LIV. 1813. CHAP. it was put in execution: giving the command of the Lawrence to lieutenant Yarnell, he jumped, with his flag under his arm, into his boat, and amidst a shower of balls, made his way to the Niagara, the second ship of his squadron; where his flag was now seen flying from the mast-head of what comparatively was a fresh ship: it was a moment full of peril; but the youthful hero was as calm as adventurous. Having quickly brought his vessel into a position to break the opposing line, he gave two ships a raking fire from his starboard guns; poured a broadside into a schooner from his larboard tier ; and laid his ship alongside the British commodore, whose battery he silenced in a short time by his unremitting fire. The smaller American vessels then came up, and decided the contest, which had now lasted nearly three hours; all the British ships being taken, and carried to the American side of the lake. Never did a warrior, it is said, fight with a braver or more skilful foe: the commander of the British squadron was a man of no ordinary fame: he had gained laurels at the battle of Trafalgar, and other sea-fights, where Englishmen had bled, and won the victory; but this day, his valor and experience did not avail him; for he was forced to yield. The loss was great on both sides; and captain Barclay lost his remaining hand in the fight; the other had been shot off in some previous battle. Perry's conduct in this engagement was marked with great skill, bravery, and perseverance; nor was he less humane than brave; taking especial care of the British wounded, as well as those of his own gallant crews; and doing all that could be done to assuage the wounds and personal feelings of commodore Barclay, while he remained his prisoner. For this action, which had a great effect on the minds of his countrymen, he was made captain in the navy, and received the thanks of congress, with several other marks of distinction. The foregoing disaster, added to the increasing strength of the enemy on the Detroit frontier, and LIV. 1813. the want of proper support, brought colonel Procter CHAP. to the brink of ruin: he had but 450 regular troops, beside a horde of Indians, under his command; and a retreat therefore became an act of prudence, or rather of necessity. Being attacked, during this retrograde movement, by an immensely superior force, his small corps was defeated with the loss of half its numbers, before he could effect a junction with general Vincent at the head of Lake Ontario. In the progress of this war, Lower Canada was also menaced with a formidable invasion; and two general officers, with about 7000 trooops each, concerted their future movements against it. On both sides of the Chateauguay, cavalry and light troops were observed by the Canadians, advancing with alacrity; while the heavy battalions followed, apparently with a resolute courage: but they displayed little of this quality in the conflicts which arose with small bodies of provincials; and were quickly put to flight. The other army, though it betrayed not the same pusillanimity, failed to obtain that success which its commander expected; and, after the partial defeat of a strong detachment, did not long maintain its ground, but desisted from action, and followed the example of retreat: even the rigors of an inclement winter did not altogether suspend hostile operations. The inhabitants of the Niagara district being plundered, and otherwise harassed, colonel Murray, advancing to Fort George, overawed the enemy into an abandonment of that fortress, without allowing them time to destroy the works the same officer thence proceeded to Fort Niagara, which he took by assault, and rescued that part of the frontier from intrusion and outrage; but not before another expedition had been undertaken, by which about 2000 men were dislodged, after an obstinate resistance, from a strong position at Black Rock. between the The success of the Americans last year, in single Contest ships of superior force, had roused the indignation Shannon and spirit of British officers: captain Broke, of the and Che ENG. VI. H sapeak. LIV. 1813. CHAP. Shannon, in particular, resolved to convince the boasting republicans, that they were not yet to claim pre-eminence on the ocean. He had been for some time cruising before the port of Boston, in which the American frigate Chesapeak then lay; and, that the enemy might not be prevented from coming out by the apprehension of a superior force, he drew up alone, before the harbor, in a posture of defiance. Captain Laurance immediately accepted the challenge, and put to sea; while crowds of the inhabitants lined the beach, to witness the approaching conflict, in full confidence of the result; for the Chesapeak, in number and weight of guns, as well as in the number of its crew, had a considerable superiority over the Shannon. After an exchange of broadsides, the American frigate closed so near on her antagonist, that the ships became locked together; and captain Broke observing, at this critical moment, that his antagonist's men flinched from their guns, gave orders to board when he and his gallant associates rushed on the hostile deck, driving all before them with irresistible fury, until they had pulled down the American flag, and hoisted the British urion in its place: the firing from below soon afterwards ceased; and the Chesapeak, after a short conflict of fifteen minutes, was on her course to Halifax, with her conqueror. CHAP. LV. 1813. CHAPTER LV. GEORGE III. (CONTINUED.)-1813. Meeting of parliament, &c.-Bill for allowing the militia to volunteer into the line-Loan, and subsidies to foreign powers, &c.-Foreign policy of ministers fully supportedAdjournment to March-Peace with Denmark-Defection. of Murat--Allies prepare to cross the Rhine-Napoleon quits Paris-His contest with the allies till the latter approach the capital-Operations of Sir Thomas Graham in the Netherlands-And of lord Wellington, to the retreat of Soult behind his intrenchments at Toulouse-Affairs at Paris to the abdication of Napoleon, &c.-Battle of Toulouse, and subsequent events in the south of France Return of Ferdinand VII., and other sovereigns, to their countries-Lord William Bentinck's expedition to Genoa, &c.-Departure of Louis XVIII. from England, and his arrival in Paris-Treaty with the allies-Meeting of the British parliament; honors to lord Wellington, &c.-Visit of the allied sovereigns to England-Affairs relating to the princess of Wales and her daughter, &c.-State of Ireland-Meeting of parliament-Treaty with Holland--Congress of Vienna, &c.-Domestic circumstances-British parliament-American war; and peace conIcluded with the United States. THE British parliament met on the fourth of No- Meeting of vember, under more auspicious circumstances than parliament. had occurred since the commencement of the revolutionary war. The prince declared in his speech, that no disposition to require from France sacrifices inconsistent with her honor and just pretensions, would ever be an obstacle to peace; and that he was ready to enter into discussion with the United States, on principles not opposed to the established maxims of public law, and the maritime rights of LV. 1813. CHAP. the British empire. On this occasion, some of those statesmen in both houses, who had been most decided in their opposition to government, acknowleged the wisdom, and rejoiced in the success, of that policy which they had formerly condemned; so that the addresses were carried without a division. After the treaties with Russia and Prussia had been laid before parliament, lord Castlereagh introduced a bill for allowing three-fourths of any militia regiment to volunteer for foreign service; and so desirable did it appear that every possible exertion should be made for bringing the great continental contest to a speedy conclusion, that this bill passed through both houses without any opposition. The sanction of parliament was also obtained, without a dissentient voice, for a loan of £22,000,000; as well as for the aids granted to Sweden, Russia, and Austria, either in direct subsidies or in bills of credit. Two millions had been advanced to Spain, two to Portugal, and one to Sweden: the sum to be allowed to Russia and Prussia was estimated at £5,000,000; and the advance to Austria consisted of £1,000,000, together with 100,000 stand of arms, and military stores in proportion. Men of all parties concurred in supporting the foreign policy of our cabinet; while many of its strongest opponents, particularly lord Holland and lord Grenville, expressed great approbation of the confidence reposed in it. The desired grants having been procured, ministers, not wishing to fatigue and harass members with a long and constant attendance, proposed an adjournment from December to March. This motion excited some debate, as involving a contemptuous treatment of parliament, whose services seemed only required for the convenience of pecuniary grants; and it was thought that many subjects which called for deliberation, might be discussed even in the absence of lord Castlereagh, whom the regent had deputed to the head quarters of the allies in order to promote the interests of the grand confederacy: the majority, however, readily con |