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1815]

RETREAT OF THE BRITISH.

387

Though nearly every officer was disabled, the troops still pressed on. A few crossed the canal and ascended the parapet, but fell before its vigilant defenders, most of them to rise no more. Gen. Lambert, who succeeded to the command, finding his army hopelessly defeated with the loss of more than 2,000 men, hastened to retreat. He recalled the detachment on the opposite side of the Mississippi, which had driven back the Americans, and gained a position that would have been of great service in dislodging Jackson, The whole enterprise was abandoned, and the invading host returned to their shipping by a road which they cut along the Bayou to Lake Borgne. On both sides of the river, the American loss was but 27 in killed and wounded. On the 20th of January, Jackson returned to New Orleans in triumph, where he was received with every possible demonstration of joy and gratitude.

512. When the brave deeds performed at New Orleans are mentioned, the intrepid conduct of a young British bugler should not be forgotten. The enemy's left, at the commencement of the engagement, advanced along the river, captured a redoubt, and moved steadily on towards the canal. Their bugler, a boy of only fourteen years, preceding the line to within 200 yards of the breastwork, climbed a tree and sounded "the charge" while his comrades stormed the intrenchments. A sheet of flame drove back the assailants. Men were mowed down; bullets and cannon-balls rained around, tearing off the branches of the very tree on which the young musician was seated; yet, paying no attention to the messengers of death, he continued to cheer on his countrymen with his wild music as calmly as if he were in camp. After they had retreated, an American soldier came forth from the lines and captured the boy, whose intrepidity had attracted general attention. Officers and men crowded around him to express their hearty admiration.

513. The battle of New Orleans closed the war. Negotiations had been going on for some months at Ghent in Bel

Gen. Lambert now find? What was he obliged to do? What was the loss on each side? What did Jackson do on the 20th of January? 512. Tell the story of the brave

gium, between John Quincy Adams [son of John Adams], Bayard, Russell, Clay, and Gallatin, on the part of the United States, and commissioners appointed by Great Britain; but the latter were so extravagant in their demands that for some time little progress was made. News of the defeats at Plattsburg and Baltimore at length altered their tone; and on the 24th of December a satisfactory treaty of peace was signed. It said nothing about the aggressions on American commerce and impressment of sailors on the high seas, which had caused the war; but it was tacitly understood that there would be no further difficulty on these points. The news reached America on the 11th of February, 1815; had it come a little sooner, it would have saved the British the disastrous repulse at New Orleans. On the day the intelligence arrived at Washington, Madison and his cabinet had separated in great despondency, unable to devise any effective measures for the relief of their country,-no money in the treas ury, a debt of $100,000,000, commerce destroyed, all kinds of industry depressed. Late at night a horseman was heard galloping through the streets of Washington, and the joyful cry of "Peace! peace!" resounded on all sides. The treaty had been brought by a British vessel to New York, and the joyful news was soon circulated throughout the country. It was everywhere hailed with delight. Bells were rung, flags were hoisted, schools had holiday, and towns. were illuminated. On the 18th of February, the treaty was ratified by the U. S. senate, and peace was proclaimed.

514. The pecuniary affairs of the country were in a deplorable state. The banks generally had stopped payment. Specie was scarce, and there was no currency that commanded the confidence of the people. For the convenience of government, Congress passed a bill incorporating a na

little bugler. 513. What had been going on for some months? Name the American commissioners. What tone was at first assumed by the British? What altered their views? When was peace concluded? What difficulties had caused the war? How were they settled by the treaty? When did the news of peace reach America? Under what circumstances had the cabinet last separated? How was the news announced in Washington? How was it received throughout the country? When was the treaty ratified? 514. Describe the pecuniary condition of the United States. Give an account

1815]

DECATUR HUMBLES THE BARBARY STATES. 389

tional bank with $30,000,000 capital. This was vetoed by the president; but at the next session of Congress an institution was chartered with a capital of $35,000,000. It commenced operations at Philadelphia, on the 4th of March, 1817, and with its branches in other cities supplied the country with a uniform currency, redeemable at all times with gold and silver. 515. In May, 1815, Decatur was sent with a squadron to punish the Algerines, who had taken advantage of the war with England to renew their depredations on American com merce. On the 17th of June, he encountered, in the Medi terranean, the largest vessel in the Algerine navy, and captured her after a running fight of 25 minutes. He soon after appeared before Algiers, when the dey at once agreed to liberate the American prisoners in his hands, to make full indemnification for the losses he had occasioned, and to relinquish all claims to tribute for the future. Decatur next proceeded to Tunis and Tripoli, where he obtained similar concessions and exacted pay for American vessels which the English had been allowed to take in their harbors. Since pursuing this decided course, the United States have had no difficulty with the pirates of Barbary.

