IF we were ever disposed to censure the conduct of the present administration, it is at this moment, when, with nearly the whole military force of the empire at their disposal, they seem still inclined to persist in the ruinous system of sending out small bodies of our brave troops to America, to be frittered away and destroyed in detail, instead of dispatching at once an army sufficiently powerful to bear down all opposition, and by the certain humiliation of the enemy to accelerate the return of peace. How severely soever the capture of the republican capital may wound the pride of the Americans, it is certainly in itself an event far less disastrous to them than the reverses sustained by our arms at Fort Erie, at Plattsburgh, and on Lake Champlain, must prove to the British cause in that remote quarter. We deprecate the adoption of half measures: if our maritime rights and our naval superiority shall be supported-and rather than yield an iota of either, let us, in the energetic language of a British senator, "nail the flag to the mast, and ship and all go down together" -if, we say, the points which led to the present contest shall be enforced on our part, let it be done in an impressive inanner, and on a scale befitting our wealth, power, and resources.

An expedition for America has been equipping with great dispatch during the past month at Portsmouth and Plymouth, It is composed of 3,000 choice troops, and 3 line of battle ships, besides smaller vessels of war and transports.

Another expedition, consisting of four regiments, has assembled at Cork, and is to sail from that port, under convoy of his majesty's ship Sultan, as it is supposed, for the Floridas.

FRANCE.

The subjects which have occupied the attention of the Parliament, as we may term it, of France, during the past month, have been mostly of a local nature. The proposed law respecting the exportation of corn, the provisions of which were detailed in our last number, has been adopted. In addition to this measure, the laws relative to the naturalization of such natives of the departments separated by the late peace from the French monarchy as shall chuse to remove within its present limits; and to the cultivation of tobacco, the importation of foreign iron and steel, and the export of wool, have been the principal topics of discussion in the House of Deputies.

The operation of the law for the regulation of the press begins to be felt. On the 30th of September, six booksellers were apprehended at Paris for circulating seditious publications. One of these, we are told, is written by a Septembrizer, and another by a furious regicide," covered, not only with the blood of his king, but with that of thousands of victims who perished in 1793." This last character is evidently designed for the well known Carnot, who, in a letter to the editor of one of the Paris journals, declares that the pamphlet circulated in his name under the title of "Memoir addressed to the King for the month of July, 1814," was printed without his consent, and contrary to his intention. It does not appear that any legal steps have yet been taken against Carnot, who does not deny being the author of the pamphlet in question, in which he undertakes to justify the death of Louis XVI. and to defend a principle, the application of which is not confined to that unfortunate monarch,

but, apparently, if not evidently, extended to living persons, to recent events, and to present circumstances. If it really is a libel, and examples must be made, it is to be hoped that, in the distribution of justice, the government will so far consult its dignity as to inflict the punishment where it is most deserved, and not descend to the prosecution of printers and booksellers, while the prime agent and author of the obnoxious production is permitted to escape.

Our public prints have of late frequently called the attention of the country to the assistance which our new friends the French appear so well disposed to lend to the only enemy we now have, by permitting American privateers to refit in their ports. The mischiefs with which such a practice threatens our commerce are too self-evident and too ruinous for us to suppose that the British government can much longer avoid remonstrating with energy against its continuance.

NETHERLANDS.

During the important negociations at Vienna, no efforts are neglected for keeping up a formidable military appear ance in this quarter, particularly on the French frontiers, so that the number of the troops stationed between Namur and Nieuport, exclusively of the garrisons of the towns, is estimated at 80,000. France, on her part, has considerably strengthened her garrisons along the whole boundary line, and is sending more troops from the interior. The late discussion of the law relative to naturalization, in the House of Deputies, has sufficiently betrayed the reluctance of the French to renounce their pretensions to these fine provinces.

An important decree, relative to the liberty of the press, dated Sept. 23, has been published at Brussels. It annuls the French laws on that subject, and renders the authors or printers answerable for what they write or publish; but if the former be unknown, the whole responsibility falls upon the latter. The name of the printer must be affixed to all publications, or the omission will be a sufficient ground for prosecution. Every author of an original work has the exclusive right of printing and selling it in Belgium during his life, and the same descends to his widow and heirs of the first generation, after whose death it becomes public property. Piracies entail the confiscation of the whole edition, and a fine amounting to the value of 300 copies of the work. No periodical print is to

be continued or established, unless the conductors can satisfactorily prove that they have at least 300 subscribers. It will be obvious that the most important provisions of this measure nearly corre spond with the regulations established in our own country.

