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American Niagara frontier. In the course of the summer of 1813, the American army possessed every position between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, on both sides of the Niagara. In the winter of the same year, after having gradually lost their possessions on the British side of that stream, they were deprived of their possessions on their own."* If we may be allowed to leave out "gallantly"; to substitute "without any" for "with scarcely a"; and to bestow a smile upon the " high degree of reputation which the American arms had attained," we see no objection to Mr. Thomson's recapitulatory observations.

The circumstances that caused the surprising changes which he so naturally deplores, seem to have escaped his notice. "Had the long contemplated attack upon Montreal" not been attempted, a comparatively large regular army of the United States could still have occupied the peninsula of Upper Canada; and a M'Clure not been wanted, to prove himself the willing tool of Mr. Secretary Armstrong's atrocious purposes. Had not Newark been set on fire, remorse would not have made cowards of McClure and his myrmidons; nor would a just indignation have stimulated a small band of British to pursue and punish those guilty wretches; many of whose dwellings happily shared the fate of the

* Sketches of the War, p. 193.

town which they had destroyed. Yet-mark the difference. The destruction along the American frontier was the work of an assaulting foe, glowing with wrath at the commission of injuries, unauthorized by the laws of war. It was an event which the inhabitants themselves had, for the last eight days, been expecting; an event, therefore, which they, by removing their property, and, in many instances, themselves, from the spot, did but partially feel. The burning of Newark, on the other hand, was the deliberate act of an enemy, who had been six months in quiet possession of the country; and who had received no provocation whatever from the inhabitants," the innocent, unfortunate, and distressed inhabitants," as M'Clure himself had styled them; and that too in the very proclamation, wherein he pledged himself to protect them. Warning the poor people had none; unless half an hour or so may be called by that name: nor even day-light, to enable them to see to collect their little cloaths and property, and to seek another habitation, in the room of that they had for ever lost. Poor Mrs. Dickson, too!Who, then, will deny that the wanton conflagration of Newark still remains unatoned for?

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-admirat 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-Advance upon George-town and Frederick-town Previous warning to the inhabitants-Their violent

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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 effects Remarks on the American militia-systemIm positions of the American farmers Capture of the United States' schooner Surveyor-Noble conduct of lieutenant Cririe of the NarcissusArrival of troops in the Chesapeake Affuir 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 shore. Destructive 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 occasion Departure 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.

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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.

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