pardoned all who had been imprisoned or banished for having had connexions with the enemy-he forgave all debts to the Government under 2000 roubles he opened the prison-doors to all criminals but murderers and robbers-he mitigated the sentences of all condemned to death-he released his vast territories from all levy of recruits for this year and perhaps the next he sent magnificent, though merited presents to the widow and daughters of Prince Kutusow: and having implored in his Cathedral the blessing and protection of God, he set forth on his journey for Vienna. The Emperor, before his departure for Vienna, ordered great retrenchments to be made in the expences of all the branches of the administration. The different boards are employed in draw ments. The Emperor Alexander has conferred on M. Kotzebue the Order of St. Anne; with a declaration that "he had merited this honour by the perseverance with which he combated the pernicious principles of the late French Government." Count Rostopchin, late Governor of Moscow, and Admiral Tschitchakoff, have been nominated Members of the Imperial Council, as a reward for their long and meritorious services. An ordinance was issued by the Kinging up plans for making these retrench of Prussia, at Berlin, on the 3d inst. the subject of which is the establishment, throughout the Prussian dominions, of á military force so extensive, as shall always ensure the safety of the whole kingdom. The same efforts, he says, by which the deliverance of the country was effected in the late war, will be necessary to preserve its liberty in time of peace. For this purpose, the whole population of the country is to be armed; every person of the age of twenty, or upwards, is obliged to defend his country; the armed force of the kingdom will consist of a permanent army, the landwehr of the first requisition, the landwehr of the second requisition, and the landṣturm. The Decree contains a variety of directions for regulating the organization of all the military bodies, and it is evident that, if this measure be fully executed, Prussia will be as great a military nation as any on the Continent. According to the desire of the King of Prussia, a Committee of the Clergy is directed to examine the Liturgies and all the religious ceremonies of the foreign Protestant Churches, and to compare them with those of Prussia, for the purpose of producing the best form for a Liturgy, to give public worship new life and new energy, and confirm more and more the religious disposition of the people. RUSSIA. The Emperor of Russia left Petersburgh for Vienna on the 13th ult. Setting out on a mission for the consolidation of peace, his Majesty very wisely and humanely "made straight the way before him," by acts of clemency and justice, by mercy to the offending, and by rewards to the deserving. He con ferred honours upon all who had contributed to the defence of the country-he The merchants of St. Petersburgh lately gave an entertainment of $00 covers to the generals, superior officers, and the staff of the Russian guards. The Grand Duke Constantine honoured the company with his presence. The subofficers and soldiers were treated eleven days in succession with rations at the expence of the merchants, and each private was presented with a silver rouble. DENMARK. A treaty of peace was signed on the. 25th of August, between Prussia and Denmark. It appears that the latter is to obtain an additional indemnity for the surrender of Norway, besides Pomerania, which has already been ceded to it by Sweden. A British force is reported to have taken possession of the island of Bornholm, in the Baltic, by virtue of a priz vate arrangement with Denmark. AMERICA AND THE WEST INDIES. The loss sustained at Washington turns out, upon investigation, to be much greater than was at first imagined. It is ascertained, that immediately prior to the unexpected arrival of our troops, the navy-yard was in most complete or der, and filled with all kinds of naval stores; the store-houses were well built, and intended to have been fire-proof. Their erection, with that of the yard, had had cost the American Government not less than one million sterling. There were immense quantities of all sorts of timber, oak plank, masts, &c. &c. Of live oak and cedar, there was suffi cient to build six sail of men of war; and in one single warehouse, sheet copper of different thicknesses, which was rolled in England, and. had been purchased by the American Government previous to the present war, for full 300,000. Of canvas there was a stock sufficient to supply at least a seven-years' war: hemp and cordage were also in great abundance, as were pitch, tar, oils, paints, and all other requisites for finishing ships. Close at