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UNIVERSITY
OF PITTSBURGH

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LJUnaay

THE DOCUMENTARY

HISTORY OF THE CAMPAIGN

Niagara Frontier in the Year 1812.

COLLECTED AND EDITED FOR THE LJ'XDYS EASE LTISTORICAL SOCIETY

BY MAJOR E. CRUIKSHANK.

Author of the "Story of Bitlek's Rangers," &c,

WELLAXD :
PRINTED AT THE TRIBUNE.

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v. 3

Cop.l

The Militia Law of 1808.

CHAPTER 1.

An Act to explain, amend and reduce to one Act of Parliament
the several laws now in being, for the raising and training of the
Militia of this Province.

Passed March 16th, 1808.

Whereas, a well regulated militia is of the utmost importance
to the defence of this Province, and whereas the laws now in force
are in some respects defective, be it therefore enacted by the King's
Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the
Legislative Council and Assembly of the Province of Upper Canada,
constituted and assembled by virtue of and under the authority of
an Act passed in the Parliament of Great Britain entitled, " An Act
to repeal certain parts of an Act passed in the fourteenth year of
His Majesty's reign entitled an Act for making more effectual
provision for the Government of the Province of Quebec, in North
America, and to make further provision for the Government of the
said Province," and by authority of the same, that from and after
the passing of this Act, the governor, lieutenant-governor or person
administering the Government of this Province shall and may from
time to time constitute and appoint under his hand and seal a
sufficent number of colonels, lieutenant-colonels, majors and other
officers to train, discipline and command the militia of this Province,
according to the rules, orders and directions hereinafter mentioned,
and the officers so appointed for the militia shall rank with the
officers of such of His Majesty's forces as may for the time being
serve within the Province as the youngest of their respective rank,
which said officers respectively shall within six months after their
several appointments take the oath of allegiance to his present
Majesty, his heirs and successors, before the magistrates assembled
in quarter sessions within the district to which such officers re-
spectively belong.

II. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that it shall and may be lawful for the colonel or officer commanding
any regiment or battalion of militia, and he is hereby required to
specify to each captain of a company of his regiment or battalion
the limits from within which the militiamen of such captain's
company shall be enrolled.

III. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that every male inhabitant from sixteen years of ao-e to sixty shall

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be deemed capable of bearing arms, and shall enroll his name as a
militiaman on the first training day on which the said companies
shall be drawn out in the division or limit in which his place of
abode may be, and shall at such meeting give in his name, age, and
place of residence, and if he has thereto but lately removed, he shall
make the same known; together with the place from whence he
removed, and every such inhabitant who shall not attend and give
in his name to the captain or officer commanding the company for
such division or limit, so that his name may be enrolled as a militia-
man, shall for such neglect forfeit and pay the sum of ten shillings,
to be recovered and applied in the manner hereinafter mentioned :
Provided, nevertheless, that no inhabitant shall be convicted of the
offence herein described unless it is proved at the time of trial that
the same inhabitant had been notified either personally or by leav-
ing a verbal notice at his usual place of abode of the time of
meeting at least six days previous thereto: Provided always, that
no person above the age of fifty years shall be called upon to bear
arms, except on the day of annual meeting, or in time of war or
emergency.

IV. Provided always, and be it further enacted by the
authority aforesaid, that the neglect of any person so to present
himself for enrolment and exercise shall not be construed to pre-
vent the captain or officer commanding the company of militia of
the limits wherein the place of residence of any such person may
be from entering the name of such person, and such captain or
officer commanding such company as aforesaid is hereby required
to enter the name of every person as shall come to his knowledge
upon the enrolment of his company, and when so entered eveiy
such person shall be subject to perforin all and every the like
militia duties, and under the same penalties as if he had personally
presented himself for enrolment ; provided also, that if any differ-
ence shall arise between airy captain or officer and any militiaman
touching the age of such militiaman, it shall be incumbent on the
said militiaman to prove his age.

V. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that
the colonel or officer commanding each regiment or battalion shall,
on the fourth day of June in each and every year respectively, or
in case it shall happen on a Sunday then on the next day, and
oftener if he thinks it necessary, call out the militia of each regi-
ment or battalion to be reviewed or exercised, and in his absence
from the county, or in case of his removal or death, the said militia
shall be called out by the next senior officer of such regiment or
battalion, and every person liable to serve in such militia, whether
officer or private, neglecting or refusing to attend (except in case of

sickness or having obtained leave of absence) shall forfeit and pay,
if an officer, forty shillings, and if a non-commissioned officer or
pi'ivate, ten shillings ; but if it shall appear to the colonel or officer
commanding such regiment or battalion that it shall be more con-
ducive to the interest of such regiment or battalion that the militia
of the same be reviewed at different times and in separate bodies, it
shall and may be lawful for the colonel commanding such regiment
or battalion to call out a part of the militia at some convenient time
and place and the remaining part at some other convenient time
and place, as to him shall seem meet, and at every such review the
captain or officer commanding each company shall give to the
colonel, or in his absence to the next senior officer, fair written rolls
of their respective companies, and the colonels or other commanding
officers shall transmit returns to the governor, lieutenant-governor
or person administering the Government within fourteen clays after
the fourth day of June in each and every year, under the penalty of
five pounds for each captain or officer commanding a company, and
for each colonel or officer commanding a regiment or battalion ten
pounds, for such neglect or refusal.

VI. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that
it shall and may be lawful for the governor, lieutenant-governor or
person administering the Government to appoint a proper person to
be adjutant-general of the said militia, who shall do all matters and
things appertaining to the said office of adjutant-general.

VII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that
the captains of militia shall draw out their respective companies not
less than twice or more than four times in every year (giving six
days notice thereof) at the most convenient time and place in the
count}r or riding, and shall inspect their arms and instruct them in
their duties, and every person after such notice as aforesaid, who
shall neglect to attend or shall disobey, whether subaltern officer or
private, (except in case of sickness or leave of absence,) shall forfeit
and pay, every officer the sum of forty shillings, and every non-
commissioned officer or private the sum of ten shillings for every
such neglect or disobedience.

VIII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that in time of war, rebellion or any other pressing exigency, it
shall and may be lawful for the governor, lieutenant-governor, or
person administering the Government, to call forth any of the differ-
ent companies of militia, and to march them from their respective
counties, ridings, towns, townships or parishes to any part of this
Province, there to serve in conjunction with other militia or with
His Majesty's forces, and any person refusing to obey such order or
command, or absconding from or neglecting to repair to the place

he is ordered to, being a commissioned officer, shall forfeit and pay
the sum of fifty pounds and be held unfit to serve His Majesty as
an officer in any military capacity ; and, being- a non-commissioned
officer or private, shall forfeit and pay the sum of twenty pounds,
and in default of payment for such refusal or neglect, such officer,
non-commissioned officer or private, shall be committed to the com-
mon gaol of the district for not less than six nor more than twelve
calendar months, except such person shall satisf}^ the colonel or
officer commanding such regiment or battalion to which he belongs
that such refusal or neglect arose from sickness, or that he was
absent upon leave. Provided always that no part of the militia
called forth in the manner aforesaid shall be obliged to continue in
actual service for more than six months at one time, and no militia-
man shall be so called out who shall be above the age of fifty years,
unless the whole of the militia of any district or battalion to which
he may belong shall be called out and embodied. Provided, also,
that it shall not be lawful to order the militia or any part thereof
to march out of this Province, except for the assistance of the Province
of Lower Canada (when the same shall be actualty invaded or in a
state of insurrection), or except in pursuit of an enemy who may have
invaded this Province, and except also for the destruction of any
vessel or vessels built or building, or any depot or magazine formed
or forming, or for the attack of any enemy who may be embodying
or marching for the purpose of invading this Province, or for the
attack of any fortification now erected, or which may be hereafter
erected, to cover the invasion thereof.

IX. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that
it shall and may be lawful that the governor, lieutenant-governor
or person administering the Government to call out detachments of
the militia, and to limit and fix the number of men to be called out
in such detachments ; and in cases of emergency by actual invasion
or otherwise, when it may not be practicable to consult the governor,
lieutenant-governor or person administering the Government of
this Province, it shall be and may be lawful for the senior colonel,
or in his absence the lieutenant-colonel, of the several regiments or
battalions to limit and appoint the number of men that he shall
judge necessary to be called out, and for that purpose to issue his
orders to the several commanding officers, and also to direct and
authorize any officer, having first obtained a warrant for such pur-
pose from one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace, to impress
such carriages and horses as the service may require, for the use of
which the owner or the owners thereof shall be entitled to receive
the sum of seven shillings and six pence per day for eveiy cart or
carriage with two horses or oxen during such time as the same shall

be employed or detained on public service ; provided always, that
whenever it shall happen that only part of the militia of this pro-
vince shall be called out for actual service, it shall and may be
lawful for any person being of the militia of the county or riding
that may be so called out to provide and send an able-bodied man
to serve in the said militia in his stead, and such able-bodied man
shall be taken and received as a proper substitute for such person
living in the county or riding that would otherwise be obliged to
serve in the said militia called out as aforesaid.

X. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that
in the several counties and ridings, where the number of men would
be sufficient, the militia shall be formed into regiments, consisting of
not more than ten nor less than eight companies, which companies
shall consist of not more than fifty nor less than twenty private
men, and the field officers of such regiment shall be as follows, that
is to say : One colonel, one lieutenant-colonel and one major, and
where the number of companies shall be under eight and not less
than five, such militia shall be formed into a battalion, and the field
officers of such battalion shall be one lieutenant-colonel and one
major only, and in each regiment or battalion of militia there shall
be one captain, one lieutenant and one ensign to each company.

XI. And it be further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that
to every regiment of militia there shall be, in addition to the officers
already mentioned, one adjutant and one quartermaster, and that
every field officer commanding a regiment or battalion shall fix the
number of sergeants who shall serve in his regiment or battalion,
and the captains of the said companies shall respectively nominate
the sergeants thus fixed and make a return of their names to the
field officer commanding such regiment or battalion, who is hereby
authorized to approve or disapprove of such nomination.

XII. And it be further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that in the several counties and ridings where the militia men are
not in number sufficient to form a regiment or battalion according
to the interest and meaning of this act, the militia of such counties
or riding shall be formed into independent companies, each com-
pany to consist of not more than fifty or less than twenty private
men, with one captain, one lieutenant and one ensign in each com-
pany, and that the governor, lieutenant-governor or person
administering the Government may, when he shall think proper,
join together any number of independent companies and form a
battalion or battalions, or may incorporate them with any other
regiment or battalion of militia : provided the number of com-
panies in any such regiment or battalion be not thereby made to

exceed the number of companies of which a regiment or battalion
of militia is hereinbefore directed to consist.

XIII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that every non-commissioned officer or private who shall refuse to
obey the lawful orders of his superior officer or officers when em-
ployed on militia duty, or shall quarrel with or insult by abusive
words or otherwise any officer or non-commissioned officer being in
the execution of his duty, shall for every such offence forfeit and
pay a sum of money not exceeding five pounds nor less than ten
shillings, current money of this province, at the discretion of the
justice or justices imposing such fine, and according to the nature of
the offence.

XIV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that every person who now is enrolled in any regiment, battalion or
independent company shall, within six months after the passing of
this act, and every person who shall hereafter be enrolled, of any
regiment, battalion or independent company of militia shall, within
six months after such enrolment, provide himself with a good and
sufficient musket, fusil, rifle or gun, with at least six rounds of
powder and ball, and shall come provided with the same at each
and every time when he shall be called out, either for the purpose
of review, exercise or actual service, and if any person so enrolled
shall neglect or refuse to provide himself or to come so provided as
in the case of review or exercise, he shall for each offence be liable
to a penalty of five shillings, and in the case of actual service, to a
penalty of forty shillings, to be levied in the manner hereinafter
mentioned : Provided always, that when and so often as any
militiaman shall make it appear to his captain or officer command-
ing the company that he has not been able to procure such musket,
fusil, rifle or gun, it shall and may be lawful for such captain or
officer commanding such company to admit of such excuse and
certify the same in writing accordingly, in which case such militia-
man shall not be liable to pay the said fine of five shillings in case
of review or exercise and forty shillings in case of actual service.

XV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that every person who shall sell or barter any part of the arms and
equipments which may be delivered to him out of His Majesty's
stores, or who shall destroy the same, and every person who shall
buy or by barter obtain such arms or equipments, shall severally
and respectively forfeit and pay the sum of five pounds for every
offence on conviction thereof by the oath of any one creditable
witness before two justices of the peace residing within the county
where the same has been committed, and in case the person or
persons so selling any part of his arms or equipments as aforesaid,

or the person or persons obtaining the same in manner aforesaid,
being thereof convicted as aforesaid, shall refuse or neglect to pay
the said sum of five pounds, it shall and may be lawful for the said
justices, by a warrant under their hands and seals, to commit such
person or persons to the gaol of the county or district where the
offence shall be committed, for any space of time not exceeding two
months : Provided always that it shall and may be lawful for the
said justices to discharge the person or persons so offending any
time before the expiration of the said two months, when the person
or persons so convicted as aforesaid shall tender to the said justices
the penalty inflicted by this Act.

XVI. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that at all times when the militia may be called out and embodied
for actual service the officers, non-commissioned officers and private
men of the several regiments, battalions and independent companies
of militia, shall from the time of their being drawn out and
embodied as aforesaid, and until they shall return to their respective
towns, townships, parishes or places of abode, remain under the
command of the governor, lieutenant-governor, or person adminis-
tering the Government, or other officer having the command of
them, and shall be liable to punishment for mutiny and desertion as
hereinafter mentioned : that is to say, that every officer, non-com-
missioned officer or militiaman who shall presume to use traitorous
or disrespectful words against His Majesty's royal person, or disre-
spectful words against any of the royal family, if a commissioned
officer shall, upon conviction thereof before a general courtmartial,
as hereinafter directed to be established, be cashiered : if a non-com-
missioned officer or private, he shall suffer such punishment as by
the sentence of the said courtmartial shall be awarded.

XVII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that any officer, non-commissioned officer or militiaman who shall
behave himself with contempt or disrespect towards the governor,
lieutenant-governor or the person administering the Government
for the time being, or shall speak words tending to their hurt or
dishonor, shall be punished according to the nature of his offence by
the judgment of a general courtmartial.

XVIII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that any officer, non-commissioned officer or militiaman who shall
begin, excite, cause or join in any mutiny or sedition in the regiment,
detachment, troop or company to which he belongs, or in any other
regiment, detachment, troop or company, whether of embodied militia
or of His Majesty's regular or provincial forces in any camp or post,
or upon any party, detachment or guard, on any pretence whatsoever,

vshall suffer death or such other punishment as by a general court-
martial shall be awarded.

XIX. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that any officer, non-commissioned officer or militiaman who being-
present at any mutiny or sedition shall not use his utmost endeavors
to suppress the same, or coming to the knowledge of any mutiny or
or intended mutiny shall not without delay give information thereof
to his commanding officer, shall suffer such punishment as by a
general courtmartial shall be awarded.

XX. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that all officers, non-commissioned officers and militiamen, who shall
be convicted of having deserted to the enemy, shall suffer death or
such other punishment as shall be awarded b}' a general courtmartial.

XXI. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that any non-commissioned officer or militiaman who shall quit or
otherwise absent himself from his regiment, detachment, troop
or company without a furlough from his commanding officer,
or who shall withdraw himself from the regiment, detachment,
troop or company then in service, whether of the militia or of His
Majesty's regular or provincial forces, shall, upon being convicted
thereof, be punished according to the nature of his offence, at the
discretion of a courtmartial, and in case any officer of the militia
shall knowingly receive and entertain such non-commissioned
officer or militiaman, or shall not after his being discovered to be a
deserter immediately confine him and give notice to the regiment,
detachment, troop or company in which he last served, he, the said
officer so offending, shall on being convicted thereof before a general
courtmartial be cashiered.

XXII. And be it further enacted by the authority thereof,
that if any officer, non-commissioned officer or militiaman shall
be convicted of having advised or persuaded any other officer or
militiaman to desert His Majesty's service, he shall suffer such
punishment as shall be awarded by a general courtmartial.

XXIII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that when the militia of this province shall be called out on actual
service, in all cases where a general courtmartial shall be required,
the governor, lieutenant-governor or person administering the
Government, upon complaint and application to him made through
the colonel or officer commanding the body of militia to which the
party accused may belong, shall issue his order to the said com-
manding officer to assemble a general courtmartial, which said
courtmartial shall consist of a president, who shall be a field officer,
and twelve other commissioned officers of militia ; provided always,
that in all trials by general courtmartial, to be held by virtue of

this act, the governor, lieutenant-governor or person administering
the Government, shall nominate and appoint the person who shall
act as judge advocate, and that every member of the said court-
martial before any proceedings be had before that court, shall take
the following oath before the said judge advocate, who is hereby
authorized to administer the same, viz :

" You, A. B., do swear that you will administer justice to the
best of your understanding in the matter now before you, according
to the evidence and, the militia laws now in force in this province
without partiality, favor or affection : and you further swear that
you will not divulge the sentence of the court until it shall be
approved by the governor, lieutenant-governor or person admin-
istering the Government : neither will you upon any account, at
any time whatsoever, disclose or discover the vote or opinion of
any particular member of the courtmartial, unless required to give
evidence thereof as a witness by a court of justice in due course of
law. So help you God,

And so soon as the said oath shall have been administered to
the respective members, the president of the court is hereby
authorized to administer to the judge advocate or the person offici-
ating as such, an oath in the following words : —

" You, A. B., do swear that you will not upon any account, at
any time whatsoever, disclose or discover the vote or opinion of any
particular member of the courtmartial, unless required to give evi-
dence thereof as a witness by a court of justice in a due course of
law. So help you God."

And the said judge advocate shall, and he is hereb}^ authorized,
to administer to every person giving evidence before the said court,
the following oath : —

" The evidence that you shall give to this courtmartial upon the
trial of A. B., shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but
the truth, so help you God."

Provided always that the judgment of every such courtmartial
shall pass with the concurrence of two-thirds of the members, and
shall not be put in execution until the governor, lieutenant-governor
or person administering the Government has approved thereof ; Pro-
vided always, that no officer serving in any of His Majesty's other
forces shall sit in any courtmartial upon the trial of any officer or
private man serving in the militia.

XXIY. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that during the time in which the said militia shall be embodied for
actual service they and every of them, as well officers as privates,
shall be liable and subject to all and every the provisions, regula-
tions, matters and things in this Act contained respecting the said

militia, and also in cases to which the provisions of this Act do not
extend, to all the rules, regulations, pains and penalties of any Act
or Acts of the British Parliament that are or may be in force for
the punishment of mutiny and desertion, not contrary to this Act;
provided nevertheless, that no sentence of any courtmartial so to
be constituted and established under and by virtue of this Act
shall extend to the loss of life or limb, unless for desertion, mutiny
and sedition, traitorous correspondence, or for traitorously deliver-
ing up to the enemy any garrison, fortress, post, or guard, anything
herein contained or any statute, law, or usage to the contrary not-
withstanding ; provided always, that in no case whatsoever shall
any non-commissioned officer or private man, for any offence by him
committed be subjected to the punishment of being whipped by the
sentence of any courtmartial whatsoever.

XXV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that in all cases where a militia officer not on actual service shall be
guilty of improper conduct or do anything unbecoming his char-
acter as such officer, not otherwise provided for in this Act, the
governor, lieutenant-governor, or person administering the Govern-
ment, upon complaint and application made to him through the colonel
or other field officer of militia commanding the respective regiment
or battalion to which the said officer against whom the complaint is
made may belong, or in case the said colonel or other field officer is
the party accused, to the next in command, to issue his order to
assemble a court of enquiry, which court shall consist of one field
officer in rank superior to the officer accused, who shall be president
thereof, together with not not less than four other commissioned
officers : and such court of enquiry shall examine witnesses and take
every necessary step to investigate the matter alleged in the com-
plaint against the said militia officer and report the evidence in that
behalf brought before them to the governor, lieutenant-governor, or
person administering the Government, for his decision thereon.

XXVI. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that except in time of actual service, the judges of the court of
King's bench, and clergy, the members of the legislative and execu-
tive councils and their respective officers, the members of the house
of assembly for the time being and the officers thereto belonging,
His Majesty's attorney general, solicitor general, the secretary of
the Province and all other civil officers who have been or hereafter
may be appointed to any civil office in this Province under the
great seal of the same, as well as all magistrates, sheriffs, coroners,
half-pay officers, militia officers having served by virtue of any
militia commission in any part of His Majesty's dominion (who
may not have been removed for any offence as an officer of militia,

or who may have obtained leave to resign his commission), the
surveyor-general and his deputies duly appointed, seafaring men
actually employed in the line of their calling, physicians, surgeons,
the masters of the public schools, ferrymen and one miller to every
grist mill, shall be and are hereby excused from serving in the said
militia : Provided always that this Act and the exceptions herein
contained shall not prevent, and it is hereby declared that the same
shall not be construed to prevent any or every of the above men-
tioned person or persons from holding commissions as officers in the
militia in this Province : Provided always that it shall and may be
lawful for the governor, lieutenant-governor or person administer-
ing the Government of this Province by warrant under his hand and
seal to exempt any of the persons hereinbefore enumerated from
being called out on the service aforesaid.

XXVII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that the persons called Quakers, Mennonists and Tunkers, who
from certain scruples of conscience decline bearing arms, shall not
be compelled to serve in the said militia, but every person professing
that he is one of the people called Quakers, Mennonists or Tunkers
producing a certificate of his being a Quaker, Mennonist or Tanker
signed by the clerk of the meeting of such society, or by any three
or more of the people called Quakers. Menonnists or Tunkers, shall
be /excused and exempted from serving in the said militia : pro-
vided, nevertheless, that every such person that shall or may be of
the people called Quakers, Mennonists or Tunkers, from the age of
sixteen to sixty, shall, on or before the first day of December in
each and every year, give in his name and place of residence to the
treasurer of the district where he or they shall reside, and pay to
such treasurer to and for the public uses of such district in time of
peace the sum of twenty shillings, and in time of actual invasion or
insurrection, or when any part of the militia of that district shall
be called out on actual service, the sum of five pounds, and in de-
fault of such payment, it shall and may be lawful on information or
complaint on oath made by the said treasurer before any justice of
the peace of such district, for such justice to issue his warrant
under his hand and seal to levy the same by distress and sale of
the offender's goods and chattels, returning so much of the said
distress as shall exceed the sum of twenty shillings per annum in
time of peace and five pounds per annum in time of actual invasion
or insurrection, or when any part of the militia of that district shall
be called out on actual service, deducting therefrom the charges and
all other incidental expenses of such distress and sale, as well as the
expenses of summoning such offender before such justice as afore-
said, shall be by him within the space of two calendar months paid

into the hands of the colonel, or in his absence, the next senior
officer of the regiment, battalion or independent company of the
division where the offence has been committed, to be applied for
the like purposes as the fines, forfeitures and penalties imposed by
this act, and for want of such distress the justice before whom such
person shall have been summoned, shall commit him to the common
gaol of the district until he shall pay and satisfy such sum,
together with the reasonable charges incident to such conviction ;
provided, nevertheless, that no person or persons so committed shall
in any case be detained in custody longer than the space of one
calendar month ; provided also, and it is hereby enacted, that each
and every of the persons usually called Quakers, Mennonists and
Tunkers that have attained the age of fifty years shall not be
liable to the payment of such sum of twenty shillings for being
exempted from serving in the said militia in time of peace, but that
in time of war or other emergency they shall be liable to serve or
to the payment of five pounds for being exempted for every year
until the}^ shall have attained the age of sixty years.

XXVIII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that in time of war when and so often as occasion may require, it
shall and may be lawful for the governor, lieutenant-governor or
person administering the Government of this Province to employ
the militia of this Province either upon land or upon the lakes,
rivers, and communications thereof in such parties or detachments
as may by him be deemed expedient.

XXIX. And whereas, by a certain clause in this Act it is
provided that it shall and may be lawful for the persons therein
mentioned on certain occasions to call out detachments of the militia,
be it therefore enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the persons
to serve on detachment shall be regularly taken from time to time,
as they shall be required, from a roster or list to regulate the turn
of duty, to be first formed by ballot of each and every person in
each respective battalion, regiment or independent company, and
that after the same has been formed, when any person shall be en-
rolled as a militiaman in any battalion, regiment or independent
company, the name of such man shall be inserted and follow the
last person in the said roster, the initial of whose surname corres-
ponds with the initial of the surname of the man so to be inserted,
and when any detachment shall be called out for service the
adjutant or officer commanding each regiment, battalion or inde-
pendent company shall give notice to the persons of their turn of
duty.

XXX. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that when any detachments are formed and called out for public

service, it shall and may be lawful for the governor, lieutenant-
governor or person administering the Government of this Province
to divide the same into smaller detachments or parties and appoint
them to serve on board vessels, boats, or batteaux upon any of the
lakes, rivers or communications by water of this Province with
great guns or artillery, as well as with small arms, as occasion may
require, and shall and may appoint them to be stationary in any of
the creeks or harbors of the said lakes, or in any of the rivers of
the province, and also to train and exercise the same to the use of
great guns and artillery as well by land as by water.

XXXI. And whereas it may be convenient to form one or
more troops of cavalry, be it therefore enacted by the authority
aforesaid, that it shall and may be lawful for the governor,
lieutenant-governor or person administering the Government of this
Province to form and embody such troop or troops and to employ
the same on such duties as the necessity of the service may require.

XXXII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that all detachments to be called out and employed as aforesaid,
shall, and may, if need require, be detained on such service for and
during the space of six months at one time and no longer: provided,
that every such detachment be relieved by the arrival of a fresh
detachment, sufficient for the indispensable occasions of the service
at such period, for which purpose, it shall and may be lawful for
the proper officer one week at least before the expiration of the said
period of service to call together the remaining parts of the regiment,
battalion or independent company or so many as may be necessary
according to their several terms, to be regulated by the roster as
aforesaid, to relieve such detachment.

XXXIII. Provided always, and be it further enacted by the
authority aforesaid, that if such detachment cannot be replaced by
an equal number of men of the remaining part of such regiment,
battalion or independent company, respectively, then and in such
case every detachment to be relieved as aforesaid shall ballot or
draw lots for such a number of men as may be wanting to make
the succeeding detachment equal to the detachment to be relieved,
and the parties whose names shall be drawn shall be liable to serve
with the said detachment, but in the case of a partial relief they
shall be the first to be relieved, either wholly or by ballot, according
to the number to be relieved.

XXXIV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that when any person shall have been convicted of any offence
against this Act and shall refuse to pay the tine, forfeiture or
penalty imposed on such offender, it shall and may be lawful to and
for the justice or justices before whom such person shall have been

convicted to commit such offender to the common gaol of the district
until he shall pay and satisfy such tine, forfeiture or penalty,
together with the reasonable charges attending such conviction :
Provided, nevertheless, that no person or persons so committed shall
in any case be detained in custody longer than the space of one
calendar month, except in such cases as are otherwise provided for
by this Act.

XXXV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that no persons who have been discharged from His Majesty's
service as non-commissioned officers shall be obliged to serve in any
station in the militia in this Province inferior to that which they
held in His Majesty's service, unless, having been non-commissioned
officers in the said militia, they may have been reduced according
to law.

XXXVI. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that no person enrolled in the militia shall absent or withdraw him-
self from any place of review or exercise without having first
obtained leave of his commanding officer so to do, under the penalty
of forty shillings if a commissioned officer, and ten shillings if a
non-commissioned officer or private.

XXXVII. And be it further enacted by the authority afore-
said, that if any sergeant of militia, when thereunto requested by
his superior and proper officer, shall neglect or refuse to warn the
militiamen of the company which he belongs to appear at the place
of enrolment or exercise, he shall for every such neglect or refusal
pay the sum of fort}^ shillings.

XXXVIII. And be it further enacted by the authority afore-
said, that every sergeant in the militia duly appointed shall be
exempt from serving as constable for and during such time as he
shall hold such appointment as sergeant.

XXXIX. And be it further enacted by the authority afore-
said, that if any person be wounded or shall be disabled when
employed on actual service, upon an invasion, insurrection or re-
bellion, he shall be taken care of and attended during the time of
such disability agreeably to his rank.

XL. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that when any person shall be summoned befoi-e two of His
Majesty's justices of the peace as aforesaid for having neglected or
refused to do such things as by this Act are required of him to be
performed, and shall, upon the oath of one credible witness before
such justices be duly convicted of such offence, such person shall
pay the charges and expenses of and incident to such conviction,
and that all fines, penalties and forfeitures by this Act imposed, on
default of payment, shall be levied by distress and sale of the goods

and chattels of the offender by warrant under the hands and seals
of the justices before whom the said offender shall be convicted
rendering the overplus (if any) to the said person whose goods and
chattels shall have been so distrained and sold, after deducting

I'nH V^ dTrgeS °f -SUCh di8treSS and 8ale> a*d within two
months after such conviction and recovery, the sums so recovered
sha be transmitted by the justices before whom such information
shall have been laid to the colonel, or in his absence, to the next
senior officer of the regiment, battalion or independent company
and the said colonels and other officers respectively shall and thev
are hereby required., out of the several sums of money which hey
shall receive for fines, forfeitures or penalties, or otherwise by
virtue of this Act, to provide for their regiments in their relative

and f^ IT ^ "T ' drUT 5eS'- C°l0rS' banner8' Omental 'books
an n?l^ f algG °f °thT 1!fldentaI exPenses> and i" case any
anj overplus of such monies shall remain in the hands of any such
colonel or other officer after providing such articles as afore aid

sh ZE% u\t C1SP°Sed °f in PremiumS to the Person« wh°
shall make the best shot at a target or mark upon days of training

and in such proportions as at a meeting the colonels or officer's
commanding regiments, battalions or independent companies shall
order and direct, and each colonel, or in his absence, the next senior
officer of the regiment, battalion or independent company shall
render a certified account thereof in detail/to be transmitted 'to the
governor, lieutenant-governor or person administering the Govern-
pTanctic",le0°n the thirfc^ffrSt fhV 0f decern be? annually as

XLI And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that

v h-tnP of Ir0"!1^ T ufe hy any ^8tice or JU8tices of the Peace bv
virtue of this Act shall be removed by certiorari out of the county
riding, division, or place wherein such order or conviction shall have'
been made, into any court whatsoever, and that no writ of certiorari
shall supersede execution on other proceedings upon any such order
or conviction so made in pursuance of this Act, but that execution
and other proceedings shall be had and made thereupon am- such
writ or writs or allowance thereof notwithstanding; provided
always, that the hues, forfeitures or penalties to be levied by virtue
ounds1 °r C°nviction sha11 not exceed the sum of twenty

, , , ™L And be ^ ^rther enacted by the authority aforesaid
that if any action shall be brought against any person or persons
for anything done in pursuance of this Act, such action or suit shall
be commenced within six months after the fact committed and not
afterwards, and shall be laid in the county, riding or place where

the cause of complaint did arise, and not elsewhere, and the defend-
ant or defendants in every such action or suit may plead the
general issue and give this Act and the special matter in evidence at
any trial to be had thereupon, and if the jury shall find for the
defendant or defendants in any such action or suit, and if the
plaintiff or plaintiffs shall be non-suited or discontinue his, her or
their action or suit, after the defendant or defendants shall have
appeared, or if, upon demurrer, judgment shall be given against the
plaintiff or plaintiffs, the defendant or defendants shall have treble
costs and have the like remedy for the same as any defendant hath
in other cases to recover costs by law.

XLIII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid,
that all former Acts relating to the raising of the militia within this
Province shall from and after the passing of this Act be and are
hereby repealed : Provided, nevertheless, that nothing in this Act
contained shall in anywise extend or be construed to extend to
annul or make void any militia appointment which may have taken
place in pursuance of the former Acts relating to the militia forces,
or to prevent the completing of any proceedings commenced in
pursuance thereof, until new commissions are issued under and by
virtue of this Act.

REPORT OF LIEUT. COLONEL BRUYERES, R. E.

Quebec, 24th August, 1811.

Report of the State of the Fortified military Posts in Both the
Caii.-Mlas.

***********

Fort George.— Situated on the west bank of the Ri ver Niagara,
about one mile from Lake Ontario, is an irregular field work, con-
sisting of six small bastions, faced with framed timber and plank.
These bastions are connected with a line of picketing, twelve feet
in height. The whole of this work is very much out of repair; its-
situation and construction very defective, and cannot be considered
capable of much defence. The troops are lodged in blockhouses
within the fort, which contain quarters for about 220 men, exclusive
of a spacious building for the officers. The magazine is a stone
building, arched, but not bomb-proof.

Fort Chippawa.— Situated on the right bank of the River
Chippawa, about 16 miles from Fort George. It is the termination
of the carrying place, nine miles from the west landing, and one and
one-half miles above the Falls. This post can only be considered a
transport post for depositing and forwarding stores to the upper
lakes. It consists merely of a large blockhouse, containing quarters
for one officer and thirty-six men, and storeroom sufficient for the
stores deposited there. It is enclosed with a line of picketing very
much decayed, and cannot be considered capable of any defence.

Fort Erie. — Situated at the entrance to Lake Erie, eighteen
miles above Fort Chippawa. The old fort on the borders of the lake
is in ruins and totally abandoned. The construction of a new fort,
projected by Lieut.-General Mann, on the rising ground above the
site of the old fort, to be built of masonry, was begun in the spring
of 1805, in conformity with a report approved by Lord Hobart,
Secretary of State, in a letter to General Hunter. This work was
continued until the latter end of the year 1807, when it was put a
stop to by order of General Sir James Craig on his arrival at
Quebec. At the time of closing, the two piles of barracks, together
with the masonry of two bastions fronting the lake, were finished,
the ditch excavated and part of the masonry founded of two
bastions towards the land. The interior of the barracks, only partly
completed, to accommodate troops quartered at the post. The
remainder unfinished and has received some injury from remaining

so long neglected. Fort Erie cannot be considered a strong military
position, but as it is necessary always to have some troops stationed
at this post, to carry on transport and communication with Amherst-
buro- and St. Joseph's, the necessary security and accommodation
might be probably obtained by completing this post.

(Canadian Archives, Freer Papers, 1811.)

Major-General George Glasgow, R. A., to Sir George Prevost.

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE MAGAZINES, STOREHOUSES, PLATFORMS,

CARRIAGES, ORDNANCE AND STORES, IN CHARGE OF THE

FIELD TRAIN DEPARTMENT IN CANADA UNDER THE

SUPERINTENDENCE OF THE COMMANDING

OFFICERS OF ARTILLERY.

Quebec, 18th Sept., 1811.

Neither horses nor drivers having been attached to the held
train in Canada, the officers and men of the artillery are but little
acquainted with the present system of held exercise, and the pres-
ent strength of the detachment of artillery is by no means in pro-
portion to the services required of so extensive a command.

************
At Kingston there is a light 6-pounder, a sergeant and two
gunners; the magazine unfinished and unprotected.

At York there are two light 6-pounders ; neither magazine nor
storehouse, one sergeant and one gunner.

At Fort George there are for garrison use six 12-pounders.
three 9-pounders and one mortar, all of iron : of brass, one 12-
pounder, five light 6-pounders, four 3-pounders and a 5| inch
howitzer with cars, live cast iron mortars with carriages, harness, etc.
The magazine is not bombproof: the storehouses are under the
barracks^ in wooden buildings. A captain, three non-commissioned
officers and twenty-one gunners stationed here.

** *********

In the present situation of the posts of Upper Canada there is
not one situation that can be considered safe as a depot. The
works are faced and lined with wood, the bastions connected by
palisades. The buildings are of wood, liable at all times to accident
by fire, and within the power of an enemy to be burnt whenever he
chose to undertake it.

A depot at a distance from the frontier is much wanted, where
the powder, ammunition, field pieces, small arms and naval stores

not immediately wanted might be kept in more safety, and where
an establishment might be formed for making and repairing car-
riages, and other purposes essential to the service.

York seems to present a situation well adapted for such a pur-
pose.

(Canadian Archives, Freer Papers, 1811.)

Major-General Isaac Brock to Sir George Provost.

York, Upper Canada, Dec. 2d, 1811.

SlB, — The information contained in the message of the President
to Congress relative to the existing differences between England and
the United States will justify, I presumed to think, the adoption of
such precautionary measures as may be necessary to meet all future
exigencies. Under this impression, I beg leave to submit to Your
Excellency such observations as occur to me to enable you to form
a correct judgment of the actual state of this Province.

The military force which heretofore occupied the frontier posts
being so inadequate to their defence, a general opinion obtained
that no opposition in the event of hostilities was intended. The
late increase of ammunition and every species of stores, the substitu-
tion of a strong regiment and the appointment of a military person to
administer the Government, have tended to infuse other sentiments
among the most reflecting part of the community, and I feel happy
in being able to assure Your Excellency that during my visit last
week to Niagara I received the most satisfactory professions of a
determination on the part of the principal inhabitants to exert
every means in their power in defence of their property and sup-
port of the Government. They look with confidence to Your
Excellency for such additional aid as may be necessary in conjunc-
tion with the militia to repel any hostile attempt" against this
Province. 1 shall beg leave to refer Your Excellency to the com-
munications of Lieutenant-Governor Gore
5th Jan.'. 1808. w^h Sir James Craig (as per margin) for

c-ioiuTa^exS from "o^ a. L'°1Teut view ot" the temper and composi-
p.mdwKH. with Lt„-eoi. Kraut. 4ist tion of the militia and Indians, and altho'

Rest., dated Amherstbtus, -">tli » ,-1 <» . , , ,. .

Jan., iso8. perfectly aware of the number of improper

characters who have obtained extensive
possessions and whose principles diffuse a spirit of insubordination
very adverse to all military institutions, yet'l feel confident a large
majority will prove faithful. It is, however, certain that the best
policy to be pursued, should future circumstances call for active
preparations, will be to act with the utmost liberality and as if no
mistrust existed. For, unless the inhabitants give an active and

efficient aid, it will be utterly impossible for the very limited num-
ber of the military who are likely to be employed to preserve the
Province. ,

The first point to which I am anxious to call Your Excellency s
attention is the District of Amherstburg. I consider it the most
important, and if supplied with the means of commencing active
operations must deter the Americans from any offensive attempt
from Niagara westward.

That Government will be compelled to secure their western
frontier from the inroads of the Indians, and this cannot be effected
without a very considerable force. But before we can expect an
active co-operation on the part of the Indians, the reduction of
Detroit and Michilimackinac must convince that people (who con-
sider themselves to have been sacrificed to our policy in 1794) that
we are earnestly engaged in the war. The Indians, I am given to
understand, are eager for an opportunity to avenge the numerous
injuries of which they complain. A few tribes at the instigation of
a Shawanese of no note, have already (altho' explicitly told not to
look for assistance from us) commenced the contest, The stand
which they continue to make on the Wabash against about two
thousand regulars and militia is a strong proof of the strong force
which a general combination of the Indians will render necessary
to protect so widely extended a frontier. The garrisons of Detroit
and Michilimackinac do not, I believe, exceed seventy rank and file
each, but the former can be easily reinforced by the militia in the
neighborhood, which tho' not numerous would be sufficient for its
defence unless assailed by a force much superior to any we can now
command. The Americans would draw their principal force either
for defence or attack from the Ohio, an enterprising, hardy race
and uncommonly expert on horseback with the rifle. This species
of force is formidable to the Indians, altho' according to reports
which have reached me by different channels (but none officially)
they have lately repelled an attack of some magnitude. Unless a
diversion such as I have suggested be made, an overwhelming force
will probably be directed against this part of the province. The
measure will, however, be attended with a heavy expense, especially
in the article of provisions, for not only the Indians who take the
field, but also their families, must be maintained. The numerical
force of the militia in the vicinity of Amherstburg exceeds by a
trifle seven hundred rank and file. Consequently very little assist-
ance can be derived from that source in any offensive operation.
Should, therefore, the aspect of affairs hereafter give stronger
indications of a rupture, I propose augmenting the garrison of
Amherstburg with two hundred rank and file from Fort George

and York. Such a measure I consider essentially necessary, were it
only calculated to rouse the energy of both militia and Indians, who
are now impressed with a firm belief that in the event of a war
they are to be left to their fate. Great pains have been taken to
instil this idea into the minds of the Indians, and no stronger argu-
ment could be employed than the weak state of the garrison. The
army now assembled on the Wabash, with the ostensible view of
opposing the Shawanese Indians, is a strong additional motive in my
mind in support of the measure, for I have no doubt but the instant
their service in the field terminates a large portion of the regulars
will be detached to strengthen the garrison at Detroit. I have
prepared Colonel Procter for such an event, and after weighing the
inconvenience to which the service would be exposed if the district
were placed under a militia colonel, (an event obvious, unless super-
seded by a regular officer of equal rank,) I have directed Lieut.-
Col. St. George to be in readiness to repair to Amherstburg and
assume the command. I entertain a high opinion of this officer, and
make no doubt that his intelligence and conciliatory disposition
will greatly promote the service. At any rate, I am without a
choice, and hope his situation of Inspector of Militia will not be
considered a bar to the arrangement. The state of the roads will
probably stop this projected movement until the latter end of this
month or beginning of next, nor do I intend that the troops should
leave their present quarters unless urged by fresh circumstances.
I therefore look to receive Your Excellency's commands previous
to their departure.

From Amherstburg to Fort Erie, my chief dependence must
rest on a naval force for the protection of that extensive coast. But
considering the state to which it is reduced, extraordinary exertions
and great expense will be required before it can be rendered efficient.
At present it only consists of a ship and a small schooner, the latter
of a bad construction, old, and in want of many repairs, yet she is
the only King's vessel able to navigate Lake Huron, whilst the
Americans have a sloop and a fine brig, capable of carrying twelve
guns and in perfect readiness for any service. If consequently
the garrison of St. Josephs is to be maintained and an attack on
Michilimackinac undertaken, it will be expedient to hire or purchase
from the merchants as many vessels as may be necessary for the
purpose. The Americans can resort to the same means, and the
construction and number of their vessels for trade will give them
great advantage, besides their small craft or boats in which troops
could be easily transported across the waters exceed ours consider-
ably. Indeed, we have very few of that description. I therefore
leave it to Your Excellency's superior judgment to determine

whether a sufficient number of gunboats for both lakes, so con-
structed as to draw little water, ought not to be added to our means
of defence and offence. It is worthy of remark that the only
American national vessel on Lake Ontario, built two years ago and
now laying in Sackett's Harbor, has remained without seamen until
within the last fortnight, when the officers began to enter men as
fast as possible. A lieutenant with a party came to Buffalo (a
tolerably large village opposite Fort Erie) and procured several
hands, but, not satisfied, a petty officer was sent to our side to
inveigle others. The magistrates hearing of this sent to have him
arrested, but he with difficulty escaped. The strait between
Niagara and Fort Erie is that which in all probability will be
chosen for their main body to penetrate with a view to conquest.
All other attacks will be subordinate or merely made to divert our
attention.

About 3,000 militia could, upon an emergency, be drawn to
that line, and nearly five hundred Indians could likewise be col-
lected ; therefore, with the regulars, no trifling force could hope for
success provided a determined resistance was made, but I cannot
hide from Your Excellency that unless a strong military force be
present to animate the lo3Tal and control the disaffected nothing
effectual can be expected. A protracted resistance upon this
frontier will be sure to embarrass their plans materially. They
will not come prepared to meet it, and their troops or volunteer
corps without scarcely any discipline (as far at least as control is in
question) will soon tire under disappointment. The difficulty which
they will experience in providing provisions will involve them into
expenses, under which their Government will soon become im-
patient. The car-brigade will be particularly useful in obstructing
their passage, and I cannot be too urgent in soliciting the means,
both as to gunners and drivers, and likewise as to horses, to render
the one at Fort George complete for service. A small body of
cavalry would be absolutely necessary, and I have already otters
from many respectable 3'oung men to form themselves into a troop.
All they seem to require are swords and pistols, which the stores
below may probably be able to furnish. The situation of Kingston
is so very important in every military point of view that I cannot
be too earnest in drawing Your Excellency's attention to that
quarter. The militia from the Bay of Quinte down to Glengarry is
the most respectable of any in the province. Among the officers,
several are on half-pay, who still retain a sound military spirit.
Those from the Bay of Quinte would be properly stationed at Kings-
ton, but all downwards would naturally desire to be employed to
resist any predatory excursions, to which their property would be

so much exposed from the opposite shore. I have, besides, been
always of the opinion that a strong detachment would follow the
route of Lord Amherst and attempt to enter the Province by
Oswagatchie, The militia on the whole of that communication can-
not therefore be more usefully employed than in watching such a
movement, and should the enemy direct the whole of his force by
St. Johns, the greater part can, Vith the utmost facility, join the
army acting upon that frontier.

The Militia Act, which I have the honor to transmit, provides
for such emergency, and Your Excellency will readily observe
among many wise and salutary provisions but few 'means of
enforcing them.

No exertions, however, shall be wanting in my civil capacity
to place that body upon a respectable footing. Mr. Cartwright, the
senior militia colonel at Kingston, possesses the influence to which
his firm character and superior abilities so deservedly entitle him ;
but as I cannot possibly give the necessary attention to so distant
an object, and as a regular officer will be indispensable to direct the
operations, one of high rank ought, if possible, to be nominated to
that command.

So much will remain to be done, and such high expenses to be
incurred in the Quarter Master General's department, that I cannot
be too earnest with Your Excellency in requesting that an officer
equal k> the situation may be appointed. A head to the com-
missariat will likewise be indispensable.

I have trespassed greatly on Your Excellency's time, but I beg
to be permitted to entreat Your Excellency to honor me with such
advice and counsel as Your Excellency may suggest, and be assured
my utmost pride will be to meet your views and merit your
approbation.

(Canadian Archives, C, 678, p. 171.1

Major General Brock to Sir George Prevost.

York, December 11, LSI 2.

Sir, — I had the honor yesterday of receiving Your Excellency's
letter of the 1st ultimo, stating your intention of establishing depots
of small arms, accoutrements, and ammunition at the different posts
in Upper Canada.

Since the settlement of the Province several thousand stands
have been at different times issued to the militia, and I have given
directions for collecting them, but in all probability great deficiencies
will be found : indeed, it has been already ascertained that those
delivered in 1795 by Lieut.-General Simcoe are wholly lost to the
service. To obviate for the future such an extensive waste, I pro-

pose fixing upon proper places at each post wherein the arms may
be deposited after the militia have exercised, and I have to request
Your Excellency's permission to direct the field-train department to
attend to their preservation and keep them in a state of repair, in
the same manner as those remaining in store. The expense cannot
be great, and in all such cases the infant state of the country obliges
the militia to have recourse to the military.

I have recently had occasion to report for Your Excellency's ,
information the total want of stores at this post beyond those
immediately necessary for the commissariat. I shall, consequently,
be much at a loss to find accommodation for the 2,329 French
muskets which Your Excellency has directed to be sent here ; and
as the only magazine is a small wooden shed, not sixty yards from
the Kind's house, which is rendered dangerous from the quantity of
powder 'it already contains, I cannot but feel a repugnance to lodge
the additional 13,140 ball cartridges intended for this post in a place
so evidently insecure. But as these arrangements cannot con-
veniently take place until the opening of navigation, there will be
sufficient time to contrive the best means to meet Your Excellency's
wishes.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, p. 130.)

Sir George Prevost to Major General Brock.

Quebec, December 24, 1811.

Sir,— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the 2nd instant, which reached me by the courier on Sat-
urday, and I have not failed to give it that consideration which the
importance of the several points to which it alludes entitle it.

In addition to the President's message being full of gunpowder,
the report made to Congress by its committee on the state of the
foreign affairs of the United States conveys sentiments of such de-
cided hostility towards England that I feel justified in recommend-
ing such precaution as may place you in a state of preparation for
that event, and with this view you must endeavor to trace an out-
line of co-operation compensating for our deficiency in strength.
I agree with you as to the advantages which may result from giving
rather than receiving the first blow, but it is not my opinion war
will commence by a declaration of it. That act would militate
against the policy of both countries ; therefore we must expect re-
peated petty aggressions from our neighbors before we are per-
mitted to retaliate by open hostilities. It is very satisfactory to
observe the professions of the inhabitants of Upper Canada in de-
fence of their property and in support of their Government.

I will look into the correspondence you refer to which took

place between Sir James Craig and Lieut.-Governor Gore in 1807,
1808, and 1809, respecting the temper and disposition of your
militia and the policy to be observed in your intercourse with the
Indians.

Your views in regard to the line of conduct to be observed to-
wards the militia forces, notwithstanding some existing circum-
stances unfavorable in their composition, are in my estimation wise,
and on such conception I have hitherto acted.

There are too many considerations to allow me to hesitate in
saying we must employ the Indians, if they can be brought to act
with us. The utmost caution should be used in our language to
them, and all direct explanation should be delayed if possible until
hostilities are more certain, though whenever the subject is adverted
to I think it would be advisable always to intimate that as a matter
of course we shall, in the event of war, expect the aid of our
brothers. Although I am sensible this requires delicacy, still it
should be done so as not to be misunderstood."

I shall call the attention of the commissariat to the supply of
provisions that may be required in the Upper Province, and I had,
previously to the arrival of your letter, given the deputy-quarter-
master-general directions for the building of another schooner for
Lake Erie.

I am sorry to observe, both by your Militia Act and returns
[that] you are embarrassed with officers holding the rank of colonel.
It is certainly desirable that no higher rank should exist than that
of lieutenant-colonel commandant, else, in many cases, the officers of
militia on service might be seniors to the officers of the line in com-
mand of regiments. It is, I am apprehensive, scarcely possible to
revoke the commissions of colonel which have been issued to the
commanding officers of battalions of militia for that of lieutenant-
colonel : therefore if commissions cannot without serious dissatis-
faction be withdrawn, you are authorized in that case, in order to
preserve the command of the inspecting field officer, to direct Lieut.-
Colonel St. George to act with the local rank of colonel in Upper
Canada, giving at the same time (should circumstances make it
necessary that the troops of the line and those of the militia be
called to act together) a corresponding local brevet to such lieutenant-
colonels serving in regiments of the line immediately under your
command as may appear to you necessary to obviate the inconve-
nience that may be anticipated from their having junior rank to
officers in command of militia regiments, but as this latter arrange-
ment is not free from considerable objection you must modify the
measure as much as circumstances will permit.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, p. 153.)

Memorandum to be Submitted to His Excellency, (he Gov.-in-
Chief, by Desire of Major General Brock.

To reinforce the 41st by sending up their recruits, and to send
the regiment to Amherstburg, together with 50 artillery.

To send ordnance suited to the reduction of Detroit (4 to 6
eight-inch mortars).

To explain the nature of the offensive operations proposed in
that quarter.

Militia on the Detroit side, 300 men, mostly Canadians ; Ken-
tucky population, 400,000 souls ; Amherstburg furnishes 700 militia;
Indians in the vicinity, from 2 to 8,000; at the Grand River, 2 to
300.

To send the 49th or some other effective regiment to the
Niagara frontier with a proportion of artillery.

To send a regiment to Kingston, together with a detachment of
artillery.

To send an officer of rank to Kingston to take charge of that
frontier.

It is proposed to select from the militia 2 companies from each
regiment as flank companies, which will produce as volunteers about
1,800 men.

It is proposed to raise corps of volunteers, which may produce
1,200 men.

To lay up ships next winter at York and by degrees remove
the naval yard.

To provide materials for ten more batteaux at Kingston and at
Amherstburg.

To build one gun-boat, as an experiment, at Long Point.

To send plans of the Quebec boats to York. The gun to unship
and lie in the hold in bad weather.

To fortify the harbor of Amherstburg. The co-operation of
the N. West and S. West companies. To take the post of Michili-
mackinac and remove St. Josephs to it.

A small work to protect the anchorage of vessels at Long Point,
and to have 6 gun-boats at Long Point if the plan succeeds.

The co-operation of the Indians will be attended with great
expense in presents, provisions, &c.

To send a person from Kingston to reconnoitre Sackett's Har-
bor, and to send from Niagara to examine the harbors and country
on the south shore of Lake Ontario to see what preparation and if
among merchant vessels.

Captain Gilkinson at Prescott.

To enquire if he will take a naval command.
"Captain Fish to command the new schooner to be built at York.

To superannuate Commodore Grant and to appoint Lieut. Hall
senior officer.

Lieut. Barwis to command the new schooner.

2nd Lieut. Rolette to be appointed first and to command the
Hunter.

To superannuate Commodore Steele and to appoint Captain
Earle senior officer and to command the Royal George.

To appoint and to command the Moira.

To mount 6 24-pr. carronades on field carriages, to he used as
occasion may require.

To send two companies of the Newfoundland Regiment to act
as seamen and mariners.

To augment the establishment by sending an addition of 100
seamen to the lakes.

To purchase all the cordage from Capt. Mills at Amherstbura,
as this tends greatly to promote the growth of hemp.

To submit the memo, from Lieuts. Dewar and Hall.

(Canadian Archives, C. 728. p. 68.)

General John Armstrong to Hon. Win. EusfK Secretary of War.

Red Hook, January 2nd, 1812.

Dear Eustis — Yesterday's mail brought your hypothetical
note, which I hasten to answer by a few suggestions that if*
approved may be readily drawn out into as much detail as may be
useful.

1st. An abundant supply of what is technically called the
materiel of war is indispensable. This single term includes arms,
equipments, and ammunition in all their varieties, tents, blankets!
and clothing, cavalry and draught horses, oxen, wagons, carts,
entrenching tools, &c, &c. To make a competent provision of these
will require a large expenditure of money, but to this you must
submit for two unanswerable reasons— the one, that without them
war cannot be made either morally or successfully : the other, that
their cost now will be from 50 to 100 per cent, less than it will be
after the declaration of war.

2d. When obtained, these supplies should be placed in maga-
zines, the location of which must be governed by two considera-
tions—the security of* the articles deposited in them, and the facility
and safety with which these may be brought into use. To each
magazine should be attached a laboratory for fixing ammunition,
making and mending gun and other carriages, repairing arms, &c.

3d. If you have remote posts liable to attack and difficult to
sustain, and having no direct or important bearing on the progress

or issue of the war, hasten to dismantle them and withdraw the
garrisons.

4th. — Resting, as the line of Canadian defence does, in its whole
extent on navigable lakes and rivers, no time should be lost in
getting a naval ascendency on both for coeteris paribus the belli-
gerent who is the first to obtain this advantage will (miracles
excepted) win the game. Whether the commercial craft at present
employed on these waters can be made useful for the purpose, I do
not know, but among the sages now assembled at Washington you
cannot fail to find some one who can answer the question.

5th. — Without a knowledge, nearly approximating the truth,
of the force you will have to contend with, of the disposition made
of this, and of the character, physical and artificial, of the posts
occupied by it, you will be compelled to make war conjectwrally
and of course on data furnishing no just conclusions with regard to
either the number or composition of your own army, or of the kind
and extent of operations which ought to be assigned to it. That a
state of peace like the present will be more favorable than one of
war for acquiring this preliminary information cannot be doubted,
and if it be true, as I have been told, that the British posts are
victualled by American contractors, these agents (who by their
vocation must have free access to them) may probably form the
safest and surest medium through which to obtain it. But what-
ever be the means employed for accomplishing this object, a moment
should not be lost in putting them into exercise.

6th. — The number and composition of your army (as already
suggested) should be decided by the service given it to perform and
the kind and degree of resistance your enemy may be able to oppose
to it. Though from present appearances it be true that the exigen-
cies of the war in Europe will disable England from sending
promptly any important aid strictly military to the Canadas, it
does not follow that she will omit to employ such other means as
she may possess to supply the deficiency. Of these the most vex-
atious to us would be a portion of her armed vessels acting separ-
ately or in squadron on our long and defenceless line of sea coast,
while at the same time hordes of savages are let loose on the women
and children of the West. And that in the event of war, Great
Britain will not hesitate to employ this policy in both its branches,
cannot be doubted by those who have any recollection of what her
past conduct towards the United States has been, or who are now
capable of perceiving the impunity to herself and the mischief to us
with which she may pursue it.

From this general view of the subject, it follows that in com-
posing your army you must be careful to provide corps specially

adapted for two purposes— the protection of your own frontiers,
eastern and western, and the invasion of those of your enemy. Of
each of these I offer the following outline : —

For the former, divide your coast into military districts— open
in each a rendezous for volunteer association and local defence,
with engagements commensurate with the war and pay enrolments
such as are now given to the regular army. Of this description of
force the maximum may be twenty battalions, located as follows :—
One at Portsmouth, two at Boston, one at Newport, three at New
York, one at Philadelphia, three at Baltimore, three at Norfolk, two
at Charleston, one at Savannah and three at New Orleans. Each
of these stations to be well supplied with heavy guns for position,
furnaces for heating shot, light pieces well horsed for field service'
and muskets and bayonets for camp and garrison duty. Corps'
thus constituted and equipped, well instructed in the use of their
arms and respectably commanded, will do much to check, if they do
not entirely prevent, predatory excursion, the evil most to be appre-
hended from the crews of single ships or from those of small squad-
rons not sustained by infantry.

For western defence employ western men accustomed to the
rifle and the forest and not unacquainted with the usages and
stratagems of Indian warfare. To their customary arms" add a.
pistol and sabre, and, to ensure celerity, mount them on horse-back.
Give them a competent leader and a good position within striking
distance of Indian villages or British settlements. Why not at
Detroit, where you have a strong fortress and a detachment of
artillerists ? Recollect, however, that this position, far from being
good, would be positively bad unless your naval means have an
ascendency on Lake Erie, because Buffalo, Erie, Cleveland, and the
two Sanduskys must be its base or source of supply. The maximum
of this corps may be six battalions.

Lastly, for a successful invasion of the Canadas (the great
operation of the war, because that only by which Great Britain can
be brought to a sense of justice,) you must rely on a regular army.
Of this description of force you have now the skeletons of ten regi-
ments, which, if completed, will give you ten thousand combatants—
a corps that in the present circumstances of England, and aided by
militia for purposes of demonstration, will be competent to great
achievements. Hasten then to fill up the rank and file of your
present establishment, and to existing inducements for enlisting
add an increased pay and a liberal bounty at the end of the war.

