III House resolved itself into commit
tee ct the whole, Mr.. Bassett IN the chair.
nu Inc BIZ granting additional compensate.
on to the Collector n the port and district of
Z ymourh W N. Carolina.
A MESA. ~ from thc Senate was announ-
ced ola Occidental nature.
The House was accordingly cleared og
all STRANGERS, and remained in secret session
for two rfhrec hours
When The dOUrs were opened
A resolution "asTcceivcd from the Sen
ats fer appointing JOINT eo&miitss to as
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-15

certain and report a mode Of examining the
votes for President and Vice PresidenJ of
the United States, and OF notifying the per
sons elected of their Election.
The said resolution was concurred in by
this House and
The House then adjourned
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-15
NAVY DEPARTMENT. February
Al, 1918.


SIR,
Upon more mature reflection and inves-
tigation, am induced TO believe that il will
for this session be best to postpone the cre-
alton Of the Purveyor's Office, lest it should
initiate with some Of the arrangements ne
cessary to be made at an early period; &
during the recess shall have an opportu.
nifty of testing the utility Of the plan, as well
as of suggesting some improvements of the
system. All that will be necessary at pre-
sent, will be to provide for two additional
clerks in this department, and believe
they are really necessary. would propose
10 embrace, in the appropriation for build
ing and equipping the sloops Of war, the
whole number which may be necessary both
on the lakes and the sea. by section au-
thoriSing the building sloops of war (say
ZEN Of the largest CLASSY, and section APP
propriatiug for the building AID equipDing
the said sloops OF war, idy@pding 8 200, 900
for exDences incurred inVKe purchase and
building of vessels on the lakes, dol
lars.
am respectfully, Sir, your obedient SER
want,
w. JONES.
Hon BurD'H Bdssett,
Chairman offbe .Navai Committee.
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-15

We understand the following are the off :
GERS attached to the frigate Macedonian,
most OF whom left this city within day
or two past, for N.Yo'k; where that ship
is now preparing for sea-
CGh'afn Jones Lieutenants Rodeers.
C.'rfer, Booth, Clarion, Ram Mr..
kntSAf, Sailing Master Mr.. Wise, Pur-
ser.
All the above officers, Lieut.. Carter ex
cepted, were lately attached to the ship
Wasp. rs
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-15
Feb. II,

-, FED. II. "
The interesting ceremony of Counting out
the votes tor President and Vice President
or the United States yesterday took place,
as required by the Cons titution, in the pre-
sehce or nnth hoases OF Congress. On open
ing the ballots, it appeared that the votes
Of the Electors had been given in as fol-
iOws.
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-15
LAW OFouLo.,-

LAW oFoqLo~zsp
An act Tor the encouragement ~ Volunteers in
me North Western Army OF the T. States.
= "hSsAhs N consequence OF the lancutabl.
disaster, which hiss happened TO that part of
me NORTH Western Army OF the Unit d STA es.
!@te'y Iaoer The command Of Gen. WIN.
SneSt1i' II becomes ndIspcnsabiy n scessary
that prompt and efficient measures shouid be
adopteo, to carry on the expedition contempla-
tea oy the army under the commend Of Gen w
H. Earrisoni and whereas A. may be imprec
ticSoie 10 recruit and organize an ADEQUATE
corps oil the militia Of thIs state 81 so carly A.
period as to reinforce the Nurth Western Ar
ny, PRIOR 10 the expiration ofthc term of s,r-
s.Ss " We origades under the command of
HehciAi upper and Cen Perkins and not
"ieiistsnding their valOr and patriotism. yet
conslderIng the privations and sufterings tbose
men nave endured, 1t is uureasonab bic 20 exract
OF require lor them TO continue IN s.ryice, nfter
the expiration of the tenn aforesaid. witbout
making them AN additional compensation
Therefore,
Sec |. Be ii enacted BY tie General .4s,ep,6k,
Of the state Of ONO, That in case tie term -
service OF any OF the militia of this state no,x
under the command OF General " I!!iam Henry
Harrison, should expire PRIOR to his RECEIVING
sufficient Reinforcement, ne IS lereby au;hor.
ised to accept their service for any Longer ne.
Rod not exceeding two months and provided
the Whole or any part oil such militia snail vol.
unceer, and subject themselves to the orders ~
the commander in chief of tile North Ves,ern
Army, 10 perform such services as he NAV re-
quire OF them, 3 bounty at the rate OF twelve
dollars per month, shaA ri,s.paid out of the trea.
sury OF tnis state, tafsth non commissioned of.
ficer, musician .nd'privateeAfth the hili,i2 ofthis
state now IN the eervice ofAie United State,.
who sha,iyoluntt er and corFRue in The service
Aforesaid 10 thei' Ififeht4 cory (, and the
bounty so lllowce e 81 "a 90; appoFtioncd and
paid 10 such voivrtte4s{ s. I'll and kccordinp 10
the time they slA .ssfiyel continue to
serve after he exigra*sh e tIsf pr esent Term
OF service.
Sec. 2. hef be IL further enacted That asum
not exceedIng or4y thousand dollars is hereby
appropriated, q, BE paid out of any money in
the treasury Of this, ate, not othevpiee appro.
Pristed, for the payment Of anyS6on commits.
stoned officers, musicinns sndfprivates, who
nay serve IS vn'unilars, aggesabv TO the pro-
visions OF the iirst SEQ Of tfYs act as the nav.
master Of any detachn,J& of such volunteers.
shall Be entitled to reshive bills from the aud.
tor ofpubic accounts pieable at the treasury;
and the auditor IS Rrebytrcquircd to issue the
same, on such p6fnaSter producing 70 him the
pay rolls Of any9ucli detadt nent, duly certif.
ed by the c9shmander in Ah.ef of the North
Western brny.
JOHN POLLOCK,
Speaker the Hoasc Of Rebyr.snfaaVe..
THOMAS KIRKEa,
Speaker Of the Senate.
FebrudrV2, 1913.
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-15
JAS. BARBOUR.
RIcHMoND, Council Chamber, !
Gan TIL, 1913.
Gentlemen,