band was the only cannon foundery in the UnitedStates, with great numbers of cannon, anchors, &c. ready made. The General from whose inspection and report these particulars were minutely ascertained, is a professional judge of the value of this arsenal and its contents, the loss of which to the American Government, he esti mates at three millions sterling. The taking of Alexandria also is confirmed. That town surrendered by capitur lation. All the shipping in the harbour, with their cargoes, and immense stores of flour, tobacco, and other merchandize, fell into the hands of the British. It was a curious circumstance, that when the conquerors entered Mr. Madison's palace, they found the table laid for a grand supper. The Champaigne was in coolers-a fine dessert set out on the side-boards, &c.-so the British Officers ordered in the supper; and Gen. Ross drank his Majesty's health at the head of the table, with the President's wine. The following is a passage in one of the Washington Papers the day previous to the capture of that City: After describing the march of many troops, the writer adds, "In a few hours thousands of brave men will be prepared to resist the host of mercenaries that now threaten us. Arrayed in defence of all that renders life a blessing, and for protecting from insult and desolation the Metropolis of their Country, hallowed by the venerable name of Washington, every arm will be nerved with valour irresistible!!" General Armstrong has been compelled to retire from the Administration of the American war department: be resigned on the 30th of August, and Monroe fills his place ad interim. Recent dispatches from the Chesapeake brought an account of the repulse of the American army near Baltimore, by a numerically inferior British force; GENT. MAG. October, 1814, the death of the gallant General Ross b a chance shot, while reconnoitring that town; the abandonment of a meditated attack upon that place by our troops, in consequence of finding it too strong; and their subsequent re-embarkation. A proclamation issued by Sir John Sherbrooke and Admiral Griffith, at Halifax, on the 21st ult, announces that they have taken formal possession for his Majesty of all the Eastern side of the Penobscot, and the country lying between that river and the boundary line of the province of New Brunswick, including Long and other Islands. They have established a Provisional Government till his Majesty's pleasure be known, and appointed Major-General Gosselin Governor. By this Proclamation it thus officially appears that our Government requires a new boundary line to Canada. We have received Canadian papers of recent date, which we are sorry to find filled with melancholy facts and indignant lamentations on the loss of our flotilla on Lake Champlain, and the sudden retreat of the British forces from Plattsburg. In these accounts it is said, that the most ample preparations had been made for the expedition against Plattsburg; and that a force of not fewer than 14,000 mén, under the command of the Governor General Sir G. Prevost, and immediately led by Major Generals Brisbane, Power, and Robinson, had proceeded to Champlain for that purpose. The military movements were to be co-operated with by our naval force on the Lake; which, though inferior by one-fourth in guns, &c. was deemed competent to engage the American flotilla. On the morning of the 11th uft. the British fleet commenced the attack on the enemy in Plattsburg bay. Capt. Downie, in the Confiance, a vessel lately built, of 28 guns, led our small squadron. Unfortunately, the Commander was killed in the outset of the affair; but his vessel was gallantly fought by the first Lieutenant, until she became a perfect wreck. A brig and two sloops supported the leading vessel in a most determined manner, but were obliged to yield on its surrender, having likewise suffered severely. The slaughter on board our vessels was dreadful; every officer was either killed or wounded, except Capt. Pringle, second in command: of about 300 men that were on board the Confiance, only 40, it is said, escaped unhurt, and these were made pri soners. A few gun-boats and a provisionvessel alone secured their retreat. While this was going on, Major-general Bris bane, bane, to whom was entrusted the direction of the attack on the enemy's defences, had opened batteries upon the forts and works. Every thing was ready for the assault. In all human probability, the place would have been carried in the space of a few minutes, as the garrison did not exceed 1,400 men. But at this moment Sir G. Prevost, finding the naval contest terminate so unpropitiously, ordered a retreat, and tore from the expectant victors the laurels which they had already earned, and those which