Hornet,) and was on the point of engaging a frigate when he was separated by the approach of night, but in the morning she had disappeared.

The President sailed again in October, and captured the British packet Swallow, with $200,000 on board. The Argus which had parted from the squadron was also fortunate. She captured several valuable prizes, and after various narrow escapes, arrived at last in safety at New-York.

The gallant commodore Decatur in the frigate United States, added another laurel to those which already graced his brow. On the 25th of October, he fell in with the Macedonian, Captain Carden, a British frigate of the largest class. The engagement lasted two hours in consequence of the roughness of the seas. The fire of the American was so remarkable, that the enemy at one moment thought her on fire. Lieutenants Funk and Allen were highly distinguished in this affair: the former unhappily received a mortal wound. The commodore safely reached New-York with his prize, and was received by the applause of his country.

The national illuminations had scarcely been extinguished, and the sound of rejoicing ceased, when another naval victory was announced, won after a short, but to the enemy a most sanguinary conflict, which served to place American naval superiority beyond all doubt. Captain Jones, of the Wasp, a sloop of war, fell in with the Frolick, 22 guns, Captain. Whinyates. The superiority was somewhat on the side of the Briton. At first the chances appeared in his favour; the rigging of the Wasp had suffered in a gale the day before, and the roughness of the water prevented the Americans from bringing there guns to bear with their usual effect. The

engagement lasted nearly an hour; the vessels gradually nearing each other until the ramers touched their sides. The Frolick was at length taken by boarding. In forty minutes after they came to close quarters, the Americans were in possession of the Frolick. Her decks exhibited a most shocking spectacle; her rigging had been completely cut up, and both decks were strewed with the dead and wounded. The Americans on this occasion, displayed their characteristic humanity. The loss on board the Frolick was thirty killed and fifty wounded; that of the Wasp was only five killed and five. wounded. Both these vessels were some days afterwards captured by the Poictiers 74, Captain Beresford. Never was any war so wonderfully successful, as that waged against the Golias of the ocean. The first year of the war was a continued series of naval victories. In a few months the enemy lost upwards of two hundred and fifty merchant vessels, two of her frigates and several smaller public vessels, while they had nothing to place in the opposite scale. In great Britain these marvellous deeds, at first disbelieved, soon produced a deep chagrin and even dismay. The main pillar of her strength was torn away. Unwilling to acknowledge the superiority of the new enemy, she sought to deceive herself by idle estimates of the comparative force, and by the invention of fancied mishaps: had we lived in an age of superstition, it would all have been attributed to magic. Her evasions reminded us of the grimace and ingenious paradox of the knight of the rueful countenance.

On the Lakes those vast interior seas, whose borders are destined to become the joyful residence of millions of our fellow creatures, there appeared to be an approaching naval struggle. The first naval occurrence of

any importance terminated, most happy for this country. The Caledonia and the brig Adams, loaded with furs had come down the Lake early in October, and anchored under the guns of the British fort. Lieutenant Elliot of the navy, who had some short time before arrived with a number of our brave tars in order to provide a naval force, early in the morning, slipped down with some of his gallant fellows, boarded and carried the two vessels. In ten minutes afterwards, he was under way, but the Adams unfortunately ran aground before he could secure her, the other, however, was safely brought off, and was found to have on board two hundred thousand doltars worth of furs.

BHA

CHAPTER V.

BATTLE OF QUEENSTOWN-GENERAL SMYTH ASSUMES THE COMMAND-COLONEL PIKE'S INCURSION.

DURING the summer and autumn, a considerable force was collected along the Niagara, consisting of regulars and militia, occupying the best position for following up the blow to be struck by Hull. The spirit of the nation had recovered from the mortifying occurrence already detailed, while the success of our navy had awakened in the breast of every American an ardent wish to restore the honour of the country. An incident which occurred in this quarter, kindled this ardour to its utmost height, this was the capture of the British vessels on the Lake which we have related in the last chapter. The American forces now commanded by General Van Rensselaer, besought him to lead them against the enemy. Unwilling to damp their ardour and at the same time flattering himself with the hope of being able to seize the opposite shore, and by that means intercept the communication of the enemy above, as well as with the lower provinces, materially assist the forces of the West about to rally and expel the invaders of our territory.

Accordingly on the 12th of October, the corps composing the van of the invading army, consisting of three hundred men, under Colonel Van Rensselaer and Colonel

Christie with about the same number of regulars, a detachment of infantry under Major Mulany, and the artillery of Colonel Fenwick, made good their landing in the face of the enemy's batteries, and rapidly storming the heights, possessed themselves completely of the Canada shore. The troops of Buffaloe and Lewistown had been marched for the purpose of crossing over when this could be effected in order to secure what should be gained. Colonel Van Rensselaer was severely wounded, almost as soon as he had landed: but with undaunted firmness he still continued to give orders. About the time of crossing they were joined by Colonel Scott who had made a rapid march with his artillery, in order to share the honours of the day. The British were driven in all directions, but soon after returned with large reinforcements of regulars and Indians, led by General Brock in person, nearly three times the numbers, of the Americans. This additional force was fiercely withstood, and compelled to retire with disgrace. The British General, mortified at the conduct of his troops, led them a second time to the charge, but while in the act of urging them on, he fell mortally wounded, and they once more gave way. It was now four o'clock, three times had the foe been routed, all that was requisite to complete the business of the day, was for the volunteers on the opposite shore to cross over and reap the laurels which had been won. The General crossed over for this purpose, but what pen can describe the vexation which filled his heart when he found that they had constitutional objections to crossing the straight! no persuasions could prevail on them. Alas! alas! how unaccountable are the actions of men. On one page of this affair, Americans will dwell with delight, from