Ensign Blakesley, of lieut. col. M'Burney's regt. hand. 1st. lieut. Fraser, 13th infantry, brigade major, severely, in the 1st. lieutenant Riddle, 15th infantry, acting aid de camp, slight Capt. Bigger, N. Y. volunteers, acting aid, severely through the contusion. breast and shoulder. Lieut. col. Dobbin's regt.-capt. Knapp, in the hip. prisoner. Li ut. colonel M'Burney's regiment-capt. Haie, wounded and quarter master O. Willex, expt. Crouch, capt. Case, lieut. Case, C. K. GARDNER, Adj. Gen. of September 814. Regt. of Watteville-2 najors, 3 capts. 3 lients. I assistant sue geon, 4 staff's rgeants, 7 sergeants, 7 corporals, 1 drumnier, and 304 privates. Total 23. Royal artillery-9 privates. 1st regt. Royal Scot srgeants, 16 privates. 6th regt.- sergt. 9 privates. and the incorporated militia, which supported the troops engaged. The lieutenant general deeply laments the unfortunate circumstances of weather which enabled the enemy to approach unperceived close to the right of the position. and to capture a considerable number of the regiment De Watteville stationed at the point. The severe loss in killed and wounded which the 8th or King's and De Watteville's regiment have suffered, affords incontestible proof that No. 2 battery was not gained without a vigorous resistance; it is equally obvious that the blockhouse on the right was well defended by the party of the king's regiment stationed in it. Lieutenant general Drummond feels greatly 8th or King's regt.-1 captain, 1 lieut. 1 ensign, 8 sergeants, 9 indebted to major general De Watteville for corporals, 66 privates. 82d regt.-9 privates. 89th regt-1 sergt, corporal, 19 privates-Total 1. his judicious arrangement; and be also desires to offer his thanks to the respective commandGrand total-majors, captains, heats. 1 exsign. 1 assistant offies of brigades and corps, and the offers surgeon, 4 staff sergeants, 19 sergeants, 17 corporals, 1 dramater, and men of the royal artillery and engineers, J. SNELLING. Inspector General. for their exertions. To major general Stovin, THE BRITISH "OFFICIAL." who joined the army a short time before the [The following is a pure "official. Though attack, the lieutenant general is indebted for Brown accomplished every thing he designed his assistance, and also to the officers of the gaining every battery he aimed at, general general of his personal staff. Drummond makes out a kind of negative vic-| Lieutenant general Drummond greatly retory. He is careful not to mention his loss; yet permits it unofficially to be said that he had but 190 taken prisoners, though about 320 captured in the splendid affair, are now at Greenbush.] DISTRICT GENERAL ORDER. Head-quarters, Camp before fort Erie, 18th September. Lieutenant general Drummond, having received the reports of the general officer in the immediate direction of the troops engaged yesterday, begs to offer his best acknowledge ments for their very gallant conduct in repulsing the attack made by the enemy on our batteries, with his whole force, represented to grets the wounds which have deprived the army for the present of the services of colonel Fisher, lieutenant colonels Pearson and Gor don. Lieutenant colonels Fisher, Pearson, and Gordon, have permission to proceed to the rear for the recovery of their wounds. (Signed) J. HARVEY, Lieutenant colonci deputy adjt gen. [Private letters say 270 Americans were taken prisoners, that 190 of our troops were taken, and 14 of our officers wounded] GENERAL ORDER. Headquarters, Montreal, 29th September 1814. His excellency the commander of the forces having received the official report of lieutenant general Drummond, of an affair which took place at fort Erie, on the 17th instant in which very superior numbers of the enemy were repulsed with loss, entirely coincides with the lieutenant general in the just tribute of praise he bestows on the intrepid valor and determined discip ine evinced by the troops under his command, as detailed in the district general order of the 18th inst. which his excellency is neral information of the troops under his compleased to order to be published for the gemand. (Signed) EDW. BAYNES, Adit gen. N A. consist of not less than five thousand men, including militia. The brilliant style in which the battery No. 2, was recovered, and the enemy driven beyond our entrenchments by seven companies of the 82d regiment under major Proctor, and three companies of the 6th regi ment detached under major Taylor, excited lieutenant general Drummond's admiration, and entitled those troops to his particular thanks On the right the enemy's advance was checked by the 1st battalion of the royal Scotts, supported by the 89th under the direction of lieutenant colonel Gordon of the royals; and in the centre he was driven back by the Glengary light infantry, under lieute Copy of a letter from major general Brown, to the secretary of war, dated nant colonel Battersby, and directed by lieuHead-Quarters, camp Fort Erie, Oct. 1st, 1814. tenant colonel Pearson, inspecting field officer. SIR-Looking over my official account of the batTo these troops the lieutenant general's hest tle of the 17th ult. I find that the names of the rethanks are duc, as also to the remainder of giments which composed general Miller's command, have not been given. As I believe it even more imthe reserve under lieutenant colonel Campbell portant to distinguish corps than individuals, I am consisting of the remaining companies of the anxious to correct the mistake. General Miller on 6th regiment, the flank companies of the 41st, that day commanded the remains of the Sth and 