On the eleventh, early in the morning, the look-out boats of Commodore M'Donough, at last espied the approach of Captain Downie, in order of battle. His line consisted of the frigate Confiance, 39 guns: the brig Linnet, of 16 guns; the sloop Chub and Finch, 11 guns each; and thirteen gallies, five of which carried two, and the others one gun each. The American squadron consisted of the Saratoga, 26 guns; the Eagle, 20 guns; the Ticonderoga, 17 guns; the Preble, 7 guns, and ten gallies, six of which had two guns, the others one. It lay moored in line in the bay of Plattsburgh, having on each flank a division of gun boats. At ten o'clock Captain Downie ranged his ships directly abreast of the American line, within 300 yards; the Confiance opposed to the Saratoga, and the Linnet to the Eagle. Dreadful was the thundering battle which now ensued: havoc and death ruled the frightful fray. About ten the Eagle changed her position, for one conceived by her commander to be more favourable; but the Saratoga maintained her perilous position, opposed to a ship of vastly superior force; nearly all the guns of this vessel, upan whose success hung the fate of the battle, being dismounted, an effort was made to swing her round, that her other broadside might be brought to bear. Providenee favoured the attempt; the same experiment was tried by the Confiance, but without success; on perceiving this; she was compelled to strike. The vessel opposed to the Eagle had already struck, and drifted out of the line. Three of the gallies had gone to the bottom of the Lake, the others effected their escape, although heavy laden with disgrace. Thus after an action of two hours, a second British squadron was compelled to humble itself before the strength of American freedom and justice

This sublime naval combat, took place in the view of both armies; the hearts of all were filled with deep anxiety for the result. On beholding the consummation, the British were struck with horror and grief, while the Americans were elated beyond the expression of words. The Americans had one hundred and fifty-eight in killed and wounded. Of the enemy two hundred were killed and wounded, among the former Capt. Downie. The number of men engaged on the American side, was 820, on the British 1050; so that the number of prisoners alone, exceeded the number of the Americans. The Americans had eighty-four guns; the British ninety-five.

At the commencement of the engagement, the British bombs on shore, were opened on the American works, and together with rockets, continued to be thrown until night. In the midst of this, an attempt was made by the enemy, in three divisions, to pass the Saranac ; but they were completely defeated by the United States regular troops and militia. One of these at the ford above the village, was repelled by militia and volunteers, after a very hot engagement, and with great loss to the enemy. At dusk they withdrew their artillery, and at nine in the evening, having sent off all their baggage, they retired with the utmost precipitation. The next morning, Plattsburgh was found entirely evacuated. The defeatof these haughty invaders was complete; they left behind them all their sick and wounded, together with immense quantities of military stores, and camp equipage. They were immediately pursued, but having already had the start by many hours, none but stragglers could be overtaken. Numerous deserters, however, came over to the American side; in one body four hundred men preceded by music, came into head-quarters. The loss of

the enemy, in killed, wounded and missing, in this mighty expedition which was to have shaken the American republic to its centre, was upwards of three thousand, and almost equal to the American force.

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The signal repulse and defeat of the British, as might be expected, produced the utmost joy in the United States. All parties united in giving vent to their feelings for the glorious occurrence. The Prince Regent, deeply chagrined for the defeat of his squadron on Lake Erie, contrived a curious mode of soothing the mind of his faithful Britons, and of proving to the world the superior prowess of his majesty's ship. On a small piece of water in Hyde Park, called the Serpentine river, half as large as a millpond, he ordered two fleets to be constructed, and launched upon their destined element, one of which bore the red cross, the other the stripes of Columbia. Now came on the tug of war; the big guns roared; far flashed the red artillery; one by one, the Americans yield to the invincible Britannia, and some even went down to the bottom of the pool. Now rose the shouts of the victorious Englishmen, crouding around the pond of their glory, while the frogs returned the sound with responsive croakings. The city illuminations which took place on this astonishing event, were soon followed by the news of the surrender of the British squadron on Lake Champlain.

CHAPTER XVII.

DEFENCE OF NEW ORLEANS BRILLIANT TERMINATION OF THE WAR.

On the meeting of Congress, the President laid before them the checquered scenes of the past year. The brilliant victories on the Niagara frontier, where the enemy was repeatedly beaten in pitched battles; the distressing capture of Washington, and the barbarous circumstances attending; the signal repulse of the enemy from Baltimore, and the recent victory at Plattsburgh. Upon the whole, the campaign of this year, was calculated to awaken the finest feelings of national glory. He at the same time communicated the hopelessness of the negociation for a peace, as the enemy instead of coming to an arrangement had been continually procrastinating, and had at last when brought to the point, given their sine qua non, which was entirely inadmissible. The United States was required to surrender up a large portion of their territory, and to retire from those lakes which had witnessed their victories.

When this was communicated, a general sentiment of ndignation prevailed through the House. Party spirit had already in a great measure subsided, owing to the late conduct of Great Britain. Her conduct had been so glaringly and wantonly unjust, that no one could

stand up as her advocate. It was therefore unanimously agreed to unite in the most efficacious manner, for the defence of the country. The question as to the change of the seat of government was agitated, but determined that it should continue where it then was.

The thanks of Congress, together with medals and other rewards, were voted to the heroes of the last campaign on Niagara and at Plattsburgh; while the corporations of the different cities, and the legislatures of the states, were not behind in expressing their gratitude. The conduct of the British excited in Europe universal indignation; the shameful destruction of the monuments of the arts and learning, evinced a barbarity which could only be expected from savages.

Very soon after the meeting of Congress, news from the southward awakened the attention and the anxiety of all Americans. Intelligence from that quarter left no doubt of an intended invasion of Louisiana. General Jackson, so distinguished for his victories over the Creeks, was appointed a major general, and the command of the southern district assigned to him. In the summer of 1814, he fixed his head quarter at Mobile, where he assembled a respectable force of regulars, volunteers and militia, the two last from Tennessee chiefly.

On the 15th of September, a squadron of the enemy, consisting of two frigates and two gun brigs, appeared before Fort Bower, at Mobile Point, then garrisoned by Major Lawrence, with about 120 men. A land force under Captain Woodbine, consisting of about 100 marines, and 400 Indians under Colonel Nicholls, invested the fort by land. The fort withstood this combined attack with the utmost firmness; the land troops were compelled to retire, and the fire was so well directed