Should better information with regard to your enemy's strength
make an increase of your own expedient, give one or two additional
battalions to each of your seven regiments of infantry— a mode of

increasing- an army much to be preferred to creations altogether
new. For, besides being obviously more economical, the direct
association of raw recruits with old soldiers has the effect of making
the former efficient in half the time it would otherwise take to do
so — the example of comrades being a principle of tuition much more
active than the instruction of officers.

On this head it is but necessary to add that the whole of your
disposable or field force when obtained should be immediately
assembled at some point from which, the moment that war shall be
authorized, it may begin its operations. Under present views
Albany or its neighborhood should be the place of this rendezvous,
because, besides other recommendations, it is here that all the roads
leading from the central portion of the United States to the Canadas
diverge, a circumstance which, while it keeps up your enemy's
doubts as to your real point of attack cannot fail to keep his
means of defence in a state of division.

7th. — In sketching the composition of an army, two branches
of it, the one having charge of its discipline and its movement, the
other of its subsistence, must not be forgotten. For the first (a
General Staff) I refer you to Grimoard's publication, which I sent
to the War Department from Paris some years ago. If this book
be not alread}' translated into English, no time should be lost in
naturalizing it for the use of the army.

The second or feeding department is of three kinds — that
founded on CaBsar's maxim that "war should sustain war," though
fashionable at present, is in fact a system of indiscriminate plunder,
forbidden alike, as I hope, by the moral feelings and political views
of the United States. The remaining two are sufficiently known
under the names of the contract and commissariat systems. To
recommend either, as exclusively and under all circumstances the best,
would show only great ignorance or great folly. In old and well-
peopled districts where corn and cattle are abundant, prices little
subject to change, roads safe and unobstructed, and the means of
transportation (trains or boats) easily procured, the contract plan is
the best — because the most economical, sufficiently punctual in the
discharge of its engagements, and, from the settled character of its
terms, rarely if ever embarrassing the Government with extra or
unexpected charges. In districts of an opposite character, where
the population is thin and poor, supplies scarce and high priced,
roads few and bad and much exposed to obstruction, the commis-
sariat must be submitted to, though certainly liable to great abuse
from the ignorance, indolence, or knavery of the agents employed.
The best remedy for the evils of this system will be found in

subjecting the agents to military law and in vigorously enforcing
its provisions.

8th and lastly. — A project of campaign conformed to military
maxims must embrace three things : 1st — An object of important
or decisive character, the attainment of which will give a successful
issue to the campaign, if not to the war. 2nd — A line of operation
as short and perpendicular to the object as possible : and 3rd — ^4
well secured base, on which must be accumulated and ready for
transportation all supplies necessary to sustain the operation. Each
of these rules has its own special laws, but it is only of the first that
I will say more at present than a few words.

In invading a neighboring and independent territory like Can-
ada, having a frontier of immense extent, destitute of means strictly
its own for the purposes of defence, separated from the rest of the
empire by an ocean, and having to this but one outlet — this outlet
forms your true object or point of attack, because if gained, every-
thing depending upon it is gained also. Such was the consequence
of the capture of Quebec in the war which ended in 1763, and such
would again be the capture of that capital had we the means to
effect it. Unfortunate^" , from deficient foresight in the Government,
these are wanting. Still, though unable to do what in the abstract
would be best, it by no means follows that we should omit to do
what may be both practicable and expedient. Such in my opinion
would be the capture of Montreal — a post which, commanding alike
the navigation of the St. Lawrence and the Ottawa, if seized and
held would give the same control over all that portion of the Can-
adas lying westward of itself that Quebec now exercises over the
whole territory. Kingston, York, Fort George. Fort Erie and
Maiden, cut off* from their common base must soon and necessarily
fall. To reach this object your line of operation may be taken on
either side of Lake Champlain, provided 3^011 have secured the com-
mand of the lake, in which case also Albany, Greenbush, Troy,
Whitehall, &c, covered by a dense population or secured by a large
river nowhere fordable by infantry, will give you a sufficient base.
When begun the movement should be made rapidly and audaciously,
and, the better to secure its success, three demonstrations by masses
of militia may be employed : one on the Niagara to keep within their
walls the garrisons of Fort George and Erie : a second at Sackett's
Harbor, to produce a similar effect on whatever force may be found
at Kingston, and a third in Vermont, so placed on the eastern side
of the Sorel as to menace the British posts on that river.

Though taking for granted, as stated above, that the capture of
Montreal would involve that of all posts westward from itself, it
will no doubt be proper that the six battalions of mounted gun-men

should march on Maiden as soon as they shall be apprised that the
campaign on Lake Champlain is opened. And here we must stop,
what remains of the subject being tactical and governed by circum-
stances as they occur in the camp or the field, must be entirely left
to the genius and judgment of your commanding general.

(From Notices of the War of 1812 by John Armstrong, New York, 1840, Vol. I., pp.
234-41.)

Sir George Prevost to Thomas Barclay, His Majesty's Consul*
General at New York.

Quebec, 4th January, 1812.

Sir, — Considering the spirit of hostility shown to England by
the United States no longer likely to be confined to a paper and
commercial warfare, and that, therefore, it is of importance I should
receive a correct account of the disposition and news of the Ameri-
can Government, 1 have sent Captain Coore, one of my aids-de-
camp, to Mr. Foster for the purpose, who is instructed to com-
municate with you as he passes through New York.

(From the Correspondence of Thomas Barclay, p. 302.)

Thomas Barclay to Sir George Prevost.

New York, 22d January, 1812.

Sir, — I agree with you that the period is fast approaching
when these States will take active hostile measures against Great
Britain, and it is apparent that their first military measures will be
directed against His Majesty's Provinces of Lower and Upper
Canada. I am satisfied also that attempts will be made to seduce
the inhabitants of Upper Canada generally, and the French Cana-
dians in Lower Canada, from their allegiance. You will pardon,
therefore, the liberty I take in recommending the utmost attention
in admitting persons within cities of these Provinces, as attempts
will be made to introduce characters fitted to persuade and delude
the ignorant. There is a man who lives on the line (45c) between
these States and Lower Canada. Colonel Armstrong knows him ;
his name is Rous. Of him particular care should be taken and of
those who have communications with him. He is a sensible,
intriguing, cunning man, eminently qualified for such purposes and
well acquainted with all the disaffected Canadians. His move-
ments require special care.

(From the Correspondence of Thomas Barclay, p. 304.)

Captain A. Gray, Assistant Deputy Quartermaster-General, to Sir
George Prevost.

York, 29th January, 1812.

Sir, — I arrived safe at this place on the evening of the 27th
and delivered the money I was entrusted with to Mr. Selby. The
weather has been extremely unfavorable, having been exceedingly
cold or thawing, all the way from Montreal to York. From Mon-
treal to Kingston occupied 6 days, and from Kingston to York
5 days.

On my arrival at Kingston, I inspected the state of the marine
and have the honor to communicate the following particulars for
Your Excellency's information :

The Royal George lays alongside the wharf, dismantled and her
rigging laid up in the sail loft, and reported to be all in good order
and in readiness to relit at the shortest notice. But it is a singular
circumstance that they have as yet found no way of mounting the
carronades sent up last summer to arm this and the other vessels on
the lakes. This difficulty arises from the construction of the slide
upon which the carronade is mounted. This is upon a new principle
and is rather complicated, being of a nature not at all self-evident,
as appears from the variety of opinions that prevail as to its object
and utility. There ought therefore to have been a plan and descrip-
tion of the slide sent along with them. Major Fuller says in his
justification that he has written to Quebec for information on this
subject but received no answer. I shall remove this difficult}7 on
my return to Kingston.

Little is done to the Moira further than preparing the materials,
as they say they wanted orders from Quebec as to lengthening her.
There has not, however, been much time lost, as the weather has
been very severe. I found, upon examining the vessel, that it
would not be advisable to lengthen her, as, notwithstanding the
process of salting, many of the timbers are rotten and must be
taken out, and what is at this moment of great importance, she
could not be got ready in time if lengthened. One of the chief
objects in lengthening her was to increase her battery, but this we
can do to a certain extent without, as by new spacing the distance
of the ports one gun may be added on each side. I have therefore
ordered them to proceed immediately with the repairs, and have her
ready to sail the moment the lake is open, which they have promised
shall be done.

There is every inducement to build the new schooner at York,
as, exclusive of the argument already adduced in favor of
establishing the naval yard at this place, there are the following

considerations, which are of great importance at this moment :
First, they have as much to do at Kingston as they can get through
with at present in fitting out the Moira and mounting the carron-
ades, etc. It would, therefore, extend our resources in ship building
if we could at the same time carry on our work at both places.
This would also have the effect of paving the way for the removal
of the Marine Depot from Kingston to this place, a change greatly
to be desired. The Toronto, having been broken up here, furnishes
an immediate supply of iron work and a variety of other articles
that may be worked up in the new vessel, and, in addition to what
may be supplied by this means, there is a considerable department
of naval stores appropriated to what is termed the civil service of
the Province. This store General Brock will use as the service may
require. I have gone round the harbor with the General and have
examined as far as the season of the year would admit of, the
different places pointed out as favor-able for building a vessel, and
find there will be no difficulty on that head. The General proposes
putting the superintendence of the work into the hands of the
person who commanded the Toronto, who seems to be every way
qualified for the task of building and commanding the new schooner.

The officers serving in this division of the Province are in some
instances extremely inefficient, and, in short, totally unfit for the
situations they hold, especially the deputy-assistant quartermaster-
general, and several naval officers. The former Gen. Brock has it
in contemplation to remove to York as soon as Your Excellency has
fixed upon a proper person to succeed him. This arrangement will
be advantageous to Major Fuller, a circumstance which is not to be
regretted, as there is nothing to be urged against him but his
incapacity and unfitness for the situation he has been unfortunately
placed in. The general has no officer here that he can recommend
for the situation. Nor does he know of more than one man in the
Lower Province that he thinks fit for it. The gent[lema]n the
General mentions is Captain King of the artillery, and from what I
have heard of his professional character and ability from other
sources, I most readily unite with the General in recommending him
as a fit person to succeed Major Fuller. If this measure meets
Your Excellency's approbation, the sooner the appointment is made
the better, as there is great need of a man of energy and one who
can be trusted at Kingston.

This subject I shall have the honor of explaining more at large
on my return.

Captain Steel, senior naval officer, has sent in his resignation,
praying to retire on full pay, which I hope may be granted him, as
he has been almost half a century in the service and is now in his

seventy-fifth year. The next in rank to Captain Steel is Lieut.
Earle, commander of the Moira, who is an excellent seaman, and
from all I can learn every way fit to succeed Captain Steel.

I speak from my own experience, as well as from the opinion
entertained of him by General Brock and others who have sailed
with him.

General Brock is likewise anxious to get rid of the old Com-
modore on Lake Erie. This gentleman has likewise been above 50
years in the service, and is 85 years of age. The next in seniority
is Lieut. Hall, who is in every respect a proper person to succeed
Captain Grant. I have had the same opportunities of attaining a
knowledge of his character and abilities and talents that I had of
Lieut. Earle, and consider him in all respects equally deserving-
promotion.

These arrangements, should they meet Your Excellency's
approbation, General Brock conceives will enable him to accomplish
every object connected with the department, as far as those indi-
viduals are concerned, as he has a favorable opinion of Lieut.
Dewar, and thinks he will meet with support equal to his wishes on
both lakes.

I have communicated to General Brock an extract from the
letter I had the honor to write Your Excellency from Montreal
relative to the promotion and the protection of the trade of the
N. West and S. West companies. The General most perfectly
concurs in the ideas submitted in that letter, and has directed me to
communicate to you his anxious wish that the post [at] St. Joseph
might be removed tc the Falls of St. Mary. In short, the General's
general policy and plan of defence agrees so exactly with the ideas
I had formed previously to my communicating with him that I can
be at no loss in giving Your Excellency every information on that
head on my return. It may not therefore be necessary to enter
more into objects at present. I propose remaining here till after
the House of Assembly lias met, which will be about a week from
this day.

I am induced to make this stay in order that I may obtain
more accurate information on several points connected with our
defences, etc., as more of information will then be collected from all
parts of the country. I shall also have an opportunity of seeing
how they go on. I do not imagine my stay at Kingston need
exceed 3 or 4 days, as by building the schooner here the business
of the department at the station is considerably diminished.

I have also the hope of meeting Lieut. Dewar before my
departure from here, as he has obtained leave to come to York.
This will afford me the opportunity of giving him more ample

instructions as to the duties of the department than I could by
letter. There is likewise some interesting information received
respecting Detroit, which he and Col. Elliot, who is also expected,
will be enabled to confirm.

It seems the Americans are collecting a vast quantity of
ordnance at that post, which, with other indications, pretty clearly
manifests their intentions in that quarter.

The grant of land to the Glengarry Regt. is a subject upon
which General Brock intends to write you, as he fears this measure
will create embarrassment and a precedent which cannot be followed
up for want of lands to grant, and if not followed, there will not be
a man got for the service in future.

The general has an idea that a corps upon the principles con-
tained in the sketch I brought him might easily be procured for the
defence of our frontiers without any expectation of land being held
out to them, and upon the whole he thinks it a bad precedent and
likely to produce discontent. The Genl. intends writing to Your
Excellency. He, however, wishes me to mention the circumstances,
which I accordingly do without presuming to give an opinion.

I have directed the Kingston paper to be regularly sent to the
castle. Mr. Cartwright, of that place, is a striking character. This
gent[lema]n has by every means in his power promoted the prosperity
of the country, and has on all occasions stepped forward in support
of the Gov[ernmen]t. He intends publishing a series of letters in
the Kingston papei\ The signature, Falkland.

We intend to let fly a drive official at them in the next York
Gazette, as the Genrl. thinks it may have a good effect on both
sides. We have got a detailed account from the Prophet's Camp.
He has gained a glorious victory. His loss is 25 men, and his No.
(number) actually engaged did not exceed 100.

(Canadian Archives, 0. 728, p. 77.)

Major General Brock to Colonel Baynes.

York, February 12, 1812.
Sir, — I received yesterday your letter dated the 16th and 23rd
ult. My attention was so much occupied with my civil duties dur-
ing the stay of Captain Gray at York that some military points
escaped consideration, and I shall now advert to them. As no men-
tion is made of withdrawing the 41st from this Province, 1 con-
sider the proposed movement of the 49th as intended to give me an
accession of strength, and the apprehension occasioned by Captain
Gray's report to the contrary is consequently dispelled. The assur-
ance which I gave in my speech at the opening of the Legislature,

of England co-operating in the defence of this Province, has infused
the utmost confidence, and I have reason, at this moment, to look
for the acquiescence of the two houses to every measure I may
think necessary to recommend for the peace and defence of the
country. A spirit has manifested itself little expected by those who
conceived themselves best qualified to judge of the disposition of
the members of the House of the Assembly. The most powerful
opponents to Governor Gore's administration take the lead on the
present occasion. I, of course, do not think it expedient to damp
the ardor displayed by these once doubtful characters. Some
opposed Mr. Gore, evidently from personal motives, but never for-
feited the right of being numbered among the most loyal. Few,
very few, I believe, were actuated by base or unworthy consider-
ations, however mistaken they may have been on various occasions.
Their character will very soon be put to a severe test. The
measures which I intend to propose are:

1. — A militia supplementary act. Sir George will hear the
outlines from Captain Gray.

2. — The suspension of the Habeas Corpus — a copy of the act
now enforced in the Lower Province.

3. — An alien law.

4. — The offer of a reward for the better apprehension of
deserters.

If I succeed in all this, I shall claim some praise, but I am not
without my fears. I shall send you the militia act the moment it
passes into a law. The more I consider the new provisions, the
more I am satisfied (giving, of course, every proper allowance to the
disposition of the people,) they are peculiarly calculated to meet the
local situation of the country. I have not a musket more than will
suffice to arm the active part of the militia from Kingston westward.
I have therefore to request that the number of arms may be sent
according to the enclosed requisition to the places therein specified
on the communication, between Glengarry and Kingston. Every
man capable of bearing a musket along the whole of that line
ought to be prepared to act. The members of the Assembly from
that part of the country are particularly anxious that some works
may be thrown up as a rallying point and place of security for
stores, Szc, in the vicinity of Johnstown. I shall request Colonel
Macdonell to examine on his return the ground which those gentle-
men recommend as the best suited for that purpose. Being immedi-
ately opposite Oswegatchie, some precaution of the sort is indispen-
sable, were it only to preserve a free communication between the
two provinces. I have been made to expect the able assistance of
Captain Marlow. Should he be still at Quebec, have the goodness

to direct his attention on his way up to that quarter. He had
better consult Colonel Fraser and Captain Gilkinson, men of sound
judgment and well acquainted with the country. The militia will
have, of course, to be employed on the works.

I must still press the necessity of an active, enterprising, intelli-
gent commander being stationed on that important line of com-
munication. I wish Colonel Ellice were here to undertake the
arduous task, as it is wholly impossible that I can do so. Every
assistance in my civil capacity I shall always be ready to give, and
to that point my exertions must necessarily be limited. Niagara
and Amherstburg will sufficiently occupy my attention. I deliver
my sentiments freely, believing the}' will not be the less acceptable.

I discussed every point connected with Amherstburg so com-
pletely with Captain Gray that I do not find anything very essential
was omitted. Colonel Macdonnel will be able probably to give us
further insight as to the actual state of affairs there. He was to
make every inquiry, and, as far as he was permitted to judge him-
self of the relative strength of Detroit. Lieut.-Colonel St. George
preceded him by some days, but in such a state of mind that
forbids my placing any dependence on his exertions. When I first
mentioned my intention of sending him to Amherstburg he seemed
diffident of his abilities, but pleased at the distinction. However,
when he received his final instructions, his conduct in the presence
of some officers was so very improper, and otherwise so childish,
that I have since written to say that if he continued in the same
disposition he was at liberty to return to Niagara : I did not order
him directly back, because at this time I consider an officer of rank
necessary at Amherstburg, particularly during the absence of
Messrs. Elliott and Baby, who are both attending their parlia-
mentary duties. You will imagine, after what I have stated, that
it is the influence of his rank that I alone covet, and not his personal
aid. He has very fortunately given timely proof that he is in no
way ambitious of militar}7 command, therefore unfit for so import-
ant a command. Should it please His Excellency to place the 41st
and 49th at my disposal, I propose sending the former regiment to
Amherstburg, as we cannot be too strong in that quarter. I have
already explained myself on that point, and Captain Gray is
furnished with further arguments in support of the measure.

I have delayed to the last the mention of a project which I
consider of the utmost consequence in the event of hostilities. I
set out with declaring my full conviction that, unless Detroit and
Michilimackinac be both in our possession immediately at the com-
mencement of hostilities, not only the district of Amherstburg, but
most probably the whole country as far as Kingston, must be

evacuated. How necessary therefore to provide effectually the
means of their capture. From Amherstburg it will be impossible
to send a force to reduce Michilimackinac : unless we occupy com-
pletely both banks no vessel could pass the River St. Clair. What
I therefore presume to suggest for His Excellency's consideration is
the adoption of a project which Sir James Craig contemplated
three years ago. The North-west Company undertook to transport
50 or 60 men up the Ottawa, and I make no doubt would engage
again to perform the same service. If therefore a war be likely to
occur at the time the canoes start from Montreal, I should recom-
mend 40 or 50 of the 49th light company and a small detachment
of artillery embarking at the same time for St. Joseph's. Should
hostilities commence, the North-west Company would not object to
join their strength in reduction of Michilimackinac. and should
peace succeed the present wrangling the 49th detachment could
be easily removed to Amherstburg.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 147-150.)

Fourth Session of the Fifth Provineial Parliament

Met at York on the third day of February and prorogued on the
sixth day of March following in the fifty-second year of the reign
of George III.

Isaac Brock, Esquire, President,
Anno Domini 1812.
CHAPTER III.
An Act to extend the provisions of an Act passed in the forty-
eighth year of His Majesty's reign, entitled "An Act to explain,
amend and reduce to one Act of Parliament the several laws now in,
being for the raising and training the militia of this Province."

(Expired 1813.)

Fourth Session of Fifih Provineial Parliament.

CHAPTER VI.

An Act for granting to His Majesty a sum of money for the
use of the militia of this Province. [Temporary — £5,000 to be
applied in defraying the expense of training and exercising the
militia in such manner as the governor, lieutenant-governor or
person administering the Government of the Province shall direct.]

Major-General Brock to Xoah Freer.

York, February 12, 1812.
Sir, — I have directed the Assistant Deputy Commissary-
General at Amherstburg to purchase 2,000 bushels of Indian corn.

Corn will be absolutely necessary in the event of war, and should
peace follow the existing discussions the Indians will gladly receive
it in lieu of other food. It is to be procured, if possible, on the
American side, that our own stock may remain undiminished.
Several agents have already arrived from the Lower Province and
made large purchases of flour ; if therefore our contracts are not
soon concluded we shall be at the mercy of these gentlemen. I
have not considered myself justified in interfering in the business
of the commissariat. I have been informed very lately that my
account has been charged with £20 for my portion of the expense
of a canoe employed in taking Governor Gore and myself to York ;
perhaps His Excellency may consider this a fair public charge.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 151-2.)

(From the Buffalo Gazette, Wednesday, February 19, 1812.)
We are sorry to state that the valuable mills of John Fanning,
Esquire, of Chippawa, were destroyed by fire on Sunday evening last.

Governor Tompkins to General Porter.

Albany, 29th February, 1812.

Dear Sir, — The enclosed letter is from Judge Ostrom of Utica,
who wishes an appointment in the army. He was formerly a de-
cided Federalist and represented Oneida County in the Assembly
for several years. But disappointment in 1810, and disgust with
the Federal party since, have caused him to avow himself a Re-
publican for upwards of a year past. He is well qualified for a ma-
jority in the army, and I can recommend him cheerfully for that
appointment. Senator Bloodgood has given me the preceding ac-
count of his politics. He considers him a Republican and well
qualified for the army.

I presume you are acquainted with Judge Ostrom, for which
reason, and also because I understand it has been referred to the
members of this State to select a list of officers which it is to furnish
for the new army, I have ventured to trouble you with this
business.

By a list, which it is understood is before the Secretary of War,
I learn that the names of Benjamin Walker, William North,
Samuel A. Barker, Aquila Giles and Solomon Van Rensselaer are
presented for the first grades of command which will be allowed to
this State. Our Republicans will illy brook it that the command
of an army in a contest with Great Britain should be entrusted to
such men.

(MSS. of Hon. P. A. Porter.)

Major-General Brock to Sir George Prevost.

York, U. C, February 25th, 1812.

Sir, — I cannot permit Colonel Macdonell to go hence without
giving Your Excellency a short account of our proceedings here. I
had every reason to expect the almost unanimous support of the
two branches of the Legislature to every measure Government
thought necessary to recommend, but after a short trial found
myself egregiousl}* mistaken in n\y calculations.

The many doubtful characters in the militia made me very
anxious to introduce the oath of aligenation into the bill. There
were twenty members present when this highly important measure
was lost by the casting voice of the chairman. The great influence
which the fear and number of settlers from the United States
possess over the decisions of the Lower House is truly alarming, and
ought by every practical means to be diminished.

To give encouragement to real subjects to settle in this
Province can alone remove the evil. The consideration of the fees
ought not to stand in the way of such a politic arrangement.

And should Your Excellency ultimately determine to promise
some of the waste lands of the Crown to such Scotch emigrants as
enlist in the Glengarry Regiment, I have no hesitation in recom-
mending in the strongest manner the raising of a Canadian corps
upon similar offers, to be hereafter disbanded and distributed among
their countrymen in the vicinity of Amherstburg. Colonel Mac-
donell being in full possession of my sentiments on this subject, I
beg leave to refer Your Excellency to him for further information.

The bill for the suspension of the Habeas Corpus, I regret to
say, was likewise lost, by a very trifling majority. A strong senti-
ment now prevails that war is not likely to occur with the United
States, which 1 believe tended to influence the votes of the members
— I mean of such who, tho' honest, are by their ignorance easily
betrayed into error.

the low ebb of their finances appears to stagger the most
desperate Democrats in the States, and may possibly delay the com-
mencement of hostilities. But should France and England continue
the contest much longer, it appears to me absolutely impossible for
the United States to avoid making this election, and the unfriendly
disposition they have for some years evinced against England leaves
little doubt as to their choice. Your Excellenc}7, I am sensible, will
excuse the freedom with which I deliver my sentiments.

Every day hostilities are retarded the greater the difficulties we
shall have to encounter. The Americans are at this moment busily
engaged in raising six companies of rangers for the express purpose

of overawing the Indians, and are besides collecting a regular force
at Vincennes, probabty with the view of reinforcing Detroit ; indeed
report states the arrival of a large force at Fort Wayne, intended for
the former garrison. Their intrigues among the different tribes are
carried on openly and with the utmost activity, and as no expense
is spared it may reasonably be supposed that they do not fail of
success. Divisions are thus uninterruptedly sowed among our
Indian friends and the minds of many estranged from our interests.
Such must inevitably be the consequence of our present inert and
neutral proceedings in regard to them.

It ill becomes me to determine how long true policy requires
that the restrictions now imposed upon the Indian Department
ought to continue, but this I will venture to assert that each day
the officers are restrained from interfering in the concerns of the
Indians, each time they advise peace and withhold the accustomed
supply of ammunition, their influence will diminish, till at length
they lose it altogether. It will then become a question whether
that country can be maintained.

I find that ever since the departure of Priest Burk from Sand-
wich the £50 per annum paid from the military chest to that gentle-
man has been withheld, on what account I have not been able to
ascertain. The person now in office is highly spoken of, and as
several gentlemen of the Catholic persuasion have applied to me to
intercede with Your Excellency to renew the allowance, I presume
to submit the case to your indulgent consideration.

(Canadian Archives, C. 676. p. 92.)

Major-General Brock to Sir George Prcvost.

York, March 9, 1812.

Sir, — As the transactions which have occurred in the House of
Assembly in regard to the Chief Justice may be represented at
Quebec in a manner to excite wrong impressions, I deem it proper
to furnish Your Excellency with a summary of the whole business.

The inordinate power assumed by the House of Assembly is
truly alarming, and ought to be resisted, otherwise the most tyran-
nical system will assuredly be pursued by men who suffer them-
selves to be led by a desperate faction that stop at nothing to
gratify their personal resentment.

Mr. Nichol is a gentleman of education, and who in the district
in which he resides has done essential good in opposing the demo-
cratic measures of a Mr. Willcocks and his vile coadjutors. The
palpable injustice committed against his person by dragging him at
midnight, without any previous warning, one hundred miles, from

his home to the bar of the House, and then committing him to gaol
under the most frivolous pretenses, has greatly alarmed the most
thinking part of the community. Efforts are to be made by several
respectable characters to get into the next Assembly, but such is the
spirit which unfortunately prevails that I much fear they will be
foiled in their attempt. I was inclined to dismiss the House before
the members passed such harsh resolutions against the Chief Justice,
but his friends recommended that the}" should be allowed to proceed
without interruption.

(From Tupper'.s Life of Brock, pp. 156-7.)

Colonel Baylies to >Iajor General Broek.

Quebec, March 10, 1812.

Sir, — I regret to find by your late letters to Sir George Prevost
that your expectations from your Legislature have not been realized
to the extent of 3'our well grounded hopes. Sir George, who is well
versed in the tickle and intractable disposition of public assemblies,
feels more regret than disappointment. He has a very delicate card
to play with his House of Assembly here, who would fain keep up
the farce of being highly charmed and delighted with his amiable
disposition and affable manners. They have even gone the length
of asserting that these traits in his character have afforded them
the most entire confidence that in his hands the Alien Act would
not be abused. They have, however, taken the precaution of strip-
ping it of its very essence and spirit, while last year they passed it
without a division, when Sir James [Craig,] on whose mild and
affable disposition they did not pretend to rely, told them that it
could only alarm such as were conscious of harboring seditious de-
signs. They have passed an amendment to the militia bill which,
though not affording all that was required, is still a material point
gained : 2000 men are to be balloted to serve for three months in
two successive summers. One of their strongest objections was the
apprehension of the Canadians contracting militaiy habits and en-
listing into the service.

Sir George has directed me to inform you that lie will be
ready to render you any assistance in his power to strengthen the
Upper Province, but that unless reinforcements arrive from Eng-
land, (in which case you may depend upon having a due proportion
put under your immediate command) his means of doing so are very
limited. His Excellency is not sanguine in his expectations of re-
ceiving reinforcements this summer; on the contrary, the appearance
of hostilities beginning to abate at Washington, and the pledge held
out in the Prince Regent's speech, of supporting with energy the

contest in Spain and Portugal, are likely to prevent more troops
being seen in this quarter unless a more urgent necessity of doing
so should appear. I will not comment on American politics, in
which we all appear to agree, that the deep-rooted jealousy and
hatred of that people must in the end lead to hostilities, and that it
behooves us not to lose sight of an event which if not prepared to
meet we shall find more difficult to repel. Under this impression,
Sir George is disposed to promote the several plans j^ou have recom-
mended to him relating to the general line of conduct you would
wish to adopt in defence of the important Province committed to
your charge. If no additional force be sent out he will send up the
strong detachment of the 41st, composed of uncommonly tine young
men and in very good order. The General has it also in view to
send you a strong detachment of the Newfoundland regiment,
selecting their seamen and marine artificers who will be most useful
in the proposed works to be carried on at York, and here I am ap-
prehensive that the means of augmenting your strength must be
bounded unless the Glengarry levy can be rapidly formed : and Sir
George is sanguine in his expectations of its being speedily placed
upon a respectable footing ; in that case it could occupy Kingston
and that line of communication between the Provinces which you
deem so essential to be guarded. This corps will have the very
great advantage of starting with a better selected body of officers
of any Fencible regiment in Canada. I hope you will feel inclined
to bring forward Shaw as one of your captains, as without your
countenance I fear he will find it an arduous task to provide for
himself and his brother. The uniform of the corps is to be green,
like that of the 95th Rifles.

Sir George expressed himself very sensible of the policy of the
line of conduct you would wish to pursue respecting the Indians,
but as other considerations of the greatest political delicacy are so
minutely interwoven with them, and as the American government
are already inclined to view every transaction with those people
with a jealous and suspicious eye, he would recommend the utmost
caution and forbearance, lest a different line of conduct might tend
to increase the irritation between the two governments, which it is
evidently the wish of Great Britain to allay.

***********

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, p. 159.)

(From the Buffalo Gazette, Wednesday, March 11, 1812.)
What does it mean ? By a law of Upper Canada lately passed

the militia of that Province are to turn out and drill six days in

every month.

47
General Order.

Headquarters, April 2d, 1812.

The Commander-in-Chief is required by the President of the
United States to order into service for the defence and protection
of the frontiers of the State detachments of the militia thereof, to
be stationed at Niagara, Oswego and near the mouth of the Black
River. Major-General Widrig will, therefore, without delay, detach
from his division (excluding the Onondaga brigade) six hundred
men, including officers, and will organize them into eight companies,
will assign the captains and subalterns, and will have them ready
to march at a moment's warning.

He will also report to the Commander-in-Chief one lieutenant
colonel and two majors whom he can recommend to be assigned to
the command of the detachment. Should any company of artillery
or part thereof exceeding thirty men, uniformed and equipped,
volunteer their services they will be accepted and organized as part
of the above mentioned detachment and will be equipped with
field pieces, implements and ammunition by the State. The above
mentioned detachment will be stationed near the mouth of the
Black River. Major-General Widrig will also require Brigadier-
General Ellis to furnish from his brigade, and have in readiness to
march to Oswego at a moment's warning, two companies of infantry,
or one company of artillery of not less than forty men and one
company of infantry of one hundred men, including officers : the
latter to have one captain, two lieutenants and one ensign, or if
there be two companies of infantry of the ordinary number, then
each company to have one captain, one lieutenant and one ensign,
to be assigned by General Ellis. The places of rendezvous for the
detachments from each brigade are to be fixed by the respective
Brigadier-Generals and reported to the respective Major-Generals.

Major-General King will detach from the Madison and Cort-
land t brigades of infantry two hundred and fifty men, to be in
readiness to march to Oswego whenever orders to that effect may
be received, and to organize them into three companies, with one
captain, one lieutenant and one ensign to each company. The
detachments from Onondaga, Madison and Cortland Counties will,
upon their arrival at Oswego, be formed into one corps, to be com-
manded by a field officer whom the Commander-in-Chief will assign
for that purpose.

Major General Hall will forthwith detach from the Seventh
division of infantry under his command six hundred men, including
officers, and will organize them into eight companies and assign
captains and subalterns to command the companies. The detach-

ment from his division will be directed to rendezvous in such
parcels and at such places as he shall designate, and will from
thence proceed to the post of Niagara. Lieut.-Col. Philetus Swift
will take command of the detachment from the Seventh division.
The commandant of the Genesee brigade will detach one major, and
the commandant of Niagara brigade one other major, who, together
with Lieut.-Col. Swift, will compose the field officers of the detach-
ment. The regimental staff will be selected by the commandant of
the detachment and be reported to the Major-General.

The officers who are charged with the execution of this general
order are instructed to be prompt and vigilant in its execution and
to encourage by all lawful means volunteers for the detachment.
The Commander-in-Chief cherishes a lively hope that the patriotic
and brave spirit which pervades the divisions from which the above
detachments are to be taken will immediately fill the required
quota with volunteers.

Volunteers under and pursuant to the Act of Congress of the
6th of February, authorizing the President to accept the services
of volunteers, will be preferred, and the general and field officers
will accept such volunteers accordingly as part of the detachments.

By order of the Commander in Chief.

Anthony Lamb, Aid-de-Camp.

(Tompkins Papers, New York State Library.)

Governor Tompkins to Colonel Philetus Swift.

Albany, 2d April, 1812.

Dr. Sir, — Perhaps you did not expect the evening that you
left Albany that I should so soon have occasion to accept the offer
of your services. The enclosed papers will make you acquainted
with the proceedings which I have been directed by the President
to pursue in relation to the detachment of the militia. You may
consider yourself in service from the day of the receipt of this
letter, and will consult with General Hall and exert yourself to get
volunteers or others enrolled and ready to march whenever ordered,
which will be the moment the contractors arrive and proceed west-
ward to supply provisions, which will be in a day or two.

You are at liberty when the detachment shall be ordered to
rendezvous to call on the keepers of the arsenals at Canandaigua
and Batavia for arms and ammunition to supply such of the volun-
teers and others as may be deficient, and to show the keepers this
letter as evidence of your authority so to do. You will receipt to
them whatever they may deliver.

Col. Burnet is appointed Brigadier-General, which will satisfy
him why he was not assigned to the command of Lt. Col'cy : Major

Reddington is appointed Lt.-Col. in the stead of Col. Stanley,
resigned. I will, if possible, send their commissions by the
messenger whom I have employed to convey the General Orders
and other papers to the respective officers.

P. S. — I should think Major Gansen or Major Sutherland of
Genesee would be a good appointment for that county.

I have this moment received a line from the War Department,
saying that volunteers under the Act of the 6th of February last,
authorizing the President to accept volunteers, would be preferred.
If I do not procure a copy of that Act to transmit by this convey-
ance I will forward it speedily by mail.

I have procured a copy and have had it printed with a caption
for volunteering. I am in hopes you and the majors can obtain
volunteers sufficient for the detachment, and therefore send you
several copies.

(Tompkins Papers, New York State Library.)

Governor Tompkins to Lieut.-Col. George Fleming.

(Undated.)
(2nd April, 1812?)

Sir, — I had recommended to the committee on the defence of
the frontiers to provide amongst other things for the appointment
of a Commissary of Military Stores for the Western District, with a
salary of 750 or 1000 Doll's. They unanimously agreed to that
among other things and reported a bill accordingly, which was kept
back, perhaps designedly, until I found it my duty to prorogue the
Legislature. The bill will undoubtedly pass in May, when it is my
intention, if the Council approve it and you consent, to avail the
State of your experience and knowledge in military science.

In the meantime I am desirous of availing the State of your
usefulness in another way. I have received a requisition from the
President to detach and station at Niagara, Oswego and the mouth
of Black River portions of the militia. The number to be stationed
at Oswego will consist of 400, among whom may be one company
of artillery. I am desirous that you should take the command of
the last mentioned detachment, and for that purpose have enclosed
you an appointment as my aid, with the rank of lieutenant-colonej.

Should this appointment and the consequent command meet
your acceptance, you may consider yourself in service from the re-
ceipt of this letter, and may visit and make the necessary arrange^
ments with Genl. Ellis of Onondaga Hollow, Genl. Knapp of Cort-
landt County, and Genl. Hurd of Cazenovia, from whose brigades
the Osweo'o detachment is to be taken.

Should you accept this command you will please to advise me
of your steps and of the places at which communications from the
Adjutant Genl, from the contractor for provisions, or from myself,
will reach you.

A copy of the President's requisition, of my Genl. Order
thereon, and of my letters to Major-Genls. King and Widrig, within
whose division the three above mentioned brigades are situated, are
enclosed for your information.

My General Orders refer to a commandant of the Oswego
detachment to be assigned by me. You may shew the respective
generals your commission and this letter as evidence of your being
authorized and assigned as such commandant.

p. S. — I am just advised by the Secretary of War that volun-
teers under the Act passed 6th Feby. last will be preferred. I will
send a copy of that Act by the first opportunity, if I do not get it
in season to accompany this letter. Those of the detachment who
may not be equipped and supplied with muskets, &c, from the
Onondaga arsenal, you will give your receipt for what is received
there and shew this letter as your authority for requiring them.

The Act and caption for volunteering are enclosed. The
inducements contained in the Act, together with the consideration
that young men who acquire a little knowledge of tactics will
probably be selected to officer the army, will, I hope, produce a
sufficient number of volunteers. Their tour of duty will not prob-
ably be arduous nor exceed two months.

(Tompkins' Papers, New York State Library.)

Sir George Prevost to Lord Liverpool.

Quebec, 3rd April, 1812.
No. 37.
My Lord, — Before Your Lordship receives this you will have
^earned Henry's treachery. From Mr. Henry's residence in this
country, his religion, his thorough acquaintance with the Canadian
'character and language, and above all his deep resentment against
its government, Bonaparte may give him a favorable reception with
, a view of keeping his talents in reserve. I think the next measure
of hostility Mr. Madison will practice will be to cause a declaration
'Of war to be laid upon the tables of Congress. I have therefore
addressed the general officers commanding in the Provinces, recom-
mending the utmost caution and prudence in their intercourse with
•the United States. I enclose an extract from my letter to Major
General Brock, that to Sir John Sherbrooke contains the same ex-
cept as respects the fort of Detroit.

' (Canadian Archives, Q. 117-2, p. 181.)

Extract of a Letter from Sir George Prevost to Major General
Brock, dated at Quebec, Slst March, 1812.

I have carefully examined Lieutenant Colonel Macdonnel's re-
port on the American fort at Detroit, written at your desire, from
information he had received during a residence of a few days in
the vicinity. Whatever temptations may offer to induce you to de-
part from a sj'stem strictly defensive, I must pointedly request that,
under the existing circumstances of our relations with the Govern-
ment of the United States, you will not allow them to lead you into
any measure bearing- the character of offence, even should a declara-
tion of Avar be laid on the table of Congress by the President's in-
fluence, because I am informed by our Minister at Washington
there prevails throughout the United States a great unwillingness
to enter upon hostilities, and also because the apparent neglect at
Detroit might be but a bait to tempt us to an act of aggression, in
its effects uniting parties, strengthening the power of the Govern-
ment of that country, and affording that assistance to the raising of
men for the augmentation of the American army without which
their ability to raise one additional regiment is now questioned.
You are, nevertheless, to persevere in your preparations for defence,
and in such arrangements as may, upon a change in affairs, enable
you to carry an}^ disposable part of your force against the common
enemy.

(Canadian Archives, Q. 117-2. p. 183.)

Alajor* Get cral Brock to Licut.-Col. Robert Niciiol, Commanding
2d Key intent Norfolk militia.

York, April 8, 1812.

Sir, — The power which is vested in the person administering
the Government by the amended Act of the militia, passed the last
session of the Provincial Parliament, of forming two flank com-
panies to be taken indiscriminately from the battalions, being
limited to the end of the ensuing session, would almost deter me
from incurring public expense upon a system which will cease to
operate before its utility and efficiency can well be ascertained.

But, being anxious at this important crisis to organize an
armed force with a view of meeting future exigencies, and to
demonstrate by practical experience the degree of facility with
which the militia may be trained for service, I have to request you
to adopt immediate measui'es for forming and completing among
such men as voluntarily offer to serve, two companies, not to exceed
one captain, two subalterns, two sergeants, one drummer and thirty-
five rank and file, each in the regiment under your command.

You will have the goodness to recommend two captains whom
you conceive the best qualified to undertake this important duty;
the nominating of subalterns is left to your discretion.

Such .other regiments as are conveniently situated to receive
military instruction shall have an opportunity afforded them of
shewing their ardor in the public service, which cannot fail of
creating a laudable emulation among the different corps.

Assisted by your zeal, prudence and intelligence, I entertain
the pleasing hope of meeting with very considerable success, and of
being able to establish the sound policy of rendering permanent to
the end of the present war a mode of military instruction little
burdensome to individuals and every way calculated to secure a
powerful internal defence against hostile aggression.

Printed rules and regulations for your future guidance are
herewith forwarded. The most simple and at the same time the
most useful movements have been selected for the practice of the
militia.

Experience has shown the absolute necessity of adopting every
possible precaution to preserve in a proper state the arms issued to
the militia, and of guarding against the heavy defalcations which
have heretofore occurred.

You will make application to the officer commanding at Fort
Erie for the number of arms and accoutrements wanting to com-
plete the men actually engaged to serve in the flank companies, and
that officer will be instructed to comply with your requisition upon
your transmitting to him duplicate receipts, one of which is to be
forwarded to headquarters, that you become responsible for the
articles delivered to your order. At the same time the most liberal
construction will be given to any representation accounting for such
contingencies as are incidental to the service.

(From Life and Correspondence of Major General Sir Isaac Brock by Ferdinand
Brock Tupper, London, 1847, p. 163.)

Sir George Prcvost to Lord Liverpool.

Quebec, 14th April, 1812.

No. 38.

My Lord, — Considering a naval force properly constructed the
most efficient and cheapest mode of defence, I have gradually
increased the naval force on the lakes, and I have ordered five com-
panies of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment to proceed to Upper
Canada as soon as the season will permit, to be employed afloat,
beinp- men accustomed to boats and vessels.

I am convinced that Kingston is a very exposed and unfit
situation for our vessels to winter, and I propose the removal of
the naval establishment by degrees to York. ....

(Canadian Archives, Q. 117-2. p. 194.)

Sir George Prcvost to Lord Liverpool.

Quebec, 20th April, 1812.
No. 40.
My Lord, —

The recent passing of an Embargo Act in Congress, the orders
issued for the march of 1,600 men to reinforce the American positions
on Lakes Erie and Ontario and the River St. Lawrence indicate an
inevitable disposition for hostilities, which have induced me to
accept the services of 500 Canadian youth, to be formed into a
corps of light infantry or voltigeurs. .....

As soon as the organization of the militia is en train, I propose
visiting Upper Canada to concert with Major-General Brock a
general plan of offensive and defensive operations in the event of
the democratic spirit of the United States having put the dispute
beyond the bounds of accommodation. .....

(Canadian Archives, Q. 117-2, p. 214.)

Mr. Augustus J. Foster, Bis Majesty's Minister at Washington,
to Lord Castlereagh.

Washington, April 21st, 1812.

No. 25.

My Lord, — I have received Your Lordship's despatch No. 1,
that I should make diligent inquiries into the actual military
establishment of the United States in the different arms, and
transmit such plans of the forts, military posts, &c, as I could
secure. I expect to be able to forward a complete statement by
the May packet.

The militia in the northern, and particularly in the eastern
States, are well trained and armed. The General, who has been
lately appointed Commander-in-Chief, (Dearborn), is a heavy un-
wieldy-looking man, who was a major in the American war and
was a prisoner in Canada. He has apparently accepted his appoint-
ment with great reluctance, having hesitated till within a few days.
His military reputation does not stand very high, nor does that of
Mr. Thomas Pinckney, the second Major General.

General Dearborn and his Aid-de-Camp, Mr. Melvin, who was

a banker in Paris, and when nominated as a Deputy Commissary
was not confirmed in the Senate on account of the badness of his
character, have left this city for Albany to superintend the prepara-
tions in that quarter, where 1600 militia have been ordered out, 500
to be stationed at Niagara, 500 nearly opposite Kingston, and 600
at Champlain. It was reported that Governor Hull would succeed
Mr. Eustis as Secretary of War, but he has been made a brigadier-
general and proceeded to his Government, where his first object will
be to withdraw to Detroit a remote garrison of 60 men stationed
on the southern shore of Lake Michigan [at Chicago] and are said
to be in great danger of being dislodged by the Indians. Mr. Lewis
is confirmed as Quartermaster-General. He is son-in-law of Mr.
Livingstone, formerly Minister to France, and was himself once
Governor of New York and possesses considerable popularity in
the State.

There is a cannon foundry near here, from which 100 cannon
have been lately sent to New York, many of them cast-iron. They
have 50 more now on hand. I am told that a quantity of harness
for upwards 1,000 horses is making expedition to New York, and
that considerable supplies are daily sending to Albany, the con-
tractors having shipped for that place every barrel of beef and pork
in the market.

Colonel Porter has obtained for his brother the contract for
supplying the troops, which, it is said, will be very profitable to
him. Colonel Porter, who was said to be very much against the
war measures towards the third month of the session, and was con-
sidered as having abandoned Mr. Madison's party for that of Mr.
Clinton, is now said to have changed his line of policy once more.
He is absent from Congress, and is now reported to be endeavoring
to save Mr. Madison's influence in the northern part of the State.

(Canadian Ai-chives, Q. 119, p. 265.)

(From the Buffalo Gazette, Tuesday, April ?U, 1812.)

A Speck of War.

To the Editors of the Buffalo Gazette :

Gentlemen, — To prevent the erroneous impression which
exaggerated reports may have in the public mind relative to an
unauthorized circumstance which took place yesterday, we enclose

the correspondence on the subject, and request you will have the
goodness to insert it in your first Gazette published after the receipt
hereof.

We are, &c.,

Thos. Dickson,
R. Grant,
James Kerby.
Messrs. Salisburys, Buffalo.

Messrs. Thomas Dickson, R. Grant, James Kerby, William Robertson:
Gentlemen, — The inhabitants of this part of the country have
thought advisable to meet together to make some preparation
against attacks of Indians or vagabonds that may take place (which
we have reason to believe we have sufficient grounds for so doing.)
While in the peaceable manner we were doing our business without
any intention of insult or menace to any person or persons on your
side, some bad disposed man or men discharged three musket shots
from the door of John Smith in your village, no doubt with a view
to insult our people, one of which balls struck within eighteen
inches of a person here.

We think this highly improper at this time, and presume axiy
good man on your side will think with us, and that you will take
every measure to prevent the like again, as, if repeated, the fire will
certainly be returned, and we know not where it will end.

We remain, &c,

Benjamin Barton,
Rufus Spalding,
Joshua Fairbanks.
Lewiston, April 17, 1812.

Qfeenston, 18th April, 1812.

Gentlemen,— We have to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of yesterday, and regret that the conduct of an inconsiderate
boy at this place in firing across the river should have caused an
uneasiness or drawn from you (previous to any communication with
us as to our knowledge of the circumstance) the intimation that if
repeated " the fire will certainly be returned " from your side.

That disposition which unanimously exists here for the pro-
motion of uninterrupted harmony between the countries has induced
the Magistrates in Quarter Sessions to take immediate steps to
punish the offender, and in consequence he has been this day bound
under recognizance to answer at the next assizes for the offence.

We trust this example will be followed with equal prompti-
tude and a similar disposition on your part should any like instance
occur.

We respectfully are,

Thomas Dickson,
R. Grant,
James Kerby.
To Messrs Benjamin Barton, Rufus Spalding, Joshua Fairbanks.

(File in Buffalo Public Library.)

Major General Brock to Sir George Prevosl.

York, April 22, 1812
Sir, — I had the honor to receive Your Excellency's letter, dated
the 24th ultimo, and I entreat you to believe that no act within my
control shall afford the Government of the United States a legiti-
mate pretext to add to a clamor which has been so artfully raised
against England.

We have received the account of the removal of the embargo,
and that the most rigorous measures have already been adopted to
prevent the least infringement of it upon the Niagara River.
Armed men in colored clothes are continually patrolling along the
shore. These troops are stated to have recently arrived, but I have
not been able to ascertain whether they belong to the new levy or
to the militia. They are reported to amount to about 300. Colonel
Procter has doubtless written fully on the subject, but unfortunately
the letters by some negligence were left at Niagara, The accounts,
which have reached me, are not therefore so satisfactory as could
be wished. An idle bo}^ is stated to have wantonly fired with ball
at the guard opposite Queenston, and it appears that the Americans
were guilty of a similar outrage, by firing during the night into a
room in which a woman was sitting. Luckily no mischief followed.
Being detained here upon civil business, I have sent Captain Glegg
over to see how matters stand and to arrange with civil and mili-
tary authorities the best means of preventing a recurrence of a
practice which may easily lead to serious consequences. I hope to
be at Niagara myself the day after to-morrow.

I beg leave to assure Your Excellency that I receive with no
small degree of pride the praise bestowed on my endeavors to
improve the militia system of this Province, and as the bill under-
went some alterations after the departure of Colonel McDonnell,
particularly in limiting its operation to the end of the ensuing
session, I shall have the honor to forward for Your Excellency's
information the law as now enforced. I have by partial and gentle

means already commenced to give it operation, and make not the
least doubt that a sufficient number will be found ready to volunteer
to complete the flank companies, and I here beg leave to parade the
flank companies six times in each month, but, as no provision is
made for remunerating the men, I presume to submit for Your
Excellency's indulgent consideration that the commissaries be in-
structed to issue rations for the number actually present at exercise.
These companies, I expect, will be composed of the best description
of inhabitants, who in most cases will have to go a great distance
to attend parade, and unless this liberal provision be allowed will
be liable to heav}^ expense or be subject to considerable privations.
According to my present arrangements, the number embodied will
not exceed 700, and when the companies are completed throughout
the provinces they must be calculated at 1,800, and as during
harvest and the winter months few or no parades will take place,
the total expense attending the measure can be of no material con-
sequence in a pecuniary point of view, and may in a political light
be productive at this juncture of considerable benefit.

I have likewise to request that such portion of clothing as Your
Excellency can conveniently spare from the King's stores may be
forwarded to enable me to clothe such companies as are the most
likely to be called upon duty.

I am anxious to hear the real object of the embargo; should it
be directed solely against England the probability is that it leads
to a war: but should France be included in its operation nothing of
the kind need be dreaded.

In the expectation of having the honor of seeing Your Excel-
lency shortly at York, I limit for the present the works of the
military artificers at this place in preparing a temporary magazine
for the reception of the spare powder at Fort George and Kingston,
and the excavation of the ditch for the proposed fortifications of
the spot on which the government house stands.

I transmit for Your Excellency's perusal a detailed account of
the transactions which led to the unjustifiable censure passed by the
House of Assembly upon Chief Justice Scott. It is written by Mr.
Nichol himself, and the warmth with which he has expressed his
indignation at the wanton exercise of a power yet undefined, as far
as regards this Province, is not therefore surprising. I am con-
vinced that whenever the business is brought legally before the
judges they will refuse to sanction the enormous power, under the
name of privilege, which the House arrogates to itself. The execu-
tive will in that case be placed in a very awkward predicament.
Mr. Nichol, having commenced civil actions against the speaker and
sergeant-at-arms for false imprisonment, will, should he succeed in

obtaining damages, bring the question with double force on the
tapis. The violence and ignorance which in all probability will
mark the proceedings of the House cannot fail of producing a
dissolution. I apply forcibly to ministers for instructions, but
should they be contrary to the opinion wdiich the judges of the
Court of King's Bench have formed of the law, I am led to believe
they will not influence the members ; therefore one of two alterna-
tives must be resorted to, either the appointment of more docile
judges or the decision of the question by a British Act of Parlia-
ment. I trust, for the tranquillity and prosperity of the Province,
that the latter mode may be preferred. I have thus freely, and
perhaps with rather too much haste to be sufficiently explicit,
stated the difficulties which in all likelihood I shall have to
encounter at the next meeting of the legislature. Should the effect
of the embargo appear to be directed s*olely at Great Britain, I shall
avail myself of the confidence placed in me and order the purchase
of horses to enable the car brigade to act in case of necessity. This
being a service which requires infinite trouble and practice to bring-
to any degree of perfection, cannot be too soon attended to.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 167-170.)

Major General Brock to Mr. Noah Freer. Military Secretary to
the Governor General.

York, April 23, 1812.

Sir, — I transmit herewith for the information of the Com-
mander of the Forces a letter received from the Earl of Liverpool,
authorizing an increase of £200 per annum to the salary of Colonel
Claus, Deputy Superintendent of the Indian affairs, to commence
from the first of January last.

The inconvenience to which the public service has already been
exposed, owing to a scarcity of specie ; the likelihood of the evil
being increased by the operation of the embargo, and the almost
total impossibility in the event of war of getting a sufficient supply
to defray the ordinary expenses of Government, have led me to
consider the best means of obviating so serious a difficulty. And
having consulted with some of the principal merchants as to the
practicability of introducing a paper currency with any probability
of success, I think myself warranted in stating that such an arrange-
ment would, particularly in the event of war, be generally supported
throughout the Province. The old inhabitants understand perfectly
the circulation of paper as a substitute for specie, and having been
formerly in the habit of receiving the notes of private individuals,
they would not hesitate taking the more certain security of Govern-

ment, especially if convinced that payment could not be made in
any other way.

The commissaries ought to be instructed to receive this paper
as cash, giving bills in return on Quebec. It is supposed that the
circulation of 10 or £15,000 would answer every purpose. No note
under 5s. or above £10 should be issued. The accompanying letter
from Mr. Selby, the Receiver-General, will fully elucidate the
business.

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st of
April. The Commissary -General will, doubtless, have been apprized
that his instructions to Mr. McGill arrived in time to supersede
those he received from me. Too great dependence ought not to be
placed on the surplus of the several species of stores at the different
posts. I have reason to think that at Amherstburg nearly, the
entire excess will be found damaged and unserviceable. Being-
desirous to ascertain the actual state of the stores at that post, I
directed a month ago a regular survey to be taken of every article,
and the moment I receive the report it shall be forwarded to head-
quarters.

Flour has risen to eight dollars and one-half per barrel. The
effect of the embargo is not yet felt. Upwards of 40,000 barrels,
the produce of the south of Lake Ontario, will be kept by it from
the Montreal market.

(From Tapper's Life of Brock, pp. 170-1.1

(From the Buffalo Gazette, Tuesday, April 28, 181%.)
We understand a company of VOLUNTEERS from Batavia
have arrived at Lewiston.

On Tuesday the 21st inst. upwards of 170 men VOLUN-
TEERED their services to form two companies in this village, to act
when an emergency should call for.
(Pile in Buffalo Public Library.)

Sir George Prevost to Major General Brock.

Quebec, April 30, 1812.
Sir, — I have just heard from Mr. Foster that the Secretary at
War at Washington has transmitted orders to Governor Tompkins
of New York, to send 500 of the State Militia to Niagara : 500 to
the mouth of the Black River opposite to Kingston, and 600 to
Champlain, in consequence of the hostile appearances in Canada,
Mr. Foster is of opinion the Government of the United States calcu-
lates that something will happen on the part of these men to pro-
duce a quarrel with the British troops, which may lead to retaliation

on both sides and occasion hostilities to commence, as in this way-
alone it seems thought an unjust war can be forced on the American
people, who are represented as really averse to it. We must there-
fore use every effort in our power to prevent any collision from
taking place between our forces and the American.

I have also received information that the American garrison at
Fort Chicago, not exceeding 60 men, has been ordered to Detroit in
consequence of apprehensions from the Indians.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 172-3.)

Thomas Barclay, 11. HI. Consul-General at New York, to Sir
George l»revost.

(Extract.)

New York, May 5th, 1812.
You may consider war as inevitable. It will take place in July
at the latest. Upper Canada will be the first object. Military
stores of all kinds and provisions are daily sending from hence
towards the lines : 13,500 militia, the quota of this State, are drawn
and ordered to be in readiness at a moment's notice.

(Canadian Archives, Q. 117-2, p. 311.)

(From the Buffalo Gazette, Tuesday, May o, 1812.)
The troops from Batavia, who lately volunteered their services
to defend our frontiers from " nocturnal incursions." stationed at
Lewiston, have evacuated that town and returned to their respec-
tive homes.

(Pile in Buffalo Public Library )

From Colonel iSajncs to Major-General Strock.

Quebec, May 14, 1812.
Sir, — I have great satisfaction in telling you that I have
reported the Glengarry Light Infantry more than complete to the
establishment of 400 rank and file, and have received Sir George
Prevost's commands to recruit for a higher establishment : indeed
the quotas the officers have suggested to fulfill will nearly amount
to double that number, and from the very great exertions I have no
doubt of succeeding by the end of this year. Two officers have
divided Nova Scotia and New Brunswick for their hunting ground,
and are permitted to receive Acadians, and Lieutenant Ronald
McDonnell of the Canadians proceeds in a few days to Pictou and
the Highland Settlements on the coast and gulf. He is an officer
that appears eminently qualified for that service, and he is sanguine
that the proffer of lands in the Scotch settlements of Upper Canada

will induce great numbers to enter. I am assured from various
channels that the men I have got are generally young, rather too
much so, and of a good description, there being very few Yankees
among them.

Sir George has announced his intention of recommending
Battersby to be Lieutenant-Colonel of the Glengarry corps, and
ordered him to take command of the recruits assembled at Three
Rivers. Your Major of Brigade (Thomas Evans) will be recom-
mended to succeed to his majority in the King's Regiment.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 172-3.)

Major General Brock to Sir George Prevost.

York, U. C, May 15th, 1812.

SlR, — I have this day been honored with Your Excellency's
confidential communication dated the 30th ulto.

