Western Sun, Volume 4, Number 30, Vincennes, Knox County, 30 June 1812 — Page 2

VtttCfttttftl, Feb. 9, 1812. siRIn compliance with your cxcllcn. cy's requelt, 1 have the hoilor to obfervc that my id' a of the Ihtemont tubinitted to the honorable the femtltf of war, on the Tubi?c of thr tTir on lilt morning ot the 7th Nov. by CO). Li vo was intenued lolely to tonvry a knowledge of the Puliation ot tin 4th ftU withort any deflftte 1 referrencr, other thv.i that relative one which i ecetl in ly arife to the merits am! d rUIC uts of any other corps, and to afford an opportunity, flmuU future occafion r : quire it, in conh iefattoH of malty ev.rute j mbttCOttOnS Which hvl puvivjutlv ipp ared tor individual recurrent, Mf lituatloU in the action, preeluded "ic, of courfe fr m per font I knowledge of tht iOlldllA of the feveral corps during the engagement, nor could 1 declare that tny ptrticulet company abandoned th-ir polls' hut that many of the nr.litia were behind trees, kc I know, It 1 Pi nee re lv avow that I do not perceive myinGnoa tion reflecting upon the conduct of the militia beyond that I hoard from themfclvei Oil the irrital of the army at tins place. From cap.. Scott I heard many particulars relating to capt Biggers and his company, ind hut from information which I conceived general md unquefttonable, 1 fhould not at th i time have known that C Ipt Rohb's Company deferted the line. I never heard any reflection upon the conduct of capt. Bigger, .e com namlrd one ot the guards, and not b. ingablt tC find his men when his guard i itfte in, 1 WIS informed he took a DlUfket & fell into the rankl with the men of capt. Scott's company, whofe company, as the Company of capt. Wilfon, 1 ever underftood ind believe behaved with great bravrty 1 know nohing particularly of the conduct of other companies I have the honor to be with great efteem. re fpect fully your ex. Cellency'i obedient fervant G. W. PRESCOTT, cpu Hi excygovr Harrifon Grouselawb, 9th Feb. 13 13. It ii I have thii m runt received your letter of thii date. It 11 n t as fettsf aCtory as I could have wilhed it, and I am forty to be obliged ag iki to trouble you upon the eve of our departure SinCi 1 converted With you on the fubjecl, the lemr to th.e f.-rrer ry of war, finned by col. Boyd and yourfelf, h,s appeared in the papers What ever mi&ht hae been the motives with which i; at written, it is mod evident that 1 thorough inveftigation of their conduct in the aa; a of the 7ih Nov. would acquit the mil it i of th it almoO indifcriminate enfure which ti'.it 1-tter has clt upon them. Of tins difcription of troops there were in the action ten companies exckilivcly ol the dragoons In the letter to the fecreta iy you admit that Spencer's and Giger's Companies behaved Well, ai d in that of this d ite, you give the fame credit to Wilfon'l and Scott's. You alio fay that you were informed that Biggers It Robb'a companies had abandoned their p (ts be tint you know llOthing p ii ticnlaily of the conduct of the other companies In thrlettet to the le crctary it is aflferted that the daitarcily conduct of Pome whole militia companies, lea1 to rxpofurc and consequent loft of the lives of Pome of the militia officers whofe men defer ting the lines, wera iVen behind trees and under waggons, where many were killed.' The cenfure contained in this paragraph mud then hve been intended by you to apply exclullvelv to Robb's ot Bigets eompaniei ; tint Bi jgers company did abandon the poGtion in whicn it had been placed before the. Sctiotl will not be denied, but in admitting this, juftice requires that by Lingular miftake (off whofe 1 will not pretend to fay) that company was placed in a duration where it was not only expofed to be taken in front, flank and rear by the enemy but to he fired on alio by our troops that a militia company armed with rifles only, without its captain, fliould break in Inch 'a Htuation, 18 not to be wondered at they are only cenfurabte for not falling back in better order and rallying behind one ot the other Companies Since the action 1 have been told that the greater part of the com pan) arts rallyed bv adit I). Floyd, and that thej continued in the line upon the let t flank, until the clofe of the action. Capt. Kobb a Herts that his Company ws ordered fall bark from its politton in the line by me field i Reef, but admitting that this AVs n 1 the Cafe, every military mm mult allow that by it (tlhfequent conduct it nor only wiped away the (tatnof i momentary indeetfioft, but il juftly emitled to fjrrat appliufe. It was rallyrd by mc and taken

