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whole country would have dared to think "Scotia's boasted fame," they would not of such an act.—I, by my resolution, saved have appeared in the business; for where the remainder of my property.If the is a man to look for protectors, when asfire had happened at some farm-houses, sailed by the rude hand of adversity, but to the thieving would have been nearly as the land that gave him birth? It was in destructive as the firc.-If facts like Scotland that thousands of tongues ought to these are a disgrace to the nation, the have proclaimed his Lordship's innocence, nation has to thank the proprietor or editor and shielded him from the calumnies of his of the Times newspaper for the publicity, persecutors. It seems, however, to have which they will receive through my chan- been reserved to the native land of his nel. He would do better to employ his Lordship, to strike the last blow of columns in clearing himself of the charge perfidy, and to give the finishing touch of having been so eminently instrumental to a nation's ingratitude.My limits in causing the war, which has led to the will not admit of my saying all upon battles on and near Lake Champlain, where this subject that I could wish. But as something much more dangerous than tur- the Gentlemen who have come forward nips have been flung at the heads of our in this very honourable business, appear to unfortunate sailors.- -As to the proprie- have been hurried too far by an inconsidetor of the "Hampshire paper," whence the rate zeal, I shall state to them the chanTimes says it derived its information, Inel through which the Address reached me, dare say that he is some wretch too contemptible for notice.

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in the hope that, after using a little more diligence, after being somewhat more active in their inquiries than they have KIRKCALDY ADDRESS. -The cor- hitherto been, they may see cause to reruptionists of this rotten Borough, alarmed tract the most essential parts of their statelest the loyalty of their "good town" ment. The Address in question was handed should be suspected, have been at great to me by Samuel Brooks, Esq. Chairman pains to make it appear, in their favourite of the Westminster Committee. It was journal the Courier, that the Address sent transmitted to that Gentleman by Sir from that place to the Electors of West- Francis Burdett, who received it, in the minster, congratulating them on the inde- regular course of post, along with the folpendent manner in which they had acted lowing letter:-"Kirkcaldy, 8th Sept. in the case of Lord Cochrane, was a fabri" 1814.-Honourable Sir,---Permit me, in cation; that no such Meeting as that at name, and by order of this Meeting, to which it is said to have been voted took request you to present the inclosed Adplace; and that "William Davidson," "dress to the Electors of Westminster, as whose name appears as Chairman of "a small token of our respect, and the the Meeting, is not a resident in Kirk-" high sense we entertain of the laudable caldy. In this very praise-worthy, and "steps they have taken in the re-election loyal attempt, the Chief Magistrate, the" of the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane, and Post-master, and the keeper of the Wel-" of his Lordship's innocence of the late lington Inn, seem to have taken the most "hoax, falsely laid to his charge. Should active part. After what has happened in "you, or the Electors of Westminster, this corner of the island, I am not sur- "think this in any way worthy your noprised that Scotland, which is but one close" tice, we shall be happy to see it inserted rotten burgh, should readily stoop to the" in Mr. COBBETT'S REGISTER, of which performance of any dirty work that may be " we are constant readers. If otherwise, well pleasing to their Southern friends," we hope that neither you nor they will who have it so much in their power to re- "take offence at this measure, as we have ward them. But when I recollect that "no sinister motive, but regard for virtue Lord Cochrane was a native of Scotland, I" and innocence.---I am," &c.---(signed) could not help thinking it strange, that his " WILLIAM JOHNSON, SECRETARY OF •wn countrymen should have lent them-" THE MEETING.". The Chief Magisselves to a transaction which in no view trate says, that the "Address occasioned appears creditable, and which, considering" considerable surprise at Kirkcaldy, as the clear proofs now before the public of no one had heard of any such Meeting, Lord Cochrane's ENTIRE INNOCENCE, was "or knew any person of the name of ungracious in the extreme. Had these "William Davidson." The Post-master parties entertained a proper sense of says, that he and his letter carriers used

