mated at 7,000,00 dollars, which is 500,000 dollars more Sales of Public Lands. The proceeds of the public Internal Duties and Direct Tax. The receipts into the Treasury from these sources during the present year, will fully equal the estimate heretofore made. These taxes are paid readily and cheerfully. The direct tax is in collection in more than three fourths of the districts, and will shortly be in the same state in all the districts, except two or three where the difficulty of obtaining competent persons to act as assessors has produced some delay. In several of the districts the collection is already nearly completed. The amount estimated as receivable from these two sources was 3,500,000 dollars. Of this sum there was received prior to the 1st of July last 2,189,272 dollars and .0 Cents, and leaves to be received during the remainder of the year Postage and Incidental Receipts. These were estimated for the whole year, at 50,000 dollars. Including repayments, prize money and the arrears of the former direct tax and internal duties, there was received, on these accounts, during the first half of the year 166,714 dollars. These receipts are su casual and uncertain that it is difficult to make any estimate of their amount. During the remainder of the year, they may, perhaps be expected to produce Total amount receivable for revenue sum. the loan of ten millions, prior to the 1st of July. $6,087,011, leaving to be paid after that day, $3,708,045. Of this sum, a failure of payment ou the days fixed by terms of the loan, of about 1,900,000 dollars has taken place; and it is doubtful whether the payment will be effected. No more, therefore, can be relied on towards the supply necessary for the third and fourth quarters of the year 1814, than what has been already paid and amounting to about $1,800,000. Proposals were again invited on the 22d of August, for a loan of six inillions of dollars, in further execution of the power contained in the act of the 24th 360,000 of March, for borrowing twenty-five millions. The whole amount offered was only 2,823,560 dollars, of which 100,000 dollars were at rates less than 85 per cent, and 2,213,000 dollars were at the rate of 80 dollars in money for 100 dollars of six per cent stock. The remaining sum of 510,300 dollars was offered at various rates from 80 to 88. Notwithstarding the reduced rate at which the greater part of the above sum was proposed, yet as the market price of stock hardly exceeded 50 per cent: as there was no prospect of obtaining the money on better terms, and as it was indispensible for the public service, it was deemed advisable to accept the sums offered at that rate. Including the sums offered at rates more favorable to the United States than that here stated, the whole amount of the proposals accepted, was 2,723,300 dollars; and a further sum 50,000 of 207,000 dollars has been since accepted at the same rate; making the whole amount taken of this loan, 2,930,300 dollars. 1,610,000 Dolls. 4,840,000 this loan. sals for this loan, which were accepted, have since Under the act of the 24th of March, 1814, by which the president was authorised to borrow twenty-five millions of dollars, a loan was opened on the 2d of May, for ten millions of dollars in part of that A loan for ten millions of dollars was considered as more likely to prove successful, than if an attempt were made to obtain the whole amount of twenty-five millions at once. The sums offered for this loan amounted to 11,900,806 dollars, of which 2,671,750 dollars were at rates less than 88 per cent. and 1,183,400 dollars at rates less than 85 per cent. United States on loan in Europe, upon favorable Monies having been heretofore obtained by the Of the sum of 9,229,056 dollars, which were offer. terms; and the punctuality and fidelity with which ed at 88 per cent. or at rates more favorable to the they were repaid, having established their credit United States, five millions were offered with the there, on a firm and respectable footing, it was decondition annexed that if terms more favorable to termined, in consequence of the difficulties experithe lenders should be allowed for any part of the fenced in obtaining at home the sums requisite for twenty-five millions authorized to be borrowed the the public service, to try the market in that quar present year, the same terms should be extended to ter. To effect this purpose the requisite powers and those holding the stock of the ten million loan.-instructions have been given for negociating a loan Taking into consideration the expectation then en- for six millions of dollars, as a further part of the tertained of an early return of peace, and the im-loan of twenty-five millions authorised by the act of portance of maintaining unimpaired the public cre- the 24th of March last; and in order to facilitate dit, by sustaining the price of stock in the mean-this object, six per cent. stock to that amount has time and also considering the measure was sanc. been constituted and transmitted, with directions tioned by precedent, it was agreed to accept the for its sale, if that shall be found the most advanloan with that condition. Had the sum to which the tageous mode for obtaining the money. The result, condition was annexed been rejected, the consequence however, of this experiment is not certain; and the would have been to reduce the amount obtained to proceeds, in case it should be successful, will not less than five millions, a sum altogether inadequate probably come into the treasury in the course of the to the public demands; or, by depressing the stock present year. They cannot, therefore, be placed to 85 per cent. to have obtained only a little more among the resources of this year; but as this suma than six millions, which would still have been in-forms a part of that which was authorised to be sufficient to answer the purposes of government.