539] [540 Royal Marines-Captain John Robyns severely. I of the weather, and the very wretched state Total British loss --J General Staff, I Subaltern, of the roads, evinces, in the strongest man2 Serjeants, S5 rank and file, killed ; 7 Cap-ner, the judicious arrangements of the tains, 4 Subalterns, 11 Serjeants, and 229 Quarter-Master-General and Commissary rank and file wounded. BRITISH OFFICIAL ACCOUNT OF THE LATE AT PLATTSBURG. Head-quarters, Odell Towa, Sept. 13. GENERAL ORDER. General, as well as the unwearied atten- “QUEBEC, SEPT. 19.-I am sorry to inform you that the Americans have either taken or destroyed our flotilla on Lake Champlain with great loss on our side, the whole crew of one of our largest ships ha "The Commander of the Forces has to thank the left division for the steady dis-look the alacrity and intelligence of the cipline, unwearied exertions, and gallantry junior Officers of the Royal Engineers, which have conspicuously marked its short who are thereby entitled to his acservice in the territory of the enemy, so knowledgments. His Excellency feels it. unfortunately arrested in its course by the a just tribute due to the Canadian Voltidisastrous fate of the flotilla, that had ad- geurs and Chasseurs, publicly to notice the vanced to co-operate in the ulterior object report of Major-General Brisbane, that the of the campaign. The intrepid valour conduct of those Corps, in their peculiar with which Captain Downie led his flotilla duties of light troops, has on every occasion E. BAYNES, Adj.-Gen. N. A. into action, encouraged the most sanguine been conspicuously judicious and gallant. PRIVATE LETTERS. hope of complete success, which was carly (Signed) blasted by the fall of that gallant Officer, "MONTREAL, SEPT. 6.——Our Fleet combined with accidents, to which naval warfare are peculiarly exposed, in conse- sailed yesterday down Lake Champlain, quence of the rudder of his Majesty's ship with the view of co-operating with Sir Confiance being disabled, and the brig George Prevost's army, which was on its Linnet grounding early in the action; thus march to take possession of the country leaving those ill-fated vessels almost with-proposed to be permanently included in the out resource, exposed to the whole force of new line. the enemy. All that undaunted devotion to the service could effect, was evinced on this unfortunate occasion. The Officer in command of the division of gun-boats, acted with judgment, in securing those vessels to the service, when his further cf-ving been killed or wounded, but five; she forts in action had become unavailing. The high spirit and conduct displayed by his Majesty's troops in surmounting every obstacle to the occupation of Plattsburg, and in afterwards forcing the passage of the Saranac, leaves no doubt in the mind of the Commander of the Forces, that the most complete and brilliant success would have crowned their ulterior operations, had not the existing circumstance imperiously imposed upon him the necessity of restraining their ardour, as, without naval cooperation, the further prosecution of the service would have been highly inexpedient. The Commander of the Forces avails himself of this opportunity to acknowledge the high sense he entertains of the cordial support he received from Major-General De Rottenburg, and the Major-Generals commanding brigades. The orderly march, made by the left division in re-occupying the position it had advanced from on the 4th inst. notwithstanding the inclemency had got aground under the enemy's batterics, and would not strike. Only two gunboats are said to have escaped. Sir George, who was supposed to be marching for Sacket's Harbour, has retreated from Plattsburg to the lines, and I suppose will be obliged to return to Montreal.? ROYAL GAZETTE OFFICE, ILALIFAX, SEPT. 24. A PROCLAMATION. "By Lieutenant-General Sir John Coape Sherbrooke, Knight of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Lieutenant-Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over his Majesty's Province of Nova Scotia, commanding a Division of his Britannic Majesty's Forces: and by Edward Griffith, Esq. Rear Admiral of the White, commanding a squadron of his Majesty's Ships of War, employed in taking possession of the Eastern Side of Penobscot River, and all the Country Wing between the same River, and the Boundary Live of the Province of New Brunswick, &c. &c. &c. Whereas we have taken formal posses sion, for his Majesty, of all the eastern side of the Penobscot River, and all the country lying between the same river and the boun dary line of the Province of New Bruns- publication hereof, and to take an oath to wick, including Long Island, and all the behave peaceably and quietly, and, while inother islands near and contiguous to the habiting and residing within that country, shores thereof. And whereas it is expedientuot to carry arms, or in any respect act and necessary, that a Provisional Goveta-hostilely towards his Majesty, or any of his Trent be established in that country until his subjects. And such inhabilaats, afer takMajesty's pleasure shall be known, Weing such oath, shall be protected in their do therefore Order and Command, for the pre-persons and properties until his Majesty's sent, and until further orders to the contrary, pleasure shall be known; nothing, however, all Judges, Justices of the Peace, and other herein contained is to extend to any proOfficers duly commissioned and appointed toperty seized and taken as prize previous to keep the peace, and administer justice, and the publication hereof, or to the security of who were acting under the authority of the the persons or property of those who refuse former Government within that country, to take the oath before mentioned. "And all and every person or persons still to continue in authority until his Majesty's pleasure shall be further