1 the declaration of war, and, as I presume, in antici-, day of August last, when, in consequence of a requipation of that event, & communication was received sition for that purpose, a company of vohmteer mili from the secretary of the war departmen', announctia of that city, ad sundry independent un.form ing a requisition by the president of a detachment companies of the city of Albany; and of the cities of the militia of this state for the protection and de- and villages on the margin of the Hudson; amountf of the northern frontier thereof, and requesting in the whole to about five hundred and thirty ing me to issue the necessary orders for that pup se. men including officers, were stationed in the state From four to six hundred men were to be stationed fortification at the Narrows. Their time of service at Niagara, two hundred at Oswego, and from six will expire on the 27th instant, as they were called to eight hundred at some convenient place near the jout upon a requistion, made under and pursuant to mouth of Black River, with authority for me to make the act of Congress passed 22d of February, 1795, such alteration in the appointment as I should judge and are not therefore fiable to serve more than nineproper Upon the receipt of that order, measures ty days after arriving at the place of their distina. were immediately taken to carry it into flect. Ma-tion. jor-general Widrig was directed to detach from that In consequence of other restrictions, the first and pare of his division composed of Oneida, Herkimer, second detached regiments of infantry, the greatest Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties, 600 men (part of the first brigade of state artiliciy, one comto be stationed at 9.ckett's Harbor. Brigadier gene-pany of riflemen, and a volunteer troop of cavalry rals Ellis, Herd and Miller, of Onondago, Madison, were directed to take the field on the 15th of day of and Cortland counties, were to furnish their quotas Sepicner last, for the protection of New-York and of 400 men, to be stationed at Oswego, and m: jorts viemity. A small force has also been deemed n general Hall was directed to detach and organize 600 cessary for the safety of the inhabitants of Suffolk men, including officers, from his division, composed county. of the infantry in the counties of Cayuga, Seneca, Upon several requisitions the ninth detached reri Ontario, Steuben, Genessee, Niagara, Chautanquement of militia, three companies of light infantry, and Cattaragus, to proceed to Niagara. The whole two additional companies of artillery, and one tro p number required for Niagara were volunteers, and all of cavalry and a company of rifien en were marched except one company, were volunteers under the act to the northern frontier, and are stationed in Cinton of congress of the 6th of February last. The last and Franklin counties. Some of the con panes were mentioned volunteers amouning to 170 men, are still volunteers for one year's service. The infantry in service at Black Rok. The detachment destined marched about the 10th and the residue of the troops forSackett's Harbor mustered about 480 men, includ-on the 15th of September. The fourth detached briing officers, They served ninety days and were then gade of infantry, with one company of horse artillery relieved. One company of the det chiment for Oswego and four companies of foot artillery, upon the like consisted of volunteers under the act of congress, requisition and orders, marched to the north western passed the 6th of February, 1812, and the residue frontier about the first of September, and are stationwere volunteers generally. The abovementioned de-ed at Sackett's Harbor, Cape Vincent and Ogdens tachments were not organized and in service until the burgh. month of May last. The 6th and 7th brigades of the detached militia, The official notice of the declaration of war was and several independent companies, have in like mannot accompanied by any further requisition or direc-ner been called into service for the security of the tion to reinforce the detachments abovementioned, western frontier. The result is that of volunteers or to station troops on the Champlain frontier, the for one year, volunteers and militia detached for six inhabitants of which were immediately exposed both nonths service, and corps called upon for 3 memiis, to invasion by the enemy and to the depredations of pursuant to the provisions of the act of congress the savages. I did no, therefore hesitate to decide passed 22d February, 1795, there are now in actual that an emergency existed which not only authorised, sery.ce, according to the best estimate I am able to but imperiously required me to exercise the discre- make at present, the following numbers of milita tion confided to the commander in chief by the 68th of the state, viz: rence, about 2,200 1,300 2,400 450 section of the militia law of this state, and accord-At N. York and on Long and Staten-Islands ingly the detached militia of Washington, Essex, At Plattsburgh, and the frontier towns of Clinton and Franklin, and one company of heut. col. Clinton and Franklin counties Thorn's regiment of artillery, were placed under At Sackett's Harbor, Cape Vicent, Ogthe command of general Moore, for the purpose densburgh and elsewhere on the St. Lawof extending protection to the inhabitants of the Champlain frontier. The troops previously sta-At Oswego tioned at Nagara were directed to be reinforced At Buffaloe, Black Rock, Schiolsser, &c. 2.250 by the detached quota of Ontario, Genessee, and The militia and regulars on the Magara station Niagara counties,--and to the end that compe-were at