destroyed. When the Assembly convened it was found. that neither candidate for Governor had been elected by the people; and it was then the duty of the Assembly to make a choice. After several trials, Martin Chittenden, the son of Thomas Chittenden, the Federal candidate, was elected by a small majority. The Federalists, being now the dominant power, repealed the oppressive laws of the previous administration. One of the Governor's first acts was to recall a brigade of Vermont militia, which had been drafted into service, and was then stationed at Plattsburg. He urged that the militia of Vermont was needed for the defense of their own State and that, moreover, it was unconstitutional to call the militia beyond the limits of the State without the permission of the Governor. The officers of the brigade returned insolent protest and refused to obey their commander-in-chief; but the militia returned to their homes before their term of enlistment had expired. The matter soon blew over and no further notice was taken of it by either side.

A Fleet built.-In December, MacDonough withdrew from the stormy lake into the more peaceful Otter Creek for the winter. Although the fleet had been somewhat strengthened, he well knew that he had no naval force fit to cope with that of the British; and he now put forth every effort to get in readiness one of sufficient strength for the purpose. As early as possible in the spring of 1814, the work of constructing such a fleet was commenced at Vergennes. On every side the woods resounded with the dull thud of the ax and the crash of falling timbers, while at the same time a throng of ship carpenters were working steadily at the water's edge, and furnaces were constantly casting cannon-shot for the use of the speedily

growing fleet. It is said that during the war Vergennes cast 177 tons of cannon-shot for the use of the government. The work was pushed with such vigor that early in May the sloop Saratoga and several gunboats, all fragrant with the woodsy odor of the green timbers, were ready for service; and they now dropped down the river to join the rest of the fleet.

Early in April, the British had been seen upon the lake with a considerable fleet, and their movements were such as to indicate that they were designing an attack upon the fleet which was being built at Vergennes.

To guard the shipping and the public property on the lake, Governor Chittenden ordered out the militia, a part to be posted at Burlington, and a still greater force at Vergennes. A battery was then constructed at the mouth of

the Otter Creek and placed under the command of Stephen Cassin.

A Fleet Saved.-How the Americans saved this newly constructed fleet is worthy of special notice. On May 14, the British appeared in force at the mouth of the Otter Creek and opened a spirited fire upon the battery, with a view to silencing that, and then passing up the river and destroying the fleet, before it should be ready for service. But the garrison and the Vermont militia made determined resistance; and the sudden appearance of MacDonough, who now moved down the river, with such vessels as were fitted for action, and joined in the battle, had the effect of causing the British to withdraw. The combined efforts of fleet and garrison had proved too much for the British, and instead of destroying a fleet they had lost two of their boats.

The importance of this victory can hardly be overestimated; for, if the garrison of the little battery, which has since borne the name of Fort Cassin, had been less gallant, our fleet would, in all probability, have been destroyed; and the brilliant victory, which followed four months later at Plattsburg, would have been an impossibility.

Plans for the Campaign of 1814.--It was the plan of the cabinet to invade Canada from three distinct quarters: Detroit, the Niagara River, and Lake Champlain. This was for the purpose of reducing British strongholds and cutting off the communications of the enemy. In the distribution of forces for this end, a portion of the Vermont militia was sent to join General Scott in the expedition against the Niagara frontier; and the remainder was reserved for service in the Champlain region. The British, who had been greatly reenforced from England, were also

designing a campaign into the United States territory by way of the Champlain Valley.

The British Invasion; the Call to Arms.-Early in September, the British Governor Prevost crossed the line into New York State at the head of 14,000 men, and advanced toward Plattsburg. Plattsburg was then garrisoned by barely 2,000 effective men, under command of General Macomb, the main body of the army having been ordered to the Niagara frontier some time before.

Sir George Prevost, like Burgoyne of Revolutionary times, issued a proclamation, assuring the men who were not under arms that he had no designs against them, and that their property would not be molested, should they remain quietly at home. But the proclamation did not have the effect he had intended it should have. It informed the people of the proposed invasion and gave them opportunity to make preparations for defense.

The invasion of our territory by the enemy had the effect of uniting the two parties; and the animosity which had hitherto existed began to abate. Both parties saw that the good of their country demanded united action until the war should come to a successful termination; and so when Governor Chittenden issued a call for volunteers and General Macomb sent messengers into the surrounding country with urgent appeals for assistance, the response was both prompt. and generous. Veterans of the Revolution, middle-aged men, and boys, without distinction of party, shouldered their muskets and hastened on to the defense of Plattsburg, bearing the customary evergreen badge of their State in their hats.

Sir George Prevost arrived before Plattsburg September 6, and began making active preparations for the coming.

conflict. It was generally understood that it was the design of the British to inflict a double blow by attacking both by land and water at the same time. MacDonough's fleet had now been at Cumberland Bay opposite Plattsburg for about a week; and there he determined to await the approach of the enemy's fleet, which was then on the way from Canada.

The Battle of Plattsburg.-On the south side of the Saranac River, which runs through the village of Plattsburg, was the principal American fort; and here, on the morning of September 11, stood an army of about 5,000 men (probably half of them Vermont troops) ready for action. On the north side of the river and confronting them were 14,000 of the best English troops, glorying in their strength and fident of success.

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At eight o'clock that morning the lookout boat announced the appearance of the British fleet, which was then rounding Cumberland Head and which soon appeared before the American fleet. MacDonough's vessels were anchored in a line parallel to the west shore. At the head of the line at the north was the brig Eagle, next the Saratoga, MacDonough's flag-ship, next the schooner Ticonderoga, and last the sloop Preble at the south end of the line, close to Crab Island shoal. Forty rods in the rear lay ten gunboats, placed mostly in the intervals between the larger vessels. At nine o'clock the enemy's fleet came to anchor about three hundred yards from ours, arranged in much the same manner, with Captain Downie's flag-ship, the Confiance, to oppose the Saratoga.

At nine o'clock the British squadron bore down upon MacDonough's fleet. The British fleet consisted of two more vessels than the American fleet, carrying more guns