The reply of the American commissioners was drawn chiefly by Mr.Gallatin.It absolutely rejected the proposals respecting the boundary and the military flag on the Lakes, and refused even to refer them to the American government, but offered to pursue the negotiation on the other points.

To Monroe Mr.Gallatin explained his reason for assenting to discuss the Indian article, and therein his colleagues concurred with him, to be: that they had little hope of peace, but thought it desirable, if there were to be a breach, that it should be on other grounds than that of Indian pacification.

The reply of the commission on this point, also drafted by Mr.Gallatin, was sent in on September 26.

It merely guaranteed the Indians in all their old rights, privileges, and possessions.
The destruction of the public buildings at Washington by the British troops, known in London on October 1, caused a great sensation in England.

As Gallatin said in a letter to Madame de Stael, it was "an act of vandalism to which no parallel could be found in the twenty years of European war from the frontiers of Russia to Paris, and from those of Denmark to Naples." "Was it (he asked), because, with the exception of a few cathedrals, England had no public buildings comparable to them, or was it to console the London mob for their disappointment that Paris was neither pillaged nor burned ?" It can hardly be doubted that the flames which consumed the American capital lighted the way to peace.