first commanded by licut. colonel Philetus tent security might be afforded to the counties of Swifi-then by brigadier-general Wadsworth-afterJefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence, the detached mi-wards for a short time, by major-general, Hall, and litia of those counties and of Ocdia, together with upon and after his arrivd, by major-general Van the troops previously posted at Sackett's Harbor Rensselaer, all of the militia. The troops at Oswegb were placed under the command of general Jacob have, from the time of their arrival at that post, Brown. A small reinforcement of volunteer um-been commanded by heut. col. George Fleming of forta corps was also sent 5 Oswego. Upon being ad- the militia. The detachment in service at Sackett's vised of these arrangements, the prandent of the Harbor before the war, was under the comm..nd qf United States approved and confirmed them, and the ticut. col. Bellinger of the militia. After the war troops were thereafter considered in the service of and the arrival of reinforcements, the detachmen's U. States and have been paid accordingly. Additional from the army and militia on the frontier, extending quantities of arins and amn.uition, and all the camp from Sackett's Harbor to St. Regis, were commandequ.prane under my control were forw.oded imme-fed by brigadier-genera! Brown of the militis, until dister to the frontier arsenals and posts. Very few of the militia were called upon for the Satery of New-York of L-Island, until the 27th the arrival of the fourth detached brig. de of militia, then the commandant of that brigade, gen. Dodge, being the senior officer, assumed, and now holds the command of the last mentioned district of fron perceive in them a direct tendency to paralize the tier Brig. general Petit, commands the militia atjefforts of our country and government in a war onPlattsburgh and its vicinity; but general Bloomfield dertaken for the protection of the property and perof the army, being superior in rank, has since the sons of our citizens and the maritime rights of the month of September, had the superintending com-nation; to encourage the enemy in the prosecution mind of the whole force on that station. The corps of the war; to destroy the confidence of the people formed of independent companies stationed at the in the government of the United States; to shake the Narrows, is cominunded by leitenant-colonel Robert foundations of the union; foment civil dissentions, Swartout, of the militia. That part of the first bri- and introduce anarchy: all tending to the ruin of our gade of arillery in service is under brigadier-general happy country and the misery of the people. We Morton, of the militia. The first and second detach-therefore, feel it a duy, to express unreservedly our ed regiments of infantry, with the riflemen and ca-opinion that the sentiments contained in said declavalry, are commanded by lieutenant-colonels Jonas ration and resolves, will meet the unequivocal disapMapes and Beckman M. Van Beuren, of the militia, probation of the great buddy of the citizens of the and the whole are under the superintending com- state of New-Jersey, who have too much virtue to mand of general Armstrong, of the army, who is fenlist themselves under the banners of the ancient the superior officer in service on the N. York station. Jenemies of their liberties and independence, in hos There are sundry requisitions, orders and othertility to their own government and country. papers relating to the militia in the possession of the adjutant-general, whose absence from the seat of government prevents my having immediate access to them. But the preceding statement, and the documents herein annexed, will, I hope, amply explain the authority and principles upon which the militia have been called into service, the object of their services, the times when they were called upon, the principal general orders and instructions which have been issued and given, the number now in actual service, where stationed, and by whom commanded. DANIEL D. TOMPKINS. Albany, Nov. 11, 1812. Ebenezer Seely, John Haas, Benjamin Ludlow, [The documents consist of copies of orders from Legislature of North-Carolina. the secretary of war, general Dearborn, gen. Arm-To the hon. the General Assembly of North-Carolina. strong, &c. respecting the requisitions of state) militia:} Representation GENTLEMEN-It exhibits a pleasing spectacle in ordinary times to behold the representatives of the fremen of this state, assembled for the purpose of devising and adopting sich measures as may seem best calculated to promote the happiness and general welfare of their constituents. If such is the case when peace and OF THE REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF THE LEGISTATURE or tranquility prevail, how much more interesting naust it be to be NEW-JERSEY, We, the undersigned members of the legislature of New-Jersey, view.ng with deep concern the injurious tendency of a certain declaration of the legisla tive council and general assembly of the state of New-Jersey, think it a duty we owe to the general government, to our constituents, and to our OWI characters, to express our decided disapprobation of said declaration and resolutions. hold the ai convened in their legislative capacity, at a period when our country is called upon to maintain, at the point of the bayo net, her rights, liberty and independence. Your situation, gentles men, exhibits the latter. States reached my office on the 23d of June last, announcing the An official communication from the secretary of state of the U. declaration of war by the constituted authorities