At Burlington, after receiving the visits of many other respectable citizens, he embarked in a steam boat, placed under his orders, and proceeded towards the town of Vergennes, situated upon Great Otter creek, and the harbour where the whole of the fleet, afterwards commanded by commodore Macdonough, had been built and equipped. The extensive manufactory of cast and sheet iron, the furnaces, forges, machinery, and implements used in that establishment, were examined by him with much attention. When he had completed his observation of these, and such other objects of importance, as the town presented, he again embarked under civil and military attentions and honours, and sailed down the lake Champlain for Plattsburg.

CHAPTER IX.

The President visits the Military Works at Rouse's Point-lands at Plattsburg-Description of the Attack upon that Town-Chateaugay-Ogdensburg-Address of the Citizens—the President proceeds to Watertown, and reaches Sackets Harbour -Addressed by the veteran Officers-by the Citizens-some Account of the Defence of that Placethe President sails for Fort Niagara—arrives at Buffaloe.

IN anticipation of the expected arrival of the chief magistrate at Plattsburg, the corporation of the town, and the state and military officers, had already made such dispositions and arrangements as should manifest their respect for himself, and their attachment to the government and the laws. Orders had been promulgated to call out the military; and the artillery in the cantonment were directed to observe and communicate the intelligence of his approach by signal guns.

When the Phoenix steam boat had reached Rouse's Point, the President debarked and examined the military works constructing at that position; and having returned to the vessel, she again made sail,

and arrived before the town. Colonel Atkinson's barge immediately rowed to the boat, and conveyed the President on shore, under the customary discharges. At his landing, general Brown, colonel Atkinson, colonel Snelling, (distinguished for his gallantry throughout the war) and the members of the corporation met, and conducted him to his quarters, while the military joined the procession in the advance and rear.

He was there presented with an address from the corporation, by R. H. Walworth, esq. to which he returned a suitable extemporary answer. A number of citizens then entered his apartment, and were received in a cordial and friendly manner.

These ceremonies being concluded, the President made a visit to colonel Atkinson, and, in company with that officer, proceeded to the cantonment, and reviewed the line of troops, consisting of a company of cavalry, under captain Sperry, a detachment from the line under captain N. S. Clarke, and the Plattsburg riflemen; all of whom were kept under arms for the purpose. Colonel Snelling's regiment performed a variety of manoeuvres before the President, with a precision and accuracy reflecting much credit on the corps and its commander. The President, after the parade, called at colonel Snelling's quarters, and in the evening attended a party at captain Sidney Smith's, of the United States navy.

The inspection of the troops stationed at Plattsburg, and the examination of the defences of that place, were made by the President, with the utmost

scrutiny. The assailable situation of the town, at the mouth of the River Saranac, on the west side of Lake Champlain, and the consequent necessity of its being sufficiently fortified to give a successful resistance to the incursion of an enemy, was apparent to the government. Its great importance, as the key to the entrance of New York, from the lake, called for the attentive investigation of its condition, and means of defence, and of the plans necessary to adopt, to render it, if possible, impregnable. He availed himself of the presence, and of the intelligence and experience of the gentlemen of the army, to obtain the desired information, and to require from them suggestions for such improvements as might contribute to the completion of the design.

The necessity of protecting the harbour of Plattsburg, by strong fortification, and an efficient garrison, was not only indicated by its exposed position, but was evident from its having been the theatre of military operations during the late war. It was here that the governor-general of the Canadas, sir George Prevost, meditated the invasion of the American territory; the defeat and destruction of the right division of the United States army, then lying in the neighbourhood of Plattsburg; and the subjugation of the country, to Crown Point and Ticonderoga. It was here, too, that he was so signally and gallantly repulsed by a very inferior body of troops, under general M Comb.

Transports had been continually arriving at Quebec, from England, and such was the secrecy and

address, with which sir George made preparations for his intended expedition, that by the first of September, 1814, he had organised an army of fourteen thousand men, opposite Montreal, constituted of the most experienced generals, and distinguished officers, of the British army. With these troops he occupied the village of Champlain, and made gradual approaches upon Plattsburg, until the sixth of the month. On that day he made a rapid advance, in two columns, upon two distinct points, and an engagement immediately followed, between his advance and the American light parties, which receded before him, taking up the bridges in their rear as they crossed the Saranac. With the planks of these they formed a breast-work, behind which they protected themselves in defending the passes. By the destruction of the bridges, and the fire of the gun-boats and gallies, anchored in front of the town, the enemy's approaches were greatly impeded. But not all the gallies, aided by the armament of the whole flotilla, which then lay opposite Plattsburg, under commodore Macdonough, could have prevented the capture of M'Comb's army, after its passage of the Saranac, had sir George Prevost pushed his whole force upon the margin of that stream. Like general Drummond, at Erie, however, he made a pause, in full view of the unfinished works of the Americans, and consumed five days in erecting batteries, and throwing up breast-works, for the protection of his approaches. Of this interval, the American general did not fail to avail himself, and