11th infantry, and a detachment of the 19th. Of three prosecution of the war, beyond any amount which it field officers who were attached to them, two were would be politic, even if it were practicable, to raise severely wounded; liteutenant-colonel Aspinwall, of by an immediate and constant imposition of taxes. the 9th, gallantly leading his men to the attack upon There must, therefore, be a resort to credit, for a the enemy's entrenchments; and major Trimble of considerable portion of the supply. But the public the 19th, who was shot within their works, ccnduct-credit is at this juncture so depressed, that no hope ing with great skill and bravery. A detachment of of adequate succor, on moderate terms, can safely the 17th regiment was attached to the 21st. Very respectfully, your most obd't serv't. JACOB BROWN. Hon. secretary of war. Treasury Report. Copy of a letter from the chairman of the committee of rest upon it. Hence it becomes the object first and last in every practical scheme of finance, to re-animate the confidence of the citizens; and to impress on the mind of every man, who, for the public ac count, renders services, furnishes supplies, or advances money, a conviction of the punctuality as well as of the security of the government. It is no to be which has never been impaired,but rather as the case regarded, indeed, as the case of preserving a credit of rescuing from reproach a credit over which doubt Washington, October 14, 1814. and apprehension (not the less injurious, perhaps, STR-The committee of Ways and Means have had shade. In the former case, the ordinary means of because they are visionary) have cast an inauspicious under their consideration the support of public cre- raising and appropriating the revenue, will always be dit by a system of taxation mo extended than the sufficient; but in the latter case, no exertion can be one heretofore adopted. They have determined to competent to attain the object, which does not quiet, suspend proceeding on their report at present before in every mind, every fear of future loss or disapthe house of representatives, with a view to afford pointment in consequence of trusting to the pledges you an opportunity of sugggesting any other, or such of the public faith. dated additional provisions as may be necessary to revive and maintain unimpaired the public credit. I have the honor to be, your most obedient, JOHN W. EPPES Honorable Mr. Dallas, secretary of the treasury. THE ANSWER. The condition of the circulating medium of the country presents another copious source of mischief and embarrassment. The recent exportations of specie have considerably diminished the fund of gold and silver coin; and another considerable portion of Treasury department October 17, 1814 SIR--I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from the use of the community, into the private cofthat fund has been drawn, by the timid and the wary, of your letter, dated the 14th instant, and aware offers of individuals. On the other hand, the multithe necessity for an early interposition of congress plication of banks in the several states has so increason the subject to which it relates, I proceed, at the led the quantity of paper currency, that it would be moment of entering upon the duties of office, to offer difficult to calculate its amount; and still more difto the consideration of the committee of Ways and Sicult to ascertain its value, with reference to the Means, an answer on the several points of their en-capital on which it has been issued. But the benefit quiry. Contemplating the present state of the finances, as the suspension of payments in specie at most of of even this paper currency is in a great measure lost, it is obvious, that a deficiency in the revenue, and a the banks has suddenly broken the chain of accom depreciation in the public credit, exist from causes modation, that previously extended the credit and which gannot in any degree be ascribed, either to the the circulation of the notes which were emitted in want of resources, or to the want of integrity in the one state into every state in the union. It may in nation. Different minds will conceive different opi-general be affirmed, therefore, that there exists at nions in relation to some of those causes; but it will this time no adequate circulating medium common be agreed on all sides, that the most operative have to the citizens of the United States. The monied been the inadequacy of our system of taxation to transactions of private life are at a stand; and the form a foundation for public credit; and the absence fiscal operations of government labor with extreme even from that system of the means which are best inconvenience. It is impossible that such a state of adapted to anticipate, collect and distribute the things should be long endured; but let it be fairly public revenue. The wealth of the nation, in the value and products the endurance should be long. Under favorable ciradded,that with legislative aid it is not necessary that of its soil, in all the acquisitions of personal property, cumstances, and to a limited extent, an emission of and in all the varieties of industry, remains almost treasury notes would, probably, afford relief; but untouched by the hand of government; for, the na-treasury notes are an expensive and precarious subtional faith, and not the national wealth, has hitherto stitute, either for coin or for bank notes, charged as been the principal instrument of finance. It was rea- they are with a growing interest, productive of no sonable, however, to expect, that a period must occur