and bringing her to this place. The extent of the injury she has received cannot yet be assertained, but it is feared she will require considerable repairs, as she makes about 9 feet water an hour. Our sick have not yet joined us, but are comfortably situated at Camden, under charge of the purser and sergeon's mate. Very respectfully, your obedient servant. C. MORRIS. Hon. Sec'ry of the Navy, Washington. U. S. S. Adams, HAMPDEN, Aug. 22, 1814. times proved correct within ten miles during our preceding and present cruise, was 66, 54, the wind was fresh from S. S. W. and the sea smooth. In the afternoon two vessels were. discovered in chase, but at such a distance that we could not ascertain the force. The several days, and the thermometer indicating the vicinity of ice very frequently, we stood to the southward and eastward until we were clear of it. June 24th, in latitude 46, captured and destroyed the British brig Hunter, of 10 guns and 20 men, with a cargo of fish, from Newfoundland to Corunna. June 28th, in latitude 48, captured and destroyed the British brig Mary, from France for Newfoundland, with salt. On the 3d July made the Blasquit islands, on the west coast of Ireland. On the 4th, chased two vessels into the mouth of the Shannon, but the wind being strong from the westward, and a heavy sea, we were obliged to haul out of the bay; stood to the northward, and cruised off Broadhaven till the 9th, SIR-On the 16th at noon our latitude by but the weather was so thick, that we saw D R. and two double altitude was 42, 20, and not a single vessel; we then returned to the the long, determined by morning and evening southward and eastward. In latitude 49, lon-observation of a chronometer, which had four gitude 10, while in chase of a large merchant ship, discovered a frigate under our lee bow, from which we were obliged to tack; she continued in chase of us through the day, and by her superior sailing had closed nearly within gun shot by sunset. At 8 P. M. cut away our anchors, and hove two boat guns over-weather became very foggy at night and the board, It falling calm during the night, got wind remaining fresh from the same quarter, our boats ahead to tow; by day light we had I determined to push for some part of Massaleft the frigate five mile astern. The chase chusetts Bay near Portsmouth, and steered the was, however, continued till 10 o'clock the proper course for that purpose-deemed it next night, when by altering our course, we extremely probable we should meet some of lost sight of her. Returning again to the the enemy's vessels during the night, our prisouthward on the morning of the 19th, in la- soners were confined in the hold, and our crew. titude 49, 40, discovered a frigate under our remained at quarters. We sailed from ten to lee bow; tacked and made sail from her. eleven knots an hour till 2 A. M. when, as I exTwo hours after, discovered another ship of pected to be, we were in 72 fathoms water. war on our weather beam in chase of us, by |Our estimated distance from Cape Ann sixty. noon we had lost sight of the first in the haze, miles. At 4 A. M. while in the act of preparthe other continued the chase at about fouring for sounding again, the look-outs forward miles distance; till the evening of the 20th, announced breakers ahead, and in a moment when in latitude 56, we lost sight of her by after the ship struck upon a rock going ten changing our course. Although every pos- and a half knots. Believing it imposible she sible precaution had been taken to guard could bear such a shock, the prisoners were against the scurvy, we had nothing sufficient-first released from their confinement below, ly powerful to counteract the effect of continued wet, foggy and cold weather, which had prevailed for 50 days, so many of the men were now afflicted with it, and their numbers so rapidly increasing, as to render our imme- On sounding the pumps no unusual quantidiate return to port indispensible; every di-ty of water was at first discovered, and all ligence was accordingly used in getting to the sails were laid aback, in hope of forcing the westward, keeping in the Newfoundland trade. ship off. It was however discovered in a few July 28th, captured and destroyed British minutes she was leaking so fast that it was schooner Favourite, with salt, for Newfound- deemed proper to remain on the rock until land. August 7th, captured the British ship day-light. We accordingly furled the light Paris, from Quebec to London, with a cargo sails, and clewed up courses and topsails. of lumber and a few skins, took out a part of Day soon enabled us to distinguish objects the skins and destroyed her. On the 16th through the fog at 2 or 300 yards distance, August, captured and destroyed the English and to ascertain the hopelessness of saving the schooner Maria, with a cargo of lumber, from ship. Her cutwater was entirely destroyed St. Andrews, New-Brunswick, bound to New- below the 9 feet mark; the depth of water foundland, At four P. M. on the 17th Au-under her fore foot between 5 and 6 feet, fargust, the weather being very thick and fog- ward of the starboard main chains 12 feet, gy, the ship ran on shore upon the Isle of astern 7 fathoms, into which the ship, from Haut, but after landing the sick, prisoners, the situation of her bows was depressed beand a few stores, we succeded in getting her off low her stern ports. The wind fresh and a that they might have a chance to save their lives in common with ourselves upon the rocky shore, which was now visible about 30 yards distant. mamber of rocks just to leeward-a considerable surf. panions. Many of the islands in the vicinity were uninhabited-we were ignorant on which they were, and they were probably exposed to all the inclemencies of the weather, while suffering the pain of that dreadful disease the scurvy. I soon fell in with two fishing boats, both of which I dispatched in search of them, and then used every possible diligence to get into Penobscot bay, which we fortunately effected during the night; and