the Frolic, of 22 guns. When the action commenced the sea was exceedingly rough, and the muzzles of the guns were often under water. The Frolic fired as she rose on the wave, and her shot went over, doing little or no injury; but the Wasp fired as she sunk, and every broadside shattered the hull of her antagonist. After an action of 45 minutes the Americans boarded, but to their astonishment, they found no person on deck but three officers, and the seaman at the wheel. The decks were slippery with the blood of the dead and dying. Thirty had been killed and fifty wounded. The Wasp had but five killed and five slightly wounded. This was unquestionably the most severe and decisive action during the war. Shortly after the battle, both vessels were taken by a British seventy-four and carried into the Bermudas.

20. On the 25th of October Captain Decatur,* in the frigate United States, of 44 guns, fell in with the Macedonian of 49 guns, near the Western Islands. The enemy had decidedly the advantage, but after an action of an hour and a half, having her mizen and main top masts shot away, her rigging entirely cut to pieces, and nearly all her guns disabled, the Macedonian surrendered. She had 36 men killed and 68 wounded, while the United States had but 7 killed and 5 wounded. Decatur towed his prize into New-York, where he was received with the highest demonstrations of joy.

21. On the 30th of December, off the coast of Brazil, Commodore Bainbridge, in the Constitution, captured the Java, one of the finest vessels of her class in the British navy. The action continued three hours. The Java was reduced to a mere wreck; her captain was slain with 60 of the crew, and 101 wounded. The Constitution had 34 killed and wounded. Such was the glorious beginning of our naval warfare against Great Britain;

20. Describe the capture of the Macedonian.

21. The Java. How many prizes were taken in 1812?

Stephen Decatur was born in Maryland, 1779; he fell in a duel with Com modore Barron in 1820. (See his Life.)

and besides these victories of the navy, our privateers had taken a great number of merchant vessels. Over 500 prizes were made during the year. The British were astonished, and exceedingly mortified at the brilliant success of our little navy, which had now added such glory to the American name.

22. Mr. Madison was re-elected president this year, notwithstanding the violent opposition of the "peace party," who supported De Witt Clinton of New-York, as their candidate. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts was chosen vice-president. During this year Louisiana was admitted into the Union as a sovereign state. Thus closed the important events of 1812.

EVENTS OF 1813.

1. The administration now determined to prosecute the war with new vigor; and if possible, retrieve the character of the army, by the reduction of Canada. The enthusiasm produced by the success of the navy, inspired the land-forces with eager desire to accomplish something worthy of the nation. The president was authorized to raise twenty new regiments, increase the wages of the soldiers, build 18 ships of war, and to supply the great lakes with a navy of sufficient force to compete with the enemy.

2. Great enthusiasm now prevailed throughout the western states; volunteer companies were formed in every quarter, and the most active preparations made for the purpose of regaining possession of the territory of Michigan. An army of 8000 volunteers from Kentucky

22. Who was re-elected president in 1812? Who vice-president? What state was admitted into the union?

1. What did congress authorize the president to do?

2. Why were volunteer companies formed in the western states ? Under whose command were they placed? Who was sent to the defence of Frenchtown?

and Ohio, under command of General Harrison, marched against the enemy in that quarter. He concentrated his forces at Sandusky. At the earnest request of the inhabitants of Frenchtown, a detachment of 800 men under the command of General Winchester, marched to defend that place.

3. On the 22d of January, a body of British and Indians, under the command of Colonel Proctor, having crossed the Detroit river on the ice, made a furious assault upon the camp at Frenchtown. The Americans

were overpowered, more than 300 were slain, and several hundred carried prisoners to Malden. Over sixty, who were wounded in the battle, were left in the care of the inhabitants of the town. The next morning the savages entered the place, set fire to the houses, and murdered the wounded soldiers in the most cruel and barbarous manner.

