the barges, to which he was conveyed by his men. The enemy's force, consisting of marines and musketeers, was in part armed with boarding pikes, swords, and pistols, no doubt intended for our tents, as orders had been given by sir Peter not to fire. Many of these arms, with rockets, muskets, &c. have fallen into our hands, found by the picket guard under ensign Skirvin, which was posted on the battle ground for the remainder of the night. Nothing but the want of ammunition saved the enemy from destruction.

Attached are the names of the wounded-and as an act of justice to those concerned, I inclose you a list of the names of every officer and soldier engaged in the affair. Certain information from the enemy assures us that his total loss in killed and wounded was 42 or 43, including two wounded lieutenants.

Names of the wounded.

Captain Chambers's company-John Magnos, serjeant, slightly, in the thigh; Philip Crane, corporal, a ball between the tendons and the bone of the thigh near the knee. Captain Henry Page's company-John Glanvill, private, in the arm.

I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

PHILIP REED, Lieutenant-colonel, commanding.

and described their situation, so as to give us the strongest hopes of cutting off and securing the largest part as our prisoners, destroying the camp, field-pieces, &c., and possessing also certain information that one man out of every five had been levied as a requisition on the eastern shore, for the purpose of being sent over for the protection of Baltimore, who were only prevented crossing the bay by the activity and vigilance of the tender and ship's boats. One hundred and four bayonets, with twenty pikes, were landed at eleven o'clock at night, under the immediate direction of captain sir Peter Parker, bart., the first division headed by myself, and the second division by lieutenant Pearce. On arriving at the ground we discovered the enemy had shifted his position, as we were then informed, the distance of a a mile farther; having taken the look-out picket immediately on our landing, we were in assurance our motions had not been discovered, and with the deepest silence followed on for the camp. After a march of between four and five iniles in the country, we found the enemy posted on a plain, surrounded by woods, with the camp in the rear: they were drawn up in line, and perfectly ready to receive us; a single moment was not to be lost; by a smart fire and instant charge we commenced the attack, forced them from their position, putting them before us in full retreat to the rear of their artillery, where they again made a stand, showing a disposition to outfiank us on the right; a movement was instantly made by lieutenant Pearce's division to force them from that quarter, and it was at this time, while animating his men in the most heroic manner that sir Peter Parker received his mortal wound, which obliged him to quit the field, and he expired in a few minutes. Lieutenant Pearce, with his division, soon routed the enemy, while that under my command gained and passed the camp. One of the field pieces was momentarily in our possession, but obliged to quit it from superior numbers.

The marines, under lieutenants Baynton and Post, formed our centre, and never was bravery more conspicuous. Findit impossible to close on the enemy, from the rapidity of their retrea, having pursued them upwards of a mile. I deemed it prudent to retire towards the beach, which was effected in the best possible order; taking with us from the field 25 of our wounded the whole we could find, the enemy not even al empt.ng to regain the ground they had lost; from three prisoners (cavalry) taken by us, we learned their force amounted to 500 militia, a troop of horse, and five pieces of

artillery, and since, by Aags of truce, I am led to believe their number much greater.

Repelling a force of such magnitude with so small a body as we opposed to them, will I trust speak for itself; and although our loss has been severe, I hope the lustre acquired to our arms will compensate for it. Permit me, sir, to offer to your notice the conduct of Mr. James Stepford Hore, master's mate of this ship, who on this, as well as other trying occasions, evinced the greatest zeal and gallantry. In justice to sub-liebtenant Johnson, commanding the Jane tender, I must beg to notice the handsome manner in which he has at all times volunteered his services.

Herewith I beg leave to inclose you a list of the killed, wounded, and missing in this affair.

I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed)

HEN. CREASE,

Acting Commander. Total 14 killed; 27 wounded.

CORRESPONDENCE OF ADMIRAL COCHRANE WITH THE SECRE

TARY OF STATE, AND THE PROCLAMATION OF THE PRESIDENT CONSEQUENT THEREON.

Copy of a letter from Vice-Admiral Cochrane to Mr. Monroe.