I had the happiness to hear the next morning that our sick companions had all been safely conveyed to Camden with the exception of one who had expired. My first intention was to have stopped at Castine, but was induc ter calculated for a vessel in our situation. The extent of the injury which she has received cannot yet be known. Our pumps are continually in motion. I have procured a light ship, and shall take every thing out of her, and then lay her on shore, as the only means of ascertaining her damages at this place. I cannot conclude this communication without recommending in the strongest terms the uncommon good conduct of the officers, seamen and marines of this ship on this occasion. Never were my orders executed with more promptitude or less confusion. Their coolness during the time the ship was upon and among the rocks, could only be surpassed by their cheerful endurance of unremitted and the most fatigueing labour since. Nothing but the former could have rescued her from her perulous situation, and but for the latter she would have been rescued in vain. Very respectfully, I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, C. MORRIS. Hon. WM. JONES, Secretary of the Navy. From the small portion of land that was visible, it was generally believed to be the Nubble of Cape Neddock, not far from Portsmouth. Hoisted out our boats, sent the small ones to seek a place where a landing might be most safely effected. In the mean time engaged getting our sick into the larger boats, with their bedding, clothes and provisions, ready for landing. The boats soon returned, having fortunately discovered a small chasm in the rock capable of admitting a boat, and a ravine connected with it, in which the sick might be sheltered in some degree from the wheather. Having secured the safe-ed to proceed to this place, as one much betty of the sick, it was determined from motives of humanity, to send the prisoners next, with every thing belonging to them, and with sails, tarpaulins and medicines for the further comfort of the sick. A surgeons mate was also sent, and the charge of the whole committed to the purser, Mr. Rodgers. Knowing it to be nearly low water when the ship struck, I determined to make every effort with the remaining portion of our crew, to get her off when the tide should rise, though with little hope that she could be kept long above water, as we had ascertained the leak to be about 9 feet an hour. Our only kedge had been early laid out on our weather quarter to keep her as nearly in the same position as possible and our only heavy anchor was now let go from the waist to prevent her swinging into very deep water should she go off, and to keep her from the rocks and reefs to leeward, should she float. At 10 A. M. it became evident that the tide would light her off; furled the topsails and light squaresails; carried the kedge out from the bow two cables lengths off shore, and continued to send such articles out of the ship as we could most conveniently spare in case of floating. After some heavy strains, half past 10 the surf lifted her off, and she swung to her anchor. Manned all the pumps and found we could gain upon her. The flood tide being nearly done, it was necessary to get under way instantly to reap the advantages of its weather current, the rocks astern and to leeward not being half the ships length distant. Hove up, canted her off shore with the kedge and head sails, set the courses and all her fore and aft sails, and fortunately passed from 10 to 50 yards to windward of the rocks and reefs which extended about 3-4 of a mile from the land. FROM THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER. Copy of a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Croghan to Brigadier General M'Arthur, commanding the 8th military district, dated DETROIT, August 23, 1814. DEAR SIR-I communicated in my report of the 11th inst. my intention of continuing on Lake Huron with the three companies, for the purpose of breaking up any depots which the enemy might have on the east side of the lake. We were fortunate in learning that the only line of communication from New-York to Mackinaw, &c. was by the way of Lake Simcoe and Nautauwagasa River, which empties By the utmost exertions we kept the ship into Lake Huron about one hundred miles S free, and by four o'clock got her under topsails E. of Cabot's Head. To that river, therefore, and clear from the land. All hands were em- our course was directed, in hopes of finding ployed at the pumps and sails during the the enemy's schooner Nancy, which was night, in the hope of being able to reach thought to be in that quarter. On the 13th. Portland the next day-At day light the wea-instant the fleet anchored off the mouth of that ther was clear, and you may judge our sur-river, and my troops were quickly disembarkprise at discovering ourselves near the island ed, on the peninsula, formed between the ri-. of Mount Desarted. This discovery excited ver and lake, for the purpose of fixing a camp. the greatest anxiety for the fate of our com- On reconnoitring the position thus taken, it was discovered that the schooner Nancy was drawn up in the river, a few hundred yards above us, under cover of a block house, erected on a commanding situation on the opposite shore. Having landed with nothing larger than four pounders, and it being now too late in the evening to establish a battery of heavy guns, I determined on remaining silent, until I could open with effect. induced a delay of five or six days in the sailing of the fleet. In the early part of July, I expected the fleet would be made ready for sailing by the 10th or 15th; but many of the mechanics were taken sick, and amongst them the blockmakers and blacksmiths, so that the Mohawk could not be furnished with blocks and iron work for her gun and spardecks before the 24th or 25th ult. when she was reported ready by Captain Jones. As considerable anxiety had been manifested by the public to have the fleet on the lake, I should have asked Captain Jones