defend the post, had, however, been so well proved, we presume it was the known unbearable state of the ice, and not any special orders from Quebec, that restrained major-general Rial from attempting to carry into effect so desirable an object.

66

Having now brought to a close the campaign of 1813, against the British provinces; we will borrow an American editor's remarks upon the subject. Though," says Mr. Thomson, "the American arms had attained a high degree of reputation, no one advantage was obtained, to atone for the blood and treasure which had already been exhausted. The capital of Upper Canada had been taken. It was scarcely captured, before it was abandoned. The bulwark of the province, Fort-George, had been gallantly carried; but an inferior force was suffered to escape, after being beaten; and the conquerors were soon after confined to the works of the garrison, and closely invested upwards of six months. The long contemplated attack upon Montreal was frustrated: Kingston still remained a safe and advantageous harbor, in the hands of the enemy; and a fortress,* which might have been long, and obstinately, and effectually defended, was yielded, with scarcely a struggle, and under circumstances mysterious in the extreme, to the retaliating invaders of the Fort-Niagara.

CHAPTER XII.

Operations in Chesapeak Bay-Arrival of rearadmiral Cockburn-Preparations for attacking the United States' frigate Constellation in James's River-Her retreat to a safer position-Wanton firing from the shore upon the British boatsDeath of two men in consequence- Arrival of admiral Warren-Gallant affair at the mouth of the Rappahannock-Rear-admiral Cockburn's detached command to the head of the bay-Advance upon French-town-Heavy fire upon the boats from a battery-Landing of the BritishFlight of the American militia-Destruction of cannon, public stores, and vessels-Admiral Cockburn's system of operations-American misrepresentations corrected-Purchase of stock at Turkey Point and Specucie Island-Display of colours, and firing of cannon, at Havre de Grace-Attack upon this place-Its short but spirited resistance -Disrespect shown to a flag of truce-Consequent proceedings by the British-Destruction of a valuable cannon-foundry-Gross mis-statement of the American editors—Ridiculous behaviour of a prisoner named O'Neil, and ludicrous threat in case of his detention-Adrance upon George-town and Frederick-town Previous warning to the inhabitants-Their violent pro

ceedings, and destructive fire upon the British -Destruction of houses in consequence-Visit of the British to another town-Civil deportment of the inhabitants, and its salutary effectsRemarks on the American militia-system-Impositions of the American farmers-Capture of the United States' schooner Surveyor-Noble conduct of lieutenant Cririe of the Narcissus— Arrival of troops in the Chesapeake -Affair between H.M.S. Junon and 15 American gunboats-Open preparations for attacking Craney Island-Correspondent preparations on the part of the Americans-Landing of a division of British at Pig-Point-Advance of another division towards Craney Island-Unexpected grounding of the boats close under the American battery-Impossibility to reach the shoreDestructive fire upon the boats, as well as upon the struggling crews in the water-Remarks upon the attempt to capture Craney IslandAttack upon, and capture of Hampton-Excesses committed there by a part of the British force-American strictures on the occasionDeparture from the coast of the corps that committed the excesses-Landing of the British at Ocracoke and Portsmouth, and capture of two fine letters of marque-American mis-statements corrected.

A THREATENING attitude upon the Atlantic frontier of the United States, in the neighbour.

hood of the capital especially, being considered likely to weaken the efforts of the American government, now so openly and earnestly directed against our Canadian possessions, rearadmiral Cockburn, in the Marlborough 74, with some frigates and smaller vessels, entered the Chesapeake bay on the 4th of March, 1813.

The United States' frigate Constellation, lying in James's river, near Norfolk, became the first object of attack; but the preparatory movements of the British squadron drove her to a safe position, higher up the river. The rear-admiral afterwards advanced up the bay, sounding and reconnoitring. During the passage of the boats along the shore, in the execution of this service, the Americans frequently fired at them, and, in one instance, killed two men, besides wounding several others; although not a musket had been, on any occasion, discharged from the boats.

About the end of March, admiral Warren, from Bermuda, bringing with him the San Domingo 74, and some other ships, arrived in the Chesapeake. In his way up the bay, the admiral detached a force to attack four armed schooners, lying at the mouth of the Rappahannock river. The breeze failing, the capture of the whole four was effected by five British boats, under the orders of lieutenant (now captain) James Polkinghorne, of the St. Domingo,*

*For the full particulars of this gallant exploit, see James's Naval Occurrences, p. 367.

In a week or two after a junction had been formed between admiral Warren and rearadmiral Cockburn, the latter was directed, with a squadron of small vessels, including two of the captured schooners, to penetrate the rivers at the head of the bay, and endeavour to cut off the enemy's supplies; as well as to destroy his foundries, stores, and public works; particularly a depôt of flour, military and other stores, ascertained, by the information of some Americans, to be at a place called French-town, situate at a considerable distance up the river Elk. Accordingly, the rear-admiral, with H.M. brigs Fantome and Mohawk, and the Dolphin, Racer, and Highflyer, tenders, on the evening of the 28th of April, moved towards the river. Having moored the brigs and schooners as far within the entrance as could be effected after dark, the rear-admiral took with him, in the boats of his little squadron, 150 marines, under captains Wybourn and Carter, and five artillery-men, under lieutenant Robertson, of that corps, and proceeded to proceeded to execute his orders.

The boats, owing to ignorance of the way, having entered the Bohemia instead of keeping in the Elk river, did not reach the destined place till late on the following morning. This delay enabled the inhabitants of French-town to * App. No. 8.