of the nation, against fe kingdom of Great Britain and its dependencies. The insolene, the injustice, and the complicated aggressions on the part of that nation against the United States, not only afforded one government abundant cause of an appeal to arms long before the period when that event took place, but seemed in the most conmanding terms to call for the adoption of that alternative, in or In contemplating this extraordinary declartion, the der to convince the enemy and the world that we possessed the undersigned perceive in it a rooted hostility to the will and the power to maintain and defend that liberty and inde administration of the general government, calculated prudence which emanated from, and was secured to us by the glo rious struggles of our revolutionary fathers. Although our go to suppress every genuine American feeling, and ev-vernment must have been fully sensible that her reiterated attempts dently seeking consolation from the power and suc-ing between the two nations, would be considered as arising from to bring about an amicable adjustment of the differences subsist cess of our enemies, and in the disasters of our coun-a want of courage to vindicate her violated rights, by a recourse to try. All the manly sentiments of patriotism that arms; yet actuated by a love of peace, one of the most prominent ought to animate the representatives of freemen, ap- every experiment which seemed to promise the attainment of that features of her character, she had the firmness to persist in trying pear to the undersigned, to have been absorbed in a desirable object. The overtures on the part of our government Fancourous hatred to the president of the Umted had been mi ormly made on principles the most just and equit States and those acting in the administration with fested their d. termination not to accide to any propositions that able, but the British cabinet by not listening to them, had manihim. were not consonant to what they were pleased to term the rights The outrages and injuries inflicted on the com-ished rights, and incompatible with the safety of independent na and privileges of the British nation, in contradiction to the estab mercial rights of our country, and on the persons of tious. The indulgence extended to that nation was carried to a our citizens are shut out of view and an artful and hu- dangerous and almost inadmissible length, while the leading cir miliating apology for the British practice of impress-ration of our government, were each of them of a nature to have cumstances which characterised the reiterated abuses of the mode ment substituted in its place.--The evils of war are exhausted any less settled system of forbearance. All attempts at painted in the most frightful colors as though it was negociation faving finally proved unsuccessful, and degradation a cardinal point in the politics of some Americans, of the deep st regret, and a disappointment to our sanguine expec staring us full in the fare, the unavoidable alternative was matter to intimidate the country into submission to the un-tations for the restoration of friendship and a good understanding righteous pretensions of Great Britain. between the two countri. s. Thus situated, either disgracefully to submit to British insolence, injustics and aggressions, and perlimps The suggestion of an apprehension that the Ameri-inally to the British yoke; or, bolly to appeal to arms to avert can government are about to form a confederacy the degradation which hovered over us, to redress our wrongs, and with France, is, in the opinion of the undersigned, on a basis not to be shaken, the constituted authorities of the na to place our national character, sovereiguty and independence upwholly without foundation. tion would not have acted in consonance with the high sentiments Whatever may have been the motives of the fram- of the American people, if they had abandoned themselves to a di reet confession of the inability of our country to maintain the hoers of this declaration and resolves, the undersigned nor, diguity, and exalted rank which she holds among the great gations of the world: But animated by kindred sentiments with which the President was authorised to detach from the several those which pervaded their injured and insulted constituents, after states, by virtue of an act of congress passed the 10th day of that having withsut success exhausted all resources, in order to pre-month. In obedience to this call, I instructed the adjutant general serve peace upon honorable terms, they with manly firmness em- to distribute the necessary orders to have the requisition complied braced the last resor-an appeal to arms, to rescue their country with, as soon as practicable. My instructions were executed by from impending disgrace and ruin, him with the utmost promptitude and dispatch. The returns were When we reflect that the war in which we are at present engag-received within the period prescribed by law, and have been transed has not, in any degree, been provoked on our part-that all our mitted to the war department. It is highly gratifying to me to of rs to conciliate, so far from having the contemplated and desir have it in my power to state to you, upon information derived from able tendency to produce prace, had the effect to stimulate the Bri-nost of the general officers, that nearly the whole of their spec tish government to fresh acts of unprovoked hostility-and, in fine. tive quotas were made up of volunteers; and it gives me additional when we reflect that in pursuing the course which had been mark-pleasure to remark, that several volunteer companies in different ed