4. Harrison marched soon after this to the rapids of the Miami, where he built fort Meigs. Here he was besieged on the 1st of May, by a party of British and Indians from Malden, commanded by Colonel Proctor. General Clay, with 1200 Kentuckians, marched to his relief. The enemy were at once attacked and put to flight, but afterwards returning, they surprised the Americans, killed 150, and took 500 prisoners. The remainder escaped into the fort, or fled to the nearest settlements. The enemy continued the siege till the 9th of May, when, their Indian allies having deserted, the whole force withdrew.

5. The British, by providing a respectable navy on the lakes, had great advantage over the Americans. Commodore Chauncey, after great exertions, procured

3. State the attack upon Frenchtown, and the result.

4. What did General Harrison do? What took place the 1st of May? Who marched to his relief? How many of these troops under General Clay were killed and taken prisoners? How long did the enemy continue the siege?

5. In what respect had the British the advantage on the lakes? Who was sent to prepare us a navy on lake Ontario? When did General Dearborn cross the lake? For what purpose? What did General Pike do ?

a naval force on lake Ontario, sufficient to compete with the enemy. On the 25th of April, General Dearborn, with 1700 men, crossed the lake for the attack of York, the capital of Upper Canada. On the 27th, General Pike, a brave young officer, after carrying the battery of the enemy at the point of the bayonet, led on his men to the main works.

6. At the moment his troops arrived, the enemy's magazine blew up, and made terrible havoc among them. Pike was mortally wounded, and more than 100 men were killed by this disaster. But the Americans pressed on, and soon gained possession of the town. dying Pike smiled in triumph, when one of his men brought the flag of the enemy, and placed it under his

head.

The

7. During General Dearborn's absence on this expedition, about 1000 British troops landed and made an attack upon Sackett's Harbor, the 29th of May. The force at this place amounted to about 1000 men, under the command of General Brown. A considerable part of these were militia, who fled in great confusion at the approach of the enemy. The British pressing on, soon compelled the regular troops to retreat into the houses along the road. From these coverts, they poured a deadly fire the upon which checked his progress. enemy, General Brown had by this time succeeded in collecting a large number of the panic-struck militia, and was leading them by a circuitous route to the attack of the enemy. The British commander supposing their object was to fall upon him in his rear, ordered a retreat to their boats. This order was obeyed with so much promptness and haste, that they left behind them all their wounded and prisoners.

6. What happened as he led on his troops? What were Pike's last words? A. "Move on, my brave fellows, and revenge your general."

7. What happened while General Dearborn was absent? Describe the battle. Do you suppose General Brown thought of cutting off the retreat of the British" Why were the British soldiers so willing to obey their general at this time?

While these affairs were going on at the north, events of great interest had occurred on the coast of the Atlantic. The success of the American navy had greatly alarmed the British nation, and Admiral Warren had been sent with a powerful fleet to line the whole coast of the United States, and interrupt all their naval operations.

9. A number of ships entered the Chesapeake bay, and made great havoc among our merchant vessels. The British landed, plundered and burned many flour ishing towns. Frenchtown, Georgetown, Hampton, Havre de Grace, and Fredericktown were destroyed. An attempt was made against Norfolk, but after the loss of 200 men, the enemy desisted.

10. While the British were blockading the Delaware, the inhabitants of Lewistown refused to supply them with water and provisions. Enraged at this, the enemy bombarded and endeavored to take the town; but they were defeated. At this time, Decatur having entered

the harbor of New-London with the United States and his prize, the Macedonian, was blockaded by a British squadron, under Commodore Hardy. Impatient of his situation, he sent a challenge to two frigates of the enemy, but it was not accepted.

11. But the powerful force of the British did not prevent our vessels from cruising the seas and making captures. On the 23d of February, Captain Lawrence in the Hornet, fell in with the British brig Peacock, of about equal force. After a fierce battle of fifteen minutes, the Peacock struck her colors, and raised a signal of distress. The Americans lowered their boats, but before they could get away all her crew, the brig went down, and with her thirteen of her own men, and four of the Hornet's men.

8. Who was sent with a British fleet to line the coast of the United States?

9. What did they do in Chesapeake bay? What places were plundered and burned?

10. In what harbor was Decatur blockaded?

11. Describe the battle of the Hornet and the Peacock.