1 have long since thought that nothing but the public voice
restrained the United States Government from commencing direct
hostilities, and it is but reasonable to expect that they will seek
every opportunity to inflame the minds of the people against Eng-
land, in order to bring them the more readily into their measures.
It will be my study to guard against any event that can give them
any just cause of complaint, but the proximity of the two countries
will in all probability produce collisions, which, however accidentally
brought about, will be represented as so many acts of aggressions.
It would not surprise me if their first attempt to create irritation
was the seizing the islands in the channel, to which both countries
lay claim. Such was represented to Sir James Craig on a former
occasion to be their intention.

In addition to the force specified by Your Excellency, I under-
stand that six companies of the Ohio militia are intended for Detroit.
Our interest with the Indians will materially suffer in consequence
of these preparations being allowed to proceed with impunity. I
have always considered that the reduction of Detroit would be the
signal of a cordial co-operation on their part, and if we are not in
sufficient force to effect this object no reliance ought to be placed on
the Indians.

About forty regulars were last week added to the garrison of
Niagara, and by all accounts barracks are to be immediately con-
structed at Black Rock, almost opposite Fort Erie, for a large force.

I returned three days ago from an excursion to Fort Erie, the
Grand River, where the Indians of the Six Nations are settled, and
back by the head of the lake. Every gentleman with whom I had

(32

an opportunity of conversing assured me that an exceeding good
disposition prevailed among the people. The flank companies in
the districts in which they have been established were instantly
completed with volunteers, and, indeed, an almost unanimous dis-
position to serve is daily manifested. I shall proceed to extend this
system now that I have ascertained the people are so well disposed,
but my means are very limited.

I propose detaching one hundred rank and file of the 41st to
Amherstburg almost immediately.

(Canadian Archives, C. 676, p. 112.)

Sir George Prevost to the Earl of Liverpool.

(Extract.)

No. 46.

Quebec, 18th May, 1812.
My Lord, — In obedience to the command signified to me in
Your Lordship's despatch No. 7, of the 13th February, I now have
the honor to report upon the military position of His Majesty's
North American Provinces and the means of defending them.

Fort George is a temporary field work now repairing to render
it tenable, but in its most improved state it cannot make much
resistance against an enemy in considerable force. The garrison
consists of a captain's command of artillery and about 400 men of
the 41st, the whole under Colonel Procter. The militia in the
neighborhood does not exceed 2,000 nominal men. At Fort Erie
there is a captain's command of the 41st, and at Chippawa a sub-
altern's. The American posts opposite are Fort Niagara, Fort
Schlosser, Black Rock, and Buffalo Creek. In event of hostilities
it would be highly advantageous to gain possession of Fort Niagara
to secure the navigation of the river.

York has a good harbour, and is best adapted for a depot for
military stores when converted into a post of defence, and also for
a dock yard. The militia is computed at 1500 men.

Kingston, at the head of boat navigation of the St. Lawrence,
is contiguous to a very flourishing settlement on the American
frontier, and exposed to a sudden attack, which, if successful, would
cut off communication between the Canadas and deprive us of our
naval resources. The garrison consists of four companies of the
10th Royal Veteran Battalion, under Major McPherson. The militia
are about 1,500. The Americans have posts in the vicinity, not
only opposite, but above and below, with good harbours, which are
open to the resources of a very populous country. In event of war

this post is indispensably necessary for preservation of communica-
tion to establish a strong post for regulars and militia to secure the
navigation of the St. Lawrence above the rapids to Lake Ontario.
The total number of militia in Upper Canada is calculated at
11,000 men, of which it might not be prudent to arm more than
4,000.

(Canadian Archives, Freer Papers, 1812-13, p. 3. )

(From the Buffalo Gazette, Tuesday, May 19, 181 J.)
A company of the 100,000 men, from the town of Hamburg,

under the command of Major Whaley, arrived in this village last

evening on their march for Lewiston.

Other companies are on their way from the different parts of

the Genesee county for the frontier.

Colonel Swift of Ontario County, who is appointed to command

on the frontiers, arrived in this village on Sunday last.

Perhaps no recruiting regiment in this country ever met with
so great success as that of the Glengarry Sharp Shooters. This
regiment has had enlisting orders about five weeks, and it is said they
have already enlisted about 500 men. The Newfoundland and
Canadian Fencible Regiments are also said to have improved by this
uncommon spirit for enlistment, but, altho' their success has jbeen
uncommonly good it does not in any shape equal that of the Glen-
garry Regiment. — Montreal Courier.

(File iu Buffalo Public Library.)

Major D. Noon. Uy. Q. M. G. of State of New York, to General
P. B. Porter, <*. M. General of that State.

Oodensburg, 20th May, 1812.
Dear Sir, — Since I had the honor of addressing you last I
have made the necessary arrangements at Sackett's Harbor and at
Gravelly Point to accommodate two hundred and seventy men at
each place, if required. Captain Wolsy of the U. S. brig Oneida
was so good as to give up his barracks, which were occupied by his
crew during the winter, until the first of November next. This by
some improvement will make very comfortable barracks for the
present, and give time to build others, if required. I am also happy
to inform you that since my arrival at this place I have been able
to make a purchase of a range of buildings which was formerly
occupied as a ropewalk, having an excellent frame, for the term of
three years from the first of July next, at which time the lease from
the first purchaser expires, subject to a small ground rent a year.

It is with great difficulty I could get any ground near the
village, and the State owns none, from the bad conduct the inhabi-
tants say of the last soldiers quartered here — I would rather say
from the great desire the inhabitants have to smuggle without the
aid of soldiers. The whole is 700 feet by 15, and the frame already
is 230 by 15, which will contain about 300 men very comfortably,
as from the manner I intend to make the divisions and berths they
will make very good winter quarters. I have nothing more to say
at present, but should wish to be informed in what manner I may
get money, should the same be wanting, and also your opinion
respecting blankets, as I have been very much inquired of respect-
ing them, as some officers told me they had some men who could
not get on for want of means to bivy. Our enemies on the other
side of the river are making all the preparations in their power.
There has passed about sixt\T boats full of recruits for Montreal, and
the same number of boats going up with ammunition and arms, &c,
in a few days, in my sight. The inhabitants of this place don't feel
much alarmed, as they say the Indians opposite to this and below
are divided, and. if report say right, friendly to our Government.
I expect to be able to get away from here in about four days for
Sackett's Harbor and Oswego, where I expect to have the pleasure
of hearing from you. Since writing the above there has arrived
here about 50 men, and more expected. I am ready for them.

(MSS. of Hon. P. A. Porter.)

Colonel Baynos to Major General lirock.

Quebec, May 21, 1812.
Sir, — Sir George has allowed me to make the following extract
from a despatch of Mr. Foster's, dated the 28th April, which I do in
the Minister's own words : " The American Government affect now
to have taken every step incumbent on the executive as preparatory
to war, and leave the ultimate decision to Congress, as vested by
the constitution in that body, which is fluctuating as the seas.
There is a great party in the House of Representatives for war,
composed principally of the western and southern States — members
who have little to lose and may gain, while the northern and
eastern States are vehement against it. The embargo seems to have
been resolved upon because at the moment they did not know what
else to do. The Cabinet wished only sixty days — the Senate made
it ninety. Our Government leaves no room to expect a repeal of
the Order-in-Council, yet they wait for the return of the Hornet.
Something decisive must then be known ; perhaps when they
become completely convinced of Bonaparte's playing upon them, it
will end in declaring against France. The question of adjournment

was lost, notwithstanding- there was an absolute majority known a
few minutes before in its favor, revolutionists jealous of younger
men taking a lead. The army cannot, I conceive, soon be filled up
— they get few recruits."

You will have heard, long ere you receive this, that the 49th
Regiment is ordered home ; the 41st are by the same authority to
return to Europe, but Sir George will not, under existing circum-
stances, attempt to relieve the posts in Upper Canada, so that there
will be no immediate change in your quarter. Sir George regrets
that he has not field officers of the description you require to com-
mand at Kingston and Amherstburg. The only prospect of relief
in that respect which he has in view is from the arrival of the
absent inspecting field officers.

The arrangement you propose respecting the unfortunate
delinquents of the 41st Regiment will perfectly meet the approbation
of Sir George, who approved of your not forwarding the resignation
of the younger members, or, indeed, of any, if they are worthy of
consideration.

Kempt has brought his name into notice in the assault of La
Picurina, an outwork at Badajoz, where he commanded, being on
duty in the trenches. The Glengarry levy goes on swimmingly.

(From Tapper's Life of Brock, pp. 176-7.)

Sir George Prevost to Major-General Brock.

Quebec, May 27. 1812.

Sir, — I am much pleased to find by your letter of the 22d
ultimo you had taken precautions to prevent any act occurring
within your control that should afford the Government of the
United States a legitimate pretext to add to the clamor artfully
raised by it against England.

The circumstance which happened to the guard stationed
opposite to Queenston arrived here much exaggerated. Your
account of it silenced the idle reports in circulation.

I agree with you in deploring the limitation until the end of
the ensuing session in the operation of the Militia Act for Upper
Canada, but as in the event of hostilities it might not be possible
to convene the Legislature, then the bill would in all probability
continue in force during the war, provided you were not induced
to make an exertion for a more perfect law.

Colonel Baynes having informed me he had an opportunity of
communicating with you more expeditiously than by post, I desired
him to make you acquainted with the peaceful intelligence I had
just received from Mr. Foster ; but, although it comes with a good

deal of reservation, still it warrants me in recommending the most
rio-id economy in carrying on the King's service and in avoiding all
expense that has not become absolutely necessary, as it is with the
utmost difficulty money can be raised for the ordinary service.

I am apprehensive that I cannot look forward to the pleasure
of seeing you before the end of August, as my presence in the
Province is become indispensably necessary during the first opera-
tion of the new militia law.

Many thanks for the particulars of the transaction which led
to the censure passed by the House of Assembly on Chief Justice
Scott.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 177-8.)

Sir George Prcvost to Lord Liverpool.

Quebec, 27th May, 1812.
No. 49.
My Lord, —

I enclose extracts from Major General Brock's report on the
state of affairs in Upper Canada. The most positive directions
have been given to the selected officers entrusted with commands on
the frontiers contiguous to the posts occupied by the American
forces, in addition to the orders relating to the precaution and vigi-
lance become indispensably necessary to observe in their intercourse
with the people of the United States, perfect civility, and to prevent
the occurrence of circumstances calculated to create irritation be-
tween the two countries.

(Canadian Archives, Q. 117-2, p. 312.)

(From the Buffalo Gazette, Tuesday, June 2d, 181l2.)

Messrs. Granger, Parrish and Jones held on Tuesday last a
council with the chiefs of the Six Nations. There was a full meet-
ing of the chiefs, when they were asked what their determination
was in the event of war between the United States and Great
Britain. They answered, as we understand, that it was a general
understanding among them to take no part, but that they were
united in sending a deputation to their brethren in Canada in order
to agree upon some plan in case of hostilities between the two
countries.

(File in Buffalo Public Library .)

67
Peter Walton & Son to James Cuiumings & < o. ot Chippawa*

(Extract.)

Albany, 6th June, 1812.
We are sorry to inform you that the prevailing- opinion of the
people in this place is that war would be declared by Congress
against Great Britain during the course of this week. All the late
news from Washington will warrant this opinion. If they should,
under the circumstances it will be very unpopular indeed. Our
own opinion is that war will be declared. If so it will operate very
much against as all.

Sir George Prcvost to Lord Liverpool.

Quebec, 9th June, 1812.
No. 52.

Last night I received a secret communication from Consul
General Barclay at New York, dated 80th May, 1812.

Extract.

His Majest\^'s Minister at Washington writes me on the 27th
instant that notwithstanding the clear proofs of the continuance of
the French Decrees, it seems war will be proposed on Monday, and,
it is said, will be carried in the House of Representatives.

(Canadian Archives. Q. 117-2, p. 339.)

Extract from a Letter Dated at Prescott, 14th June, IS 12.

A British vessel, the Lord Nelson, sailed from this on the 2nd
inst., loaded with merchandise, for Queenston and Niagara, and when
about 50 miles below that port she and another British vessel in
company fell in with the United States Brig Oneida. One of the
vessels tacked to the northward, the other stood in for the south
shore and was brought to by tiring three guns at her. She was
then boarded and a prize master and crew took possession of the
Lord Nelson and anchored with her next day in Sackett's Harbor,
where she now lies unrigged. The reasons given for taking the
vessel are that she was found without a register or Customs House
clearance on board. The laws of Upper Canada do not require that
a merchant vessel should have either register or clearance.

G. F.

In Sir George Prevost's despatch to Lord Liverpool. Xo. 33. 22nd June, 1812.
(Canadian Archives, q. 117-2, p. 349.)

Letter Iroin Prescott, Dated 15th June. 1812.

In addition to the capture of the Lord Nelson, I have to
acquaint you that the Ontario (an American vessel) which had
loaded at Queenston with 700 barrels of flour, bound to this place,
was on Friday last taken by an American armed boat a little below
Carleton Island and carried to Gravelly Point. This vessel had left
the United States ports previous to the embargo laws, and had
made several voyages within the Province since the opening of
navigation. I can hear of no reason why the above named vessel
was detained, with a British cargo on board, but that the boarding
officer suspected her.

G. P.

Enclosed in Sir George Prevost's despatch to Lord Liverpool, No. 53, 22d June, 1812.
(Canadian Archives, Q. 117-2, p. 351.)

Hon. Win. Eustis, Secretary of War, to Augustus Porter.

War Department, June 15th, 1812.
Sir, — Two companies of militia are on their march for San-
dusky, and General Hull will receive reinforcements at Detroit.
You will, therefore, in addition to the usual deposits and the
requisition particularly designated in my letter of May 21st, im-
mediately provide and deposit fourteen thousand rations at San-
dusk}', and three hundred and sixty-six thousand rations at Detroit.
Your letter of May 27 and bond are received.

(From MSS. of Hon. P. A. Porter.)

From the Buffalo Gazette, Tuesday, June 1<>, 1813.

Colonel Swift has returned from Albany and resumed com-
mand of the volunteers on Niagara River. The volunteers have all
arrived on the frontier, to the number of 600.

ANOTHER " SPECK."

One of the sentinels at the Rock some time last week having
liberty to discharge his musket, levelled his piece across the river
and tired the same, intending, as he said, to see how prettily the
ball would skip on the water, when the ball, disdaining to be
tied down to a milk and water course, overleaped the bounds of
reason and the boundary of the United States and deposited its cold
self into a rail on a fence near the bank of the river and also near
the house of a gentleman, &c. We are assured that the affair will
be noticed and may possibly lead to a correspondence.

From the Buffalo Gazette, Tuesday, June 23, 1813.

To the Editor of the Buffalo Gazette :

Sir, — Whilst strict attention has been observed by the inhabit-

ants on the Canada shore opposite Black Rock not to molest or
offend any person residing at the Rock or its vicinity, we had reason
to expect that a reciprocal attention would have been shown to us,
but we are extremely sorry that our expectation has been disap-
pointed, and that our peace has been disturbed and our inhabitants
annoyed by some thoughtless or evil disposed person having recently
fired several musket balls from the American shore. The whistling
of these bullets has been distinctly heard and ascertained by the
examination of several reputable persons. One ball came near to
the blacksmith shop, one near to Henry Trout's tavern, and one a
little lower down the river.

While we regret the cause that has occasioned this statement,
we feel confident that it requires only to be made known to the
authorities, who assuredly will prevent such licentious behavior in
future, and therefore request that you will give it a place in }7our
impartial paper, and oblige

Your humble servants,

John Warren, Sr., J. P.

John Warren, Jr., J. P.

B. Hardison.

Hugh Alexander.
Fort Erie, 17th June, 1812.

General Order.

Headquarters, Albany, June 23d, 1812.

WTar is declared by the United States against the Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland and its dependencies. You will there-
fore be vigilant and attentive to the safety of the frontier of
Onondaga. You are by this letter authorized to order out Major
Moseley's battalion of riflemen, (two companies), Captain Mul-
holland's company of artillery, or any other part of the volunteer
or detached troops of your brigade, to reinforce the Oswego detach-
ment upon the requisition of the commandant of that post. Should
Col. Fleming accept the office of Commissary, to which he is
appointed, Lt.-Col. Erastus Cleveland of Madison County will suc-
ceed him in that command.

By order of the Commander-in-Chief.

William Paulding, Jr,

Adj u tan t- G e n e ral .

To Brig'r General John Ellis.

(Tompkins Papers, New York State Library.)

General Order.

Headquarters, Albany, June 23d, 1812.

You will please to order out immediately and send on in such
small detachments as can be accommodated on the road, the troops
detached from Ontario, Genesee, and Niagara as part of the 13,500
men. They may be equipped from the arsenal with arms and am-
munition ; their clothing and blankets must be found by them-
selves. Camp kettles and other camp equipage will be forwarded
immediately. Every officer and every citizen who values the safety
of his fellow citizens on the frontier and the dignity and honor of
his country will exert himself to the utmost to inspire mutual con-
fidence, to obviate as much as possible the difficulties incident to the
assemblage of militia detachments, and by every possible act of
kindness to assist and expedite the movements of the brave men
who turn out in behalf of their country. Genl. Wadsworth is
ordered into service, and will take the command for the present of
the detachment alreacty out and of the troops which may be ordered
into service on the Niagara frontier.

The declaration of war between the Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland and its dependencies and the United States, which de-
claration is enclosed, will call for the services of officers of a higher
grade than Brigadier-General in a short time, and you will please
hold yourself in readiness accordingly. The troops are, of course,
to act offensively whenever an opportunity presents and the com-
manding officer may deem it to be for the good of the countiy.

By order of the Commander-in-Chief.

William Paulding, Jun'r,

Adjutant-General.

To Major-General Amos Hall.

(Tompkins Papers, New York State Library. )

General Order.

Headquarters, Albany, June 23d, 1812.
You will exert yourself to forward the military stores which
may be wanted from Canandaigua towards the Niagara frontier, and
to supply every deficiency as far as may be practicable. If you can
procure cannon ball to be cast, let it be done, and let them suit the
calibers of sixes, fours, and threes. I have ordered additional troops
to the frontier; of course great exertions must be made to have
them accommodated in every respect. This duty will fall on your
department at present, and I shall expect your usual skill, prompt-
ness and patriotism in the performance of them. Camp kettles, a
few tents and some knapsacks and a quantity of cannon ball will
be sent on to-morrow with orders to proceed with the utmost

despatch. Genl. Wadsworth is ordered with the detached troops of
Ontario, Genesee, and Niagara to take the command, accommodate
them, feed them, cherish them. They will act offensively whenever
it may be judged proper.

By order of the Commander-in-Chief.

William Paulding, Jun'r,

Adjutant-General.
To Quartermaster-General Peter B. Porter.

(Tompkins Papers, New York State Library. )

General Order.

Headquarters, Albany, June 23d, 1812.

War is declared between the Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland and its dependencies and the United States of America and
the territories thereof. As the Brigadier assigned to command the
most westerly detachment, you are hereby required to assemble the
volunteers and detached troops of Ontario, Genesee and Niagara
Comities, to cause them to be equipped with arms and ammunition
at the Ontario and Batavia arsenals. You are also at liberty to re-
quire the use of and transport with the troops the field pieces
attached to such companies of artillery within the district above
mentioned as shall not volunteer or turn out in defence of the
country with patriotic promptitude. Ball for the cannon and the
other articles in which the arsenals are deficient will be forwarded
without delay.

In the meantime you will be pleased to exert yourself to pro-
mote a disposition to maintain the rights and honor of the country,
and may proceed to Black Rock with the troops. You may collect
or go directly to Lt.-Col. Swift and order the troops to follow.
You are at liberty to act offensively as well as defensively, according
as in the exercise of a sound discretion may appear most for the
safety and interest of the United States and the good people thereof.

By order of the Commander-in-Chief.

William Paulding, Jun'r,

Adjutant-General,

To Brig'r-General William Wadsworth.

(Tompkins Papers, New York State Library.)

Colonel Philetus Swift and Benjamin Barton to Governor
Tompkins.

Sir, — Situated as we are on the frontiers and in plain view of
the armed force which we expect every day to call our enemy
gives us very serious apprehensions of the consequences that may
ensue unless timely aid is given to ward off the blow that may fall

on this section of the country if war is declared in our present
defenceless situation. We consider it our duty to state to you the
present prospect of affairs in this quarter in order that Your Excel-
lency may have as much information on the subject as possible, and
to enable you to adopt such measures as you may think most
advisable for the better defence and security of the frontier. The
British on the opposite side are making the most active preparations
for defence. New troops are arriving from the Lower Province
constantly, and the quantity of military stores, &c, that have
arrived within these few weeks are astonishing. Vast quantities of
arms and ammunition are passing up the country, no doubt to arm
the Indians around the upper lakes, for they have not white men
enough to make use of such quantities as are passing. One-third
of the militia of the Upper Province are formed into companies
called flankers, and are well armed and equipped out of the King's
stores and are regularly trained one day in the week by an officer
of the standing troops. A volunteer troop of horse has lately been
raised and have drawn their sabres and pistols. A company of
militia artilleiy has been raised this spring and exercise two or
three days in the week on the plains near Fort George and practice
tiring, and have become very expert. The noted Isaac Swayzy has,
within a few days, received a captain's commission for the flying
artillery, of which they have a number of pieces, and we were
yesterday informed by a respectable gentleman from that side of
the river that he was actually purchasing horses for the purpose of
exercising his men. They are repairing Fort George and building
a new fort at York. A number of boats are daily employed,
manned by their soldiers, plying between Fort George and Queen-
ston, conveying stone, lime, and pickets for necessary repairs, and,
to cap the whole, they are making and using every argument and
persuasion to induce the Indians to join them, and we are informed
that the Mohawks have volunteered their services. In fact, nothing
is left undone by their people that is necessary for their defence.
It has also been suggested to me by a gentleman of respectability
residing there, and which we have every reason to believe to be
true, that if war is declared and we remain in the present defence-
less situation that an attack will be made on Fort Niagara, and in
that case it must fall, as the force the}^ have there is but small and
the works in a miserable and decayed situation, and can make but a
feeble defence. The object in taking that fortress will be the com-
mand of the mouth of the river to prevent any supplies coming to
this side by water.

We have thus endeavored to give Your Excellency some idea
of the preparations that are making by the British in Upper

Canada, as well as the people we have to meet if a war takes place.
Our great fears are that our Government will consider the taking
of that country of so trifling a nature that they will send but a
small force and badly supplied. If that should be the case many
valuable men will be lost and the invading army shamefully
defeated.

We have great confidence that the general Government will
adopt such measures as in their opinion will be the best for the
welfare and safety of the whole, but from want of proper informa-
tion may be led into an error. We therefore hope Your Excellency
will use your influence with the general Government to have a
respectable force on the frontier and well equipped and supplied.

Lewiston, June 24, 1812.

(Tompkins Papers, vol. VII., pp. 234-7. New York State Library.)

Letter to Mr. H. W. Ryland, Secretary to Sir George Prevost.

Montreal, 24th June, 1812.
You will be pleased to inform the Governor-General that we
have just received by an express which left New York on the 20th
inst. and Albany on Sunday last at (3 a. m., the account that war
against Great Britain is declared.

No particulars whatever are mentioned, but we cannot doubt
of the fact, which we deem it our duty to put His Excellency in
possession of without delay and accordingly send this by express.

Forsyth, Richardson & Co.,
McTavish, McGillivray & Co.
Enclosed in Sir George Prevost's despatch to Lord Liverpool,
No. 54, June 25th, 1812.

(Canadian Archives, Q. 118, p. 4.)

Sir George Prevost to Lord Liverpool.

Quebec, 25th June, 1812.
No. 54.
My Lord, — Upon returning from the inspection of a battalion
of embodied militia training at some distance from Quebec, the in-
telligence herewith transmitted was delivered to me, it having
arrived two hours before. It comes through so good a channel that
I transmit it to Your Lordship by a vessel getting under sail for
Cork, altho' I have not received any official communication from
Mr. Foster. The writers of the accompanying letter being the
principals of the Northwest and Southwest Fur Companies, were so
much interested in the question of war that the}'' took extraordinary
means to obtain information of the decision of Congress that they

might be enabled to preserve much valuable merchandise exposed
to the first aggression of the Americans. I hope Your Lordship
will send me a supply of money, the want of which I have already
so strongly represented.

It is with extreme disappointment that I acquaint Your Lord-
ship that the supply of arms and accoutrements shipped for Canada
last autumn has not yet arrived.

(Letter from Forsyth, Richardson & Co. to Mr. Ryland, announcing the declaration
of war, enclosed.)

(Canadian Archives, Q. 118, p. 2.)

Colonel Baynes to Major- General Brock,

Quebec, June 25th, 1812.

Sir, — Sir George Prevost desires me to inform you that he has
this instant received intelligence from Mr. Richardson by an express
to the Northwest Company, announcing that the American Govern-
ment had declared war against Great Britain. This despatch left
New York on the 20th instant, and does not furnish any other
circumstance of intelligence whatever. His Excellency is induced
to give perfect and entire credit to this report, although it has not
yet reached him through any official channel. Indeed, the extra-
ordinary despatch which has attended this courier fully explains
his not having received the Minister's letters, of which he will not
fail to give you the earliest intimation.

Mr. Richardson informs His Excellency that it is the intention
of the company to send six large canoes to receive their furs by the
Grand River (or Ottawa), and should it be expedient to reinforce
the post of St. Joseph, that they will be able to carry six soldiers in
each boat. Anxious as Sir George feels to render you every aid in
his power and to afford every possible assistance and protection to
the Northwest Company, who have on their part assured their
co-operation, His Excellency, nevertheless, does not think it advis-
able under existing circumstances to weaken the 49th Regiment,
which occupies so important and critical a station ; nor can he hold
out any certain prospect of any further reinforcement until the
arrival of the troops he has been led to expect from England, but
directs me to assure you of his cordial wish to render you every
efficient support in his power.

(Prom Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 193-4. )

Division Orders.

Bloomfield, June 26th, 1812.
The detachment of infantry made from the 7th Division, under
and by virtue of Division Orders of the 11th of May last, have

been organized by the Commander-in-Chief into one brigade, the
command whereof is assigned to Brigadier-General William Wads-
worth, and is denominated the 7th Brigade. It is composed of three
regiments, numbered and commanded as follows : —

18th, Hugh W. Dobbin of Junius, Seneca County.

19th, Henry Bloom of Geneva, Cayuga County.

20th, Peter Allen of Honeoye, Ontario County.

The 18th Regiment will be composed of the detachment from
the brigades of Generals McClure, Rea and Hopkins.

The 19th Regiment will be composed of the detachments from
Generals Tillotson's and Himrod's brigades.

The 20th Regiment will be composed of the detachments from
Generals Wadsworth's and Burnett's brigades.

The officers commanding the 18th Ltegiment (except one com-
pany from General McClure's Brigade) and the 20th Regiment are
ordered to concentrate the troops under their respective command
in such convenient places as they may think most convenient and
proper. The detachments will be furnished from the arsenals at
Canandaigua and Batavia with arms, accoutrements and ammuni-
tion. Camp kettles and other camp equipage will be furnished and
forwarded with all convenient speed. The troops must supply
themselves with knapsacks, clothing and blankets.

These regiments, being thus armed and equipped, are ordered
to inarch without delay to the Niagara frontier, under the direction
and subject to the orders of Brigadier-General Wadsworth.

To the brigade composed of the above regiments (together with
the militia already detached and stationed on the Niagara frontier),
the command whereof is assigned Brigadier-General Wadsworth,
are assigned for Brigade Staff, Julius Keyes of Clarence, Niagara
County, Brigade-Major and Inspector ; Henry Wells of Elmira,
Tioga County, Brigade-Quartermaster. To the regiments above
designated are assigned the following Majors: —

18th Regiment, Major John Morrison of Niagara County. Major
James Ganson of Caledonia, Genesee County.

19th Regiment, Major Noah Olmstead of Cayuga County, Major
Aranthus Exerts of Hector, Seneca County.

20th Regiment, Major George Smith of Livonia, Ontario
County ; Major Thomas Lee of Benton, Ontario County.

The regimental staff will be selected by the officers assigned
to the command of the above regiments respectively.

Every officer commanding a detached regiment will forthwith
transmit the Adjutant-General a roster of the names and places of
residence of the field and staff officers, an accurate inspection return,
and correct copies of the muster rolls of the companies and troops

thereof, and will also convey an exact copy of the inspection
return to the Commander of the Brigade and send it to the General
of the Division, that he may in due season transmit to the Com-
mander-in-Chief an inspection return thereof.

The 19th Regiment and the company from General McClure's
brigade are not at present ordered to take the field, but will hold
themselves in readiness to march at a moment's notice.

The Major-General, confiding in the patriotism and courage of
the brave troops ordered into service, entertains no doubt but their
conduct will be such as to ensure the grateful plaudits of their
beloved country. As the service into which they are called will be
a service of privations and dangers, it is hoped that it will be borne
with the fortitude of men and the resolution of freemen, and that
the soldiers will carry with them the enduring recollection that as
citizens they have assumed the helmet of war for a season the more
effectually to secure the blessings of peace, to attain which no
sacrifice short of a sacrifice of national honor can be too great.

By order of the Major-General.

George Hosmer,

Aide-de-Camp.

(From the Repository of Canandaigua, June 30th, 1812.)
Pile in the Wood Library, Canandaigua, N. Y.

District General Order.

Niagara, 27th June, 1812.
D. G. O.

Colonel Procter will assume the command of the troops between
Niagara and Fort Erie.

The Hon'ble Col. Glaus will command the militia stationed
between Niagara and Queenston, and Lieut.-Colonel Clark from
Queenston to Fort Erie.

The commissariat at their respective posts will issue rations
and fuel for the members actually present. The car brigade and
those of the Provincial Cavalry are included in the order.

Officers commanding posts or detachments will sign the neces-
sary certificate previous to issuing the rations. The detachment of
the 41st, stationed at the Two and Four-Mile Points, will be relieved
by an equal number of the First Lincoln Militia to-morrow morning.
. It is recommended to the militia to bring blankets with them on
service.

The troops will be kept in a constant state of readiness for
service, and Colonel Procter will direct the necessary guards and
patrols, which are to be made down the bank and close to the
water's edge.

Lieutenant-Colonel Nichol is appointed Quartermaster-General

to the militia forces, with the same pay and allowances as those
granted to the Adjutant-General.

Major-General Brock.
Issued by order of the Colonel.

John Clark,
Lieut.-Adjt. 1st Lincoln Militia.

Lieut. -Colonel Robert Nieuol to <;> plain James « luuimings.

Queenston, June 27, 1.S12.

Dear Sir, — Understanding that there may be some difficulty
in getting teams at Chippawa prepared to carry boats, Mr. Phelps'
teams are despatched to bring what they can. You will of course
pay every attention to their being carefully loaded on the carriage,
so that they may not be injured.

You will be pleased to apply to Capt. Bullock to transmit the
enclosed letter to Fort Erie without delay.

Colonel Philetus Swift to Governor Tompkins.

Honored Sir, — This moment, at six o'clock a. m., I received
your despatches; although with so much speed, the British had them
almost two days before us. I forbear giving you a detail of our
circumstances here, as Mr. Barton and myself wrote in full length
the last mail, which will be received before this. Our men are in
high spirits, and the declaration of war does not dampen the spirits
of officers nor soldiers.

Doctor Nathaniel Wilson, who is now surgeon of my detach-
ment, one of our good friends and one whom I can cordially recom-
mend, has a large family to maintain, and his wages is not sufficient
support, wishes to be appointed hospital surgeon, if it can be. I
wish to retain him in service if possible.

Black Rock, June 27, 1812.

(Tompkins Papers, vol. VII., p. 2G3. New York State Library.)

General Wm. Wadsworth to Governor Tompkins.

Geneseo, 28th June, 1812.

Sir, — I have received your letter of the 23d instant. I take
the command of the troops at Black Rock and its vicinity in
obedience to Your Excellency's order with the greatest diffidence,
having had no experience of actual service. My knowledge of the
military art is limited ; indeed, I foresee numberless difficulties and
occurrences which will present to which I feel totally inadequate.

I have been ambitious that the regiment and brigade which I
have commanded should be distinguished at their reviews, but I

confess myself ignorant of even the minor duties of the duty you
have assigned me, and I am apprehensive that I may not only
expose myself but my Government. Any aid which Your Excel-
lency may think proper to order will be received with thanks. A
military secretary intimately acquainted with the details of camp
duty would be of great service to me.

Permit me to add that every exertion in my power shall be
made to discharge the duties of my office and to merit the approba-
tion of Your Excellency.

(Tompkins Papers, vol. VII., pp. 271-2, New York State Library.)

Major-General linos Hall to Governor Tompkins.

Bloomfield, June 28, 1812.

Sir, — About an hour since I received a letter by express from
General Porter in 18 hours from Buffalo, advising that a small
American sloop (called the Commencement), owned by Mi'. Colt,
sailed from that place up the lake about 12 o'clock on that day
(Saturday). She had proceeded only about two leagues, when the
wind, being light, two large boats, appearing to the spectators on
this side to contain about 50 armed men and some ordnance, pur-
sued her from Fort Erie, where the British armed ship is lying, and
took her after several fires, the sloop having only four men on
board, without arms. The two boats towed her into the harbor at
Fort Erie. " The excitement by the event, "(the General writes,)
" was such that almost every man in Buffalo was anxious to embark
in some small. boats lying at that place to retake her, and I confess
that on the first impression I was disposed to encourage and join
them. But our boats being very light, and having nothing but
small arms, I considered that it would Vie a wanton sacrifice of brave
and patriotic men to send them out. Besides, the wind springing
up, they could not be overtaken before they would reach the fort at
Erie." He likewise adds that " I am informed that the British,
having earlier information than we had of the declaration of war,
have detained Lieut. Gansevoort of the American garrison at
Niagara, and a boat's crew that happened to be on the British side
on business." He concludes by urging the necessity of the detach-
ment of militia ordered to march from Ontario, Genesee and Niagara
Counties being forwarded with all possible speed, stating he would
give every facility to their march.

We begin to realize that we are now in an actual state of war,
hostilities having actually been commenced by the British on the
lakes. Whether they will follow it up vigorously or not is uncer-
tain ; that course would be characteristic, and I think we have no
reason to expect they will depart from it. I was in Canaudaigua

this morning, and the opinion there is that they will pursue im-
mediately every advantage to be gained by them.

We feel a general anxiety for our fellow-citizens on the
frontiers, it being pretty well ascertained that the British have at
least 1,500 regular troops who have seen service that can be brought
to act offensively at the shortest notice, if they should think it
advisable, together with a considerable body of militia well dis-
ciplined and completely armed. With such a force, should they not
call to their aid the savage warriors, who are stated to be about
400. they might, notwithstanding the force we have at the post of
Niagara, whom I have no doubt would make a brave defence, be
able to do much mischief and commit great depredations on the
frontiers nearest to the Niagara River. Our whole force, when the
second detachment arrives, will probably be about 1,300 effective
men.

If the above statements are correct, Your Excellency will judge
whether a large force will not be necessary to guard the post and
frontier on the Niagara River. In great haste.

N. B. — Four pieces of field artillery and 500 stands of arms.
&c, passed Genesee River this morning on the way to Buffalo, taken
from the arsenal in Canandaigua by order of the Quartermaster-
General. They will possibly arrive at the place of destination on
Tuesday.

(Tompkins Papers, vol. VII.. pp. 274-7, New York State Library.)

ftlajor-General Amos Hall to Governor Tompkins.

Bloomfield, June 29, 1812.

Sir, — I this morning at 4 o'clock received by express from
General Porter (in 12 hours from Black Rock) information that by
every appearance on the British shore the troops were preparing to
cross the river. The number of the British force is, I believe, about
1,500, as stated in my last letter.

General Porter was very urgent that every assistance should
be forwarded that could possibly be put in motion. Major Mullany,
commanding officer of the United States regular troops at Canan-
daigua, was requested to march his men on immediately. I was
clearly of opinion that in such an emergency he would be justifiable
to compty with the request. I wrote him by express, and at 8
o'clock he informed me that he would march his troops immediately.
They will probably pass through Bloomrleld this afternoon. The
detachment of militia ordered to march will be on the way to-
morrow. Everything will be done that the nature of the service
and the exigency of the times require to hasten the troops to the
Niagara frontier.

We are very much engaged at present in making the necessary
arrangements for general defence.

I have ordered a company to be stationed at Sodus and
Pulteneyville and one company at the mouth of the Genesee River.

Major Mullany will have about 250 men. But they have no
arms, and must be furnished from the arsenal at Canandaigua.

The whole of the arms and accoutrements will be taken from
the arsenal at Canandaigua to-day to furnish the last detachment.
We shall be in immediate want of a supply, there being few arms
and very little ammunition in the country.

I shall not close my letter, but wait till to-morrow morning,
expecting to hear something more serious.

30th June, 7 o'clock in the morning.

I this morning received by express from Fort Niagara and
Lewiston in less than 12 hours information that 1,500 troops and a
large train of artillery were in view nearl}T opposite the post.
Captain Leonard writes that he momently expected the attack to
commence, but Mr. Barton thinks they will wait the arrival of their
armed vessels.

I have ordered out a part of Captain Pierson's company of
dragoons to form a line of communication from Niagara and Buffalo
to this county. I shall send by mail, concluding that by express
could not gain time to answer the purpose.

N. B. — It is all important that tents, if possible, should be sent
on immediately. Camp equipage, I understand, is on the road.

(Tompkins Papers, vol. VII., pp. 281-2, New York State Library.)

ilovernor Tompkius to Hoii. Win. Eustis, Secretary at War.

Albany, 27th June, 1812.

Sir, — Your letter of the 19th inst., announcing the important
intelligence of a declaration of war against the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland and its dependencies, was received on
Tuesday evening at eleven o'clock. Expresses with the information
and with instructions for the commandants of posts on the frontiers
were despatched in the course of that night. The express to
Sackett's Harbor has returned with the satisfactory intelligence
that the officers and men of that detachment are in fine spirits, are
tolerably well accommodated, are perfectly united and harmonious,
and received the intelligence of war with cheerfulness and deter-
mined courage.

In anticipation of orders to that effect, I have directed the
frontier posts to be reinforced by detachments of militia of the
counties immediately adjoining, and have also ordered into service

for the protection of the northern frontier between Lake Champlain
and St. Lawrence the militia detached from Washington, Essex,
Clinton and Franklin Counties, and have forwarded additional
quantities of arms and ammunition and military stores to each
point. You were advised b}7 me last winter, and also when the
former detachments were ordered out, that the State was not pro-
vided with camp equipage, and that we must rely upon the Genl
Government for these articles.

It was also my wish that the Genl. Government should have
availed itself of my repeated offers to forward and deposit in our
frontier arsenals, free of expense, some arms, military stores and
camp equipage in preparation for the event which has happened.
The United States have now collections of enlisted troops at Platts-
burg, Rome, Canandaigua and other frontier rendezvous within 100
rods of our arsenals, and yet these recruits are destitute of arms
and ammunition and camp equipage.

Those at Plattsburg are within fifty miles of St. Regis and
Cognawago Indians, by whom they might be attacked suddenly
and with little hazard ; unarmed and unprepared as they are, the
regulars could not defend themselves, much less protect the inhabi-
tants.

I do not mention the preceding circumstances by way of com-
plaint, but in the hope and expectation that the statement of them
may show you more fully the indispensable necessity of an im-
mediate and earnest attention to the suggestions which follow.

A belief that General Dearborn's headquarters were to be at
this place induced me to calculate that by conference and arrange-
ment with him I should be able to procure from the United States
at any time those military stores of which we are deficient, but I at
the moment of needing his assistance [ascertained] that his head-
quarters are at Boston. General Gansevoort is very low, and
incapable of attending to business of any kind. Col. Simonds has
arrived here, but says he was ordered to report himself to Genl.
Dearborn, and therefore can take no authority upon himself at
present.

The keeper of the stores will not part with cannon, muskets,
ammunition or other articles without the order of his superior
officer.

Genl. Dearborn has requested me to order out militia for the
Champlain frontier, and informs me that the Quartermaster-General
will supply camp equipage for them. Upon application to the
Quartermaster-General, who is now in Albany, I find there is no
camp equipage except a few tents and about sixty camp kettles,
which have been in our arsenal at this place for several years. For

the delivery of these even I cannot obtain a written order. The
Deputy-Quartermaster-General will not give an order for their
delivery without written directions from the Quartermaster-General,
and the Quai'termaster-General does not seem willing to give such
written directions, or at least has not done it, although he is per-
fectly willing I should have the articles. Under such circumstances
I shall presume to take possession of them at my own hazard, and
shall accordingly forward them to-morrow morning, hoping that
my proceedings on the emergency will lie approved and confirmed.

The detachments already in service, you will please to recollect,
are by your orders separate and independent corps, and the com-
mandants, of course, will be embarrassed as to the course to be
pursued by them in case of an attack of a part of the frontier not
under their respective commands. Besides, they are in temporary
barracks and have no tents or conveniences for removing more than
one day's march from their present positions. Having thus stated
some of the difficulties I have encountered and am likely to
encounter in the protection of an extensive and exposed boundary
upon Canada, I beg leave to request the immediate and earnest
attention of Government to the following particulars: —

I. — To cause to be forwarded with the utmost possible expedi-
tion tents and other camp equipage and knapsacks for the frontier
detachments, for without them they can form no offensive opera-
tion, and will be very inefficient for defence even. Competent
authority ought also to be given to subordinate officers of the proper
departments to press on the supply without waiting for the orders
to pass through the superior officers of their respective departments
should such superior officers be absent at the time.

II. — To send on a General Officer to take command of all the
frontier detachments, or authorize me to require Major-Genl. Stephen
Van Rensselaer of this city to take the command until further
orders, and also to send on some engineers and other proper officers
to aid in offensive operations at Niagara, Sackett's Harbor, &c.

III. — To place the cannon, muskets and ammunition, &c,
belonging to the United States and now at this place, under the
requisition of the Genl. who may proceed to the frontier command,
or subject to the orders of some officer who may be stationed here,
and to authorize the District Quartermaster in the absence of the
Quartermaster-General immediately to comply with the orders of
the General commanding on the frontier or of the officer stationed
at this place.

Be assured, Sir, that I shall exert every nerve and afford every

aid in my power to prosecute the war vigorously, and I hope to an
honorable and prosperous termination.

(Tompkins Papers, New York State Library. )

Governor Tompkins to Major-General Dearborn.

Albany, June 28th, 1812.

Sir, — Your letter of 23rd instant has been received. I had
anticipated your request by ordering the detachments from Wash-
ington, Essex, Clinton and Franklin Counties into service, and have
fixed the days and places of their rendezvous. Upon application to
the Quartermaster-Genl. I find that there are but 139 tents and 60
camp kettles at this place, and even those I take by a kind of
stealth. The Deputy-Quartermaster-General declines giving an
order for their delivery until he shall have a written order from
the Quartermaster-Genl., and the latter is willing I should take
them, but will not give the Deputy a written order for that purpose ;
under such circumstances I shall avail myself of the rule of posses-
sion, and by virtue of the eleven points of law send them off
to-morrow morning without a written order from any one. You
may remember that when you were Secretary of the War Depart-
ment I invited you to forward and deposit in our frontier arsenals,
arms, ammunition and camp equipage, free of expense, to be ready
for defence in case of war, and the same invitation to the War De-
partment has been repeated four times since. The United States
have now from five to six hundred regular troops at Plattsburg,
Rome, Canandaigua, &c, where those arsenals are, and yet those
recruits are now and must be for weeks to come, unarmed and in
every respect unequipped, although within musket shot of arsenals.
The recruits at Plattsburg are within fifty miles of two tribes of
Canadian Indians. In case of an attack upon the frontiers that
portion of the United States army would be as inefficient and as
unable to defend the inhabitants, or themselves even, as so many
women.

The militia detachments on the western frontiers received the
news of war with cheerfulness and determined courage, and I am
happy to find that they are united like brothers, highly improved
in discipline, and ready to devote themselves to any service
or danger which the good of their country may require.

But they arc in barracks, from which they cannot remove a
day's march for the want of tents and other equipage, and they are
in separate and independent detachments without a general officer
to command them or combine their exertions for the accomplishment
of any desirable or important object.

The onl}' officer of the United States here who can do anything

is the Quartermaster-General, and he has not a tent, campkettle or
knapsack in the arsenal (except what I have concluded to send off
to-morrow morning as above mentioned) to furnish me.

As to cannon, muskets, ammunition, I can find no one here who
will exercise any authority over them or deliver a single article
upon my requisition. Neither can I find any officer of the army
who feels himself authorized to exercise any authority or do any
act which will aid me in the all important object of protecting the
inhabitants of our extended frontier, exposed to the cruelties of
savages and the depredations of the enemy. If I must rely upon
the militia solely for such protection I entreat you to give orders to
your officers here to furnish upon my order for the use of the
militia detachments all needful weapons and articles, with which
the United States are supplied and of which we are destitute.

You may rely upon all the assistance which my talents,
influence and authority can furnish in the prosecution of the just
and necessary war which has been declared by the constituted
authority of our beloved country.

(Tompkins' Papers, New York State Library.)

Governor D. D. Tompkins to De Witt Clinton.

Albany, June 29, 1812.
Sir, — I have just received an express from Canandaigua in-
forming me that Vosburgh. from this city was arrested on his return
from Queenston in Canada, where he had been as an express with
Foster's dispatches. Those dispatches were dated June 17, at
Washington, and arrived in this city on Sunday morning, 21st
June, from whence they were forwarded by Vosburgh as express.
McTavish, of the house of Caldwell, Fraser & Co. of this city, a Mr.
Hart and a certain Solomons were the persons concerned in this
city. The Recorder has summoned them before him. and I am just
informed that McTavish upon his examination has declared that
he received the letters from Samuel Corp of your city and supposed
them to be mercantile only. But Vosburgh declares in his affidavit,
taken at Canandaigua, that the envelope sent from this city con-
tained information of a declaration of wTar, and that Mr. Clark of
Queenston, to whom he delivered it, so declared before he had
opened the enclosed letter of Foster. I give you this information
with respect to Mr. Corp that you as mayor of the City of New
York may make enquiry into his conduct and participation in
aiding and abetting, when he knew war was declared, the minister
of the enemy in forwarding information thereof to the British
garrisons to enable them to attack our troops unprepared and un-

advised of the event, if you should think such enquiry proper and
likely to be beneficial.

(Tompkins' Papers, vol. II, pp. 514-5, New York State Library.)

From the Federal Republican of Baltimore. Aid., issue of 15th
July, 1812.

The news of war reached the British at Fort George by express
two days before it was received at our military station. General
Brock arrived at Fort George on the 28th June. Several American
gentlemen were there on a visit, who were treated very politely by
the Governor and sent under protection of Captain Glegg, his aid,
to Niagara with a flag. The news of war was very unwelcome on
both sides of the river. They have been for six years in habits of
friendly intercourse, connected by marriages and various relation-
ships. Both sides were in consternation, the women and children
were out on the banks of the river, while their fathers, husbands
and sons were busily employed in arming. It was said Captain
Glegg had a summons for the surrender of Fort Niagara, but this
was contradicted by Captain Leonard, who said the message was
simply to inquire whether he had any official notice of the war, and
that he answered in the negative.

(Pile in New York Society Library. New York.)

Militia General Order.

Headquarters, 28th June. 1812.
M. G. 0.

His Honor Major-General Brock has been pleased to make
the following promotions and appointments in the First Regiment
of Lincoln Militia, viz: —

Captain Win. Robertson to be Major, vice Muirhead, resigned.

Adjutant John Clark to be Lieut., vice John Secord, appointed
to Major Merritt's troop of cavalry.

By order of the General.

J. Macdonell, P. A. D. C.

militia General Order.

Headquarters, Niagara, 28th June, 1812.
Militia denarii Order.

Lieutenant-Colonel Ryerson will order all the arms formerly
issued to the late First Regiment of Norfolk Militia to be delivered
into his own. Such as are serviceable or can be rendered so he will
retain and divide with Major Salmon of the Second Regiment.
Such as are unserviceable and cannot be repaired in the London

District will be packed up in boxes and forwarded by the first safe
opportunity to Fort Erie, where they will be delivered to the com-
manding officer at that post.

Lieutenant-Colonel Ryerson will at the same time direct the
remains of the ammunition formerly issued to be delivered to him,
and will order a board of survey to examine it — he will make a re-
turn of whatever is serviceable, specifying the exact quantity of
each, also a return of the number of loose balls, powder, and
cartridge paper will be forwarded to make the unserviceable
cartridges.

Lieutenant-Colonel Ryerson will make a division of the service-
able ammnnition with Major Salmon, and will transmit receipts in
duplicate for the exact quantity which may be issued to each
regiment.

Lieutenant-Colonel Ryerson and Major Salmon will send a boat
to Fort Erie with detachments of their respective regiments, com-
manded by intelligent officers, to receive the arms and ammunition
forwarded to that post for them.

These detachments will be supplied with provisions on their
arrival at Fort Erie, by application to the commanding officer of
that post.

Lieutenant-Colonel Ryerson will give pointed orders to the
officers commanding the detachments to be vigilant while employed
in this service and to take every precaution against surprize.

Signed by order of His Honor Major-General Brock.

J. Macdonell, P. A. D. C.

(From the New York Evening Post, Wednesday, 8th July, 181°2.)

Buffalo, June 30, 1812.

On Saturda}^ last, when the schooner Commencement, Captain
Johnson, was lying off Buffalo Creek waiting a wind, two British
armed row boats, fitted out at Fort Erie, put to sea and took the
direction of the schooner. Meanwhile Johnson weighed anchor and
stood out with a faint breeze, intending if the wind should increase
to double Sturgeon Point, but by the time the schooner had beat 6
or 7 miles up the lake the breeze almost fell, and the boats came up
with her and captured and towed her into port. The schooner
belonged to Mr. Peter H. Colt, merchant at Black Rock, and was
loaded with salt. There were forty men on board the boats and
only three men and a boy on board the schooner. The crew of the
Commencement were released on Sunday morning.

Mi-. Frederick Miller of this town has been appointed Major-
Commandant of the forces at Black Rock. Colonel Swift has taken

command at Lewiston. General Porter arrived in town on Satur-
day, and we understand immediately sent an express to Canandaigua
to expedite with all possible despatch the arms and ammunition
deposited in the arsenal at that place to Black Rock. Several com-
panies of militia of General Hopkins's brigade have been ordered
en masse to Black Rock.

The light infantry company of Captain Wells and militia com-
pany of Captain Hull are embodied and rendezvous in this village
to protect the town.

(File in New York Society Library. )

From the New York Evening Post, Friday, 3rd July, 1812.

Extract of a letter from an intelligent gentleman in Albany to
his friend in this city, dated July 1st, 1812 :

In the postscript of one of my last letters to you I mentioned
that an express had just arrived from the wTest and that it was
rumored Fort Niagara had been taken by the British. This rumor
is without the least foundation. The express proved to be the
Governor's, giving him information against several persons in this
city who, it was alleged, had been aiding the British in forwarding
their despatches to Upper Canada, from which it appears they had
the declaration of war one day earlier than our garrisons.

The express that carried the news was a cartman of this city,
who was apprehended on his return, near Geneva, and is there
lodged in jail. The persons said to have been implicated here have
been examined and honorably acquitted, as they were concerned in
a mere mercantile transaction.

From the Ontario Repository, printed at Canaudaigua, June
30. 1813.

We learn that soon after receiving the news of the declaration
of war at Canada a British boat captured an American vessel on
Lake Erie belonging principally to Mr. Peter H. Colt, who was on
board — that an American officer, Lieut. Gansevoort of Fort Niagara,
with a sergeant who happened to be over the river at the time the
news of war was received, were detained b}T the British.

An express reached town yesterday morning, which left the
lines Sunday evening at 5 o'clock, with information that the British
forces were assembling in considerable numbers near the river, and
that their movements indicated a preparation to cross to the
American shore. In consequence Major Mullany, the commanding
officer at this place, immediately prepared his troops, about 200, and
marched last evening for the frontier.

(File in the Wood Library, Canaudaigua, N. Y.)

From the National Id telligeneer ot Washington, D. €., 1 1th July.

1812.

Albany, July 1, 1812.

An express arrived here on Monday [June 29] in 36 hours
from Canandaigua, announcing to His Excellency the Governor the
arrest and imprisonment of Mr. Vosburgh of this city, who was
suspected of having carried the despatch of Mr. Foster to the
British commandant at Newark. In consequence of the disclosures
of Vosburgh several persons of this city have undergone examina-
tion before Mr. Recorder Yates. As the object of the express may
have been commercial, they have been admitted to bail. Circum-
stances, however, are dark.

(File in New York Society Library.)

General Amos Hall to General Porter.

Batavia, July 1st, 1812, 4 o'clock p. m.

Sir, — I just received your letter by express, requesting to for-
ward on all the arms, &c, &c, that is to be had. About 600 men
under the command of Genl. Wadsworth will march from this place
to-morrow morning early.

I came to this place to give assistance to the march of the
troops.

One regiment will cross Genesee River to-morrow from Ontario
County. By Wednesday you will have at the two points of defence
a formidable force.

20 of Capt. Pierson's troop are here in fine order and spirits.

It is not possible for me to come on, being totally unprepared.

All the arms are coming on, but on men's shoulders, and fine
men they are.

(From MSS. of Hon. P. A. Porter.)

General Amos Hall to Governor Tompkins.

Batavia, July 1, 6 o'clock p. m.

Sir, — By a letter sent me by express from General Porter,
dated at Black Rock July 1, 10 a. m., I learn that he has no doubt
an attack is intended, although the exact time cannot be ascertained.
He urges me to despatch an express to meet the artillery now on
the way from Albany to have them travel day and night. He says
"we are miserably deficient — we have men but no arms for them —
we want artillery and men who know how to use them." I shall
transcribe the following sentences from his letter and leave it to His
Excellency to make the comment.

" I hope you will come out and take the command yourself
under the present circumstances."

" The feeble force now on this frontier is not sufficient to
inspire confidence, and families are moving back."

(Tompkins' Papers, Vol. VII., p. 297. New York State Library.)

From the Aurora of Philadelphia, July Uth, 1812.

Geneva, N. Y., July 1st, 1812.
In consequence of an express to Major-General Hall, the 18th
Regiment, composed of men detached from Brigadier-Generals
Rhea's, Hopkins's and McClure's Brigades (one company excepted),
commanded by Lieut.-Colonel H. W. Dobbin, and the 20th Regi-
ment, composed of men detached from Brigadier-Generals Wads-
worth, and Burnet's Brigades, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Peter
Allen, are ordered to take the field immediately and march to the
Niagara frontier. The United States troops, amounting to near
300, stationed at Canandaigua, marched on Monday for Niagara,
under command of Major Mullany. Captain Abraham Dox's light
infantry company of tin's village marched this day.

(File in Mercantile Library, Philadelphia. )

John HI. O'Connor to General Porter.

Batavia, July 1st, 1812.

M.Y Dear Sir, — The troops under Major Mullany and the
militia under Major-Genl. Hall leave this to-night at 2 o'clock for
Lewiston and Niagara direct. We bro't on with us 400 stand
extra arms which have been distributed to the militia here. Our
force alone is 260, exclusive of 50 at Amsterdam and Black Rock
(the escort), so that there will be about 800 in all. The militia are
flocking in from the eastward, and in a very few days you will be
able to muster on the banks of Niagara some thousands. But they
are such troops as are not to be opposed to regulars in the open
country, and you must remember that our men are but recruits.
The appearance of this force will certainly prevent an attack on the
fort if it arrives in season. Meantime, perhaps, it is practicable to
make a feint at Black Rock by a great show and bustle and col-
lecting of boats and rafts, which will have the effect of distracting
the attention and dividing the forces of the enemy. They will not
expect such a feint from militia.

I return, (I believe) to Canandaigua to take command of the
district. As I don't think there will be any fighting for some time,
I prefer going back in consequence of a difference of opinion which
has arisen between myself and Major Mullany relative to putting a
man under guard, who was mutinous. I confined the fellow (an
Irishman) and the major ordered his release, tho' I demanded as a

right that he be kept confined till a general court-martial could be
assembled. I informed him that the effect of such a course would
necessarily prevent my issuing any order till the punishment of the
individual, and intimated my intention of appealing to the Colonel
or General.

He has so far consulted my feelings on this point as to give
me the choice of going back and assuming the district command,
which under present appearances I have preferred, especially as
our men will return as soon as the eastern militia arrive.

I understand from Capt. McKeon that the artillery will shortly
rendezvous at New York and the infantry at Albany.

Commodore Rogers is in pursuit of the Jamaica fleet, and
report states his having taken 100 sail. A great man y privateers are
fitting out in the seaports.

P. S. — I was at Geneva when your express arrived ; then I
received orders by express to return and instantly rejoined the
detachment.

(From MSS. of Hon. P. A. Porter.)

Augustus Porter to General Peter B. Porter.

Manchester, July 2d, 1812.

Sir, — The troops have come in in such numbers that all alarm
here has ceased. I think the danger now is that we shall have too
great a number. If it were possible to stop the common militia
from coming on any more, and let Wadsworth come with his detach-
ment of 1,000 and the regular troops, it would be best. I would,
however, let Swift take the responsibility of ordering this. I now
think the most important thing to be attended to is the sending to
Genl. Hull an express, notifying him that provisions are on the
lake but cannot be got up, and advise him to take his own measures
to obtain supplies. I think it best to send off the Contractor, and
for that purpose let her be got read\^. I will see Swift to-day, and
will be up to-morrow. I shall be under the absolute necessity of
purchasing 1 or 200 bbls. of T. B. & Co. pork. Taylor should go
after cattle as soon as possible. I send up the bearer after five or
six head of cattle, and more, if you have obtained them from the
Indians, as you expected I should go up to Black Rock to-day, but
am obliged to prepare for troops which Col. Swift will send to-day
to this place. I expect a large number will be sent here, as I can
accommodate them with a number of empty houses and ropewalk.
Do let your deputy send down all the camp kettles you can possibly
obtain, the troops here are in want.

P. S. — I have no doubt the enemy have varied their notions of
operations and that the attack on Niagara is abandoned, as two

companies came up yesterday, one of which has commenced a
battery at Qneenston and the other gone up the river.

