Macomb, and seeing the fate of their fleet, they lost heart and fled in great haste (September 11). 79. Events in another quarter did not give the Americans so much cause for rejoicing. A British fleet ascended Chesapeake Bay, and landed an army, which, meeting with little opposition, marched to Washington (August 24). The invaders spent the thirty hours they were in possession of the city in riotous excesses. The capitol, with its valuable library, was given to the flames. The President's house and other buildings were also reduced to ashes. As if to rebuke these vandals, as they have been called, a tremendous tornado passed over the city. Thirty were buried in the ruins of falling buildings, and a hundred others were killed by a magazine explosion. Fearing an uprising of the people, the vandal army, in the gloom of night, stole out of the city. The Capital in the Hands of the British. 80. Their next object for attack was Balti- more. Troops were landed at North 79. Give an account of the enemy's doings in Washington city. 80. How is Baltimore located (map p. 254)? Describe how it was attacked by sea and land. What is said of the Star-Spangled Banner song? had meanwhile been pouring shot, shell, and rockets upon Fort McHenry, the city's principal harbor defense. The firing lasted from sunrise to sunrise (September Baltimore Saved. 13, 14). It was under the excitement of this bom bardment that the popular song of the Star-Spangled Banner was composed, its author, Francis S. Key, being then detained on board the British fleet. All day long and into the night he watched the banner as it floated in triumph over the fort, and next morning his glad heart began its song. Seeing no prospect of success, the British troops embarked, and their ships sailed away. 81. A second object in the enemy's operations on the Atlantic coast was to divert attention from New Orleans, against which city they were fitting out a formidable expedition. With New Orleans in their possession, the whole of Louisiana and the trade of the Mississippi would be under their control. New Orleans Saved. 82. General Jackson, the hero of the Creek War, had recently driven the British from the Spanish port of Pensacola, because they were allowed to use it for fitting out expeditions against the United States. He had also frustrated their attempt to capture Mobile; and now, having heard of their design against New Orleans, was laboring night and day to put that city in the best possible state of defense. After a sharp contest on Lake Borgne (born), below New Orleans, the British captured a flotilla of gunboats. Advancing, their army encountered the defenders of the city in three engagements. The great and final battle took place on the 8th of January, 1815. The invaders were defeated with terrible loss, their commander, General Pak'-en-ham, who had won distinction on battlefields in Europe, being among the slain (see table p. 256). 81. What is said of the design against New Orleans ? Where is New Orleans (map p. 263) ? 82. What had Jackson already accomplished at the South (§ 74, 82)? Give an account of his success in saving New Orleans. (Read note 42, Appendix, p. 57.) 83. In a few days rumors of Jackson's great victory began to arrive in Washington, but, before the whole of the welcome story was known there, a fresh piece of news Peace. pushed the rumors aside. British and American commissioners had met in the ancient city of Ghent (gent), in Europe, and arranged a treaty of peace (December, 1814). The vessel that brought the good news was a sloop that took forty days to cross the ocean to New York. It was late of a Saturday night when the sloop came to anchor. In less than an hour the whole city was alive with rejoicings. "Thousands and tens of thousands of persons were marching with candles, lamps, and torches, making Broadway appear like a gay and gorgeous procession." 84. The war was ended, but had we gained what we had fought for? The treaty made provision for running the boundary line between the United States on the one side and New Brunswick and Canada on the other, but nothing was said in it respecting the "impressment question." The omission was not much regretted, for it was believed that the splendid success of the American navy had disposed of that question forever (§ 58). War with the Barbary States. 85. Thus far we have said nothing about the injury which certain powers, known as the Barbary States, were inflicting upon our commerce. Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli, northern countries of Africa, were the offenders. They were in truth pirate States, for their living was gained in large part by piracy. sent forth cruisers which scoured every part of the Mediterranean, and ventured upon the Atlantic, for the purpose of capturing vessels of other countries. The passengers and crews of the captured vessels were reduced to slavery. In 83. Where is Ghent? What was done there? How was the news received? 84. What did the treaty include and what omit? They 85. What is said of the piratical practices of the Barbary States? Which were the Barbary States? How were they bounded? What was tribute-money? stead of sending war ships against these lawless countries, the Christian powers of Europe were in the habit of sending bribe-money, "tribute " they called it, in order to preserve their trade-ships from seizure. 86. The United States, following the bad example set by Europe, sent presents to the African pirates. In addition, was likewise given to the other Barbary States, but, as they did not get as much as Algiers and their demand for more was not complied with, they seized American vessels as formerly. 87. A fleet was sent from the United States to bring the sea robbers to terms. Four or five of their largest ships were captured, but, unfortunately, the American frigate Philadel 86. What was done by our government to avert war with the Barbary States ? 87. Describe the loss, recapture, and fate of the frigate Philadelphia. |