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all diligente to discover this person, but
that they could not find him. Here, then,
I have furnished them with the name of
another party concerned, the Secretary to
the Mecting. Let them use the same
diligence" as to him, and I dare say
they will soon be able to discover the parties
who have given them so much uneasiness-
those miscreants who had the presumption
to hold a Meeting, either public or private,
in behalf of" virtue and innocence," with-
out first obtaining the permission of the
Chief Magistrate !!!-When the result of
this inquiry is made as public as the
former, I shall, perhaps, pay my respects
again to this worthy Magistrate, and his
particular friends the Post-master and the
Publican.
THE CONGRESS.--Notwithstanding theproaching negociations, a result will be obtained
circumstantial, and, as it was said, highly
interesting details of the proceedings of
Congress, with which our newspapers have,
for some weeks back, been satiating the
stomach of John Bull, it appears, from the
following official document, that that As-
sembly is not to meet till the 1st of Novem-transactions, except such as are invested with
her. The observations, from the Moniteur,
on this Declaration, are important in many
respects, but chiefly because they distinct-
ly shew, that the interests and influence of
France will be more predominant at the
ensuing meeting, than our corrupt press is
willing to allow :---

formal opening of the Congress will therefore be
the 1st of November, and the
adjourned to
said Plenipotentiaries flatter themselves that the
abours to which the intervening period shall be
devoted, by fixing ideas and conciliating opi-
nious, will es-entially advance the great work
which is the object of their common mission.
Vienna, Oct. 8, 1814.

The above Declaration, by explaining the motives which have occasioned the postponement of the Congress of Vienna, is the first pledge of the spirit of wisdom which will guide the labours of the assembled Plenipotentiaries. It is indeed by the maturity of Councils-it is amidst the calm of the passions, that the tutelary authority of the principles of public law, invoked and recognised in the late Treaty of Paris, ought to be re-established. Thus the just object of contemporaries will be fulfilled, and in the ap

DECLARATION.

conformable to what the law of nations, and universal law of justice, prescribe to nations in their concerns with each other. At the epoch when the great Powers are leagued to re-introduce into the mutual relations of States, the respect of property and the security of thrones, no political

that equitable character, are to be expected.— Europe already accepts this happy augury, and France, who is not jealous of any advantages for which the States may reasonably hope, aspires to nothing more than a just equilibrium, Posses, sing within herself all the clements of strength and prosperity, she seeks not for them beyond her limits: she will not listen to any insinuations tending to establish systems of mere convenience: but, resuming the character which the esteem and the gratitude of Nations heretofore entitled her, she wil! desire no other glory than

vereigns who have so nobly proclaimed the same principles, will consecrate with her this durable compact, which is to ensure the repose of the world.-(Moniteur.)

The Plenipotentiaries of the Courts who signed the Treaty of Peace at Paris, of the 30th of May, 1814, have taken into consideration the 320 article of that treaty, which declares that ali the Powers engaged on both sides in the lateat of which the guarantees rest on the alliance war, shall send Plenipotentiaries to Vienna, in of power with moderation and justice, It is her wish to re-become, the prop of the weak and the order to regulate in a General Congress, the ardefender of the oppressed.-France, in this disrangements necessary for completing the enactments of the said treaty; and after having ma-position, will concur in the arrangements tendturely reflected on the sitnation in which theying to consolidate a general peace, and those Soare placed, and on the duties imposed upon them, they have agreed that they could not better full them, than by establishing, in the first instance, free and confidential communications between the Plenipotentiaries of all the Powers. But they are, at the same time, convinced, that it is the interest of all parties concerned to postpone the general assembly of their Plenipotentiaries, till the period when the questions on which it will be their duty to pronounce, shall have at-burgh, Sept. 14, 1814.-The Governor General of tained such a degree of maturity, as that the re- the Canadas, and Commander in Chief of the sult may correspond to the principles of public British forces in North America, having invaded law, the stipulations of the treaty of peace, and the territories of the United States, with the the just expectations of contemporaries. The avowed purpose of conquering the country as far

AMERICAN OFFICIAL ACCOUNT oF THE BATTLE ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN, AND THE

RETREAT OF SIR GEORGE PRevost.