-borrowed, and which will be necessary for the serOffers were subsequently made to this loan, of sums vice of the present year, further authority will be amounting to 566,000 dollars, which were accepted required from congress for obtaining this sum by on the same terms as the original offers, and aug-loan or otherwise; in which case the proceeds of mented the amount of the loan which was taken to the negociation undertaken in Europe will be ap9,795,056 dollars. plicable to the service of the ensuing year. The papers annexed under the letter B. exhibit the particulars relating to this loan. There was paid into the treasury on account of With a view to avoid the inconvenient increase of tion, an effort was made to obtain temporary loans stock in the market, and, its consequent deprecia from the banks by special contracts, but the at-spectfully suggested, that additional inducements should be offered to capitalists to advance their tempt was not attended with success. The amount of treasury notes issued prior to the money, by affording an ample and unequivocal se1st of July last, under the act of the 4th of March, curity for the regular payment of the interest, and 1814, was $1,392,100. Those since issued, amount reimbursement of the principal of such loans as may to $1,512,300. The annexed statement marked E. be obtained, This may be effected by establishing shows the particulars relating to these notes; and an adequate revenue, and pledging the same speciin the paper marked D. n account is given of those fically for that purpose. It is also submitted for the consideration of con. treasury notes issued u der he act of the 25th of February, 1813, which have not been heretofore re-gress, whether treasury notes might not, by ang-, ported to congress, menting the rate of interest they now bear, and sc. There are now in circulation near 8,000,000 of dol-curing its payment as well as their eventual reimlars in treasury notes; of which, during the fourth bursement, by an adequate revenue pledged for that quarter of the present year, notes for more than purpose, be placed on a footing better calculated than four millions of dollars will become reimbursable. at present, to sustain their credit, encourage their A part of them may perhaps be replaced by new circulation, and answer with more certainty the pur notes; but it is not believed that, upon their present poses of government. footing, more than two millions and a half of dollars The estimates for the service of the year 1815 have can thus be replaced. This would still leave mote not yet been prepared. It is certain, however, if than six millions of dollars of notes in circulation, the war continues, that a sum will be required, at which the experience of two years has shown to be least equal to that demanded for the present year: nearly as large a sum, while the other circulating and under the head of public debt, an additional sum paper medium of the country remained unembarrass-anfficient for the payment of the interest on the ed, and maintained itself in the public confidence, loans made in the meantime. as can in their present shape be freely and easily By the plan of finance which was adopted at the circulated. Notes of a smaller denomination than commencement of the present war, this additional those heretofore issued, have been prepared, and sum would be all that would be required to be raised will probably, by passing into a more numerous and by new taxes during the year 1815, except what extensive class of the money transactions of indi-might be necessary to make good a deficiency in. viduals, carry a greater quantity into circulation.any of the existing revenues. According to that There having been already issued since the 1st of plan of finance, the expenditures to be covered by July, treasury notes amounting to 1,500,000 dollars, the revenue during the year 1815, would be as fol& it being estimated that a further sum of 2,500,000|lows: dollars may be put in circulation previously to the end of the present year, the amount estimated to be derived from this source during the third and fourthquarters of the year will be $4,000,000. The means then, for meeting the demands upon Loans under the 25 million act, viz. Loan of 6 millions Treasury Notes And leave still to be obtained 1,800,000 4,840,000 4,320,000 Expence of the peace establishment war 1,900,000 Interest on the debt contracted since the war, 7,000,000 -6,500,000 13,500,"CO The revenues as now established, are estimated to produce during the year 1815, the following sums, viz: Customs. While the whole navy of the enemy is disposable for the interruption of our trade, this source 9,162,00 of revenue cannot be very productive. From bonds 4,000,000 which will be outstanding at the commencement of the year 1815, and from the duties which will accrue 13,160, 00 during that year, it is estimated that there will be re11,660,000 ceived into the treasury 24,620,000 The difficulties already experienced in obtaining loans, and the terms on which it has been found necessary to accept them, sufficiently show the propropriety of congress adopting effective measures for procuring the sums still required for the service of the residue of the present, as well as for that of the ensuing year. Sales of Public Lands 4,000,000 8,00, 00 2,700,000 600,000 100,000 8,900,000 5,300,000 13,500,000 Towards making up this sum of 5,300,000 dollars, The suspension of payments in specie by many of a continuance of the direct tax will it is believed, be the most considerable banks in the United States, necessary; but at its present rate, it will not produce and of those most important in the money operations net to the treasury more than two 2,600,000 dollars. of the treasury, has produced, and will continue to In order to provide the remaining sum of 2,700,000 cause difficulties and embarrassments, in those opera doliars, as well as such other sums as may be deemtions. The circulating medium of the country, ed requisite for the objects herein before suggested, which has consisted principally of bank notes, isit will be for congress to consider how far it would placed upon a new and uncertain footing; and those be expedient to increase this tax as well as the predifficnities and embarrassments will extend in a sent internal duties; and also, what new objects of greater or less degree into the pecuniary operations taxation may for that purpose be most advantageof the citizens in general. The powers of congress, pasly resorted to. so far as they extend, will be required to be exerted in providing a remedy for these evils, and in placing if practicable, the currency of the country on a more uniform, certain and stable footing. But the plan of finance above referred to, assumed one of the grounds upon which it depended, that tons might be annually obtained during the continuance of the war for the amount of the extraordinary If further reliance must be had on loans, it is re-expenditures occasioned by it. The experience of the present year furnishes ground to doubt whether lower Canada, with a view of conquering the couss this be practicable, at least in the shape in which try as far as Crown Point and Ticonderoga, entered loans have been hitherto attempted. Nor is it even the territories of the United States on the first of certain that the establishing and pledging of reve-the month, and occupied the village of Champlain nues adequate to the punctual payment of the in-there avowed his intentions, and issued orders and terest and eventual reimbursement of the principal proclamations tending to dissuade the people from of the sums which will be required for the service of their allegiance, and inviting them to furnish his the year 1815, would enable the treasury to obtain them through the medium of loans effected in the ordinary way. army with provisions. He immediately begin to impress the waggons and teams in the vicinity, and loaded them with his heavy baggage and stores.→→ With this view of the subject, it is respectfully From this I was persuaded he intended to attack submitted whether it should not be expedient to ex- this place. I had but just returned from the lines, tend the provisions to be made for the service of the where I had commanded a fine brigade, which was ensuing year, beyond those contemplated in this plan broken up to form the division under maj, gen. Izə of finance, hitherto pursued for carrying on the war; ard, ordered to the westward. Being senior officer, so as to provide by means other than loans for at least he left me in command; and, except the four coma portion of the extraordinary expenditures occasion-panies of the 6th regiment, I had not an organized ed thereby. This would have a tendency to ensure battalion among those remaining. The garrison was public confidence and preserve and confirm public composed of convalescents and recruits of the new credit. regiments-all in the greatest confusion, as well as the ordnance and stores, and the works in no state of defence. The present state of the country, growing out of the unjust policy of the enemy, as well as the unusual manner in which he prosecutes the war, calls for new and extraordinary exertions on the part of the nation, and the means requisite to meet the expenditures which these may occasion ought to be provided. The resources of the nation are not exhausted; they are ample, and the occasion requires they should be brought into full activity. The very expenditures which render necessary the imposition of additional taxes will themselves have increased in the community the ability to discharge them. To create an emulation and zeal among the officers and men in completing the works, I divided them into detachments, and placed them near the several forts; declaring