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States, the guardian of the freedom and safety of all and of each, is strengthened by every occasion that puts it to the test.

In fine, the war, with all its vicissitudes, is illustrating the capacity and the destiny of the United States, to be a great, a flourishing, and a powerful nation, worthy of the friendship which it is disposed to cultivate with all others: and authorised by its example, to require from all, an observance of the laws of justice and reciprocity. Beyond these, their claims have never extended, and, in contending for these, we behold a subject for our congratulations, in the daily testimonies of increasing harmony through out the nation, and may humbly repose our trust in the smiles of heaven on so righteous a cause.

JAMES MADISON.

EMBARGO ON THE PORTS OF AMERICA.

On the 17th December, an act imposing an embargo on all vessels in the ports and harbours of the United States of America, to continue for a twelvemonth from that date, was passed by Congress, by a majority of 85 to 57. A long message from the President assigns the reasons for this measure; the principal of which is, that the commercial intercourse and navigation laws, in their present state, were of a tendency to favour the British, and thereby prolong the war. Supplies of the most essential kind, the message states, find their way, not only to British ports and British armies, but the armies in the neighbourhood; and even, in many instances, the fleets and troops infesting the American coast, were accommodated and encouraged by supplies. On the other hand, British goods find their way into American ports. It was, therefore, to remedy evils like these, that Mr Madison recommended the adoption of the embargo act.

OVERTURES FOR PEACE BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA.

On the 6th January the following documents were transmitted to Congress by the President of the United States.

Lord Castlereagh to the Secretary of State. Foreign-Office, Nov. 4. 1813.

SIR-1 have the honour to inclose to you, for the information of the President of the United States, a copy of a note which his Britannic Majesty's Ambassador at the Court of St Petersburgh was directed, to present to the Russian Government, as soon as his Royal Highness the Prince Regent was informed that Plenipotentiaries had

been nominated on the part of the Ameri can Government, for the purpose of negociating a peace with Great Britain under the mediation of his Imperial Majesty.

His Lordship having, by the last courier from the Imperial head-quarters, acquainted me that the American Commissioners now at St Petersburgh have intimated in reply to this overture, that they had no objection to a negociation in London, and were equally desirous, as the British Go vernment had declared itself to be, that this business should not be mixed with the affairs of the Continent of Europe, but that their powers were limited to negociate under the mediation of Russia;

Under these circumstances, in order to avoid an unnecessary continuance of the calamities of war, the Prince Regent commands me to transmit, by a flag of truce, to the American port nearest to the seat of Government, the official note above mentioned, in order that the President, i he should feel disposed to enter upon a direct negociation for the restoration of peace between the two states, may give his directions acccordingly.

In making this communication, I can assure you, that the British Government is willing to enter into discussion with the Government of America, for the conciliatory adjustment of the differences subsisting between the two States, with an earnest desire on their part to bring them to a favourable issue, upon principles of perfect reciprocity, not consistent with the established maxims of public law, and with the maritime rights of the British empire.

The Admiral commanding the British squadron on the American station will be directed to give the necessary protection to any persons proceeding to Europe, in furtherance of this overture; or should the American Government have occasion to forward orders to their commission at St Petersburgh, to give the requisite facilities, by cartel or otherwise, to the transmission of the same.

I have the honour to be, with the highest consideration, Sir, your most obedient ser CASTLEREAGH.

vant,

INCLOSURE ALLUDED TO ABOVE.

Translation of a Note from Lord Cathcart, to the Count de Nesselrode, dated Toplitz, Sept. 1. 1813

The undersigned Ambasador of his Britannic Majesty to the Emperor of all the Russias, desiring to avail himself of the first occasion to renew the subject respecting America, which was brought into discussion in a conference at the moment of

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departure from Reichenbach, has the honour to address this note to his excellency the Count de Nesselrode.

Although the Prince Regent, for reasons which have been already made known, has, not found himself in a situation to accept the mediation of his Imperial Majesty for terminating the discussions with the United States of America, his Royal Highness desires nevertheless to give effect to the beneficent wishes, which his Imperial Majesty has expressed of seeing the war between Great Britain and America soon terminated, to the mutual satisfaction of the two Go

vernments.

With this view, his Royal Highness having learned that the Envoys Plenipotentiary of the United States for negociating a peace with Great Britain, under the mediation of his Imperial Majesty, have arrived in Russia, notwithstanding that he finds himself under the necessity of not accepting the interposition of any friendly Power, in the question which forms the principal object in dispute between the two states, he is nevertheless ready to nominate Plenipotentiaries to treat directly with the American Plenipotentiaries.

His Royal Highness sincerely wishes that the conferences of these Plenipotentiaries may result in re-establishing, between the two nations, the blessings and the reciprocal advantages of peace.

