278

THE SECRET MISSION.

PT.IV. as the city, Tecumseh was going from one Indian conP'D. II. federacy to another, and, by his eloquence, inflaming CH. 1. their minds against the whites. He did not, like Tecum- Philip, believe it possible to exterminate the entire seh's white population, but he thought the combined Indian power, might suffice to set them their bounds.

views.

16. Gov. Harrison, of the Indiana territory, was directed to march against them with a military force. On the 7th of November, he met a number of the Prophet's messengers at Tippecanoe, and a suspension of Harhostilities was agreed upon until the next day. canoe. rison formed his men in order of battle; and they thus w. 180. reposed upon their arms. Just before day, the faithInd. 270. less savages rushed upon them. But the war-whoop

Harrison at Tippe

Am. k.&

losses.

was not unexpected. The Americans stood, repelled the shock, and repulsed the assailants. Tecumseh was at a distance, not having expected, that the whites would strike the first blow.

17. The French decrees being annulled, commerce Am. had begun with France, and nine hundred American vessels, richly laden, had been captured by the British since the year 1803. The president recommended to congress, that the United States should be placed in Prepara- an attitude of defense. Provision was accordingly tions for made to increase the regular army to 35,000 men, and to enlarge the navy. The president was authorized to borrow eleven millions of dollars, and the duties on imported goods were doubled.

war.

18. Mr. Madison laid before congress documents, 1812. which proved that in 1809, the British government, by Henry's its agent, Sir James Craig, governor of Canada, had disclo sent John Henry, as an emissary to the United States; to intrigue with the leading members of the federal 1809. Secret party, and lead them, if possible, to form the eastern mission. part of the union into a nation, or province, dependent on Great Britain. Henry proceeded through Vermont

sure.

15. What was made manifest by the Indian prophet? What was Tecumseh doing? What were his views?? 16. Who was sent against the Indians? Describe the battle of Tippecanoe ? 17. How many of the American vessels had the British taken ? Since what year? What measures were taken to prepare for war?-18. What disclosure was made by the President?

WAR.

and New Hampshire to Boston; but he returned without effecting, in any degree his purpose.

279

P'T. IV.

P'D. II. сн. 11.

1812.

CHAPTER II.

War of 1812.-Condition of the country.-Hull's surrender.

June 18.

War de

1. On the 18th of June, 1812, war with Great Britain was formally declared. In 1775, the Americans were comparatively a warlike people; they had now become clared. enervated by a peace of nearly forty years. In 1808, the regular army consisted of only 3,000 men; but during that year, the government increased it to nine Military thousand. The act to raise an additional force was the U.S. passed so short a time previous to the declaration of inadewar, that not more than one-fourth of the number were enlisted at that time; and those were, of course, raw and undisciplined.

force of

quate.

State of

2. The state of the revenue in 1812, was extremely unfavorable to the prosecution of an expensive war. Derived almost solely from duties on merchandise imported, it was abundant in a state of commercial pros- the reperity; but in time of war and trouble, the aggressions of foreign powers, while they produced an increase of public expenditure, almost destroyed the means of defraying it.

venue.

vy

in a better

condition

than the

army.

3. The condition of the navy was better than that The na of the army. The situation of the United States, as a maritime and commercial nation, had kept it provided with seamen. The recent contest with Tripoli, had given to the officers and men, some experience in war. But the navy was small. Ten frigates, ten sloops, and one hundred and sixty-five gun boats, was all the public naval force, which America could oppose to the thousand ships of Great Britain.... Henry Dearborn, a

CHAPTER II.-1. At what time was war declared? What was the condition of the army? 2. What was that of the revenue? Who was made commander?

-3. What that of the navy?

General

Dear

born,

com

mander

in-chief.

280

HULL'S INVASION.

PT. IV. surviving officer of the revolution, was appointed P'D. II. major-general and commander-in-chief of the Ameri

CH. II.

1812.

the

can army.

4. The plan of the campaign was formed at Washington. It was intended to invade Canada, at Detroit and Niagara, and that the armies from these places should be joined, on the way, by the force stationed Army of at Plattsburg, and all proceed to Montreal. The army destined for Detroit, was collected at Dayton, in Ohio, some time before the declaration of war. The forces consisted of three regiments of volunteers, commanded by Cols. M'Arthur, Cass, and Findlay, and 300 regulars under Col. Miller;-the whole under Gen. Hull, who had been, for some time, governor of the Michigan Territory.

northwest.

June 30. 5. Gen. Hull, moving slowly through an uncultiHull at vated region, reached the rapids of the Maumee, and the on the first of July sent off his hospital stores, his Rapids. sick, and part of his baggage, in a vessel to go by A trunk water to Detroit. This vessel, in which was his careless- trunk of private papers, containing accounts of the ly placed. army, and plans of movement, was taken by the British. Gen. Hull arrived at Detroit on the 5th, and on the 12th invaded Canada. At Sandwich he issued a bold and imposing proclamation, inviting the Canadians to join him. The British force, which it was expected his army would attack, was at Fort Malden. He waited near it for artillery from Detroit. A detachment of the army took a bridge leading to the fort, but he would not suffer them to retain it.