known, and not being an inhabitant or inhabitants of to administer justice, and to preserve peace that country, at the time it was taken and good order within the same country, possession of by his Majesty's forces, and every part thereof, agreeably to the whether such person be a ritish sublaws, usages, and customs, in force at theject or otherwise, who shall be found time we took possession of that country subject, however, to such future orders and alterations as may be expedient. : sojourning in that country, within the said limits, or passing or repassing within the same, without a proper pass, and licence granted, either by the Governor in Chief of British North America, or by the Admiral Commanding in Chief his Majesty's ships on the coast of North America, or by the Lieutenant-Governors, or Commanders in Chief for the time being, of the Provinces of Nova Scotia, or New Brunswick, or by the Admiral Commanding for the time being at Halifax, or from the said Gerard Gosselin, or Commanding within the said country, shall whoever may succeed him as Senior Officer "And we have appointed Gerard Gosselin, Esq. Major-General in his Majesty's service, or whoever may succeed to the military command in case of his death, or departure, to command and govern that country, until his Majesty's pleasure shall be further known, or until the Commander-in-Chief of his Majesty's forces in North America shall make other order to the contrary. And we strictly enjoin and command all persons of every description, dwelling and residing within the limits of the before de-be immediately apprehended and brought scribed country, to pay obedience to this to trial before a Court Martial, and punishProclamation, and to the said Gerarded as for a breach of orders, according to Gosselin, or to the Senior Officer command-military law; and full power and authority ing that country for the time being, and to conduct themselves peaceably and quietly. "And if any person or persons, residing or inhabiting within the country before described, shall hereafter be found in arms against his Majesty, or aiding or assisting his Majesty's enemies in any other shape, either by conveying intelligence, or otherwise, such person or persons shall be immediately brought before a Court Martial, and on con viction, shall be punished agreeably to Military Law. And all collectors and receivers of the public revenue of that country are enjoined and commanded immediately to render to the proper officer of his Majesty's customs, appointed for that purpose at Castine, a true and exact account of all and every sum or sums of public money in their hands at the time possession was taken of that country for his Majesty, and to pay is hereby granted to the said Gerard Gossclin, or whoever may hereafter be Commander in that country, until his Majesty's plea sure be known, to compel any person or persons who may hereafter he guilty of any ho tile, disorderly, or disobedient conduct, or who refuse to take the oath before directed, to be removed from that country, and, to punish such person or persons, who may return to the same, after such removal, according to military law, as for a breach of orders. And all persons inhabiting or residing within that country, being owner of owners of any ship or ships, vessel or vessels, and who shall have taken the oath of alle giance to his Majesty, shall be entitled to receive from the Officer of the Customs, appointed at Castine, a certificate, and coasting license, countersigned by the military Officer commanding in that country for the time being, which shall protect such ships or vessels respectively, in fishing or coasting from one harbour or river to the other within the limits of the country aforesaid and it shall be lawful for such vessels when furnished with coasting clearances, and pers “And all persons inhabiting within the mits from the proper officer of the Customs at Castine aforesaid, to carry, without mo said country and islands, are required to ap-lestation, from one harbour to another, pear before the proper oficers, appointed for What purpose, as speedily as possible after the within said district, the produce of that over the same to the said officer of the customs; and all such collectors and receivers are to account for and pay over in the satne manner, all monies by them collected or received since possession of that country was taken by us as aforesaid. country, or any goods, wares, or merchan- | inhabitants of the country taken possession dize, lawfully imported into Castine. Pro- of as aforesaid, that so long as they shall vided always that if any ship or vessel so li- conform to this proclamation, and behave censed for ushing or coasting, shall be found themselves peaceably and quietly. and shall at the distance of ten leagues from the shore | taka and subscribe either the oath of alleof said country, or to the southward, or giance to his Majesty, or the oath by this westward, of the eastern side of Monhegan Proclamation appointed, they shall be proIsland, or shall be found to the northward tected both in person and property, until his oc eastward of the line of the Province of Majesty's pleasure shall be known: and as New Brunswick, the licence of such vessel far as possible, shall have the laws which or vessels shall be null and void, and it shall were in force at the time we took possession he lawful to seize and make prize of such of that country, carried into execution by vessel or vessels, the same as if owned by the Judges, Magistrates, and Peace Officers, the enemy. And it shall and may be lawful, who were in authority at the time we took until his Majesty's pleasure shall be known, possession of the said country, subject howfor any British subject, or person inhabiting ever, to such alterations, and ordinances, as within the said country, who shall be ad- the Officer commanding