out by our forbearance, we had reached the brink of degrade- sections of the state, have made an offer of service as part of the lion, and that by advancing one step farther our national character detachment; on all of whom, but more especially on some of them, would have been plunged into irretrievable disgrace, our feelings who have recently solicited to be called into service whenever ne irresistably prompt us to admit, that the declaration of war on our cessity may require an augmentation of the troops already on du part, was not only justifiable but indispensably necessary for the ty, too much praise cannot be bestowed. While the voluntary offer maintenance of the honor, dignity and independence of our country. of those brave men without effective arms in their hands, to risk A war founded in justice, and having for its object the preserva-their lives in defence of their country's violated rights, redounds to tion of the character and sovereign rights of the U States, juposes an their honor and patriotisin, it furnishes ample grounds for the pre obligation on all the departments of the general and state governsumption that, if adequate and suitable provision in every respect ments, and indeed on the whole American people, to afford it their was made, volunteers to meet any emergency could easily be proigorous and fjortive support. It is your province, gentlemen, as cured. the most efficient branch of our state government to devise and No provision has been made by law for arming and equipping adopt such measures as to you may seem best calculated to give this detachment. The laws of congress and of this state require energy to the constituted authorities of the nation, to mitigate the that the individuals composing the detachment should arm and equip evils of war to our own citizens, to render it effectual against the themselves. The commissioned officers may have it in their power to enemy, and to bring it to a just, speedy and honorable conclusion.comply with those laws; but a compliance on the part of the nonUnanimity and vigor are so essentially connected with the accom-commissioned officers and privates is impracticable: Not because plishment of those objects that without them the best concerted plans they are destitute of the means (which however is unfortunately may be frustrated, the arm of government paralized, and the most the case with many) to enable them to purchase them; but because disgraceful and ruinous consequences result to our national liberty. arms of the description to be useful in the field, and such as they Therefore, permit me earnestly to entreat you at this important are required, by the act of congress, to furnish themselves with, crisis, to consign to oblivion party distinctions-to banish from your are not to be found for sale in this state. Admitting, however, walls those party heats and animosities which have unfortunately that every opportunity was afforded to individuals to purchase their so long existed in our country, which if cherished at times like the own arms, would it not seem to be peculiarly hard, that the may present may endanger the fundamental principles of our political who is drafted or the brave soldier who voluntarily steps forth to existence, and render us an easy prey to a contemptible enemy; fight the battles of his country, should, moreover, be compelled, by and as the representatives of a free people contending for their sathe laws of that country, to furnish his own arms? It has generally cred rights and privileges, to support with unanimity such mea- been conceded that the militia of our country is the bulwark of our SUITS 44 may seem meet and necessary for the defence and security safety-it cannot be denied, that if, in times of war, they are fin of those inestimable blessings. United, we have nothing to fear armed and unprovided with the munitions of war, it must be in a from our enemies. Divided, all is at hazard. Notwithstanding tottering situation. Therefore, it must be indispensably necessary there may have existed a difference of opinion as to the propriety that effective arms and the necessary military equipments should now of the declaration of war, at the time when that event took place, be provided for such portions of them as may be subject to be call yet, as the objects now at stake are all important, your wisdom anded upon to do duty in the field. Without those requisites, a force patriotism are sure pledges of your zealous co-operation in prose-whose bravery might be unequalled, would be merely nominal cuting the contest with the utmost vigor, as the only effectual and from which, opposed by a well armed and well disciplined means of conducting it to a speedy and successful termination. enemy, vastly inferior to them in point of numbers, it would be Iat England be taught to know that the present race of Americans unreasonable to expect any thing short of a total defeat. It inay are not of spurious origin-that they are the legitimate offspring of be proper here to observe, that in answer to a letter which I wrote the heroes of our revolution: She will then respect our rights, and to the secretary of the war department, dated the 3d of June last, the savage war-hoop will cease to terrify the defenceless inhabitants asking to be informed as to the number and kind of arms to which of our extensive frontiers. this state was entitled under the act of congress passed in the year While we are rigorously pursuing the course which our govern- 1808, to arm the whole body of militia of the United States, whe ment has been com "elied to adopt against Great Britain, it may be ther her proportion of