countervailing profit, or emolument, and exposed to in the course of a protracted war, when confidence every breath of popular prejudice or alarm. The esin the accumulating public engagements could only tablishment of a national institution, operating upon be secured by an active demonstration, both of the credit combined with capital, and regulated by prucapacity and the disposition to perform them. In dence and good faith, is, after all, the only efficient the present state of the treasury, therefore, it is a remedy for the disordered condition of our circula. just consolation to reflect, that a prompt and reso- ting medium. While accomplishing that object, too, Jute application of the resources of the country will there will be found, under the auspices of such an ineffectually relieve from every pecuniary embarrass-stitution, a safe depository for the public treasure, ment and vindicate the fiscal honor of the govern-and a constant auxiliary to the public credit. But But it would be vain to attempt to disguise, and the national treasury or a national bank, the accepwhether the issues of a paper currency proceed from it would be pernicious to palliate the difficulties tance of the paper in a course of payments and rewhich are now to be overcome. The exigencies of ceipts must be forever optional with the citizens. The the government require a supply of treasure for the extremity of that day cannot be anticipated, when a ny ment. honest and enlightened statesman will again venture upon the desperate expedient of a tender law. From this painful, but necessary developement of existing evils, we pass with hope and confidence, to a more specific consideration of the measures from which relief may be certainly and speedily derived. Remembering always, that the objects of the government are to place the public ciclit upon a solid and durable foundation; to provide a revenue com. mensurate with the demands of a war expenditure, and to remove from the treasury an immediate pressure, the following propositions are submitted to the committee, with every sentiment of deference and respect. PROPOSITIONS. I. It is proposed, that during the war, and until the claims contemplated by the proposition are completely satisfied, or extinct, there shall be annually raised by taxes, duties, imports and excises, a fund for these purposes. 1. For the support of government, dolls. 1,500,000 2. For the principal and interest of the public debt, existing before the declaration of war, and payable according to the contract, 3. For the interest of the public debt contracted, and to be contracted, by loans, or otherwise, from the commencement to the terminatton of the war ealculated upon an annual principal of 72 millions of dollars. 4. For the payment of treasury notes, with the ac eruing interest, 5. For the payment of debentures to be issued (as is hereafter proposed) for liquidated balances, due to individuals, on account of services or supplies, authorised by law, but either not embraced by a specific appropriation, or exceeding the sum appropriated, 6. For a current addition to the sums raised by loan, or 7. For the gradual establishment of a sinking fund, 3,500,000 4,320,200 7,100,000 280,000 2,000,000 dolls. 21,000,000 II. It is proposed, that during the war, and until the claims contemplated by the preceding proposi tion are completely satisfied, or rather adequate funds shall be provided and substituted by law, there shall be annually raised, by the means here specified, the following sums: 1. By the customs (which cannot be safely estimated, during the war, at a higher product) 2. By the existing internal duties, 3. By the existing direct tax, 4. By the sales of public lands (which cannot be safely estimated, during the war, at a higher product) 5. By an addition to the existing direct tax of 100 per cent, 6. By an addition of 100 per cent on the present auction duties, 7. By an addition of 100 per cent on the existing duties upon carriages, 8. By an addition of 50 per cent on the existing duties on licenses to retail wines, spirituous liquors and foreign merchandise, 9. By an addition of 100 per cent on the existing rate of postage 10. By the proceeds of the new duties specified in the annexed schedule, marked A. making in the aggre gate, 4,000,000 2,700,000 3. 4. per cent stock issued since the declaration of war, and trea-. sury notes, in the proportion of one-fifth in treasury notes, and three fifths in six per cent stock. That the subscriptions of corporations, companies and individu- 20 dollars on each share, to be paid at the time of 40 dollars on each share, to be paid in gold or silver 40 dollars on each share, in two months after the 100 dolls. 1,200,000 2,400,000 2,400,000 specie 6,000,000 100 dollars on each share, in gold or silver coin, or 150 dollars on each share, to be paid in like manner, 500 6,000,000 9,000,000 9,000,000 30,000,000 That the subscription of the United States shall be paid in six per cent stock, at the same periods and in the same proportions as the payments of private subscriptions, in stock and treasury not.s. 5. That the United States may substitute six per cent stock, for the amount of the treasury notes subscribed by corporations, com panies and individuals, as the notes respectively become due and payable. 