GENERAL ORDERS.-Head Quarters, Platts

as Crown Point and Ticonderoga, there to win-retreated with his whole army towards Canada,
ter his forces with a view to further conquest, leaving his wounded on the field, and a vast quan-
brought with him a powerful army and flotilla.tity of bread, flour, and beef, which he had not
An army amounting to 14,000 men, completely time to destroy, besides a quantity of bomb-
equipped, and accompanied by a numerous train shells, shot, flints, and ammunition of all kinds,
of artillery, and all the engines of war-men who which remained at the batteries, and lay con-
had conquered in France, Spain, Portugal, the cealed in the ponds and rivers. As soon, as his
retreat was discovered, the light troops, volun
Indies, and in other parts of the Globe, and led
by the most distingushed Generals in the British teers, and militia, were ordered in pursuit, and
army. A flotilla also superior to our's in vessels, followed as far as Chazy, capturing several dra-
men, and guns, had determined at once to crush goons and soldiers, besides covering the escape
us, both by land and water. The Governor-Ge- of hundreds of deserters, who still continue to be
neral after boasting of what he would do, and coming in. A violent storm, and continued fall
endeavouring to dissuade the loyal inhabitants of of rain, prevented the brave volunteers and mi-
the United States from their allegiance, by threats litia from further pursuit. Thus have the at-
and promises, as set forth in his proclamation and tempts of the invader been frustrated by a regu
order, fixed his head-quarters at the village of lar force of only fifteen hundred men; a brave
Champlain, to organise his army, and to settle and active body of militia of the State of New
the government of his intended conquest. On York, under General Mooers, and volunteers of
the second day of the month, he marched from the respectable and patriotic citizens of Ver-
Champlain; and on the 5th appeared before the mont, led by General Strong, and other Gentle-
men of distinction; the whole not exceeding
village of Plattsburgh with his whole army; and
on the 11th, the day fixed for the general attack, | 2,500 men. The British forces being now either
the flotilla arrived. The enemy's flotilla at eight expelled or captured, the services of the volun-
teers and militia may be dispensed with. Geng-
in the morning passed Cumberland Head, and at
nine engaged our flotilla at anchor in the bay of ral Macombe cannot, however, permit the mili-
the town, fully confident of crushing in an instant tia of New York and the volunteers of Vermont
the whole of our naval force; but the gallant to depart without carrying with them the high
sense he entertains for their merits. The zeal
Commodore Macdonough, in the short space of with which they came forward in the defence of
two hours, obliged the large vessels to strike their country, when the signal of danger was
given by the General, reflects the highest lustre
their colours, whilst the gallies saved themselves
on their patriotism and spirit; their conduct ia
by flight. This glorious achievement was in full the field has corresponded with the landable mo-
view of the several forts, and the American forces tives which led them into it. They have deserved
the esteem of their fellow-citizens, and the warm
had the satisfaction" of witnessing the victory.approbation of their commanders. They have
The British army was also so posted on the sur-
Founding heights, that it could not but behold the
interesting struggle for dominion on the Lake. At
the same hour the fleets engaged, the enemy
•pened his batteries on our forts, throwing hun-
dreds of shells, balls, and rockets, and attempted
at the same time to cross the Saranac at three
different points to assault the works. At the
upper fort he was met by the militia and volun-
teers, and after repeated attempts was driven
back with considerable loss in killed, wounded,
and prisoners. At the bridge, near the village,
he was repulsed by the picquets and brave rifle-
men under Captain Grovenor, and Lieutenants
Hamilton and Riley, and at the bridge in town
he was foiled by the guards, block-houses, and COPY OF A LETTER FROM VICE-ADMIRAL COCKS

exemplified how speedily American citizens can
he prepared to meet the enemies of their country.
In testifying his sense of the merits of the troops
the General cannot but express his sorrow and
regret for the loss of some brave and virtuous ci-
tizens, and for those who have been wounded.
The loss, no doubt, will be keenly felt by their
friends and countrymen, but at the same time
will be borne with that fortitude and resignation
which become good citizens and good christians.
The affection of the General will accompany his
brave associates in arms, wheresoever they go;
nor will any thing give more pleasure than op-
portunities of testifying to them individually by
actions as words, the high regard he cherishes for
them. The General, in the name of the United
States, thanks the volunteers and the militia for-
their distinguished services, and wishes them a
happy return to their families and friends.
(Signed)
ALEX. MACOMBE,