in orders, that each detachment was the garrison of its own work, and bound to defend it to the last extremity, The enemy advanced cautiously and by short marches, and our soldiers worked day and night; so that by the time he made his appearance before the place, we were prepared to receive him. General Izard named the principal work fort Ma reau, and to remind the troops of the actions of their brave countrymen, I called the redoubt on the right fort Brown, and that on the left fort Scott. Besides these three works, we have two block houses strong The promptitude and cheerfulness with which the present taxes are paid, afford the best pledges of the spirit with which the people will meet such demands as the interest and safety of the country may require. A people who have not only tasted, but enjoyed in ly fortified. their full extent, the blessings of liberty and independence for more than thirty years, cannot consider any sacrifices too great which are found indispensable to preserve them inviolate. The Finding, on examining the returns of the garrison, that our force did not exceed fifteen hundred effeetive men for duty, and well informed that the enemy had as many thousands, I called on general Mooers, Those sacrifices, however, which may he demand. of the New-York militia, and arranged with him ed by the present crisis in our affairs will be of a tem- plans for bringing forth the militia en masse. porary nature only, for while we may fairly calculate inhabitants of the village fled with their families that with the termination of the present contest, the and effects, except a few worthy citizens and some duration of which will be shortened in proportion to boys, who formed themselves into a party, received the vigor and unanimity with which it is sustained on rifles, and were exceedingly useful. By the fourth of our part, will cease the expenditures consequent on a the month, general Mooers collected about seven state of war, and render no longer necessary a conti-hundred militia, and advanced seven miles on the nuance of those extraordinary revenues established to Beekman town road, to watch the motions of the provide the supplies requisite for that object, we enemy, and to skirmish with him as he advanced; may with equal confidence rely that the growing re-also to obstruct the road with fallen trees, and to venue arising from the commerce of a few prosperous break up the bridges. years of peace, will be found sufficient to redeem the On the lake road at Dead creek bridge, I posted pledges which have been made to the public credi-two hundred men under captain Sproul of the 13th tors, and thus relieve the people from those burdens, regiment with orders to abbatis the woods, to place which times of danger and difficulties rendered indis-obstructions in the road, and to fortify himself; to pensable. this party I added two field pieces. In advance of that position, was lieutenant colonel Appling, with 110 riflemen, watching the movements of the enemy, and procuring intelligence. It was ascertained, that before day-light on the sixth, the enemy would advance in two columns, on the two roads before mentioned, dividing at Sampson's, a little below Chazy All of which is respectfully submitted. Macomb's victory. Copy of a letter from brig. gen Macomb, to the secre- village. The column on the Beckman Town road tary of war, dated Head-quarters, Plattsburgh, September 15th, 1814. SIR-I have the honor to communicate, for the m formation of the war department, the particulars of the advance of the enemy into the territory of the United States, the circumstances attending the siege of the posts entrusted to my charge. The governor general of the Canadas, sir George Provost, having collected all the disposable force in' proceeded most rapidly; the militia skirmished with his advanced parties, and, except a few brave men, fell back most precipitately in the greatest disorder, notwithstanding the British troops did not deign to fire on them, except by their flankers and advanced patroles. The night previous, I ordered major Wool to advance with a detachment of 250 men to support the militia, and set them an example of firmness.Also, Capt. Leonard of the light artillery was direct ed to proceed with two pieces to be on the ground It was reported that the enemy only waited the before day; yet he did not make his appearance un- arrival of his flotilla to make a general attack.— til 8 o'clock, when the enemy had approached with- About eight in the evening of the 11th, as was exin two miles of the village. With his conduct,pected, the flotilla appeared in sight round Cumbertherefore, I am not well pleased. Major Wool, with land Head, and at nine bore down and engaged our At the his party, disputed the road with great obstinacy,flotilla at anchor in the Bay off the town. but the militia could not be prevailed on to stand, same instant the batteries were opened upon us, and notwithstanding the exertions of their generai and continued throwing bomb-shell's, shrapnells, balls staff officers; although the fields were divided by and Congreve rockets until sunset, when the bomstrong stone walls, and they were told that the ene-bardment ceased, every battery of the enemy