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If, through the good offices of his Imperial Majesty, this proposition should be accepted, the Prince Regent would prefer that the conferences should be held at London, on account of the facilities which it would give to the discussions.

But if this choice should meet with insuperable obstacles, his Royal Highness would consent to substitute Gottenburgh as the place nearest to England.

The undersigned, &c.

CATHCART.

The Secretary of State to Lord Castlereagh. Department of State, Jan. 1814.

MY LORD,

I have had the honour to receive, by a flag of truce, your Lordship's letter of the 4th of November last, and a copy of a note which his Britannic Majesty's Ambassador at the Court of St Petersburgh, presented to the Russian Government on the 1st of September preceding.

By this communication it appears that his Royal Highness the Prince Regent rejected the mediation offered by his Imperial Majesty, to promote peace between the United States and Great Britain, but proposed to treat directly with the United States at Gottenburgh or London, and that he had

requested the interpositien of the good offices of the Emperor in favour of such an arrangement.

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Having laid your Lordship's communication before the President, i am înstructed to state, for the information of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, that the President has seen with regret this new obstacle to the commencement of a negociation for the accommodation of differences between the United Sates and Great Britain. As the Emperor of Russia was distinguished for his rectitude and impartiality, and was moreover engaged in a war, as an ally of England, whereby it was his interest to promote peace between the United States and Great Britain, the President could doubt that his Royal Highness the Prince Regent would accept the mediation, which his Imperial Majesty had offered to them. It was the confidence with which the high character of the Emperor inspired the President, that induced him, disregarding considerations, which a more cautious policy might have suggested, to accept the overture with promptitude, and to send Ministers to St Petersburgh, to take advantage of it. It would have been very satisfactory to the President, if his Royal Highness the Prince Regent had found it compatible with the views of Great Britain, to adopt a similar measure, as much delay might have been avoided, in accomplishing an object which, it is admitted, is of high importance to both nations.

The course proposed as a substitute for negociations at St Petersburgh, under the auspices of the Emperor of Russia, could not, I must remark to your Lordship, have been required for the purpose of keeping the United States unconnected against Great Britain with any affairs of the Continent :there was nothing in the proposed mediation tending to such a result. The terms of the overture indicated the contrary. In offering to bring the parties together, not as an umpire, but as a common friend, to discuss and settle their differences and respective claims, in a manner satisfactory to themselves, his Imperial Majesty shewed the interest which he took in the welfare of both parties.

Wherever the United States may treat, they will treat with the sincere desire they have repeatedly manifested, of terminating the present contest with Great Britain, on conditions of reciprocity, consistent with the rights of both parties, as sovereign and independent nations; and calculated, not only to establish present harmony, but to provide, as far as possible, against future collisions which might interrupt it.

Before giving an answer to the proposi

tion communicated by your Lordship, to treat with the United States, independently of the Russian mediation, it would have been agreeable to the President to have heard from the Plenipotentiaries of the United States sent to St Petersburgh. The offer of a mediation by one power, and the acceptance of it by another, forms a relation between them, the delicacy of which cannot but be felt. From the known character, however, of the Emperor, and the benevolent views with which his mediation was offered, the President cannot doubt that he will see with satisfaction, a concurrence of the United States in an alternative, which, under the existing circumstances, affords the best prospect of obtaining speedily what was the ob ject of his interposition. I am accordingly instructed to make known to your Lordship, for the information of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, that the President accedes to his proposition, and will take the measures depending on him for carrying it into effect at Gottenburgh, with as little delay as possible; it being presumed, that his Majesty the King of Sweden, as the friend of both parties, will readily acquiesce in the choice of a place for their pacific negociations, within his dominions.

The President is duly sensible of the at tention of his Royal Highness the Prince Begent, in giving the orders to the Admiral commanding the British squadron on this coast, which your Lordship has communicated. I have the honour to be, &c.

JAMES MONROE.

DISASTERS OF THE AMERICANS IN
CANADA.

The American papers contain several com-
munications from their commanders in Ca-
nada, which detail some further disasters sus-
tained by their troops in that quarter.
the 19th of December, early in the morn-
On
g. a British regular and Indian force
crossed the river, and completely surprised
furt Niagara, which they took, and put to
the sword, or made prisoners, the whole gar-
rison, except 20 men. General Maclane,
who writes this account to the American
Secretary of War, mentions also some lesser
affairs, in which the British were alike suc
cessful.

Major-General Hull writes to Governor Tompkins, dated 25th December, stating, that on receiving information of the capture of Niagara, he had set out for the frontier. The force which he had collected to resist another attack which the British threatened, amounted to about 2000 men, besides

.