6. That the bank shall loan to the United States 30,000,000, at an 7. That no part of the public stock, constituting a portion of the 9. That the capital of the bank, its notes, deposits, dividends, or 10. That no other bank shall be established by congress, during 13. That the general powers, privileges, and regulations of the 2 500,000 1. The amount of annual expenditure during the war, 7,000,000 dols. 21,000,000 III. It is proposed, that a national bank shall be incorporated for a term of twenty years, to be esta-3. blished at Philadelphia, with a power to erect offices of discount and deposit elsewhere, upon the following principles: 1. That the capital of the bank shall be fifty millions of dollars, to 2. That the subscriptions of corporations, companies and indi- sury from an immediate pressure, upon the princi- claims and demands upon the public,must be regardples of the following statement: 1. The amount of demands upon the treasury (ex clusively of balances of appropriations for former years unsatisfied) was stated in the report of the late secretary of the treasury, of the 22d of Septem ber, 1814, to be on the 30th of June, 2. The accounts of the third quarter of 181, are not yet made up, and the precise sums paid during that quarter cannot now be ascertained; but they amount to nearly, 27,576,391 19 8,400,000 Leaving to be paid in the fourth quarter of 1811. dls. 19,176,391 19 3. This balance, payable during the 4th quarter of 1814, consists of the following items: Civil, diplomatic and miscellaneous expences, about Military, about Naval, about Public debt, about 353,292 99 8,792,6 8 2,384,010 97 7,6 8,419 3 dolls. 19,176,391 19 4. The existing provisions by law for the payment of this balance The act of the 4th of March, 1814, authorised an issue 3,504,000 25,000,00 5,00,000 dolls. 30,000,000 ed as immediately applying to the year 1815. In The items for annually raising a portion of the public expences by taxes, and for applying to the it becomes commensurate to its object) are essential new debt a sinking fund (gradually increasing, until features in the plan suggested, with a view to the revival and maintenance of public credit. The extinguishment of the old debt is already in rapid operation by the wise precaution of a similar institution. 2. The second proposition will, doubtless, generate many and very various objections. The endeavor has been however, to spread the general amount of the taxes over a wide surface with a hand as light and equal as is consistent with convenience in the process, and certainty in the result. All the opportunities of observation, and all the means of information that have been possessed leave no doubt upon the disposition of the people to contribute generously for relieving the necessities of their country; and it has been thought unworthy of that patriotic disposition to dwell upon scanty means of supply, or short lived expedients. Whenever the war shall be happily terminated in an honorable peace, and the treasury shall be again replenished 20,399,000 by the tributary streams of commerce, it will be at dolls. 9,601,000 once a duty and a pleasure to recommend an alleviation, if not an entire exoneration of the burthens which necessarily fall at present upon the agriculculture and manuf. ctures of the nation. There remains therefore an unexe cuted authority to borrow 8,105,000 3. In making a proposition for the establishment of a national bank, I cannot be insensible to the high att19,176,391 19 thority of the names which have appeared in opposi tion to that measure upon constitutional grounds. It would be presumptuous to conjecture that the sentiments which actuated the opposition have passed away; and yet it would be denying to experience a great practical advantage, were we to suppose that a difference of times and circumstances would not produce a corresponding difference in the opinions of the wisest, as well as of the purest men. But in the present case, a change of private opinion is not material to the success of the proposition for esta blishing a national bank. In the administration of human affairs, there must be a period when discussion shall cease and decision shall become absolute. A diversity of opinion may honorably survive the dolls. 13,776,891 19 Contest; but, upon the genuine principles of a representative government, the opinion of the majority These estimates, however, it will be observed, are dissents from the majority of the bench, changes not can alone be carried into action. The judge who made with a view, simply, to the appropriations by his opinion, but performs his duty, when he enforces law for the expences of the year 1814, and do not em- the judgment of the court, although it is contrary to brace a provision to satisfy balances of appropriations his own convictions. An oath to support the constimade for the expences of preceding years which have tution and the laws, is not, therefore, an oath to supnot been called for at the treasury. But it will, pro-port them under all circumstances, according to the baniy, be deemed expedient to make such provision By the authority remaining to issue treasury notes By an additional authority to be granted by law to borrow, and to issue treasury notes 4,175,391 19 by extending the new authority to borrow from the opinion of the individnal who takes it, but it is, emabove balance, to 6,000,000. If the 6 per cent. stock phatically, an oath to support them according to the which has been sent to Europe should be there disinterpretation of the legit mate authorities. For the posed of, it will form an item in the estimates of the eustling year. As a portion of the amount to be provided during the present quarter, consists of treasury notes which will soon fe due, it will be adviseable to make them receivable in subscriptions to the loan. erroneous decisions of a court of law, there is the redress