those arms had been transmitted, and, if not, essential to our safety to guard against the wiles and intrigues of when I might expect to receive them, he informed me, that, in a no lessinveterate enemy to our rights and liberties-the emperor conformity to the act, two thousand stands of arms would imme of the French-Our differences with him, as the President of the diately be forwarded to the United States' commanding officer at . States in his recent communication to Congress, has informed Fort Johnston, subject to my order. These arms (muskets and bay the nation, are yet in an unsettled state. He has furnished incon-onets only) were accordingly received, and receipted for, under trovertible villence of his superior claims to a pre-eminent practi-that act. As they were not trans:nitted by the general government eal knowledge of all the vices and enormities which render a human for the special purpose of being placed in the hands of the detach being odious in the eyes of God and man. Crimes and intrigues thement, but in conformity to the provisions of that act of congress, most wicked: the meat shocking to humanity,be has resorted to in or they have been considered as the common property of the stateder to accomplish his nefarious purposes, gratify his boundless ambi-No provision has been made by law for their distribution. But ad tion and insatiablethirst for universal dominion. Unoffending nations mitting that those muskets are, by your directions, distributed on the continent of Europe have felt the full force of his friendship;among the men composing the detachment, they will not only be they have been crushed by its arder, and still groan under its cont.-insufficient to arm one third of thein, but must be entirely use waner. A stranger to equity and justice, be would do violence to less unaccompanied by the necessary munitions of war. his natural propens hes were he to make suitable atonement for are engaged in war, the necessity of placing the state in a warlike any one of the volume of aggressions which he has perpetrated attitude, is so obvious that no room is left for a doubt upon the subagainst the rights of independent and uetitral nations. From ject. As we such a character, whose desperie will is the supreme law of his em- While your attention is directed to this important subject, might Rice, and whose thirst for conquest cannot be satiated by any thing it not be proper to extend your enquiries into the expedi ney or short of the snbjugation of the whole world, have the U. States propriety of making some provision to promote and encourage yo reasonable grounds to expect restitution for the multiplied injuries iunteer associations under the act of congress, and the act supple and spoitations which they have experienced at his hands, unaccommentary there to, authorising the president to accept the service of panied by views connected with his men aggrandizem.cut? Knowing 50,000 volunteers? I have recently been informed, that in many the governing principles of his actions, the United States would be parts of the state exertions are making by patriotic individuals to When it is taken into Jest to a sense of every thing conducive to the preservation of their raise volunteer companies under those acts. honor and best interests, were they to enter into an alliance with consideration that troops of this description, owing to their ap bim on any conditions or in any manner whatever. That this grand proximation to regulars, promise the utmost efficiency in their ope and favorite are of his, as we are engaged in war with England, rations in the field, would it not be very desirable that every in this rival, as we in warts in aggressions upon our rights) will now ducement should be ailorded which seemed calculated to promote be laid for the U. States, we have every renson to expect: Should their enrolment? It is true that they are to be armed, equipped such expectation be verified, it will be for our country to deter and paid by the general government, but they are to furnish their mine wis ther she will be allured into it. It is not to be doubted own clothing. Would it not accelerate the enrolment of those vo that an open and direct war with the French nation is an evil less lunteers if some provision was made to furnish them suitable unito be dreaded than an entangling alliance which would not fail to forms and other necessaries? produce the most humiliatior effects upon our national character, and from which we should not be able to extricate ourselves but by then it create could not be well organized. It is desti In consequence of the imperfection of our militia laws the de an appeal to arms. Therefore, gentlemen, az Americans. let us mite in vigorously fit of a floor trade, though indispensably necessary to the tute of an adjutant-general, quarter-master-general and many other prosecuting the war against England, and c Americans, let us And so far as it relates to our unite in demanding justic fron, and guarding against the intrigues perfect organization of an army. of France. Let us teach both those nasions, that the conditions of militia generally it may, with the utmost confidence he said, that our ur friendship is the redress of our wrongs. present system cannot be productive of any thing burdering upon In the month of April last. I was called upon by the President of most pressing manner to recommend to you a total revision of nar even a tolerable discipline. Therefore, gentlemen, permit me in the the United States, througir the secretary of the department of war, militia laws. to organize, arm and equip according to law, and hold in readiness