Gentlemen,
In conformity TO the request of the Gene
raj Assembly of this commonwealth, Iherewi h
enclose you sundry re olutions ofthat body, ex.
pressing the high sense they entertain of the
signal achievements effected by the skill and
courage of yourselves, and The brave crew un.
der your command, on board the U. States, in
the capture ofhis Britannia Majesty's frigate
the Macedonian.
In addition to the applause of America, so
universally and SO Justly bestowed on YOUR gal
lantry and success; Virginia, Boosting of you as
her citizens, delights TO give YOU special evil
dence OF her high regard, and has therefore
committed TO her records an imperishabc mo.
mum mt OF your glory and her gratitude Next
to the satisfaction arising from the reflection,
that your efforts in your country's cause, have
been crowned with success, will be this tribute
oil aPprobatlon, consecrated Is II is bv the foun-
tain from which it flows, the unbiased and una
nimous voice OF the representatives of free
people.
Permit me 10 mingle an expression of nv
feelings with those OF the Legislature, and to
congratulate you upon your good fortune You
comolne with consciousness that YOU are en-
gagged IN a Just cause, and are avensing the
wrongs OF your seafaring brethren, the refecti-
on that you have acquired your luurels on an
elem so long the theatre of insult and out
rage to MS; and that the flag of America, the
sacred emblem OF our independence, supported
by your prowess, has waved in triumph over
an enem my arrogating TO herself the dominion of
the ocean.
The words which have been awarded Won.
shall be finished with all practicable despatch !;
and so soon as they shall be completed. | will
advise you thereof.
l an with sentiments of high respect, yours,
&c JAS. BARBOUR.
Commodore Stephen Decatur, Licuss.)
William H. Allen, and John B. Mis-
colson.
Us F.U. s. ". YoRK, Jan. Goth, 1918
His ExeeIicny JGn1es Barbour.
SIR,
The honorable terms in which the General
Assembly of Virginia has been pleased to re-
ard my services in the late victory over his
Britannic majesty's fi';gate Macedonian, inn
press me with a sense of gratitude and thank
tuiness, | cannot easily describe. 1t is a re-
ward adequate to greater achievements than
providence has put in my power to perform
but 1t Will always be cherished as An encou-
ragenient to more strenuous exertions and an
excitement to a more ardent zeal.
In returning through the respected chief ma
gistrate OF my native state, my grateful &C.
acknowledgements for this marx OF esteem from
the General Assembly, permit me, sir, to tender
you my best thanks for the public manner in
which yon have had the goodness to make the
communication.
have the honor TO be,
Most respectfully,
Your Excellency's obedient serv't.
JOHN b. NICHOLSON.
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-15