being my could not possibly cut them off. The state dr-silenced by the superiority of our fire. The naval goons of New-York wear red coats, and they being engagement lasted but two hours in full view of both on the heights to watch the enemy, gave constant armies. Three efforts were made by the enemy to alarm to the militia, who mistook them for the ene-pass the river at the commencement of the cannonmy, and feared his getting in their rear. Finding aue and bombardment, with a view of assaulting the the enemy's columns had penetrated within a mile works, and had prepared for that purpose an im of Pittsburgh, I dispatched my aid de camp, lieut. mense number of scaling ladders. One attempt to Root, to bring off the detachment at Dead Creek, cross was made at the village bridge, another at and to inform lieut. col. Appling that I wished him the upper bridge, and a third at a ford about three to fall on the enemy's right flank. The colonel for- miles from the works. At the two first he was retunately arrived just in time to save his retreat and pulsed by the regulars-and at the ford by the brave to fall in with the head of a column debouching from volunteers and militia, where he suffered severely the woods. Here he poured in a destructive fire killed, wounded, and prisoners; a considerafrom his riflemen at rest, and continued to annoy ble body crossed the stream, but were either the columu until he formed a jaction with major killed, taken or driven back. The woods at this Wool. The field pieces did considerable execution place were very favorable to the operations of the among the enemy's columns. So undaunted, howe militia. A whole company of the 76th regiment was ver, was the enemy, that he never deployed in his here destroyed, the three lieutenants and 27 men whole march, always pressing on in column. Find- prisoners, the captain and the rest killed. I cannot forego the pleasure of here stating the ing that every road was full of troops crowding on us on all sides, I ordered the field pieces to retire gallant conduct of captain M'Glassin of the 15th across the bridge and form a battery for its protec- regiment, who was ordered to ford the river, and tian, and to cover the retreat of the infantry, which attack a party construcing a battery on the right of was accordingly done, and the parties of Appling, and the enemy's line, within five hundred yards of Fort Wool, as well as that of Sproul, retired alternately, Brown, which he handsomely executed at midnight keeping up a brisk fire until they got under cover with 50 men; drove off the working party, consistof the works. The enemy's light trops occupied ng of one hundred and fifty, and defeated a covering the houses near the bridge, and kept up a constant party of the same number-killing one officer and firing from the windows and balconies, and annoyed six men in the charge and wounding many. us much. I ordered them to be driven out with hot shot, which soon put the houses in flames, and oblig. ed these sharp shooters to retire. The whole day, until it was too late to see, the enemy's light troops endeavored to drive our guards from the bridge, but they suffered dearly for their perseverance. An attempt was also made to cross the upper bridge where the militia handsomely drove them. The column which marched by the lake road was much impeded by the obstructions, and the removal of the bridge at Dead Creek, and as it passed the creek and beach, the gallies kept up a lively and galling fire. Our troops being now all on the south side of the Suranac, I directed the planks to be taken off the bridges and piled up in the form of breast works to cover our parties intended for disputing the passage, which afterwards enabled us to hold the bridges agamst very superior numbers. | At dusk the enemy withdrew his artillery from the batteries, and raised the seige; and at nine, under cover of the night, sent off, in a great hurry, all the baggage he could find transport for, and also his artillery. At two the next morning the whole army precipitately retreated, leaving the sick and wounded to our generosity-and the governor left a note with a surgeon, requesting the humane attention of the commanding general. Vast quantities of provision were left behind and · destroyed, also an immense quantity of bomb-shells, cannon balls, grape shot, ammunition, flints, &c. &c. intrenching tools of all sorts, also tents and marquees. A great deal has been found concealed in the ponds and creeks, and buried in the ground, and a vast quantity earried off by the inhabitants. Such was the precipitance of his retreat, that he arrived at Chazy, a distance of eight miles before we discovered that he had gone. The light troops, volunteers From the 7th to the 11th, the enemy was emplor-and militia pursued immediately on learning of his ed in getting on his battering train, and erecting his light; and some of the mounted men made prisonbatteries and approaches, and constantly skirmishers five dragoons of the 19th regiment and several ing at the bridges and fords. By this time the mili- others of the rear guard. A continual fall of rain litia of New-York, and the volunteers of Vermont and a violent storm prevented further