124] ANNUAL REGISTER, 
The defence being obviously hope- 
less, the commander capitulated 
on the 11th, surrendering his 
garrison of 366 men prisoners of 
war. 
The treaty of peace concluded 
at Ghent was ratified by the pre- 
sident and senate of the United 
States on February 17th. By its 
articles each party bound itself to 
restore all places and possessions 
captured by it, with an exception 
of the islands in Passamaquoddy 
bay, which were to remain under 
their present occupation till the 
right to them should be decided 
by two sworn commissioners, 
one of each nation. Toa similar 
decision were also referred some 
existing doubts and disputes re- 
specting boundaries on the limits 
between Nova Scotia and the 
New England States, and on the 
line through the Canadian lakes 
between the territories of the two 
powers., Prisoners of war were to 
be mutually restored after paying 
the debts they might have con- 
tracted. Each party engaged to 
terminate all hostilities with the 
Indians with whom they might 
be at war, provided the latter 
should desist from hostilities on 
their part. Both parties agreed 
to continue their efforts for the 
final abolition of the slave trade. 
Not the least notice was taken of 
any of the national points at is- 
sue on the commencement of the 
war, and which were the occasion 
of it; so that the continuance of 
peace must depend either upon 
the absence of those circum- 
stances which produced the dis- 
putes, or upon a spirit of recipro- 
cal moderation and conciliation, 
the desirable fruit of dear-bought 
experience. 
1815. 
On Feb. 2st, the President 
sent a message to both houses of 
Congress, accompanying the trea- 
ty of peace. In this paper, after 
some general observations on the 
policy of being at all times ina 
state of preparation against the 
possible necessity of again having 
recourse to arms, the President 
expressed his confidence that the 
wisdom of congress would pro- 
vide *‘ for the maintenance of an 
adequate regular force; for the 
gradual advance of the naval esta- 
blishment ; for improving all the 
means of harbour-defence; for 
adding discipline to the bravery 
of the militia; and for cultivat- 
ing the art-military in its essen- 
tial branches, under the liberal 
patronage of government.” We 
are not informed of the particu- 
lars relative to the discussion of 
these topics ; but it issaid, that the 
peace establishment, after much 
debate between the two houses, 
was fixed at 10,000 regulars ; 
from which small number it may 
be concluded, that a general aver- 
sion existed against any attempt 
to promote a spirit of conquest in 
the military system of the United 
States, 
A treaty between Major-Gen- 
Jackson and the Creek Indians, 
by which the war of the latter 
against the United States had 
been terminated in August 1814, 
was ratified by the President and 
Senate on February 16th. By the 
first of its articles the Creeks cede 
to the United States all the land 
belonging to them within the 
territories of the States lying 
west, south, and south easterly of 
a certain line to be drawn by per- 
sons appointed by the President, 
reserving, however, a certain por= 
oo eS OT. a 