to a point of preat importance Itld eminent danger, and this pott it pretcrvcu throughnut the action Wilhing to interrupt the preparation! for vour VOyagC ai little as potbble, 1 have ony now to rrOfUeft that you wculd be to ohliging to antwer the following jeltions. Vou have admitted that Sp-ncer's, Geiers, VVilfon'i in Scott's companies 6ehad well lo you know or have vou ever heard that Warrick) Norria, Hargrove o; Wilkinsdid not alio bth:we we II, 5c do Cvf ry thing that was required of them ? Do you know or have you ever heard that any other companies but Biggers and Robbs had abandoned its pofitioni in the line (for Biggers did not torn) a part of the line :) Do yon know or did you ev r hear that a tingle militia man was killed behind or under a waggon or be. hind a treo, unit Is that tree Wat near the line, and w here of COUrfc it was proper for riflemen to be? Did you ever hear that Rohb's company had behaved amifa after I had placed it upon the right flank ? Your anfweri to thefe quelYtons will oblige me. I am. Sec. Wm. H. HARRISON. Capt. G. V. Prclcott, 4th U. S. regti VtKClHM ks, Feb. 10, 1812. sir Iu reply to your qucftions of this morning it is imp iFible for me to give that confideration 1 wiHi at xhh moment I had never any peifonal knowledge of the captains named in your fi i f query, anei do not know that they as well as their men 1 did DOt behave well, ami do every thing that WaS required of them.' 1 know of no other companies than Rohb's and Biggers that abandoned their pofltion in the line, to which reference could have been had, as ftated iu my note of yeftcrday I have repeatedly heard that more than one militia man 1 was killed behind trees Of WaggoOl ' where they could not aft as riflemen) or in any other way to tbe annoyance of the enemy I never heard that Robb's company behaved amifs after your excellency bad placed it on the right flank. I im, fir, refpe&fully your excellency's obedient fei vant. G. W. PRESCOTT.

To his

exccUt'tn

Uliam Henry Harrison,

governor and commander m chief of the Indiana Territory six In anlwcr to the quedions which your excellency has put to me Do you know, or have you ever hrard that any other companies than thofe of Bigger's and Robb's had abandoned their Itations in the action V I mult Rate that I neither know, nor have 1 heard of any other companies who had deferted their polls, nor do I con Ceive that thofe companies can juftly be COnfidered to have abandoned their polls, as Biggers was certainly attacked in front,

Hank and rear; their captain on guard, and themielvei overpowered by numbers. Robb's company in common with the whole :t that il:k, may alfn jullly be laid to nave given way betore fuperior numbers ; Robb's company was rallied and taken to the right hank, where they manfully fuf tained the repeated attacks of the favages, until the clofe of the action, and fullered leverely as their lift of killed and Wounded will (how, which anfweri alfo your exceliency'a fecond queftion, viz. 4 Do you not know, or have you fufficient reafon to believe from what you have heard, that Robb's company was rallyed and removed to the right flank, where in a poll of great danger it continued to difcharge its duty until the clofe of the action?' In antwer to the third queflion Do you know, or have you ever heard that any militia ctlicer oi loldier was killed or wounded behind or under Waggons or behind trees, which were not on or near the line, Sc where of courfe it wa proper for riflemen to be : ' I mult declare I neither know, nOf ever heard, that any officer or foldierwai wounded or killed behind tre s or waggons. Molt of thofe who were wounded, retired to the centre of the Camp, winch may luve led thofe who fuperficially obferved things to fuppofc that they were there wounded luch people alio might h ive miftaken waggoneas men in the contractors and quarter mailers department who Were not rw whole duty called them about tbe waggons, tor thofe who had tied lrou their poll-. It mult be indeed a foorcc of regret to your excellency, to find people who a'e perhaps Dvt the moil deferving, driving to rend in pieces the Lure-I wreath which your little army to gallantly woi merely btcaufe they cannot be the exi lu live 0W0ia i;ur them (hould be (bore the

