The success of the land forces of the United States, in the northwest, under Major General Harrison, at the opening of the campaign in 1813, served in some measure, to retrieve the character of the American generals, which had suffered by the disasters and defeats of 1812. He conducted with equal bravery and intelligence, in that part of the country, during the year 1813; and some time before indeed, after the capture of Detroit and the army under General Hull in 1812. The defence of Fort Meigs, near the rapids of the Miami river, in May, 1813, by the United States troops under General Harrison, was an important event in the prosecution of the war. The fort was attacked by the British, consisting of 500 regulars, 800 of the Canadian militia, and 1200 Indians; far exceeding the troops under command of General Harrison; but he refused to surrender when summoned thereto by the British commander. The enemy were repulsed with great slaughter when they made an attempt to storm the fortress. The loss in the United States army was comparatively small; but several officers of merit were slain.

In the course of the same year, in September, 1813, the land forces under General Harrison achieved another important victory over the British troops, at Malden, on the Canada side; where they had collected in large numbers, with intensions, probably, again to invade the territory of the United States. On the approach of General Harrison and the United States troops, the enemy retired, after dismantling their fort, and destroying most of the articles which they could not remove. General Harrison pursued them, and came up with them at the river Thames. A battle ensued, "one of the most honorable and decisive which was fought during the war;" and victory was again declared for the arms of the United States. The British commander, indeed, escaped, but his army was entirely defeated; and a great part of their military stores fell into the hands of General Harrison. Governor Shelby, of Kentucky, and Captain Perry, acted as volunteers in this expedition; and in the character of aids to General Harrison. This enterprise took place soon after the success of Captain Perry over the British armed vessels in lake Erie. It had long been the opinion and advice of General Harrison, that a naval force on the lake was necessary to give success to the arms of the United States in that quarter. The Secretary of War, General Armstrong, in a public document, soon after, declared that this conduct of General Harrison

was not only highly indicative of bravery and good judgment, but was attended with important results to the country.

On lake Erie, the naval enterprise was attended with brilliant success. Due time was taken to prepare a sufficient force to attack the British squadron there; and the commodore of the United States fleet was well qualified by his courage and skill to conduct the enterprise. Early in September, after repeated attempts to meet the enemy's fleet, it was discovered at a distance, and a chase and battle immediately followed. It continued several hours, and was very severe, and attended with great loss of lives on both sides. But victory was the fortunate lot of the Americansand the conquest of the British was complete. Their whole fleet, composed of two ships, one brig, two schooners, and a sloop, and having sixty-two guns in all, was captured, after being much injured during the engagement; one of their ships mounted twenty guns, and another eighteen.The United States fleet consisted of two ships, of twenty guns each; and six other vessels, but much smaller;† carrying altogether fifty-four guns. Twenty-seven belonging to the United States vessels, including three officers, were killed in the action; and ninety-six wounded. The number of the enemy killed and wounded was believed to be still greater. The success attending this enterprise was principally owing to the judicious and resolute conduct of the commander, though he was ably supported in his plans by most of the other officers. He was also justly entitled to the credit of preparing and equipping the American fleet, under many discouraging and untoward occurrences. The government was unable or neglected to furnish him with materials and men for building the vessels he desired, and considered necessary, to act with effect on the lake. But his diligence and perseverance overcome all obstacles.

The result of this very brilliant affair, as well as of several other naval successes on the ocean, in the course of 1813, was a conviction with the administration, however reluctantly expressed, of the necessity of a respectable navy to vindicate the honor, as well as in some measure to protect the coasts and territory of the United States. In all cases, effectual protection, however, could not be afforded; the American navy being scarcely a fourth part, either in force or number, of the British; which had been continually increased dur* Oliver H. Perry, of Newport-a young man, but of great bravery, decision, and energy of character.

Two of these had but two guns-three of them but a single swivel-one of three guns, and one of four.

ing two centuries. The second year of the war, after proposals for a cessation of hostilities and for further negotiations on the subjects in dispute, between the two nations, were rejected by the American administration, a large number of ships of war visited the coasts of the United States, and created much alarm in many places, and greatly interrupted the usual pursuits of navigation and trade.They were too formidable to be met by the American ships, which were often employed with more effect in distant and separate parts of the ocean. In the Chesapeake bay, and near the eastern coasts of Massachusetts, they were of great force, and landed at several places; some of which they retained for a long period, as there was not a sufficient naval force of the United States to encounter them.

The fleets on the lakes and the troops on the north western and western frontiers, continued their operations till late in the season, with varied success. The American vessels on lake Champlain and lake Ontario were vigilant, and ready always to act where duty and occasion called; and served to prevent the British inflicting injuries in the territory of the United States. Several small armed vessels belonging to the British, fell into the hands of the Americans: who also made prisoners of about three hundred of the enemy's troops which were on board.

