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persisted in remaining on deck, received a mortal wound, and was carried below, having first issued that memorable order, "Don't give up the ship," which has since become the motto of the American navy. From the confusion which ensued on board the American vessel, at the loss of her commander, and of most of the officers, no efficient resistance could be made to the determined attack of the enemy. The small number who were able to reach the deck, were soon driven below, and, in a few minutes, the enemy obtained possession of the vessel; and, for the first time since the declaration of war, the British flag was hoisted in an American frigate.

The Shannon lost her first-lieutenant with twenty-three men killed, and fifty-six wounded. Captain Broke was among the latter. On board of the Chesapeake, the first and fourthlieutenants, the lieutenant of marines, the master, three midshipmen, and about seventy men, were killed; and the second and third-lieutenants, the chaplain, four midshipmen, and about ninety men, were wounded. But of all others, the loss of her gallant captain was most severely felt.

In August, Captain Allen, in the United States' brig Argus, having conveyed Mr. Crawford, the American ambassador, to France, being on a cruise in the British channel, during which he captured and destroyed British vessels and cargoes to the amount of two millions of dollars, fell in with the British sloop-of-war Pelican, of rather superior force, which had been fitted out expressly for the purpose of seeking him. The action commenced at five o'clock, on the morning of the 14th of August, and continued with great ardour on both sides until half-past six, when the captain, first-lieutenant, and many of the seamen of the Argus being severely wounded, most of her rigging shot away, the enemy about to board, and the British frigate Sea-Horse heaving in sight, her flag was struck by the remaining officers. She was carried into England, where her commander shortly afterwards died of his wounds. It is due to his memory to add, that a more gallant, generous, and noble-hearted seaman, was not to be found in the American navy.

The capture of the Argus was followed shortly afterwards by an event which turned the scale of naval victories in favour of the republic. On the 4th of September, the American brig of war Enterprise, of fourteen guns, commanded by Lieutenant Burrows, fell in with, and after an action of forty-five minutes, captured the British brig Boxer, of fourteen guns, and about one hundred men.

During the whole of this year, the enemy's commerce suffered considerably from the private armed vessels of the United States. Almost every quarter of the globe bore testimony to their enterprise and intrepidity. In the course of their cruises, they frequently encountered the armed vessels of the enemy, and in many instances displayed a degree of valour and seamanship equal to that of the public vessels. Perhaps no instance in the annals of naval warfare can be found, of a more desperate and gallant action than that fought by the American privateer-schooner Decatur, of seven guns, and one hundred and three men, with his Britannic Majesty's schooner Dominica, of fifteen guns, and eighty-eight men. The two vessels met on the 15th of August, and after a variety of manœuvres, and a well-sustained action of two hours, the

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THE DECATUR AND DOMINICA.

Dominica was carried by boarding. A desperate combat was maintained on the deck of the latter vessel, until the captain and most of her officers and crew being disabled, her colours were struck by the crew of the Decatur. When the difference in the force of the two vessels is considered, this action cannot fail to be classed among the most brilliant of a war fruitful of naval renown.

mosHE Indian nations of the South, included within the limits of the United States, had long enjoyed the satne privileges and protection as the white inhabitants. But the force of early habits, and hereditary antipathies, prevented them from joining Hoa cordially in the efforts made for their civilization; and made them discontented with their situation, and anxious to return to that life of freedom and enjoyment which they saw other tribes possessing. Their discontent was fanned and inflamed to the highest pitch in the spring of 1812, by a visit of the celebrated Tecumseh. He, with an ardent, but savage eloquence, endeavoured to excite them to a resistance against what he represented as flagrant oppression. He reminded them of the

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SURPRISE OF FORT MIMMS.

usurpation of their lands by the whites; he painted in glowing colours, their spirit of encroachment, and the consequent diminution and probable extinction of the race of Indians; and contrasted their sedentary and unmanly occupations with the wild and fearless independence of their ancestors. He went farther; he denounced the vengeance of the Great Spirit against those of his degenerate children, who should imitate the manners or worship the gods of the whites; and succeeded in establishing as chief prophet among the Creeks, one who was the partisan of his enterprises, and the partaker of his councils.

The effects of these arguments were soon visible among the Creeks and Seminoles, two tribes residing within the limits of the Floridas. In the month of September, 1812, a party of volunteers, from Georgia, to the number of one hundred and seventeen, were attacked near the Lachway towns, by a superior force of Indians. A sharp conflict ensued, in which the Indian chief or king was killed; but the Georgians were compelled to return to the place from which they had set out. General Jackson was then sent against them, at the head of twenty-five hundred Tennessee volunteers, who completely overawed the Creeks for the time. From this period, until the summer of the succeeding year, no event of any importance occurred.

Intimidated by the threats of the Indians, about three hundred of the settlers in the most exposed situations on the Alabama, had taken refuge in Fort Mimms, in Tensaw settlement. Notwithstanding the warnings frequently received, of an intended attack, this party was so much off their guard, as to be surprised at noon-day, on the 30th of August, by about six hundred Indians, led on by the chief Weatherford, who partially penetrated through the gateway. After a desperate conflict, the garrison succeeded in driving them out, and closing the passage. The enemy retired; but in a few minutes returned, and having with their axes cut their way into the area, they drove the besieged into the houses, to which they applied the torch. The most dreadful carnage now