(From MSS. of Hon. P. A. Porter. )

District General Order.

Headquarters, Niagara, July 2nd, 1812.
I). G. 0.—

The troops will be formed of four divisions, to be composed
of regulars and militia as follows : —

1st or Right Division commanded by Capt. Derenzy, 41st Regt.,

to consist of a detachment of 41st Regt 200

A detachment of militia 200

400
2 three-pounders.

2nd Division, Capt. Bullock, detachment 41st Regt 100

Detachment of militia 200

300
2 six-pounders.

3rd Division, Capt. Chambers, detachment of 41st Regt 100

Detachment of militia ' 200

300
2 three-pounders.

4th or Left Division, detachment 41st Regt 200

Detachment of militia 300

500
These divisions will be posted in the following manner, viz: —

First or Right Division at Fort Erie.
Second Division — Chippawa.
Third Division — Heights of Queenston.
Fourth or Left Division — Fort George.

The detachment of militia for the first division will be furnished
by the 3rd Regiment of Lincoln militia, and will be commanded by

The detachment of militia, for the second division will be
furnished from the 2nd Regiment of Lincoln, and will be com-
manded by

The detachment of militia for the third division will be com-

posed of the flank companies of the 5th and 6th Regiments of
Lincoln, and will be commanded by Captain Hatt.

The detachment of militia for the fourth division will be com-
posed of the flank companies of the 1st and 4th Regiments of
Lincoln, and will be commanded by Lieut.-Col. Butler.

The first and second divisions will receive their orders from
Lieut.-Colonel Clark — the third and fourth from Colonel Claus, to
whom the said divisions will respectively report. Reports of all
occurrences of consequence will at the same time be made to Major
General Brock and to Colonel Procter.

Morning states will be regularly transmitted to Brigade Major
Evans by Colonel Claus and Lieut.-Colonel Clark.

Officers commanding militia regiments will direct the officers
of their respective corps not embodied to use every exertion to
discipline the men under their command, and will have them in
constant readiness to march to their respective posts on the shortest
notice. They will at the same time give orders for their moving to
the point attacked on the first alarm, without waiting for orders to
that effect.

Colonel Procter will appoint the stations at the same time of
the detachments of Light Dragoons, and will particularly direct
that they shall not be detached from their posts except on urgent
occasions.

James Muirhead, Esquire, is appointed surgeon to the militia
forces and will be stationed at Chippawa, with the pay of ten shil-
lings per diem and the usual allowances.

The officers commanding divisions will be allowed forage for
one horse, furnishing the usual certificates.

General Order.

Headquarters, Niagara, 2nd July, 1812.

Report has this instant been made to Major General Brock
that the Americans on the opposite side of the river immediately
below the Falls, have for these three days past much annoyed his
centinels on this side by firing upon them, and in particular by
twelve shots fired at them this day about one o'clock p. m. by people
who came out of the woods, and who after firing immediately
retired.

The Major-General has too high an opinion of the American
army to suppose that such conduct could be tolerated even in a
state of actual warfare. He therefore hopes that measures will
immediately be taken to put a stop to a practice so contrary to the
known rules established among civilized nations.

General Order.

Headquarters, Albany, July 2nd, 1812.

I received your letter last evening and beg leave to inform you
that last week I sent on about 540 muskets to Canandaigua, making
the supply at Canandaigua and Batavia 3,000; and this dav an
additional quantity of five hundred leaves this for Canandaigua.
With the last parcel have gone fixed ammunition, powder, some
camp kettles, tents, drums and fifes, knapsacks and cartridge paper ;
250 muskets and some ammunition have also been forwarded to
Steuben by Mr. Townsend. Cannon ball with some case, grape and
canister, for three and six pounders, are also on their way to
Canandaigua, with the exception of tents, of which there are none
yet here : the preceding supply will be ample, with what Captain
Leonard may have at the fort, for the protection of the Niagara
frontier.

I hope you will exert yourself for the protection of the frontiers
and amongst other things supply some arms and ammunition to the
people south of Buffalo, in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus. We shall
have our hands full, but I calculate upon the energy and bravery of
the officers and soldiers of the western country for the efficient pro-
tection of the inhabitants of the frontiers until regular troops shall
approach the lines. In all cases where your personal services, by
proceeding with detachments to the frontier or otherwise will be
useful go, and you shall receive Major-General's pay while out, but
not rations.

By order of the Commander-in-Chief,

Wm. Paulding. Junior, Adjutant-General.

To Major-General Amos Hall.

(Tompkins' Papers, New York State Library.)

Major-General Broek to Sir George Prevost.

Fort George, July 3d, 1812.
Sir, — I have been anxiously waiting for some days to receive
Your Excellency's commands in regard to the measures most proper
to be pursued on the present emergency. The accounts received
first through a mercantile channel, and soon after repeated from
various quarters, of war having been declared by the United States
against Great Britain, would have justified in my opinion offensive
operations, but the reflection that' at Detroit and St. Joseph's the
weak state of garrisons would prevent the commanders from
attempting any essential service connected in any degree with their
future security, and that my only means of annoyance on this com-
munication was limited to the reduction of Fort Niagara, which

could be battered at any future period, I relinquished my original
intention and attended only to defensive measures. My first object
has been the calling out of the Hank companies of militia, which has
produced a force on this line of about 800 men. They turned out
very cheerfully, but already show a spirit of impatience. The
King's stores are now at such a low ebb that they can scarcely
furnish any article of use or comfort. Blankets, haversacks and
kettles are all to be purchased, and the troops in watching the banks
of the river stand in the utmost need of tents. Mr. Couche has
adopted the most efficient means to pay the militia in paper cur-
rency. I cannot positively say the number of militia that will be
embodied, but they cannot throughout the Province be 4,000. The
Americans are very active on the opposite side, in the erection of
redoubts. We are not idle on our part, but unfortunately, having
supplied Amherstburg with the guns that post required from
Fort George, depending upon getting others from Kingston to
supply their place, we find ourselves at this moment rather short of
that essential arm. I have, however, every reason to think they
are embarked on board the Earl Moira, which, according to Major
McPherson's report, was to have sailed on the 20th ulto.

The Americans have, I believe, about 1,200 regulars and
militia between Fort Niagara and Black Rock, and I consider my-
self at this moment perfectly safe against attempt they can make.
About 100 Indians from the Grand River have attended to my
summons; the remainder promise to come also, but I have too much
reason to conclude that the Americans have been too successful in
their endeavors to sow dissension and disaffection among them. It
is a great object to get this tickle race interspersed among the
troops. I should be unwilling in the event of a retreat to have
three or four hundred of them hanging on my flanks. I shall
probably have to sacrifice some money to gain them over. The
appointment of some officers with salaries will be absolutely neces-
sary.

The Americans make a daily parade of their force, and easily
impose on the people on this side in regard to their numbers. I do
not think they exceed 1,200, but they are represented infinitely
more numerous. For the last fortnight every precaution has been
taken to guard against the least communication, and to this day I
am ignorant whether the President sanctioned the war resolutions
of the two houses of Congress — that is, whether war be actually de-
clared. The car brigade has been completed for service with horses
belonging to gentlemen who spared them free of expense. I have
not been honored with a line from Mr. Foster, nor, with all my en-
deavors, have I been able to obtain information of any consequence.

The Prince Regent made her first voyage this morning, and I
propose sending her to Kingston to bring such articles as are
absolutely necessary, which we know have arrived from Quebec.
I trust she will outsail the Oneida.

(Canadian Archives, C. 676, p. 115.)

The Quartermaster-General of Militia to Lieutenant-Colonel
Clark, Commanding 2nd Lincoln Militia.

Headquarters, Niagara, July 3rd, 1812.

Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of yesterday's date, in answer to which I am to inform "you
that none of the articles required by you, excepting nails, are in
store here.

The General has, however, ordered camp kettles and haversacks
to be made, and as soon as they shall be brought in you shall be
supplied with a proportion of each.

You are not to expect tents, and must endeavor to shelter your
men in the adjacent houses, barns, &c The General is constantly
employed in devising means to relieve the wants of the militia and
to render their situation in every respect as comfortable as his
means will admit, and the commissariat have been and are actively
engaged in the same pursuit. You must, however, be sensible of
the impossibility of complying with all your requisitions.

Muirhead has been appointed to the Medical Department and
will reside at Chippawa. He has been amply supplied with every-
thing necessary in that department.

_ To-morrow is the 4th of July, and should recommend extra-
ordinary vigilance — the enemy may wish to open the campaign by
endeavoring to give a little eclat to that day.

(Signed.) The Qr. Mas'r-Genl, Militia.
Lieut.-Col. Clark, Comdg. 2nd Lincoln Militia.

Capt. Leonard to Major Adams.

Fort Niagara, July 3rd, 1812, 10 o'clock a. m.
Dear Sir, — I have received yours, with the communication
from Col. Porter. I would by all means recommend the detention
of every man now present on the river. It would in my opinion
have a bad effect on the troops coming on to allow the departure of
an individual. Let troops come from the eastward only — organize
them as they come on. Keep everything as at present, and we
shall soon be able to do something which will make everything
secure in this quarter.

(MSS. of Hon. P. A. Porter. )

Major-General Amos Hall to Governor Tompkins.

Bloomfield, July 4th, 1812.

Sir, — The troops now on the road to and at Black Rock will
amount to nearly 2,800, three hundred of which are United States
troops — this is the number who have been supplied with arms, &c.
There was, on examining the arms and accoutrements, a great de-
ficiency in cartridge boxes and flints. It was with difficulty that
flints could be procured to furnish twocto a firelock, and many of
those very indifferent. I do not know the deficiency exactly in
cartridge boxes, but I should imagine from the best account I could
get that nearly one-third of the firelocks that have been delivered
out were delivered without cartridge boxes. The greatest part of
the firelocks were prime: some, however, were unfit for actual
service — they appeared to be refuse arms.

Nearly 1,000 of the troops now in the field are militia called out
on the spur of the. occasion from General Rea's and Hopkins' brigades
and cannot remain but a short time in the service. They have left
their farms, their crops, their all, and will be ruined if they cannot
soon return to their homes. The country is new, and most of those
soldiers are dependent on their exertions to support their families
and meet their engagements. But they are remarkably stout, able-
bodied men, and I have no doubt would do their duty as soldiers
were they to meet their enemy.

There had been no attack made by the enemy b}T the last
accounts, but one was confidently expected.

The troops have neither tents nor camp equipage of any kind
worth mentioning, and what they will do or how they will live is
difficult to conjecture. Men taken from comfortable abodes and
placed in the open fields with nothing but the heavens to cover them
cannot endure for any considerable length of time so great a change.
The disorders incident to camps thus formed of citizens will prove
more fatal in one season that two campaigns of hard fighting. I
hope that no time may be lost in forwarding a suitable number of
tents and other camp equipage.

It is not in my power to inform Your Excellency the exact
number of the enemy on the frontier at Niagara and Erie.

The number of regulars has been generally computed at 1500.
But from some gentlemen with whom I have lately conversed
direct from Canada the number is judged to be less, though a rein-
forcement from Lower Canada is undoubtedly on the way. The
number is not ascertained — conjectures are from 1,000 to 1,500.

The whole number of regulars and militia now on the river
from Fort George to Fort Erie and at those places, is estimated
variously from 1,500 to 5,000.

By the best accounts I can get from gentlemen I have con-
versed from that quarter as late as Sunday last, 3,000 will be a
large calculation. I expect to be more correctly advised in the
course of to-morrow, probably by the mail which will pass within
two hours.

2 o'clock, p. m. The mail has arrived and brings uo new in-
telligence.

(Tompkins' Papers, vol. VII., pp. 330-2, New York State Library.)

Major Parineuio Adams to General Porter.

Your letter by the Indian, directed to Col. Swift, was received
here last evening. I called a number of the officers and principal
inhabitants together and had a council with the Tuscaroras, and we
all assured them that in our opinion they were perfectly safe, and
advised them to return with their families to their village. They
appeared to be satisfied with our assurances, and I think will rest
easy.

General Wadsworth staid four miles from this last night; will
be in here in a few hours. It is not considered advisable to send
any of the troops away that has already arrived until more arrive.
Two hundred men can be accommodated at Schlosser : Judge Porter
sent us word yesterday that that was the case. I think if that
number was sent there it would be best. They could act either up
or down the river, as occasion would require. The British have
completed a battery above Queenston last night and are very busy
this morning clearing off the trees.

Enclosed I send you Capt. Leonard's letter. You will see his
opinion on the subject of assembling troops.

I refer you to Col. Swift, who will be able to give you every
information.

Would it not be advisable for General Porter to come down
and see General Wadsworth to consult on operations ?

July 3d, 1812.

(MSS. of Hon. P. A. Porter.)

General Order.

Adjutant General's Office,

Niagara, 4 July, 1812.
Major-General Brock has witnessed with the highest satisfac-
tion the orderly and regular conduct of such of the militia as have
been called into actual service and their ardent desire to acquire
military instruction. He is sensible that they are exposed to great
privations, and every effort will be immediately made to supply
their most pressing wants, but such are the circumstances of the

country that it is absolutely necessary that every inhabitant should
have recourse to his own means to furnish himself with blankets
and other necessaries.

The Major-General calls the serious attention of every militia-
man to the efforts making by the enemy to destroy and lay waste
this flourishing country. They must be sensible of the great stake
they have to contend for, and will by their conduct convince the
enemy that they are not desirous of bowing their necks to a foreign
yoke. The Major-General is determined to devote his best energies
to the defence of the country, and has no doubt that supported by
the zeal, activity and determination of the loyal inhabitants of this
Province, he will successfully repel every hostile attack and pre-
serve to them inviolate all that they hold dear.

From the experience of the past the Major-General is con-
vinced that should it be necessary to call forth a further proportion
of the militia to aid their fellow-subjects in defence of the Province,
they will come forward with equal alacrity to share the danger and
the honor.

By command of the Major-General.

^Eneas Shaw, Adjt.-Genl. M.

General Return of Troops in Upper Canada.

4th July, 1812.

Royal Artillery — Senior officer, Capt. Holcroft, Fort George —
Three officers, two sergeants, one trumpeter, 74 rank and
tile. Total 80

Tenth Royal Veteran Battalion — Major McPherson, Kingston
— Sixteen officers, eight sergeants, two drummers, 170
rank and file. Total 196

41st Regiment — Colonel Procter, Amherstburg — Thirty-seven
officers, 45 sergeants, 20 drummers, 912 rank and file.
Total 1014

Royal Newfoundland Regiment — Major Heathcote, Kingston
— Nineteen officers, 18 sergeants, 14 drummers, 317 rank
and file. Total 368

1658

July

4th,

181

Total.

7 sergeants

, 7 drummer:

3, 347 rank and file

, 375

—

363

309

55 •'

'22

940

1062

—

664

745

479

554

700

781

666

744

435

523

272

306
5489

General Return of Troops in Lower Canada.

Royal Artillery 14 officers

Royal Artillery Drivers —

Royal Engineers 3

10th Royal Veterans 24

1st Battalion, 8th Regiment. 39 "

41st Foot —

49th Foot 22

100th Foot 24

103rd Foot 25

Canadian Fencibles 23 "

Glengarry Light Infantry.. 31 "
Canadian Voltigeurs 17 "

D. Noon to General Porter.

Oswego, 4th July, 1812.

Dear Sir, — As soon as news of war being declared arrived at
this place I immediately repaired to Sackett's Harbor, and General
Brown, who commands that district, ordered me to prepare im-
mediately at Massena, Hamilton, Ogdensburg, Gravelly Point,
barracks, &c, to contain about four thousand men. I immediately
started to Ogdensburg and the other places and made the necessary
arrangements, and no doubt all will be ready in a few days, or as
soon as troops can be inarched to their respective stations. I have
built barracks in the old fort at this place to contain about 700
men, which will probably be as many as will be stationed here.

P. S. — Your brother's vessels are safe at Ogdensburg, and Capt.
Wolsy is doing all in his power to collect and arm vessels to carry
them up to Sackett's Harbor with the assistance of Genl. Brown.

(MSS. of Hon. P. A. Porter.)

Colonel Kay nes to Major-General Kroek.

Montreal, July 4, 1812.
Sir, — We have a report here of your having commenced opera-
tions by levelling the American fort at Niagara. The General is
most anxious to hear good and recent intelligence from your quarter.
There is no considerable assembly of troops in our neighborhood as
yet. The flank companies, embodied under Colonel Young, are on
their march, and the 2,000 militia will form a chain of posts from
St. John's to La Prairie. The town militia of this and Quebec, to
the amount of 3,000 in each city, have volunteered, being embodied
and drilled, and will take their proportion of garrison duty to
relieve the troops. The proclamation for declaring martial law is
prepared and will be speedily issued. All aliens will be required to

100

take the oath of allegiance or immediately to quit the Province.
Our cash is at its last issue, and a substitute of paper must per force
be resorted to. This has been Sir George's principal object in call-
ing the Legislature together. You have a very arduous and difficult
card to play, and have our sincere and confident wishes for your
success. Sir George strongly recommends extreme moderation in
the use of the Indians, and to keep them in control as much as
possible.

(Prom Tapper's Life of Brock, pp. 196-7.)

Lord Batliurst to Sir George Prevost.

Downing Street, 4th July, 1812.
No. 2.

His Majesty's Government trust that you will be enabled to
suspend with perfect safety all extraordinary preparations which
you may have been induced to make in consequence of the pre-
carious state of relations between this country and the United
States, and as every specific requisition for warlike stores and
accoutrements has been completed, with the exception of that for
the clothing of the corps proposed to be raised from the Glengariy
Emigrants, I have not thought it necessary to direct the prepara-
tion of any further supplies.

I conclude that in consequence of the instructions contained in
Lord Liverpool's letter of the 30th March, that measures for the
formation of that corps have been abandoned . . . .

(Canadian Archives, Q. 117-2, p. 185.)

Proclamation.

Province of Upper Canada.
By Isaac Brock, Esquire, President, administering the Govern-
ment of Upper Canada, and Major-General commanding His
Majesty's forces within our said Province.
To all whom these Presents shall come : —
Greeting, —

Whereas, on the seventeenth day of June last the Congress of
the United States of America declared that war then existed
between those States and their territories and the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland and the dependencies thereof, and
whereas in pursuance of such declaration the subjects of the United

101

States have actually committed hostilities against the possessions of
His Majesty ; as President of His Majesty's Executive Council in the
affairs of the Province, I do hereby strictly enjoin and require all
His Majesty's liege subjects to be obedient to the lawful authorities,
to forbear all communication with the enemy or persons residing
within the territory of the United States, and to manifest their
loyalty by a zealous co-operation with His Majesty's armed force
in defence of the Province and repulse of the enemy. And I do
further require and command all officers, civil and military, to be
vigilant in the discharge of their duty, especially to prevent all
communication with the enemy, and to cause all persons suspected
of traitorous intercourse to be apprehended and treated according
to law.

Given under my hand and seal at arms at York, in the Province
of Upper Canada, this sixth day of July, in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and twelve, and in the fifty-second of
His Majesty's reign.

Isaac Brock, President.

By command of His Honor.

William Jarvis, Secretary.

Brigadier-General Win. Wadsworth to Governor Tompkins.

Headquarters, Lewiston, July 6, 1812.

Sir, — Since writing from Genesee and putting part of the
detachment ordered out on the march, I came on to this place and
have visited Fort Niagara. The fort is very much decayed. There
is now at the fort six pieces (six-pounders) mounted. They can be
used only in the fort, for want of horses and harness. There are
four howitzers and two mortars, neither of them mounted. There
are no shells to make use of even were they mounted. Amongst
every other difficulty to be surmounted there is no one appears
more serious than the want of ammunition.

The store on hand may be considered about 8,600 of powder,
and shot in proportion, together with about 16 boxes of musket
cartridges and distributed nearly in the following manner : — At Fort
Niagara, thirty cwt. powder, and the remaining 600, a part at this
place and part at Black Rock ; the boxes of cartridges are at the
several places of rendezvous. Four field pieces have been ordered
in from Ontario ; two are at this place and two at Black Rock. To
make them useful it will be necessary to have horses for moving
them.

The arms that were drawn by Lieut.-Colonel Swift are many
of them unfit for service. They will be inspected very soon, when

102

it will be known how many of them are fit for use. The detach-
ment from Ontario County will be here this morning. The detach-
ments from Genesee and Niagara are principally out, and will be
organized under Lieut.-Colonel Dobbin.

When the several detachments that are ordered out are
inspected there will probably be the following number and organ-
ized in the following manner :

Under Lieut.-Colonel Swift 400

Allen 400

Dobbin 300

1100

Absent 336

Sick 20

Dead 4

360 360

1460

The detachments when made, to which the above officers were
assigned, was as follows : —

Lieut.-Colonel Swift 600

" Allen 510

" Dobbin 350

1460
There are in the fort under Captain Leonard 150, and on the
4th inst. were marched in by Major Mullany of the United States
army, his corps of about 250, making in the fort 400, together with
1100 detached militia, making in the whole 1500 now for duty on
the frontier. There has been considerable sickness in Lieut.-Col.
Swift's regiment.

Having duly considered the importance of procuring harness
for the held pieces in the fort and having horses to move them as
well as to exercise the four pieces in the field, I shall request
General Peter B. Porter to procure the harness as soon as necessary
and to purchase twenty horses, which will be only the one-half that
will be requisite for the use of the ten pieces, that is to say, six
from the fort and four now in the field. As for procuring a further
number, under the existing circumstances I shall wait your order.
It may hereafter be thought advisable to take the pieces now
in the fort to the field : if so a further number of twenty horses
more w7ill be required.

103

The preparations on the opposite side of the river are very
considerable. Between Lake Ontario and Fort George there are
three breastworks hove up, between Fort George and Queenston
there are two, and south of Queenston on the north side of the
mountain they have one. With the naked eye it appears strong,
built of stone and will probably mount two or three pieces. Those
between the lake and Fort George mount seven or eight pieces, part
twelve and part six-pounders. Those in Fort George Captain
Leonard says are twelve-pounders.

The circumstance of there being but 80 cwt. of powder for the
use of the fort is very unpleasant, for in case of an attack from
Fort George on our fort Captain Leonard could make but about
one hour's defence, for the powder would be wasted and a retreat
would then be necessary. This further shows the importance of
having horses and harness prepared to move the pieces in the fort
to the field, as well as to have them for defence.

Two regiments of militia, one from Genesee, commanded by
Lieut.-Colonel Daniel Davis, and one from Niagara County, when
notified of the importance of having additional strength on the line,
very promptly appeared with haste to the field. Lieut.-Colonel
Daniel Davis's regiment appeared fuller than at any former call.

The call of the regiment was undoubtedly justifiable from an
appearance on the opposite side of the river. There is yet consider-
able appearance of their determination to act offensively.

It is a cause of much regret that there are no tents, camp
kettles or any description of camp equipage now in this quarter.

The dissatisfaction of the two regiments of militia is not to be
surmounted in any other way than to dismiss them to save the
disagreeable necessit}^ of their dispersing without permission. They
were called out at a moment's notice, and could make no prepara-
tion for themselves and they found very little made for them. The}'
were able to draw but little bread, and to draw flour seemed use-
less, for they had not any utensils to cook it in. Such pails and
kettles as were to be had were purchased, but in the distribution
there was not one to a company. From such information as I am
able to collect from intercepted letters and other ways, I have much
reason to believe our enemy have three thousand men now in the
field and one thousand more subject to a very short call, exclusive
of three hundred Indians, said to be armed complete.

Their strength taken into consideration, when it being the
probability that they will make an attack, I cannot consider myself
justified in saying that the river will be sufficiently guarded unless
there are three thousand men placed between the lake and the
mountain and one thousand from the mountain to Buffalo. Taking

104

this number for the standard, it will require 2,500 men to make
such a resistance as prudence might dictate and to cease the pre-
vailing opinion in Genesee and Niagara Counties that they are in
danger.

I would renew my assurances of a determination to persevere
and leave nothing undone that is in my power to do.

(Tompkins' Papers, vol. VII., pp. 343-7, New York State Library.)

From the New York Evening Post, Wednesday, July 15.

Canandaigua. July 7, 1812.

Of the force which the British have on the Niagara, various
accounts are given. The number of regular troops is probably not
far from 1500 — of militia ready for service about 3000. With re-
spect to the Indians which are said to have joined them, their
numbers are stated by different reports from 150 to 1000. We have
reason to believe it would approach nearer the fact to say there
were none.

General Brock, Governor of Upper Canada, commands in
person.

Nothing momentous had occurred at the last dates. The vessel
of Mr. Colt, mentioned in our last as being captured by the British,
had been restored and Lieut. Gansevoort, who was in their power
when the news of war being declared was received, has been suffered
to return to the American garrison.

The apprehension that a descent would be made by the British
with a view to take the American garrison, Fort Niagara, has sub-
sided. Had they contemplated its capture they would have done
it before we increased our forces in its neighborhood.

We understand that Fort Niagara is in a decayed state, with
only six pieces of cannon and 120 men. We do not know the num-
ber of men stationed on the river from Black Rock to the fort, prob-
ably there are 300 regulars and 1500 or 2000 militia.

(File in New York Society Library.)

From the Aurora of Philadelphia, July 18th, 1818.

Canandaigua, July 7. — A number of waggons of warlike
stores and several companies of drafted and volunteer militia left
this town last week for the frontiers, among them Captain A. Dox's
infantry, Captain Stanley's riflemen and Captains Bogert's and
Hart's militia.

Major General Hall has put in requisition the whole militia of
his division to march when wanted.

(Pile in Mercantile Library, Philadelphia.)

105

PUBLIC SPEECHES.

Public speeches delivered at the Village of Buffalo on the 6th
and 8th days of July by Hon. Erastus Granger, Indian Agent, and
Red Jacket, one of the principal chiefs and speakers of the Seneca
Nation, respecting the part the Six Nations would take in the
present war against Great Britain.

BUFFALO.

Printed and sold by S. H. & H. A. Salisbury ; sold also at. the Canandaigua and Geneva book
stores.

1812.

SPEECHES.

[This Council was convened at the request of the Hon. E-
Granger, Esq., Indian Agent. The sachems, chiefs and warriors of
the Six Nations of Indians, residing in the United States, were
present.]

Monday, July 6, 1812.
Red Jacket,

Addressing himself to the Agent, spoke as follows:

Brother, — We are glad of having an opportunity once more of
meeting you in council. We thank the Great Spirit that has again
brought us together. This is a full meeting. All our head men
are present. Every village is represented in this council. We are
pleased to find Mr. Parrish, our interpreter, is present. He has
attended all our councils since the last war, and is well acquainted
with all the treaties we have made with the United States.

The voice of war has reached our ears and made our minds
gloomy. We now wish you to communicate to us everything
which your Government has charged you to tell us concerning this
war. We shall listen with attention to what you have to say.

Mr. Granger's Speech.

Brothers of the Six Nations : —

I am happy to behold so many of you assembled together at
this time. I observe that the chiefs of the Seneca, Onondaga,
Cayuga and Tuscarora Nations, and some of the Delawares are
present. The Mohawks who live in Canada are not represented,
and the Oneidas, living at a distance, could not attend. Brothers,
you will now listen to what I say.

At the close of the Revolutionary war the United States held a
treaty with the Six Nations at Fort Stanwix. They restored to
you the country of land which they had conquered from you and
the British and set you down once more on your old seats. Several

106

treaties have since been made with you, but that which particularly
binds us together was made at Canadaigua about sixteen years
since.

The chain of friendship then formed has been kept bright until
this time.

In this great length of time nothing material has happened to
disturb the peace and harmony subsisting between us. Any
momentary interruptions of peace which have taken place have
been happily settled without injury to either party. Our friend-
ship has remained unbroken.

Brothers, — The prosperity and happiness of the Six Nations
have always been objects which the United States have had in
view.

You have enjoyed with us all the blessings which the country
afforded, consistent with your mode and habits of living. We have
grown up together on this great island. The United States are
strong and powerful ; you are few in numbers and weak, but as
our friends we consider you and your women and children under
our protection.

Brothers, — You have heretofore been told that the conduct of
Great Britain towards us might eventually lead to war. That event
has at length taken place. War now exists between the United
States and the British Nation. The injuries we have received from
the British have at length forced us into a war.

I will now proceed to state to you the reasons why we have
been compelled to take up arms.

For a number of years past the British and French who live
on the other side of the great waters have been at war with each
other, shedding each other's blood. These nations wished us to
take a part in their war. France wished us to fight against Great
Britain. Great Britain wanted us to join against France. But the
United States did not wish to take any part in their quarrels. Our
object was to live in peace and trade with both nations. Notwith-
standing our endeavors to maintain friendship with them, both
France and Great Britain have broken their treaties with us. They
have taken our vessels and property and refused to restore them or
make compensation for the losses we have sustained.

But the British have done us the greatest injury. They have
taken out of our vessels at least six thousand of our own people,
put them on board their ships of war and compelled them to tight
their battles. In this situation our friends and connexions are con-
fined, obliged to fight for the British.

Brothers, — If you consider the situation in which we are
placed, you cannot blame us for going to war. I will ask you a

107

question. Suppose that the Mohawk Nation, who live in Canada,
were at war with a nation of Indians at the westward. Both of
these nations being your friends, you were determined to take no
part in their disputes, but to be at peace with both — to visit them
and trade with them as usual. In consequence of this determination,
you should send messages with speeches to inform them of the
system you had adopted. But the Mohawks, not satisfied in seeing
you in prosperity, enjoying the blessings of peace, visiting and
trading with them — determine to make you feel the evils of war
unless you agree to give up all intercourse with those they are at
war with. This you cannot consent to : you want the privilege of
selling your furs and skins where you can find the best market.
The Mohawks still continue to flatter you — say they are your
friends — put on smiling faces and speak good words. But in the
meantime, while professing friendship towards you, they fall upon
your hunting and trading parties as they travel back and forth —
strip them of their property — leave them naked in the world and
refuse to make satisfaction. Not only this, but they come near
your village and there murder your people — others they take when
found from home, bind them fast and compel them to go and tight
their battles.

Brothers, — Could you for a moment submit to such treat-
ment ? Would you not all as one rise from your seats and let the
enemy feel your vengeance '. If you are warriors, if you are brave
men, you certainly would. What I have stated is exactly our case.
The British have done us all these injuries and still continue to do
us wrong without a cause. The United States have risen from
their seats — they have raised their strong arm and will cause it to
be felt.

Brothers, — I feel it my duty at this present time to point out
to you the straight path in which you ought to walk. You well
recollect the advice given you by the people of the United States at
the commencement of the Revolutionary war against Great Britain.
You were then requested to sta}r at home — to sit upon your seats
at your own council tires and to take no part in the war.

It would have been happy for you had you followed this good
advice. But the presents and fair speeches of the British poisoned
your minds. You took up the hatchet against us and became our
enemies. At the close of the war with Britain (the event you well
know) the United States had it in their power to have cut you off
as a people, but they took pity on you and let you return to your
former seats.

Your Great Father, the President of the Seventeen Fires, now
gives his Red Children the same advice that was given you at the

108

beginning of the last war ; that is — That you take no part in the
quarrels of the white people. He stands in no need of your assist-
ance. His warriors are numerous, like the sand on the shores of
the great lakes which cannot be counted. He is able to fight his
own battles, and requests you to stay at home, cultivate your fields
and take care of your property. If you have any regard for your
women and children — if you have any respect for the country in
whose soil repose the bones of 3' our fathers — you will listen to his
advice and keep bright the chain of friendship between us.

You have been invited to join the British in this war. Reflect
for a moment on the consequence of complying with their request.
You will lose your property in the United States. We shall soon
take possession of Canada. They will have no land to sit you down
upon. You will have nothing to expect from our mercy. You will
deservedly as a people be cut off from the face of the earth.

The late delegation which you sent to Canada was told that
they ought not to put any confidence in the United States — that if
you did we should deceive you — that the United States kept no
promises made to Indians.

Brothers, — I now ask in what have the United States
deceived you ? Have they not punctually paid your annuities as
they became due 1 Have not the Senecas received annually the
interest of their money in the public funds ? Has not the State of
New York honestly fulfilled her engagements with the Oneidas,
Onondagas and Cayugas ? Have not the Tuscaroras been assisted
in the sale of their property in North Carolina and in obtaining
pleasant seat purchased of the Holland Land Company ? I again
ask, have not the United States observed good faith towards you ?
Have they deceived you in any one thing ? I answer, they have not.

Knowing as you do that we are your friends, will you act like
children and suffer yourselves to be imposed upon at this time by
our enemies ?

Brothers, — It was our wish that the Six Nations should all
be agreed as one man, but the Mohawks and some few others living
on the British side, have been so foolish as to declare in favor of war.
The good advice you lately gave them has not been attended to.
They are now at Newark in arms against the United States. 1 am
sorry they have not listened to good counsel. You, however, have
done your duty and you are not to blame for their folly. They
will soon find they have done wrong and must suffer the consequence.

Brothers, — Continue to listen.

You have been frequently told, that in case we went to war,
we did not want your assistance. The same thing has this day been
repeated. But I find some of your young men are restless and

109

uneasy. They wish to be with our warriors and I am sensible the
Chiefs have not power to control them. As I observed before, we
want not their aid, but we believe it to be better for them to be our
friends than our enemies.

If they will not be contented to stay at home but must see
something- of a war, perhaps 150 or 200 will be permitted to stand
by the side of our warriors and receive the same pay and provisions
which our soldiers receive.

If they should be permitted to join our troops they must con-
form to our regulations. Your mode of carrying on war is different
from ours. We never attack and make war upon women and
children, nor on those who are peaceably inclined and have nothing
to defend themselves with. Such conduct we consider as cowardly
and not becoming a warrior.

Brothers, — If you have not sufficient time this evening to
deliberate on what I have said, I will meet you to-morrow or next
day, and receive your answer.

Red Jacket's Answer to Mr. Granger's Speech.

Wednesday, July 8, 1812.

Brother, — We are now prepared to give an answer to the
speech you delivered to us in council the other day. We are happy
to find so many of the tuhite people present. We are not accustomed
to transact important business in the DARK ! We are willing that
the light should shine upon whatever we do. When we speak we
do it with sincerity and in a manner that cannot be misunderstood.

You have been appointed by the United States an agent for
the Six Nations. We have been requested to make you acquainted
with the sentiments of those nations we represent. None of the
Mohawks, Oneidas, or Cayugas, it is well known, are present. The
number of treaties that has passed between the Six Nations and
the United States appears to he fresh in your memory. We shall
only mention to you some things that were agreed upon in the
treaty made at Canandaigua.

We were a long time in forming that treaty, but we at length
made up our minds and spoke freely. Mr. Pickering, who was then
agent for the United States, declared to us that no breach should
ever be made in that treaty. We replied to him, " If it should ever
be broken, you will be the first to do it. We are weak. You are
strong. You are a great people. You can if you are so disposed
place yourselves under it and overturn it, or, by getting upon it you
can crush it with your weight." Mr. Pickering again declared that
this treaty would ever remain firm and unshaken, that it would be
as durable as the largest rock to be found in our country.

110

This treaty was afterwards shown to Gen. Washington. He
said that he was satisfied and pleased with what the agent had
done. He told us that no treaty could be formed that would be
more binding. He then presented us with a chain which he assured
us would never rust, but always remain bright. Upon this belt of
wampum, (holding up a belt of wampum curiously wrought) he
placed a silver seal [upon which an eagle was engraved, representing
the United States.] This belt we always have and wish to look
upon as sacred.

In the treaty it was agreed that the Six Nations should receive
a small annuity, to show the intention of the United States to con-
tinue friendly with them. This has been complied with. It was
also agreed that if any injury or damage should be done on either
side satisfaction should be made to the partjr injured. We were a
long time in conference before we could make up our minds upon
one article of the treaty — what punishment should be inflicted for
the crime of murder ? Mr. Pickering said that it should be hanging.
We told him that would never do — that if a white man killed an
Indian, the Indians would not be permitted to hang the white man
— the sacrifice would be considered too great for killing an Indian.
We at length agreed that conciliatory measures should be resorted
to, such as would give satisfaction to all parties.

In cases of theft as in stealing horses, cattle, &c, it was agreed
that restitution should be made. In this article the whites have
transgressed twice where the Indians have once. As often as you
will mention one instance in which we have wronged you, we will
tell you of two in which you have defrauded us !

I have related these articles of the treaty to show you that it
still remains clear in our recollection, and we now declare to you, in
presence of all here assembled, that we will continue to hold fast the
chain which counsels us together. Some who first took hold of it
are gone, but others will supply their place.

We regret extremely that any disturbance should have taken
place among the white people. Mischief has commenced. We are
now told that war has been declared against Great Britain ; the
reasons for it are unknown to us. The Six Nations are placed in
an unpleasant situation. A part of them are in Canada and the
remainder in the United States.

Whilst we were endeavoring to persuade those who live in
Canada to remain peaceable and quiet, the noise of war suddenly
sounded in our ears. We were told that all communication between
us and them would be prevented. We have since heard that they
have taken up arms. We are very sorry to hear of this. They are
our brothers and relations, and we do not wish that their blood

Ill

should be spilt when there is so little occasion for it. We hope that
the passage is not so closely stopped but that a small door may still
be open, by which we may again have an opportunity of seeing
our brothers and of convincing them to take no part in a war in
which they have nothing to gain.

We know the feelings of the greatest portion of them. We
therefore believe that if we have another opportunity we can per-
suade them to have nothing to do with this war. Our minds are
fully made up on this subject, and we repeat that it is our wish to
see them once more and to give them our advice about the path
they ought to travel.

You (Mr. Parrish) are going to the eastward. You will visit
the Oneidas and Cayugas. Relate to them faithfully what has
taken place in this council : tell them all we have said, and request
that a deputation of their chiefs may be sent to attend our council
here. We wish that you would return with them.

[He then brought forward the belt which he had before held
up in his hand, and requested Mr. Granger and the others present
to look at it and observe whether it was not the one that had been
presented to the Six Nations by Gen. Washington.

Red Jacket then held up another belt, much larger, of different
colors, which appeared to be very ancient. He continued.]

Brother, — I will now state to you the meaning of this belt.
A long time ago the Six Nations had formed a union. They had
no means of writing their treaties on paper and of preserving them
in the manner the white people do. We therefore made this belt,
which shows that the Six Nations have bound themselves firmly
together; that it is their determination to remain united: that
they will never do anything contrary to the interests of the whole,
but that they will always act towards each other like brothers.

Whenever for the future you see a small number of our people
meeting together to consult about any matter of trifling account,
we desire that you would pay no attention to it. It may give you
uneasiness, when we have no intention to injure you. This hap-
pened but a few days ago. It seems that a white man and two or
three Indians living on the same creek had a small conversation,
which the mischievous talked about until the whole country was in
an uproar, and many families left their country and homes in con-
sequence.

The council held some time since at Batavia was unauthorized
by us, and we now declare to j^ou that none have a right to hold
council anywhere except at this place, around the great council tire
of the Six Nations.

We hope that you will not accept of any of our warriors unless

112

they are permitted by our great council to offer themselves to you.
And we should be sorry, indeed, if ar^ of the whites should entice
our young warriors to take up arms. We mention these things to
show you that we wish to guard against everything that may
interrupt our good understanding.

Brother, — We hope that what has been said will be generally
known to the white people. Let every one recollect and give a
faithful account of it. We wish them to know that we are peace-
ab\y disposed towards the United States, and that we are deter-
mined to keep bright the chain of friendship that we formed with
them at Canandaigua.

Brother, — We have one thing more to which we would wish
to call your attention. We present you the papers (handing to the
agent a small bundle of papers), which secure to us our annuities
from the U. States. We would be glad to know if this war
would affect our interests in that quarter. We also desire that you
would inform us whether the monies we have deposited in the [late]
bank of the United States will be less secure than if this war had
not taken place.

Reply of the Agent.

Mr. Granger, after thanking them for their general and
punctual attendance, replied as follows : —

Brothers, — You have this day brought forward the large
white belt given you at Canandaigua. Your speaker has explained
the leading particulars of the treaty made at that time. I am much
pleased to find your minds so deeply impressed with them. I now-
repeat to you that the United States will on their part hold fast to
the treaty ; they wish you to do the same. Should it be broken on
your part, the United States will no longer consider themselves
bound by it.

Brothers, — It appears that }rou are still desirous of sending
to Grand River to endeavor to prevail on your brethren in that
quarter to remain at peace. An undertaking of this kind will be
of little use. They will only fill your heads with idle talk, and
poison your minds against the United States. Perhaps after
crossing Niagara River you will not be permitted to go any further.
Should you, however, insist upon it, permission will be granted to
four or five of your chiefs to go over, with such instructions as yon
shall think proper to give them.

But should your young men cross over and join our enemies,
they must never expect to be allowed to set their feet on our shores
again as friends. Rest assured they will be severely punished for it.

With respect to the property you have placed in the hands of

113

the United States you have nothing to fear, it will be fully as
secure as if this war had not happened. Your annuities will be
paid to you as formerly and your bank stock be as productive as
usual.

I now return you my thanks for the good attendance you have
given at this council. I feel pleased that you have again come
forward and renewed the covenant of friendship, that you have once
more declared your steady attachment to the United States.

Your friend, Mr. Parrish, will soon go to the eastward, where
he will see such of your brethren as were not present at this council.
In a short time he will return and remain here if he should be
wanted through the summer.

[In consequence of the permission of the agent several of the
chiefs repaired to Lewiston for the purpose of crossing. Applica-
tion was made to General Brock (who has the command of the
troops in the Upper Province) that they might be suffered to land
on the Canada shore. After two days General Brock sent them
word that two of their chiefs would be permitted to come over and
converse for a few minutes with such of the chiefs belonging to
Canada as would be authorized to meet them. They accordingly
went over, and after a few minutes' conversation with some of the
Canadian chiefs, without effecting their object, the}' were ordered
to return.]

Sir George Prevost to Major-General Broek.

Montreal, July 7, 1812.

Sir, — It was only on my arrival at Montreal that I received
Mr. Foster's notification of the Congress of the United States
having declared war against Great Britain. The fact had been
previously ascertained through mercantile channels.

I am convinced you have acted wisely in abstaining from
offensive operations, which in their effect might have united a
people governed by public opinion, and among whom too much
division exists at this moment to admit of its influence in promoting
vigorous measures against us.

The manner of the flank companies of militia turning out must
have been very satisfactory to you. I hope your supplies of
ordnance and ordnance stores on their way from Kingston have
arrived safe.

I have caused arms, accoutrements and ammunition to be for-
warded for the use of the Cornwall, Stormont and Uundas battalions
of militia. Camp equipage for 500 men shall be sent to you as soon
as possible, together with muskets.

We are on the eve of substituting paper for bullion. I am

114

aware of the Canadian prejudice against such a circulating medium,
but it must give way to the imperious necessity of the times.

It is highly proper you should secure the services of the
Indians, but restrain and control them as much as you can. What-
ever appointments you deem indispensably necessary you are
authorized to make, as well as the sacrifice of some money to gain
them over. It is proper we should maintain our ascendency over
the Indians and feed with proper food their predilection for us.

Colonel Lethbridge, an inspecting field officer, is under orders
for Kingston, and there to wait your commands.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 198-9.)

From the Independent Chronicle, of Boston, 20th July, 1812.

Onondaga Valley, July 8th.
Since the declaration of war everything goes on briskly in
these western wilds. There are already 3,000 troops at Niagara
from the counties of Genesee, Steuben, Chautauqua and Niagara.
Monday last a considerable number of waggons passed through
here loaded with arms, ammunition and shovels.

(From file in Lenox Library, New York. )

Colonel Baynes to Major-General Brock.

Montreal, July 8, 1812.

Sir, — I was highly gratified yesterday in receiving your letters
of the 3rd July, for we have felt extremely anxious about you ever
since we have learnt the unexpected declaration of war, which has
been so long threatened that no one believed it would ever seriously
take place, and even now it is the prevailing opinion that from the
opposition testified by the Eastern States offensive measures are not
likely to be speedily adopted against this country. Sir George is
inclined to let these sentiments take their course, and as little
advantage would accrue by more active measures on our part our
present plans are all defensive. General De Rottenburg is arrived
and the flank companies embodied are on their way. This corps,
with the embodied militia, will form a chain from La Prairie to St.
Johns, with a light corps advanced in their front. We have reports
of the 103rd regiment being in the river and, it is added, recruits
for the 100th Regiment.

Sir George has had applications from so many quarters for
militia below Kingston that, to ensure a general arrangement and
to adopt the best system that circumstances will admit, he has
directed Colonel Lethbridge, the Inspecting Field Officer here, to
proceed through the line of settlements to see the several colonels

115

and corps of militia so as to fix their quotas, and afterwards to pro-
ceed to Kingston and assume the command of that post, if necessary.
He will be placed under your orders, but you will perhaps not wish
to bring him in contact with the 41st Regiment, as he is senior to
Colonel Procter.

Sir George desires me to say that he does not attempt to pre-
scribe specific rules for your guidance. They must be directed by
your discretion and the circumstances of the time : the present
order of the day with him is forbearance until hostilities are more
decidedly marked.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 199-200).

District General Orders.

Fort George, 9th July, 1812.
D. G. Orders.

The following proportion of officers and non-commissioned
officers will be entitled to receive pay and allowances :

ESTABLISHMENT.

Capt. Sub. Sergts.

For every company embodied for service, consisting

of 30 rank and file 1 2 2

For Do., consisting of 45 men and not exceeding 80 . 1 2 3

For Do., consisting of 80 men and upwards 1 3 4

For every 250 men one field officer will be allowed, and so in
proportion.

The difference of pay between a subaltern and an adjutant will
be allowed for every 200 men. A paymaster will be appointed for
the District of Niagara, who will muster on the 23d or 24th of
every month all the corps stationed between Niagara and Lake
Erie. Pay lists are to be certified on oath by the captains of com-
panies, and commanding officers of posts (whether of the line or
militia) will examine and certify their belief as to the correctness
of the accompt.

By order of Major-Genl. Brock.

Thos. Evans, B. M.

MEMORANDUM.

In consequence of the above order the circular letter from His
Honor the President to officers commanding regiments, dated 8th
April, 1812, is rescinded, and officers commanding regiments are
directed to transmit to headquarters an account of the actual
expenses that have been incurred under it.

116

General Wadsworth to Governor D. D. Tompkins.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 8th July, 1812.

Sir, — Since my last of the 5th inst., the unremitted exertions
of our opponents in heaving up breastworks is daily to be seen.
Not having had any communication across the river since the 5th
inst., I cannot relate anything in respect to the strength they may
gain, but every operation of theirs since the 5th inst. seems to
concur in adding to the belief that there are a large body of men
near the frontier, at least as many as was calculated in my letter of
the 5th inst, — three thousand near the line and one thousand
.subject to a moment's call. Our shore must be considered unsafe
until we have at least four thousand troops on the line, and would
recommend five hundred more, with a view of taking possession of
Grand Island. A party of soldiers and Indians seem to be making
a drift that way, seemingly with an intention to carry on a corres-
pondence in that quarter with this side or take possession of the
island themselves, more particularly to carry on with greater ease a
correspondence that is already suspected. The great length of the
river that must be guarded requires a great number of soldiers.

From every appearance at present I think myself justified in
recommending the number above to be placed on the margin of
this river.

I desire that you duly consider what 1500 men can do in
opposition to our opponents on a river of the length of the Niagara
from Lake Ontario to Buffalo, whose margin is principally covered
with timber and bushes.

If it is your pleasure I must express to you my anxiety for the
immediate support of some or all of the number proposed.

To be attacked would not be more than I have reason to expect
for the last twenty-four hours. I believe it is only owing to want
of information of our real situation why we have not been attacked
before this time.

The accommodation for the troops in this quarter is much to
be lamented. Every preparation is making that can be made with-
out axes, hoes, spades, shovels or anything of the kind.

I hope, sir, my zeal for the honor of our arms and for the com-
fort of the men under my command will be a sufficient excuse for
pressing on Your Excellency the importance of forwarding ammu-
nition, and camp equipage is indispensably necessary, and in case of
an action our ammunition would all be wasted and we be left in a
deplorable condition.

The soldiers that have last arrived on the frontier are very
much worn down with the fatigue of their march and the duty
since required of them.

117

In the event of your sending the reinforcement proposed I
would recommend the sending the further number of ten pieces of
artillery, as they will be the only implements that will have an
effect across the river.

Among the ammunition would recommend grape shot, to be
made use of in the event of their attempting to cross the river.

(Tompkins Papers, vol., VII. , pp. 373-5, New York State Library.)

From the National Intelligencer of Washington, D. C, 25th July,

1812.

Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Fort Niagara to his
friend in this city, dated July 8th :

This garrison and all my property at this place have been in
the most imminent danger. I expected every moment that it
would be destroyed and myself ruined. The British had the means
to lay the whole place in ashes, whilst we were entirely destitute
of men, cannon, ammunition and everything else. This danger is
not now past, but our prospect of security is more clear than it was
last week. This frontier has been in a state of alarm and confusion
for almost two weeks past. No business has been done except
moving goods and property to places of safety.

(From File in the New York Society Library.)

General Peter B. Porter to Governor Tompkins.

Black Rock, July 9, 1812.
Sir, — I have just returned from Niagara and Lewiston, where
I spent two or three days with General Wadsworth. The ordinary
militia, who repaired to this frontier in great numbers and with
promptitude that has done them great credit, are now mostly dis-
missed and have returned to their homes, their places being supplied
by the detached militia, most of whom have arrived and the
remainder coming in daily. Our force when organized a day or
two hence will consist of the detached or drafted militia, about
1,500; Colonel Swift's regiment of volunteers, about 550; the
regular troops at Niagara fort, about 450, and a few men of the
ordinary militia, say 100, who are about to volunteer under the act of
the sixth of February, making in the whole about 2,500 men. This
force, raw as it is, with only a few pieces of light artillery, and not
more than one company (Captain Leonard's) who know anything
about artillery, is in my opinion barely sufficient for the protection
of this river against a greater number of men with a full supply of
heavy ordnance and a powerful train of field artillery managed by
experienced troops. I shall not be surprised if the British were to
make an attack on us even now, as they know our real strength.

118

They have on the river from Newark to Fort Erie, inclusive, accord-
ing to the best information we can get, (and most of the people who
cross the river concur substantially in the estimate), from 9 to 1,200
regulars, from 2,000 to 2,500 militia, and about 250 or 300 Indian
warriors, making in all about 3,600 men. Such, however, is said
to be the disaffection among the militia that no reliance can be
placed on them for an attack or perhaps for defence. Our standard
once planted on their shore, and supported by a respectable force, I
have no doubt that most of the inhabitants would seek protection
under it.

I cannot avoid repeating to Your Excellency the opinion I have
heretofore expressed, that under present circumstances the policy,
interest and quiet of this State and the United States require that
no time should be lost in preparing for the invasion of Canada at
this point as well as other places. For this purpose we want in the
first place artillery of different descriptions, and in the next, men
who know how to use it. Our force now on the river, amounting
to about 2500 men, improved by a rigid discipline for six or eight
weeks to come, with the addition of 2500 regular troops, consisting
of a due proportion of artillerists, might pass over the river and
subdue the peninsula opposite here, which is the heart of Upper
Canada. Our army should also at the same time be prepared to
pass the St. Lawrence river below Lake Ontario, to prevent them
from concentrating the whole of their force at this point. A
general of experience and ability would of course be required to
conduct the enterprise. We regret that we have neither had men
nor other means to justify any attempt to pass the river ; 2,500
men well provided with arms and ammunition might at the first
moment have accomplished what will now require double the
number. Would it not be well to commence building 50 or 60
boats ? I have ventured already to build four, which are indis-
pensable for ordinary uses. The village at the Falls is a place
peculiarly fitted for this business. There is plenty of good timber,
a saw mill, pitch, oakum, &c, and fine quarters for men. A few
ship carpenters, who could be engaged here, and the artificers belong-
ing to the troops, would build them in a few days. The boats there
would be perfectly safe as respects the enemy, and could be put into
the water above or below the falls.

The troops, who have been thus suddenly and unexpectedly
thrown upon the frontier, have subjected me to many serious diffi-
culties and embarrassments and to a heavy responsibility. They
have depended on me for almost everything, and it was necessary
they should be supplied, having brought with them no means of
subsistence for themselves. I am sure that I have acted with a due

119

regard for economy. The detached militia (part of the 100,000)
were induced to hasten to this place by the solicitations of the
people on the frontier. But most of the ordinary militia who came
out were, I believe, brought here by the impulse of their own feel-
ings and a sense of common danger. They were dismissed the
moment the danger ceased to be imminent.

Situated as I am, it would be very gratifying to receive from
Your Excellency some general instruction as to what I am to do.
General Wadsworth has just made a requisition on me for the pur-
chase of twenty horses with harness, &c, for the artillery, also for
baggage waggons, &c. Having received no instructions from you
how to act, I am placed in respect to such demands in a situation of
great delicacy.

P. S. — A man just from Canada states that the British have
captured one schooner on the upper lakes and two on Lake Ontario.
About 100 British soldiers have been busily employed since yester-
day morning in throwing up a breastwork directly opposite to me
(about a mile distant), in which they have just placed three nine-
pounders. I am requested to ask whether a company of volunteers
associating under the act of February 6, and designating for them-
selves men as officers who now hold no commissions, can be accepted
and the officers if approved of by you immediately appointed. A
company under these circumstances wish to volunteer near this
village.

(Tompkins Papers. Vol. VII., pp. 366-70, New York State Library.)

The Secretary of War to Major-General Dearborn.

War Department, July 9, 1812.
[Abstract.]
Instructs him after making arrangements for the defence of
the seaboard to proceed to Albany and to send all recruits not other-
wise disposed of to that place, or some station on Lake Champlain,
to be organized for the invasion of Canada.

Militia General Orders.

Niagara, 10th July, 1812.
M. G. Orders —

Major-General Brock having received information that a large
portion of the troops assembled on the other *side of the river have
retired, and being anxious to afford the militia every indulgence
compatible with the safety of the Province, orders that one-half of
each corps or company now on duty be permitted to return home on
furlough.

120

Officers commanding will give a preference to those whose
presence on the farms are most required to bring in their harvest.
A proportion of officers will also be permitted to return to their
homes, who will as far as possible adopt measures to secure the
return of the men to their duty whenever their services are required.

The men will receive rations according to the distance they
have to travel, but during their absence they will not be entitled to
pay or rations.

The arms of such men as obtain leave of absence will be left in
charge of the commanding officer, who will take care that such of
them as do require it will be repaired immediately, and that they
are deposited in the most secure place.

By order of the Major-General,

J. Macdonell, P. A. D. C.

Sir George Prevost to Major-General Broek.

Montreal, July 10, 1812.

Sir, — Colonel Lethbridge's departure for Kingston affords me
an opportunity of replying more fully and confidentially to your
letter of the 3rd instant, than I could venture to have done the day
before yesterday by an uncertain conveyance. That officer has
been desired to transmit to you, together with this despatch, a copy
of the instructions given to him for his guidance until the exigen-
cies of the service make it necessary in your estimation to substitute
others, or to employ the Colonel in any other situation of command.
In them you will find expressed my sentiments respecting the mode
of conducting the war on our part, suited to the existing circum-
stances, and as they change so must we vary our line of conduct,
adapting it to our means of preserving entire the King's Provinces.

Our numbers would not justify offensive operations being
undertaken unless they were solely calculated to strengthen a
defensive attitude. I consider it prudent and politic to avoid any
measure which can have a tendency to unite the people of the
American States. Whilst disunion prevails among them their
attempts on these Provinces will be feeble. It is therefore our
duty carefully to avoid committing any act which may even by
construction tend to unite the eastern and southern States, unless by
its perpetration we are to derive a considerable and important
advantage. But the Government of the United States, resting on
public opinion for all its measures, is liable to sudden and violent
changes. It becomes an essential part of our duty to watch the
effect of parties on its measures, and to adapt ours to the impulse

121

given by those possessed of influence over the public mind in
America.

Notwithstanding these observations, I have to assure you of
my perfect confidence in your measures for the preservation of
Upper Canada. All your wants shall be supplied as fast as possible
except money, of which I have so little as to be obliged to have
recourse to a paper currency.

The Adjutant-General has reported to you the aid we have
afforded in arms and ammunition to your militia at Cornwall, Glen-
garry, Dundas and Stormont.

To prevent an interruption to the communication between the
two Provinces, it is fit a system of convoy should be established
between Montreal and Kingston, and as Major-General De Rotten-
burg is to remain here in command of a cordon of troops, consisting
of regulars and militia (established in this neighborhood to prevent
an irruption for the plunder of Montreal), whilst I attend to parlia-
mentary duties at Quebec on that subject you may communicate
direct with the Major-General, as he has my instructions to co-
operate with you in preserving this important object.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 200-1.)

District General Order.

Fort George, 11 July, 1812.
D. G. 0.

The militia forces in the district will be provisioned in the
same manner, both as to quarters and species of provisions, as the
regular troops.

There being no branch of the commissariat in the London dis-
trict from whence supplies may be received, the proportion of
troops called out for the defence of that district will be allowed
their full pay so as to enable them to supply themselves.

By order,

Thos. Evans, B. M.

Augustus Porter to General P. B. Porter.

Erie, July 11th, 1812.
I arrived here at about ten o'clock this morning and shall leave
here and proceed west this afternoon. Before you receive this you
will have received Mr. Beard's letter, which came bjr express from
Detroit, and also Mr. Woolverton's letter by the same express.
These letters will be handed you by Mr. J. Stoo, who was present
when I received them, and I then could do no other than send them
by him. I find that I have here about 700 bbls. of flour and a con-
siderable quantity of whiskey. I find that only 250 bbls of flour

122

has been sent to Detroit from here and 220 was sent up by the con-
tractor from B. Rock, that a little less than 500 have been sent on.
I should expect that all that must now be on hand at Detroit,
which would last over 30 days. Grandin has a quantity of flour,
say 3 or 400 bbls., at Waterford. He is at Pittsburg, but is daily
expected here. I find people more inclined to sell flour than when
I was here. I think I shall purchase at $6. I find no boats here.
I am told there is a scow up the lake, which I hope- to obtain. I
have reason to believe that a vessel might go up safe to Miami, but
of this I can judge better when I arrive at Cleveland or Huron, and
will then write. I fear it will be difficult to get provisions from
here up fast enough in boats. I shall go on to Cayahoga with
Beard, and shall send him on from there to advise with Gen. Hull
as to the propriety of sending up a vessel, boat, '&c.