The Prince Sovereign has issued a decree enjoining the solemn observance of the Sabbath; another for restoring the language of the country, which had fallen into disuse in consequence of the studied preference given to the French, during the union of Belgium with France; and a third for affording relief to the inferior clergy.

GERMANY.

It would be a waste of time and space to repeat all the speculations with which the continental journals teem relative to the future arrangement of the German empire, not even the leading points of which can yet be stated with any certainty.

The eyes of the world are at present fixed upon the congress of Vienna, where the sovereigns of Austria, Russia, Prussia, Denmark, Bavaria, Würteinberg, Hesse, Brunswick, and many of the minor German princes, together with the ministers of Britain, France, Spain, Sardinia, and the Swiss confederacy, are engaged in regulating that political balance which is confidently hoped to ensure the future repose of Europe. Respecting the progress yet made in this important business, we are wholly ignorant, as we hear nothing of the illustrious personages assembled in the Austrian capital, except in the diary of the festivities provided for their amusement. It is, however, but reasonable to presume that all the principal points will be adjusted before the departure of the sovereigns, who are expected to set out towards the end of October on their return to their respective dominions.

The fate of Saxony still remains in suspense; but the arrest of several military officers of high rank who had signed a memorial in favour of their unfortunate sovereign for the purpose of being presented to the congress at Vienna, is no very auspicious omen for King Augustus. It seems more than probable that his dominions, if not doomed to pass entirely under a foreign sceptre, will at least be very much diminished. The Duke of Saxe Weimar, however, is reported to have declared his fixed determination to accept no part of the spoil, a share of which was intended for him.

The Prince Bishop of Fulda died is

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age of 78 years.

SWITZERLAND.

The little republic of Geneva has been united as an additional canton to the Swiss confederacy, and the principality of Neufchatel also has been incorporated with the Helvetic body.

The new federal compact has been accepted by the majority of the cantons; but some of them have refused to accede to its provisions. General harmony seems by no means to be restored in this country. Popular commotions have taken place in the Tessin and called for military interference before they could be appeased.

SPAIN.

The aspect of affairs in this distracted country is not improving, and in spite of the assurance lately given by Count Labrador while at Paris, that there was not a more happy or contented people on earth than the subjects of Ferdinand VII. we find in their official documents ample proof of the contrary. Thus on the 28th of August, Villavicencio, governor of Cadiz, issued a proclamation in which he complains of the inefficacy of the measures previously adopted for repressing traitors and disturbers of the public tranquillity; and gives notice that, considering himself in a state of war, he has appointed a military commission for the summary trial of all persons charged with offending, by word or deed, directly or indirectly, against the sovereignty of Ferdinand VII. We are told that by this strong measure Cadiz has been kept quiet without bloodshed; but that many persons have in consequence quitted the city, and others been apprehended.

This state of things is far from being confined to one solitary city. From royal instructions issued about the middle of September, we learn that the provinces of Old and New Castile, Estremadura, Andalusia, Arragon, and Valencia, are overrun with malefactors and highwaymen, and accordingly placed under martial law. A commission was about the same time appointed for thetrial of the patriotic members of the Cortes confined in the various prisons, and styled by way of reproach the Liberales. Two magistrates, both members of the supreme council of Castile, nominated to form part of this tribunal, immediately gave in their resignation.

Meanwhile the arrests, not only of natives of some distinction, but also of foreigners domiciliated in Spain, con

tember, 26 individuals were apprehended at Madrid for the alleged crimes of freemasoury and attachment to the cause of the Cortes; and many others have since been taken into custody.

The systematic ingratitude of the beloved Ferdinand to all those to whom he is indebted for the preservation of his throne, if not originating in a weak head, affords abundant demonstration of a de

testable heart. With the same spirit which dictated the persecution of the Cortes, he is now, as we are assured, adopting measures for the extermination of the Guerillas, and laments the difficulty which he finds in the accomplishment of his purpose. Such is the reward of those brave, loyal, and patient people, who submitted to every privation, and confronted every danger in his

cause.

