watched by the agents of the government. At Natchez, while on his way to New-Orleans, he was cited to appear before the supreme court of the Mississippi territory.— But he had so enveloped his projects in secrecy, that sufficient evidence to convict him could not be produced, and he was discharged. Hearing, however, that several persons, suspected of being his accomplices, had been arrested at New-Orleans and elsewhere, he fled in disguise from Natchez, was apprehended on the Tombigbee, and conveyed a prisoner to Richmond. Two indictments were found against him, one charging him with treason against the United States, the other with preparing and commencing an expedition against the dominions of Spain.

In August, 1807, he was tried upon those indictments, before John Marshall, the chief justice of the United States. Full evidence of his guilt not being exhibited, he was acquitted by the jury. The people, however, believed him guilty; and by their desertion and contempt, he was reduced to a condition of the most abject wretchedness. The ease with which his plans were defeated, demonstrated the strength of the government; and his fate will ever be an impressive warning to those who, in a free country, listen to the suggestions of criminal ambition.

In June, 1807, an event occurred, which, for a time, concentrated upon one of the several nations the whole weight of popular indignation.

On the 22d of June, the Chesapeake weighed anchor and proceeded to sea. She passed the British ships Bellona and Melampus, lying in Lynnhaven bay, whose appearance was friendly. There were two other ships that lay off Cape Henry, one of which, the Leopard, Captain Humphreys, weighed anchor, and in a few hours came alongside the Chesapeake.

A British officer immediately came on board, and demanded the deserters. To this, Captain, Barron replied, that he did not know of any being there, and that his duty forbade him to allow of any muster of his crew, except by their own officers.

During this interview, Barron noticed some proceedings of a hostile nature on board the adverse ship, but

he could not be persuaded that any thing but menace was intended by them. After the British officer departed, he gave orders to clear his gun deck, and after some time, he directed the men to their quarters secretly, and without beat of drum; still, however, without any serious apprehensions of an attack.

Before these orders could be executed, the Leopard commenced a heavy fire. This fire unfortunately was very destructive. In about thirty minutes, the hull, rigging, and spars of the Chesapeake were greatly damaged, three men were killed, and sixteen wounded; among the latter was the captain himself. Such was the previous disorder, that during this time, the utmost exertions were insufficient to prepare the ship for action, and the captain thought proper to strike his colours.

The British captain refused to accept the surrender of the Chesapeake, but took from her crew, Ware, Martin, and Strachan, the three men formerly demanded as deserters, and a fourth, John Wilson, claimed as a runaway from a merchant ship.

This insolent attack upon a national ship,-this wanton exercise of a claim derogatory to national honour,-aroused the spirit of the republic. The distinctions of party were forgotten; numerous meetings of the citizens were held, and all concurred in the expression of a determination to support the government of their country in its efforts to obtain, whether by negociation or war, satisfaction for this insulting outrage.

The president, by proclamation, prohibited all British ships of war from continuing in or entering the harbours of the United States. He sent instructions to the minister at London to demand satisfaction for the insult, and security against future aggression. He summoned congress to meet and decide what further measures should be adopted. The British government, promptly disavowing the act of its officer, the hostile feelings which had been excited began to subside; but delaying to render satisfaction, and refusing to adopt adequate measures to prevent a con tinuance of aggression, they were not extinguished nor appeased.

On the 6th of November following, the Emperor Napo

leon issued his Berlin decree, which declared all the British isles in a state of blockade. This decree was in direct violation of the treaty between France and the United States, as well as of the law of nations.

On the 7th of January, 1807, the British government met this decree by an order in council, declaring "all vessels coasting from one port to another on the coast of France, or that of her allies, liable to seizure and condemnation."

On the 11th of November, Great Britain repeated her orders in council, by way of retaliation upon the French decrees, "declaring all nations at war with Great Britain, and all ports from which the British flag is excluded, to be under the same restrictions in point of trade and navigation, as if the same were in a state of blockade."

To retaliate upon Great Britain for her orders in council, the French emperor issued his Milan decree, declaring "all vessels denationalized, which shall have submitted to a search from a British ship, and every vessel a good prize, which shall sail to or from Great Britain, or any of her colonies or countries occupied by British troops," December 17th, 1807.