Under a conviction that the declaration of war rendered an early far actual service, seven thousand of the militia of this state, ofis met ting of the general assembly indispensably necessary, that cers included, being her quota of one hundred thousand militia pasche messengers, shortly after I was ofhcially informed of that Events of the Char. erent, to the council of state, requesting their attendance at the government on the 14th of July last. A majority of that honorable body accordingly met on that day. After being informed that they were organized and ready to receive any communication I In daily expectation of important news-from might have to lay before them, I informed them of the declaration of waral of the receipt of the above mentioned muskets and bay Dearborn, Smyth or Harrison-from Chauncey, on onets-that except those, the state was destitute of suitable arms Ontario, and Rodgers, Decatur and others on the and munitions of war of every description-that we had been call es upon by the President of the United States to detach seven great ocean-we kept open our pages until the fast thousand of the nihtia of this state, who were without, and who moment, in order to gratify our readers with the could not procure effective arms; and finally (it being dech by latest intelligence-but "there is no news." me unnecessary to enter fully into the detail of all the provisions necessary to be made by the legislature in consequence of the drela The army collected at Plaitsburg left that place ration of war) their opinion was asked whether the general assen on the 16th ult. under the command of major-geneBly should not be convened as early as practicable, in order that provision might seasonably be made to obviate any evils which ral Dearborn. The troops, whose number is variousnight arise from our unprepared situation for war, and to place ly stated, were furnished with 26 rounds of ball the state in an attitude to support her dignified rank in the union. car ridges each-the regulars were joined by large The council were unaximously of opinion, that it was neither advisable nor expedient that the general assembly should be convened bodies of militia from Vermont, and the whole was eather than its regular time of meeting. in high spirits and excellent condition. The U. S. In pursuance of instructions which I had received from the se cretary of the war department, to call into service such nonber of vessels of war on lake Champlain, at the same time, the detachment as major-general Pinckney might deem necessary moved to the north, and there appeared every pros. for the defence of the sea-board of this state, and in compliance pect of an immediate descent upon Canada, with a with a requisition made by him in the mouth of July last, I order ed into service eight companies, four of which were stationed at view of taking Montreal. Two days after, to wit, Fort Johnston and four at Fort Hampton. Those companies being on the 18th, the army encamped at Champlum, about without armis when they were called into service, I conceived that half a mile this side the lines-since then we have I should be warranted by the existing necessity in causing an ade quate number of those arms which had been received as before stato account of it. General Bloomfield was sick, and ed, to be furnished them at those posts. I therefore gave directions did not march with the troops. to that effect, and in conformity thereto they were turnished with five hundred and fifty stands. To a volunteer company raised in Brigadier-general Smyth appears from his last pro Washington for its immediate protection, and to a company of the clamation to be on the very point of entering Canadetachment at the seat of government, it was deemed necessary da. The fact is confirmed by private letters to the to make a further distribution of one hundred arul fifty stands of those arms. There are in the hands of a volunteer company at editor from Buffaloe. Fayetteville one hundred and thirty muskets, exclusive of those al ready mentioned, which are considered the property of the state. From brigadier-general Harrison we have nothing As a safe depository for, and in order to facilitate an equal distribu- of importance. The time has not yet come for actior of them. I have caused the residue of those arms (thirteen tive operations. Immense supplies are still prohundred stands) to be removed from the sea-board to Fayetteville ceeding to his army-and when it comes into contact Receipts have been taken for the arms which have been distributed with the enemy we shall calculate upon a glorious and the persons in whose possession they are, are bound to return them in good order when called for by the proper authority. It is victory. with you, gentlemen, to order such distribution, as well of those To the South we have also looked with great which have been distributed by my directions, as of those remain-anxiety; but we have no particulars-further than ing in Fayetteville, as you may deem expedient. Two of those companies stationed at Fort Hampton, and one of that the legislature of Georgia considering that those stationed at Fort Johnston, have been dis issed from service state as in imminent danger," were about to adopt This reduction has been deemed advisable by general Pinckney, in consequence of the progress made in the recruiting service in the measures, having, perhaps, for their ulterior object, lower part of this state. In a communication which I received from the seizure of Florida-or at least the dispersion of the general on the 9th inst. he informed me that the residue of the the hostile force. state troops would shortly