It seems not improbable that the treatment experienced by Mina, the celebrated guerilla chieftain, may have formed part of this plan. From official papers published by the viceroy of Navarre, it would appear that the government had determined to remove Mina from active service, and to disperse the troops under his command. Mina, instead of submitting to these arrangements, marched in the night of Sept. 26th with a regiment of volunteers, for the purpose of surprising Pampeluna, the capital of the province; but his design was betrayed by his own officers to the viceroy. The failure of his plan was the natural consequence. After this disappointment he directed his march towards Puente de la Reyna, where part of his force, represented as considerable, is stationed. The prisons of Navarre are stated to be fuil of persons holding correspondence with him; and his operations are presumed to be only a ramification of a plan of insurrection which embraces Arragon and Catalonia, and extends even to Cadiz. These points comprize the whole kingdom, the affairs of which would hence appear to be rapidly hastening to a crisis.

Intelligence has been received from South America that, on the 5th of May last, a convention was concluded between the generals of the national army and the government of Chili, in which that kingdom acknowledges Ferdinand the Seventh, and promises obedience to the mother-country, on condition of being permitted to send deputies to the Cortes. This convention is, however, likely to be embarrassed by the turn

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ITALY.

The Grand-duke of Tuscany made his solemn entry into Florence on the 17th of September. Report states that this prince will receive the hand of the Queen of Etruria, and that his territories will be increased by the cession, on the part of Austria, of all the country between the Mincio and Piedmont, upon which he will assume the royal dignity as King of Lombardy.

Murat, who still continues his military demonstrations, not long since pompously announced the arrival of Prince Esterhazy at Naples, on a mission from the Emperor of Austria. The foreign journals assure us that his errand is not of the most pleasant nature to King Joachim, as he is instructed to require the restoration of those provinces of the ecclesiastical state still occupied by the Neapolitan troops.

Joseph Buonaparte has purchased a valuable estate in the vicinity of Rome, where his brother Louis arrived in September, and where other branches of his family are shortly expected.

The foreign journals positively assert, that the removal of Napoleon from the Isle of Elba will be determined at the Congress of Vienna. The government of France seems to consider this measure indispensably necessary for the future tranquillity of that country; and the journey of the Duke of Berry to England in August last, is said to have been undertaken for the purpose of ob-. taining the consent of the British cabinet. The only difficulty will be to find a proper residence for so turbulent a spirit. The policy of the change must be obvious; for so long as Buonaparte remains near the seat of his former power, so long will the disaffected and designing look to him as a rallying point, the want of which must extinguish their hopes, and tend to the gradual cooling of those passions which, at some future period, might otherwise endanger the repose of all Europe.

AMERICA.

[Nov. 1,

In our last we left lieut. gen. Drummond with the British force under his command blockading Fort Erie. Previously to the meditated attack on that position, Captain Dobbs, at the head of a party of seamen and marines, made a dash, in the night of the 11th of August, upon the enemy's armed vessels, lying close under the fort. After a short struggle two schooners were carried, and accident alone prevented the capture of the third. This success was followed by a general attack in the night of the 15th. The British troops were formed in two columns; one, under Colonel Fisher, was directed to advance against the enemy's position on Snake Hill: while the other, composed of the centre and left divisions, under Colonel Scott and Lieut. Col. Drummond, proceeded to storm the fort and entrenchments in front of the British camp. The latter gallantly accomplished this service, and had actually turned the enemy's guns upon themselves, when the accidental explosion of a magazine, under the platform, destroyed almost all the British troops that had entered the place. Colonel Fischer's division was stopped by an abattis, and thus prevented from supporting the main body, the relies of which abandoned the port and retreated to their camp. In this unfortunate affair our loss was very severe, amounting to 57 killed, including Colonel Scott and Lieut.-Col. Drummond; 309 wounded and 539 reported missing, but most of whom are supposed to have perished by the explosion. This loss, however, has been much more than compensated by the reinforcements which General Drummond has since received: With this augmentation of strength, the approaches to the fort have been resumed, and ultimate success is confidently anticipated.