516. Nothing remains to be noticed in Madison's eventful administration, except the admission of Indiana as a member of the confederacy in December, 1816, and the formation of the Colonization Society about the same time. The object of this association, which embraced among its members many distinguished statesmen, was to provide a happy home for free persons of color, where they could enjoy the right of self-government. A favorable position was finally selected on the coast of Africa. The name of Liberia was given to the colony, and its capital was called Monrovia, after President Monroe. To this place many emigrants have from time to time found their way, and a flourishing colony has grown up.

of the two attempts to establish a national bank. 515. What expedition was sent out in May, 1815? What was the first victory gained by Decatur? How did he humble the dey of Algiers? Where did Decatur next proceed? What did he exact from the bashaws? 516. When was Indiana admitted? Give an account of the origin and objects of the Colonization Society. What has it effected?

CHAPTER VIII.

MONROE'S ADMINISTRATION, 1817 TO 1825.

517. ON the 4th of March, 1817, James Monroe became president of the United States, and Daniel D. Tompkins, of New York, vice-president. Born in Virginia in 1759, Monroe served in the Revolutionary War, and after its termination was successively a member of both houses of Congress, governor of Virginia, and minister to France and England. The new president followed the same general policy as his predecessor. He called John Quincy Adams from the British court, where he had resided as minister since the war, to become his secretary of state, and Wm. H. Crawford, of Georgia, was placed at the head of the treasury department. In December, 1817, John C. Calhoun, of South Carolina, was appointed secretary of war, and William Wirt, of Maryland, attorney-general. Early in his term, Monroe made a tour through New England and the northwest, and was well received by the people. The violence of party-spirit had now subsided, and the federalists no longer opposed the measures of the administration. A plan was devised in Congress for paying the public debt, which in a few years accomplished that important object. Towards the close of 1817, the attention of government was called to Amelia Island, on the Florida coast, a rendezvous for buccaneers, who, pretending to sail under the flag of the South American republics, made free with whatever they found on the ocean. In November, a body of U. S. troops took possession of their haunts; and soon after a similar establishment on Galveston Island, Texas, was also broken up.

518. The public mind began about this time to realize the necessity of internal improvements. It was obvious that

517. Who became president and vice-president on the 4th of March, 1817? What is said of Monroe's previous history? Whom did he make secretary of state? Whom, secretary of the treasury? Who were admitted to his cabinet in December, 1817? What parts of the country did Monroe visit? How was he received? What is said of party spirit? What plan was devised by Congress? Give an account of the bucca

1817]

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

391

roads and canals, connecting distant portions of the Union, and bringing its remoter parts within reach of a market, would greatly augment the wealth and strength of the country. To the importance of these works Monroe was fully alive; but, like Jefferson and Madison, he believed that the constitution gave the general government no authority to engage in them. Congress after some discussion agreed with him, but made appropriations for a great national road across the Alleghanies, from Cumberland to Wheeling, this having been promised by the United States at the time that Ohio came into the Union. Several military roads were also opened.

This constitutional difficulty, however, did not apply to the individual states, which vigorously undertook the work of improvement. Surveys were made, roads were constructed in all directions, and facilities for travel and transportation were increased. In carrying on these enterprises, New York was among the foremost. Under the auspices of De Witt Clinton and other public-spirited men, a bill was passed by the legislature of that state authorizing the construction of a canal, 363 miles long, to connect Lake Erie, at Buffalo, with the Hudson, at Albany. The work was commenced in July, 1817, and was not completed till the summer of 1825. The Erie Canal was 40 feet wide, contained 83 locks built of solid masonry, to raise or lower the boats as required by the face of the country, crossed the Genesee once and the Mohawk twice by means of aqueducts, and originally cost $7,602,000. About the same time, a canal, connecting Lake Champlain with the Hudson, was finished; and in November, 1825, the completion of these works was celebrated by the firing of cannon and public rejoicings. They gave an impetus to trade which was felt throughout the whole northern and western country.

neering establishments on the coast. What became of them? 518. To what was public attention now forcibly drawn? What were Monroe's views on the subject of internal improvements? What was done by Congress? How was it with the individual states? What state was among the foremost in carrying on these works? What bill was passed by the N. Y. legislature? Under. whose auspices? When was the Erie Canal commenced? When was it completed? Describe the Erie Canal. What other canal was finished about the same time? How was their completion celebrated? What

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