By Beard's letter from Detroit you will observe that he says
the Contractor and Amelia are both taken. This must be a mis-
take, which has originated from their not arriving. Capt. Chapin,
with the Cayahoga Packet, is no doubt taken in going from San-
dusky to Detroit, with the officers' baggage and two or three officers
on board, and is the vessel that we heard of being taken before I
left you ; the other vessels, I believe, are all safe, or was when the
express left Detroit. I wish very much to hear what is going on
with you. Do not fail to drop me a line directed to this place by
the mail which comes from Buffalo on Wednesday next.

Since I left you I have been very uneasy respecting beef for
the troops at Niagara. I hope you will not fail to contract for the
delivery of it in the quarter as I proposed to you, even at 3 J dols
pr cwt. I am sure is better than I can do otherwise, as if I under-
take to kill myself I shall lose many of the hides, which will spoil.
Let the contract extend to the 15th of September or 1st of October.

I find Hale has 300 bbls. flour at Canadaway. I talked with
him about it. He expected to get 8 dols per bbl. for it at Buffalo.
I desired him to inform himself before he took it down. He agreed
he would.

(From MSS. of Hon. P. A. Porter.)

Major-General Brock to Sir George Prevost.

Fort George, July 12, 1812.

Sir, — With the exception of occasional tiring from the opposite
shore (the unauthorized act of an undisciplined militia) nothing of
a hostile nature has occurred on this communication since I last had
the honor of addressing Your Excellency.

The enemy is busy constructing batteries at different points on
the river, but he does not appear to have yet received cannon to

123

place in them. We are doing all we can on this side to counteract
his views, and the arrival of the Royal George and the vessels under
his convoy bringing various pieces of ordnance will give us in this
respect a decided superiority.

The militia which assembled here immediately on the account
being received of war being declared by the United States have
been improving daity in discipline, but the men evince a degree of
impatience under their present restraint that is far from inspiring
confidence. So great was their clamor to return and attend to
their farms that I found myself in some measure compelled to
sanction the departure of a large proportion, and I am not without
my apprehensions that the remainder will, in the defiance of the
law, which can only impose a fine of £20. leave the service the
moment the harvest commences. There can be no doubt that a large
portion of the population in this neighborhood are sincere in their
professions to defend the country, but it appears likewise evident
to me that the greater part are either indifferent to what is passing
or so completely American as to rejoice in the prospect of a change
of government. Many who now consider our means inadequate
would readily take an active part were the regular troops increased.
These cool calculators are numerous in all societies.

The alacrity and good temper with which the militia in the
first instance marched to the frontiers have tended to infuse in the
mind of the enemy a very different sentiment of the disposition of
the inhabitants, who, he was led to believe, would, on the first sum-
mons, declare themselves an American State. The display for
several days of a large force was made, I have every reason to
believe in that expectation.

Nearly the whole of the arms at my disposal have been issued.
They are barely sufficient to arm the militia imniediatel}T required
to guard the frontier. Were I furnished with the means of dis-
tributing arms among the people in whom confidence can be placed,
they would not only overawe the disaffected but prove of essential
use in the event of invasion. The militia assembled in a wretched
state in regard to clothing : many were without shoes, an article
which can scarcely be provided in the country.

After the cannon, which have arrived this morning, are
mounted, I shall consider my front perfectly secure. I do not
fancy the enemy will hazard a water excursion with a view to turn
my flanks. He probably will wait until winter, when the ice will
enable him to cross with the utmost facility between Fort Erie and
as far as Long Point. My situation will then depend upon the
force the enemy may bring to invade the province. Should the
troops have to move the want of tents will be severely felt.

124

A person who left Sandwich yesterday week pretends that the
enemy was then in the act of cannonading the place. I have not
heard from Lieut.-Colonel St. George since my last letter to Your
Excellency.

An officer is so absolutely necessary to command in the Eastern
District that I have consented to Major-General Shaw proceeding
thither in that capacity. I have full confidence in his judgment,
and his conduct in the field is undoubted. He, of course, will
assume the command in virtue of his militia rank, and will be liable
to be suspended by any lieutenant-colonel Your Excellency may be
pleased to appoint.

The expense of defending this province will unquestionably be
great ; upon a rough calculation and supposing that 4,000 militia
be constantly embodied, it cannot be estimated at less than £140,-
000 per annum. However great the sum, it will be applied to con-
siderable advantage, provided Your Excellency be enabled to send
reinforcements, as without them it is scarcely possible that the
government of the United States will be so inactive or supine as to
permit the present limited force to remain in possession of the
country. Whatever can be done to preserve it or delay its fall, Your
Excellency may rest assured will be exerted.

Having been suddenly called away from York I had not time
to close my despatch giving Your Excellency an account of my pro-
ceedings during my stay at Amherstburg. I now have the honor
to forward two documents detailing the steps taken by the Indian
Department to prevail on that unfortunate people to accommodate
their differences with the American Government.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 202-4.)

District General Order.

Fort George, 12th July, 1812.
D. G. 0.

Mr. John Symington is appointed paymaster to the militia
forces stationed in the Niagara District, with the pay of Is. pr
diem and allowances as captain, to take place from the 1st inst.
Mr. Symington will afford every information to the officers in com-
mand of militia corps so as to enable them to make exact returns
(paying particular attention to the broken periods) and on which
he will take the measures for directly bringing forward his pay
lists to the 24th inst.

(Signed.) By order,

Thos. Evans, B. M.

125

District General Order.

Fort George, 12 July, 1812.
R G. 0.

At all times when vessels shall arrive at any of the posts in
this command a boat will be immediately despatched by the officer
commanding the posts with a proper person on board to ascertain
the number and description of the passengers on board, and who will
not be permitted to land until leave is first obtained from said
commanding officer unless such passengers should be officers in His
Majesty's employ.

No. 2. — It having been reported to the Major-General com-
manding that one or two of the centinels placed on the bank of the
Niagara River have tired upon persons on the opposite shore with-
out orders ; for so doing, he has been pleased to express his dis-
approbation of such irregular conduct and to direct that officers
commanding at the different posts on the communication will take
the necessary steps to prevent a repetition of such discreditable
practices. By order,

Thos. Evaxs, B. Major.

Orders.

One lieutenant, two sergeants and thirty rank and tile from
the four flank companies of the Lincoln Militia stationed at Niagara
will be furnished for engineers' fatigue at Fort George, and to be on
the ground to-morrow at 3 o'clock.
"Niagara, 14th July, 1812.

General Order.

Headquarters, Albany, July 13, 1812.

Major-General Stephen Van Rensselaer having been requested
to repair to the command of the militia heretofore ordered into the
the service and to be hereafter ordered into the service of the
United States, for the defence of the northern and western frontiers
of this State between St. Regis and Pennsylvania, enters upon his
command this day. All the militia comprehended in the brigades
of detached militia organized in the first detached division by
General Orders of the 18th day of June last, together with the
corps commanded by Lieutenant-Colonels Swift, Fleming and
Bellinger, are hereby declared to be subject to the orders of Major-
General Van Rensselaer without waiting for further general orders
on that subject, and all officers commanding the militia from which

126

the first detached division was taken are promptly to obey and
respect such division orders accordingly.
By order of the Commander-in-Chief,

Wm. Paulding, Jun'r, Adjutant-General.

(Tompkins Papers, New York State Library.)

Augustus Porter to General Porter.

Cayahoga, July 13th, 1812.
Sir, — I am thus far on 1113^ way ; have determined to go to
Detroit. I have engaged one boat only to go on with provisions ;
have such news from Detroit as determines me to go on to that
place. Mr. Thompson will give you the news, which is great. The
news I sent on relative to British cruisers being on our shore is
incorrect. I wish you by all means to send on the Contractor to
Erie to load for Miami. I think as she comes on she had best touch
at different places along the lake, say at Sandusky or Huron, and
enquire the news. Do not fail to send her along. I shall go to
Detroit. I shall stay there as long as I shall find it necessary, per-
haps all summer. Do write to Mr. Coffin ; I have no time to do it.
Tell him to do as well as he can. He must abandon everything
like farming and attend to the troops. You ought to have people
enough to assist. Let us if possible supply the troops, if I should
lose all my property by it. Do write me every opportunity.

(From MSS. of Hon. P. A. Porter.)

From the New York Gazette.

(Issue of July 2I^thy 18 12.)

Buffalo, July 14, 1812.

Major-General Brock is at present at Newark superintending
the various defences on the river. He is stated to be an able and
experienced officer with undoubted courage. He came from Little
York soon after hearing the declaration of war, and it was believed
with a serious intention of attacking Fort Niagara, but, contrary to
what has been reported, he made no demand of a surrender.

Expecting a descent from the American army, the Canadians
have for ten days past been removing their families and effects
from the river into the interior. At Newark, Queenston, and other
villages on the river there are no inhabitants except a few civilians
and officers and soldiers. It is even said that an immense quantity
of specie, plate, &c, from various parts of the province have been
boxed up and destined for Quebec.

The British are understood to have about six or seven hundred
regular troops stationed between the lakes from Fort George to

127

Fort Erie. These men are generally those who have " seen service "
in various parts of the world. The militia of the province are
ordered out en masse. Great discontent prevails in consequence of
this requisition, there being no help to gather in the crops ; the
clamors of the people are but little short of open rebellion. There
is no civil authority in Canada — no magistrates will act — the
martial code has usurped the civil law. Many young tradesmen in
Canada from the States will be ruined. They are required to take
up arms or leave the country. They cannot collect their debts nor
bring away their property, but many have come away and left
their all in jeopardy.

Fort Erie has been strengthened considerably. A redoubt
many rods in length was thrown up on Wednesday and Thursday
last on the hill below the house of John Warren, Jr., and directly
opposite the dwelling house of General Peter B. Porter at Lower
Black Rock. There is also a battery on a point below Chippawa
mounted with two pieces of heavy artillery, calculated to play upon
the storehouses and mills of Schlosser. Below the Falls there is a
small stone battery near the bank of the river where the lower
ladder formerly stood. On Thursday evening last a rifleman de-
serted from the other side and crossed the river below the Falls on
a pine log. He stated that but a little way up the river from the
battery a held piece was stationed in the bushes to fire into Schlosser
Village. The woolen factory of John W. Stoughton, consisting of
two carding machines and fulling and dressing machines, is very
much exposed. On the hill about half a mile from the stone battery
are placed two 18-pounders. The ladders on both sides of the river
are taken up. On the hill above Queenston there is a small defence
on very commanding ground. Below Queenston, nearly opposite
the residence of Benjamin Barton, Esq., there is a defence of several
rods in extent. Opposite Youngstown there is another redoubt
thrown up. Andrew Baker, son of Judge Baker of this village,
together with three other persons, citizens of the United States,
escaped from Canada at Long Point in a skiff, and safely arrived
in this village on Friday night.

It is stated by gentlemen of intelligence at Lewiston that the
Government of Canada have in their employment under pay about
250 Indians armed complete : a part of them are mounted.

Brigadier-General William Wadsworth from Genesee com-
mands the troops on our frontiers. His aids are Major Adam Hoops
and Major W. H. Spencer. His headquarters are now at Lewiston.
It is impossible to state the exact number of troops under his com-
mand because the militia ordered on the lines are returning and the
companies composing the regiments under his command have not

128

all arrived, but from what we learn there are in regular troops,
volunteers, and detached militia, above 4,000 stationed at Black
Rock, Lewiston, Youngstown, and Fort Niagara. The troops are in
excellent health, in good spirits and well supplied. They appear
quite impatient for want of employment. There has been some
firing from the sentries on both sides of the river.

It was reported at Fort Niagara last week that the British
have sent from Little York every armed ship in pursuit of the brig
Oneida.

The British armed ship Queen Charlotte, lying at Fort Erie,
soon after the declaration of war was received left her moorings and
proceeded up the lake, and is now understood to be at Fort
Maiden, the great depot of Indian supplies. His Majesty's sloop of
war Hunter has gone up the straits of Mackina and passed into
Lake Michigan and captured an American merchant vessel, said to
be either the Mary or Salina. We understand an official account
of the capture has been received at Fort Erie.

Sir George Prevost to the Earl of Liverpool.

Quebec, 15th July, 1812.
(No. 57.)

My Lord, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
Your Lordship's despatches of the 30th March, 2nd and 20th April,
No. 8, 10 and 15, to which I now beg leave to reply and to offer some
observations for Your Lordship's consideration.

I find by a communication from Major-General Brock, com-
manding in Upper Canada, that the American general officer com-
manding the district of Niagara, having received early information
from his government of the declaration of war, had projected the
surprise of Fort George, but fortunately the reports of the approach
of hostilities and the preparations making for them brought Major-
General Brock to the fort, where the display of his vigilance and
activity induced them to relinquish the attempt.

Major-General Brock has received certain accounts of war
having been declared by the United States against Great Britain,
and has reported to me that in consequence it was his opinion he
should be justified in offensive operations, but upon the reflection
that at Detroit and St. Joseph's the weak state of our garrisons
would prevent any essential service connected with their future
security, and that his only means of annoyance at present was
limited to the reduction of Fort Niagara, which could be battered
at any future period, he had therefore relinquished his original in-
tention and should attend only to defensive measures.

129

I have repeatedly recommended to Major-General Brock and
to the officers in command of the other districts of British America
an adherence to this system, and I have expressed to them my
sentiments respecting the mode of conducting the war on our part
suited to existing circumstances, and as they change so should we
vary our line of conduct adapting it to our means of preserving-
entire the King's Provinces.

Our numbers would not justify offensive operations being-
undertaken unless they were solely calculated to strengthen a de-
fensive attitude.

In the present state of politics in the United States, I consider
it prudent to avoid every measure which can have the least
tendency to unite the people of America. Whilst disunion prevails
among them, their attempts on the British American Provinces
will be feeble. It is therefore my wish to avoid committing any act
which may even by a strained construction tend to unite the East-
ern and Southern States, unless from its perpetration we are to
derive an immediate, considerable and important advantage.

Major-General Brock has called out the flank companies of militia,
which has produced a force on the line of the Niagara River of
about 800 men. They turned out very cheerfully, but already shew
a spirit of impatience.

The Americans are very active on the opposite side of that
communication in the erection of redoubts. In this respect we are
not idle. The Americans have 1200 regulars and militia between
Fort Niagara and Black Rock, but Major General Brock, who has
taken his station at Fort George, considers himself at present per-
fectly safe against any attempt they can make.

About 100 Indians from the Grand River have attended to his
summons. The remainder promise to come also.

A report has been made to me by Major Macpherson, command-
ing at Kingston on Lake Ontario, that the Americans have taken
possession of Carleton Island near that post and have made
prisoners of the small party of the 10th Royal Veteran Battalion
stationed on it.

We continue to possess a superiority in vessels of war upon
Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.

I find myself seriously embarrassed by a scarcity of arms for
the militia of Upper Canada and Lower Canada, who have evinced
a desire to co-operate with the regular forces exceeding my expecta-
tions.

I fear for the safety of the Camho transport, which sailed from
Bermuda for Quebec the 21st of April with 6000 stand of aims on
board, and has not since been heard of. I fear that she has been

130

lost in a gale, and I have directed Sir John C. Sherbrooke to send
to Quebec half of the arms in store at Halifax, which may exceed
1000 stand.

The difficulties long experienced in obtaining specie for the
subsistence of the troops are at an end by the declaration of war,
which closes the source from which it came. It has become neces-
sary to substitute paper money for it, as it appears none can be sent
from England, and I am about to seek the aid of the Provincial
Parliament to give it value and currency. My total inability to
supply Upper Canada with specie compelled Major-General Brock
to seek the assistance of an association of merchants, a measure
which has been attended with considerable success, enabling him to
pay his militia forces now embodied, amounting to 4000 men.

Major-General Brock is the only General Officer in the exten-
sive district of Upper Canada.

(Canadian Archives, Q. 118, p. 39.

The Secretary of War to Major-General Dearborn.

War Department, July 15th, 1812.

(Abstract.)

Instructing him upon his arrival at Albany to direct his
attention to the security of the northern frontier. In addition to
authority to require militia for defence, and with a view to offensive
operations, he is authorized to accept volunteers from New England,
New York and Pennsylvania, and to call into service such a number
of volunteers as he may deem requisite.

District General Order.

Niagara, 16th July, 1812.
D. G. 0.

The officers on duty this morning were exceedingly remiss in
allowing a boat to pass within four miles of Missassagua Point
without reporting it until too late for it to be intercepted. Colonel
Glaus will adopt the measures to guard against its recurrence in
future.

A proper person will be stationed at the top of the light house
every morning at half an hour before daylight, to remain through-
out the da}f, who will be particularly instructed to watch what
passes on the lake and on the enemy's side of the river. The officer
on duty will frequently visit him to assist in making the necessary
observations.

The Major-General was surprised this morning to find that the

131

order for the apprehension of all strangers travelling on any part of
the communication was not complied with, and that avowed Ameri-
cans were permitted to parade the streets and examine the works.

Colonel Claus will explain to every officer and militiaman,
that it is expected (whether on or off duty) that they will stop all
suspicious characters and take them before a magistrate for
examination.

Officers commanding posts will not only examine the arms and
ammunition in use, but likewise those which the men on furlough
have left in store, and see that the whole be in a state fit for service.
They will report having done so.

Notice will be taken on the back of the report of any orders
having reached them during the day — the date and purport of the
orders already received will be inserted on the morning report of
next Monday.

By order of the Major-General,

Thos. Evans, B. Major.

Daniel Koss to James < 'umniings.

Woodhouse, July 10, 1812.

(Extract.)

We have a little rest now, but I can assure you we have been
in great confusion for some time past. It is supposed and hoped
by a great many here that there will be no war, which I hope may

be the case, but am very dubious

Col. Talbot came down yesterday. The four flank companies in
front was stationed at Turkey Point. He discharged half of them
for a week for their respective homes. Some jangling here between
the officers, say Major S. and Gordon, Dan. McCall, &c. No time
to give any particulars.

From the Federal Republican of Baltimore, Aid., £7th July, 1813.

Extract from a letter dated at Buffalo, 14th July, 1812.

Joseph Willcocks, editor of a little paper which lately died at
Newark, and which uniformly opposed and calumniated the Gov-
ernment of Upper Canada, has tendered his services to that
Government during the present war.

District General Order.

Fort George, 18th July, 18i2.
D. G. 0.

The District General Orders of the 12th inst., respecting the
arrival of vessels and examination of passengers, &c, will be

132

enforced at this post by Fort Major Campbell, which officer will
prevent any vessel of whatsoever description from sailing without
his permission for that purpose.

No. c2.

Fort Major Campbell will in future issue the parole and
countersign to the several staff officers and others entitled to
receive them, who are at present or may be hereafter stationed at
Fort George.

Mr. Muirhead, attached to the forces at Chippawa, will
immediately remove from thence to Queenston, there to take. charge
of the sick until further orders.

Mr. Fleming will succeed Mr. Muirhead in the superintendence
of the sick at Chippawa.

By order of the Major-General.

Thos. Evans,

Brigade-Major.

General Wm. Hull to the Six Nations.

Sandwich, July 18, 1812.
My Brethren of the Six Nations: —

The powerful army under my command is now in possession
of Canada. To you who are friendly it will afford safety and pro-
tection. All your lands and all your rights of every kind will be
guaranteed to you if you will take no part against us. I salute
you in friendship, and hope you will now act such a part as will
promote your interest, your safety, and happiness. May the Great
Spirit guide you in person.

Wm. Hull,
Governor of the Territory of Michigan, and

Commander of the Northwestern Army
of the United States.

(From the New York Gazette, August 20th, 1812.)

Major-General Broek to Sir George Prevost.

Fort George, July 20th, 1812.

Sir, — My last to Your Excellency was dated the 12th instant,
since which nothing extraordinary has occurred on this communi-
cation. The enemy has evidently diminished his force, and appears
to have no intention of making an immediate attack.

I have herewith the honor of enclosing the copy of two letters
which I have received from Lt.-Col. St. George, together with some

133

interesting documents found on board a schooner which the boats
of the Hunter captured on her voyage from the Miamis to Detroit.

From the accompanying official correspondence between Gen-
eral Hull and the Secretary at War, it appears that the collected
force which has arrived at Detroit amounts to about two thousand.

I have requested Colonel Procter to proceed to Amherstburg
and ascertain accurately the state of things in that quarter. I had
every inclination to go there myself, but the meeting of the Legis-
lature on the 27th renders it impossible.

I received this moment a despatch dated the 15th instant, from
Lt.-Col. St. George, giving an account of the enemy having landed
on the 12th, and immediately after occupying the village of Sand-
wich. It is strange that three days should be allowed to elapse
before sending to acquaint me of this important fact. I had no
idea until I received Lt.-Colonel St. George's letter a few days ago
that General Hull was advancing with such a large force.

The militia, from every account, behaved very ill. The officers
appear the most in fault. Colonel Procter will probably reach
Amherstburg in the course of to-morrow. I have great depend-
ence on that officer's decision, but fear he will arrive too late to be
of much service. The enemy was not likely to delay attacking a
force that had allowed him to cross the river in open day without
firing a shot.

The position which Lt.-Colonel St. George occupied is very
good, and infinitely more formidable than the post itself. Should
he, therefore, be compelled to retire I know of no other alternative
than embarking in the King's vessels and proceeding to Fort Erie.

Were it possible to animate the militia to a proper sense of
their duty something might yet be done, but I almost despair.

Your Excellency will readily perceive the critical situation in
which the reduction of Amherstburg is sure to place me. I do not
imagine General Hull will be able to detach more than one thous-
and men, but, even with that trifling force, I much fear he will
succed in getting to my rear. The militia will not act without a
strong regular force to set them the example, and as I must now
expect to be seriously threatened from the opposite shore, I cannot
in prudence make strong detachments, which would not only
weaken my line of defence, but in the event of a retreat endanger
their safety.

I have never, as Your Excellency has doubtless noticed, been
very sanguine in my hopes of assistance from the militia, and I am
now given to understand that General Hull's insidious proclamation
(herewith enclosed) has already been productive of considerable
effect on the minds of the people. In fact a general sentiment

134

prevails that with the present force resistance is unavailing. I
shall continue to exert myself to the utmost to overcome every
difficulty. Should, however, the communication between Kingston
and Montreal be cut off, the fate of the troops in this part of the
Province will be decided. I now express my apprehensions on a
supposition that the slender means Your Excellency possesses will
not admit of diminution, consequently that I cannot look for rein-
forcements.

The enemy evidently has no intention at present of penetrating
into the Province by this strait. He seems much more inclined to
work on the flanks ; after they are secured, little remains for him
to do.

The last official communication from the Lower Province is
dated the 25th ulto. The Adjutant-General then announced the
receipt of intelligence by a mercantile house, of war being declared
by the United States against Great Britain. I need not entreat
Your Excellency to honor me with your commands with as little
delay as possible. I consider every moment exceedingly precious.

(Canadian Archives, C. 676. p. 203.)

District General Order.

Fort George, 20th July. 1812.

No honors to be paid to officers by the guards or sentries on
the bank of the river or beach during the day.

From the Buffalo Gazette, Tuesday, July SI, 1812.

Since our last there has been no material change in the posture
of affairs on the frontier. Two or three additional companies of
volunteers have arrived at Lewiston. The health of the troops is,
we understand, rather improved since the late showers and change
in the weather. The troops have suffered for the want of experi-
enced cooks, and there is no doubt that several might find employ-
ment and very liberal wages by apptying at Black Rock or
Lewiston.

On Friday last General Wadsworth, accompanied by his aid,
Major Spencer, came from his quarters at Lewiston to Black Rock.
On Saturday he inspected the troops at that place and those
stationed in this village, consisting of Captain Wells's company of
light infantry and Captain Cyrenius Chapin's company of artillery.

135

He spoke in terms of commendation of the progressive
improvement in military discipline in some, particularly the com-
pany of artillery, and in terms of severe reprehension of the
neglect of duty or want of attention or information in others, par-
ticularly some of the officers at the Rock.

He returned to his quarters at Lewiston on Sunday.

Dr. Asa Coltrin, who went from this village last spring and
established himself at St. David's, near Queenston, is appointed a
surgeon in the British army, and is now at Fort George, Newark.
His pay is 100 dollars per month, besides rations, forage, &c.

On the 2d instant Messrs. Martin Daley, Luke Draper, and W.
Phillips (the two former were connected in the grocery business in
this village last summer) were seized within 12 miles of Long Point.
U. Canada, as spies. They were marched under guard to a court
of three justices of the peace, who, after examining them, without
assigning any reason, ordered them to headquarters without delay,
upon which they were put on board the schr. Ghippawa and
landed at Fort Erie, and were then put in a waggon and trans-
ported to Fort George, and there imprisoned in the guard house,
and there continued for 8 days, during which time their keeper
gave them only one loaf of bread. They daily offered money to
their keeper to buy provisions, but it was with great difficulty they
could obtain even the remnants of the officers' table, and these
remnants only a few times during the 8 days, and when obtained
they were charged at the most extravagant price.

On the evening of the 12th inst., some intelligence of a favor-
able nature to the prisoners coming from Long Point, they were
liberated next morning and sent across the river, and arrived in
this village on Tuesday.

The Royal George arrived off Niagara River on yesterda}^
week, and anchored near the American garrison over night. On
Tuesday she took on board 100 men and several pieces of artilleiy,
and proceeded down the lake. The Hunter arrived at Fort Erie
some time last week and still remains there.

PROCLAMATION.

The unprovoked declaration of war by the United States of
America against the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
and its dependencies, has been followed by the actual invasion of

136

this Province in a remote frontier of the Western District by a
detachment of the armed forces of the United States. The officer
commanding that detachment has thought proper to invite His
Majesty's subjects not only to a quiet and unresisting submission,
but insults them with a call to seek voluntarity the protection of
his Government. Without condescending to repeat the illiberal
epithets bestowed in this appeal of the American commander to the
people of Upper Canada on the administration of His Majesty,
every inhabitant of this province is desired to seek the refutation
of such indecent slander in a review of his own particular circum-
stances. Where is the Canadian subject who can truly affirm to
himself that he has been injured by the Government in his person,
his liberty or his property ? Where is to be found in any part of
the world a growth so rapid in wealth and prosperity as this colony
exhibits — settled not thirty years ago by a band of veterans
exiled from their former possessions on account of their loyalty.
Not a descendant of these brave people is to be found who, under
the fostering liberality of their Sovereign, has not acquired a
property and means of enjoyment superior to what were possessed
by his ancestors. This unequalled prosperity could not have been
attained by the utmost liberality of the Government or the perse-
vering industry of the people had not the maritime power of the
Mother Country secured to its colonists a safe access to every
market where the produce of their labor was in demand.

The unavoidable and immediate consequence of a separation
from Great Britain must be the loss of this inestimable advantage.
And what is offered you in exchange ? To become a territoiy of
the United States, and share with them that exclusion from the
ocean which the policy of their present Government enforces. You
are not even flattered with a participation of their boasted inde-
pendence, and it is but too obvious that once excluded from the
powerful protection of the United Kingdom you must lie re-
annexed to the dominion of France, from which the Provinces of
Canada were wrested by the arms of Great Britain at a vast
expense of blood and treasure, from no other motive than to relieve
her ungrateful children from the oppression of a cruel neighbor :
this restitution to the Empire of France was the stipulated reward
for the aid afforded to the revolted colonies, now the United States ;
the debt is still due, and there can be no doubt the pledge has been
renewed as a consideration for commercial advantages, or rather
for an expected relaxation in the tyranny of France over the
commercial world. Are you prepared, inhabitants of Upper
Canada, to become willing subjects, or rather slaves, to the Despot
who rules the nations of Europe with a rod of iron ? If not, arise

137

in a body, exert your energies, co-operate cordially with the King's
regular forces to repel the invader, and do not give cause to your
children when groaning under the oppression of a foreign master
to reproach you with having too easily parted with the richest
inheritance on earth — a participation in the name, character and
freedom of Britons.

The same spirit of justice which will make allowance for the
unsuccessful efforts of zeal and loyalty, will not fail to punish the
defalcation of principle. Every Canadian freeholder is by deliberate
choice bound by the most solemn oaths to defend the monarchy, as
well as his own property ; to shrink from that engagement is a
treason not to be forgiven. Let no man suppose that if in this
unexpected struggle His Majesty's arms should be compelled to
yield to an overwhelming force that the Province will be abandoned.
The endeared relation of its first settlers, the intrinsic value of its
commerce and the pretensions of its powerful rival to repossess the
Canadas are pledges that no peace will be established between the
United States and Great Britain of which the restoration of these
Provinces does not make the most prominent condition.

Be not dismayed at the unjustifiable threat of the commander
of the enemy's forces if an Indian appear in the ranks. The brave
bands of natives which inhabit this colony were, like His Majesty's
subjects, punished for their zeal and fidelity by the loss of their
possessions in the late colonies and rewarded by His Majesty with
lands of superior value in this Province. The faith of the British
Government has never yet been violated ; they feel that the soil they
inherit is to them and their posterit}' protected from the base acts
so frequently devised to ^verreach their simplicity. By what new
principle are they to be prevented from defending their property ?
If their warfare, from being different from that of the white people,
is more terrific to the enemy, let him retrace his steps ; they seek
him not and cannot expect to find women and children in an invad-
ing army ; but they are men, and have equal rights with all other
men to defend themselves and their property when invaded, more
especially when they find in the enemy's camps a ferocious and
mortal foe using the same kind of warfare which the American
Commander affects to reprobate.

This inconsistent and unjustifiable threat of refusing quarter
for such a cause as being found in arms with a brother sufferer in
defence of invaded rights must be exercised, with a certain assurance
of retaliation, not only in the limited operations of war in this part
of the King's dominions, but in every quarter of the globe, for the
national character of Britain is not less distinguished for humanity
than strict retributive justice, which will consider the execution of

138

this threat as deliberate murder, for which every subject of the
offending power must make expiation.
God save the King.

Isaac Brock,

Maj.-Gen. and President.
Headquarters, Fort George, 22d July, 1812.
By order of His Honor the President.

J. B. Glegg,

Capt. A. D. C.

(Canadian Archives, Q. 315. p. 152.)

Militia General Orders.

Headquarters, Niagara, 22d July, 1812.
Militia General Orders.

Major-General Brock, having ascertained that a very consider-
able number of the enemy have actually invaded this Province, is
under the necessity of directing that such men of the different flank
companies of the several Regiments of Lincoln Militia as are now
absent upon furlough, or otherwise be immediately ordered to join
their respective companies, and that these companies be constantly
kept upon their full establishment.

The Major-General is further pleased to direct that the whole
of these different regiments be ordered to hold themselves in con-
stant readiness for actual service.

By order of the Major-General.

J. Macdonell, P. A. D. C.

Militia General Orders.

Headquarters, Fort George, 22d July, 1812.
Militia Genl. Orders.

Major-General Brock has been pleased to direct that an addition
of thirty men be made to the strength of Captain Powell's company
of Lincoln Artillery, the men for which are to be taken from the
battalion companies of Colonels Warren and Clark's regiments of
Lincoln Militia.

By order of the Major-General.

J. Macdonell, P. A. D. C.

Militia General Orders.

Headquarters, Fort George, 22d July, 1812.
Militia Genl. Orders.

Colonel Talbot will make detachments from the First and
Second Norfolk and the Oxford and Middlesex Regiments of

139

Militia, to consist together of two hundred men, with a proportion-
ate number of officers, the whole to be placed under the command
of Major Salmon of the Second Regiment of Norfolk Militia.
This detachment will be assembled as soon as possible in as complete
a state as circumstances will admit, for service. Major Salmon will
proceed with this force to the Moravian Town on the River Thames,
where he will await the arrival of Major Chambers, under whose
command he will place himself.

By order of the Major-General,

J. Macdonell, P. A. D. C.

Inspect or-Gcneral Nicholas Gray to Governor Tompkins.

Headquarters, Lewistox, July 22, 1812.
Dear Sir, — I arrived here on the 18th inst., and was received
with every mark of attention and respect, and yesterday visited the
garrison, accompanied by General Wadsworth, whose anxiety for
the necessary camp equipage, artillery, arms and ammunition is very
great. We have some tine companies of infantry here without belts
or cartridge boxes, and all without uniform, except a very handsome
company of light infantry raised by Captain Dox of Geneva, and to
which evidently every attention has been paid. The enemy have
thrown up redoubts on the south and north approaches to Queen-
ston, which command our camp, stores, headquarters, &c, &c.
They appear to have in each of them an 18-pounder, and the one
on the south side has been levelled at the general's quarters ever
since I came here: the distance, about nineteen hundred yards. We
feel very anxious for the arrival of some artillery equal to this, and
it appears to me that the present situation of the army of the
British has given the inhabitants of this part of the Canadas entire
control of the army. I have recommended to the general to throw
up a redoubt under the brow of the hill above Lewiston, which will
remove the enemy's redoubt, destroy Queenston, and enfilade the
river and small redoubt immediately opposite the camp of Colonel
Dobbins. The enemy unfortunately have the commanding ground
everywhere, and even at the garrison commanded by Captain Leon-
ard, who, I believe, is an excellent officer. His situation last Sun-
day was alarming : three of the enemy's armed ships hove within
a very few rods of the garrison, and seemed to threaten an immedi-
ate bombardment, but after remaining for a few hours they steered
to the northward down the lake. He is in a very defenceless state.
I have recommended him to throw up a new bastion in the west,
so as to command the British fort and the town of Newark, which
will contain seven guns of a large calibre (when he gets them,) the

140

stone tower forming one of the angles, and will be protected on the
north and north-east by the messhouse and another stone tower on
the east. I proposed to throw up a breastwork from the last men-
tioned tower to the skirt of the wood, a distance of about three
hundred yards, sufficiently high to protect a retreat in case such
were necessary. General Wadsworth has this morning ordered a
military school, both for officers and soldiers, which you know is
much wanting. He pays unwearied attention to the troops, and a
system is forming which has for its object the organization of the
staff and camp duties. Indeed he is most deficient in his most
necessary officer, who is absolutely incapable and negligent. I
mean his brigade-inspector, who seems to be in a dream from morn-
ing till night. I should strongly recommend the removal of this
gentleman, and some capable officer put in his place. His name is
Keyes. To the incapacity of this officer the want of due organiza-
tion is owing in a great measure. It appears to me that the object
of the enemy from Fort Erie to Fort George, in throwing up the
different redoubts, is to cover a retreat. They have four pieces of
artillery at Chippawa, I believe six and nine-pounders ; opposite
Black Rock one 24, and, I believe, a mortar; and they have within
these eight days thrown up a strong redoubt immediately opposite
the barracks built by General Peter B. Porter. I recommended
him to throw up a breastwork with a short barbette for a piece of
artillery, so as to protect the barracks and secure the soldiers on
parade, on which he is at work since Monday, But the absolute
want of all sorts of working tools has prevented the troops taking
measures absolutely necessary to their protection. They have been
in want of everything, and have great fortitude and zeal to bear
their privations so well. The camps are pretty healthy. Out of
402 men the sick returns are 35. Over at Queenston side the high
ground commands everything, and it was with difficulty, after a
close examination, I could find any place in which to throw up a
redoubt which could not be commanded by this hill. The enemy
have a kind of encampment on the top of this hill, and their num-
bers, as far as I can judge, about three hundred. They are calcu-
lated to number, from Fort George to Fort Erie, including militia
and Indians, about four thousand 500, including the two garrisons.
The Indians are armed and employed, we understand, on Grand
Island. A citizen of the States came over yesterday morning with
two others, and informed the General that a party of Indians had
passed over to Grand Island for the purpose of destroying the
military stores along the shore from Black Rock. Your two letters
I had the honor of delivering to Colonel Swift, and the promotion
of Major Miller was well received. He appears to be a good officer.

141

There is a party of Major Milliard's regiment which was left
behind at the garrison at the request, I believe, of Captain Leonard,
at the time he was requested by the neighborhood of Canandaigua
to march on here. They have been ordered by the major to repair
forthwith to Albany, as it was the request of Colonel Schuyler, but
he did not make any application or notification to General Wads-
worth, under whose command the3T now are. The General has
deemed it absolutely necessary, from the defenceless state of the
garrison, to order them to remain until further orders. Fort George
is well provided with arms, ammunition, and soldiers, but is of
itself not so strong as the American garrison. All the curtains of
it are old rotten pickets, and not even a fosse to support them.
They are enfiladed by batteries badly constructed, and, in my mind,
could be taken without great hazard. The militia of Canada, we
understand, have been allowed to go home to the harvest, and I
know not a more applicable or better chosen time can occur to over-
whelm them than just now, if the troops were prepared and in
sufficient numbers to ensure victory. General Hall has not arrived
here as yet, but is expected to march this day from his home. The
tents, &c, &c, have not as yet arrived, but are also expected, as is
some artillery.

I should have had the honor of addressing a letter to you
sooner than this, but I was not prepared to give you the informa-
tion you required. From Buffalo to the American garrison we
have 1280 militia and 470 regulars, in all 1700 men, in pretty good
health and tolerable spirits. They are both, men and officers,
anxious to have the orders to cross over, but they see and hear
plainly everything going on on the British side. A few evenings
ago a centinel at Black Rock, on his post opposite the British
redoubt, in the tone of a veteran with a long monotony of sound,
cried, "All's well." Our centinel, who perhaps did not like his own
situation, as the evening was a little cold and his post rather
exposed, cried out immediately after the other, "All's well, too."

I should feel highly honored by having a letter from Your
Excellency, and beg to assure you that every assistance in my
knowledge and exertion I shall deem my duty to afford here.

P. S. — There are but twenty light horsemen here to do the
duty within an extent of 34 miles. They are chiefly employed in
expresses and escorts : are quite inefficient for the duty. The
quarters are not the best for them, and they are beginning to feel
the weight of duty.

(Tompkins' Papers, Vol. VII., pp. 502-6, New York State Library. )

142

Militia General Orders.

Headquarters, Fort George, 23 July, 1812.
M. G. Orders.

Major-General Brock has been pleased to appoint Captain
Henry Warren of the 3rd Regiment of Lincoln Militia to be second
major of the same regiment, of which he will immediately assume
the command and use every exertion to prepare the whole of the
men for actual service.

By order the Major-General.

J. Macdonell. P. A. D. C.

Major-General Van Rensselaer to His Excellency Governor
Tompkins.

Ogdensburg, July 23, 1812, 8 o'clock p. m.

Sir, — On receiving information that Sackett's Harbor was
menaced by the enemy, I deemed it expedient that General Brown
should repair there, and accordingly he departed from this place
early yesterday morning. One reason for my remaining a day or
two longer at this post was to await and possibly improve the
success which might attend a projected attack upon a ten-gun
British schooner which has for several days been lying at the dock
at Prescott, opposite to this place. The proposed attack was con-
certed by my aid-de-camp, Col. Van Rensselaer, and Col. Benedict,
who commands at this post. Yesterday was spent in preparations.
The boarding boats were ready at 1 o'clock last night, and the
attack was to have been made by land and water at 3 in the morn-
ing. But when everything was ready in such a manner as to
promise complete success, it was discovered with infinite chagrin
and mortification that only sixty -six men would volunteer for the
service. This number being by no means competent, Cols. Van
Rensselaer and Benedict, who would certainly have led the men to
action with the most cool and determined bravery, were compelled
to abandon an enterprise honorable in itself and upon the result of
which might have depended the whole command of the lake and
river.

This promising object having been blasted, and. as nothing
further of consequence appeared to demand my longer stay here, I
was on the eve of my departure at five o'clock this afternoon, when
a large armed ship was discovered coming down the river. She has
anchored close in shore on the opposite side of the river, near to the
schooner, and appears to be a fourteen-gun ship. Considerable
solicitude prevails in this place. It is generally believed that the
vessels in the harbor are the object of the enemy. The owners of

the vessels are preparing to scuttle them or remove them as far out
of the reach of the enemy as may be. The troops are busy con-
structing a fort of timber north of Parish's store, on the best ground
for the purpose. But, sir, our very great misfortune is that we
have only two six-pounders. If this harbor tb to be protected it is
absolutely necessary that I should be immediately furnished with
cannon of a competent calibre for the probably approaching
emergency. I shall wait your answer by the return of the express
and govern myself accordingly.

(From S. Van Rensselaer's Narrative of the Affair of Queenston in the War of 1812,
New York, 1836, Appendix, pp. 20-1 )

Licut.-Coloiiel Myers to Captain James Cuinmings.

Fort George, July 23, 1812.
Sir, — Upon looking from Wilson's at the Falls last evening-
after leaving you, 1 find that Lafferty's can be seen most distinctly,
therefore it will not be necessary to put up a staff at the point
where we were at the head of the rapids, but the Genl. wishes one
to be erected on the point at Chippawa, not so much as an inter-
mediate situation as to give the alarm when required to the garrison,
&c, there. You will therefore be pleased to have the pole intended
for the head of the rapids put up at Chippawa. The best place at
Wilson's is on the cleared point near the paling of Wilson's garden,
and not far from the head of the path that goes down to the Table
Rock : when you go there you will easily see it. You will please to
examine the rising ground at Lundy's Lane (the school house) and
find out whether a beacon from that place could be seen from any
part of the high lands of Pelham. I request you will have some of
the bark, &c, for the fires collected at each post, and the iron
baskets shall be sent up as soon as possible. The pole for the corner
of the wheat field had better not be put up until you can ascertain
how soon the grain will be cut, and when it is cut whether or not
we can open a communication across it to the camp ; if so the
dragoon that would come from Wilson's could ride on across to the
camp. Let me hear from you on this, as also on the subject of the
ground at Lundy's Lane.

Edward Couche, Deputy Commissary* General» to Captain James
Cuinmings.

Fort George, 25th July, 1812.
Sir, — Major-General Brock having been pleased to approve of
my appointing you to act in the Commissariat Department in this
Province, I am to direct that you proceed without loss of time to

144

Oxford and make arrangements for furnishing about 400 men with
provisions., who are expected to arrive there in the course of a few
days, under the command of Col. Talbot.

There will, I expect, be little difficulty in procuring cattle for
this department in the neighborhood of Oxford, and you will use
every exertion to find bread or flour also for their use from the
inhabitants.

Should, however, this source of supply fail, I have directed fifty
barrels of flour to be forwarded from Long Point to Oxford, and
forty barrels of flour, twenty barrels of pork and one cask of salt to
Port Talbot. You will of course consult with Colonel Talbot on the
best means of transporting the last mentioned provisions to Delaware,
or to any other part of the country where they may be required,
but it is expressly to be understood that these provisions are not to
be consumed until the country can no longer provide a sufficient
quantity for the use of the troops.

You will for the present give your receipts to the parties for
any articles of provisions, &c, you may receive from them, and I
will in a short time arrange their being paid for the same at the
current rate of the country.

Deputy Assistant Commissary-General Coffin will furnish you
with stationery and forms for your provision accounts, and I expect
from your zeal and activity that the troops employed on this
arduous service will be well supplied with provisions, and that your
accounts of the same will be made up with regularity and correct-
ness.

Major-General Brock has been pleased also to approve of my
allowing you the pay of ten shillings stg. per day and forage for
one horse until further orders.

You will place yourself under the orders of the officer in com-
mand of the detachment with which you are to serve and obe}7 all
such instructions as he may find it necessary to give, taking care to
make me acquainted with the same as early as possible.

You will further report to me on all heads of service, and state
in a particular manner the resources of the country, so that I may
form a judgment of what provisions it may be requisite to forward
from this garrison.

Major- General Brock to Sir George Prevost.

Fort George, July 26, 1812.

Sir, — Since my despatch to Your Excellency of the 20th

instant I have received information of the enemy having made

frequent and extensive inroads from Sandwich up the River

Thames. I have in consequence been induced to detach Captain

145

Chambers, with about 50 of the 41st Regiment, to the Moravian
Town, where I have directed two hundred militia to join him.
From the loud and apparently warm professions of the Indians
residing on the Grand River, I made no doubt of finding at all times
a large majority ready to take the field and act in conjunction with
our troops, but accounts received this morning state that they have
determined to remain neutral, and had in consequence refused (with
the exception of about 50) to join Chambers's detachment.

I meditated, the moment I could collect a sufficient number of
militia, a diversion to the westward in the hope of compelling General
Hull to retreat across the river, but this unexpected intelligence has
ruined the whole of my plans. The militia which I destined for
this service will now be alarmed and unwilling to leave their families
to the mercy of 400 Indians, whose conduct affords such wide room
for suspicion — and, really, to expect that this tickle race would
remain in the midst of war in a state of neutrality is truly absurd.
The Indians have probably been led to this change of sentiment by
emissaries from General Hull, whose proclamation to the Six Nations
is herewith enclosed.

I have not deemed it of sufficient importance to commence
active operations on this line by an attack on Fort Niagara. It
can be demolished when found necessary in half an hour, and there
my means of annoyance would terminate. To enable the militia to
organize some degree of discipline without interruption is of greater
consequence than such a conquest.

Everything shall be done in my power to overcome the diffi-
culties by which I am surrounded, but without strong reinforce-
ments I fear the country cannot be roused to make exertions equal,
without support, to meet the present crisis.

I proceed immediately to York to attend the meeting of the
Legislature. I hope to return on Wednesday. The charge of this
frontier will in the meantime devolve on Lt.-Colonel Myers, who
appears worthy of every confidence.

The actual invasion of the Province has compelled me to recall
that portion of the militia whom I permitted to return home and
work at harvest. I am prepared to hear of much discontent in
consequence. The disaffected will take advantage of it and add
fuel to the flame, but it ma}' not be without reason that I ma}' be
accused of having already studied, to the injury of the service, their
convenience and humor.

I should have derived much consolation in the midst of my
present difficulties had I been honored previous to the meeting of the
Legislature with Your Excellency's determination in regard to this
Province. That it cannot be maintained with its present force is

146

veiy obvious, and unless the enemy be driven from Sandwich it
will be impossible to avert much longer the impending ruin of the
country. Numbers have already joined the invading army, com-
motions are excited, and late occurrences have spread a general
gloom.

I have not heard from Lt.-Colonel St. George, nor from any
individual at Amherstburg since I last had the honor of addressing
Your Excellency, which makes me apprehensive that Colonel
Procter has been detained on his journey too long for the good of
the service.

The enemy's cavalry amounts to about 50. They are led by
one Watson, a surveyor from Montreal, of a desperate character.
This fellow has been allowed to parade with about 20 men of the
same description as far as Westminster, vowing as they went along
the most bitter vengeance against the first characters of the Pro-
vince. Nothing can show more strongly the state of apathy in
that part of the country. I am perhaps too liberal in attributing
the conduct of the inhabitants to that cause.

Mr. Couche has represented to the head of his department the
total impracticability of carrying on the public service without a
remittance in specie, or a government paper substitute. He was
once in expectation of making arrangements with some individuals
that would have enabled him to proceed, but I much fear the whole
project has fallen to the ground. The militia on this communica-
tion was so clamorous for their pay that I directed Mr. Couche to
make the necessary advances. This has drained him of the little
specie in his possession.

My present civil office not only authorizes me to convene
general court martial for the trial of offenders belonging to the
militia, but likewise the infliction of the sentence of death — whilst
in regard to the military my power is limited to the mere assemb-
ling of the court. I beg leave to submit to the consideration of
Your Excellency whether, in times like the present, I ought not to
be invested with equal authority over each service.

I herewith have the honor to transmit two letters, one from
Captain Roberts commanding at St. Joseph's, and the second from
Mr. Dickson, a gentleman every way capable of forming a correct
judgment of the actual state of the Indians. Nothing can be more
deplorable than his description. Yet the United States Government
accuse Great Britain of instigating that people to war. Is not the
true cause to be found in the state of desperation to which they are
reduced by the unfriendly and unjust measures of that Government
towards them ?

(Canadian Archives, C. 676, p. 408.)

147
The Secretary of War to Major-General Dearborn.

War Department, July 26, 1812.

(Abstract.)

A letter dated the 7th inst. has been received, announcing
General Hull's arrival at Detroit with 2,000 men of the 4th United
States Infantry, recruits of the 1st do. and Ohio volunteers, in
good health and fine spirits. A regiment of the new army from
Virginia, and recruits from Maryland and Pennsylvania, have been
ordered to join him (General Dearborn) with the 5th Infantry,
under Colonel Beall, and a detachment of Colonel Burn's dragoons,
now concentrating at Trenton. By General Hull's letter of the 10th
inst., it appeal's that supplies by the lake are cut off, and he has
made arrangements for supplying his force from Ohio. General
Winchester has been ordered to reinforce him from Kentucky with
1,500 men. You should cut off the British supplies by an adequate
force at the rapids below Kingston.

York, July 28th, 1812.

Yesterday at an early hour His Honor Isaac Brock, Esq.,
President, administering the Government of Upper Canada and
Major-General commanding His Majesty's forces therein, arrived at
this place from Fort George, accompanied by a numerous suite, and
proceeded to the Government building at 4 p. m., when he opened
the present extra session of the Legislature, and delivered the fol-
lowing speech to both houses :
Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen

of the House of Assembly : —

The urgency of the present crisis is the only consideration
which could have induced me to call you together at a time when
public (as well as private) duties elsewhere demand your care and
attention.

But, gentlemen, when invaded by an enemy whose avowed
object is the entire conquest of this Province, the voice of loyalty
as well as of interest calls aloud to every person in the sphere in
which he is placed to defend his country.

Our militia have heard that voice and obeyed it. They have
evinced by the promptitude and loyalty of their conduct that they
are worthy of the King whom they serve and the Constitution
which they enjoy, and it affords me particular satisfaction that
while I address you as legislators 1 speak to men who in the day
of danger will be ready to assist not only with their counsel but
with their arms. We look, gentlemen, to our militia, then, as well

148

as to the regular forces, for our protection, but I should be wanting
to that important trust committed to my care if I attempted to
conceal (what experience, that great instructor of mankind, and
especially of legislators, has shewn,) that amendment is necessary
in our militia laws to render them efficient.

It is for you to consider what further improvements they may
still require.
Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of

the House of Assembly :

From the history and experience of our Mother Country, we
learn that in times of actual invasion or internal commotion the
ordinary course of criminal law has been found inadequate to
secure His Majesty's Government from private treachery, as well as
from open disaffection, and that at such times its Legislature has
found it expedient to enact laws restraining, for a limited period,
the liberty of individuals in many cases where it would be danger-
ous to expose the particulars of the charge, and although the actual
invasion of the Province might justify me in the exercise of the
full powers reposed in me on such an emergency, yet it will be
more agreeable to me to receive the sanction of the two houses.

A few traitors have already joined the enemy, have been suf-
fered to come into the country with impunity, and have been
harbored and concealed in the interior, yet the general spirit of
loyalty which appears to pervade the inhabitants of this Province
is such as to authorize a just expectation that their efforts to mis-
lead and deceive will be unavailing. The disaffected, I am con-
vinced, are few. To protect and defend the loyal inhabitants from
their machinations is an object worthy of your most serious
deliberations.

We are engaged in an awful and eventful contest. By unan-
imity and despatch in our councils, and by vigor in our operations,
we may teach the enemy this lesson: That a country defended by
FREEMEN, enthusiastically devoted to the cause of their King
and Constitution, can never be conquered.

Major-General Brock to Sir George Prevost.

York, July 28th, 1812.

Sir, — I consider the enclosed letter (this instant received) from
the Hon'ble James Baby of sufficient importance to forward by
express.

I conceived the Long Point militia the most likely to show the

149

best disposition of any in this part of the country, and this refusal
to join Captain Chambers shows the little dependence to be placed
in any of them. My situation is getting each day more critical.
I still mean to try and send a force to the relief of Amherstburg,
but almost despair of succeeding. The population, although I had
no great confidence in the majority, is worse than I expected to find
it, and the magistrates, &c, &c, appear quite confounded, and
decline acting — the consequence is the most improper conduct is
tolerated. The officers of militia exert no authority. Everything
shows as if a certainty existed of a change taking place soon.
But I still hope the arrival of reinforcements may yet avert such a
dire calamity. Many in that case would become active in our
cause who are now dormant.

I have the honor herewith to transmit a copy of my speech to
the two houses, delivered yesterday. A more decent house has not
been elected since the formation of the Province, but I perceived at
once that I shall get no good of them. They, like the magistrates
and others in office, evidently mean to remain passive. The repeal
of the Habeas Corpus will not pass, and if I have recourse to the
law martial I am told the whole armed force will disperse. Never
was an officer placed in a more awkward predicament. The militia
cannot possibly be governed by the present law — all admit that
fact, yet the fear of giving offence will prevent anything effectual
from being effected. I entreat the advice of Your Excellency.
Some letters received from individuals represent the conduct of the
41st above all praise. I cannot get a line from Colonel St. George.
Colonel Procter was provokingly delayed on his journey. I entreat
Your Excellency to excuse the haste with which I presume to
address you.

(Canadian Archives, C. 676, p. 217.)

Colonel Baynes to Colonel I^ethbridge, Inspecting Field Officer of
Militia at Kingston.

Headquarters, Quebec, 28th July, 1812.

Sir George would recommend the division from Kingston
downwards being " left to you, which will enable General Brock to
avail himself of General Shaw's services in the upper part of the
country, where officers of rank and experience are much wanted."

(From MSS. in possession of Lieut. -Colonel George A. Shaw.)

150
From the Buffalo Gazette, Tuesday, 28th July, 1812.

GENERAL HALL AND SUITE ARRIVED.

On Friday evening last General Hall arrived in this village,
accompanied by Major William Howe Cuyler and George Hosmer,
Esq., as aids-de-camp, and a body guard consisting of a detachment
of fifteen men of the East Bloomfield Light Horse, commanded by
Sergeant Bough ton.

General Hall is now General-in-Chief on our frontier.

On Saturday the General, escorted by a number of the first
characters of this village, moved to Black Rock, and after paying
his respects to Colonel Swift and other officers, and reviewing and
inspecting the troops, he returned to Buffalo.

On Sunday morning the General left this village for Lewiston.

The British have erected another breastMTork in a circular
form on the hill near Capt. Hardison's, opposite Black Rock. A
number of soldiers are stationed behind it.

When General Hall and his suite and escort appeared at the
Rock on Saturday it produced considerable bustle on the Canada
shore. Expresses were sent off in various directions, troops were
marched from Fort Erie to the breastworks, and four pieces or
artillery were placed in front of Douglas's, opposite Lower Black
Rock.

We learn that a number of soldiers at Black Rock remain
sickly, that every attention is paid to them, and that none are
dangerously ill.

At Lewiston we learn that the troops are generally healthy.

It is with pleasure we learn that strict and regular discipline
prevails in the camp at Black Rock, and that the soldiers are
orderly and the non-commissioned officers prompt and attentive in
the discharge of their respective duties.

It is reported that a parcel of Indians have left Canada and
landed on Grand Island (about 12 miles long and 10 broad, lying in
the Niagara River, between Black Rock and Schlosser) for the
purpose of making an attack on our frontiers. Two companies of
volunteers are stationed on the river between Black Rock and
Lewiston.

The Grand Island belongs to our Indians, and if any Indians
are on the island it is very probable they are from this side for the
purpose of killing game.

A SPY IN CUSTODY.

On Friday, the 24th inst., it was rumored that a man by the
name of Elijah Clark, a subject of His Majesty in LTpper Canada,

151

was on this side a few miles up the lake, lurking about apparently
as a spy. Judge Barker, Capt. J. Wells, and some others, immedi-
ately went in pursuit of the fellow. They found Clark in the
evening, and arrested him at the house of Mr. Lay, about twenty
miles from this village. He appeared considerably agitated, and
declined giving any satisfactory information as to his crossing the
lake, or who or how many came with him, but by means of vigi-
lance and good management they succeeded in arresting two others
by the names of Aaron Brink and David Lee, who rowed the boat
from Canada with Clark. On Saturday they were taken to Black
Rock, and underwent an examination before Col. Swift and Major
Miller. The}' were committed to the prison of this count}' till a
court martial should be ordered by Major-General Hall. Brink and
Lee have been removed from jail, and are under keepers. Clark is
well guarded.

These criminals were all born in the United States, and till
within a few years since have resided in this village. Clark is a
merchant in Canada, a young man, a noisy politician, and always
to be found in the majority in whatever government he resides.

Arrived in this village on Tuesday last, Mr. Asa H. Morse, a
saddler from York, Upper Canada. Having the day previous left
York for Newark on business, lie was at Newark, by an officer in
the fort (who understood he was an American) presented with
three alternatives : to become a prisoner of war or take the oath
of allegiance, or depart the country. He begged a little time to go
back and settle up his business. The officer bid him " shut up his
head." He departed.

The property of Mr. Morse thus jeopardized was worth about
500 dollars, which was his all.

Mr. Morse states that there were no regular troops at York,
and but one company of volunteers : that the town was in no
posture of defence, and that the ships of war at that place had all
been ordered down the lake.

Major-General Brock to Sir George Prevost.

York, July 2!). 1812.

Sir, — I have the honor to transmit herewith a despatch this
instant received from Captain Roberts, announcing the surrender
by capitulation on the 17th instant of Fort Michilimackinac.

The conduct of this officer since his appointment to the com-
mand of that distant post has been distinguished by much zeal and
judgment, and his recent eminent displa}' of those qualities Your
Excellency will find has been attended with a most happy effect.

152

The militia stationed here volunteered this morning their
services to any part of the province without the least hesitation. I
have selected 100 whom I have directed to proceed without delay
to Long Point, where I propose collecting a force for the relief of
Amherstburg. This example, I hope, will be followed by as many
as may be required. By the militia law, a man refusing to march
may be fined £5 or confined three months, and although I have
assembled the Legislature for the express purpose of amending the
act, I much fear nothing will be done. Your Excellenc}^ will
scarcely believe that this infatuated House of Assembly have refused
by a majority of two to suspend even for a limited time the Habeas
Corpus.