Vretth of difcord, labelled with ditTntions, folly and madnets, on its front. That fuch may no more difturb where you comand, fir, ia the tvilh of your obedient fervant NATHl. t . DAMS, Capt 4th regt "Cv. W Adj. of the Qi Hty on the expedition

LONDON, April 14. We received this morning tbe following account from ManC better, where, we roe glad to (tate, no further dilturoances have take n place. Manchester April 14. 11 Since Wednesday evening the town has been peaceable and Iree trom alarm ; but the more ell equally to prelerve good order, and prevent the riiiew.il ot the lhameU.I conduct of Wednefday the eonftables fent circular letteis (of which the following is a COpy) to every publican in the town : ".MU We are dtfired by the magiftiates to order all the public houfes to be (hut by 7 o'clock in the evening fo long as the no ous difpofitiou which manifefted itfell yefterday (hall continue, to which wc rfcjueit your lric attention,

E. Ll.OYl). w J. KLKbi.Y.

Gonftables.

of mcafures f the prefeut fcflion, anJ thi various indications ot the fcntiment? ot the executive, is as competent as ouilelvcs to conjecture its contents. We extract the following from thr proceedings of the lirufe of reprefentatives on the 29th ult we cot tide r it fomewhat indicative of the difpofitiofl of the houfe on the que (lion ct war. Ken Gc z. Mr. Hat dolph, after dating that he l ad a motion to make, commenced a fpecch involving generally the prefent ftate of cur relations with trance & G. Britain. When he had been Ipeakmg about an bottt and a hdlt, a (pjeition of oider arof , and it was decided by the fpeakcr tha the gentleman aught, previouOy to debating fo ronch at iaige, to fubmit his motion to the houfcAtter tome defultory debate and iiecifi onson points of order, mr. R.ndolph fobnutted the following prop, litin : ki That under present circumstances it is inexpedient lo resort to a roar against G. Britain." And the quell ion being t;iken that the houfe do now pioiecd to the confideration of Uid refolution, it was decided in the nc-gativ

For the rot.fideration Againfl it

POPULAR TUMULT. In addition to the particulars in the even ing papers of the alarming riots at Sheffield, very affecting reports have been in circulation re (beet ing otliers at Stockport and Macclesfield, but we are happy to fay from the belt authority, that tbe accounts aie much exaggerated! MelTis. Marttilad and Go's manufactory, which was faid to have been burnt to the ground, was attacked, but no very material damage was done tv it. From thence a lawleis multitude proceeded to mr. Goodier's, alio to Stoikport, where great damage was done, and mrs. G. had a narrow efcape with her life From thence the infurgents h.iitened to tbe eftabliOiment of mr Sykesy and what further mifchicf was accomplished, is not afcertained as the port took its departure betore the retult could be made known. The mob attempted to let fire to the houfe of mr. Charles Wood, but did not fucceed. We believe only one manufactory hao been dettroyed at Macclesfield. Such is the news which the London papers mult carry to Bonaparte, to add to the many confutations they have lately utloided him tor the gallant eliorts and the important fuccefs of the r ritilli arms in Spain. How can we hope for peace while the enemy may not only read in fo many fpeeches the molt exaggerated ltatc ments ot the injuries they do us oy the war, but m .y learn by fuch dreadful mifcondult as this, that the Engllfh populace are contributing to the dertiucAion of manufactures, and ot the very means by which the country has been hitherto profperous and powrrtul ? Thus are the abules ot a tree confticution dedroying its bleflings. It is laid that his roy.il highnefs is very tar trom beiiur on a friendly footing with his prelcnt nunilters, whatever e.teiior decency he may prefcrve iu retpect to them.