of a censorial, as well as of an appellate jurisdiction: over an act, founded upon an exposition of the constitution, made by the legislative department of the government, but alleged to be incorrect, we have seen the judicial department exercise a remedial power. And even if all the departments, legislative, executive, and judicial, should concur in the exercise of a power, which is either thought to trans1. The first proposition contemplates a permanent cend the constitutional trust,or to operate injuriously system; but the estimate of the particular items of upon the community, the case is still within the reach It is proper to accompany these propositions with a few explanatory remarks. the stills to be taken off, and 30 cents $6,000,000 2. On porter, ale and strong beer, 2 cents of a competent control, through the medium of an But, after all, I should not merit the confidence, which it will be my ambition to acquire, if I were to suppress the declaration of an opinion, that, in these times, the establishment of a national bank will not only be useful in promoting the general wel. fare, but that it is necessary and proper for carrying into execution some of the most important powers constitutionally vested in the government. 5. 6. 7. 8. veraged at 5 cents per pound, and com- On leather of various kinds, averaged at 120,000 500,000 600,000 On pig-iron at $1.50 per ton computed 459,000 On paper, at various rates, averaging 7 175,000 On playing cards, at 25 cents per pack 100,000 On counsellors and attornies at law, pro- 300,000 Upon the princ pies and regulations of the national bank, it may be sufficient to remark, that they will be best unfolded in the form of a bill, which shall be immediately prepared. A compound capi-19. On conveyances, mortgages and pther tal is suggested, with a design equally to accomodate the subscribers, and to aid the general measures, for the revival of public credit; but the proportions of specie and stock may be varied, if the scarcay of coin should render it expedient; yet not in so great a degree, as to prevent an early commencement of the money operations of the institution. 4. The estimates of receipts, from the established sources of revenue, and from the proposed new duties; and the, estimates of expenditures, on all the objects contemplated in the present communi- Congress of the United States. IN SENATE. October 21. Mr. German submitted for consider. cation; have been mide upon a call so sudden, and upon materiais so scattered, that it is not intended to claim a perfect reliance on their accuracy. They are, however, believed to be sufficiently accurate to ation motion, that it would be expedient to divide illustrate and support the general plan, for the revi- the whole militia of the United States into classes val of the public credit, the establishment of a per-vice at particular periods, &c. from No. 1 to 10, to be liable to be called into scr manent system of revenue, and the removal of the immediate pressure on the treasury. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. for the purpose, reported a bill for a temporary reThursday, October 13. The committee appointed Which being moval of the seat of government. Upon the whole, sir, I have freely and openly as sumed the responsibility of the station in which I have the honor to be placed. But conscious of the imperfections of the judgment that dictates the anread, was after debate ordered to lie on the ta... The house then took up the resolutions tributary swer to the important enquiries of the committee of, Ways and means, I derive the highest satisfaction to the merits of general Brown and others--ordered from reflecting, that the honor and safety of the to be engrossed for a third reading-(they passed nation, for war, or for peace, depend on the wis the next day unanimously.) dom, patriotism, and fortitude of congress, during! times which imperiously demand a display of those qualities in the exercise of the legislative authority. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, your most obedient servant,. J. W. Eppes, Esq. chairman of the committee of ways and means. A. A. J. DALLAS. The resolutions from the senate expressive of the sense of congress of the decisive victory obtained by com. Macdonough, on lake Champlain, were taken up, and also passed unanimously. [These two setts of resolutions shall be preserved in the Register.] which, with the exception of a few passages, were ordered to be printed. (See last No.) Friday, October 14. Some minor business being done, the hotte received a message from the president Schedule of new taxes referred to in the letters of the the doors were closed and opened again at haif past treasury to the chairman of the committee of Ways two o'clock, when it appeared that the message em. and Means, in which the taxes proposed in the re-braced the instructions to our ministers in Evrope, port of the committee to the House of Representatives on the 10th inst. principally adopted. 1. On spirits distilied from domestic or foreign materials 25 cents per gallon, computed on 24,000,000 gallons; provided the present tax on the capacity of the still should be continued. If it is thought best to lay the tax entirely on Jior, then the tax on the capacity of The bill for a temporary removal of the seat of government was laid over for the next day.. Saturday, October 15. After some business-Mr. Grosvenor, of N. Y. said it would be recollected the president, in his message to congress at the commencement of the last session, informed the House that the commanding general of the Cana |