for the time being mitted to the privilege of a British subject, may deem necessary and expedient, to enable to import, and bring from the United King him to support and maintain the power and dam of Great Britain and treland, or any of authority of his Majesty in and over that the colonies or plantations thereunto belong-country, and subject to the authority of that ing, into the port of Castine, and no other port or place within the said district, in British ships owned and navigated according to law, all goods, wares, and merchandise, which can be lawfully exported from Great Britain or Ireland, to the British colonies; and all goods, wares, and merchandise, which can be lawfully imported from one British colony to another, and to export in like minner, in British ships only, from the said port of Castine, any goods, wares, or merchand se, the produce of the said country,mation is to extend, or be construed to exor goods condemned as prize, and to carry the same to Great Britain or Ireland, or any of the British colonies. Provided always, that any British ship, entering, or attempt ing to eater, any other port, harbour, or pkice, within the limits of the said country, save the said port of Castine, shall be liable to be seized as prize, and condemned as a British ship trading with the enemy; and, provided also, that nothing herein conLined shall authorise British subjects, or persons trading to that country under the authority of this Proclamation, to take up a residence in said country, unless specially licensed for that purpose as aforesaid. summary and military course of proceeding which the defence of the country may render necessary, and which the Laws of War, amongst civilized nations, authorise.-And we hope that the peaceable demeanour and behaviour of the inhabitants under present circumstances, will be such as will enable the Officer commanding for the time being, to carry into effect, every measure necessary to promote their present security and happiness; but nothing contained in this procia tend, to the establishment of any form of Government, that shall exist longer than until his Majesty's pleasure shall be known, and subject to all such orders and regulations as the Prince Regent of the United Kingdom, acting in the name, and on the behalf of his Majesty, may think expedient to appoint and establish for the permanent Government of that country; until which period we promise to carry into effect this proclamation in every way that will best conduce to the safety and prosperity of the inhabitants of the country, provided they contribute by their peaceable demeanour to the measures necessary and expedient to be taken to hold "And all goods imported and exported possession of the country against his Mainto or from the said port of Castine, or jesty's enemies, to which object the Officer carried coastwise within the limits of the commanding in that country for the time said country, and all vessels trading to or being, is to employ his whole force, and any from the same, whether coastwise or other-opposition from the inhabitants of that wise, shall be subject to all the duties, rules, country to the measures necessary to accomorders and regulations, which the laws of plish that object, will render this Proclamatrade and navigation, and the British Acts tion null and void. of Parliament regulating the trade and fishores of the British colonies appoint: and which duties shall be collected, and laws of trade, rules, and regulations, executed after the same manner as at the Customhouse, in Halifax. in the province of Nova Scotia.And we do assure and promise the "Given under our Hands and Seals at Arms Printed and published by J. MORTON, 94, Strand. COBBETT'S WEEKLY POLITICAL REGISTER. VOL. XXVI. No. 18.] LONDON, SATURDAY, OCT. 29, 1814. [Price 1s. 545] [646 SUMMARY OF POLITICS. however, the dread of the power of Na-' poleon restrained many from a wish to see AMERICAN WAR. -I have, from the us embarked in a war for the conquest of first, expressed my apprehensions as to the America. But, he was scarcely subdued" end of this war. I used the utmost of my by the combined efforts of all Europe, than endeavours to prevent it. While shut up this whole nation called aloud for war, a in a prison, out of which, at the end of war of punishment, against the American two long years, I went with the paying of States.And, it was openly declared in a Thousand Pounds TO THE KING, for the most popular of our newspapers, that having had the indiscretion to write about we ought never to sheath the sword, 'till the Flogging of English Local Militia- we had subjugated the States, or, at least,' men, at the town of Ely, in England, and subverted their form of Government, The about the presence of Hanoverian troops pernicious example of the existence of a upon that occasion: while so shut up, the Republic, founded on a revolution, was greatest object of my efforts was to prevent openly declared to be inconsistent with the this ill-fated war, the seeds of which I saw safety of our Government. It was, besown, and the maturity of which I saw sides, distinctly alleged, that now, now, pushed on by those malignant and foul now, or never, was the time to prevent wretches, the writers of the Times and America from ever having a navy. The Courier newspapers. This was the way necessity of destroying her means of havin which I employed my days and years of ing a navy has since been repeatedly urged. imprisonment. My efforts were all in It has been stated, and re-stated, that our vain. In vain did I shew the falsehood naval power must soon come to an end, of the statements and the doctrines, on unless we now destroy this Republic roct which the war-whoopers proceeded; in vain and branch.The defeat and capture of did I appeal to the reason and justice, and our fleet, and the defeat of our army on even to the