ground, strongly entrenched, and his camp defended by about 8 pieces of cannon. In this situation, it was thought not advisable to attack him, with a force scarcely half his numbers, and without artillery; we were also deficient in boats, not having a sufficient number to cross the bay, with all the troops at the same time. The men were all reembarked, in the course of the afternoon; and, in the evening, we weighed, and stood for York-arrived, and anchored in that harbor, at about 3, P. M. on the 31st ult.run the schooners into the upper harbor; landed the marines and soldiers, under the command of Col. Scott, without opposition; found several hundred barrels of flour, and provisions, in the public store-house; five pieces of cannon, eleven boats, and a quantity of shot, shells, and other stores; all which were either destroyed or brought away. On the 1st instant, just after having received on board all that the vessels could take, I directed the barracks, and public stores, to be burnt; we then re-embarked the men, and arrived at this place yesterday. Four or five hundred men left York, for the head of the lake, 2 days before we arrived there. A few prisoners were taken; a part of them were paroled-the others were left at fort George.

I have the honor, &c.

I. CHAUNCEY.

Hon. Sec. Navy.

DEFENCE OF LOWER SANDUSKY.

Copy of a letter from Major Croghan, to Gen. Harrison, dated Lower Sandusky, August 5, 1813. DEAR SIR-I have the honor to inform you, that the combined force of the enemy, amounting to, at least, 500 regulars, and as many Indians, under the immediate commånd of Gen. Proctor, made its appearance before this place, early on Sunday evening last; and, so soon as the General had made such disposition of his troops, as would cut off my retreat, (should I be disposed to make one,) he sent Col. Elliot, accompanied by Major, Chambers,

with a flag, to demand the surrender of the fort, as he was anxious to spare the effusion of blood; which he should probably not have in his power to do, should he be reduced to the necessity of taking the place by storm. My answer to the summons was, that I was determined to defend the place to the last extremity; and that no force, however farge, should induce me to surrender it. So soon as the flag had returned, a brisk fire was opened upon us, from the gun-boats, in the river, and from a five and a half inch howitzer, on shore, which was kept up with little intermission, throughout the night. At an early hour, the next morning, three sixes, (which had been placed, during the night, within 250 yards of the pickets,) began to play upon us-but with little effect. About 4 o'clock, P. M. discovering that the fire, from all his guns, was concentrated against the N. W. angle of the fort, I became confident that his object was to make a breach, and attempt to storm the works at that point: I, therefore, ordered out as many men, as could be employed, for the purpose of strengthening that part-which was so effectually secured, by means of bags of flour, sand, &c. that the picketing suffered little or no injury; notwithstanding which, the enemy, about 500, having formed in close column, advanced to assault our works, at the expected point; at the same time making two feints on the front of Captain Hunter's lines. The column, which advanced against the north-western angle, consisting of about 350 men, was so completely enveloped in smoke, as not to be discovered, until it had approached within 18 or 20 paces of the lines; but, the men being all at their posts, and ready to receive it, commenced so heavy and galling a fire, as to throw the column a little into confusion; being quickly rallied, it advanced to the outworks, and began to leap into the ditch; just at that moment, a fire of grape was opened, from our 6 pounder, (which had been previously arranged, so as to rake in that direction,) which, together with the musquetry, threw them into such confusion, that they were compelled to retire, precipitately, to the woods. During the assault, which lasted about half an hour, an incessant fire was kept up by the enemy's ar

tillery, (which consisted of five sixes, and a howitzer,) but without effect. My whole loss, during the seige, was one killed, and seven slightly wounded. The loss of the enemy, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, must exceed 150. One Lieut. Colonel, a Lieutenant, and 50 rank and file, were found in and about the ditch, dead or wounded; those of the remainder, who were not able to escape, were taken off, during the night, by the Indians. Seventy stand of arms, and several brace of pistols, have been collected near the works. About 3, in the morning, the enemy sailed down the river, leaving behind them a boat, containing clothing, and considerable military stores.

Too much praise cannot be bestowed on the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, under my command, for their gallantry, and good conduct, during the seige.

