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THE

HISTORY

OF

THE WAR,

BETWEEN THE

UNITED STATES AND GREAT-BRITAIN,

WHICH COMMENCED IN JUNE, 1812, AND CLOSED IN FEBRUARY, 1815;

CON FAINING

THE CORRESPONDENCE WHICH PASSED BETWEEN THE TWO GOVERNMENTS,
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING, AND SINCE HOSTILITIES COMMENCED; THE
DECLARATIOn of war, aND THE OFFICIAL REPORTS OF LAND
AND NAVAL ENGAGEMENTS.

COMPILED CHIEFLY FROM

PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.

WITH AN

Appendix,

CONTAINING

THE CORRESPONDENCE WHICH PASSED BETWEEN OUR COMMISSIONERS;
AND THOSE APPointed by grEAT-BRITAIN IN TREATING FOR PEACE.

TO WHICH IS ADDED,

THE TREATY OF PEACE,

AND A LIST OF VESSELS TAKEN FROM GREAT-BRITAIN
DURING THE WAR.

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District of Connecticul, ss.

my BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the tenth day of July, L.S. in the Fortieth year of the Independence of the United States Anim of America, B. & J. Russell, of the said District, deposited in this office the title of a Book, the right whereof they claim as Proprielors, in the words following, to wit.

The History of the War between the United States and Great Fritain, 'which commenced in June, 1812. and closed in Feb. 1815, containing the 'correspondence which passed between the two Governments immediately 'preceding and since hostilities commenced; the declaration of War and the official reports of land and naval engagements, compiled chiefly from 'public documents. With an appendix. containing the correspondence 'which passed between our Commissioners and those appointed by Great'Britain in treating for peace. To which is added the Treaty of Peace, ' and a list of vessels taken from Great Britain during the war. Compiled by J RUSSELL, Jr'

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In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled "An "act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, "Charts, and Books to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during "the times therein mentioned."

HENRY W. EDWARDS, Clerk of the District of Connecticut.

A true copy of Record. examined and sealed by me,

H. W. Edwards,

Clerk of the District of Connecticut.

INTRODUCTION.

An history of recent transactions, must always be executed under many, and great disadvantages.

In a time of war, many important occurrences are but imperfectly known, till the truth is elicited by legal investigation; and, in addition to this, the feelings of men are so ardent, that an author cannot be expected to be wholly impartial, when recounting those events, in which himself, or his friends, have acted a conspicuous part.

The publishers were, therefore, of opinion, that at the present time, the most useful History of the War, would be a faithful collection of Official State Papers, and accounts of Military operations. Such a work cannot be taxed with partiality; and, it is presumed, will be perused with interest by every American, who values his national rights, and whose bosom glows, at the recital of those deeds of valor, which have exalted the honor of his country.

If in some instances, Commanding Officers have seemed to manifest a want of candour, it ought still to be remembered by the public, that they wrote in the heat of the occasion; and, often, while agonizing under wounds received from an exasperated enemy. Modern Histories of Campaigns, are not, to say the least, more candid, and are, surely, less entitled to apology. This collection of Documents can never become a useless volume; for, besides furnishing the best evidence of fact to the inquisitive reader, and future historian, it is a ready manuel, by which every enquirer after truth, can at once adduce the best evidence on questions which affect the character of the American nation, relative to her military prowess. Our readers will feel satisfied, after its perusal, that they possess all the Official information, which can be obtained, relative to the military movernents, and bravery and skill of our countrymen in the field of battle. Perhaps, in some instances, the losses and sufferings of the armies of both nations, have not been fully ascertained; so wide is the field, that it is someMIS1975

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