interest of a people, deluded and near Lake Champlain, (of which I into a sort of furor against America. At shall speak more particularly hereafter) last, the war took place, and the disgrace, have not at all softened the language of the which we suffered at sea completed the public prints. The Times newspaper, of madness of the nation, who seemed to have the 19th inst. calls it "a lamentable evil no other feeling than that of mortification to the CIVILIZED WORLD:" by and revenge. What should the people which appellation these writers always be suffered to live; should they be suf- mean KINGLY GOVERNMENTS. fered to exist in the world, who had de- The writer then adds: "Next to the an feated and captured a British frigate!" nihilation of the late military despotism Should those, who had caused the British" in Europe, the subversion of that sysflag to be hauled down, not be extermi-"tem of fraud and malignity, which connated! Disappointment; astonishment ; "stitutes the whole policy of the Jeffersofury! The nation was mad. "Rule"nian school, was an event to he devoutly Britannia," the constant call of the boast-"wished by every man in either hemiing rabble at places of public resort, was sphere, who regards rational liberty, or no longer called for with such eagerness, "the honourable intercourse of nations. and was heard with less rapture. The "It was an event, to which we should herocs in blue and buff carried their heads" have bent, and yet must bend all our Jess loftily. Their voices seemed to become" energics. The American Government more faint, and their port less majestic. "must be displaced, or it will, sooner or They seemed to feel, as men of honour" later, plant its poisoned dagger in the would, upon such an occasion. In short, "heart of the parent State." Socher or we all felt, that a new era had taken place later, you see! The gentleman looks into the naval annals of the world. Still, futurity. He does not pretend, that we 5471 should be contented with making the Ame-narrow escape in descending the Chesa ricans give up the point of dispute. He peake; but, plunder there was, and a does not even hint at any terms of peace. good deal of it; and there can be little He plainly says, that we must displace the doubt, that the success and profit of the Government of America; that is to say, enterprise will act as great encouragements change its form and nature; subjugate the to future undertakings of a similar description; the only danger being, that the country, re-colonize it, re-possess it. Now mind, the Opposition prints do not zeal of our Commanders may push them on -In an attempt find fault with this. They do not depre- faster, than a due regard to their safety cate such an object of the war. They might otherwise dictate.surpass even their adversaries in exulting against Baltimore we failed. That is to at the burnings and plunderings. They say, we met with a defeat. Not in the only find fault, that more mischief has not field; but that is nothing to the purpose. been done. Thus, then, we see what the We marched and sailed against the town I with all our forces, by sea and land, and nation regards as the object of the war. say the nation, because the Morning Chro- we were compelled to retreat without doing nicle, which is the organ of the Opposition, any thing against that town. The town is just as bitter against America as are the is safe; and, if the war end as this expe We may Times and the Courier. The truth is, that dition has ended, all the world will agree, the only opposition, as to the war, will that America has defeated us. arise out of our failures. The Opposition be sure of this; and, therefore, we must will only blame the Ministers for not hav- carry on the war, 'till we have subdued ing burnt more ships, plundered more America; or, we must make up our minds -There to the reputation of having been defeated towns, and done more mischief.is, indeed, a sort of dread of the length by that Republic. A pretty serious alterof the war. People are a little disap-native; but it is one which must and will pointed, that Mr. Madison is not yet de-exist, and of this we shall become more posed; that the States have not yet se- and more sensible every day, and particu parated; that our sons of noble families larly if we attend to what foreigners say The expedition of are not yet wanted to go out as Governors upon the subject.and Captains General to Pennsylvania, our troops and fleet against Passamaquoddy New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, &c. and the Penobscot is of a nature so trifling &c.; that it will require another campaign as hardly to be worthy of notice. That to bring the deluded Americans to their territory is no more important in America senses; that (and here is the pinch) the than the Isle of Sky is in Great Britain. Income Tax will be wanted another year, It is a conquest, and so would the Isle of Sky be by an American privateer. What and that another Loan must be made.a figure does this conquest make in the appears Gazette! What a grand affair it to be! But, did a thousandth part of the people of England ever HEAR of Passa maquoddy, or Penobscot, before? It is Baltimore, Charleston, Wilmington, Nor folk, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, that they have heard of. They have been led to believe, that the City of Washing ton is to America what London is to England, or what Paris is to France. Nothing can be more fallacious. There are, per haps, 200 towns in America, each of which is more populous and rich than Washington was, or than it was likely ever to be. But, Besides, we did not keep possession of Washington, as the Germans and Russians did of Paris. We did not remain there to erect a new Government, We only set fire to a few buildings and then retreated. If an American privateer were to set fire to a few fishing hats on the |