On the 22d, congress laid an indefinite embargo. Thus balanced, America began to feel more immediately the convulsions of Europe, and to find herself involved in the contest. One grand system of intrigue now pervaded all Christendom, and paved the way for the calamities that followed.

Mr. Jefferson, being desirous of confirming the example of Washington, declined a re-election. James Madison was elected president, and George Clinton re-elected vicepresident, March, 1809.

Great Britain continued to violate the laws of peace. She had ships of war stationed before the principal harbours of the United States. American merchantmen were boarded, searched, and many of them sent to British ports as legal prizes.

Commodore Rodgers, commanding the frigate President, was fired upon by the British sloop of war Little Belt, of 18 guns; but the President being a superior force, the Little Belt was soon silenced with considerable loss.

Congress, in November, 1811, passed a law to increase the regular army to 35,000 men; empowered the president to accept the services of volunteers, and to borrow eleven million dollars.

Congress continued to make preparations for war, yet still cherishing the hope, that a change of policy in Europe would render unnecessary an appeal to arms. On the 20th of May, 1812, the Hornet arrived from London, bringing information that no prospect existed of a favourable change. On the first of June, the question in congress was, whether they should continue to endure their wrongs, or resort to arms.

The British government had been told, in plain terms, that if they continued to drag the American seamen from their ships, and rob the vessels of their goods, war would be inevitable.

Congress, after sitting a number of days with closed doors, declared war against Great Britain, on the 18th of June, 1812; and, on the following day, war was publicly proclaimed.

The president was authorized to receive 50,000 volunteers, and to call out one hundred thousand militia. Governor Hull, at the head of about two thousand men, was on his march to Detroit, with a view of putting an end to the Indian hostilities, when he received information of the declaration of war. This little army marched to Spring Wells, within a few miles of Detroit, July 5th; there they had some small skirmishes with the Indians, but soon compelled them to retire, and Hull proceeded, without molestation, to Sandwich. Here he was met by a superior force, under the command of General Brock. ral Hull hastened back to Detroit.

Gene

On the 14th, the British took a position opposite to Detroit, and erected batteries. The next day they began a cannonade upon the American fortifications, which was returned with precision and effect. On the 16th, the enemy crossed the river, taking post about three miles above the town, and advanced towards the fort in close columns, twelve deep. The hearts of our soldiers now beat high at their approach, expecting to regain their cre

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dit. But who can describe the chagrin and mortification which took possession of these troops.

At the very moment the destruction of the enemy was certain, orders were given not to fire. The troops were ordered to stack their arms, and, to the astonishment of all, a white flag, in token of submission, was suspended from the walls. Words are wanting to express the feelings of the Americans on this occasion; they considered themselves basely betrayed, in thus surrendering to an inferior force, without firing a gun, when they were firmly convinced the enemy were in their power.

General Hull was exchanged for thirty British prisoners, brought before a court martial, charged with treason, cowardice, and unofficer-like conduct, was sentenced to death. The sentence was remitted by the president, but his name was ordered to be struck from the rolls of the army. While the nation was overspread with gloom in consequence of this disaster, they were suddenly consoled in the most pleasing manner. A new and glorious era burst upon our country, and upon the world.

At the moment of the declaration of war, a squadron under Commodore Rodgers, had rendezvoused under the order of the government, off Sandy Hook, consisting of the frigates President, Congress, United States, and the brig Hornet. On the 21st of June they put to sea, in pursuit of a British squadron, which had sailed as the convoy of the West India fleet the preceding month. While thus engaged, the British frigate Belvidera was discovered, to which they instantly gave chase. The chase was continued from early in the morning until past four in the afternoon, when the President, outsailing the other vessels, had come within gun shot, she opened a fire with her bow guns, intending to cripple the Belvidera, which returned it with her stern-chasers.

The firing was kept up for ten minutes, when one of the guns of the President burst, killed and wounded sixteen men, and fractured the leg of the commodore. By this accident, and the explosion of the passing box, the decks were so much shattered, as to render the guns on that side useless. The ship was then put about, and a broadside fired, but without the desired effect, though considerable injury