The main body of the land troops on the northwest frontiers, left Plattsburg in the month of October, and entered the territory of Canada in the vicinity of Montreal, under command of General Wade Hampton. But did not advance so far or so rapidly as had been expected. The enemy were prepared to meet them; and attacked them so powerfully that they returned within the line of the United States, and most of them to Plattsburg; having lost a number of men in Canada. The army of the west under General Harrison, after a long period of apparent inaction, either from want of warlike stores, or of sufficient naval force to unite in any offensive operations, was able to pass over lake Erie to the Canada shore, as related; where they attacked and took Malden, defeated the British in that vicinity, and took many prisoners, and then recrossing the lake, landed at Detroit, which soon surrendered, after having been in possession of the British more than a year. In these rencounters, the enemy had large numbers of Indians in their ranks, who proved a great assistance to them.Some of the tribes attached themselves to the United States troops, but they were less numerous. But wherever they

were found, they were charged with great cruelty towards their captives. A part of the American army, under General Boyd, remained in possession of Fort George on the Canadian side of the Niagara river, and near the head of lake Ontario, for some months. Generals Harrison and Wilkinson also proceeded to this part of the country; and a plan was probably formed to march into Canada, with this large united force. But it was not carried into execution. The return of General Hampton probably prevented.

Thus ended the various and expensive expedition for conquering Canada, in 1813; and little more progress was made. than in the year 1812. The invasion of the Province, for conquest, was unsuccessful, though the British were defeated. at Malden. The expenses of these several armies were very great; and the loss of human lives was also great, though mostly by sickness. On lake Erie, the naval force of the United States, under commodore Perry, it has been seen, was completely victorious: and on lakes Ontario and Champlain, the British were kept in check, by the small American fleets; so as to be prevented from doing much injury to the people of the United States, as they attempted, in retaliation for the invasion of their territory.

The ships of the United States, on the ocean, were successful in most of the naval actions which occurred in 1813; and the patriotic pride, kindled by these achievements, led many to support the war, who were before opposed to it; and prevented that calamitous measure from fatally injuring the popularity of the administration. The people, however, in various parts of the country, expressed an opinion that the war was unnecessary; that negotiation would probably better settle the dispute and secure the just claims of the United States; and became, therefore, more desirous of peace. The general voice was opposed to an invasion of Canada; for it was not believed, that the conquest and annexation of that extensive territory would add to the stability or welfare of the United States. It was perceived also, that the British government had abandoned one of its obnoxious measures; and that the other cause of the war would not probably be removed, though it should be continued many years. For it was well understood, that Great Britain would never consent to relinquish the right of taking her own subjects in time of war from neutral merchant vessels: and the contest had also now become very popular in England.

The policy of the federal government, at this period, and

the views entertained as to the propriety of the war, cannot be so justly and fully stated, as by referring to the public message of the President of the United States to the national legislature, at the opening of the session in December, 1813.

On the subject of national disputes with France, he spoke in a very short, but not very satisfactory manner. "The views of the French government on the subjects, which have been so long committed to negotiation, have received no elucidation since the close of the last session of Congress. The minister of the United States, at Paris, had not been enabled, by any proper opportunity, to press the objects of his mission, as he was instructed." He said he had hoped to lay before Congress some effectual progress in negotiations for peace with Great Britain; inasmuch as the American government, in a liberal and magnanimous spirit, and with a desire for peace, had assented to a proposition for the mediation of the Emperor of Russia, offered by that Prince for an adjustment of the disputes between the two nations; but in this expectation he had been disappointed.

"But the British Cabinet," says the President, "mistaking our desire of peace for a dread of British power, or misled by other fallacious calculations, has disappointed this reasonable anticipation. No information has been received from our Envoys on the subject; but it is known that mediation has been declined, at first; and there is no evidence since offered, that a change of disposition in the British Councils has taken place, or is to be expected."Under such circumstances, a nation, proud of its rights and conscious of its strength, has no choice but an exertion of the one for the support of the other." "To this determination, the best encouragement is derived from the success, with which it has pleased the Almighty to bless our arms, both on the land and on the water."

*The paper, most in favor of the government, which was then considered semi-official, the week before Congress assembled, stated what it deemed of vital importance to the favor and interests of the country-which was as follows "retaliation on British prisoners for alleged severe treatment of Americans by the British-an extension of the term of enlistments for twenty regiments of regular troops-restraining all traitorous intercourse with the enemythe expulsion of the various tribes of Indians, on the northern and southern frontiers from their habitations, and obliging them to take refuge in the distant wilderness-the seizure of East Florida-provision for increasing the navyand the right of naturalization." Several of these, the President was moderate or prudent enough not to recommend. But they were probably in the views and plans of some of the political friends of the administration.

+ This was considered a strange declaration, when the land forces had been