We are informed, that an interview, within t

thele tew days, with a noble earl, who has been considered unfit of late to bold the lirit place in the regard of the prince, the regent detired that nobleman to (ignity the royal difpleafure at the conduit ot his political

fervant

Extract nf a letter from the hon. Henry Chi) to a gentleman in Lexington. Washington, May 27, 18 12. u That wr (hall have war, J dill believe I he dilp;itt bts brougtft by the Hornet were? yefterday laid before congrefs. Although not as favorable as we hiid i right to expect, or could have wilhed, they are more fo than they had been rumoured to t-e. They fhew the practical observance of the repeal of the Berlin and Milan decrees as to us. The Rambouillet fpoliatiooa, it is true, are not yet indemnified, but they are a lul j-ct cf dilcoflion and negotiation and with regard to the recent burnings (which by the bye however execrable, they do not fall within thofe decrees) mr. Barlow had presented ft rong note, but had receivrd wo reply.. Throughout the whole of mr. Barlow's intercourlc with that government, they appear to have treated him with prompt attention and good manner; at lead. Jn (hoK, after the difpatches w-ie read yrrtrtd-iy, tlierfwas a general difappointment maniteAed a their being much bettei tiian they had bee:, rumoured to he, and the univerfal fentiment was 4k we will go on in our intended COUrCb .ts to England, ;:nd wait a little Imger with France." 1 think it therefore highly pobable that about the time this letter will i c with you, war vill be declared in due form again!) England. Ken. Gat.

WASHINGTON CITY, June 6. The Senate fat a fhort time with ci

doors yellerdiy, and the houfe of rrprefen-

tatives tor the whole ot the two laft d

clofed

ays.

Report fays that tome me a fare of a decU

live character has paffed the houfe, and baa been lent to the fenate for concurrence.

The prefident of the U. States yefterd ay communicated to congrefs two letters from mr. Fofier to mr. Monroe, and replies there-

o by the fccretSry of Hate, which have nat-

fed within the I a it week. Of thefe documents we have not been able to obtain the perufal ; but we learn thnt they embrace, on the part of the JBr i t i fli miniller, an am. plification of the principles contained in

.1 Jl! i :

s, ill a in..nncr mat urncaey looim t,e dec aratmn' nnl.bftd in 1--...l

i . .i. u .ii " .. . l - m

iuu ku mem wouiu not diiuw ua lomcniiou. ni)

part ot the Secretary a nervous ex-

poGtion of their real character, and incompatibility with Our ri-hts and the law of nations. Thefe documents we will endeavor to publifh in our next.

One circumftance we believe is dillinctly afcertained, that his royal highnefs is lincereiy deurous of the fuccefs of tlic Catholic petition this day pre fen ted, and thot thrrc a warm oppofition between the prince c his minifter, with refpect to it. It is known

amont; the princess perfonal friends, that he ( ALEXANDER BUCKNER

expects ot them mat they mould lupport it. We hear thatiir F. Burdctt was at the levee.

WASHING PON-CITY, June 2. It will be leen ny a reference to the pro

ceedinga ot congrefs that a menage was yef

HAS ellabhfhed his relidence in Charf C ton, in the County of Clark and Ter ritory of Indiana, and will practice1, w in the Courts of ( Uric County, Harrif oi and J- fferfon Alfo in the General Court a:

incennes. All bnfinefs with which he may be intiufled with, will K- mtttnAA tg

teraay receiveoiromtne prenoent ota con- with punctuality All letters direrted to fidential nature. Accompanying the mef I him on hnfinef mr K fl nid. nth

i r i... .1 . . . . 7 i i

i.tc is luouiy uukutnciics, cmoracing a corf fpondenCC betwren mr. RutTel and the Britifh government, much, in the fpint of all the late correlpondence in that quarter which we (hall prefent to our reauers in our next, as they were not deemed to require fecrccy and were by the fci ate ordricU to he printed. Of the import of the mefT.-.ge we cannot pretend to (peak with certainty ; and every reader, whoieficcts on the courfe

wile they will not be taken out of the i fie e.

FROM THE PR ESS OF E. STOUT. PRI.VTF.R TO THK TKHH1TORY AND 0 T H K LAWS Ol 1 H t; UITBO STATES.