be relieved by detachments from the 10th United States' regiment, and that when relieved, they might be permitted to return to their homes. It affords me the greatest satisfaction to be able to inform you that the conduct of the troops remaining in service, as well as that of those who have been dismiss ed, has been highly meritorious. I have been informed, from a source entitled to the greatest credit, that there have been but few desertions; that they have been orderly, attentive to their duty, so that their progress in the knowledge of military tacties has surpass ed the must sanguine expectations. I was It appears wonderful that we hear nothing from any of our vessels of war. It seems impossible that they should have so long cruized the sea without meeting the enemy. But, when we do hear of them, be their fate what it may, we shall hear of deeds of glory-unless fortune is so unkind as to keep the enemy from them. The British frigate Southampton, whose captain, sir James Yeo, sent an impudent and brutal challenge to captain Porter, of the United States frigate Essex, is on the coast-and all the harm we wish the creature is-that Porter may get along side of him-that's all Conceiving that the extensive sea-coast of this state required some defence against Oat predatory warfare which we might reasona bly expect would be carried on by the enemy, I made a communication in the month of September last, in relation to that subject, to the secretary of the war department; in which I suggested to Im the plan of calling out portions of the detachment, as occasion might require, whose services and compensation should be commensurate with that occasion, as promising the best protection that But though we have no great news of the war, could be afforded under existing circumstances. In answer? informed by him that a copy of my letter had been transmitted to the reader will find a good deal of interesting mat major-general Pinckney, to whom the subject, embraced in it, had ter in the present number of the REGISTER. been referred. In the month of October I received from that offcer a communication, wherein he acknowledged the receipt of the copy of my letter to the secretary of war, and expressed a convic tion that the plan suggested by me was the best protection that could By general orders, HeadQuarters, New-York, be afforded by the means placed at his disposal. exyention, he then made a requisition of me to issue orders to the Nov. 21, 1812-the new fort on the Hudson has takofficers on the sea-board, instructing them, that in the event of an en the name of "Gansevoort," as a small tribute of attack made, or obviously intended to be made, by the enemy on any respect for the military services and character of the part of the sea-coast, not within supporting distance of the troops To facilitate its MILITARY. A new fort is building at Ogdensburgh, N. Y、 already stationed there, they should call into service so many of the late brigadier-general Gansevoort, of the U. States detachment as the occasion might require, without further orders.army. In conformity thereto, I have issued orders, through the adjutantgeneral to major-gen. Thomas Brown, requiring him to give or den to colonel Flowers of the 1st and colonel Bruton of the 2d re giments of detached militia, whose commands embrace the whole extent of our sea-coast, to be in readiness to repel any invasion, and to give instructions to the officers of their respective regiments to call out the men under their command, should events render it ne-. ressary, without further orders; thereby placing it in the power of all the officers attached to those regiments to act upon an emergency with that promptness necessary to be used in repelling preda ory incursions. [The rest of the message, which is also very long, is strictly local.] WILLIAM HAWKINS. Raleigh, November 18, 1812 "Fort Winchester," lately erected, is a few rods higher up the Auglaize, than old Fort Defiance Several boats have lately been built here, for government use. Orange county, New-York, has furnished four companies of regular troops, recruited since the declaration of war-five companies of volunteers have also been organized, and left the county for the defence of New-York. This is practical patriotisen. The anniversary of the evacuation of New-York,minding the officers and soldiers of the army, that by the British, was observed in high stile in that all cominunications relative to their duties, or to city on the 25th ult. the public service, should be made to their imme One hundred and eighty officers and soldiers of diate commanding officers, and forbidding them to the 4th United States regiment, the "Tippecanoe correspond on these subjects with any other persons, boys" have arrived in a cartel at Boston from Que-reserving to all concerned, the rights secured to bec. Other transports were expected with the re-them by the rules and articles of war. By order of mainder. They have since arrived. the secretary of war. New-Hampshire Volunteers-Enlistments for eleen companies in this state (says a New-Hampshire) paper) have commenced, nine of which are now near-GENERAL SMYTH TO THE SOLDIERS OF THE ARMY OF THE ly full. There is a good prospect that as fine a regiment of hardy fellows as ever shouldered a musket T. II. CUSHING, Adj. Gen. CENTRE: Companions in arms !