were almost in their grasp. The General Officers commanding brigades are said to have regarded retreat as unnecessary, and to have remonstrated against it; but Sir George's orders being peremptory, it was ultimately carried into execution. Our loss in the naval attack is estimated at 170 in killed and wounded. In the land attack, the private accounts rate it at 800 men. The army had, at the latest date of advices (the 17th of September) returned to nearly the same positions as those which they occupied previous to the attack on Plattsburg. Considerable loss of provisions and ammunition had been sustained in the retreat, during which 150 men deserted; and the cost of the expedition altogether is estimated, in the letters, at half a million sterling. It was rumoured, that Gen. Robinson had been put under arrest; that Generals Brisbane and Power had tendered their resignation; and that dissatisfaction had been openly expressed against Sir G. Prevost. Did we give implicit credit to these accounts, we should join in blaming the conduct of Sir G. Prevost, and deeming him unfit for command. But we cannot overlook the fact, that the accounts are anonymous and ex-parte statements; and therefore candour and justice require a suspension of opinion on this subject till the official dispatches shall bring us an authentic statement. That the result of this expedition has sorely disappointed our expectations, it would be absurd to deny; but we ought not hastily to throw the blame of every dis aster upon the officers holding a command. Among other information of a minor interest contained in these papers, are the details of the American failure before Michilimakinac. The official report of Captain Sinclair, the American commander, contains the following statement: "Michilimakinac is by nature a perfect Gibraltar, being a high inaccessible rock on every side, except the West; from which, to the heights, you have near two miles to pass through a wood, so thick that our men were shot in every direction, and within a few yards of them, without being able to see the Indians who did it; and a height was scarcely gained before there was another within 50 or 100 yards commanding it, where breast-works were erected, and cannon opened on them. Several of those were charged, and the Enemy driven from them; but it was soon found the further our troops advanced, the stronger the Enemy became, and the weaker and more bewildered our force were several of the commanding officers were picked out, and killed or wounded by the savages, without seeing any of them. The men were getting lost, and falling into a confusion natural under such circumstances, which demanded an immediate retreat, or a total defeat and general massacre must have ensued. This was conducted in a masterly man ner by Colonel Croghan, who had lost the aid of that valuable and ever-to-belamented officer, Major Holmes, who, with Captain Vanborn, was killed by the Indians." Captain Sinclair, however, adds, that he had captured two or three vessels, some with Indian goods, and others with provisions; that he had blockaded the only rivers by which the place could be supplied; and that, in consequence of these circumstances, Fort Machilimakinac must ultimately be starved into a surrender. * The West India papers state, that in Dominica, the Maroons and runaway Negroes were daily submitting. Many slaves of both sexes had been sent in by the Colonial Rangers. On the 12th of July, the Camp of Jacko, one of the Chiefs, was surprised, while many of its inmates were absent, seeking for vege table stores, to enable them to retreat to another quarter. Jacko made a desperate resistance; he killed two rangers; wounded a third, and was shot through the head while levelling a musket at a fourth. He had resided in the woods upwards of forty years, and was considered as the chief of all the His male adherents escaped by byerunaways. paths. The Royal Arms of Hayti, prefixed to the edicts and proclamations of Christophe, are, a crown, with two lions rampant guardant for supporters Motto, “God, my cause, and my sword.” In the centre, a phoenix, encircled with the following words: "I rise again from my ashes." In these proclamations, he does not assume the title of Emperor, with which some of the papers have dubbed him. They are entitled thus: “** by the Grace of God, and the ConHenry, stitutional Law of the State, King of Hayti, &c. &c." IRELAND. IRELAND. Sept. 8. The Mars, from Liverpool to Quebec, with a cargo worth near 100,000l. took fire off Wexford, and instantly burnt to the water's edge. The captain, passengers, and crew, had merely time to step into a boat; and after some time were picked up. Mr. Pleasants, who lately expended the sum of 80002. in the