The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-01-06

December %. 4
Extract of a letter from Commodore stephen Deca-
tur to the Secretary OF the Navy, dated
.Nsv-Loadon, Dec 90, 1913.
i. "Some few nights since, the weather pro-
missed an opportunity for this squadron to set
to sea, and il was said on shore that we intend
ed to make the attempt. In the course Of
the evening two blue lights were burnt on
both the points At the harbor's mouth as sig
nails to the enemy and there is not doubt
but that they have, bv signals and otherwise,
instantaneous information of our movements,
Great but unsuccessful exertjons have been
made 10 detect those who communicate with
the enemy by signal The editor Of the N.
London Gazette, to alarm them, and in the
hope to prevent the repetition of these sig
Rals, stated in that newspaper, that they had
been observed, land ventured TO denounce those
who had made them, in animated and indig-
nan. terms. The consequence is, thar he has
incurred the erhress eensure Of some Of his
n0gh6ors.- Notwithstanding these signals
have been repeated, and have been seen by
twenty persons at least in this squadron,t here
are men in New London who have the hardi-
hood to affect TO disbelieve il, and the effroa-
tcry to avow their disbelief. / am, sc.
STEPHEN DECATUR.
Extract of letter from the Secretary Of the Depart
ment Of State to the Governor of Kentucky--dated
Department of state, Nov. II, 1913.
SIR--The British government seems to
have given to this war every degree Of sava-
&c barbari.y and cruelty which it may be able
10 inilict. In the close of the late campaign,
the British commanders at Quebec seized
and sent to England % of our soldiers who
had been made prisoners, to be tried for trea-
son, on the pretence that they were British
subjects. For so unjust and outrageous an
act, the President was bound TO conhne like
number Of British prisoners in the United
States, which he did IN the expectation, that
the British government, seeing the inevitable
consequence ofthc first measure, would relax
from 1t, or at least leave the affair in the state
in which II has thus been placed, for accom-.
dation by treaty. More recently, however, a
measure of still greater injustice has been a.
dopted.--The Prince Regent has ordered into
close confinement 46 officers Of the United
States, upon the principle, as he says, of re-
taliation, expecting by the violence of tie pro-
cccding to intimdate this government into
the extravagant and unfounded claims Of the
British Cover nment. The President has met
this measure with equal decision, by ordering
into like confinement 46 British officers, as a
pledge for the safety of those on whom the
British government seems disposed TO wreak
its vengeance.
"These officers arc ordered to be conveyed
to Frankfort, in Kentucky, tobe confined there
In the pcnitentiary Of that state, which is rep.
resented to be building aHording the two
fold advantage Of good and safe accommoda-
ton.
" This step is taken in a full confidence
that every facility will be afforded to its com.
plete execution by your excellency, that may
be expected froma character so strongly attach
ed TO the union, and decided in support Of all
the necessary measures to secure success to
the just war in which we are engaged"
PLATTsBURGH, Dec. 25.
The Champlain Flotilla left this place a
few days since, and We believe are going to
winter at Otter Creek