RANE TO MR. MONROE.,

His Majesty's ship the Tonnant, in the
Patuxent River, August 18, 1814.

the artillery of the forts. The enemy's fire was returned with effect from our batteries, and by sun-set we had the satisfaction to silence seven batteries which he had erected, and to see his columas retiring to their camp beyond the reaching into effect measures of retaliation against the

of our guns. Thus beaten by land and water, the Governor-General withdrew his artillery and raised the siege. At nine at night, sent off his keavy baggage, and under cover of the darkness

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SIR-Having been called upon by the Gover nor-General of the Canadas to aid him in carry

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, I led to their perpetration.. The late destruction as may be found assailable.....I had hoped | of the houses of Government in this City is anothat this contest would have terminated, with-ther act which comes necessarily into view. In out my being obliged to resort to severities the wars of modern Europe, no examples of the which are contrary to the usages of civilized kind, even among nations the most hostile to warfare, and as it has been with extreme re- each other, can be traced. in the course of ten luctance and concern that I have found my years past, the capitals of the principal Powers self compelled to adopt this system of devasta- of the Continent of Europe have been conquertion, I shall be equally gratified if the conducted, and occupied alternately by the victorious of the Executive of the United States will au- armies of each other, and no instance of such thorise my staying such proceedings, by making wanton and unjustifiable destruction has been reparation to the suffering inhabitants of Upper seen. We must go back to distant and barbaCanada; thereby manifesting, that if the de- rous ages, to find a parallel for the acts of which structive measures pursued by their army were I complain. 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 Hon. James Monroe, Secretary of State, &c. &c. Washington.

Although these acts of desolation invited, if they did not impose on the Government, the necessity of retaliation, yet in no instauce has it been authorised. The burning of the village of Newark, in Upper Canada," posterior to the early outrages above enumerated, was not exêcuted 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 of St. David's, committed by stragglers, the officer who comunanded in * that quarter was dismissed without a trial for not.

COPY OF A LETTER FROM MR. MONROE, TO SIR
ALEXANDER COCHRANE, VICE-ADMIRAL, &c.
Department of State, Sept. 6, 1814.
SIR-I have had the honour to receive your
letter of the 18th of August, stating, that, having
been called on by the Governor-General of the
Canadas to aid him in carrying into effect mea-preventing it.
sures of retaliation against 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 Gio-
vernor-General's application, to issue to the
naval force under your command, an order to
destroy and lay waste such towas and districts
upon the coast as may be found assailable.

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 hunanity of the American nation, to pursue a system which it appears you have adopted. The Government owes it to itself, to the principles which it has ever held sacred, to disavow, as justly chargeable to it, any such wanton, cruel, and unjustifiable warfare.

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 Whatever unauthorised irregularity may have on the ground of retaliation. No sooner were been committed by any of its troops, it would the United States compelled to resort to war have been ready, acting on these principles of against Great Britain, than they resolved to sacred and eternal obligation, to disavow, and wage it in a manner most consonant to the prin- as far as might be practicable, to repair. But ciples of humanity, and to those friendly rela in the plan of desolating warfare, which your tions which it was desirable to preserve between letter so explicitly makes known, and which is, the two nations, after the restoration of peace. attempted to be excused on a plea so utterly They perceived, however, with the deepest re-groundless, the President perceives a spirit of gret, that a spirit alike just and humane was deep-rooted hostility, which, without the evi-, neither cherished nor acted on by your Govern-dence of such facts he could not have believed ment. Such an assertion would not be hazard-existed, or would have been carried to such an ed, if it was not supported by facts, the proof of extremity. which has already carried the same conviction to other nations that it has to the people of those States. Without dwelling on the deplorable cruelties committed by the Savages in the British rauks, 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 committed at Havre-de-Grace and at George Town, early in the Spring, 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 inva sion 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,

For the reparation of injuries, of whatever, nature they may be, not sanctioned by the law of nations, which the naval or military forces of either power may have committed against the other, this Government will always be ready to enter into reciprocal arrangements. It is pre-1 sumed that your Government will neither expect or propose any which are not reciprocal.—, Should your Government adhere to a system of desolation, so contrary to the views and praetice of the United States, so revolting to humanity, and repugnant to the sentiments and usages of the civilised world, whilst it will be seen with the deepest regret, it must and will be met with a determination and constancy becoming a free people, contending in a just cause for their essential rights and their dearest interests.