In another part of the Canadian fron tier a reverse not less mortifying has been experienced by the British arms. The official details have not yet arrived, but, through other channels, we learn, that on the 1st of September the army of Lower Canada, under Sir George Prevost entered the territory of the United States at Odelltown, to take possession of the country proposed to be permanently included in the new boundary line. The British commander advanced with little opposition to Plattsburgh, which he entered on the 6th. The enemy, about 3000 in number, occupied a strong position near that town. The cooperation of our little squadron, on Lake

Champlain, was necessary to dislodge them, and it accordingly sailed for that purpose. On the 11th of September, a combined attack was made; but the hopes of success were early blasted by the fan of Captain Downie, who com manded the flotilla in the Confiance of 28 guns. The rudder of that ship being disabled, she became unmanageable; and the Linnet of 16 guns, our next largest vessci grounded in the fight; they were, in consequence, exposed to the superio, foice of the enemy, and after a prodigious laug ter, compelled to strike. The division of gun-boats, twelve in number, was, however, brought off. Sir George Prevost, who had, meanwhile, forced the passage of the river Saranac, was induced, by the loss of the flotilla, to abandon the advantages which he had gained, and to retreat to Odelltown.

A more grateful subject now demands our attention. During the months of June, July, and August, the squadron, under Rear-Admiral Cockburn, in the Chesapeake, was incessantly engaged in harassing the enemy in every assailable position, till the arrival of Sir A.Cochrane, our commander-in-chief on that station. On the 17th of August he was joined by Rear-Admiral Malcolm with the expected reinforcements from Bermuda. An attack upon the American flotilla in the Patuxent was planned, and the facet sailed up the river. The military force under Major-General Ross, was landed the 20th, at Benedict, on the right bank, and advanced towards Nottingham, where Commodore Barney was stationed with the flotilla; while Admiral Cockburn, with the shipping, pro ceeded up the river. On the approach of the latter, the Americans set fire to all their vessels except one, that fell into our hands. The British commanders, who were now only 16 miles from Washington, resolved to make an attempt upon that seat of the American governIn pursuance of this design, they reached the village of Bladensburg, about five miles from the capital, on the 24th. On the opposite side of the Potomac the enemy, between eight and nine thousand strong, was discovered posted on a commanding height, while his artillery defended å bridge that crossed the river. Our force, which was not half so numerous, attacked with such impetuosity, that the Americans quickly fled. Commodore Barney who com manded the artillery, was wounded and taken prisoner; and ten pieces of cannon fell into our hands. Our gallant little army moved the same night without NEW MONTHLY MAG.--No. 10.

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farther opposition to Washington; and on its approach, the enemy set fire to the navy-yard and arsenal, which, with the stores, a large frigate nearly ready for launching, a sloop of war, and the fort defending the sea approach, were wholly consumed. The Capitol, includ ing the Senate House and the House of Representation, the Treasury, the War Onice, the President's palace, the ropewalk, the great bridge across the Potomac, and all the public buildings were burned the same night by our troops; who found in the place 206 pieces of cannon, and a large quantity of ammunition. The object of the expedition being thus fully accomplished, the British general determined to withdraw his troops before any greater force of the enemy could be assembled. IIe accordingly left Washington on the night of the 25th, and re-embarked at Benedict on the 30th. Our loss in this service amounted to 64 killed and 185 wounded.

Admiral Cochrane, before he entered the Patuxent had sent a detachment of frigates under Capt. Gordon, up the Potomac, to make a diversion by attacking fort Washington, which, with the artillery, was completely destroyed. The populous town of Alexandria having thus lost its only defence, proposed to capitulate: Capt. Gordon consented to spare the place, with the exception of public works, on condition that all warlike stores, shipping, and merchandize, should be given up. Owing to the dangerous passage, and the preparations made by the enemy to intercept our little squadron, it was not without great diffi culty that it descended the river with its prizes to rejoin the fleet, having in these operations had 7 men killed and 35 wounded.

Sir Peter Parker in the Menelaus, with soine other small vessels, was at the same time sent up the Chesapeake, above Baltimore, to divert the attention of the enemy in that quarter. After having frequently dislodged small bodies, by landing parties of seamen and roarines, Sir Peter ventured to attack a force of five times his number, and possessing the advantage of artillery. This daring at tempt was nevertheless successful; the ency fled at all points; but the British commander received a mortal wound, of which he expired in a few minutes. In this rencounter the crew of the Menelans had 14 killed, including their captain, and 27 wounded.

Baltimore was the next object towards which the attention of Admiral CochVOL. II.

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