135

He states the

expected reinforcements.
American loss at Niagara to to be immense;
that the actual number was not known.

On the 30th December, General Hull writes again to Governor Tompkins, that he had suffered a complete defeat from the enemy on that day. The British, supported by a strong party of Indians, passed over near Blackrock, early on that morning; they were met by the American militia with great spirit; but overcome, as the General states, by the number and discipline of the British, flourishing village of Buffalo was taken, they gave way, and fled on every side. The and laid in ruins, and the whole of the Niagara frontier was laid open.

Four American schooners, which had been used as gun-boats, were taken at Buffalo-creek and destroyed.

A letter from Washington of the 14th December states, that 2000 British troops had arrived at Pensacola, and that a British squadron had swept all American property from Orleans to Pensacola.

ing shocking acccount of the destruction of An American paper contains the followthe village of Buffalo.

Extract of a Letter to the Editor of the Al

bany Argus, dated Buffalo, Dec. 26. "On Sunday morning last, the British troops crossed the river about four miles gulars proceeded and took possession of the above Fort Niagara. Two companies of refort, by surprise or treachery, without opposition. The Indians then began their hellish work, by burning the buildings, and plundering, killing, and scalping the inhabitants; on the river, and from six to eight miles on the ridge road, they have not left a house or building standing from the fort to Schlosser, except one owned by Mr Fairbanks, a Federalist of the Boston stamp.

On Friday I proceeded with 30 mounted volunteers to Lewiston. The sight we there witnessed was shocking beyond description: our neighbours were seen lying dead in the fields and roads, some horribly cut and hogs, which were probably left for the purmangled with tomahawks, fothers eaten by found alive. It is not yet ascertained how pose, as they were almost the only animal many were killed, as most of the bodies were thrown into the burning houses and consumed. We found the bodies of William Gardner, Deputy Sheriff; John M. Low and Ezra St John (whose families cannot be found,) attornies, Dr Alvord, and six others, whose names I have forgotten.

"We now have about 3000 militia, with some Indians; and in three days we shall be 5000 strong, and all determined to cross." WEST

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WEST INDIES.
LEGISLATURE OF JAMAICA.

Extract of a letter from Jamaica, dated December 10:-" Three laws have passed the Legislature last week, in favour of free people of colour, and which have made their evidence good in all cases against whites, and allowed them to possess property to any extent, as, by the old law of the island, they could not inherit any property exceeding £.2000 currency, or £.1428 sterling. There is another law of the island, which obliges all persons possessing slaves, to have a white person serving in the militia in their employ for every hundred of them, with the view of keeping up the white population, and a fine of £.300, currency, annually, is laid upon all persons for every white man of whom he may be deficient; in addition to the above privileges, one of the new acts enables coloured free people to save this deficiency for each other's property, which they could not do before.

These important concessions, which will greatly ameliorate the situation of this class of people, do great honour to the enlightened liberality of the Jamaica Legislature, especially as the laws passed the Assembly with only two dissenting voices, amidst a great deal of popular clamour, and in opposition to two petitions against the measure from the city of Kingston. They trust this will convince the people of England of the strong disposition existing in this colony to improve the situation of all classes as far as is consistent with their progress in civilization, and tend to silence the unjust calumnies which are so generally spread abroad against the people of the West Indies."

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The Spanish papers mention the arrival in that country, from France, of the Duke of St Carlos, bringing with him, to the Spanish Government, a treaty which had been concluded between the French Emperor and Ferdinand the Seventh. The Duke arrived at Madrid on the 4th January, and was also the bearer of a letter from Ferdinand, dated from Valency, in which, after announcing his own health, and that of his Uncle and Brother, he expresses the satisfaction which he felt with the sacrifices of the nation for his person, and its exertions in his behalf; and praises the persevering spirit of the British, and admirable conduct of Lord Wellington, and of the Spanish Generals and the allies.

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After this preamble, Ferdinand's letter states, that he has been spontaneously invited by the Emperor Napoleon, through the Imperial Ambassador, Count Laforet, to conclude a treaty of Peace. with France, the basis of which shall be, the liberation of the captive Monarch's person, and the integrity of his dominions, without any clause derogatory to the independence, honour, interests of Spain. For this purpose the Duke of San Carlos was authorised to treat with Laforet, and a treaty of peace had been formed, which was now transmitted to the Regency for their ratification. The course adopted by this body was prompt and decisive; they declared,, without a moment's discussion of the treaty, in conformity with a decree of the Cortes of Jan. 1. 1811, as well as with the existing obligations to Great Britain, that they can entertain no proposition for negociating with Bonaparte for the suspension of arms, or for any composition or comprise whatsoever, so long as their king is a prisoner, or except in conjunction with their allies. To this effect the Regency returned a letter by the Duke of San Carlos to King Ferdinand, inclosing also the above decree; and further explaining to his Majesty, the impossibility of ratifying such a treaty, which (being the work of Bonaparte singly) is null and void in all its parts.