Van

6. As the British had the command of the waters, the road from Ohio, by which Hull expected a party Horne's under Capt. Brush to bring provisions, was infested by party de- warriors whom their shipping landed on the American feated by Tecum side. Hull sent a detachment, under Van Horne, to seh. keep open the road. Tecumseh and his Indians lay

in ambush, and killed thirty of his men, when the remainder fled to Detroit.

11

4. What was the plan of the campaign? Describe the army of the north-west ? -5. Describe Hull's progress from Dayton to the vicinity of Malden?-6. What happened to the first party sent by Hull to escort Capt. Brush?

SURRENDER OF DETROIT.

281

7. On the 17th, the important fortress of Mackinaw P'T.IV. was taken, by a party of British and Indians, the small P'D. II. garrison being allowed the honors of war. The vic- CH. II. torious party were now bearing down upon Hull. Nor 1812. was this all, Gen. Dearborn was drawn by the British, on pretence of treating for peace, into an armistice, in which Hull's army was not included. This set free which the whole British army of Canada to come against Hull. him, as nothing was to be feared from any other quarter.

Circum

stances

alarm

Magua

ga.

8. Gen. Hull took counsel of his fears, and against the entreaties of his officers, returned to Detroit. He Aug. 8. sent immediately Col. Miller, with 600 men, to escort Battle of Capt. Brush. In the woods of Maguaga he routed, in a severe fight, Tecumseh and his Indians: and then Am. loss returned to Detroit, Gen. Hull having learned that Capt. Brush had taken another route.... Fifty persons, mostly the garrison of Chicago, were slain by a party of savages, as they were attempting to pass from that place to Detroit.

80.

Brock

proaches

Detroit.

9. On the 13th, Brock, the most able of the Bri- Aug. 15. tish Generals, arrived at Malden, and took com- арmand. On the 14th, he moved the British forces to Sandwich, and the next day sent a summons to Hull to surrender; threatening him, that the Indians would be let loose upon Detroit, unless he did. On the morning of the 16th, Brock crossed to Spring Wells, and moved towards Detroit. Gen. Hull drew up his men in order of battle; then, while they were eager for the fight, ordered them to retire to the fort. The indignation of the army broke forth, and all subordination ceased. They crowded in, and without any order from the general, stacked their arms, some dashing them with violence upon the ground. Many of the soldiers wept, and even the women were angry at such apparent cowardice.

7. What circumstances alarmed Gen. Hull?-8. What retrograde movement did he make? What second party send out? What battle was fought? What happened on the 15th of August? 9. Who took command of the British army? Describe the movements of Brock? What was done by Hull? What was the conduct of the army, when bid to retire to the fort?

282

P'D. II.

1812.

THE GOOD SHIP CONSTITUTION.

P'T. IV. 10. Hull, perceiving that he had no longer any authority, and believing that the Indians were ready to CH. II. fall upon the inhabitants, was anxious to put the place under the protection of the British. A white flag was hung out upon the walls of the fort. Two British renders Officers rode up, and a capitulation was concluded by his army. Hull with the most unbecoming haste. His officers prisoners were not consulted, and every thing was left at the

Hull sur

Am. loss,

800.

mercy of the British general. . . . Gen. Hull was soon after exchanged, and brought to trial. He was sentenced to death, for cowardice and unofficer-like conduct, but pardoned by the president, as he had, in his youth, been a brave revolutionary officer.

Naval

CHAPTER III.

Naval successes.

1. THREE days after the disgraceful surrender of Detroit occurred off the Grand Bank of NewfoundAug. 19. land, the capture of the British frigate Guerriere, under victory. the command of Capt. Dacres, by the American frigate Br. loss, Constitution, commanded by Capt. Hull. Capt. Dacres 63. Am. had challenged any American vessel of her class, and 7.7. in various ways, manifested his contempt of

k. 65, w.

loss, k.

Sept. 7.

the Yankees." In thirty minutes after the first broadside of the Constitution, the Guerriere had her masts and rigging shot away, and her hulk so injured, that she was in danger of sinking.... Capt. Porter, of the United States frigate Essex, captured, near the same place, the British sloop of war Alert, after an action of only eight minutes.

2. On the 13th of October, the army stationed at Lewiston, under Gen. Van Rensselaer, mostly com

10. What was then done? What was the manner of the surrender? What sentence was passed against Hull? Was it executed?

CHAPTER III.-1. What important naval victory happened about the time of Hull's surrender? What was the loss on both sides? What other naval victory occurred?