Labor Department

at first a bureau connected with the Department of the Interior. It was established as a department June 27, 1884. The chief officer is the Commi ioner of Labor, whose duty it is to diffuse useful information among the people on labor questions, and to report the effect of customs laws upon the currency and agricultural interests. a Colle Mill, Canada, March 30, 1814, War of 1812. To clear the way to Montreal, General Wilkinson, with 4,000 Americans, pushed on against the British intrenched at La Colle Mill, The place was defended at first by 200 men, but this number was increased to almost 1,000 men during the battle by reinforcements, The British position was so well fortified that the a aults were easily repulsed; countercharges were likewise unsucce ful. After two hours of desperate fighting the Americans withdrew with a lo of thirteen killed and 128 wounded; the British lost eleven killed and forty-six wounded. The military career of General Wilkinson ended with this battle; he was relieved from command, tried by court-martial, but acquitted.