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PROFFERED MEDIATION OF RUSSIA.

Five hundred and fifty-seven warriors were found dead on the ground, besides a great number who perished in attempting to cross the river. Fifty-five of the Americans were killed, and one hundred and forty-six wounded.

Soon after this, General Jackson marched to the Hickory Ground, where he was met by a deputation from the principal chiefs, who were sent to treat for peace. Among them was Weatherford, the instigator of the massacre at Fort Mimms, who now used his influence among the Indians in restoring peace. The submission of the Indians was complete. They agreed to retire in the rear of the army, and occupy the country to the east of the Coosa, while a line of American posts was established from Tennessee and Georgia, to the Alabama.

The members of the Thirteenth Congress assembled at Washington, on the 24th of May, 1813, and on the succeeding day the President transmitted to both houses his customary communication, in which, among other things, he informed them that the Emperor of Russia had offered his services as mediator between the United States and Great Britain, for the purpose of facilitating a peace between them; that he had accepted the offer on the part of the United States; and that he had commissioned John Quincy Adams, the minister of the United States at St. Petersburg, Albert Gallatin, and James A. Bayard, with the full powers to conclude a treaty of peace with the same number of commissioners clothed with the same powers on the part of Great Britain. After passing some bills, imposing a tax upon lands and houses, and duties upon distilled liquors, refined sugars, retailers' licenses, sales at auction, carriages, and bank and other notes, Congress adjourned on the 2d of August.

On the 2d of December, the second session of the Thirteenth Congress commenced, according to law. The President, in his message, after stating the expectation of the American people, that the government of Great Britain would have promptly acceded to the offered mediation of Russia, informed them, that it had been declined. During the session,

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however, a communication was received from the British government, stating that the prince-regent, equally desirous with the republican government, to put a period to the calamities of war, was willing to appoint commissioners to treat with those of America, in London or Gottenburg. This proposal was accepted, and the latter place appointed for the meeting, which was afterwards transferred to Ghent. Henry Clay, then Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Jonathan Russell, together with the commissioners already appointed, were the persons authorized to treat with the authorities of Great Britain.

For the purpose of increasing and organizing the military force in a better manner than heretofore, several acts were passed by Congress, offering large bounties to recruits, providing liberally for the pay, rations, and clothing of the troops, and holding out many other inducements to enlist in the regular army. A loan of twenty-five millions of dollars, and the issue of treasury notes for five millions was also authorized. Provision was also made for the increase and better organization of the navy, and for the better defence of the sea-board, by means of floating-batteries, and the use of steam in propelling small vessels of war. An embargo which had been laid on exports, and the importation of articles of British produce or manufacture, about three months before, was repealed in April, 1814. The necessary business of the session having been finished, Congress adjourned, on the 18th of April.

MILITARY CAMPAIGN OF 1814.

HE general peace in Europe, which had recently followed the overthrow of Napoleon, enabled Great Britain to concentrate her whole disposable force against the United States; and part of a victorious army, flushed with conquest, had already embarked for that purpose. This so depressed the spirits of the Americans, that nearly the whole of the spring passed away without any important movement of the army taking place. General Wilkinson, having destroyed the barracks at French Mills, and despatched General Brown, with one division of his army, to Sackett's Harbour, retired to Plattsburg. The enemy, having collected a large force at La Cole Mill, General Wilkinson determined to dislodge them. Accordingly, on the 30th of March, he crossed the Canada frontier, and commenced the attack. As it was found difficult, from the nature of the roads, to bring up an eighteen-pounder, which had been ordered out, a fire was opened from two smaller pieces, which were directed with great precision. Such, however, were the solidity and strength of the walls, that no impression could be made upon them, while a severe fire which was kept up by the garrison,

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caused some loss to the besiegers. Finding that his efforts to obtain possession of the building were ineffectual, the American commander withdrew his forces, with the loss of about one hundred in killed and wounded. The enemy, who claimed in this affair a brilliant victory, acknowledged a loss of about sixty, including officers.

In consequence of this, and the failure of the intended attempt upon Montreal, General Wilkinson was shortly afterwards removed from his command, which then devolved upon General Izard.

On the 5th of May, the British made a descent on Oswego; but Colonel Mitchell, the commandant of the place, succeeded in defending it against vastly superior numbers, until he had removed the greater part of the naval stores laid up there, and then retired in good order. The enemy destroyed the ordnance of the fort, and then returned to Kingston.

It was then deemed proper to remove the Oswego stores to Sackett's Harbour, by water. Accordingly, Captain Woolsey, of the navy, left that port, on the 28th of May, with eighteen boats, accompanied by Major Appling, with about one hundred and thirty of the rifle regiment, and about the same number of Indians. On the succeeding day, they arrived off Sandy Creek, where they were discovered by the enemy's gun-boats, and chased into the creek. The riflemen were immediately landed, and, with the Indians, posted in ambuscade. The enemy entered the creek, and landed a party, which endeavoured to ascend the bank. The riflemen arose from their concealment, and poured so destructive a fire upon them, that, in ten minutes, they surrendered, to the number of about two hundred. The loss of the Americans on this occasion was only one man.

Soon after his arrival at Sackett's Harbour from French Mills, General Brown put his troops in motion for the Canada frontier; and on the 2d of July, at midnight, embarked them in boats from Black Rock, for an attack on Fort Erie. On landing next morning, preparations were made for the assault of the fort; but it surrendered before the artillery could be

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BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA.

planted against it. The garrison, to the number of one hundred and thirty-seven, were made prisoners of war.

General Brown then advanced to Chippewa, where about three thousand British, under General Riall, were stationed; and on the 5th, a severe action took place, which ended in the flight of the enemy, leaving one hundred and thirty-three dead on the battle-field, three hundred and twenty wounded, and forty-six prisoners, in the hands of the Americans. The American loss was sixty killed, and two hundred and sixtyeight wounded and missing.

Soon after this victory, General Riall was reinforced by General Drummond, with all the troops he could collect from York, and the other posts on the peninsula; and General Brown prepared to follow up his victory by another engagement with the British, before they would have time to concentrate their forces. He accordingly sent his heavy baggage and wounded to Schlosser, a place on the American side of the Niagara. On the 25th, however, he was informed that General Drummond, with the whole British army, had moved to Queenstown, and was landing a party at Lewistown, for the purpose of attacking the town of Schlosser, and capturing his stores. With the expectation of drawing him off from this attempt, General Scott was despatched on the road to Queenstown, with his own brigade, Towson's artillery, and the dragoons. At four in the afternoon, this detachment moved from the camp; and, having proceeded about two miles, discovered the enemy, posted on an eminence of considerable strength, at a place called Bridgewater, having the Queenstown road in their front, the position being defended by a formidable battery of nine pieces of artillery. Between this post and General Scott's advance, was a narrow strip of wood. He immediately determined to attack the enemy; and, after despatching an express to camp for a reinforcement, formed his small party in a plain, in front of the British position. The artillery, under Captain Towson, opened a cannonade, which was returned by the enemy's batteries, with great effect, and an action commenced, which was supported