2 rua@inEA few miles hose thas dill Get q r
Effected At by turni,r down To the Lax. aul -.
ersiinS Themselves. b.iieve there were NJ,
more tho lUrty or iit, nat got a mic !r,,n
u'c sr"re at action, and the greater pare uf
them were ,ver;~Ner.
Never gvrc the ai.:,irs of any ARMY ;u ,,....
prosperous situation than ours before ,hc un,o~s
u'na'e step o. marching The lie schment 20 ;,,,.
river hS'f"; ~ was made not only without any
au'h'ritl from INC, but in opposition 10 my
views Every thing Ia my power VAS, howe
Yer, done Ia proven, ANY disaster, and reinforce
ments were pushed ON with ~ much rapditv
a. possible; (majnr CotSrove's battalion, th,.
ms IN the amy was within fourteen miles OF
lhe scene at acton, wien he heard Of The de,
tsat, and Three hundred regular trooDs ,y.rc
ai.o ON their way remained a. the Rapids
WIN one regiment only. IN Justice TO general
Ninchesier, | mus; observe, that have under
stood thst the measure marching the dctach.
nient TO the river Raisin) was forced upon him
oy His officers: but, whatever may have been
'he causs, and however great the calamity both
Us regards the nation and individuals, il il
certainly NOT irrerarable. BY the unanimous
"o'ice OF the general and field officers, took
ttis position Yesterday, for the purpose OF for
eng speedy junction with the troops in the
rear, and to- cover the very valuable convoy Of
artillery and stores that are coming from Ups
per Sandusky. Unless the weather is very un-
"e' siaii DC AT Tie kapl0s again IN
OF days, and shall Certainly give the enemy
an opportunity of measuring ,her strength
with us In another contest. For myself | feel
no doubt as to the result, and if I can Judge of
we disposition of the troops, from the manner
~ wh"h thew received an address from me yes
'erday, desire OF avengins their lost con, pa
mons and retrieving their country's disgrace
. me most predo INFANT passion that occupies
their minds.
l know not what nroDor,ion fha r,r;so,sr. IF
gen. Winches,er's1 late troops bear to the kill.
led some Of the French who have come in re.
port the latter at five hundred and Others at
eight hundred. The detachment amounted to
near 1000.
am, with much regard, dear SIR,
Your humble servant,
VIM. II. HARRISON.
Hir ~ e.,
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-15
TuE.DAv Febr,,,,.,. OIL

TUESDAY, February 9tb, 1873.
The following Resolutions were agreed TO
by the House,
TIE General Assembly of Virginia impress
sed with high sense Of the skill and intre.
pidity displayed by the officers and crew of
he United States frigate the Contribution, in
the late gallant action with his Britannia Ma
Jesiy's irlgate thejGueyriere, tender them the
tF'but- OF heir applause and being desirous
TO manifest ti'eir respect to their fellow citi
zen Leutenant CHARLES w. MoRcAN, who
shared IN the honor of the day =
Therefore, RadnfDloasly RsSoioed, That the
Governor Of the Commonwealth be, ard he ia
hereby reques ed TO present, in he name ofthe
General Assembly, to the said Lieut. CgARLks
w MoNcAE, an appropriate SWORD, com
memorativa of that gallant exploit.
ind Be IL further RssoIsed, That the Govern.
or be requ, sted to transmit to the said Lieut..
CHARLES w. MoRGAE, copy of these Rcso
buttons.
The Speaker laid before the House a letter
from the Lieutenant Governor of the Common.
wealth, with document therein enclosed.
which we're read IS follows
CooEeIL CHAMBER, Feb. 9Th, 1873.
do mysef the honor to lay before mat
branch Of the Legislature over which Won nre.
side, copy the reply of Commodore Ste
phsn Decatur to al letter addressed 10 him from
this Department, covering the Resolutions
ately adopted by the General Assembly. ex
pressing their high sense Of bis gallant con.
duct IN the action between the frigate United
States, under his command, and the British
ship Mace DOMAIN.
have the honor to be,
vcry.respectftlly, yours, sc.
CIIAS. K. MALLORY.
The honorable
The Speaker OF
the House of Delegates.
SIR, @' 1910
Your esteemed favor ofthe 9TH Of January
enclosing the Resolutions Of the Legislature Of
Virginia, in my behalf, has been received. The
appreciation Of such respectable body of mn
fellow-citizens 10 highly gratifying TO me, aud
their hberality in estimating the small service
which have been fortunate enough TO render
my Country, excites my warmest gratitude
For the very flattering sentiments which YOU.
sir. have been pleased TO express towards me.
70 making this communication, I beg YOU IA
accept my sincere thanks.
have the honor to be,
most truly, your ob't. serv't.
STEPHEN DECATUR.
Mas Excellency JAMES BkpBoUR,
esveSnsE Of the STAG Of Virginia.
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-15
For PrcsiIcrf

For President.
James Madison, Of Virginia, 1913
Dewitt Clinton, of Newly York, 80
Fer Viee President.
Elbridge Gerry, Of Massachusetts. 1sI
Jared Ingersoll, of Pennsylvania, es
AMI JAMES MADISON wa. accordingly
declared To be elected President of the Uni
ted States for four years from the 4Sh dav
on March next; ard ELBRIDGE GERRY
VICE President for a like term.
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-15

Since toe above, moro than 120,OJ0 bar
rels Flour have arrived, bAides an immense
qusntity Of Wheat, Rys and C0Tn"
Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-15
Hs Exc. Gov. Meig..

The following is an lxtract ofthe letter al
iuded to IN the commslssu,ent OF the above
ietter OF general Hayieon. 1! WIS dated Lower
Sanduaky, Jan. i9S't9i3l
cen. Winchester Aas been Sat the Rapids
10 n.e River Raisin. fgthave n9t learned the
prssc'Se object rshaH Get out shis mofning,
M'a reach hs camp this nj sht. I have. strong
e''ES tiiat coianeis Lewis ari1sAllEp MAD be O.
empowered. "a