to take charge of it and go out, but I was then recovering my health, and was On the following morning a fire for a few minutes was kept up by the shipping upon the block house, but with little effect, as the direction towards it only could be given, a thin wood intervening to obscure the view. About 12 o'clock two howitzers, an 18 1-2 and 5 1-2 confident I should be able in three or four inch, being placed within a few hundred yards days to go on board myself, There was an of the block house, commenced a fire which additional reason for submitting to this delay lasted but a few minutes, when the house in the difficulty I found in making the changes blew up; at the same time communicated of commanders, neither of them being willing the fire to the Nancy, which was quickly so to be seperated from his officers and men, and enveloped in flames, as to render any attempts a change of crews though the fleet being inadwhich might be made to save her unavailing. missible. My first impression on seeing the explosion, In the afternoon of the 31st July I was tawas, that the enemy, after having spiked his ken on board, but it was calm, and I did not gins, had set fire to the magazine himself; but sail before the next morning. To satisfy at upon examination it was found to have been once whatever expectations the public had occasioned by the bursting of one of our been led to entertain of the sufficiency of this shells, which firing some combustible matter squadron to take and maintain the ascendannear the magazine, gave the enemy but bare-cy on this fake, and at the same time to exly time to escape before the explosion took place. The commodore secured and brought off the guns which were mounted within the block-house (two twenty-four pound carronades and one long six pounder, (together with some round shot, grape and cannister. The enemy will feel sensibly the loss of the Nancy, her cargo consisting (at the time of her being on fire) of several hundred barrrels of provisions, intended as a six months supply for the garrison at Mackinac. pose the futility of promises, the fulfilment of which had been rested on our appearance at the head of the lake, I got under way in the morning of the 1st inst. and steered for the mouth of the Niagara, Owing to light winds, I did not arrive of there before the 5th. There we intercepted one of the enemy's brigs running over from York to Niagara with troops, and run her on shore about six miles to the westward of Fort George. I ordered the Sylph in, to anchor as near to the enemy as Having executed (so far as my force could she could with safety, and to destroy her. effect) the orders of the 2d of June, given Captain Elliot ran, in a very gallant manner, ne by the secretary of war, I left Nautau-to within from 300 to 500 yards of her, and wasaga on the 15th, and arrived on the 21st at the mouth of the river St. Clair with my whole force, except a few soldiers of the 17th infantry, who were left as marines on board two small vessels, which still continue to cruise on that lake. I am, most respectfully, sir, your most obedient humble servant, GEORGE CROGHAN, Lieut. Col. 2d Rifle Regt. Brig. Gen. D. McArthur, commanding 8th military district. Copy of a letter from commodore Chauncey to was about anchoring when the enemy set fire to her and she soon after blew up. This vessel was a schr. the last year, and called the Beresford--since they altered her to a brig, they changed her name, and I have not been able, to ascertain it. She mounted 14 guns, twelve 24 pound carronades, and two long nine pounders. Finding the enemy had two other brigs and a schooner in the Niagara river, I determined to leave a force to watch them, and selected the Jefferson, Sylph and Oneida for that pur- ́ pose, and placed the whole under the orders of Capt. Ridgely. Having looked into York without discovering any vessel of the enemy, I left Niagara with the remainder of the squadron on the evening of the 7th, and arrived here the 9th. We found one of the enemy's ships in the offing, and chased her into Kingston. My anxiety to return to this end of the lake was increased by the knowlekge I had of the weakness of Sackett's Harbour, and the ap- succeeded in satisfying the expectations of the prehension that the enemy might receive a public, but it would be infinitely more painlarge reinforcement at Kingston, and embark-ful, could I find any want of zeal or exertion ing some of the troops on hoard his fleet, in my endeavours to serve them, to which I make a dash at the harbour and burn it with could in any degree impute their disappointall my stores during our absence. When I ment. left the harbour there were but about 700 regular troops fit for duty. It is true, a few militia had been called in, but little could be expected of them should an attack be made. My apprehension, it seems, was groundless, the enemy having contented himself with annoying in some trifling degree the coasters between Oswego and the harbour in his boats. I have the honour to be, sir, with the utmost respect, your most obedient and very humble servant, ISAAC CHAUNCEY. Hon. WM. JONES, Copy From the National Intelligencer. of a letter from Vice Admiral Cochrane to Mr. Monroe. His Britannic Majesty's ship, the Ton- SIR-Having been called upon by the go I cannot forbear expressing the regret I feel that so much sensation has been excited in the public mind, because this squadron did not sail so soon as the wise heads that conduct our newspapers have presumed to think I ought. I need not suggest to one of your experience, that a man of war may ap-vernor general of the Canadas to aid him in pear to the eye of a landsmau perfectly rea-carrying into effect measures of retaliation dy for sea, when she is deficient in many of the most essential points of her armament, for the wanton destruction committed by their against the inhabitants of the United States, nor how unworthy I should have proved myself of the high trust reposed in me, had 1 army in Upper Canada, it has become impeventured to