Subsequently, the Creeks suffered severely in the destruction of the Hillabee towns, (November 18th,) by a detachment under Gen. White. Of 300 inhabitants found here, 60 were killed, and the remainder taken prisoners.

On the 29th of the same month, they were more signally defeated at Autossee, by 950 Georgia militia, and 400 friendly Indians, under Gen. Floyd. During this engage. ment, 400 houses were burned, and 200 warriors were slain, among whom were the kings of Autossee and Tallasee. The American loss in killed and wounded was fifty -among the latter was Gen. Floyd.

On the 23d of December, Gen. Claiborne, at the head of the Mississippi volunteers, achieved an important victory over the Creeks, under their prophet Weatherford, at Eccanachaca, on Alabama river.

In January, 1814, Gen. Jackson was reinforced by 800 volunteers, designed to supply the place of the Tennessee militia, whose term of service having expired, had returned home. With this force he successfully attacked and defeated the Creeks, during the month, at Emucfau and Enotachopco.

Notwithstanding these repeated defeats and serious losses, the Creeks remained unsubdued. Still determined not to yield, they commenced fortifying the bend of Tallapoosa river, called by them Tohopeka, but by the Americans Horse-Shoe-Bend. Their principal work consisted of a breast work, from five to eight feet high, across the peninsula, by means of which nearly one hundred acres of land were rendered admirably secure. Through this breast work a double row of port-holes were so artfully arranged," that whoever assailed it, must be exposed to a double and cross fire from the Indians, who lay behind, to the number of 1000.

Against this fortiñed refuge of the infatuated Creeks, Gen. Jackson, having gathered up his forces, proceeded on the 24th of March. On the night of the 26th, he encamped within six miles of the bend. On the 27th, he detached Gen. Coffee, with a competent number of men, to pass the river, at a ford three miles below the bend, for the purpose of preventing the Indians effecting their escape, if inclined, by crossing the river.

With the remainder of his force, Gen. Jackson now advanced to the front of the breast work, and at half past ten planted his artillery on a small eminence, at only a mode. rate distance.

Affairs being now arranged, the artillery opened a tremendous fire upon the breast work, while Gen. Coffee, with his force below, continued to advance towards an Indian village, which stood at the extremity of the peninsula. A well directed fire across the river, which here is but about one hundred yards wide, drove the Indian inhabitants from their houses up to the fortifications.

At length, finding all his arrangements complete, and the favorite moment arrived, Gen. Jackson led on his now animated troops to the charge. For a short time, an obstinate contest was maintained at the breast work-muzzle to muzzle through the port-holes-when the Americans succeeded in gaining the opposite side of the works. A mournful scene of slaughter ensued. In a short time, the Indians were routed, and the whole plain was strewed with the dead. Five hundred and fifty-seven were found, and a large number were drowned in attempting to escape by the river. Three hundred women and children were taken prisoners. The loss of the Americans was twenty-six killed, and one hundred and seven wounded. Eighteen friendly Cherokees were killed, and thirty-six wounded, and five friendly Creeks were killed and eleven wounded.

This signal defeat of the Creeks put an end to the war. Shortly after, the remnant of the nation sent in their submission. Among these was the prophet and leader, Weatherford. In bold and impressive language, he said: "1 am in your power. Do with me what you please. I have done the white people all the harm I could. I have fought them, and fought them bravely. There was a time, when I had a choice; I have none now-even hope is ended. Once, I could animate my warriors; but I cannot animate the dead. They can no longer hear my voice; their bones are at Tallushatches, Talladega, Emucfau, and Tohopeka. While there was a chance of success, I never supplicated peace; but my people are gone, and I now ask it for my nation and myself."

On the 9th of August, a treaty was made with them by Gen. Jackson. They agreed to yield a portion of their territory as indemnity for the expenses of the war-to allow the opening of roads through their lands-to admit the whites to the free navigation of their rivers-and to take no more bribes from the British.

Sec. 40. On the 2d of December, the fifteenth congress commenced its second session. The

principal objects to which its attention was directed were the enactment of restriction laws, (embargo and non-importation acts)—the subsequent repeal of these acts-the offer of the unprecedented bounty of one hundred and twentyfour dollars to all soldiers who should enlist for five years or during the war-and an appropriation of half a million of dollars to construct one or more floating steam batteries.

An extra session of congress had been held, extending from May 24th to August 2d, the same year. The principal business of this session was the providing of means to replenish the treasury. This it was at length decided to accomplish by a system of internal duties; and accordingly laws were passed laying taxes on lands, houses, distilled liquors, refined sugars, retailers' licenses, carriages, &c. From this source the sum of five millions and a half of dollars were expected to flow into the treasury; in addition to which, a loan of seven millions and a half was authorized.