I have the honour to be, with great consideras tion, Sir, your most obedient bumble servant, (Signed) JAMES MONROE. Vice Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane, Commander-in-Chief of his Britannic Majesty's ships and vessels, &c.

Printed and published by J. MORTON, 94, Strand.

COBBETT'S WEEKLY POLITICAL REGISTER.

VOL. XXVI. No. 19.] LONDON, SATURDAY, NOV. 5, 1814. [Price 1s.

577]

SUMMARY OF POLITICS.

[578 [cording to these people, a war to prevent infumy sticking to us. I shall endeaAMERICAN WAR.My office, as to vour to shew, that a continuation of the this war, is now changed. Instead of war is not necessary for this purpose, as I endeavours to convince my countrymen, have, for years, been shewing, that the that the Americans are not that contemp-war was not necessary for any other purtible nation which they were said to be; pose. But I must first lay before the instead of endeavours to convince them, reader the proof of the truth of my statethat we have, in this new enemy, a more ment as to the existence of these new formidable one than in any that we have grounds of the war, or, rather, of its before combatted; instead of endeavours continuance.---By looking back into the to guard them against disappointment from last REGISTER, the reader will see, what their sanguine expectations and almost in-was, a few days ago, the language of the solent predictions, I now find it necessary Times newspaper, which paper, let it be to endeavour to convince them, that we observed, has, all along, been the great may now make peace with America, with- trumpet of the war.-- -Now I have beout the loss of any thing necessary to the fore me another article from that paper, real honour and the happiness of the peo-pretending to be written from Paris, under ple of England.It is wondrous strange, the date of the 22d of October. I say, that those writers, who, only a few days pretending; but it is no matter whence it back, would not hear of any thing but our came. The object in the publication of it valour and the cowardice of the Americans; is the same.I beg the reader to go who anticipated nothing short of the de-over it very attentively. It is of great posing of Mr. Madison in a few months; importance, because the reader may be who were only in doubt about what sort of assured, that it is intended to convey the Government our Ministry might intend to sentiments of the war-party in England, establish in the United States; and who which, I am sorry to say, is composed of hectored in a style far surpassing that of almost the whole nation." The news Bobadil. It is wondrous strange, that" received of our disasters by sea and land · these same writers are now insisting on the" on the side of Canada, has produced at necessity of continuing the war, not for" Paris a very deep impression. It is not the sake of our gaining by it; not for the" at Court, or amongst the King's friends, sake of an extension of dominion; not for" that there appears any rejoicing at the the purpose of 66 chastising the Ameri-" endless humiliations to which the British cans;" not for the purpose of giving the" Navy has been fated in this extraordi"Yankees a drubbing," not even for the "nary contest, with a people just entered purpose of obtaining an acknowledgment" the lists of maritime war, and having no of our right to ransack American ships," other title but their victories over us, to and impress men from on board them on" be considered as a formidable naval the bigh seas; but for the purpose of *** power. But it is not in the nature of WHAT, think you? Why, for the pur things that all the enemies of England, pose OF SAVING OURSELVES, OUR" that is to say, nineteen-twentieths of the NAVAL FAME, OUR WEIGHT AND " French nation, should not exult in those INFLUENCE IN THE WORLD," misfortunes by which they hold us to be FROM UTTER DESTRUCTION!" not only injured, but disgraced. At the This is, indeed, a change not less striking" Palais Royal, accordingly, the intellithan the new language is humiliating to gence was soon spread amongst the our country. The former objects of the " groups of politicians and other idlers, war are now all lost sight of. It is now a "and in every group, and at each recital, war, not for gain or for fume; but, 26- "met with repeated cheera. In every

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