sea in the face of an enemy of riously my duty, conformable to the nature of equal force, without being ready to meet him the naval force under my command, an order the governor general's application, to issue to in one hour after my anchor was weighed. tricts upon the coast, as may be found asto destroy and lay waste such towns and dis It ought in justice to be recollected that the building and equipment of vessels on the atlantic are unattended by any of the great difficulties which we have to encounter on this lake; there every department abounds with facilities. A commander makes a requisition, and articles of every description are furnished in 12 hours; but this fleet has been built and fitted in the wilderness, where there are no agents and chandlers' shops, and founderies, &c. to supply our wants, but every thing is to be created; and yet I shall not decline a comparison of what has been doue here with any thing done on the atlantic, in the building or equipment of vessels. The Guerriere, for instance, has been building and fitting upwards of 12 months in the city of Philadelphia, and is not yet ready. The President frigate went into the navy-yard at New-York for some partial repairs, a few days after the keel of the Superior was laid; since then two frigates of a large class, and two sloops of the largest class, have been built and fitted here, and have sailed before the Fresident is ready for sea, although every article of their armament and rigging has been transported from New-York in despite of obstacles almost insurmountable. I will go farther, sir, for it is due to the unremitted and unsurpassed exertions of those who have served the public under my command, and will challenge the world to produce a parallel instance, in which the same number of vessels of such dimensions have been built and fitted in the same time by the same number of rkmen. I confess that I am mortified in not having sailable. terminated, without my being obliged to reI had hoped that this contest would have sort to severities which are contrary to the with extreme reluctance and concern that I usage of civilized warfare, and as it has been have found myself compelled to adopt this sysed if the conduct of the exccutive of the Unitem of devastation, I shall be equally gratifited States will authorise my staying such proceedings, by making reparation to the sufferiug 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 go vernment. 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 II. B. Majesty's ships and vessels upon the North American station. The Hon. James Monroe, Secretary of State, &c. &c. &c. Washington. Copy of a letter from Mr. Monroe to Sir Alexander Cochrane, Vice Admiral, &c. &c. Department of State, Sep. 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 an 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. to the early outrages above enumerated, was not executed on that principle. The village of Newark adjoining 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 authorised by the government, and the conduct of the officer subjected to military tribunal. For the burning at St. Davids, committed by stragglers, theofficer 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 principles which it has ever held sacred, to disavow, as justly chargeable to it, any such wanton, cruel and unjustifiable warfare. Whatever unauthorised irregularity may have been committed by any of its troops, it would have been ready, acting on these principles of sacred and eternal obligation, to disavow, and as far as might be prac ticable, to repair. But in the plan of deso lating warfare which your letter so explicitly makes known, and which is attempted to be excused on a plea so utterly groundless, the president perceives a spirit of deep rooted hostility, which without the evidence of such facts, he could not have believed existed, or would have been carried to such an extremity. 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 against 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 humane 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 carried the same conviction to other nations that it has to the people of these states. Without dwelling ou 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 has 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, For the reparation of injuries, of whatever scenes of invasion and pillage, carried on under the same authority, were witnessed all nature they may be, not sanctioned by the along the waters of the Chesapeake, to an ex-law of nations, which the military or naval tent inflicting the most serious private dis- force of either power may have committed tress, 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 Should your government adhere to a system is another act which comes necessarily into of desolation, so contrary to the views and view. In the wars of modern Europe, no ex-practice of the United States, so revolting to amples of the kind, even among nations the humanity, repugnant to the sentiment and most hostile to each other, can be traced. In usages of the civilized world, whilst it will be the course of ten years past, the capitals of seen with the deepest regret, it must and will the principal powers of the continent of be met with a determination and constancy Europe have been conquered, and occupied becoming a free people, contending in a just alternately by the victorious armies of each cause for their essential rights, and their dearother, and no instance of such wanton and un-est interests. We justifiable destruction has been seen. 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 against the other, this government will always be ready to enter into reciprocal arrangements. It is presumed that your government will neither expect nor propose any which are not reciprocal. I have the honour to be, with great consideration, sir, your most obedient humble servant, JAS. MONROE. (Signed) Vice Ad. Sir Alex. Cochrane, Commander in Chief of H. B. Majesty's ships and vessels, &c. |