pursuit. Upwere pouring in from all quarters. I advised gen. wards of three hundred deserters have come in, and Mooers to keep his force along the Saranac to pre-many, are hourly arriving. vent the enemy's crossing the river, and to send a strong body in his rear to herrass him day and night, and keep him in continual alarm. We have buried the British officers of the army and navy, with the honors of war, and shewn every attention and kindness to those who have fallen into our hands. The militia behaved with great spirit after the first The conduct of the officers, non-commissioned day, and the volunteers of Vermont were exceeding ly serviceable. Our regular troops, notwithstanding officers, and soldiers of my command, during this the constant skirmishing, and repeated endeavors of trying occasion cannot be represented in too high the enemy to cross the river, kept at their work terms, and I feel it my duty to recommend to the day and night strengthening the defences, and evinc-particular notice of government, lieut. col. Appling ed a determination to hold out to the last extremity.of the 1st rifle corps, major Wool of the 20th, ma jor Totten of the corps of engineers, captain Brooks Major-general Robertson; commanding first bri Major-general Brisbane, commanding third brigade." of the artillery, captain M'Glassin of the 15th, licuts.gade. de Russy and Trescott of the corps of engineers, Major-general Powers, commanding second brilieutenants Smyth, Mountford and Cromwell of the gade. artillery, also my aid-de-camp, It. Root, who have all distingushed themselves by their uncommon zoel and activity, and have been greatly instrumental in producing the happy and glorious result of the siege. I have the honor to be, with sentiments of profound respect, sir, your obedient humble servant, ALEX MACOMB The loss of the enemy in killed, wounded, prisoners and deserters, since his first appearance, cannot fall short of two thousand five hundred-including many officers, among whom is colonel Wellington, of the Buffs. No 1. A report of the killed, wounded and missing on our part. us. No 2. An exhibit of the force brought against No 3. List of prisoners taken from the British army-total 75. No. 1. Report of the killed, wounded and missing at Plattsbusgh from the 6th to the 11th September, 1814. Major-general Baynes, adjutant-general. Major Sinclair, commanding officer of artillery. 4 troops 19th light dragoons. 4 companies royal artillery 1 brigade royal sappers and miners 58th 300 400 25 75 900 3,700 3,600 6th Reg.-Killed, 1 subaltern, 4 privates-total 5. [2d brigade-88th reg. Wounder, 1 sergeant, 1 musician, 15 privates-total 17. Total killed and wounded 22. 29th reg.-Killed, 1 sergeant, 14 privates; total 15. Wounded-1 sergeant major, 1 sergeant, 2 cor killed and wounded, 31. Missing-1 sergeant, 8 privates-total 9. porals, 1 musician, 11 privates-total 16. Total 3d brigade-8th or king's, 2d battalion, 900 Loss of the Adams frigate. 1st rifle regiment. Killed, 1 musician, 3 privates -total 4. Wounded 2 sergeants, 1 musician, 6 pri- Copy of a letter from captain C Morris* to the secres vates-total 9. Total killed and wounded, 11. Missing 3 privates-total 3. Light artillery. Killed, 3 privates-total 3.Wounded, 1 private-total 1. Total killed and wounded, 4. Corps of artillery. Killed, 3 privates-total 3 Wounded, 1 private-total 1. Total killed and wounded 4. tary of the navy, dated Portland, Sept. 8, 1814. SIR-It is with regret that I inform you we were compelled to destroy the Adams at Hampden, on the morning of the 3d inst. to prevent her falling into the hands of the enemy. All the officers effected their escape, and I believe the crew, with the exception of very few, who were Aggregate. Killed, 1 subaltern, 1 sergeant, 1 mu-Junable to travel. Their precise number cannot yet sician, 34 privates-total 37. Wounded, 2 subai-[be ascertained, as we were obliged to pursue diffe terns, 1 sergeant-major, 4 sergeants, 2 corporals, 4 rent routes, for the purpose of obtaining provisions musicians, 49 privates-total 62. Total killed and through the woods between the Penobscot and Kenwounded, 99. Missing, 1 sergeant, 19 privates-to-nebeck. tai 20. Commissioned officers. 6th regiment. 1st lieutenant George W. Runk, wounded on the 7th and died on the 8th September. 13th regiment. 3d lieutenant Robert M. Harrison, wounded in the shoulder. 34th regiment. 3d lieut. Henry Taylor, wounded in the knee. No. 2. I am now engaged collecting and forwarding the men with the utmost dispatch to Portsmouth, from which place I hope soon to forward a detailed account of our proceedings. In the mean time, I request you to believe that the officers and crew of the ship neglected no means in their power for her defence. Very respectfully, your obedient servant. A list of the principal officers of the British army, and an exhibit of the several regiments and corps under the command of lieutenant general sir George Pre- *The letters of captain Morris to the secretary of vost, at the siege of Plattsburg. the navy, giving an account of the cruize of the Lieutenant-general De Rottenburg, second in com-Adams, and of her arrival at Hampden, are among the documents that lie over for future insertion mand. |