The treaty is dated Valency, Dec. 11. 1813, and is comprised in 15 articies. Some of them, as to the independence of Spain, and the restitution of Ferdinand, are of the

tenor

tenour before specified. The places occupied by the French are to be restored in their present state. Ferdinand engages to maintain the integrity of Spain in all her possessions, particularly in those of Port Mahon and Centa. A military convention is to be concluded, whereby the English and French troops are to evacuate the Peninsula at the same time. Buonaparte and Ferdinand agree to maintain the maritime rights of Europe, such as they are said to have been settled by the Treaty of Utrecht, and to have existed in 1792. All the Spaniards attached to Joseph are to be restored to their country. The garrison of Pampluna, together with the prisoners at Cadiz, Corunna, &c. placed in the hands of the English, to be restored. Ferdinand to pay his father and mother 30 millions of rials annually, and, at the death of the father, two millions of frames to be continued to the mother. A treaty of commerce between Prance and Spain, similar to that which existed before 1792, to be concluded.

HOLLAND, GERMANY, ITALY, &c.

An action of some consequence took place near Breda, on the 11th January, between the French and the allies, in which the latter were victorious. The French General, Decaen, who had been sent from Barcelma, had collected, it appears, about 20,000 troops, mostly new raised conscripts, when he was attacked by the united forces of the allies, consisting of the British troops, under General Graham, and the Prussians and Russians, under General Bulow. The battle was commenced by the British and Prussians, on the right and left, and during the action the Russians joined in the centre. The resistance on the two wings was obstinate; but the enemy was finally compelled to abandon the field of battle, and to take up a position in the vicinity of Antwerp.After this affair, the allied army lost no time in pursuing the enemy. On the 12th they advanced towards Brescaat, and forced the enemy's advanced posts at Mexen, whilst the Cossacks drove them from Turnbout, and the English, with Generals Borstell and Open's corps, marched upon Capella, St Anthony, and St Job. On the 13th the whole army broke up, to approach Antwerp. A skilful movement of Sir T. Graham on General Tuben's right flank, enabled him to carry the enemy's entrenchments, defended by 3000 men. The French General Avis, was killed.

It is admitted that the French conscripts fought with great bravery; but superior till and valour were manifested on the part of the allies. The enemy's loss was Feb. 1814,

2000 men, and 14 cannon.-After these successes, the Dutch papers say, that Gen. Bulow having ascertained that the garrison of Antwerp amounted to 12,000 men, and that the works defied attack with his present means, in the face of the considerable force which the French had still in the field, returned with his troops to Breda. General Decaen subsequently retired with his army into Antwerp; upon which it appears from a dispatch of Sir T. Graham's, dated the 6th instant, that an attack had been concerted between that officer and General Bulow, in pursuance of which they moved forward from their positions on the 2d. The state of the weather, which prevented a communication with the British shipping, containing the heavy ordnance and stores, and other casualties so frequent at this season of the year, prevented the execution of this project, and General Bulow having received orders to join the grand army, Sir T. Graham, abandoned to himself, had no alternative but to relinquish the operation.

On the 26th the important fortress of Bois-le Duc, surrended to General Bulow. The inhabitants aided the Prussian commander by rising upon the garrison, who retired into the citadel and capitulated.The terms of surrender are somewhat singular; 800 of the enemy are to be sent to Siberia, while the officers and 100 veterans are to be permitted to return to France upon their parole, where they will be usefully employed in training the new levies.

Brussels and Ghent were taken possession of by the allies on the 1st and 2d instant; and the fall of Ostend and Bruges was expected soon to follow.

Gorcum, it seems, has also capitulated ; and was to be given up to the allies on the 20th, if it was not previously relieved by French troops. The garrison are to remain prisoners of war.

The fortress of Wittenberg, situated on the Elbe, between Torgau and Magdeburg, and which was besieged by a strong Allied force under Gen. Count Von Tauenzein, was taken by storm on the night of the 12th Jan. A breaching battery had heen completed on that day, and the Governor summoned, but his answer not being deemed satisfactory, orders were given for the assault; and by twelve at night the town was taken. The Governor had fortified the castle, the town-house, and some other buildings, with the intention of defending himself; but the town-house was no sooner attacked than it was carried by the assailants, and 17 officers, with several hundred privates, were made prisoners. The immediate attack of the castle was delayed from a reluctance to expose unnecessarily the

lives

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