The capture of Michilimackinac may produce great changes to
the westward. The actual invasion of the Province justifies every
act of hostility on the American territory.

It was not till this morning that I was honored with Your
Excellency's despatches, dated the 7th and 10th instant. Their
contents, I beg to assure Your Excellency, have relieved my mind
considerably. I doubt whether General Hull had instructions to
cross to this side of the river. I rather suspect he was compelled
by a want of provisions. I embark immediately in the Prince
Regent for Fort George. I return here the day after to-morrow,
and shall probably dissolve the Legislature.

(From Tapper's Life of Brock, pp. 225-6. Canadian Archives, C. 676. p. 236.)

Major-General Brock to Colonel Baynes.

York, July 29th, 1812.

Dear Colonel, — I was not favored with your letters of the
8th and 10th instant until this morning. I had not before received
any official communication of war being declared, and I assure you
began to fear that I was wholly forgot. My situation is most
critical, not from anything the enemy can do, but from the dis-
position of the people — the population, believe me, is essentially bad
— a full belief possesses them all that this Province must inevitably
succumb — this prepossession is fatal to every exertion. Legislators,
magistrates, militia officers, all have imbibed the idea, and are so
sluggish and indifferent in their respective offices that the artful
and active scoundrel is allowed to parade the country without
interruption and commit all imaginable mischief. They are so
alarmed of offending that they rather encourage than repress
disorders and other improper acts. I really believe it is with some
cause that they dread the vengeance of the democratic part}', they

153

are such a set of unrelenting villains. But to business — several of
mv letters must have miscarried, otherwise you would have long
since been aware that I requested to reinstate Lieut. Johnston in
the Glengarry Regiment. He may not be very efficient, but then
consider the claims of his family. Indeed the proposition came
originally from you. Should Johnston be rejected, I am under
previous engagements to Lamont, therefore cannot give ear to Fitz-
Gibbon's application.

I have necessarily so many detachments along my widely
extended frontier that I cannot possibly spare an officer. I have
therefore detained Lieut. Kerr of the Glengarry. I am obliged to
mix regulars with the militia, otherwise could not get on at all. It
is a pity you did not understand his wishes in regard to the recruit-
ing business.

What a change an additional regiment would make in this part
of the Province. Most of the people have lost all confidence. I,
however, speak loud and look big. Altho' you may not be able to
cast a look this far, you must not omit Johnstown and Kingston.
Some regulars will be highly necessary. I wish very much some-
thing might be done for Mr. Grant Powell. He was regularly
brought up in England as a surgeon. I intended to have proposed
to Sir George to appoint him permanent surgeon to the Marine
Department, but I scarcely think that the situation would now
answer. His abilities, I should think, might be usefully employed
now that so many troops are called out.

Messrs. Dickson, Pothier and Crawford behaved nobly at the
capture of Michilimackinac. This event may give a total change
to the war in the west. Captain Roberts is spoken of in the
highest terms.

(Canadian Archives, C. 676, p. 239.)

Sir George Prevost to I^ord Liverpool.

Quebec, 30th July, 1812.
(No. 60.)

My Lord, — The exhausted state of the military chest, and the
impossibility of supplementing it except from England, exposes
His Majesty's service to serious difficulties, which will not be
altogether removed by the Army Bill Law. I will have to contend
in enforcing it against the deep-rooted prejudices of the Canadians
against paper money. I enclose a representation from the Com-

154

missary General of the embarrassments in his department from the
difficulties experienced in obtaining the smallest supply of money.

(Canadian Archives, Q. 118, p. 82.)

Commissary-General William H. Robinson to Sir George Prevost.

Quebec, 30th July, 1812.

Sir, — I have this evening received a letter from Deputy-
Commissary-General Couche, which occasions me the greatest
alarm. He informs me that Major-General Brock has ordered out
4,000 militia, and he begs to be informed in what manner they are
to be paid. The expense attending this measure will be about
£1,500, a sum which it will be impracticable to find in that country,
nor have I the means of affording effectual assistance, and if the
militia are not regularly paid great evil will ensue, indeed Mr.
Couche represents that symptoms of discontent have already
appeared. Besides this, various payments are already at a stand.
The prospect of a paper medium being established will be a relief,
but without the concurrence of the Legislature of Upper Canada
it cannot be counted for a certain assistance, yet I submit the
expediency of trying the experiment by sending a packet of our
notes to General Brock.

Mr. Couche, in his letter of the 3rd inst., speaks of a currency
on a limited scale under the auspices merely of the merchants, upon
which he is now silent, therefore I conclude it has not produced
the effect we had expected. I beg to suggest that His Majesty's
Government be asked to send out specie before navigation closes.

(Canadian Archives, Q. 118. p. 84.)

Sir George Prevost to Major-General Brock.

Quebec, July 31, 1812.

Sir, — I have received your letter of the 20th instant, accom-
panied by a copy of two letters from Lieut.-Colonel St. George, who
is in command at Amherstburg, and some interesting documents
found on board a schooner which had been taken by the boats of
the Hunter.

In consequence of your having desired Colonel Procter to pro-
ceed to Amherstburg and of your presence being necessary at the
seat of government, I have taken upon myself to place Major-

155

General Sheaffe upon the staff, to enable me to send him to assist
you in the arduous task you have to perform, in the able execution
of which I have great confidence. He has been accordingly directed
to proceed without delay to Upper Canada, there to place himself
under your command.

I believe you are authorized by the commission under which
you administer the Government of Upper Canada to declare martial
law in the event of invasion or insurrection : it is therefore for you
to consider whether you can obtain anything equivalent to that
power from your legislature. I have not succeeded in obtaining a
modification of it in Lower Canada, and must therefore upon the
occurrence of either of these calamities declare the law martial
unqualified, and of course shut the doors of the courts of the civil
law.

The report transmitted by Captain Dixon of the Ro3Tal
Engineers to Lieut.-Colonel Bruyeres of the state of defence in which
he had placed Fort Amherstburg, together with the description of
the troops allotted for its defence, give me a foreboding that the
result of General Hull's attempt upon that fort will terminate
honorably to our arms.

If Lieut.-Colonel St. George be possessed of the talents and
resources required to form a soldier, he is fortunate in the oppor-
tunity of displaying them. Should General Hull be compelled to
relinquish his operations against Amherstburg it will lie proper his
future movements should be most carefully observed, as his late
march exhibits a more than ordinary character of enterprise.

Your supposition of my slender means is but too correct : not-
withstanding you may rely upon every exertion being made to
preserve uninterrupted the communication between Kingston and
Montreal, and that I will also give all possible support to your
endeavors to overcome every difficulty.

The possession of Maiden, which I consider means Amherst-
burg, appears a favorite object with the Government of the United
States : I sincerely hope you will disappoint them.

Should the intelligence which arrived yesterday by the way of
Newfoundland prove correct, a remarkable coincidence will exist in
the revocation of our orders in Council as regards America and the
declaration of war by Congress against England, both having taken
place on the same da}' in London and at Washington, the 17th June.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 227-8.)

156
Major-General Dearborn to Major-General VanRensselaer.

Headquarters, Greenbush, July 29th, 1812.

Sir, — Your situation, I presume, will enable you to ascertain
what force the enemy can bring into action against offensive opera-
tions on our part at Kingston and its vicinity, and what forces, in
addition to those under your command, would be necessary to
render offensive operations in that quarter sure of success. Any
information you can give me on this and all other points in relation
to your command, and on the general state of things with j^ou and
in Upper Canada, is requested, and it is highly desirable that you
afford me the earliest information from time to time of any occur-
rences in your vicinity sufficiently important to be communicated.
You will readily perceive the expediency of employing suitable
characters for obtaining and communicating to you correct informa-
tion in relation to the enemy's force, and the disposition of the
militia and inhabitants generally in the Province.

Proper encouragement should be given to such persons as you
may confide in for their services in this employment, and I shall
hold myself accountable for any necessary expenditure attendant
on it. I have not had an opportunity of conferring with Governor
Tompkins, but as he is shortly expected home I shall soon have the
pleasure of a conference in relation to your command and the
situation of the frontier generally. Not being informed of the
extent of your command, I have written to the commanding officers
at Niagara and Plattsburg, from the presumption that there might
be three distinct commands, but if I am mistaken I trust no
material inconvenience will result from it. Be assured, sir, that
your appointment to your present command, your ready acceptance
of it, and promptitude in repairing to the frontier, affords high
satisfaction to our good citizens, and is peculiarly gratifying to
your very humble servant.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative, Appendix, p. 22.)

The Secretary of War to Major-General Dearborn.

War Department, July 29, 1812.

(Abstract.)

Enclosing a copy of a letter to Mr. Erastus Granger, authorizing
him to organize the warriors of the Six Nations conditionally and
report the corps to the commandant at Niagara. They should not
be allowed to act except under authority of the commanding general.

157

Calvin Austin to Augustus Porter.

Warren, May 5, 1814.

Dear Sir, — In the month of Aug't, 1812, on my way to
Detroit, and on my arrival at Miami, I found about 170 Indians in
the settlement. I made an inquiry why they were there. It was
stated by Amos Spafford, Esq'r, (then resident,) that they had left
the mouth of the river from their planting ground on account of
their being threatened by the hostile Indians, and were in a suffer-
ing condition for want of provisions. We then gathered them and
had a talk, and I recommended that 50 rations per day should be
issued by the agent, Capt. Daniel Reece. He supplied to the
amount of 400 rations, and then was stopped by me, as I found
that several of their young men had left that place and gone to
Brownstown. I returned from the River Raisin and advised the
Indians to proceed a few miles up the river and the}' would be
secure, &c, &c.

N. B. — These Indians were of the Tawaway tribe.

(From MSS. of Hon. P. A. Porter.)

Colonel Baynes to Major-General Brock.

Quebec, August 1, LSI 2.

Sir, — Sir George yesterday received your letter of the 20th
with its several enclosures, which are, I assure }Tou, highly interest-
ing to all, and doubly so to those who feel warmly and sincerely
attached to you, and few, I believe, possess more friends and well-
wishers than yourself. 100 effectives of the Newfoundland and
fifty picked men of the Veterans left this in boats on Thurs-
day, and as it has blown a gale of east wind ever since, have, I trust,
made great progress. They were intended to reinforce the garrison
of Kingston and to relieve the company of the 49th that escorted
stores to that place. Sir George regrets extremely his inability to
render you a more efficient aid, but under existing circumstances he
does not feel himself warranted to do more. I regret to find your
militia at Sandwich so lukewarm, to call it by no harsher name,
but I fear little can be expected from those recently settled or of
American extraction, and with our Canadians we have found a
ver}^ reluctant compliance. I trust we may still look for consider-
able reinforcements from home this year. We are led to expect the
1st battalion of the Royals from the West Indies immediate^',
destined, indeed, to relieve the 41st. I hope we shall not be disap-
pointed, as our militia will feel bold if well backed, and I am sure
Sir George will rejoice in receiving the means of rendering you

158

further assistance. It appears to be credited that the Orders-in-
Council were rescinded in as far as regarded America on the 17th
June, the day the war vote was carried. This will strengthen the
oppositionists in the States, and the timid will feel alarmed, not
without reason, when they read the glorious and judicious exploit
of Captain Hotham in the Northumberland, 74, in destroying, under
circumstances of great difficulty and peril, two French 44-gun
frigates and a sloop, which received a superior degree of protection
from batteries on the shore than can be afforded to Commodore
Rodgers in any harbor of the States.

The Americans are forming depots in the neighborhood of the
Montreal frontier and building bateaux on the lake, but they have
not brought forward any considerable show of strength. On this
appearance of weakness we cannot rely, as it would answer no good
end making a parade before they intended to attack. If they be
serious in their views on this Province, the attempt will probably
be backed by predatory excursions on various points. A corps of
militia is kept on the Point Levi side.

Our Legislature meet this day to terminate the session. Our
great object has been accomplished in the House, adding the pro-
vincial security to the Army Note Bill. The province pays the
interest accruing upon the notes and the expense of the establish-
ment, and they are constituted a legal tender. Without this step
we were completely at a stand, for we could not obtain money to
pay the last month's subsistence to the troops. Great benefit is
expected to accrue from the operation of the bill. The clergy have
engaged to promote the circulation of the notes, all of which above
twenty -five dollars bear interest, and all under are payable on
demand.

Adieu, m}' dear general, may every success and good fortune
attend you in the arduous task before you. We cannot command
success, but I am sure you will not fail to merit it.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 228-31.)

District General Order.

Headquarters, Fort George, 1st August, 1812.
D. G. Orders.

Paymasters to the militia will be appointed at York, Fort
George, Amherstburg and Kingston, who will regularly muster the
militia on the 24th of each month, or as soon after as possible.

The officers in charge of the commissariat at Fort George,
Amherstburg, Kingston and York will issue to the paymaster the

159

amount of the monthly estimates of the militia, which are to be
certified by the commanding officer of the post, whether of the line
or militia.

The paylists will be certified on oath by the captain or officer
in command of companies, and the officer commanding the militia
will examine and certify their belief as to the correctness of the
account.

By command of the Major-Genl.

Thos. Evans,

Major of Brigade.

I,ieut. -Colonel Bruyeres, Royal Engineers, to Major-General Brock.

Quebec, August 1, 1812.
Sir, — I take the favorable advantage of this being delivered
to you by General Sheaff'e to assure you of the sincere interest I
feel in the very arduous and important position you are now placed
in, to protect and defend a chain of posts and a country that has
been so long neglected. This difficult task, placed in any other
hands, I should consider very discouraging, but I acknowledge that
I look with a certain degree of confidence to your abilities and per-
severance in surmounting every difficulty that must unavoidably
occur in a service of this nature. I most fervently and earnestly
hope that every possible success may attend all your proceedings.
I trust that you will always meet with zeal and activity in the
officers of my department to perform every part of the duty allotted
to their charge. It is very difficult at this distance to suggest any
ideas that might be useful, as every operation in which you are
engaged must depend so entirely upon local circumstances and the
conduct which the enemy may pursue towards attaining the object
he has in view. I am glad to find that the near arrival of the
Royals, expected at Quebec to-morrow, will give 3Tou the reinforce-
ment of the 49th Regiment, which, with the detachments of the
Newfoundland and Veterans and gun-boat No. 7, will add some-
thing to your present strength.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 230-1.)

The Secretary of War to Major-General Dearborn.

War Department, August 1, 1812.

(Abstract.)
He encloses a copy of a letter from General Hull, dated 19th
July. You will make a diversion in favor of him at Niagara and
Kingston as soon as practicable.

160

Sir George Prevost to Major-General Brock.

Quebec, August 2, 1812.

Sir, — Last evening an officer of the 98th Regiment arrived
here express from Halifax, the bearer of despatches to me, dated on
the 22d ultimo, from Mr. Foster, who was then in Nova Scotia.

I lose no time in making you acquainted with the substance
of this gentleman's communication. He informs me that he has
just received despatches from England, referring to a declaration of
ministers in parliament relative to a proposed repeal of the Orders-
in-Council provided the American Government would return to
relations of amity with us, the contents of which may induce the
American Government to agree to a suspension of hostilities as a
preliminary to negotiations for peace ; that he proposed sending His
Majesty's hired armed ketch Gleaner to New York with letters to Mr.
Baker, whom he had left at Washington in a demi-official capacity,
with directions to communicate with the American minister and to
write to me the result of his interview. Should the President of
the United States think proper to signify that hostile operations
should cease on the American side, Mr. Foster suggests the expedi-
ency of my being prepared to make a similar signification on our
part.

As I propose sending Colonel Baynes immediately into the
United States with a proposal for a cessation of hostile operations,
I enclose for your information the copy of my letter to General
Dearborn or the Commander-in-Chief of the American forces.

Mr. Foster also submits the propriety of our abstaining from
an invasion of the United States territory, as only in such an event
could the American Government be empowered to order the militia
out of the States. I am led to believe from this that General Hull
in possessing himself of Sandwich has exceeded his instructions,
particularly as Mr. Foster informs me that Mr. Monroe had told
him Fort Maiden (Amherstburg) would not be attacked, but that
General Hull had stated to a friend of his some time ago that he
would attempt it.

A report has been made to me that a frigate and six transports,
with the Royal Scots (1st battalion) on board from the West Indies,
are just below Bic. In consequence of this reinforcement, I have
ordered the company of the 49th Regiment sent to Kingston to
remain there, and in addition to the Royal Newfoundland Regiment
and a detachment of an officer and 50 Veterans most fit for
service, now on their route to that station, I shall order Major
Ormsby with three companies of the 49th Regiment to proceed
from Montreal to the same post to be disposed of as you may find
it necessary.

161

Lieut.-General Sir J. C. Sherbrooke has informed me that one
of the transports with part of the Royals on board has been cap-
tured by the United States frigate, the Essex ; that she has been
ransomed, and the officers and troops allowed to proceed upon con-
dition that they are not to serve against the United States until
regularly exchanged. The vessels and troops had arrived at Halifax
and will shortly be sent hither.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 231-2.

Major-General Dearborn to Major-General VanRensselaer, or the
Commanding Officer at Fort Niagara.

Headquarters, Greenbush, Aug. 3d, 1812.

Sir, — You will please take measures for keeping up a corres-
pondence with General Hull and ascertain his movements by
express or otherwise, and as he has crossed over to Upper Canada
and taken possession of Fort Maiden, it will be expedient to make
every exertion in your power to co-operate with him. If your force
will not admit of any strong offensive operations, it is highly
desirable that such diversions should be made in his favor as will
prevent the enemy from detaching any force from the vicinity of
Niagara to oppose the movements of General Hull. I trust you
will soon be called to act in a more decisive manner.

(Prom S. YaiiRensselaer's Narrative, Appendix, p. 22.)

District General Orders.

York, 3rd August, 1812.
D. General Orders.

1. Lieutenant-Colonel Myers will assume, during the absence
of Colonel Procter, the command of the District of Niagara.

2. Major General Shaw, having offered his services in any
manner in which they may be useful, Major-General Brock is
pleased to appoint him to command between Chippawa and the
Sugar Loaf, as Colonel of Militia, with the pay and allowance of
Lieutenant-Colonel.

3. It is to be understood that no officer in the militia when
embodied will receive a higher rate of pay than Lieutenant-Colonel,
and that officers of every rank are subject to the same deductions
as the line, including the income tax.

Bv command of the Major-General,

J. H. Glegg, A. D. C.

162

Proceedings of a Council held at York Respecting the Western
Frontier.

AT A COUNCIL HELD AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE, YORK, UPPER CANADA,

Monday, August 3d, 1812.
Present, —

Major- General Brock.

Honble The Chief Justice.
" James Baby.
" Alexander Grant.
John McGill.
Mr. Justice Powell.
" Prideaux Selby.

His Honor the President represented to the Board that the
hopes he had entertained from the call of the Legislature were
likely to be disappointed.

That the Lower House of Assembly, instead of prompt exer-
tions to strengthen his hands for the government of the militia,
providing for security from internal treason by partial suspension
of the Habeas Corpus Act, authorizing a partial exercise of Martial
Law concurrently with the ordinary course of justice, and placing
at his disposal for the defence of the Province the funds not actually
applied upon past appropriations, had consumed eight days in
carrying a single measure of party — the repeal of the School Bill,
and passing an act for the public disclosure of treasonable practices
before the Magistrates should have power to commit without bail.
That under such circumstances little could be expected from a pro-
longed session of the Legislature.

That the enemy had invaded and taken post in the Western
District; was multiplying daily his preparation to invade in others;
that the militia, in a perfect state of insubordination, had withdrawn
from the ranks in actual service ; had refused to march, when
legally commanded, to reinforce a detachment of the regular force
for the relief of Amherstburg ; had insulted their officers, and some
not immediately embodied had manifested in many instances a
treasonable spirit of neutrality or disaffection.

That the Indians on the Grand River, tampered with by the
disaffected whites, had withdrawn from their volunteer services and
declared for a neutrality which in respect of them was equally
inadmissible as with the King's other subjects.

That in the Western and London Districts several persons had
negotiated with the enemy's commander, hailing his arrival and
pledging support. That the regular force consisted of one regi-
ment, the 41st, nine hundred strong, and part of the Royal New-

163

foundland Regiment, two hundred, with a detachment of Royal
Artillery and several armed vessels. That the extent of coast-
exposed and the great distance of the prominent points had obliged
him to divide that force to support and countenance the militia.
That the conduct of the western militia had exposed to imminent
danger the regular force at Amherstburg, and, however inconvenient,
he had made a large detachment of the 41st and militia from the
Home and Niagara Districts, with the few Indians not corrupted, to
reinforce that garrison if time would admit.

That, on the other hand, the Commandant at St. Joseph had,,
with the garrison and Indians, taken the Island of Michilimackinac,
the garrison of which capitulated without firing a shot.

That in all probability part of that force might descend to
Detroit, and in such case a co-operation with the garrison at Fort
Amherstburg, reinforced by the detachment now on its march to
Long Point, might compel the invaders to retire or surrender, but
that no good result from any military expedition could be expected
unless more powerful restraint could be imposed on the militia than
the actual law admits, and that he had power to restrain the
general population from treasonable adherence with the enemy or
neutrality by summary proceeding and punishment, nor could the
colony be considered safe from the Indians in its very bosom whilst
liable to be tampered with by disaffected persons, exposed only to
the slow progress of conviction by criminal law.

That with this view of the situation of the Colony, he sub-
mitted for the consideration of the Council how far it might be
expedient to prorogue the General House of Assembly and pro-
claim martial law under the powers of the King's Commission, in
case of invasion.

The Council adjourned for deliberation.

Tuesday, 4th August.

The Council met from adjournment of yesterday.
Present, —

The same members.

The Council having deliberated upon His Honor's representa-
tion is unanimously of the opinion that under the circumstances of
the Colony, it is expedient upon the prorogation of the General
Assembly to proclaim and exercise Martial Law, according to the
powers of His Majesty's Commission to the Governor-General.

(Canadian Archives, Q., 118, p. 187.)

164

Major General Brock to Sir George Prevost.

York, August 4, 1812.

Sir. — I have the honor to enclose a statement made by me
yesterday to His Majesty's Executive Council, which will fully
apprize Your Excellency of my situation. The Council adjourned
for deliberation, and I have no doubt will recommend the proroga-
tion of the Assembly and proclamation declaring martial law ; but
doubts occurred in contemplation of such an event, which I take the
liberty to submit to Your Excellency and request the aid of your
experience and superior judgment.

1. In the event of declaring martial law, can I, without the
sign manual, approve and carry into effect the sentence of a general
courtmartial ?

2. Can I put upon a general courtmartial after martial law is
proclaimed any person not a commissioned officer in His Majesty's
regular forces ? In other words, can officers of the militia set in
conjunction with those of the line ?

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 232-3.)

The Secretary of War to Major-General Dearborn.

War Department, August 4, 1812.

(Abstract.)

Informing him that the light artillery and Simond's regiment
have been ordered to proceed to Albany.

From the Buffalo Gazette, Tuesday, 4th August, 1812.

The account of Hull's occupying Sandwich was known at
Newark four or five days before it arrived here, the distance from
Detroit to Newark being much less than the route on our side of
the lake. It is presumed that troops were immediately sent to
Maiden, as for ten or twelve days past there have been several
movements of British troops on the Niagara River. On Saturdaj'
last we are informed that one companj7 of regulars and five flank
companies (militia) were sent up to the head of Lake Ontario in
boats, from thence (distance about 30 miles) to Detroit River, and
to sail down the same to Maiden. The flags of truce which so
frequently passed and re-passed at Black Rock and other places on
the Niagara River during the two first weeks of the war have, we
believe, been entirely discontinued. No event of importance has

165

transpired on our frontier since our last. The health of the troops
is not materially changed. There has been one death at the Rock
last week, and one now lies dangerously ill.

Yesterday a British armed vessel (supposed to be the one
lately built at Long Point) came down and anchored at Fort Erie
—a merchant vessel came in company, name not known, probably
a prize to the arrived ship.

Tuesday morning, 8 o'clock. The brig Hunter, ship of war,
and sch'r Nancy, have left Fort Erie and gone up the lake, prob-
ably loaded with military stores for Maiden.

Indian Logic. — The rumor of the British and Indians taking-
possession of Grand Island (situated in Niagara River and owned
by the Senecas) having reached the Senecas, they assembled for the
purpose of counselling with their agent, Mr. Granger, on the sub-
ject. The famous Red Jacket, after having stated the information
they had received, addressed the agent in the following manner : —

Brother, — You have told us that we had nothing to do with
the war between you and the British, but we find the war has come
to our own doors. Our property is taken possession of by the
British and their Indian friends. It is necessary for us now to
take up the business, defend our property, and drive the enemy
from it. If we sit still upon our seats and take no measures of
redress the British (according to the customs of you white people)
will hold it by conquest, and should you conquer the Canadas, you
will claim it upon the same principle, as conquered from the British.
We therefore request permission to go with our warriors and drive
off those bad people and take possession of our lands.

District General Orders.

York, 5th August, 1812.
I). G. Orders.

The business of the commissariat .at this post having decreased,
Major-General Brock has appointed Mr. William Stanton to act as
paymaster to the militia for the York District until further orders.
Mr. Stanton is to receive no pay for performing this duty other
than what he derived from his situation in the Commissariat
Department.

By order of the Major-General.

J. B. Glegg,

Captn., A. D. C.

166
From the New York Evening Post, Thursday, 13th August, 1812.

Albany, August 10.

We are sorry to learn that most of the young men of the St.
Regis tribe of Indians have left their settlement to join the British
forces, and that Colonel Louis and several of the aged chiefs friendly
to the United States have from fear of their safety also fled from
their settlement and taken refuge within the County of Franklin,
where they are now supported at the expense of the United States.

(File in the New York Society Library.)

Major-General VanRensselaer to Governor Tompkins.

Buffalo, 11th August, 1812, 6 p. m.

Sir, — I have to advise Your Excellency that I arrived here last
evening, and various considerations induced me to adopt measures
for obtaining satisfactory information respecting the situation of
General Hull. Accordingly I this morning sent my aide-de-camp
to Black Rock, having heard that Judge Porter, brother of the
Quartermaster-General, had lately returned from Detroit. Colonel
Van Rensselaer has returned, having had a conference with the
Quartermaster-General and Judge Porter. The result of the
information obtained is substantially this : That Judge Porter left
Detroit on the 29th ult. : Gen. Hull was entrenching himself oppo-
site Detroit, and Fort Maiden was not taken, as has been reported.
Genl. Hull's force was eight hundred. At Brownstown, below
Detroit, are fifteen hundred hostile Indians. The Quartermaster-
General has lately sent several boats with provisions for General
Hull, but unfortunately one boat was taken by the enemy, and
unfavorable apprehensions are entertained for the other boats.

It is here generally believed that detachments of troops have
been sent from Fort George to relieve Fort Maiden ; the number
remaining behind I have not been able to ascertain, but shall
endeavor to make this an object of early enquiry. It is said that
the enemy abound on the opposite shore with ordnance and every
munition of war. We are here, as indeed at all our posts, lament-
ably deficient in ordnance. The situation of Ogdensburg, and the
necessity of supplying it with heavy ordnance, I have before stated
to Your Excellenc}- in my letter by express from that place. Every
consideration connected with the success of any operation in this
quarter urges me to solicit the earliest possible supply of heavy
ordnance and some skilful engineers and artillerists. Without such
aid and supplies I can hardly conceive how it will be possible for

167

us to achieve anything of importance or even to defend our posts
in case of an attack from the enemy.

I have spent a part of this day with Red Jacket, Cornplanter
and a number of other Indians of influence. They very kindly
consider me as the messenger of peace and friendship, especially
delegated by Your Excellency. Their professions are unreservedly
friendly and I believe sincere.

I have this day received a letter from Major-General Dearborn,
in which he speaks of Fort Maiden being taken. I have given him
such information as 1 possess on that subject.

I shall to-morrow proceed to Black Rock and Lewiston and
make further communications of every incident of importance.

(Tompkins' Papers, vol. VIII., pp. 58-61, New York State Library.)

Sir George Prevost to Major General Brock.

Montreal, August 12, 1812.

Sir, — Your letter of the 4th instant, enclosing the proceedings
of the Executive Council of the 3d, Captain Glegg's letter of the 5th
instant, transmitting copies of letters from Colonel Procter to you
of the 26th and 80th July, with the correspondence between Briga-
dier-General Hull and Lieut.-Colonel St. George, and the intercepted
correspondence of the former, together with your letter to Colonel
Baynes of the 4th instant, were all delivered to me on my arrival
at this place yesterday. The information they contain is highly
interesting, and I lose no time in despatching to you Brigade-
Major Shekleton as the bearer of this letter and for the purpose of
receiving whatever communication you may have to make in
return. Being fully aware of the necessity of affording you such
reinforcements as the exigencies of the service in other parts of the
two Provinces would permit, I had previous to the receipt of your
letter made arrangements for that purpose.

Major Ormsby, with three companies of the 49th Regiment,
protecting a considerable supply of ordnance and ordnance stores,
left Lachine on the 6th instant for Kingston and Fort George,
taking with him £2,500 for the payment of the regular and militia
forces. Major Heathcote, with one companj* of the 49th Regiment,
about 110 men of the Newfoundland Regiment and 50 picked
Veterans, are to leave Lachine on the 13th instant. With this
detachment an additional supply of ordnance stores and camp
equipage for 500 men will be forwarded for Upper Canada, and, as
soon as a sufficiency of bateaux can again be collected at Lachine,
Colonel Vincent is under orders to proceed to Kingston with the

168

remainder of the 49th Regiment and a subaltern of the Royal
Artillery and ten gunners with two 3-pounders.

When these reinforcements reach you, they will, I trust, enable
you successfully to resist the internal (as well as external)
enemies opposed to you and materially aid the able measures you
have adopted for the defence of Upper Canada. With regard to the
queries you have submitted to me on the subject of martial law, I
have to observe that it has not fallen within my experience to see
martial law proclaimed except in those places where it has been
declared under the authority of a provincial legislature, which of
course regulated the mode in which it was to be executed. As the
martial law you propose declaring is founded on the King's com-
mission and upon the extreme case of invasion alluded to in it, I
am inclined to think that whatever power is necessary for carrying
the measure into effect must have been intended to have been given
you by the commission, and consequently that the power of assem-
bling courts martial and of carrying their sentences into execution
is included in the authority for declaring martial law. The officers
of militia becoming themselves subject to martial law when it is
declared, I conceive the}' may sit upon courts martial with officers
of His Majesty's regular forces, but upon both these points I desire
not to be understood as speaking decisively — extreme cases must
be met by measures which, on ordinary occasions, would not perhaps
be justified. Your situation is such as to warrant your resorting to
any step which in your judgment the public safety may require.
I should therefore think that after taking the best opinions that
you can obtain from the first law characters you have about you,
respecting the doubts you entertain on this subject, you need not
hesitate to determine upon that line of conduct which you shall
think will best promote the good of the service, trusting, if you do
err, to the absolute necessity of the measure you may adopt as your
justification for them to His Majesty's Government.

Your letters of the 26th, 28th, and 29th July, with the several
enclosures and papers accompanying them, were received by me
shortly previous to my leaving Quebec, the last containing Captain
Roberts' official account of the capture of Fort Michilimackinac.
Great credit is certainly due to that officer for the zeal and promp-
titude with which he has performed that service — at the same time,
I must confess, my mind has been very much relieved by finding
that the capture took place at a period subsequent to Brigadier-
General Hull's invasion of the Province, as had it been prior to it,
it would not only have been in violation of Captain Roberts's
orders, but have afforded a just ground for the subsequent conduct
of the enemy, which I now plainly perceive no forbearance on your

169

part could have prevented. The capture of this place will, I hope,
enable the Indian tribes in that quarter to co-operate with you in
your present movements against the enemy, by threatening his
flanks, a diversion which would greatly alarm him and probably
have the effect of compelling him to retreat across the river.

I send you enclosed a copy of the official repeal of the orders
in council, which I received last night (by express) from Quebec.
Although I much doubt whether this step on the part of our
Government will have any effect upon that of the United States,
the circulation of a paper evincing their conciliatory disposition
may tend to increase and strengthen the divisions which subsist
among the people upon the subject of the war. I therefore recom-
mend you to have a number of copies struck off* and distributed.

Colonel Baynes is still absent upon his mission to the enemy's
camp. Your letter to him of the 29th ultimo was received at the
same time with those I have last acknowledged. Colonel Leth-
bridge I have directed to return to Montreal.

The issue of army bills has taken place at Quebec, and I hope
to be able shortly to send you a supply of them.

(From Tuppers Life of Brock, pp. 233-ti.)

Major-General Dearborn to Major-General Amos Hall, or Com-
manding Officer on the Niagara Frontier.

Headquarters, Greenbush, Aug. 8, 181

Sir, — Having received from Sir George Prevost, Governor and
Commander-in-Chief of the forces in Canada by Col. Baynes, his
Adjutant-General, despatches from England to our Government of a
conciliatory nature, and a proposition on the part of Sir George
Prevost, for a mutual cessation of hostilities on the frontiers, I have
so far complied with the proposition as to agree to direct the
respective commanding officers on the side of the United States to
confine their respective operations to defensive measures until they
receive further orders. Similar orders are given to the British
commanders. You will therefore confine the operations of the
troops under your command to defensive measures until they
receive further orders. It being explicitly understood that if
General Hull should continue to act offensively and any movement
of the enemy's troops in your vicinity should take place with a view
to offensive operations, it will be considered as an infraction of the
agreement, and you will govern yourself accordingly.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 24.)

170

The Secretary of War to Major-General Dearborn.

War Department, Aug. 8, 1812.

(Abstraot.)

Should the recruits and volunteers be inadequate for immediate
operations he is instructed to call out as many militia as he may
need. The repeated attacks of the enemy in the vicinity of
Sackett's Harbor require prompt and energetic movements in the
vicinity of the lakes.

(Prom the Buffalo Gazette, Tuesday, nth August, 1812.)

On Friday and Saturday of last week eleven native born
citizens of the United States deserted from the British ranks, seized
boats, and, crossing Lake Erie, landed eight of them at Canadaway,
in Chautauqua County, and the other three at the mouth of Buffalo
Creek. They were examined and suffered to depart. Their coun-
tenances bespoke the joy and satisfaction they felt on having thus
so happily made their escape. They inform us that the British are
withdrawing almost all their forces from the Niagara lines to meet
General Hull at Fort Maiden. If this be true we are led to believe :

There is a tide in the affairs of war, which taken at the ebb
leads on to fortune.

Last Wednesday, before a general court martial, held at the
court house in this village, Colonel Philetus Swift, President, com-
menced the trial of Elijah Clark. The charge brought against him
was that of being a British spy. The trial continued until Satur-
day about noon. The decision is not yet known, and probably will
not be for several days.

At an Indian Council, held at Cattaraugus on the 29th July,
the Indian chiefs requested that no more whiskey should be sold to
the Indians.

District General Orders.

Headquarters, Banks of Lake Erie,
15 Miles S. W. of Port Talbot,
August 11th, 1812, 6 o'clock p. m.
D. General Orders.

The troops will hold themselves in readiness and will embark
in the boats at twelve o'clock this night precisely.

It is Major-General Brock's positive orders that none of the
boats go ahead of that in which is the Headquarters, where a light
will be carried during the night.

The officers commanding the different boats will immediately

171

inspect the arms and ammunition of the men and see that they are
constantly kept in a state for immediate service, as the troops are
now to pass through a part of the country which is known to have
been visited by the enemy's patroles.

A captain with a subaltern and thirty men will mount as
piquet upon the landing of the boats, and a sentry will be furnished
from each boat, who must be regularly relieved, to take charge of
the boat and baggage, &c.

A patrole from the piquet will be sent out on landing to the
distance of a mile from the encampment.

By order of the Major-General,

J. B. Glegg, Capt'n, A. D. C.
J. Macdoxell, P. A. D. C.

Samuel S. Connor, A. D. C. to Major-General Dearborn, to the Com-
manding Officer at Niagara.

(Undated.)
Sir, — You will please to communicate the enclosed communi-
cation, which is from the British Adjutant-General, to the British
commanding officer opposite Niagara and Detroit, that he may
immediately communicate it to Col. Procter.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 25.)

District General Orders.

Headquarters, Point aux Pins,

Lake Erie, August 12th, 1812.
D. General Orders.

It is Major-General Brock's intention, should the wind con-
tinue fair, to proceed during the night. Officers commanding boats
will therefore pay attention to the order of sailing as directed
yesterday. The greatest care and attention will be requisite to
prevent the boats from scattering or falling behind.

A great part of the bank of the lake where the boats will this
day pass is much more dangerous and difficult of access than any
we have passed. The boats will therefore not land excepting in
the most extreme necessity, and the greatest care must be taken to
choose the best places for landing.

The troops being now in the neighborhood of the enemy, every
precaution must be taken to guard against surprise.
By order of the Major-General.

J. B. Glegg,

Capt'n, A. D. C.

172
Colonel Baynes to Major-General Brock.

Montreal, August 13, 1812.

Sir, — I wrote to you from Albany on the 8th instant, but as
my letter was submitted to the inspection of General Dearborn I,
of course, confined myself to the sole subject of the armistice

entered into with that officer A clause

admitting reinforcements to pass with stores was readily agreed to
on my part. General Dearborn told me that a considerable rein-
forcement (with stores) was on its way to Niagara, and that he
could not delay or alter its destination. I informed him that we
were also forwarding reinforcements and stores, and that it would
be advisable to agree that all movements of that nature on either
side should be suffered to proceed unmolestedly by troops under
instructions to preserve defensive measures. I am apprehensive
that General Dearborn may not explicitly explain all these points,,
and I have therefore cautioned all the officers to whom I have com-
municated them to act with the utmost caution, and to be prepared
for all events that may arise. I feel extremely prepossessed in
favor of General Dearborn, whose manners appear to evince great
candor and sincerity. He assured me that no event of his life
would afford him so much happiness as resigning his command in
consequence of our honorable adjustment of differences. He told
me that General Hull was placed under his orders merely for
form's sake, but that he acted by particular instructions from the
War Department, and would not consider himself bound to obey
any order that was not in conformity with them.

Under all these circumstances, which I have represented to Sir
George, I have strongly urged his sending you further reinforce-
ments, which I am sure can be spared. We are at present checked for
want of conveyance, but I trust that after the troops now on their
route are despatched that Sir George will be induced to send you
further aid and that of the best description. I think it of the
highest importance, particularly if we are likely to arrange matters
with the States, that the balance of military events should be
unequivocally in our favor. I found a very general prejudice pre-
vailing with Jonathan of his own resources and means of invading
these provinces, and of our weakness and inability to resist, both
exaggerated in a most absurd and extravagant degree. A little
practical correction of this error would be attended with the best
effects.

The 1st battalion of the Royals are upwards of 1,100 strong,

173

but sickly, having suffered from their long residence in the West
Indies, and they are in consequence marked for the Quebec garrison.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 298-300. )

General Amos Hall to Governor Tompkins.

Manchester, August 13, 1812.

Sir, — In conformity with your directions in your letter of the
8th of July, I repaired without delay to the Niagara frontier. On
my arrival I found that considerable apprehension was entertained
of an invasion, but before I could form an opinion as to the fact, I
found that it would be necessary for me to take a general view of
the lines. I spent about a week in the examination and in making
such disposition of the troops as appeared to me best calculated to
protect and guard the frontier. I, however, found it difficult with
the force we had on the lines to distribute the men so as to form a
chain of centinels and patrols from lake to lake, and have men left
off guard duty sufficient to erect such batteries as have by the
advice of Genl. Gray been erected, and to perform other necessary
fatigue duty.

One battery has been built on the brow of the hill above
Lewiston, which will completely command two batteries erected b}T
the enemy on the opposite side of the river, one being a little below
the house of Benjamin Barton, the other about one-third of the wa}'
up the hill above Queenston. We have another battery of con-
siderable length erected on the rise of ground opposite lower Black
Rock, in front of the barracks. That, however, I consider a pro-
tecting rather than commanding work. Another small work has
been nearly completed, and has been erected under cover of a thin
wood, about half a mile up the river from the barracks. This is
thought by General Gray (who is our chief engineer) to be a very
commanding piece of ground. It is a small battery, calculated to
mount one heavy piece of artillery.

The situation of the batteries erected by the eneni}7 on the
opposite side of the river are very correctly described in the eastern
papers, and particularly in the papers printed in Canandaigua,
which you have undoubtedly seen. No new batteries have been
erected on the opposite shore within eight or ten days past.

Our batteries are now nearly ready to receive several pieces of
ordnance, and some should be heavy. But the misfortune is we
have nothing of the kind. We have only four pieces of field
artillery, except what are in the garrison : two four and two six-
pounders. Those pieces of heavy artillery mentioned in your letter
of the 8th of July have not arrived.

174

We have had thoughts of supplying ourselves with ordnance
from the batteries on the Canada shore. But being well assured
that many of the inhabitants are favorable to receiving our troops
and would give us aid if we should come in sufficient force to give
them protection, and knowing their situation to be such that they
would be obliged to take arms if anjT trifling invasion should be.
made, it has been thought most advisable to make no attempt until
an efficient force might cross, such as to give general protection.

The Quartermaster-General has commenced building boats at
Manchester (near the falls), and by the assistance of fatigue parties
from the lines we are in hopes to have forty boats completed
within two or three weeks at the farthest.

I consider it a great misfortune that we are not now provided
with boats and a sufficient number of troops to cross the river. It
is a favorable moment, and I regret very much indeed that we are
not prepared to improve it.

Detachments of the regular troops and of the militia have
within the last ten or fifteen days been ordered up Lake Erie by
water, and across the country to Fort Maiden, to reinforce the
British army in that quarter.

I am very anxious for the fate of General Hull's army, which
did not (I have been informed) exceed twenty-two hundred when
he crossed the river. Had we had a suitable force and been pro-
vided with boats, it would have been in our power to have prevented
reinforcements from leaving this part of Upper Canada to the
relief of Maiden. But boats we had none, and not a sufficient
number of troops to have warranted an attack.

We are informed, and I believe the information correct, that
the whole force at Fort Erie, and the batteries in its vicinity, did
not a few days since amount to more than two or three hundred
men at most, and at Fort George their strength, we have reason to
believe, is nearly in the same proportion. But the enemy, knowing
that we had no means of crossing the river, ventured to leave their
forts thus thinly garrisoned.

My opinion is that three thousand men, in addition to our
present force, would be sufficient to enable us to erect the American
standard on the Canadian side, and support it against an}^ force
that could be raised, unless General Hull should be defeated and
the troops from that cpuarter, with a large force of Indians that
would immediately follow them, should return to oppose us. In
that event, flushed as they would be with victory, a much larger
would be necessary. Our lines are at present thinly guarded, and
guard duty is hard on the men. It would be a great relief should
Your Excellency see fit to order on the 19th regiment detached from

175

the counties of Cayuga and Seneca, the command of which has
been assigned to Lieutenant-Colonel Bloom. In case of invasion, or
should it be thought advisable to make a descent into Upper Can-
ada, many of the militia in the western part of the State would
volunteer. There has been several tenders of the services of com-
panies and battalions since I have been on the lines.

The troops now on the lines are stationed as follows: — Lieut.-
Colonel Swift's regiment at Black Rock, except one company on
command at Buffalo ; four companies of Lieut.-Colonel Dobbin's
regiment and one company of Lieut.-Colonel Allen's regiment at
the camp near old Fort Schlosser; Captain Dox's volunteer com-
pany and three companies of Lieut.-Colonel Dobbin's regiment at
Lewiston ; Lieut.-Colonel Allen's regiment, excepting one company
at the Five Mile Meadows, between Lewiston and Fort Niagara.
Part of the regular troops are at Youngstown, the remainder in the
garrison.

Our whole force cannot be estimated to exceed fourteen hun-
dred effective men. Twelve dragoons are distributed at the different
posts on the lines, who answer for expresses and patrols.

An express has been sent to General Hull, advising him of the
reinforcement sent on by General Brock from the British lines and
vicinity of the Niagara frontier. The express went from Buffalo
on the 5th inst. and reached Cuyahoga in two days. But Judge
Porter, who arrived last evening from Detroit, is apprehensive that
the communication will be cut off before the express will be able to
get through, for he states that McKee, with some other Indian
leaders, with about 300 Indians, were at a place called Brownstown,
nearly opposite Maiden, a short time before he with about forty
others came into town, but had crossed over to Maiden. He
expects all communication will be cut off by this party.

Judge Porter brings reports that Michilimackinac has been
taken, that it was given up on summons, not a gun fired. There
were seventy men in garrison and about one hundred of the enemy;
from twelve to twenty only were white men, the remainder Indians.

General Hull, he states, is erecting a fort nearly opposite
Detroit, where he will act on the defensive until he receives a rein-
forcement. I hope it may arrive in season.

It appears by Judge Porter's account that the General had but
850 effective men on his return with him when he was at Sand-
wich about two weeks since. There probably might have been
about two hundred on command. Admitting that calculation to be
correct, one thousand would be all his force. This is a small army
in an enemy's country, widely different from being in possession of
Maiden, as stated in our first accounts.

176

General Van Rensselaer and suite arrived at this place last
evening. He will proceed to the garrison to-morrow. After taking
a view of the lines he will take command on this station.

In compliance with Your Excellency's orders, I came on to
these lines. I now wait your further orders respecting my services.

The troops here are generally healthy, excepting slight turns
of the distempers incident to camps on their first formation. There
have been but few cases of fever taken place in the camp for the
number of men and the season of the year.

N. B. — August 14. — General Van Rensselaer has taken the
command on this station. I find by General Orders by him on the
13th July that he is authorized to call out such parts of the detach-
ments as he may think necessary. He appears very anxious to
have it in his power to do something for his country ; he will order
on more troops immediately.

(Tompkins' Papers, vol. VIII., pp. 53-8, New York State Library.)

From the New York Evening Post, Thursday, 27th August, 1812.

Batavia, August 13.

Extract of a letter dated at Buffalo, August 13 :
This afternoon the British began to build a breastwork nearly
opposite Black Rock. They were scattered in every direction b\^
one discharge of a six-pounder from our shore. The ball struck
near the laborers. All was confusion for a short time. An officer
on horseback was immediately despatched to Fort Erie. To-
morrow morning the British will no doubt resume work.

(From file in New York Society Library.)

From the New York Fvening Post, "Wednesday, 26th August, 1812.

Canandaigua, August 13.

We are told that the gentleman who brought General Hull's
proclamation to the Niagara frontiers turns out to be a citizen of
Canada, sent over in the night from Fort Erie, where the procla-
mation had been received several days earlier than on our side.
Calculating on our snail-like way of transmitting intelligence, the
fellow availed himself of General Hull's paper, which served as a
good passport, and, appearing in the capacity of an express, found

177

no difficulty in obtaining information which was his exjiress view,
and after spending several days along the line he re-crossed in a
boat rowed by two men from the British fort.

(From file in New York Society Library. )

General Orders.

Headquarters, Niagara, Aug. 13th, 1812.

Major-General VanRensselaer having been appointed to the
command of the troops on the northern and western frontiers of
this State, announces his arrival. Having assumed this command,
the General assures the officers and soldiers that as on their part
he will require prompt obedience to orders and strict discipline, so
from him they may expect his unremitting exertions to render
their situation at all times as eligible as possible, and when their
exertions shall be called for against the enemy he trusts with con-
fidence that they will be such as will redound to the honor of the
troops and the service of the country.

The troops at Lewiston will be reviewed and inspected at 10
o'clock to-morrow ; for that purpose blank returns will be furnished.

An accurate inspection return will be made out by the com-
manding officers of companies, who are to account for their men,
arms, and accoutrements. In their returns they will note the
deficiencies of arms or accoutrements, to the end that measures
may be adopted to obtain supplies from the proper departments.

By order of Major-General VanRensselaer.

Sol. VanRensselaer, Aid-de-Camp.

General Order.

Headquarters, Albany, 13th Aug., 1812.

The Nineteenth detached regiment of militia of this State, com-
manded by Lt.-Col. Henry Bloom, being part of General William
Wadsworth's detached brigade, pursuant to the directions of the
President of the United States, is hereby ordered into the service
of the United States, and is to repair to Lewiston or Black Rock
and receive and obey the orders of the commanding officer in the
service of the United States at that frontier. The regiment will
rendezvous in battalions or by regiment, as may be directed by
Brigadier-Genl. John Tillotson, who is the senior brigadier-general
and will act as Commandant of the seventh division of the militia
of this State, in the absence of Major-General Hall.

178

The non-commissioned officers and privates must severally
appear at the place of rendezvous armed with a musket or rifle and
equipments accordingly, and with a knapsack, blanket, canteen and
necessary clothing. Tents and camp equipage will be provided and
be ready for the use of the regiment at the times and places of
rendezvous.

By order of the Commander-in-Chief.

Anthony Lamb, Aid-de-Camp.

(Tompkins' Papers, New York State Library.)

John I,ovett to Joseph Alexander.

Niagara Falls, August 14, 1812.

I wrote to VanVechten by the last mail the situation of Gen-
eral Hull. I am inclined to think he is not in a very eligible
situation. General Dearborn believes Fort Maiden is taken, but it
is not true. Now, in justification of our General, who God knows
would serve his country if he could, I made a little sketch of the
country, &c, where and how Hull is situated, in my letter to Van
Vechten ; read that and you will see what condition we are in, but
how is that possible in our present condition ? We have eleven
cannon for all our extensive lines : no works of any consequence
except old Fort Niagara, and that, though once a masterpiece, is all
going to decay. From Buffalo to Niagara, both inclusive, we have
not 1,000 militia. Capt. Leonard of the garrison at Niagara told
me this afternoon that our regulars are 360 and no more. Wait
another sentence. Although General Van Rensselaer is incessantly
pressing the Commander-in-Chief with that indispensable necessity
of .a competent supply of heavy ordnance, for engineers, artillerists,
still a noble company of 106 artillerists at Niagara are in two or
three days to take up their line of march for Albany. This Capt.
Leonard told me this day. After all you have heard, you will not,
you cannot, believe me, but hear me and wait until the next mail,
when we shall send the Commander-in-Chief our inspection returns
for all the posts. Now, as to the enemy — -although they have sent
off large detachments, General Wadsworth, who commanded at
Lewiston, told me today 1,000 from Niagara to reinforce Fort
Maiden, yet they appear to be alert all along the lines, yet exceed-
ing civil, and still with ordnance of every description and all the
munitions of war they abound.

Every three or four miles on every prominent point or eminence
there you see a snug battery thrown up, and the last saucy

179

arguments of Kings poking their white noses and round black
nostrils right upon your face, ready to spit fire, ball, and brimstone
in your very teeth if you were offer to turn squatter on John
Bull's land. Niagara, on the British side, or as it is sometimes
called Newark. I mean at Lake Ontario, looks wicked everywhere.
It is a charming, fertile, broad village, but all a camp, fortified at
every point. Capt. Leonard was this afternoon in my presence
asked seriously for his professional answer as an able, gallant, and
experienced officer : '■ What number of troops would be competent
to promise success in an attack upon Fort George, that is, their
main work." I heard the answer: " Not less than 2,000 well dis-
ciplined troops." Those who know Leonard will believe, for they
must respect his opinion. No sooner did we approach with our
cavalcade than away ran expresses on the opposite shore at full
speed. Here again I saw our old friend, the Earl of Moira.
While we were reconnoitering the works the Prince Regent up
sails and stood off north. " Now let the reasonable part of the
world judge why Gen. VanRensselaer cannot act.

(From a Legacy of Historical Gleanings, by Mrs. C. V. R. Bonney, Albany, N. Y.,

District General Orders.

Headquarters, Fort Amherstburg,

August 14th, 1812.
[Circular.]
D. General Orders.

Major-General Brock announces his arrival to the troops
quartered in the Western District, and directs officers in command
will immediately transmit returns of their respective corps.

The Major-General -congratulates the troops on the evacuation
of the country by the enemy. He is persuaded that nothing but
the spirit manifested by those who have remained doing duty, and
the judicious measures adopted by Colonel Procter, have compelled
him to so disgraceful a retreat.

Colonel Elliott and Major McKee and the officers of the
Indian Department are entitled to his best thanks for their judi-
cious management of the Indians, and for the example of gallantry
which they have uniformly shown before the enemy.

The Major-General cannot avoid expressing his surprise at the
numerous desertions which have occurred from the ranks of the
militia, to which circumstance the long stay of the enemy on this
side of the river must in a great measure be ascribed. He is will-
ing to believe that their conduct proceeded from an anxiety to get

180

in their harvests and not from any predilection for the principles
or Government of the United States. He requests officers com-
manding corps to transmit to him the names of such militiamen as
have remained faithful to their oath and duty, that immediate
measures may be taken to discharge their arrears of pay.

The enemy being still in the neighborhood, the whole physical
force of the country will be employed to drive him to such a dis-
tance as will ensure its tranquillity.

Officers commanding militia corps are responsible that every
individual bound to embody himself do immediately repair to this
station, in default of which he will be treated as a deserter and
subjected to all the penalties of the new Militia Act.

Captains Muir, Tallon, and Chambers, 41st Regiment ; Captain
Glegg, 49th Regiment : Captain Mockler, Newfoundland Regt., and
Captain Dixon, Royal Engineers, are appointed to the rank of
Major so long as the local service on which they are employed
continues.

The troops in the Western District will be formed into three
brigades : The first, under Lieut.-Colonel St. George, to consist of
detachments of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, and of the
Kent and First and Second Regiments Essex Militia. The Second,
under the command of Major Chambers, consisting of fifty men of
41st Regiment, and the whole of the detachments of York, Lincoln,
Oxford, and Norfolk Militia. The Third Brigade, under the com-
mand of Major Tallon, will consist of the remainder of the 41st
Regiment.

Colonel Procter will have charge of the whole line, under the
orders of the Major-General.

James Givins, Esquire, late Captain 5th Regiment, is appointed
Provincial Aid-de-Camp, with the rank of Major in the Militia.

By order of the Major-General.

J. B. Glegg, Major, A. D. C.

District General Orders.

Headquarters, Fort Amherstburg,

August 15th, 1812.
D. General Orders.

The troops will be in readiness to embark at McGee's Point at
three o'clock to-morrow morning. Colonel Elliott will proceed
during the night to the eastern shore of the River Rouge, and upon
his communicating with the Major-General the troops will immedi-
ately commence crossing the river and land between River Rouge
and Spring Wells.

181

Colonel Elliott will place the Indians in a position to take the
enemy in flank and rear, should he be disposed to oppose the
crossing.

Lieutenant-Colonel St. George will march his brigade this
evening and canton the men in the houses close to the spot at which
the embarkation is to take place.

The officers of the commissariat will make the necessary-
arrangements to supply the troops employed on the opposite shore
with provisions and every article required by the different depart-
ments. During the operations of the troops in the field each man
will receive one gill of spirits per day. The number for which
provision is to be made may be calculated at two thousand.

By order of the Major-General.

J. B. Glegg, A. D. C.

The Secretary of War to Major-General Dearborn.

War Department, August 15, 1812.

(Abstract.)

Acknowledges the receipt of his letter of the 8th, informing
him (the Secretary) of the conclusion of the armistice, and enclos-
ing a despatch for Mr. Baker, the British charge d'affaires. He is
instructed by the President that there does not appear to be any
justifiable cause to vary from the arrangements that are in opera-
tion. Not a moment should be lost in gaining possession of
Niagara and Kingston, and co-operating with General Hull in
taking Upper Canada. It is expected that a sufficient force is
assembled for this, especially at Niagara. The reinforcement for
General Hull was to assemble at Newport, Ky., on the 12th, and
should reach Detroit about the 1st September, and 500 men will
march from Ohio and will probably arrive before. You are
authorized to purchase and arm such vessels on Lake Champlain
and other waters as may be necessary.

District General Orders.

Headquarters, Detroit,

16th Augt., 1812.
D. G. 0.

Major-General Brock has every reason to be satisfied with the
conduct of the troops he had the honor to lead this morning against
the enemy. The state of discipline which they so eminently dis-
played, and the determination they evinced to undertake the most

182

hazardous enterprise, decided the enemy, infinitely more numerous
in men and artillery, to propose a capitulation, the terms of which
are herewith inserted for the information of the troops.

The Major-General requests Colonel Procter will accept his
best thanks for the assistance he derived from his experience and
intelligence.

General Orders.
Headquarters, Lewiston, 16th Aug., 1812.

Major-General Hall will please to order the troops in the
vicinity of Niagara Falls to repair to Lewiston as soon as may be
convenient, reserving a necessary guard at that place until it shall
be relieved by a detachment from Lieut.-Col. Swift's regiment.
The court martial, whereof Brigadier-General Wadsworth is presi-
dent, will adjourn to headquarters, and there finish the business
before them.

The troops between Lewiston and Fort Niagara will, with
their baggage, march to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock to Lewiston,
leaving guards at the places heretofore occupied for watching the
movements of the enemy. The quartermaster will furnish the
necessary transportation.

Lieut.-Col. Swift will furnish small guards of observation from
Buffalo to the Falls of Niagara, inclusive. They are to communicate
to the General-in-Chief by runners any movements of the enemy
with all possible despatch.

By order of Major-General Van Rensselaer.

Sol. VanRensselaer, Aid -de-Camp.

John I/Ovett to Joseph Alexander.

Sunday, August 16, 1812.

Headquarters, Lewiston.

I had but just arrived yesterday when a tiring of musketry
commenced on both sides the river at this place.

My General says I was the first man on my horse, and that as
I started he called to me three or four times to come back, and the
reason he very handsomely assigned was that he expected I was
going to run away, and that he should never see me again. How-
ever, Gen. Wadsworth and Col. VanRensselaer were on their horses
and started with me. We run our horses up such horrid rocky
precipices as I never saw men ride before. The firing increased,
and the moment we darted out of the bushes on to the open land a

183

soldier, catching his breath, ran up to me and sung out : " General,
do ride down into that hollow, for the balls fly dreadfully here."
It was partly true ; they did fly a little, but I did not observe only
two that went near enough to make me grin. Col. V. R. says he
heard 6 or 8 about near enough. We pursued on a little further
and halted on our horses, inquiring of another soldier what began
the skirmish. While he was relating his story there came a ball
pretty near us, and had I been shot through I could not have
helped laughing to see the poor devil run behind a large black oak
tree, draw his arms close to his body, catch his breath and grin.
You may depend on it there is something perfectly indescribable in
the face of a clown who expects at every breath a ball through his
back.

