brig have been on shore
here: they acknowledge they had 21 killed, and 50 badly wounded; and
further say, had we continued our fire any longer, they should have
struck, for they were in a sinking condition: for the wind then blew at
S. W. directly into the harbour. Before the ammunition arrived, it
shifted round to north, and blew out of the harbour. All the shot
suitable for the cannon we have reserved. We have now more 18 pound shot
than was sent us by government. We have put the two cannon in the
arsenal, and housed all the munitions of war."

EXTRACT FROM THE SPEECH OF GEN. ERASTUS ROOT, OF NEW YORK,

In the House of Representatives, on the Bill to provide for the payment
of Militia called out by State authority, and not placed under the
command of the United States.

[After animadverting with great severity on the affair at Pettipaug
point,[19] and the course pursued by Governor Smith, of Connecticut, for
the defence of New London]--

"There was _one_ achievement, said Mr. R., which brightened the annals
of Connecticut and shed lustre on the American character. He alluded to
the _Defence of Stonington_. A more brilliant affair, said he, had not
taken place during the late war. It was not rivalled by the defence of
Sandusky, the glorious triumph on the Niagara, nor the naval victories
on Erie and Champlain. And yet that heroic exploit is claimed in favor
of Governor Smith's militia, and is to gild the pill which we are called
upon to swallow. The detached militia, said Mr. R., had nothing to do in
that affair. It was achieved by fourteen democrats, _volunteer_
democrats, who were determined to defend the town or perish in its
ruins. Commodore Hardy, fearful that that democratic town would send
torpedoes among his squadron, demanded a pledge that no harm should be
done to his ships. No pledge being given, and after advising the
removal of women and children from the town, the enemy made a vigorous
attack, first in barges, and afterwards in a brig of war. This heroic
little band, with a single gun mounted on a small battery, drove off the
brig as they had before driven off the barges. They sent havoc and death
among the enemy,--saved the town,--and crowned themselves with never
fading laurels."--_The (Hartford) Times, March 18, 1817._

* * * * *

THE BATTLE OF STONINGTON, ON THE SEABOARD OF CONNECTICUT.

BY PHILIP FRENEAU.

_In an attack upon the town and a small fort of two guns, by