erection of a stove tenter house in Dublin for the purpose of keeping the poor manufacturers in employment during the winter, has since contributed 60002, towards the improving and enlarging Meath Hospital. COUNTRY NEWS. Sept. 23. A murder of the most barbarous nature was perpetrated at Broadwood Kelly, Devonshire, by one Alex. Bealy, on Elizabeth Martin, whose head he severed completely from her body with a common reaping hook. The murderer has been committed for trial, Sept. 24. This evening a storm of thunder, accompanied by very vivid lightning, passed over Gloucester; and the tempest was felt in its extreme rage at no very remote distance. Between Northleach and Burford, the mail-coach thence to London was literally enveloped in flame. The coachman lost all command of the horses, the leaders were twice on the very brink of the stone quarries by the side of the road, and the coach was only prevented from upsetting by the extraordinary attention. and exertions of the guard, who led the horses several miles to keep them in the track. The awful flashes of lightning affected the passengers, driver, and guard, as well as the horses, almost to blindness; and it was a considerable time before they recovered the perfect use of vision. On reaching Burford, the inhabitants implored them to stop till the violence of f the tempest should subside; but not having to change horses there, the coachman sacrificed safety to duty, and went on. After ascending the hill beyond that town, they were alarmed by the cries of a number of persons in distress; and on approaching nearer, found the Gloucester heavy coach upset, with 18 passengers, men, women, and children, imploring help in the most piteous terms. A man was in consequence sent back on horseback to Burford for assistance; and chaises came from thence very soon, with a surgeon and other persons, who rendered every aid in their power; but happily no material personal injury had been sustained by any of these distressed people, who were quickly enabled to pursue their journey.-After the Mail again proceeded, a ball of fire fell in the road, within a few yards of the coach, but providentially without occasioning any damage. It was half-past 12 before they reached Oxford, at which time the tempest had abated; and they finally got to London three hours after their usual period. The same storm seems to have taken a very extensive range. The leaders of one of the Exeter (coaches were struck down by the lightning between Bridport and Blandford, when the coachman, leaping from the box to endeavour to prevent ill consequences, broke his leg. And a fire-ball fell upon a barley-mow at Compton, near Sherborne, which it destroyed. The lightning also set fire to a barn, at Hellingsley, Sussex, containing three loads of wheat and 50 quarters of oats, the whole of which, together with two lodges and a stable, were consumed. Oct. 1. A fire broke out at St. Neot's, in Cambridge-street; in consequence, as is supposed, of the carelessness of three men who were splitting fire-wood with gunpow der, some parts of which had been blown on a thatched building. The flames spread so rapidly, that eleven houses, including the toll-house, were consumed. Many of the poor inhabitants have lost the whole of their furniture and other property. A fire suddenly broke out at noon, in the work-shops of Mr. Wm. Hutchinson, jun. in George-yard, Lowgate, Hull, whilst his men were absent at dinner, and Mr. H. on business at Newland. The flames could not be subdued until the shops and great part of the stock of Mr. Hutchinson, with all the tools belonging to himself and his workmen, were entirely destroyed; the back part of his dwelling greatly damaged, and the neighbouring houses of his tenants, &c. considerably scorched. William Smith, book-keeper to Mr. H. lost his life in the conflagration. The Luddites still continue their outrages in the neighbourhood of Nottingham. A few weeks ago, a man named Towle, of New Basford, was committed for framebreaking, upon the evidence of Mr. Garton. Aware that the evidence of Mr. Garton would not fail to bring their accomplice to condign punishment, the Luddites formed the horrid design of murdering him on the 14th inst.