Gen. Wadsworth was extremely cautious to keep his breast
towards the balls, saying he " had no notion that a Wadsworth
should be shot through the back." However, after six or eight
minutes the firing ceased on both sides ; the guards were small, and
I do not believe there were more than 100 muskets discharged on
both sides, but those were four to one by the enemy. So we
galloped all back again by another route amidst the plaudits of our
clever fellows, and no one more gratified with the little prompt zeal
shown than our commander. Now, this exactly noticing may by
some fool be conjured up as to another Sacketfs Harbor battle.
In the afternoon over came a flag from Lieut.-Col. Myers of the
70th Regt., commanding Fort George, with a letter, demanding the
reason why his guards had been fired on, and I have just had the
honor of answering his letter to say that two men appeared near
the American shore under suspicious circumstances ; they hailed
the opposite shore, and soon a boat appeared, presumed to be for the
object of transporting the two men over, and she was therefore fired
upon, and the fire returned. Col. VanRensselaer, decorated with all
the pomp of war as the best sample we could give Canada, has just
been over with the letter and returned. .....

9 at night. — Huzza ! Huzza and tantivy ! We have been all
day making out and despatching orders to Oswego for a rifle
battalion, Cayuga for a troop of horse, to Ontario for Bloom's
regiment, &c, and now since dark comes a memorandum from
Captain Dox at Albany of the road full of troops, flying artilleiy,
infantry, &c, and all the uniformed companies in the State ! ! An
express from the Governor-General of Canada to Gen. Dearborn,
proposing an armistice.

184

Monday, Aug. 17th, 3 p. m.

Mr. Dickson, a gentleman of respectability from Queenston
opposite this, is this moment over with a flag of truce. We asked
him the news on the Canada shore. He says that all the reinforce-
ments from Ohio to General Hull are cut off and destroyed by the
Indians from Brownstown. Since writing the above Peter B.
Porter tells me that from information he before possessed he has
no doubt of the fact stated by Mr. Dickson.

On the night of the the 17th, about midnight, I heard a
whoop : " Officer of the guard ! Officer of the guard !" Out I ran,

for to tell the candid truth I have about done with sleep

Well, this was an express with letters from Gen. Dearborn, enclos-
ing a sort of three-legged armistice between some sort of an
Adjutant-General on behalf of the Governor-General of Canada
and the said General Dearborn, also letters to Lt.-Col. Myers, com-
manding at Fort George. In the morning we sent down to
Niagara, seven miles, sent a flag across with the letters, &c. There
is nothing but flag after flag, letter after letter — Gen. Brock gone
somewhere, Lt.-Col. Myers not at the fort now. and Major-Gen.
Sheaffe, formerly of Boston, (brother of Nancy Sheaffe, tell my
wife,) is now commanding at Fort George.

The weather is unfavorable, alternate rains, and the sun
excessively hot. We have to pay great attention to the health of
the men. The duty of our troops is really severe — about 160
mount guard constantly, but no grumbling. The General is inde-
fatigable with them ; all the while among the men, and is growing
every day more and more the favorite of the whole camp. Five
minutes ago we returned through the lines. A* man had fallen in
a tit. The General looked and felt of him, called one of his mess
to go directly with him to his marquee, and by him sent the poor
soul a tumbler of wine. Encamping in the midst of the soldiers,
and being every hour in their view, pleases all. All the boats
which Porter has sent to Gen. Hull are undoubtedly cut off. I do
not see how Hull can get out, but he may. I hope so. Freemen
and brave soldiers are sacrifices too precious to be offered on the
altar to atone for folly and rashness.

(From Bonney's Historical Gleanings, pp. 207-9.)

185
Col. Myers to Sir George Prevost.

Fort George, Upper Cadada,
August 17 th, 1812.

Sir, — The despatches of Major-General Brock, acquainting
Your Excellency of his having proceeded from here to Amherstburg
on the 1st instant, leaving me in command of this district, will have
no doubt reached you. Since his departure I have sent forward to
him sixty rank and tile of the 41st Regiment and a like number of
militia volunteers. The former sailed from Fort Erie on the morn-
ing of the 4th instant, and I have had the satisfaction to hear of
their timely arrival at their destination.

Major-General Brock left Long Point on the 8th with about
300 men, including forty rank and tile of the 41st Regiment, which
had for some time been stationed in that district. The winds were
favorable, and he must have reached Amherstburg on the 12th.
The greater part of this number proceeded in bateaux.

When the Major-General left this he authorized my opening
all his official letters, and it may be satisfactory to Your Excellency
to know that under the privilege I unsealed your confidential
despatch (Aug. 3d,) addressed to him, and covering a copy of one
from Your Excellency to General Dearborn. I instantly sent it
forward to the Major-General, and will most strictly govern myself
by its contents as long as I retain the command of this line, acquaint-
ing Major-General Sheaffe (who I learn is on his way here) thereof
upon his arrival.

I have the honor to transmit to Your Excellency a letter from
Colonel Procter (August 11th), received yesterday, enclosing a copy
of an intercepted despatch from Brigadier-General Hull (August
4th), dated at Sandwich, addressed to the American Secretary at
War, the contents appearing highly interesting, and lead to the
certain hope of the overthrow of the enemy's force in that quarter.

Since the Major-General left this everything has remained
quiet here, although I have heard from two creditable sources of
information that the enemy have very lately completed forty boats,
equal to the transport of thirty men each, at Tonewanta Creek, near
the Grand Island, and that he intends in a few days to attack our
flanks.

The armed vessels Earl Moira and Prince Regent are on our
left, the schooner Lady Prevost on our right. Every possible
preparation that our means will admit of is made for the reception
of the enemy, and if he does attempt it I entertain no doubt of
successfully opposing him.

Many of the militia have not yet returned from an indulgence

186

that was granted them to assist in the harvest. I believe the grain
is principally got in by this time, and I have accordingly requested
Major-General Shaw, the Adjutant-General of Militia, to call in all
the absentees of the flank companies of the five Lincoln Regiments.
Just now they amount to little more than 500 present. If they all
come forth they will be about 800, and I have directed that a draft
from these five regiments of 500 additional should be held in per-
fect readiness to join the flank companies at a moment's notice, and
that the total remainder of that force should be in preparation to
move to this line when called on.

I am concerned to have to add that desertion to their houses is
rather prevalent among them. Everything on my part shall be
done to urge them to activity, and I have great hopes that the good
news from Amherstburg will very much stimulate them to exertion.

I find that the troops of the enemy opposite us are extremely
discontented, and that numbers of them have gone back into the
country.

(Canadian Archives, C. 677, p. 48.)

Major-General Brock to Major Thomas Bvans.

Detroit, 17th August, 1812.

Dear Evans, — Detroit is ours, and with it the whole Michigan
Territory, the American army prisoners of war. The force you so
skilfully prepared and forwarded at so much risk met me at Point
au Pins in high spirits and most effective state. Your thought of
clothing the militia in the 41st cast off clothing proved a most
happy one, it having more than doubled our own regular force in
the enemy's eye. I am not without anxiety about the Niagara,
with your scanty means for its defence, notwithstanding my con-
fidence in your vigilance and admirable address in keeping the
enemy so long in ignorance of my absence and movements, &c.

(Prom Laura Secord and other Poems, by Mrs. S. A. Curzon : Appendix No. 3, pp.
209-10.)

General Timothy J. Hopkins to Governor Tompkins.

Sir, — Agreeable to the directions contained in the 7th section
of an act to organize the militia of this State, passed March 29th,
1809, I transmit to Your Excellency information that I received
from John McMahon, Lieut.-Colonel commandant of a regiment of
militia organized in the County of Chautauqua during the last
session of the Honorable Council of Appointment. The information
which follows is nearly in Colonel McMahon's own words :

187

Since the declaration of war the inhabitants of the town of
Chautauqua have been much alarmed with the appearance of two
English vessels near their harbor, one of which was observed to be
an armed vessel. This circumstance, together with the danger
apprehended from the Indians in that quarter, particularly those
who live on the Alleghany River, have created so much uneasiness
among the inhabitants that many had determined to move off.
To prevent this, Colonel McMahon thought it advisable to order
out one captain and fifty men to guard the landing portage at
Chautauqua for the space of two weeks. Colonel McMahon also
informs me that he has, at his own expense, provided the company
with provisions.

Buffalo, August 17th, 1812.

(Tompkins' Papers, vol. VIII.. pp. 82-3. New York State Library.)

From the New York Statesman, 25th August, 1812.

From a correspondent at Lewiston, August 17th, 1812 :
Canadians arrive daily. The Niagara River which in peace-
able times can only be crossed with safety in boats, flats, &c, can
now be passed with apparent safety on logs, rails, slabs, and even
by many without any buoy whatever. Lakes Ontario and Erie,
formerly considered extremely dangerous to cross with open boats,
no longer present any obstacle to those who are so fortunate as to
get possession of a boat — the perils of the sea are absorbed by the
fear of being taken back by their friends. A boat of 16 or 18 feet
in length lately brought over Lake Ontario (where its width is near
60 miles) three young men who report that at York there are very
few soldiers, only two pieces of cannon, but -considerable quantities
of ammunition and other stores after furnishing the savages with
large quantities lately, that the country was drained of soldiers and
drafted militia, General Brock having ordered all that could be
collected for Maiden to fight General Hull. Indeed the latter part
of this report is confirmed by all who come from any part of
Canada. Further, that a Mr. Wilmot, Surveyor General of Upper
Canada, who lived near York for many years, has collected a
respectable company of men (about 60 in number) attached to the
American cause, and proceeded on his march through the wilderness
to join General Hull. Wilmot, they say, is much exasperated
against the Government of Canada, and his followers not unlike
their leader. Other reports of this nature there are in circulation,
the truth of which cannot be ascertained.

(From file iu New York Society Library.)

188
General Orders.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 18th Aug., 1812.

Major-General Dearborn having communicated that, agreeably
to an arrangement made between him and the Governor-General of
Canada through his Adjutant-General, all hostilities between the
troops on either side should be suspended until further orders,
Major General Van Rensselaer directs the officers and soldiers under
his command strictly to conform to this arrangement, and if any of
the troops have the hardihood to fire on the enemy they will be
punished accordingly.

Lieut.-Col. Swift will order under arrest Capt. Dogherty of his
regiment for absenting himself from his company, and will investi-
gate the cause of firing of a field-piece at Black Rock on the opposite
shore, and by whom, and report the facts to the Major General
without delay.

By order of Major General VanRensselaer.

Sol. VanRensselaer, Aid-de-Camp.

Militia General Orders.

Headquarters, Amherstburg,

18th Augt., 1812.
Militia General Orders.

The reports which have reached Major General Brock impeach
in so serious a degree the character of many officers of the 1st and
2nd Essex and Kent Regiments of militia that His Honor has
thought proper to appoint a Court of Enquiry in order to ascertain
by a regular process such as have by any act or neglect of duty
during the invasion of this district by the enemy forfeited their
claim to the character of officers and gentlemen.

His Honor is perfect^ satisfied that there are many of the
officers of these Regiments to whom no share of blame can justly
attach, and who have throughout evinced every degree of zeal for
the service, and he is desirous of giving to such as may have been
unjustly accused an opportunity by a public investigation of
justifying their character from the imputations cast upon them.

Colonel James Baby, President.
Matthew Elliott, 1 ,, ,
" William Caldwell, }Membe^

The court will assemble as soon after the arrival of Colonel

189

Baby as possibly, and will give to the different officers of these
Regiments notice of the time and place of meeting.
. By order of the Major General.

J. Macdonell, Lt.-Col., P. A. D. C.

Major General VanRensselaer to Major General Dearborn.

Headquarters, Lewiston,

18th August, 1812, 6 o'clock a. m.

Sir, — Your letter of the 8th inst. by some mismanagement
this place in the mail last evening on to Niagara, and was
sent to me by express from Capt. Leonard at a late hour in the
night. I have written General Hull, enclosing your letter to him.
I have also written General Porter to forward the despatch to
General Hull by some very trusty express. I have written the
commanding officer at Fort George, enclosing the letters from Adju-
tant-General Baynes to him and sent my aid-de-camp, Col. Van-
Rensselaer, to Niagara with orders to pass over with a flag and
deliver the letters.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative, Appendix, p. 25.)

Major General VanRensselaer to I4eut.-Col. Myers, 70th Regt.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 18th Aug., 1812.

Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of this date by your flag of truce.

When I this morning transmitted to you the two letters from
the Adjutant-General of the British army, I authorized Colonel
VanRensselaer, my aid-de-camp, to make with }^ou the necessary
arrangements agreed on at Albany.

In your absence from Fort George the letters were left without
accomplishing the object. But I am now ready to send an officer to
Fort Niagara, there to meet one whom you may appoint to make
such arrangements for the government of the troops on the lines as
may be proper. In the meantime it is explicitly" understood that
any movements of your troops in this vicinity to act offensively
against Gen. Hull will be considered an infraction of the armistice
agreed upon between Gen. Dearborn and the British Adjutant-
General.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative, Appendix, p. 26.)

190

Colonel Christopher Myers, 70th Regt., Deputy Quartermaster-
General Commanding the Niagara District, to Major-
General VanRensselaer.

Chippawa, 18th Aug., 1812.

Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of this date, transmitting one from the Adjutant-General of
the British army, addressed to Major General Brock or officer com-
manding at Fort George, relative to refraining from all offensive
warfare between the troops of His Majesty the King of Great
Britain and the army of the United States of America until further
orders ; and, taking it for granted that similar directions have been
received by you from Gen. Dearborn, I shall strictly conform to
those which have just reached me upon the subject, and should you
deem any further explanation upon the terms of the armistice
requisite I will receive such officer as you may be pleased to send
to Fort George for the purpose. My duty, however, will not allow
of my being there before Thursday, but from which I trust no
inconvenience will arise.

(From S. VanRensselaer' s Nai-rative : Appendix, p. 26.)

From the Buffalo Gazette, Tuesday, 18th August, 1812.

More clearing out. Last Sunday evening two native Ameri-
cans living in Canada embarked in a crazy boat several miles above
Fort Erie, and after tossing about all night in tempestuous Lake
Erie, expecting, as they say, e\ery moment to go to the bottom,
they safely arrived at 4-Mile Point above this village. They state
that it is currently reported in Canada that General Hull has taken
Maiden.

We also learn that Fort Erie is weak, the cannon being removed
to the batteries below. ,

On Thursday last several soldiers at the Black Rock, being
somewhat impatient for want of employment, manned a field-piece
(6-pounder) and fired a shot at a small battery on the opposite side
of the river. The ball struck a few feet from the battery, and made
the men and boys scamper like the nation.

The fate of Clark, lately tried in this village as a British spy,
is not officially known. It is, however, rumored that he is sentenced
to die. Brink and Lee, it is understood, will be detained as prisoners
of war.

191

Major-General Sheaffe to Major-General VanRensselaer.

Fort George, 19th Aug., 1812.
Sir, — Having arrived at this post to assume the command of
His Majesty's troops stationed in the Niagara District, I have the
honor to acquaint you that I shall be happy to receive, as speedily
as possible, the officer suggested by Lieut.-Col. Myers to be sent
over, if it meet with your concurrence, or, should you prefer it,
Brigade-Major Evans, the bearer of this, will communicate my
sentiments and arrange with you the mode of carrying into effect
the order for a cessation of hostilities betwixt the forces of our
respective countries stationed along the Niagara Frontier.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 27.)

General Stephen VanRensselaer to Governor Tompkins.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 19th Aug., 1812.

Sir, — After having visited Buffalo, Black Rock, and the camps,
at Niagara Falls and this place, and having by inspection and other
means of information satisfied myself of the efficient force and the
state of discipline among the troops, the munitions of war at com-,
mand, the strength, number, and condition of the enemy I should
probably have to engage, and all other circumstances connected with
my intended operations, I was perfectly satisfied that although
some very imperious considerations urged an immediate descent
upon Canada, yet that such descent with my present disposable
force would be rashness in the extreme. From Buffalo to Niagara
my force of militia is less than one thousand, without any ordnance
heavier than six-pounders, and few of them ; without artillerists to
use the few pieces I have, and the troops in a very indifferent state
of discipline. Finding myself in this truly unpleasant situation, I
saw but one course to pursue, which was to concentrate the troops,
scattered on the line, perfect their discipline as fast as possible, and
order in such further detachments as might ensure success in my
proposed operations. Accordingly, on the 15th inst. I isssued my
orders to Lieut.-Colonel Fleming at Oswego to detach and march to
this place Major Moseley's battalion of riflemen, on the 16th to
Major Septimus Evans of Lieut.-Colonel George D. Wickham's
regiment of detached cavalry for a troop of horse from his.
squadron, to Lieut.-Colonel Henry Bloom of the 19th Regiment of
the 7th Brigade of detached militia to march his whole command.
With this additional force and such other as I had reason to believe
was on the march to this neighborhood and as might be called out
on short notice from this and Ontario County, I calculated that the
plan which I had adopted might be attempted unless the enemy-

192

should be strongly reinforced. With the view of the intended
operations, I had on the 15th inst. written to the Quartermaster-
General to put immediately in readiness all the boats at his com-
mand. Such was the arrangement of the troops on this line, and
such my orders issued when, on the night of the 17th, I received
by express from Captain Leonard at Niagara a letter from Major-
General Dearborn informing me of the agreement he had entered
into with the Governor-General of Canada, through his Adjutant-
General, for an armistice. By this arrangement communicated to
me, which I presume has been done by Your Excellency's appro-
bation and consent, I am instructed to confine the troops under my
command to defensive measures only, until further orders, and I
have issued my general orders accordingly.

The enclosures from the Adjutant-General of the British army
in Canada which I received from General Dearborn I sent yester-
day morning by my aide-de-camp, Colonel VanRensselaer, with a
flag to Lieut.-Col. Myers, commanding at Fort George, at the same
time authorizing Colonel VanRensselaer to enter with Colonel
Myers into a definite arrangement for the government of the troops
on both sides the line. Colonel Myers was absent, but in the after-
noon of yesterday I received a flag acknowledging the receipt of
the letters which had been transmitted, with his pledge to conform
strictly to the terms of the armistice and his proposition that I
should on Thursday next send an officer to Fort George to meet one
whom he will appoint, for the purpose of settling definitely the
temporary arrangement for the government of the troops, to which
I have replied by flag that I am now ready to send an officer to
meet such one as he may appoint for the above purpose, but to meet
at Niagara, as I consider that place, under existing circumstances,
the most proper. I have no reason to doubt but that this arrange-
ment will in two or three days be made in good faith. Suffering
all the orders which I have received to proceed and take effect, I
shall hold my position until I receive Your Excellency's further
orders. An express which has been sent to General Hull ought to
have returned several days ago, but has not. I am concerned for
his safety, and the more so as I learn that there are various re-
ports with the enemy that there has been an action between their
troops and General Hull's. The whole seems to render it at least
probable that the troops to reinforce General Hull have been
attacked. Some reports say that 300 of our wounded have been
taken in boats in their attempt to reach Detroit. From all circum-
stances which have come to my knowledge, I think there is reason
to believe that General Hull is very severely pressed.

(Tompkins' Papers, vol. VIII., pp. 79-82, New York State Library.)

193
Inspector-General Nicholas Gray to Governor Tompkins.

Black Rock, 19th Aug-., 1812.

Dear Sir, — On the 22d of last month I had the honor of
addressing- a letter to you from Lewiston. Ever since I have been
employed as engineer by Generals Hull and Wadsworth, and I have
erected three batteries in this neighborhood : the one on the moun-
tain near Lewiston ; one at this place, and one opposite Fort Erie,
which gives the advantage of situation, and though we have not as
yet mounted a gun on it, it has given alarm there, as the enemy has
moved his shipping off from before the fort, and the river and
entrance of Lake Erie is now quite open. No ship nor boat can
with safety lie before their fort once this battery is mounted. The
distance is about three-quarters of a mile, and the ground so level
on the Canadian side that we can send shot right into the fort. We
want but a thirty-two-pounder here to pull down the scarlet jack
of Fort Erie. The battery at Lewiston has a powerful command, is
intended for two or three large guns, and keeps the inhabitants of
Queenston in perfect subjection. Its elevation above the one-gun
battery of the enemy is nearly forty-live feet and can sweep it otf
the surface of the field, distant from it about four hundred yards
and from Queenston about six hundred, and elevated above the
village about sixty-eight feet, has the command of Niagara River
as far as the range of shot ; the river lies straight before it up to
our garrison. Major-General VanRensselaer, his aide and secretary,
arrived here on Thursday morning last and went forward to Lewis-
ton, where .he has made his headquarters. There is a rumor of
General Hall returning home in consequence of the arrival of Major
General VanRensselaer.

I have been highly flattered by receiving the thanks of the
Generals on the lines for the exertions I have made in making
their situation secure. General Van Rensselaer feels secure even
under the guns of the enemy at Queenston, and Colonel Swift, who
commands here, has no terror, as he has a battery or two of his
own. The inhabitants of Buffalo wish for a one-gun battery to
protect their town. Some of them have applied to me to erect one
for them, but as yet I have received no orders from the command-
ing officer here. When I shall receive the orders I shall comply.
We are all knocked on the head in consequence of this news of the
armistice. It will give you, dear sir, great confidence and pleasure
to see with what alacrity all were preparing to cross over to Canada
when this news arrived. Shall I take the liberty to ask what it
means and how soon shall we be authorized to take out the wooden
snappers from our muskets ? I judge from the weakness of the

194

enemy on the Canadian side that was a regiment to cross they
would not be opposed, not a shot tired at them. There is but
thirty-two red coats and the like number of militia stationed here.
The latter were decreased to seven or eight all last week and the
week before. We are much alarmed here about the situation of
the brave General Hull, who. it is much feared, may be in want of
provision for his enterprising army — 'tis hard the only general who
has as yet distinguished himself in this war should want provisions
when we who are here idling on the lines should have all the loaves
and fishes, neither will our commanding officer here give a direct
order or consent that vessels laden with provisions be sent from
here, but when applied to by the Quartermaster-General on behalf
of his brother (who, poor man, has been dangerously ill since his
return from Sandwich and still remains in a doubtful situation,) has
quoted a part of General Dearborn's letter, which passage is unsatis-
factory. However, the vessels are preparing and will be sent off to
Sandwich, as surely this armistice, while it lasts, gives a right to
navigate the lake to either army, provided they do not infringe our
orders. General Porter has sent from here by the order of Major-
General VanRensselaer a messenger by land to inform General Hull
of this unpopular armistice, but it is feared by the Quartermaster-
General that his journey may be retarded or interrupted at San-
dusky, in which case he has a letter to the commanding officer at
Maiden making him an official messenger, and from Sandusky will
take his course by water.

I should be glad to know whether this armistice includes the
Indians, and would it not be good policy to annihilate these savages
who have interrupted the intercourse from here to Detroit ? We
have frequent accounts of their barbarities. Had we a General
Hull here when I arrived, the United States should have been in
possession of Upper Canada, and we should have our quarters in
Montreal instead of playing ball on the banks of the Niagara River.
Between seventy and eighty fine young men passed through here
yesterday to Lewiston to join the army. They are from Ontario
county.

I wait in hopes of having the honor of a letter from you, and
be assured that all my exertions shall be for the public good.

(Tompkins' Papers, Vol. VIII., pp. 73-6, New York State Library.),

195
General Orders.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 19th Aug., 1812.

The Major General directs that the following regulations shall
be observed b}7 the troops under his command :

The reveille will be beat at daybreak, when every officer and
soldier will appear on parade and the companies be exercised by
their respective commanding officers for one hour; and the like time
at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and by battalions on Tuesdays and
Fridays of each week at the company and battalion parades. The
field officers will attend and superintend the manoeuvers of their
corps. The troop will beat at 9 o'clock a. in., and the retreat at 6
o'clock p. m., when the line will be formed for roll call ; the music
will take their post on the right of regiments and not on the right of
companies. On those occasions the dress of the officers and soldiers
is to be clean, and their arms and accoutrements bright and in per-
fect order. The Major General flatters himself that the troops will
vie with each other in the cleanliness of their dress, as well as their
soldier-like and orderly conduct when on or off duty. The corps
which shall distinguish itself for orderly conduct shall be reported
by the Major General to the Commander-in-Chief, and every re-
fractory officer or soldier shall be dealt with as the law and the usages
of armies point out, for as they are called upon by their country to
defend it, and paid for their services, it is expected "every man will
do his duty," for on that the lives of the troops, the honor and
success of the enterprises in which in all probability they will
shortly be engaged, will depend.

The tatoo will be beat at 9 o'clock, when the men will retire to
their tents and the sentinels begin to challenge.

Two captain's and two subaltern's guards will be mounted daity:
one captain s guard will take post on the front and one in the rear
of the camp, and the subaltern's on each flank. The guards will
be sufficiently strong to form a chain of sentinels round the camp,
and they will be augmented or diminished as occasion may require.
The guards will assemble on the grand parade at half-past 9 o'clock,
when they will be formed by the major of brigade and marched off
precisely at 10 o'clock. A portion of the music of the line will
attend and do duty until the guards are marched off to their
respective pickets. The adjutants will march the men detached
from the respective regiments for this service to the grand parade,
and will be responsible for the soldier-like appearance of the men,
arms, and accoutrements. Each man of the guard will be furnished
with twenty-four rounds of fixed cartridges; their pieces will be
loaded after sunset, and when the guards are relieved the}' will

196

return to the grand parade, from whence they will be marched in a
body by the officer of the day to some convenient spot, where their
pieces will be discharged at a target of the size of a dollar, at one
hundred yards distance. And on all other occasions firing is strict^
prohibited, unless it be by the sentinels at night to give the alarm.

The officer of the day will be taken from the regimental field
officers, whose duty it shall be to visit the guards and sentinels
three times in the course of the day and three times at night, to
regulate the guards, to see that they are vigilant and in soldier-like
order, for on their alertness the lives of the men and the safety of
the army depend.

The officers are strictly enjoined to attend to the cleanliness of
their men ; they must frequently visit their tents and examine the
situation of them. On the faithful performance of this duty depend
the lives and health of the troops.

The commanding officers of regiments and corps will cause two
vaults or sinks to be dug in the rear of each company, at least one
hundred yards in the rear of the rear tents, in a line parallel to the
tents, and if any soldier shall be found to leave excrement in any
other place within the line of sentinels he shall be punished.

The grounds in front and rear of the tents is to be levelled and
cleaned by the respective companies. The Brigade-Major will
direct the Adjutants to cause the music, when not on the march, to
practise the different calls and marches.

The Courtmartial, whereof Brigadier-General Wadsworth was
appointed President, will meet to-morrow morning at ten o'clock
for the trial of such prisoners as may be brought before them.
General Wadsworth will please to make the necessaiy arrangements
and meet in such place as he may think convenient.

By order of Major General YanRensselaer.

Sol. YanRensselaer, Aid-de-Camp.

From Major General Sheaffe to Major General VanRensselaer.

Queenston, 20th Aug., 1812.

Sir, — Brigade-Major Evans is directed to repair again to your
headquarters charged with propositions connected with the
armistice, which I hope will prove perfectly satisfactory to you.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 27.)

197
Major General VanRensselaer to Major General Sheaffe.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 20th August, 1812.

Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of this date, covering the articles which you propose for
carrying the armistice into effect. I have to regret the articles pro-
posed are so variant from the orders which I have received that I
cannot accede to them.

In the letter which I had the honor to transmit to Lieut.-Col.
Myers on the 18th instant it was explicitly stated that any move-
ments of the troops in this vicinity, with a view to act offensively
against General Hull, would be considered an infraction of the
armistice. If an article fully embracing the above is considered
inadmissible, any further attempts for an adjustment will be
unavailing.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 29.)

The Secretary of War to Major General Dearborn.

War Department, August 20th, 1812.

(Abstract.)

The detachment of militia from Kentucky to reinforce General
Hull has been increased by the Governor to 1,600, besides 400
regulars. A company of militia ordered out b}7 the Governor of
Ohio to secure the road is reported to have halted at the Miami in
consequence of Indians in front. There should be early and effective
co-operation at Niagara.

Articles of Agreement for an Armistice.

We, the undersigned, in conformity with the instructions of
our respective commanders, hereby agree to a cessation of all acts
of hostility between the troops and vessels of all descriptions under
our command until we shall receive further orders, and the party
who shall first receive orders for the renewal of hostilities shall give
four days' notice, computing twenty-four hours to each day, before
any offensive operation shall take place.

And we further agree that no reinforcements of men or
supplies of ammunition shall be sent by either party higher up than
Fort Erie, and it is also to be understood that no reinforcements of
men and no supplies of ammunition, which now are or hereafter
may arrive in our respective districts, shall be forwarded above that
post, and further that no troops are to be sent up from any station

198

in either of our districts above Fort Erie without four days previous
notice to be given by the party intending to make such movement.
Subject, however, to the above restriction, either party shall be at
liberty to make such changes and movements of troops, vessels and
boats as he may deem proper.

Agreed to this twenty -first da}?- of August, in the year one
thousand eight hundred and twelve.

S. VanRensselaer,
Major General Commanding Frontier.
R. H. Sheaffe,
Major General Commanding Fort George
and Dependencies, &c, &c.

Major General VanRensselaer to Major General Dearborn.

Headquarters, Lewiston, August 21st, 1812.
Sir, — Enclosed I transmit you a copy of the agreement this
day entered into between Major-General Sheaffe, commanding Fort
George and dependencies, &c, &c, and myself for the government
of the forces on each side the line. You will readily perceive that
terms more favorable than those expected in your letter have been
obtained. The agreement speaks for itself.

(From S. VanRensselaer' s Narrative : Appendix, p. 31.)

Note. — In the cop}' of the agreement transmitted, the last lines
from either to proper are italicised. — Ed.

Major General Dearborn to Major General VanRensselaer.
Headquarters, Greenbush, August 21, 1812.

Sir, — Your letter of the 12th inst. has been duly received. As
it is believed that a detachment has been made from Niagara to
reinforce the garrison at Maiden, it will be necessaiy to be as well
prepared as possible to take advantage of the reduced forces in your
front as soon as there shall be orders to act offensively. Consider-
able reinforcements from the detached militia and volunteers are
ordered to Niagara, Sackett's Harbor, Ogdensburg and Plattsburg.
With the detachment of regular troops under Lieut.-Col. Fenwick
there is some heavy ordnance, ammunition and intrenching tools,
which will be immediately, with additional ordnance and military
stores, sent to Niagara, Sackett's Harbor and Ogdensburg. I have
also ordered a considerable number of batteaux from Schenectady
to Niagara and Sackett's Harbor, and the construction of suitable

199

scows at the respective, places, including Ogdensburg, for the trans-
portation of ordnance. I hope that Col. Porter will proceed in the
construction of boats and scows with all possible despatch. It will
be highly gratifying to me to receive intelligence from you by every
mail, and in case of emergency by express.

From S. VauRensselaer's Narrative : Appendix, p. 34.

Colonel Solomon VanRensselaer to his Wife.

Lewiston, Niagara, Aug. 21, 1812.
My Dear Harriet, —

Major Forman and Jacob TenEyck reached this to-day; the
latter informed me he had seen you about a fortnight since and that
you were all well. It is unnecessary for me to say how happy it made
me. I had onty one moment to speak to him, but I shall see him
when I have finished this, which goes by mail this evening. When
they reached camp I was mounted on my horse to go over to the
British side to conclude an armistice, in which I have been engaged
for three days in conformity to an arrangement made at Albany
between Gen. Dearborn and the British Adjutant-General. I have
succeeded, to the astonishment and admiration of all, and until we
hear from below we are at peace with our neighbors. In my inter-
course with the British officers on the subject of the armistice and
from other sources, we have been informed, and I have no doubt of
the correctness of the information, of an action fought between
Gen. Hull and the British at Detroit, in which our troops suffered
severely. From all we can learn he has either been taken or com-
pelled to re-cross the river; but in my negotiations with Major
Gen. Sheaffe, Colonel Myers and Major Evans, I kept up such a
bold front that, although General Dearborn's instructions were con-
fined to their not sending reinforcements to act against Hull, I suc-
ceeded in getting the use of the waters of the rivers and lakes.
This to the army and merchants is of incalculable value for future
operations, and this was effected by a proper disposition of our
small forces and holding out to them moderate but strong language.
The troops before we came here were scattered along the frontiers ;
we have concentrated them, and are now getting in fine order.
They did nothing before ; they are pleased in the change, but in
making that change I assure you I have my hands full. We have
now eleven hundred only above Oswego, instead of Tompkins's fi ve
thousand, but 1,500 more are on the march.

(From Bonney's Historical C41eanings, pp. 211-2.)

200
General Orders.
Headquarters, Lewiston, August 22d, 1812.

It is painful to the Major General to find that some part of the
troops are so regardless of their duty as to disobey the orders
issued for preventing scattering tiring in and about the camp. This
dangerous and disgraceful practice is once more and for the last
time prohibited. If any man of the line (the guards and sentinels
excepted) shall after this discharge his firearms without orders he
will be instantly confined ; and the field and company officers are
strictly enjoined to enforce this order.

The Major General regrets that he is compelled to remind the
officers of his command of the necessity of being in camp at night,
for if they will be regardless of their duty, what can be expected of
their men by such an example ? They are in future directed to be at
night in their tents, unless otherwise ordered, and in perfect readiness
at any moment to commence or repel an attack, to which troops in
the face of an enemy are at all times liable.

The officers and troops meet with the perfect approbation of
the Major General for their alertness in parading at reveille, with
the exception of one or two companies, which were not this morn-
ing on parade, and the captain of one company not in camp. But
let him beware for the future ; if caution and remonstrance will
avail nothing, more decisive measures shall.

To-morrow being the Sabbath, the guards will not discharge
their pieces until Monday after roll-call, and this regulation will be
observed until further orders.

By order of Major General VanRensselaer.

Sol. VanRensselaer, Aid-de-Camp.

Iyieut.-Colonel Myers to Colonel I/ethbridge.

Fort George, August 22d, 1812.

Sir, — I am directed by Major General Sheafie to acquaint you
that in expectation of your having received orders from Quebec to
forward to this post a portion of the reinforcements which it is
hoped have arrived at Kingston, and in consequence of my private
letter to you of the 15th instant, expressive of the anxiety of
Major General Brock upon that point, he has been on the lookout
for some of the vessels from Kingston appearing here with the
troops, particularly as the wind has been favorable for two days.

The circumstance of the fall of Detroit and the hourly expected
arrival here of a number of prisoners to be sent downward, added

201

to the want of troops on this line in the event of a renewal of
hostilities, induces Major General Sheaffe to direct me to desire that
if the three companies of the 49th Regt. and the detachment of the
Newfoundland Regt. have arrived at Kingston, you cause the whole
of the former to be immediately embarked on board the Royal
George and Duke of Gloucester and despatched without delay to
this post, provided you have not received orders to the contrary
from His Excellency the Commander of the Forces or Major Genl.
Brock.

Camp equipage for 300 men is to accompany the troops to this
station, and upon this subject I have forwarded orders to the
Deputy Asst. Qr. Mast'r-Genl. at Kingston.

(Canadian Archives : C. 677, p. 53.)

Major General Sheaffe to Sir George Prevost.

Fort George, 22nd August, 1812.

Sir, — I have the honor of reporting to Your Excellency that
on my arrival at this post on the 10th instant, I found that a letter
had arrived from Colonel Baylies, addressed to the officer command-
ing here, to apprise him that an armistice had been agreed on, and
that a correspondence on the subject had been opened between
Lieut.-Colonel Myers and M. General VanRensselaer. After my
arrival several conferences were held between officers appointed for
the purpose ; a difficulty as to the terms having arisen, founded on
a variation between those stated in Colonel Baynes's letter and
instructions which General VTan Rensselaer had received from Gen-
eral Dearborn, and which required a stipulation on our part that no
reinforcements, &c, should be sent up to the troops opposed to
B. General Hull. This obstacle was removed in an unexpected
manner. I went up to Queenston on the 20th inst. accompanied by
Lieut.-Colonel Myers and Brigade-Major Evans, and I sent the
latter over to Lewiston with my propositions. On his return he
informed me that objections were made to some of them, and that
Colonel VanRensselaer, A. D. C. to the General, would come over to
me to enter into an explanatory discussion. Before his arrival the
express came to me with the intelligence of M. General Brock's
important success. It was not communicated to him, but some
time was employed in discussion before I acceded to the obligation
not to send up reinforcements without four days previous notice,
thinking it prudent to avoid exciting suspicion by too ready an
assent. I have the honor of transmitting the articles agreed on,
and it is moreover understood that boats are not to be assembled at

202

anj7 point on either side under cover of the privilege granted therein.
I also enclose herewith a copy of a letter which Lieut.-Colonel
Myers has written by my direction to Colonel Lethbridge.

Since Lieut.-Colonel Myers's letter of the 17th instant consider-
able reinforcements are said to have joined the enemy at Black Rock,
and a camp capable of holding at least eight hundred men has been
formed at Lewiston. On the 18th there were seventy tents in
which it was reported there were six hundred men, but Lieut.-
Colonel Myers having caused a few blank cartridges to be fired in
quick succession to create an alarm and make them turn out, it
had the desired effect, and he did not discover more than two
hundred men. Since that period, however, the number of tents has
been increased to more than a hundred.

The wind has been unfavorable to M. General Brock for several
days, or he would probably have arrived here by this time.

Canadian Archives: C. 677, p. 55.)

I/ieut. -Colonel Philetus Swift to Governor Tompkins.

Sir, — I take the liberty to communicate to you my situation,
and the situation of my regiment. I have about four hundred and
seventy men, four hundred of whom are good and in high spirits;
men that I am willing to risk my life for and with, and believe
they are with me, but that is not enough for a regiment. Your
knowledge of me will lead you to suppose that it would be pleasing
to me to have an opportunity to do my country service, and if I
may be allowed to enlist under the Act of the sixth of February
last two or three hundred men more as good as I now have, I should
feel as if we could tell well in the place of danger. My regiment is
all under the Act of Congress except Captain Jennings' compairy,
which I should be glad to get rid of. 1 have put him under arrest
for detaining pay from his men, which would have volunteered had
he not advised them otherwise. Captain Joseph Wells, who com-
mands a light infantry company in Buffalo, has been in service
since the militia was called out in June by order of General Wads-
worth. He has now 26 good men enlisted under the Act of Congress,
and I believe could till his company immediately had he orders from
Your Excellency to that effect. He is now under my command and
wishes to remain so ; on those conditions the men have enlisted, that
they belong to my regiment. Captain Mahar mentioned to me this
evening that his compairy of riflemen was called out, and that if they
was sent into the lines in this part it was his wish to join my
regiment, which would be very agreeable to me and to my regiment.

203

I have good officers. One company, now commanded by Captain
McNair, by Captain Rowley when first ordered into service, who
General Wadsworth discharged, has no other officer in the company.
Captain Matteson's company has no lieutenant in it.

My men are sickly at present, but I hope on the mending; hand.
There is 21 sick that are confined to bed, 12 more that are in the
hospital, the greater part on the recovery. They have good stores
and good attendance. The money sent on for clothing did my men
but very little good except Captain Elias Hall, who has bought
clothing for his men, and Captain Mahar. It was out of my power
to get the others to do the like, and if they remain in service I fear
they will be destitute of clothing except they have some sent on.
We have been full of trouble and hard duty, without danger to keep
us alive. A few days since we had our expectations raised in hopes
of a chance to cross the river and by that relieve General Hull or
stop the troops that were marching against him, but the orders
from General Dearborn blasted all our hopes of that.

My regiment is stationed at Black Rock. We have twenty-
two miles of the lines to guard, which makes our duty very hard,
while the standing troops (490) and two regiments of six months'
men guarded seven miles only ; but we do not complain. Permit
me to request an answer from Your Excellency as far as respects
Captain Wells's company, whether they can be accepted or not.

Black Rock, August 23rd, 1812.

p. S. — Major Frederick Miller entered service the 21st of June
by General Porter's and my request, and has been a faithful officer
and done great service to our troops. Ensign Chasey of my regi-
ment is worthy the lieutenantcy in that company, which is vacant.
If he could have an appointment, I think it would be well.

(Tompkins' Papers, Vol. VIII. pp. 87-91, New York State Library.)

Major General Brock to Colonel Procter.

Fort George, August 25th, 1812.
Sir, — I wrote to you yesterday informing you that a cessation
of hostilities had been agreed upon between Sir George Prevost and
General Dearborn, and requesting you in consequence to postpone
any attempt upon Fort Wayne or any other post of the enemy. I
consider the present forbearance may lead to such consequences that
I cannot refrain from sending a second express to urge you to
restrain the Indians likewise in their predatory excursions. This,
however, ought to be done with the greatest caution and on grounds
foreign from the present considerations.

204

Colonel Myers tells me that he forwarded on the 11th instant
a despatch received from Sir George Prevost to me, in which His
Excellency so clearly stated the principles of moderation upon
which he thought it expedient to act, that I fully expect, should you
have received the despatch and perused his sentiments, you will
forbear from any hostile aggression, in fact act completely on the
defensive.

Should everything remain quiet at Detroit, you will proceed
hither, bringing to Fort Erie the detachments which Captain Cham-
bers and Lieutenant Bullock took to Amherstburg. • All the spare
ordnance is to be transported to Fort Erie.

I should also think that Lieutenant Troughton and a few of
his men could be spared for some time from the duties at Amherst-
burg : in that case you will have the goodness to order them to
accompany you.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, p. 300.)

Major General VanRensselaer to Major General Sheaffe.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 25th August, 1812.

Sir, — I have learned with regret that last night a subaltern
officer with a few soldiers and citizens, contrary to my orders,
passed over from the American shore and on Buckhorn Island
surprised and brought off a sergeant and five men with a boat.
Early this morning I ordered the sergeant and men released and
the boat restored to them.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative : Appendix, p. 31.)

Major General Brock to Major General VanRensselaer.

Headquarters, Fort George,

25th August, 1812.

Sir, — Major General Sheaffe having communicated to me your
letter of this date, addressed to him, I seize upon the first moment
to express my thanks for the measures you have adopted to prevent
the possibility of any misunderstanding which might have arisen
in consequence of the unauthorized act of one of your subaltern
officers.

It w3Ts not until my arrival at Fort Erie late in the evening of
the 23d instant that I learnt that a cessation of hostilities had been
agreed upon between General Dearborn and Sir George Prevost,
and I in consequence despatched early yesterday morning an
express to Amherstburg, ordering a cessation of all offensive opera-

205

tions against the United States, and likewise to exert every influence
in restraining the Indians from committing any acts of hostility.

The fortune of war having put me in possession of Detroit and
its dependencies, a small garrison has been ordered to occupy the
fort, the chief object of which was to afford protection to the
inhabitants of the Territory. I have the honor to enclose a copy of
a proclamation which I issued upon this occasion.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 31.)

From the Buffalo Gazette, Tuesday, August 25th, 1812.

The troops stationed at Black Rock yet remain sickly. Those
at Lewiston we understand are in excellent health. From the other
stations on the lines we have no particular information.

Several works of defence have been thrown up at different
points on our lines within the last two weeks. One hundred and
fifty tents have been lately pitched at Lewiston.

Deserters from the British service and disaffected inhabitants
of Canada are almost daily appearing on our lines. They are gen-
erally willing to be examined, and with but a few exceptions give
satisfactory accounts of themselves.

Major General Dearborn to Major General VanRensselaer.

Headquarters, Greenbush, Aug. 25, 1812.

Sir, — As soon as practicable after the receipt of this, you will
please to have the enclosed letter, directed to the commanding officer
of the British forces at Fort George, at Niagara, conveyed to him
by a flag, and the letter to General Hull you will please to have
forwarded to him by express with as great despatch as practicable,
and at the expiration of four days after the letter is delivered to
the British commanding officer at Fort George you will consider
the temporary conditional agreement for suspending operations
between the forces under your command and the British forces in
your vicinity as no longer binding, and you will act accordingly,
and yon will make every exertion in your power for annoying the
enemy, as well as to guard against any attack from him. Con-
siderable reinforcements ltave been sent on from Montreal to
strengthen their positions in Upper Canada ; and I trust you will
very soon receive such additional force from this State and from
Pennsylvania as will enable you to pass into Canada with safety
and effect. A large reinforcement is on its march under Brig.-Gen.
Dodge for Sackett's Harbor and Ogdensburg, as well as for Platts-

206

burg. I have ordered thirty batteaux to Niagara and an equal
number to Sackett's Harbor, and have directed the building of
proper scows for the transportation of ordnance. If the enemy
should have detached from Fort George, it may afford you an
opportunity to strike a bloiv.

P. S.- — Sir, it will be advisable to wait until the arrival of
Lt.-Col. Fenwick with the cannon and stores shall be rendered
certain within four days before you send the enclosed letter to Fort
George. I presume he must arrive before this reaches you, but it
may be otherwise.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 36.)

General Orders.

Harrlsburg, August 25, 1812.

The President of the United States having, through the Secretary
at War and General Dearborn, under date, respectively, of the 13th
inst, required a detachment of 2,000 militia to be marched with the
least possible delay from the northwestern parts of Pennsylvania to
Buffalo, in the State of New York, duty and feeling direct a prompt
compliance with the requisition, giving scope for action to the
patriotism evinced by that portion of our citizen soldiers who have
volunteered their services under general orders of 12th May last in
substitution of the draft required of the State. To obey this call in
defence of rights sacred to freemen, to avenge the injuries of the
nation and defend the cause of suffering humanity the volunteers
of Pennsylvania will not hesitate a moment to meet the avowed
enemy of those rights, not only within the limits of the United
States, but will without those limits, with ardor seek and with
the determination of freemen punish the unprovoked invaders of
our rights and property. ... ....

For obvious reasons the Adjutant-General has been ordered to
designate for service such of the volunteers as can with the least pos-
sible delay be marched to the scene of action, and is charged with
the organization of the detachment of 2,000 men, conformably to the
following plan : — The detachment to constitute a brigade, to consist
of four regiments, and each regiment to consist of two battalions, to
be arranged by the Adjutant-General at the place of rendezvous.

The general rendezvous will be at Meadville, to which place
the volunteers composing the detachment will march with the
requisite expedition, so that they will be there on the 25th day of
September next. By the twenty-sixth section of the general militia

207

law, among other services by them to be performed, it is made the.
duty of the brigade inspectors to march each with his proper detach-
ment to the place of rendezvous.

These officers are severally required and directed to provide
subsistence and other necessary accommodation for the troops on
their march, and detailed accounts for settlement and payment to.
the accountant officers of the commonwealth.

Apprised of the generally prevailing desire that those appointed
to command may be the choice of the commanded, the Governor,
agreeably to the tenth section of a supplement to the militia law,
passed 26th March, 1808, and the twenty-seventh section of the
general militia law, authorizes and directs the officers and privates
of the detachment on the day succeeding the 25th day of September
next, or those who shall have arrived, to elect, agreeably to the
rules prescribed by the militia law, one brigadier-general ; each
regiment to elect a colonel commandant : each battalion, one major ;
the brigadier-general to appoint his own brigade major ; the held
officers of each regiment shall appoint their respective regimental
staffs. To expedite the expedition in discharge of his duty, the
Adjutant-General will attend and deliver to the officers-elect their
commissions.

Simon Snyder,

Governor of the Commonwealth

of Pennsylvania.

(From Pennsylvania Archives. Second Series, Vol. XII.. pp. 585-8.)

N. B. Boileau to Calender Irvine.

Harrisburg, August 25, 1812.
To Calender Irvine, Superintendent Military Stores:

Sir, — Your letter of the 17th instant has been received by the
Governor, who has issued general orders for 2,409 volunteer militia
to rendezvous at Meadville on the 25th day of September next.
You will therefore please to interest the proper officers to forward
to that place a sufficient number of tents, kettles and other camp
equipage necessary for the detachment above mentioned, so as to
be ready at the time appointed for assembling the troops at Mead-
ville. There will be in the detachment 1 brigadier, 4 colonels, 8
majors, 46 captains.

P. S. — General Reed will be at Meadville to receipt for the
articles delivered. To ensure the number of 2,000, the Governor
has ordered out the number of 2,409. It might be prudent to
supply for the greater number.

(Pennsylvania Archives. Second Series. Vol. XII., pp. 589-90.1

208
Governor Snyder to the Brigade Inspectors.

Sir, — You will immediately on the receipt of the General
Orders communicate them to the captains or commanding officers
of the volunteer companies within the bounds of your brigade, and
give every aid in your power to have the companies marched as
expeditiously as possible to the place of rendezvous (Meadville)
mentioned in General Orders. The troops will be supplied with
rations, tents and other camp equipage by the United States.
Should there be any deficiency of arms in any of the volunteer
companies, you will supply them out of any that may be in the
bounds of your brigade. If there cannot be a sufficient number
found in that way they will be furnished at the place of rendezvous.
Every man will take care to supply himself with a blanket and a
knapsack. It is confidently expected that the patriotism of the
volunteers is too sincere and ardent to permit them to make any
objections to crossing the boundary line of the United States ;
otherwise they will render no service to their country.

By order of the Governor.

(Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. XII. , p. 591.)

A Return of the Detached Volunteer Corps.

A return of the detached volunteer corps who have been called
on to march agreeably to the within General Orders of 25th August,
1812:—

Division. Brigade Captain. No. Men. Total.

7th Division : 2d Brigade — James McDowel 73 '

Jeremiah Snyder 51

Michael Harper 32

Andrew Oaks 60

— 215
9th Division : 1st Brigade — John Donaldson 93

John Amand 30

Ner Middleswarth 79

Jared Irwin 68

— 270
2d Brigade — John Gaston 79

Joseph Dean 42

Isaac Blue 42

George Eley 67

— 230

209

11th Division: 1st Brigade — Joseph Kleckner 42

John McGarry 59

— 101
2d Brigade — Jacob Vanderfelt 33

Moses Canan 33

12th Division : 1st Brigade— Jasper Keller 49

Peter Lane 42

Jonathan Roads 47

Richard Maguire 30

— 168
2d Brigade— William Piper 68

Hugh Gibson 71

— 139
14th Division : 1st Brigade — William Sample 62

Thomas Miller 67

Edward Thomas 52

James Warner 42

David Buchanan 63

— 286
2d Brigade — Henry Vance 42

William Peterson 52

15th Division : 1st Brigade — James Turbit 45

David Alters 58

James Scott 45

Walter Litbgow 53

Volunteers 59

John Barrackman 78

— 338
2d Brigade — James Alexander 53

John Lochry 66

— 119
16th Division : 1st Brigade — Thomas Foster 31

Samuel Withrow 28

2d Brigade — Robert Dougherty 47

John Stewart 43

Robert Sto 67

Abraham Brickie 44

James Thompson 50

— 251

N. B. — John Fint, brigade inspector, Ninth Division and Second

210

Brigade, has been subsequent to General Orders directed to order a
company, commanded by Capt. Robert McGuigan, to march. Num-
ber cf men in the company unknown.

William Reed, Adjutant-GeneraL

(Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. XII., pp. 592-3.)

Governor Snyder to General W. Reed.
General Orders.

Harrisburg, August 26, 1812.
To William Reed, Esq., Adjutant-General of Pennsylvania:

Sir, — You are ordered to attend at Meadville, the new ren-
dezvous for 2,000 volunteers of this State, ordered into service on
the northwestern frontier of this commonwealth under a requisition
of the proper authority. You will accordingly, with the least
possible delay, repair to the said rendezvous and take command of
the detachment. The citizen soldiers whereof, officers and privates,
as they shall from day to day arrive, are commanded strictly to
obey and execute all that you shall lawfully order and direct until
a brigadier-general and other officers for said detachment shall
have been elected and commissioned, agreeably to the general orders
of yesterday. The said brigadier-general having taken the com-
mand, is ordered and commanded with the least possible delay to
march the brigade under his command to Niagara, and on his
arrival immediately report himself to the commanding general of
the troops at that place.

Simon Snyder,
Governor of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
N. B. Boileau, Aid-de-Camp.

(Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. XII. , p. 594.)

Governor Snyder to Major General Dearborn.

Harrisburg, 26th August, 1812.

To General Henry Dearborn, commanding the army of the United
. States, Greenbush, near Albany, in the State of New York: —

Sir, — Your request under authority of the President, of the
13th instant, which I received by express from this place at Selin's
Grove on the 21st, that I would order out 2,000 of the northwestern
militia of Pennsylvania, is complied with, as you will perceive by a
copy of the General Orders under date of yesterday, which I have

211

the honor to enclose. I take the liberty also to enclose a copy of a
letter to me on the same subject from the Secretary at War, because
of the variance between the two requisitions. You make the
request under the Act of February 28th, 1795, under which the
militia cannot be longer retained in service than three months. The
Act of the 10th April, 1812, authorizes the retention of militia in
service six months. The Secretary at War directs that the detach-
ment shall consist of the propositions recognized in the order of
April 15. Your letter says : "There will be no use for cavalry nor
any artillery, unless supplied with field-pieces and apparatus com-
plete." On this subject I have by letter of this day said to the
Secretary at War that under the belief that the object of both was
to have detached for the service the most efficient force, the General
Orders are for volunteer infantry and riflemen. Thej7 are of the
militia of Pennsylvania the best equipped and best disciplined,
and in my opinion the most efficient for the service. The number
of riflemen is 1,380, of infantry 962, giving a surplus equal to any
probable deficiency.

(Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. XII., p. 595.)

Governor Snyder to William Kustis, Secretary at War.

Harrisburg, August 26, 1812.

To Hon. William Eustis, Secretary at War, at the City of Wash-
ington :

Sir, — Yours under date of the 13th inst. reached me at Selin's
Grove, the place of my residence, on the 21st, by express from
Harrisburg. On Sunday evening, the 23d, I arrived at this place,
and yesterday General Orders were issued, directing 2,000 volunteer
militia to march and rendezvous at Meadville, in the northwestern
part of this State, a copy of which order I have the honor herewith
to enclose. I also enclose a copy of a letter to me from General
Dearborn of the same date and on the same subject. I do this
because of the variation between your letter and the General's, the
former requiring a detachment of militia under the Act of April 10,
1812, in the proportion recognized in the order of April 15th, under
which Act the militia may be retained in service six months : the
latter makes the requisition under the Act of Congress of March 28,
1795. Under this last Act the militia cannot be longer retained in
service than three months. The General further says there would
be no use for cavalry nor artillery unless supplied with field-pieces
and apparatus complete. Under the belief the object of both was

212

to have detached for the service the most efficient force, the Gen-
eral Orders are for volunteer infantry and riflemen. They are of
the militia of Pennsylvania the best equipped, the best disciplined,
and in my opinion the most efficient for the service. The number
of riflemen is 1,380, of infantry 962, giving a surplus equal to any
probable deficiency. The only artillery in a situation to be efficient
is at Philadelphia, a point too remote from the scene of action. If,
however, the President should deem it necessary to order out a
portion of artillery, upon intimation to me it will be promptly
attended to.

(Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. XII., pp. 596-7.)

Militia General Orders.

Headquarters, Fort George,

26th August, 1812.
Militia General Orders.

Major General Brock has ever felt anxious to study the com-
forts and convenience of the militia, but the conduct of the detach-
ments which lately accompanied him to Detroit has, if possible,
increased his anxiety on this subject. The present cessation of
hostilities enables him to dispense with the services of a large pro-
portion of them for a short period.

Officers commanding will grant permission to any number of
the flank companies now doing duty, not exceeding four-fifths of
the whole, to return to their homes, but the men will be particularly
directed to hold themselves in readiness to return at a moment's
notice.

The Major General is pleased to direct that a general inspection
of the regiments in the Home, Niagara and London Districts be
immediately made.

Major General Sheaffe will inspect those in the Home District
(except Colonel Beasly's regiment,) Major General Shaw the 1st,
2d, 3d, 4th and 5th Lincoln regiments, and Colonel Talbot the
different regiments in the London District.

At these inspections every man liable to serve is expected to
be present, and such as are absent are to be accounted for under the
following heads : —

First — Age and infirmity.

Second — Quakers, Mennonists and Tunkers.

Third — Absentees, distinguishing from what cause.

It is expected that every individual residing within the limits
of a regiment shall be accounted for.

213

A regular roll of each company will be prepared by the respec-
tive captains, and countersigned by the officer commanding the
regiment.

The greater the improvement made by the militia in acquiring a
knowledge of military discipline, the less necessary will it be to call
them from their homes. The Major General therefore is pleased to
direct that officers commanding will call out the men of their
respective, regiments or companies for drill once in every week.

Officers commanding corps are directed to call upon the militia-
men of their respective regiments, battalions and companies to take
and subscribe the oath of allegiance, as directed in the last Militia
Act, previous to the day of inspection, and they will furnish the
inspecting officer with a list of the names of such persons as may
have refused to take and subscribe the same, if any such there be.

By order of the Major General.

J. Macdonell,

Lt-Col., P. A. D. C.

From the National Intelligencer, of Washington, D. C, Sept. 3rd,

1812.

Extract of a letter from Colonel S. VanRensselaer, dated
August 26th, 6 p. m. :

"I am this moment called upon to receive a flag of truce from
the British, accompanied by an officer from General Hull's army,
which surrendered on the 16th inst. to the British General Brock."

A Niagara paper (the Bee) of the 22nd inst. states that General
Hull had 2,500 men and 25 pieces of cannon, which, together with
the American vessels on the lake and Detroit, surrendered to
General Brock on the 16th inst. without bloodshed on the part of
the British.

General Hull is now on board the Queen Charlotte.

(From file hi the New York Society Library.

John i/ovett to Joseph Alexander.