Early in the regular session of 1813-1814, an embargo was laid upon all American vessels, with a design to de- . prive the enemy's ships on the coast of supplies, and to secure more effectually the American shipping from introducing British manufactures. Against such measures the opposers of the war were loud in their complaints, on the ground that they were needless, and highly injurious to the prosperity of the country. Although these acts passed, in the month of April following, owing to important changes in the relative state of the belligerent nations of Europe, they were repealed.

Sec. 41. The spring of 1814 was distinguished for the loss of the American frigate Essex, Commodore David Porter, which was captured on the 28th of March, in the bay of Valparaiso, South America, by a superior British force.

Commodore Porter had been cruising in the Pacific for nearly a year, in the course of which, he had captured several British armed whale ships. Some of these were equipped as American cruisers and store ships; and the Atlantic, now called the Essex Junior, of twenty guns and sixty men, was assigned to Lieut. Downes. The prizes

which were to be laid up, were convoyed by this officer to Valparaiso. On his return, he brought intelligence to Commodore Porter that a British squadron, consisting of one frigate, and two sloops of war, and a store ship of twenty guns, had sailed in quest of the Essex. The commodore took measures, immediately, to repair his vessel, which, having accomplished, on the 12th of December, 1813, he sailed for Valparaiso, in company with the Essex

Junior.

This

"It was not long after the arrival of Commodore Porter at Valparaiso, when Commodore Hillyar appeared there in the Phœbe frigate, accompanied by the Cherub sloop of war. These vessels had been equipped for the purpose of meeting the Essex, with picked crews, in prime order, and hoisted flags bearing the motto, God and our country, British sailors' best rights: traitors offend them." was in allusion to Porter's celebrated motto, "Free trade and sailors' rights;" he now hoisted at his mizen, “God, our country, and liberty: tyrants offend them.” On entering the harbor, the British commodore fell foul of the Essex, in such a situation as to be placed completely in the power of the latter; the forbearance of Commodore Porter was acknowledged by the English commander, and he passed his word and honor to observe the same regard to the neutrality of the port.

"The British vessels soon after stood out, and cruised off the port about six weeks, rigorously blockading the Essex. Their united force amounted to eighty-one guns and about five hundred men, about double that of the Essex; but the circumstance of this force being divided in two ships, rendered the disparity still greater; and was by no means counterbalanced by the Essex Junior. Commodore Porter being prevented by this great disparity of force, from engaging, made repeated attempts to draw the Phœbe into action singly, either by manoeuvring or sending formal challenges; but Commodore Hillyar carefully avoided the coming to action alone.

The American commander, hearing that an additional British force was on its way, and having discovered that his vessel could outsail those of the British, determined to sail out, and, while the enemy was in chase, enable the Essex Junior to escape to a place of rendezvous previously appointed.

"On the twenty-eighth of March, the wind coming on to blow fresh from the southward; the Essex parted her starboard cable, and dragged her larboard anchor to sea.

Not

a moment was lost in getting sail on the ship, as it was determined to seize this moment to escape. In endeavoring to pass to the windward of the enemy, a squall struck the American vessel, just as she was doubling the point, which carried away her main-top-mast; both ships immediately gave chase, and being unable to escape in his crippled state, the commodore endeavored to put back into the harbor; but finding this impracticable, he ran into a small bay, and anchored within pistol shot of the shore; where, from a supposition that the enemy would continue to respect the neutrality of the port, he thought himself secure. He soon found, however, by the manner in which they approached, that he was mistaken. With all possible dispatch, therefore, he prepared his ship for action, and endeavored to get a spring on his cable, which he could not accomplish before the enemy commenced the attack, at fifty-four minutes past three.

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"At first, the Phœbe placed herself on his stern, and the Cherub on his larboard bow; but the latter soon finding herself exposed to a hot fire, changed her position, and with her consort, kept up a raking fire under his stern. The American, being unable to bring his broadside to bear on the enemy, his spring cables having been three times shot away, was obliged, therefore, to rely for defence against this tremendous attack, on three long twelve pounders, which he ran out of the stern ports; which were worked with such bravery and skill, as in half an hour to do so much injury to the enemy, as to compel them to haul off and repair. It was evident that Com. Hillyar meant to risk nothing from the daring courage of the Americans; all his manoeuvres were deliberate and wary; his antagonist was in his power, and his only concern was to succeed, with as little loss to himself as possible. The situation of the Essex was most vexatious to our brave countrymen; many of them were already killed and wounded, and from the crippled state of their ship, they were unable to bring her guns to bear upon the enemy. Her gallant crew were not disheartened; aroused to desperation, they expressed their de fiance to the enemy, and their determination to hold out to the last.

"The enemy having repaired, now placed himself, with both ships on the starboard quarter of the Essex, where none of her guns could be brought to bear; the commodore saw no hope but in getting under way; the flying-jib was the only sail he could set; this he caused to be hoisted, cut his