His Britannic Majesty's Ship, the Tonnant, in

the Patuxent river, 18th August, 1814. Sir,

Having been called upon by the governor-general of the Canadas to aid him in carrying into effect measures of retaliation against the inhabitants of the United States, for the wanton destruction committed by their army in Upper Canada, it has become imperiously my duty, conformably with the nature of the governor-general's application, to issue to the naval force under my command, an order to destroy and lay waste such towns and districts

upon

the

coast, as may be found assailable.

I had hoped that this contest would have terminated, without my being oblig-d to resort to severities which are contrary to the usage of civilized warfare, and as it has been with extreme reluctance and concern that I have found myself compelled to adopt this system of devastation, I shall be equally gratified if the conduct of the executive of the United States will authorise my staying such proceedings,

by making reparation to the suffering inhabitants of Upper Canada: thereby manifesting, that if the destructive measures. pursued by their army were ever sanctioned, they will no longer be permitted by the government.

I have the honour to be, sir, with much consideration, your most obedient humble servant,

(Signed)

ALEX. COCHRANE,

Vice-admiral and commander in chief of his Britannic Majesty's ships and vessels upon the North American station.

The honourable James Monroe, Secretary

of state, &c. &c. &c. Washington.

Copy of a letter from Mr. Monroe to Sir Alexander Cochrane, Vice- Admiral, &c. &c.

Sir,

Department of State, September 6th, 1814.

I have had the honour to receive your letter of the 18th of August, stating, that having been called on by the governorgeneral of the Canadas, to aid him in carrying into effect measures of retaliation against the inhabitants of the United States, for the wanton desolation committed by their army in Upper Canada, it has become your duty, conformably with the nature of the governor-general's application, to issue to the naval force under your command, an order to destroy and lay waste such towns and districts upon the coast as may be found assailable.

It is seen with the greatest surprise, that this system of devastation which has been practised by the British forces, so manifestly contrary to the usage of civilized warfare, is placed by you on the ground of retaliation. No sooner were the United States compelled to resort to war againt Great Britain, than they resolved to wage it in a manner most consonant to the principles of humanity, and to those friendly relations which it was desirable to preserve between the two nations, after the restoration of peace. They perceived, however, with the deepest regret, that a spirit alike just and hu- . mane was neither cherished nor acted on by your government. Such an assertion would not be hazarded, if it was not supported by facts, the proof of which has perhaps already carried the same conviction to other nations that it has to the people of these states. Without dwelling on the deplorable cruelties committed by the savages in the British ranks, and in British pay, on American prisoners at the river Raisin, which to this day have never been disavowed or

atoned, I refer, as more immediately connected with the subject of your letter, to the wanton desolation that was com. mitted at Havre-de-Grace, and at Georgetown, early in the spring of 1813. These villages were burnt and ravaged by the naval forces of Great Britain, to the ruin of their unarmed inhabitants, who saw with astonishment that they derived no protection to their property from the laws of war. During the same season, scenes of invasion and pillage, carried on under the same authority, were witnessed all along the waters of the Chesapeake, to an extent inflicting the most serious private distress, and under circumstances that justified the suspicion, that revenge and cupidity, rather than the manly motives that should dictate the hostility of a high-minded foe, led to their perpetration. The late destruction of the houses of the government in this city is another act which comes necessarily into view. In the wars of modern Europe, no examples of the kind, even among nations the most hostile to to each other, can be traced. In the course of ten years past, the capitals of the principal powers of the continent of Europe have been conquered, and occupied alternately by the victorious armies of each other, and no instance of such wanton and unjustifiable destruction has been seen. We must go back to distant and barbarous ages, to find a parallel for the acts of which I complain.

Although these acts of desolation invited, if they did not impose on the government the necessity of retaliation, yet in no instance has it been authorised. The burning of the village of Newark, in Upper Canada, posterior to the early outrages above enumerated, was not executed on that principle. The village of Newark adjoined Fort George, and its destruction was justified by the officer who ordered it, on the ground that it became necessary in the military operations there. The act, however, was disavowed by the government. The burning which took place at Long Point was unauthorised by the government, and the conduct of the officer subjected to the investigation of a military tribunal. For the burning at St. David's, committed by stragglers, the officer who commanded in that quarter was dismissed without a trial, for not preventing it.

I am commanded by the president distinctly to state, that it as little comports with any orders which have been issued to the military and naval commanders of the United States, as it does with the established and known humanity of the American nation, to pursue a system which it appears you have adopted. This government owes it to itself, to the prin