-Mr. Garton, having received previous intimation of their intentions, made application to the Magis. trates, who furnished him with a guard of constables well armed, On arriving at Mr. Garton's house, they eagerly inquired for him, and by way of intimidation fired several times, without doing any mischief. On forcing their way into the parlour, where the constables were waiting for them, the Luddite ring-leader received a shot in his head, and dropped dead. He proved to be a Nottingham man named Boamford, and had lately returned from sea. The noise brought many of the neighbours to the doors and windows; among the rest was Mr. Gilby, who who was shot dead by the ruffians. During the confusion they escaped. Oct. 15. A few evenings since, as the coachman of J. Simeon, esq. M. P. was returning from Reading, with two maid-servants in a gig, going down Purley-hill, near Pangbourn, the coachman was suddenly thrown off his seat, and the wheel went over his leg; the horse, finding himself at liberty, ran away, and overturned the chaisé, when one of the servant-maids was killed, and the other broke her collar-bone, but is doing well. Oct. 16. A sword-fish was last week taken in the river at Ipswich, by some lightermen, who brought it into the town to exhibit. It is nine feet long from the tail to the end of the sword, and weighs about 3 cwt. A very commodious new Methodist Chapel was opened last week, at Hull. This structure is equal, if not superior, to any similar building in the kingdom. It is said to contain, when filled, about 2,500 persons, and has cost upwards of 8,000l. A Court Martial was lately held at Portsmouth, on-board the Gladiator, for the trial of Capt. R. H. Barclay, his remaining officers and men, for the loss of the squadron of British gun-boats on Lake Erie. It appeared from the evidence that Capt. joined his command with a lieutenant, a surgeon, and 19 rejected seamen of the Lake Ontario squadron; that he dispatched to Sir James Yeo an account of the deplorable state of the ressels; and that they were then all blockaded in Amherstburg, where Gen. Proctor's army was stationed, by the American flotilla. He subsequently received reinforcements which increased his force to 150 British seamen, the remainder being Canadians and soldiers. The Enemy's force doubled his. Being compelled to sail from Amherstburg to endeavour to open a communication with Long Point, an engagement took place, the result of which is well known, the whole squadron having been taken. Sir James Yeo, in his Letter to Admiral Warren, states that, in his opinion, Capt. Barclay was wrong to sail from Amherstburg, in consequence of which this Court Martial took place. The Court pronounced the following sentence: "That the Capture of his Majesty's late Squadron was caused by the very defective means Capt. Barclay possessed to equip them on Lake Erie; the want of a sufficient number of able seamen, whom he had repeatedly and earnestly requested of Sir James Yeo to be sent to him; the very great superiority of force of the Enemy to the British Squadron; and the unfortunate early fall of the superior officers in the action."The Court, after great praise of the skill and gallantry displayed by Capt. Barclay, his officers and men, adjudged them to be Honourably Thursday, Sept. 29. This day, after divine service, a Common Hall was held, for electing two Aldermen to be presented to the Court of Aldermen for their choice of Lord Mayor for the year ensuing. The show of hands was decisively in favour of Aldermen Birch and Wood; and their names having been sent into the Court, the former, according to the usual rule of seniority, was soon after declared to have been fully elected: and having been called upon to come forward and declare himself ready to take upon him the office, he was invested with the symbols of his new dignity, and addressed the Hall amidst general testimonies of applause. "Htrusted, that he deeply felt both the importance and dignity of the situation to which the distinguishing kindness of the Livery had appointed him. He had lived too long, however, not to know the danger of presuming too much, and of preferring to raise expectations of the future, rather than to abide by the experience of the past. There was a wholesome admonition to be found in ancient writ, and in his judgment very applicable to his own immediate situation, let not him who putteth on the harness glory like him who putteth it off.' His political feelings were generally known. to the Livery; but, as on a former occasion, when he had the honour to serve the office of Sheriff, so he hoped now that he should receive, what every individual of every party claimed for himself,-credit for the integrity and purity of his motives. That he had acted in that office with no other object than the maintenance of impartial justice, he was proud to recollect, and proud to find evinced by the thanks of the Livery, which he had had the honour to receive. By the experience of the past, therefore, and not by promises of the future, he wished them to guide their expectations. To talk of loyalty to the best of Sovereigns, or of attachment to the most glorious Constitution that mankind ever lived under, would be but an idle waste of their time, and an unnecessary appeal to |