-The time is at hand when will be raised, all of whom are ready to march you will cross the stream of Niagara, to conquer Ca where the government may require them. Too much nada, and to secure the peace of the American fron praise cannot be bestowed on the silver-headed vete- tier. rans who have been active in enlisting men, and who You will enter a country that is to be one of the have pledged themselves to support, at the mouth United States. You will arrive among a people who of the cannon and the point of the bayonet, the are to become your fellow-citizens. It is not against rights of our injured country. them that we come to make war. It is against that A letter from col. Edward P. Gaines, of the U. S.government which holds them as vassals. army, dated at Knoxville, Ten. Nov 16, says "a war You will make this war as little as possible dis with the Lower Creeks seems now inevitable"-but tressful to the Canadian people. If they are peacethe col. is inclined to believe that the Upper Creeks, able, they are to be secure in their persons, and in being further removed from foreign influence, will re- their property, as far as our imperious necessities main at peace, if the "Siminoles do not obtain a few will allow. partial victories," and if "a strong British force does Private plundering is absolutely forbidden. Any not make its appearance in West Florida." We trust soldier who quits his rank, to plunder on the field of all these apprehensions, as well as those of the peo-battle, will be punished in the most exemplary manple of Georgia, may be allayed by a law of the U.jner. of the whole country. States, authorising, at least, a temporary possession But your just rights as soldiers will be maintained. Whatever is booty, by the usages of war, you There is a strange resemblance between the con-shall have. All horses belonging to artillery and ca duct of the British and many persons in the United valry; all waggons and teams, in public service, will States, differing only the things alluded to. When be sold for the benefit of the captors. Public stores the frigate Constitution suled from Washington city will be secured for the service of the United States. she was represented as “defective” in almost every The government will, with justice,pay you the value. thing but she was so well fitted as to make her The horses, drawing the light artillery of the ene. escape from a large British squadron possessing my, are wanted for the service of the United States. great advantages-an escape that reflected as much I will order two hundred dollars, for each, to be paid Konor upon her officers and crew as the subsequent to the party who may take them. victory over the Guerriere. It was then that the I will order forty dollars to be paid for the arms and Guerriere, though a few days before represented as spoils of each savage warrior, who shall be killed. one of the best, vessels in the world, was found "de- Soldiers ---You are amply provided for war. You fictive," but this discovery was made by the British. are superior in number to the enemy. Your personAccording to the language here, every thing Ameri-jal strength and activity are greater. Your weapons con is “defective”-so also was the Alert, taken by are longer. The regular soldiers of the enemy are te Esser, and the Frolic (British vessels) taken by generally old men, whose best years have been spent the Wasp the latter was particularly so, and be in the sickly climate of the West-Indies. They will s des "unprepared for action," though she fired the not be able to stand before you, when you charge with first gun! We should not be surprised if the lovers the bayonet. of "defective," at home, were to represent all the sol- You have seen Indians, such as those hired by the ders of the United States as "defective" in legs, be- British, to murder women and children, and kill and use the government had neglected to supply them scalp the wounded. You have seen their dances and with garters--nor would it be matter of astonish-grimaces, and heard their yells. Can you fear them? ment if the British should solemnly depose and swear No-You hold them in the utmost contempt. that the next ship our gallant tars may fall in with, Volunteers (-Disloyal and traitorous men have enwas nothing more than an old anchor floating on the surface of the water, with three setting poles stuck into it by way of masts! A letter from Natchez says, that col. Claiborne, at the head of 5 or 600 men of the militia of the Mississippi territory, had marched for Baton Rouge, with a supposed ulterior destination for Pensacola. deavored to dissuade you from doing your duty.— Sometimes they say, if you enter Canada, you will be held in service for five years. At others they say, that you will not be furnished with supplies. At other times they say, that, if you are wounded, the government will not provide for you by pensions. The just and generous course pursued by the government towards the volunteers who fought at Tippecanoe, furnishes an answer to the last objection. The others are too absurd to deserve any. Volunteers !-I esteem your generous and patriotic You have made sacrifices on the altar of You will not suffer the enemies of Adjutant-general's office, Washington city, 25th Nov. 1812. GENERAZ ORDERS.-Certain publications having ap peared in the news-papers, giving information in de-motives. ail of the strength and probable objects of the your country. anies to which the writers are said to belong; which our fame to mislead you from the path of duty and information, if true, is calculated to apprize the honor, and deprive you of the esteem of a grateful enemy of their real strength, if incorrect, to mis-country. You will shun the eternal infumy that awaits lead the public mind; it has become necessary to the man, who, having come within sight of the cnebut a stop to all such publications in future, by re- my, basely shrinks in the moment of trial |