Yours, with respect,

G. CROGHAN, Maj. 17th U. S. Inf. comg. Governor Huntington, in a letter to the P. Master General, states the force of Maj. Croghan to have been but 160 men!

140

INDIAN DECLARATION OF WAR.

[TRANSLATION.]

July, 1813.

DECLARATION OF WAR, BY THE SIX NATIONS. WE, the Chiefs and Councillors of the Six Nations of Indians, residing in the state of New-York, do hereby proclaim, to all the War-Chiefs, and Warriors, of the Six Nations, that war is declared, on our part, against the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. Therefore, we do hereby command, and advise all the War-Chiefs to call forth, immediately, the Warriors under them, and put them in motion, to protect their rights and liberties, which our brethren, the Americans, are now defending.

(Signed)

BY THE GRAND COUNCILLORS.

CAPTURE OF THE DOMINICO.

Extract of a letter from Capt. John H. Dent, commanding naval officer at Charleston, S. C. to the Secretary of the Navy, dated

August 21, 1813.

SIR-I have the honor to inform you, that the privateer schooner Decatur, of this port, arrived here yesterday, with H. B. M. schooner Dominico, her prize. She was captured on the 5th instant, after a most gallant action of one hour, and carried by boarding, having all her officers killed, except one Midshipman.

The Dominico mounts 15 guns; one a 32 pounder, on a pivot, and had a complement of 83 men, at the commencement of the action, sixty of whom were killed or wounded. She was one of the best equipped and manned vessels, of her class, I have ever seen. The Decatur mounts 7 guns, and had a complement of 103 men, at the commencement of the action, 19 of whom were killed or wounded.

I have the honor, &c.

JOHN H. DENT.

CAPTURE OF THE BOXER.

Copy of a letter from Lieut. Ed. R. McCall, of the U. S. Brig Enterprise, to Capt. Isaac Hull, dated

U.S. Brig Enterprize, Portland 7th Sept. 1813. SIR-In consequence of the unfortunate death of Lieut. Commandant William Burrows, late commander of this vessel, it devolves on me to acquaint you with the result of our cruise. On the morning of the 4th, weighed anchor, and swept out, and continued our course to the eastward. Having received information, of several privateers being off Manhagan, we stood for that place; and, on the following morning, in the bay near Penguin-point, discovered a brig getting under way, which appeared to be a vessel of war, and to which we immediately gave chase: she fired several guns, and stood for us, having four ensigns hoisted. After reconnoitering, and discovering her

force, and the nation to which she belonged, we hauled upon a wind, to stand out of the bay; and, at 3 o'clock, shortened sail, tacked, and run down, with an intention to bring her to close action. At 20 minutes past 3, P. M. when within half pistol shot, the firing cominenced from both; and, after being warmly kept up, and with some manœuvering, the enemy hailed, and said they had surrendered, about 4, P. M.-their colors being nailed to the masts, could not be hauled down. She proved to be his B. M. brig Boxer, of 14 guns, Samuel Blythe, Esq. commander, who fell in the early part of the engagement, having received a cannon shot through the body; and, I am sorry to add, that Lieut. Burrows, who had gallantly led us to action, fell, also, about the same time, by a musquet ball, which terminated his existence in eight hours.

The Enterprize suffered much, in spars and rigging; and the Boxer both in spars, rigging, and hull, having many shots between wind and water.

It would be doing injustice to the merit of Mr. Tillinghast, 2d Lieutenant, were I not to mention the able assistance I received from him, during the remainder of the engagement, by his strict attention to his own division, and other departments; and the officers and crew, generally: I am happy to add, their cool and determined conduct have my warmest approbation and applause. As no muster-roll, that can be fully relied on, has come into my possession, I cannot exactly state the number killed, on board the Boxer; but, from information received from the officers of that vessel, it appears that there were between 20 and 25 killed, and 14 wounded. On board the Enterprize, there was 1 killed, and 13 wounded, among whom was Lieut. Burrows, (since dead,) and Midshipman Warters, mortally. -Sixty-six prisoners.

I have the honor, &c.

EDWARD R. M'CALL, Sen. Officer. Isaac Hull, Esq. Comg. Naval Officer, on the Eastern station.

Q