Headquarters, Lewiston, August 26. 1812.
Dear Sir, — Yesterday I wrote you, Mr. VanVechten.and Colonel
Westerlo, but what I wrote I cannot say ; it was a day of turmoil,
mortification and humiliation through our camp. Such a flood as
the consequences of Gen. Hull's surrender poured in upon us that it
required considerable nerve to meet everything, and unluckily Col.
VanRensselaer had gone to Buffalo to make some arrangements

214

with Swift's Regiment, which is getting clown fast with sickness,
and might say too great a want of discipline. Yesterday the first
we saw was a guard of about 50 men passing with some wagons on
the opposite shore ; it was the victorious Brock returning to Fort
George. He sent over Col. McDonald, his aid-de-camp, and Major
Evans, two strapping lads in scarlet, gold and arms, to make a com-
munication to General VanRensselaer. I went to meet them at an
inn near the shore to learn their pleasure, but finding it was general
and verbal, it could not be received. They were, however, very
modest, very respectful, and altho' I constantly barred any com-
munication, they still kept bowing and saying that " Gen. Brock
only wished to acquaint Gen. VanRensselaer " of this and that and
that, &c, &c. In this way they convinced me that Brock had not
learned anything of the armistice until he arrived in this neighbor-
hood, that but a very small force was left behind, that Brock, learn-
ing the armistice, felt a very friendly disposition, &c. I made my
best bow and scraped as fast as I could, but a poor private secretary
alone against two such scarlet clad champions had, as you may
suppose, an indifferent chance. We parted, but I think Gen. Van-
Rensselaer will shortly receive some written communication from
Gen. Brock. In the evening a number of Hull's officers on parole
visited Gen. V. R. They were very cautious of their words, but I
could discern a degree of disaffection towards Hull. Gen. Hull will
probably be sent to Quebec. The militia captured, I understand,
are sent home, that's all. Indeed I have not either time or patience
to examine into this most nameless affair. I feel what you may
suppose. I need say no more.

I was ever proud of my country, and as an American could
look any man of any nation at least horizontally in the face. But
yesterday my eyes seemed to have acquired a new attachment to
the ground. I sent Van Vechten a paper giving the detail of the
surrender, sent by an express to over-take the mail, hope he got it.
And now, my friend, what do you think of oar situation ? It is
true we are all tied up with the armistice, but either party may
throw it off by four days notice. I don't believe the enemy will
throw it off1. Nevertheless, we have to cast about a little. This
part of the country now think their whole salvation rests upon our
little raw army. 7" think, I know the fact that after Brock had
taken Hull, he expressed his determination to return and take
Niagara. I think his mind is altered by the armistice, but he can
take Niagara any hour he pleases.. Yes, my friend, we can't defend
Niagara one hour. And as for our present camp, I now write with
one eye on a single gun on yon hill in Queenston, which would rout
us all in three minutes, and we have only two grasshoppers to

215

return the tire. The Ohio officers, prisoners, also were last evening
with us, say that the Indians with Brock are the finest fellows they
ever saw ; a size larger than they ever saw. They are commanded
by the Prophet's brother Tecumsieh. He is hourly expected at
Fort George about seven miles from us, about near enough, and it is
said the tawny host is to follow. Well ! be it so, one thing our
friends may be assured of, we are not scared yet. We shall never
be Hulled. Our General is thoughtful but firm. We have been
reconnoitering this morning, and shall probably this afternoon fix
upon a spot to which we shall remove in case the armistice is broken
off. We have a piece of ground in view where our little force may
make a tolerable stand, and then secure our retreat unless they
flank us wider than I believe their force will admit. At any rate
we will not be Hulled — they may pound us or grind us. Be all of
you of good cheer as respects us, and use the fate of the other army
as you ought. Now don't let my good wife get fidgety about me in
this new predicament. Tell her I am well and can ran like a boy
and will not be taken. I confess we are very solicitous to hear from
Washington and know what we are to do, and take our measures
accordingly. The night before last one of our rash subalterns with
a dozen men went upon Buckhorn Island, surprised a sergeant and
five men and brought them off. We broke the armistice, but Gen.
V. R. restored the men and wrote General Sheaffe, commanding
Fort George and dependencies, &c, &c, &c. (Kites fly best with
long tails.) 120 of Swift's little Regt. sick. I told you so, but I am
well. The devil seems to have got into everybody.

(From Bonney's Historical Gleanings, pp. 218-9.)

General Dearborn to Sir George Prevost.

Headquarters, Greenbush, August 26th, 1812.
Sir, — It is with regret I have to inform Your Excel lencj7 that
the President of the United States has received no official infor-
mation from your Government which will warrant a continuance of
the provisional measure that was temporarily agreed on between
Your Excellency (through the agency of Col. Baynes) and myself.
I have therefore to inform Your Excellency that at the expiration of
four days from the time that this communication shall have reached
the commanding officer at Montreal, and copies to the same effect
shall have been received by the respective commanding officers on
the frontier, viz., at Niagara and Ogdensburg on the side of the
United States, and the British commanding officers in Upper Canada
at Niagara and Kingston, I shall consider the arrangement before

216

attended to for a mutual suspension of active hostilities as no
longer obligatory on either party ; and if a suspension of offensive
operations shall have been mutually consented to between General
Hull and the commanding officer of the British force at or near
Detroit, as proposed, they will respectively be authorized at the
expiration of four days subsequent to their receiving copies of the
communication to consider themselves released from any agreement
thus entered into.

Captain Pinkney, one of my aides-de-camp, is charged with the
conveyance of this communication to Your Excellencj^ or the com-
manding officer at Montreal. I have sent copies of this communica-
tion to the respective commanding officers on the side of the United
States, on the frontiers, with copies directed to the British command-
ing officers at Niagara, Kingston and Detroit, and directions to
have the copies intended for the British officers respectively con-
veyed to them without delay.

I cannot on this occasion refrain from expressing to Your
Excellency my ardent wish that measures may speedily be adopted
for effecting such an honorable and permanent peace between our
governments as will establish the most harmonious intercourse
between the two nations so deeply interested in the offices of recip-
rocal friendship.

(From Canadian Archives, C. 677, p. 58.)

Major General VanRensselaer to Major General Dearborn.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 26th August, 1812.

Sir, — I have the honor to enclose you a copy of a proclamation
which I have this day received from Major General Brock, under
cover of his letter of this date to me, a copy of which letter I also
transmit to you. My letter to Major General Sheaffe, of which
mention is made, was to disavow the imprudent act of a subaltern
officer who with a few soldiers and citizens passed over since the
armistice to Buckhorn Island and there surprised a sergeant and
five men of the enemy and brought them off together with their
boat, which men I ordered to be immediately released and their
boat restored.

The surrender of General Hull's army excites a great deal of
alarm in this vicinity. I shall, however, as far as in my power check
and keep it under.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative : Appendix, p. 32.)

217
General Order.

Headquarters, Albany, Augt. 27th, 1812.

In pursuance of a requisition made by the authority of the
President of the United States, the Sixth Brigade of detached
militia of this State commanded by Brigadier-General Daniel
Miller of Cortlandt County and composed of the regiments whereof
Farrand Stranahan and Thompson Meade are Lieutenant Colonels
Commandant, and the Ninth Regiment of the Third detached
brigade of infantry, to the command of which Peter J. Vosburgh
has been assigned as Lt.-Col. Commandant, are hereby ordered into
the service of the United States, and will rendezvous for that pur-
pose by battalions on Tuesday, the 8th day of September next, at
the hour of ten in the forenoon, at such places as the respective
commandants of the said detached regiments shall assign for that
purpose.

The non-commissioned officers and privates must appear com-
pletely equipped with their own clothing and a musket or rifle,
cartridge box, knapsack, blanket and canteen. Tents, camp kettles
and the means of transporting baggage will be ready on the day
and at the respective places of rendezvous.

The volunteers and men drafted from the rifle battalions of
Rensselaer County, from Captain Waterman's Light Infantry at
Hudson, and from the two light infantry companies at Troy, are
expected from and will not rendezvous with the detached corps
above mentioned, but will remain and march with their said respec-
tive companies as may be directed by future General Orders.

The officers, non-commissioned officers or privates who shall
refuse a prompt compliance with this order will be dealt witli as
directed by the Act of Congress, passed the 26th day of February,
1795, of which a cop}^ is annexed.

The Commander-in-Chief flatters himself that no one will be so
unmindful of the duty of a citizen soldier as to incur the penalties
of the said Act, but that on the contrary a unanimous disposition
will prevail to manifest the promptitude and efficacy of a patriotic
militia when called into the service of their country.

By order of the Commander-in-Chief.

Robert Macomb,
Lt.-Col. and Aid-de-Camp.

(Tompkins' Papers, New York State Library.)

218

General Orders.

Headquarters, Lewiston, August 28th, 1812.

The army under the command of Brigadier-General Hull has
surrendered at Detroit. This is a national disaster, but it is the
duty of soldiers to turn even disasters to profit. To this end the
General calls upon the troops under his command to make every
effort in perfecting that discipline on which they must rely for
their own safety and for their country's honor in that crisis which
may be fast approaching. The General is persuaded that Ameri-
cans know the inestimable rights which they enjoy, and he con-
fidently trusts that their bravery to defend is in proportion to the
knowledge they possess of those rights.

The troops will be exercised at reveille, and from four o'clock
in the afternoon, two hours instead of one, as mentioned in General
Orders of the 19th instant.

Capt. Dogherty and Lieut. Hewit of Lieut.-Col. Swift's regiment
are released from their arrests, and will return to their duty. This
renewed instance of clemency of the Major General it is hoped will
be properly appreciated by them. It is not his wish to punish, but
orders must and shall be obeyed.

The unhealthy state of the troops under the command of Lieut.-
Col. Swift at Black Rock renders particular attention to them and
the causes of their maladies necessary. For this purpose Doctor
Brown will associate with him Doctor Daniel Chipman, and they
will proceed without delay to that place and make full inquiry
into the situation of the sick, the causes which have produced the
diseases and the manner in which they have been treated, of all
which they will make report in writing to the Major General,
suggesting the best mode in their opinion to restore those who are
sick and preserve the health of the well.

These and all other orders are to be read by the adjutants to
the troops under the command of the Major General. The com-
manding officers of regiments and corps will give orders accordingly.

By order of Major General VanRensselaer.

Sol. VanRensselaer, Aid-de-Camp.

Major General VanRensselaer to Major General Dearborn.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 28th Aug., 1812.

Sir, — By the mail of this dsy I received your letter of the 21st
inst. I had hoped that His Excellency Gov. Tompkins might have
detailed to you the condition of the troops under my command on

219

this frontier, and also the ordnance, etc., at my command. The
whole number of militia on this frontier is less than eight hundred,
more than one hundred on the sick list, many without shoes and
otherwise illy prepared for offensive operations. I have only five
or six pieces of ordnance, none larger than six-pounders.

After having satisfied myself of the strength and condition of
the enemy, I was fully convinced that however imperious the con-
siderations which urged an immediate descent upon Canada that
the result must be unfavorable. 1 therefore adopted the plan of
concentrating my forces scattered on this line and calling in such
further reinforcements as might enable me to act. But the face of
things is now wholly changed by the incomprehensible disaster of
General Hull's army. Within forty-eight hours past General Hull
and a considerable portion of his regulars have been marched
through Queenston in fair view of my camp. The effects produced
by this event are such as you will readily imagine. I understand
that Gen. Hull and his troops are now embarking at Fort George,
probably for Montreal.

I wait with solicitude to learn the result of our Government's
deliberation on the armistice, in the meantime adopting such meas-
ures as I must pursue if a recommencement of hostilities shall take
place.

I shall immediately apprise Gen. Porter of your instruction
respecting boats.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative : Appendix, p. 58.)

General Peter B. Porter to Major General VanRensselaer.

Manchester, Aug. 28th, 1812.

Sir, — Mr. Beard, the person whom I employed to go express to
Gen. Hull, has returned with your despatches, which I herewith
enclose. On his arrival at Caj^ahoga he met several boats with the
militia prisoners of Gen. Hull's army, and finding it useless as well
as impracticable to proceed, he returned. Mr. Beard informs that
when these boats were first discovered at and beyond Cayahoga
they were supposed to contain an army of British and Indians,
whose object it was to over-run the country, and expresses with
information to that effect were sent in every direction, and that the
inhabitants were in a state of the greatest alarm and confusion and
quitting their homes.

Before Mr. Beard left Cayahoga, however, about 1,000 militia
had collected, and in the course of the da}' succeeding his departure
it was pretty well ascertained that there would be about 8,000 men

220

at that place, tolerably armed and provided with ammunition and
desirous of marching to Detroit : that about 2,000 Kentuckians-
were on their march to reinforce Genl. Hull, and it was hoped they
would fall in with a party of Indians under Tecumseh who, it waa
understood from our prisoners, had left Detroit to take Fort Wayne.
Mr. Beard on his return took great pains, and he thinks with effect,
to allay the fears of the inhabitants and induce them to remain at
home. I send a copy of Genl. Hull's capitulation. Major Cuyler
has taken the capitulation to copy, and will send it to you.

(Fi-ora Bonney's Historical Gleanings, pp. 222-3.)

John I^ovett to Abraham VanVechten.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 28th August, 1812.
Dear Sir, —

Things are bad enough now. I do not speak of our little camp*
We are snug, getting in fine order, and with infinite, unceasing
industry, preparing for the worst, while we hope for the best. I
speak on the general scale of all things around us. Hull's surrender
is to me incomprehensible. I had expected his destruction would
be certain, but it has come in such a way as I did not expect.
Three of his officers say he had a force of 2,200. The British all
round assert that he has surrendered between 2,500 and 3,000 : his
provisions were ample for three more weeks ; of ordnance and every
munition of war he had abundance, yet he surrendered to a force
vastly inferior, probably to 600 or 700 British troops and about
the same number of Indians. He fired not a gun, and but one was
fired at him. Then why did Hull surrender, is the question ? No
one here can answer. From his officers and all I have seen, it
appears that there was through the whole army a very great dis-
affection towards Hull. Cowardice is pretty generally imputed to
him. Many allege corruption ; his officers seem greatly distressed
at the character of the surrender. Now, the consequences of this
affair cast such a blot on the American character as the tears of
your children and mine and a hundred more generations can never
sponge away.

This event has cemented Canada beyond anything you can con-
ceive. It has a serious face also on our Indians on the whole
frontier. The affair with Gen. Harrison gave them the scent of
blood and you can depend on it, it has been well improved.
Tecumsieh, the Prophet's brother, a warrior of almost unbounded
influence, now openly holds the language that the Great Spirit

221

intended Ohio River for the boundary between his white and red
•children, that many of the first warriors have always thought so,
but a cloud hung over the eyes of the tribes and they could not see
what the Great Spirit meant, that Gen. Brock has now torn awa}^
the cloud and the Indians see clearly that all the white people must
go back east of the Ohio, and if any one attempts to cross that
river " Indians will cut their toes off." Yesterday I beheld such a
sight as God knows I never expected to see, and He only knows
the sensation it created in my heart. I saw my countrymen, free-
born Americans, robbed of the inheritance which their dying fathers
bequeathed them, stripped of the arms which achieved our inde-
pendence and marched into a strange land by hundreds as black
cattle for the market.

Before and behind, on the right and on the left, their proud
victors gleamed in arms and their heads erect in the pride of
victory. How many of our unfortunate brethren were in this
situation, I know not ; the road for more than a mile is perfectly
in our view. I think the line, including wagons, pleasure carriages,
&c, was half a mile long, scattered. The sensations this scene pro-
duced in our camp were inexpressible ; mortification, indignation,
fearful apprehension, suspicion, jealousy, dismay, rage, madness.

It was a sad day with us, but the poor fellows last evening
went on board the shipping and, I presume, passed over to York.
I saw a gentleman who was present when Gen. Hull alighted from
his carriage at Fort George, hale, corpulent, and apparently in high
spirits, and hence will he ever return ? He goes to Quebec. Such
the scenes before us. All eyes seem now turned on General Van
Rensselaer for direction and on our little army for defence. I tell
you nothing, but the man who is now on the ground could prevent
incalculable mischief in this quarter. It is his respectabilit}^ and
character which effects all that is effected, and I am proud to say
he is assiduously, vigilantly and ably supported. We have plenty
to do from the 4 o'clock morning gun until 9 at night.

I saw a gentleman who had this day seen one of Hull's captains,
who openly and roundly asserted that Hull was a coward, that as
soon as the first gun was fired he sat down with his back against a
solid protection.

(From Boimey's Historical Gleanings, pp. 230-1. 1

222
General Orders.
Headquarters, Lewiston, 29th Aug., 1812.

The Major General is gratified with the attention which is paid
by the officers to the health of the men. Striking the tents as has-
been this morning done will in a great measure prevent disease
among the troops, and the General recommends that it will be done
as often as occasion may require, and that cleanliness be observed in
every particular by individuals of the army. It is absolutely neces-
sary to the preservation of health. It is particularly enjoined on
those who have charge of the few sick in this camp and the hospital
to see that they are well supplied with everything necessary for
their accommodation, and that expert and faithful nurses are pro-
vided to attend them.

On this occasion the General cannot refrain from expressing
his satisfaction at the attention of the officers in general to their
duty, and the orderly conduct of the soldiers in obe}ring orders.
Such cheerful and soldier-like behavior is to him a cheerful presage
of what he has to expect from them in the hour "which will try
men's souls."

To the commanding officer of the 7th Brigade, and to the
colonels of the 18th and 20th Regiments, the General tenders his
acknowledgements for their strict attention to the discipline of the
troops and the preservation of their health.

By order of Major General VanRensselaer.

Sol. VanRensselaer,

Aid-de-Camp.

General Peter B. Porter to Governor Tompkins.

Black Rock, Aug. 30, 1812.

Sir, — I know that you must be borne down by the weight of
official duty, and, not having received any answers to my former
letters, I have for some time past forborne to trouble you.

I have now only to ask once more in short, what I have before
pressed on Your Excellency in detail, in the hope that you will
spare five minutes to answer and relieve me from the state of
uncertainty in which I am placed.

My request is that if you consider me in service you would
authorize me generally to provide such things in the Quartermaster-
General's department as in the opinion of the officers commanding
are necessary to the support and successful operations of the army,
and that you will forward to me the necessary funds to do it, as it
is extremely difficult to raise the requisite sums from bills.

223

The above is all I have to write on the business of my depart-
ment, and to which I should be gratified by an answer. What,
follows Your Excellency will read or not, as leisure or inclination
may dictate.

Three days ago we witnessed a sight which made my heart
sick within me, and the emotions which it excited throughout the
whole of our troops along the line who were eye-witnesses are not
to be described. The heroes of Tippecanoe, with the garrisons of
Detroit and Mackinac, amounting to about five hundred men, were
marched like cattle from Fort Erie to Fort George, guarded by
General Brock's regular troops with all the parade and pomp of
British insolence, and we were incapacitated by the armistice and
by our own weakness from giving them the relief which they
seemed anxiously to expect, and could only look on and sicken at
the sight.

In March last I urged on the President and to the Secretaries
of War and the Navy the necessity of having a naval force on the
lakes superior to that of the British, which might have been done
at an expense of less than one hundred thousand dollars (as I then
demonstrated), and ready to act by the first of July. I also urged
them, and have not ceased to do it since, the expediency of having
land forces ready to act immediately after the declaration of war
at different points along the frontier, so as to prevent the concentra-
tion of the British forces at any one place. With 4,000 men on
this river one month ago in a condition to act, the whole of Upper
Canada and the Indian country would now have been in our quiet
possession. But unfortunately the counsels of men who knew the
country were rejected or disregarded, and what is now the terrible
reverse of the picture, which some regard to their advice, frequently
and strenuously urged, would have prevented ? Detroit and a brave
army taken — the Indians let loose upon our frontiers — the inhab-
itants flying in every direction — Brock, with his army and Indians
and thousands of inspirited Canadians and a powerful train of field
and garrison ordnance taken from General Hull, arrived on this
frontier and ready to act. Indeed, it is now reduced to a certainty
that the inhabitants of this river, with their property, are doomed
to feel the scourge and desolation of war. The hour that closes the
armistice will bring ruin to most of them who live on this frontier.
But I should not be appalled by the prospect if I could see some
spirit and energy awakened in those who direct the destinies of the
nation. For the last two months I could have traversed the wilds
of Canada, fought with Indians only and subjected myself to all
the inconvenience of the country without suffering half what I
have done by the terrible state of inactivity and uncertainty in

224

which we have been placed, and such are the feelings of all the
brave men on this river.

We have been daity amused for two months with news of the
approach of heavy ordnance, of flying artillery, of regular troops,
&c, &c, to this frontier, but none have arrived. They come to
Utica and then disappear. They timidly dance backward and for-
ward in the interior of the country, without knowing what to do
or being of service anywhere. The Genesee River, Sodus, Oswego,
and the brig at Sackett's Harbor, are all alternately to be defended,
as a British ship appears to pass from one end of the lake to the
other. This miserable and timid system of defence must be aban-
doned, or the nation is ruined and disgraced. Make a bold push at
any one point and you will find your enemy, give them as much
business as they can attend to at Niagara and at Ogdensburg, and
you will not see them groping among the marshes of Sodus to
pillage the miserable huts of the poor inhabitants. But it is needless
for me to say more ; my views have been long known.

Excuse the incoherence and abruptness of this letter. It is
written in a state of mind little short of distraction, occasioned by
the events of the West and the situation of my brother, who has
been at the point of death for ten clays past, but who, thank God,
is now recovering. I trust I am addressing myself to friends, and, I
know, with the best motives and wishes for them and my country.

I do not feel disposed to condemn a public man on the slight
ground of rumor and before he has had an impartial trial, but I
have conversed with several gentlemen who were at Detroit at the
time of its surrender, and if their representations are to be credited,
that event will make one of the foulest blots on the page of Ameri-
can history. Yesterday a number of men were shot at Fort George
in view of our troops. They are supposed to be the unfortunate
fellows who joined General Hull in Canada and were surrendered
at Detroit, and for whose protection provision should have been
made in the capitulation at the expense of the life of every man in
the garrison.

I have enclosed a copy of this letter so far as it is contained on
the first sheet to the Secretary of War, for whom, indeed, it was
intended with the exception of the request at the beginning.

The public mind in this quarter is wrought up almost to a
state of madness. Jealousy and distrust begin to prevail toward
the general officers, occasioned perhaps by the rash and imprudent
expressions on politics of some of the persons attached to them, but
principally by the surrender of Detroit, which among the common
people is almost universally ascribed to treachery.

I have entire confidence in the honor and patriotism as well as

225

the military promptitude and judgment of General VanRensselaer
and shall most cheerfully submit to his guidance. But if it is his
wish (and I think it is and that he will express it to you) to return,
it would inspire great confidence in the troops and the country to
have you or General D. Clinton take the command.

We shall probably be attacked when the armistice is off, but I
trust in God, not surrendered.

Governor Tompkins : —

I could wish, if you have no objections, that this letter may be
seen by Mr. Clinton, between whom and yourself I ardently hope
for the sake of my country in its present perilous situation that the
greatest cordiality may exist.

(Copy of a Letter to the Secretary of War.)

Black Rock, Aug. 30, 1812.

Sm, — I enclose you a copy of my letter of this date to Governor
Tompkins, to which I must beg your serious attention.

For God's sake, my friend, arouse and put forth the energies of
the nation, and let us not be beaten by a petty province. War can
never be waged by tedious and two-penny calculations of economy
in the office at Washington. The poor but patriotic citizens of
Ohio and the frontiers of New York are suffering all the miseries
of poverty and war. They alone are called out because, perhaps,
their march to the frontiers is shorter, and therefore cheaper, while
the rich inhabitants of Pennsylvania are lolling in security and ease.

As one of the inhabitants of this frontier, I can submit to the
loss of property; I can see with composure (what is now actually
presented to my view) my vessels riding under British colors in a
British harbor, but I cannot endure the degradation of my country.

(Tompkins' Papers, Vol. VIII., pp. 96-102, New York State Library.)

Sir George Prevost to Major General Brock.

Headquarters, Montreal, Aug. 30, 1812.
Sir, — I received on the 25th, while at St. John's, your despatch
by express from Detroit of the 16th instant. I do most sincerely
congratulate you upon the complete success which has attended
your measures for the preservation of Amherstburg. The sur-
render of Detroit, the capture of General Hull's army with so
large a proportion of ordnance, are circumstances of high importance
to our country, and which have evinced your talents as an officer in
command and reflect honor upon you and upon Lieut.-Colonel St.
George and Colonel Procter.

226

I propose sending an aid-de-camp to England with your short
despatch, together with such details as I am in possession of,
respecting Brigadier-General Hull's previous invasion of Upper
Canada and of his foiled attempts to invade Amherstburg, but I
shall delay his departure from hence until the 1st of September, in
hopes of obtaining from you before that time further particulars of
the operations which led to General Hull's disgrace.

Well aware of the difficulties you have surmounted for the
preservation of your government entire, I shall endeavor to do
justice to your merit in my report to His Majesty's Minister upon
the success which has crowned your energy and zeal.

A warrant giving you more extensive power over the sentence
of such general courts-martial as you may be called on to assemble,
was signed by me ten days since, and has, I hope, reached you.

I am in hourly expectation of receiving from General Dearborn
intelligence respecting the reception of the proposed suspension of
hostilities in consequence of the revocation of the Orders-in-Council
which are a plea for war in the American Cabinet, and also whether
Mr. Baker has been allowed to assume pro tempore the character of
a charge d'affaires at Washington, where Mr. Foster left him in a demi-
official capacity. I consider the arrangement entered into by General
Dearborn with Colonel Baynes requiring the confirmation of the
President to establish its sacredness.

The King's Government having most unequivocally expressed
to me their desire to preserve peace with the United States, that
they might, uninterrupted, pursue with the whole disposable force
of the country the great interest committed in Europe, I have
endeavored to be instrumental in the accomplishment of their views,,
but I consider it most fortunate to have been enabled to do so with-
out interfering with operations on the Detroit.

I have sent you men, money and stores of every kind.

P. S. — I have addressed to you a public letter containing my
sentiments upon Major General Sheaffe's alterations in original con-
clusive and binding conditions transmitted to him by the Adjutant-
General.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 274-5.)

Major General VanRensselaer to Governor Tompkins.

Headquarters, Lewlston, August 31, 1812.
Sir, — Presuming that the surrender of General Hull's army
has been officially announced to Your Excellency through the
proper channel, I shall not enter into any details upon the event so-

disastrous to our country. Its consequences must be felt every-
where, but they are particularly distressing upon these frontiers,
both to the citizens and the little army under my command. Alarm
pervades the country and distrust among' the troops. They are
incessantly pressing for furloughs under every possible pretence.
Many are without shoes; all clamorous for pay. Many are sick.
Swift's regiment at Black Rock are about one-fourth part down. I
have ordered Doctor Brown to associate Doctor Chapin with him,
and to examine as to the causes producing the diseases, the mode of
treating them, &c, and to report to me the best means of preserving
the health of those who remain well. This duty they are now
performing.

Captain Jennings has been tried by a courtmartial and found
guilty of such charges as forfeited his commission, and I have
approved the sentence. The proceedings in form will soon be
forwarded to Your Excellency.

While we are thus growing daily weaker, our enemy is growing
stronger. They hold a very commanding position on the high
ground above Queenston, and they are daily strengthening them-
selves in it with men and ordnance. Indeed they are fortifying
almost every prominent point from Fort Erie to Fort George. At
present we rest upon the armistice, but. should hostilities be recom-
menced I must immediately change my position. I receive no
reinforcement of men, no ordnance or munitions of war. I must
hope that I shall not long be left in this situation.

Two gentlemen, Messrs. Johnson and Bascom, came over in a
flag to the garrison at Niagara, and the first I knew of it they were
in my camp. Being satisfied that they were American citizens,
men of intelligence and some standing in society, I permitted them
to pass on with orders to report themselves to Your Excellency.

There is one fact which, though not immediately connected
with my department, I cannot refrain from mentioning. The
unfortunate soldiers of General Hull's army who marched by my
camp on their way to Lower Canada are very destitute of clothing.
Every consideration would urge that some attention should be paid
to their condition.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 34: Tompkins' Papers, Vol. VIII.,
pp. 105-7, New York State Library. )

Sir George Prevost to Major General Brock.

Headquarters, Montreal, Aug. 31, 1812.

Sir, — I had scarcely closed the letters I addressed to you
yesterday when an aide-de-camp from Major General Dearborn

228

made his appearance and delivered to me the despatch herewith
transmitted. It will expose to your view the disposition of the
President of the United States on the provisional measure tempo-
rarily agreed upon between the American commander-in-chief and
myself in consequence of an earnest desire not to widen the breach
existing between the two countries, the revocation of the Orders-in-
Council having removed the plea used in Congress for a declaration
of war against Great Britain.

I am much disappointed that the particulars of the surrender
of Detroit have not as yet reached me, particularly as my aide-de-
camp, Captain Coore, is to leave Montreal this evening for Quebec,
where a ship of war is on the point of sailing for Halifax, from
whence I expect the admiral will give him a conveyance for England.

Being unacquainted with the conditions attached to the sur-
render of Brigadier-General Hull's army, and giving scope to your
expressions of prisoners of war, I have made arrangements for
increasing their security against any attempt to rescue them, by
ordering Captain Gray to proceed with two flank companies to
Prescott.

(From Tupper's Lifa of Brock, p. 276.)

Militia General Orders.

Headquarters, York, 1st Septr., 1812.
Militia General Orders.

Major General Brock has been pleased to direct that such of
the militia as have lately returned from Detroit, and who received
leave of absence, shall receive pay and rations till the 24th instant,
should their furlough so long continue.
By order.

J. Macdonell,
Lt.-Col. Militia, P. A. D. C.

Major General VanRensselaer to Governor Tompkins.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 1st Sept., 1812.

Sir, — In the letter which I had the honor to address to Your
Excellency yesterday, I mentioned the general alarm which the
surrender of General Hull's army has spread through the frontier.
The inhabitants everywhere think themselves in danger. This is
particularly the case in the County of Chautauqua, and in con-
sequence of representations made to me by the inhabitants of that
county, I had on the 27th ulto. issued an order to Lieut.-Colonel

229

John McMahon to order into service two full companies of his regi-
ment for the protection of its inhabitants, designating in my order
where they should be stationed. This morning again I have been
called upon by Captains Baldwin and Mack, gentlemen of respecta-
bility from that county, very earnestly soliciting in behalf of the
inhabitants still further force for their protection, and I have issued
another order to Lieut.-Colonel McMahon to detach one captain,
two sergeants and 26 privates more for the service aforesaid, until
Your Excellency's pleasure can be known on the subject.

2d September, 4 o'clock p. m.

Colonel Fenwick has not yet arrived at Fort Niagara, and of
course I have not delivered the letter of yesterday received by
express from Major General Dearborn. Four or five vessels have
just arrived at Fort George, it is supposed with reinforcements.
Our enemy appear to be on the alert at every point.

This morning Lieut. Branch with about 40 men and two pieces
of flying artillery arrived, also Captain Camp with about 25
dragoons.

P. S. — The company of Captain Jennings in Colonel Swift's
regiment had become so clamorous for pay and contended so strenu-
ously that their time had expired that I have ordered them to be
discharged. I was strengthened in my belief that this would meet
your approbation by learning from Brigadier General Brown that
you had ordered Colonel Bellinger's regiment to be discharged.

(Tompkins' Papers, vol. VIII. , pp. 103-5, New York State Library.)

Major General VanRensselaer to Major General Dearborn.

Headquarters, Lewlstox,

1st September, 1812.

Sir, — I have just received your letter of the 25th ult. I shall
ascertain the movements and situation of Lieut.-Col. Fenwick with
the cannon and stores, and as soon as he can be considered safe I
shall terminate the armistice in the manner prescribed.

Upon this occasion I conceive it a duty I owe to my country,
to the troops under my command, and to my own character, to
state that we are not on this frontier in that condition which the
approaching crisis will require. My force of militia, rank and tile,
now fit for duty, is six hundred and ninety-one, as will appear by
the enclosed return. These have to guard a line of thirty-six miles.
My sick list is more than one hundred. Many of the men are
without shoes, and all are clamorous for pay. Besides, it is a fact
that cannot be concealed that the surrender of General Hull's army

230

has spread great alarm among the inhabitants on this frontier, and
I every day perceive strong symptoms of distrust among the troops.
They have seen their countrymen surrendered without a single
effort and marched prisoners before their eyes. They cannot com-
prehend it.

At this hour, I have received no reinforcements of men, no
supplies of ordnance, tents, nor ammunition. There are not ten
rounds per man on the Niagara frontier, nor have we lead to make
cartridges. We are extremely deficient of medicine and hospital
stores ; of lint and bandage cloth we have none, nor any surgical
instruments. Lieut.-Col. Swift's regiment at Black Rock and the
troops in garrison at Niagara have no tents to take the field ; unless
Bloom's regiment and the troops with Lieut.-Col. Fen wick have
tents with them they cannot be covered. This is a brief sketch
of our condition. Our enemy are every moment on the alert. They
hold a very commanding position on the high ground above Queen-
ston, and are daily strengthing it with men and ordnance. Indeed
almost every point of any importance from Fort Erie to Fort George
is in some state of defence. At each fort on the lakes their shipping
is ready to act. The troops which had been detached from this
quarter to act against General Hull have returned, and may now be
concentrated at this point. Before the termination of the armistice
I must change my position, and can only act on the defensive until
I shall be reinforced with troops well disciplined and commanded
by able officers.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative : Appendix, p. 37.)

Major General Dearborn to Major General VanRensselaer.

Headquarters, Greenbush, 1st Sept., 1812.
Sir, — I received your letter of the 25th ult. this morning,
enclosing a communication from Capt. Leonard. The fall of Gen.
Hull and the army under his command is as mortifyng, as it was
unexpected. We must endeavor to redeem our honor by increasing
our exertions. In addition to the militia detachments ordered from
this State and two thousand ordered from the northwestern part of
Pennsylvania to Niagara, three regiments of the new-raised troops
of the army have been some days on their march towards }Tour
post. I am forwarding additional supplies of muskets and cannon,
with forty batteaux, to Niagara. A detachment of troops will
accompany the boats from Oswego. It will be necessary to have
teams ready to take the stores and boats from a safe landing place,
and it may be well to order a detachment to meet the boats at some

231

distance from Niagara on the shore. I hope Lieut.-Col. Fenwick,
with the troops and stores under his command, will have arrived in
season. / have no doubt but that you will improve the earliest
opportunity for retaliating on the enemy our misfortunes at
Detroit. Gen. Dodge goes to Sackett's Harbor with a fine force. I
have detached Gen. Bloomfield with a brigade of regular troops
with artillery, &c, to Plattsburg, and other troops, in addition to the
militia of this State and Vermont, will accompany or follow him.

I shall endeavor to draw the reinforcements back from Upper
Canada to Montreal.

(Prom S. VauRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 40.)

Col. S. VanRensselaer to his Wife.

Lewiston, 1st September, 1812.
Dear Harriet, — I wrote you yesterday by mail, in which
letter I gave you an account of all that was passing here. This day
we received an express from Genl. Dearborn that the armistice was
at an end. But at the time he was despatched from Greenbush
they knew nothing of the surrender of General Hull and his army,
and what effect that information will have on the measures of a
weak and despicable General and Government, time only will
determine. We shall at all events go on and make all the arrange-
ments in our power to meet the crisis which, in all probability, is
approaching. If nothing is done it will not be our fault, but that
of Government. By express and by almost every mail the Governor
and Genl. Dearborn have been informed of our situation.

(From Bonney's Historical Gleanings, p, 224.)

From the Buffalo Gazette of Tuesday, ist September, 1812.

[Note— Extras had been issued 011 Thursday, August '27th, and Saturday, August 29th, giving
details of the surrender of Detroit.]

On Tuesday evening last 4 or 5 British vessels hove in sight of
the village, and lay a few miles off Buffalo Creek during the night.
Yesterday morning they came down and anchored off Fort Erie.
About noon a flag of truce came into Buffalo Creek and landed
Captain Baker, late of General Hull's army.

The armed ships which brought down Hull's vanguard have
all returned.

On Wednesday last Major Mullan}^ arrived here from the
Canandaigua rendezvous with about 140 troops for the frontier.

Arrived yesterday, 40 mounted artillerists with two pieces of

232

flying artillery, on their way to Lewiston. They state two 24-
ponnders, four 18-pounders, and four 9-pounders were, coming
through Lake Ontario for Niagara.

From the United States Gazette, of Philadelphia, Sept. 25th, 1812.

Extract of a letter from a gentleman of Providence, Rhode
Island, now on his travels, dated at Buffalo Creek the 2d inst. :

I am here surrounded by Indians, and the British Fort Erie, 3
miles distant. Six tribes of Indians, who are holding a council in
this vicinity, it is said, are offended by a report that they will not be
admitted into our army, but I presume they will be convinced to
the contrary, though the agent is desirous of their remaining
neutral. There are now near 3,000 men, mostly militia and volun-
teers, on our lines, but having to guard 20 miles of the River
Niagara they are much scattered, and an attack has been for the
two last days expected, which, if speedily made by the British, I
cannot see what will hinder them from possessing all the forts here.
There are 10 or 12 small pieces of cannon here (although more are
expected) to oppose upwards of 100 pieces on the other shore, some
of which are of the heaviest calibre. To complete the gloomy
prospect here, our garrison is almost destitute of ammunition ;
besides our soldiers are very jealous of their officers.

(File in Philadelphia Library.)

From Major General Dearborn to Major General VanRensselaer.
Headquarters, Greenbush, Sept. 2d, 1812.

Sir, — I send this by express for the purpose of putting you on
your guard against an attack that I have reason to apprehend is
intended by the enemy. A considerable force has lately passed
into Upper Canada for the obvious purpose of striking not only at
Detroit but at other posts. From the number of troops which have
left Montreal for Upper Canada, I am not without fear that
attempts will speedily be made to reduce you and your forces to
the mortifying situation of Gen. Hull and his army. If such an
attempt of the enemy should be made previous to the arrival of the
principal part of the troops destined to Niagara, it will be necessary
for you to be prepared for all events, and to be prepared to make
good a secure retreat, as the last resort. I hope, however, you will
not be reduced to the mortifying alternative of falling back. But
from the unfortunate event at Detroit we may expect great exer-
tions on the part of the enemy, and as far as the means in our

233

power will admit, we, I trust, shall be at least equally vigilant and
active.

P. S. — The Frigate Guerriere has been captured and sunk by
the U. S. Frigate Constitution, Capt. Hull.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 42.

General Orders.

Headquarters, Lewiston,

2d September, 1812.

Sir. — Major General VanRensselaer directs that you land the
troops, cannon, and stores under your command at the Four-Mile
Creek, and make every military preparation to protect them, and to
give him immediate information of your arrival by express.
By order.

Sol. VanRensselaer,

Aid-de-Camp.
Lieut.-Col. Fenwick, Light Artillery.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative : Appendix, p. 39.)

Major General Brock to his Brothers.

Lake Ontario, Sept. 3, 1812.

You will have heard of the complete success which attended
the efforts I directed against Detroit. I have received so many
letters from people whose opinion I value, expressive of their
admiration of the exploit, that I begin to attach to it more import-
ance than I was at first inclined. Should the affair be viewed in
England in the light it is here, I cannot fail of meeting reward and
escaping the horror of being placed high on a shelf, never to be
taken down.

Some say that nothing could be more desperate than the
measure, but I answer that the state of the Province admitted of
nothing but desperate remedies. I got possession of the letters ray
antagonist addressed to the Secretary at War, and also of the senti-
ments which hundreds of his army uttered to their friends. Con-
fidence in the General was gone, and evident despondency prevailed
throughout. I have succeeded beyond expectation. I crossed the
river contrary to the opinion of Cols. Procter, St. George, &c. it is
therefore no wonder that envy should attribute to good fortune
what injustice to my own discernment, I must say, proceeded from
a cool calculation of the pours and contres.

234

It is supposed that the value of the articles captured will
amount to 30 or £40,000 ; in that case my proposition will be some-
thing considerable. If it enable me to contribute to your comfort
and happiness, I shall esteem it my highest reward. When I
returned Heaven thanks for my amazing success, I thought of you
all. You appeared to me happy — your late sorrows forgotten, and
I felt as if the many benefits which for a series of years I received
from you were not unworthily bestowed. Let me know, my dearest
brothers, that you are all again united. The want of union was
nearly losing this Province without even a struggle, and be assured
it operates in the same degree in regard to families.

A cessation of hostilities has taken place along this frontier.
Should peace follow, the measure will be well ; if hostilities recom-
mence, nothing could be more unfortunate than this pause. I
cannot give you freely an account of my situation ; it is, however,
of late, much improved. The militia have been inspired by the
recent success with confidence — the disaffected are silenced. The
49th have come to my aid, besides other troops. I shall see Vincent,
I hope, this evening at Kingston. He is appointed to the command
of that post — a most important one. I have withdrawn Plender-
leath from Niagara to assist him. Plenderleath is sitting opposite
me, and desires to be remembered. James Brock is likewise at
Kingston. I believe he considers it more his interest to remain
with the 49th than to act as my private secretary ; indeed the
salaiy is a mere pittance. Poor Leggatt is dead, and has left his
family in the most distressing circumstances. His wife died last
year."

General Sheaffe has lately been sent to me. There never was
an individual so miserably off for the necessary assistance. Sir
George Prevost has kindly hearkened to my remonstrances, and in
some measure supplied the deficiency. The 41st is an uncommonly
fine regiment, but, with few exceptions, badly officered.

Kingston, September 4.
I this instant received your letters by Mr. Todd. So honest
John Tupper is gone. I could not have loved a son of my own
more ardently. Hostilities, I this instant understand, are to be
renewed in four days, and, though landed only two hours, I must
return immediately to Niagara, whence I shall write fully.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock: pp. 284-6.

235

I,ieutenant-Colonel John R. Fenwick, I^ight Artillery, to Major
General VanRensselaer.

Four-Mile Creek, September 3, 1812.
Sir, — Agreeable to your instructions, I am landing the ordnance
and stores at this place. They are of great importance, and I do
not think them safe in this position. The powder I must keep on
board, as it will sustain injury by being taken out. I pray you,
sir, to assist me so soon as possible, and receive the assurance of my
consideration and respect.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 40.)

Colonel Solomon VanRensselaer to I/ieut.-Col. Fenwick.

Headquarters, Lewistox, September 3, 1812.

Sir, — Major General VanRensselaer has ordered the Quarter-
master to proceed immediately to Four-Mile Creek and furnish you
with the necessary transportation for the cannon and military
stores in your charge, and has also detached one captain, one sub-
altern and forty men to assist you in their removal and protection
to this place. The troops and wagons will reach you this evening.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative : Appendix, p. 40.)

General Orders.

Headquarters, Lewistox, 4th Sept., 1812.

The Major General announces to the troops that, agreeable to
an order received from Major General Dearborn, the armistice
entered into between him and the Governor-General of Canada will
be terminated at twelve o'clock at noon on the eighth day of Sep-
tember instant.

The troops under his command will, however, understand
explicitly that they are not to act offensively without previous
orders from him, but to be vigilant in their duty and ready to
execute any command they may receive when a proper occasion
presents itself.

The troops will strike their tents to-morrow morning at reveille:
the tents, tent poles and baggage will be packed up ready to move
in one hour from that time. The quartermaster will measure the
space necessary for a double row of tents and furnish the neces-
sary transportation.

A fatigue party of a sergeant, corporal and twelve men will
attend at the same time at headquarters.

By order of Major General VanRensselaer.

Sol. VanRensselaer, Aid-de-Camp.

236

Major General Brock to Sir George Prevost.

Kingston, September 4, 1812.

Sir, — Upon my arrival here an hour ago, Captain Fulton
delivered me Your Excellency's despatch, dated the 31st ultimo,
enclosing a letter from General Dearborn, in which the President's
disapproval of the armistice is announced. I am in consequence
induced to return without loss of time to Fort George. Captain
Fulton having expressed a wish to accompany me, I have the more
readily consented as he will be able to give you full information of
our actual state. The enemy was very busy upon Fort Niagara,
and appeared inclined to erect additional batteries. I may perhaps
think it proper to stop their career.

I enclose several documents lately received from Colonel
Procter at Detroit. That officer appears to have conducted himself
with much judgment. I likewise transmit a memorial which I
have received from some merchants in the Niagara District, but of
course I cannot judge of its merits.

I shall be obliged to Your Excellency to direct a remittance of
the £5,000, for which I sent a requisition some time ago, on account
of the civil expenditure of this Province, either in Government
paper or specie, as you may deem most convenient. I doubt not
the former meeting a ready currency.

The very nattering manner in which Your Excellency is pleased
to view my services, and your kindness in having represented them
to His Majesty's ministers in such favorable light, are gratifying to
me, and call for my grateful acknowledgements.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 301-2.)

Major General VanRensselaer to Major General Brock.

Headquarters, Lewiston, Sept. 4th, 1812.

Sir, — By the articles which I had the honor to conclude with
Major General Sheaft'e on the 21st ult. for the government of the
troops of the United States under my command and His Britannic
Majesty's forces on this frontier during the temporary armistice, it
was among other things stipulated that " the party who shall first
receive orders for the renewal of hostilities shall give four days'
notice, computing twenty-four hours to each day, before any offen-
sive operation shall take place."

Having now received orders to terminate the armistice, in con-
formity to the above recited stipulation I have the honor to
transmit you this notice, that the armistice will be terminated at
twelve o'clock at noon on Tuesday, the eighth day of September inst.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 41.)

237

The Secretary of War to Major General Dearborn.

War Department, Sept. 4, 1812.

(Abstract.)

Captain Chauncey has been directed to take immediate measures
to obtain command of Lakes Erie and Ontario.

Major General Sheaffe to Major General VanRensselaer.

Fort George, 5th Sept., 1812.

Sir, — I have the honor of receiving your communication
signifying the intention on the part of the United States of renew-
ing hostilities after four days shall have elapsed from the period at
which the notice was given — thus declaring that the armistice
shall terminate at twelve o'clock at noon on the eighth day of this
September.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative : Appendix, p. 42. )

Colonel S. "VanRensselaer to Abraham VanVechten.

Lewlston, 5th September, 1812.

My Dear Sir, — This morning Mr. Swan arrived (in three days
from Albany) on express from Gen. Dearborn with information that
a large body of British troops had left Montreal for the opposite
bank of this river, and cautioning Gen. V. R. to guard against a
surprise from them, and if hard pressed to make a safe retreat.
His caution against a surprise is unnecessary, and as for a retreat, we
shall not think of it until we have tried some blustering Democrats,
who pretend to be full of fighting and crossing the river, but their
opinions as to crossing no attention will be paid to until it is proper.
We should come to action, and then they will be brought to a close
one. With the force which arrived yesterday under the command
of Lt.-Col. Fen wick, we have in the aggregate of regular troops and
militia two thousand two hundred men detached on a frontier of
forty miles, from Fort Niagara to Buffalo, while the British have
opposed to us (besides the force Dearborn speaks of), from every
information we can get, and from their appearance eveiy day in
our view, at least that number of regular troops, with strong
batteries at every crossing point to meet [us], and of these there are
but very few, owing to the extreme height of the banks.

In short, we are deficient in almost everything. Four 18-
pounders, two twelve pounders, eight sixes, and two fours are all
the ordnance we have for the defence of this line ; two sixes, honey
combed, some of them without shot and six without harness. Fort

238

Niagara not tenable. (You all suppose it impregnable. Not so, it
cannot be maintained fifteen minutes.) The stores are now
removing with a view to abandon it, and in this place Capt. Leonard
buried two 13-inch mortars and six 8-J-inch howitzers for the want
of shells.

No surgical instruments, lint, bandage or hospital stores, no
forage and no quartermaster. Peter B. Porter has been only twice
in camp since we have been here, and instead of getting the force
ready is attending to his private affairs. He is an abominable
scoundrel, and I make no secret in telling his friends so.

(From Bonney's Historical Gleanings, pp. 226-7.)

Major General VanRensselaer to Major General Dearborn.

Headquarters, Lewiston,

5th Sept., 1812, 7 p. m.

Sir, — The express has just arrived with your letter of the 2d
inst. I thank you for the information which your letter contains
and for suggesting precautions against a disaster which would
deeply implicate the honor of my country, the fate of the little
army under my command, and my own character.

Every exertion which the small force I command can make to
avoid either a surprise or defeat will be attempted. So small and
scattered has been my little band, and so depressed by the fate of
Gen. Hull, that every movement has been heavy. But within forty-
eight hours the scene seems to have changed a little for the better.
Lieut.-Col. Fenwick has arrived safe with the cannon and stores.
To avoid any possible casualty, I ordered them landed at the Four-
Mile Creek, a little below Fort Niagara, and from thence they have
been brought by land ; the boats have returned. A battalion of
about seventy riflemen which, on the 16th ult. I had ordered from
Oswego, has this day arrived here.

I have determined, with the concurrence of Lieut.-Col. Fen-
wick's opinion, to throw up a strong battery on this side of Fort
Niagara, on the bank of the river, and there place the four eighteen-
pounders. With this viewT, I went this morning on the spot, and
we have broke ground. This evening Lieut.-Col. Fenwick and
Capt. Leonard are with me. I understand our movement has pro-
duced great activity at Fort George. The enemy have immediately
commenced some new works. It is my intention to support the
battery near Fort Niagara with as strong a camp as I am able and
to cut a road back of it for greater safety in case I should be hard
pressed.

239

Agreeably to your instructions, I waited, for the safety of Lieut. -
Col. Fenwick, the cannon and stores, before I gave notice necessary
to terminate the armistice conformably to the stipulations between
Major Gen. Sheaffe and myself. The notice was delivered at Fort
George yesterday before noon, and by it the armistice will be
terminated at 12 o'clock at noon on the 8th inst. This day Major
Gen. Sheaffe has acknowledged the receipt of my notice. My
present camp being within reach of the enemy's guns on the high
grounds at Queenston, I have determined to quit. I had designated
a spot for my new encampment about one mile from the river, on
the ridge road, but I may reconsider this subject. It might be
expected from my situation that I could, with facility, obtain
correct information of the enemy's force and movements in this
vicinity, but such is not the fact. Every effort for that purpose is
absolutely vain. I can only obtain information too general to
calculate upon. It is generally believed that the enemy are con-
centrating their forces to this neighborhood, but what their num-
bers are is to me wholly unknown. They appear to lie on the alert.

At Fort Niagara we have (concealed) two thirteen and-a-half
inch brass mortars and four eight and-a-half inch howitzers. Capt.
Leonard has this evening handed me a memorandum of articles that
in his opinion, which I respect, are very much wanted for these
pieces and some others, as follows : —

400 shells for the mortars.

1,600 canister and grape shot for the howitzers.

16 dozen portfires — harness complete, for the mortars and
howitzers ; also wanted, harness for the 6 six pounders now at Fort
Niagara.

With the information of which you are possessed relative to
my force and that of the enemy, I presume you cannot expect that
I shall immediately attempt to act offensively. I shall endeavor to
watch the motions of the enemy as far as possible, and so dispose
my little force as to avoid a surprise or risking too much with raw
troops in case the enemy should cross to attack me. The surrender
of Gen. Hull's army has put it in the power of the enemy to turn a
strong force to act either defensively or offensively against me.
My situation requires arduous duty; it may be critical, but I shall
meet events in that manner which my judgment shall dictate as
most prudent and safe, and to the utmost of my power discharge
my duty.

The conduct of Capt. Hull in the Constitution was gallant
indeed, and has justified the high expectations we have all enter-
tained of our navy and the brave men who command it.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative : Appendix, p. 43. )

240

Regimental Orders by I/t.-Colonel Chewett, Commanding 3d Regt.,
York Militia.

York, 5 September, 1812.

In consequence of the flank companies of said regiment, now in
the Garrison of York, under the command of Major Allan, having
been ordered by Major General Sheaffe on the 4th instant to proceed
with all possible speed to Fort George, the following officers, non-
commissioned officers and privates detached by their respective
quotas from the battalion companies of said regiment are hereby
directed to compose the following companies and to do duty in the
said garrison until further orders : —
1st — Captain Denison.

Lt. Endicott.

Ensign McArthur.

3 sergeants.

42 rank and file.
2nd — Captain Ridout.

Lt. Kendrick.

Ens n Brooks.

3 sergeants.

42 rank and file.
3d — Captain Hamilton.

Lt. Playter.

Ens n Jarvis.

3 sergeants.

42 rank and file.

Major General VanRensselaer to Governor Tompkins.

Lewiston, Sept. 6, 1812.

Sir, — General Gray yesterday apprised me of his intention to
visit his family for a few weeks. I avail myself of the opportunity
to express to Your Excellency my approbation of his conduct. He
has executed my orders with promptitude and ability. The Genl.
is desirous of serving the country if he could obtain a commission
in the armjr. As I have no interest at the palace, I refer him to
Your Excellency.

(Tompkins' Papers, Vol. VIII., p. 123, New York State Library.)

241
Brigadier-General Wm. Wadsworth to Governor Tompkins.
Camp at Lewiston, 6th Sept., 1812.

Sir, — General Gray having determined on a visit to his family,
sets off to-morrow. I would refer you to him for the state of affairs
on this frontier. He at my request has built a battery on the
mountain south of this village, which has met my entire approba-
tion, and has expressed a desire of further serving our country if
he could obtain a commission, to which I beg leave to refer him to
Your Excellency, and would express my satisfaction of his readiness
and with the promptitude which he has at all times executed my
commands since his arrival on this frontier.

(Tompkins' Papers, Vol. VIII., p. 124, New York State Library.)

John i/ovett to Joseph Alexander.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 6 Sept., 1812.

Dear Sir,

Our situation is becoming daily more and more interesting, to
say the least of it. I do not know that I ought yet to call it
critical, though I know that some think it so. What may be the
views of the enemy we know not; they are flushed with victory
and concentrating their forces very fast against us. The armistice
will be terminated by our notice at noon on the 8th inst. To sum
all up in one, I should say that from present appearances we must
either fight or run, or both, in a few days. This camp, which is
within half-point blank shot of the enemy, we shall quit to-morrow
morning ; the order is given to strike tents at reveille. We shall
not quit the neighborhood, but seek a safer place. Things look
rather squally all around just at present, but it may clear off again.
There are some pretty strong reasons to believe that Brock is pre-
paring to Hull us. I don't know but he may, but Albany blood
runs pretty steady yet. We have removed most of our stores from
Fort Niagara, and are throwing up a battery on this side, in which
we mean to place four eighteen-pounders.

The enemy are extending their works at Fort George, and I
understand as the light increases that our soldiers discover some
new works began last night opposite to us here.

My General is well, firm, brave and prudent. Solomon [Van
Rensselaer] would fight all the while if he could get chances, and I
rather expect he will soon get enough of it. Col. Fenwick with

242

the cannon and stores have arrived safe. We worked John Bull
in the little armistice treaty and got more than they expected.

(From Bonney's Histoi-ical Gleanings, pp. 228-9.)

General Orders.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 6th Sept., 1812.

Lieut.-Col. George Fleming, commanding Fort Oswego, having
assigned Walter Cotton as surgeon of Major Charles Moseley's
battalion of riflemen, the Major General confirms that assignment
and orders that Doctor Cotton do duty accordingly in that corps
until further orders.

Major General Hall will please to take command of Lieut. Col.
Swift's regiment and the detachment of troops ordered out by
Brigadier-General Hopkins and make such disposition of this force
as the security of the frontiers may require, and will make weekly
reports to Major General VanRensselaer.

Lieut.-Col. Bloom will make morning reports of the regiment
under his command to Major General VanRensselaer, and will cause
Mr. Rolph, the prisoner, to be delivered to Major General Hall at
Black Rock.

By order of Major General VanRensselaer.

Sol. VanRensselaer, Aid-de-Camp.

Major General Brock to Sir George Prevost.

Fort George, September 7th, 1812.

Sir, — On my arrival here yesterday morning, I found that
intimation had been received by Major General Sheaffe to renew
hostilities at noon to-morrow. During the cessation of hostilities,
vast supplies have been received by the enemy. His field artillery
is numerous, and I have reason to believe his heavy ordnance has
been considerably increased. He is now busy erecting batteries in
front of Fort George, and everything indicates an intention of com-
mencing active operations. Reinforcements of troops of every
description have evidently arrived.

I have written to Amherstburg for such troops as [Colonel
Procter] conceived the state of affairs in that quarter enabled him
to part with. Colonel Vincent has likewise been written to on the
same subject. The prodigious quantity of pork and flour which
have been observed landing on the opposite shore from a number of

243

vessels and large boats, which have entered the river during the
armistice, are sufficient to supply the wants for a long period of a
considerable force.

I expect an attack almost immediately. The enemy will either
turn my left flank, which he may easily accomplish during a calm
night, or attempt to force his way across under cover of his
artillery. We stand greatly in need of officers, men, and heavy
ordnance. Captain Holcroft has been indefatigable and has done
everything in the power of an individual, but on such an extended
line, assistance is necessary.

I look every day for the arrival of five 24-pounders from
Detroit, and other artillery and stores which are not required there,
besides two thousand muskets.

We have now three hundred Indians on the ground, and two
hundred more are expected to-morrow. They appear ashamed of
themselves and promise to wipe away the disgrace into which they
have fallen by their late conduct. They may serve to intimidate,,
otherwise I expect no essential service from this degenerate race.

Should Your Excellency be in a situation to send reinforce-
ments to the Upper Country, the whole of the force at present at
Kingston might be directed to proceed hither. One thousand
additional regulars are necessary. A force of that description ought
to be stationed at Pelham to act as exigencies might require. At
present, the whole of my force being necessary for the defence of
the banks of the river, no part can look for support.

If I can continue to maintain my position six weeks longer,
the campaign will have terminated in a manner little expected in
the States. But I stand in want of more artillerymen and a thou-
sand regulars. I have thus given Your Excellency a hasty sketch
of my situation, and this I can aver, that no exertions shall be
wanting to do justice to the important command with which I am
entrusted. Captain Fulton leaves this by the first safe conveyance.

It is said that Fort Niagara is to be evacuated.
(Canadian Archives: c. 677. p. 64.)

Major General Dearborn to Governor Tompkins.

Headquarters, Greexrush, Sept. 7th, 1812.

(Abstract.)

Suggests that he (Tompkins) should take the field in person
with as large a force as he could speedily assemble and march to
the northwestern frontier of the State and inspire fresh vigor into

244

the troops in service, while he hopes the movements towards Mon-
treal will draw some troops from Upper Canada, or that an oppor-
tunity may be afforded of striking at their outposts between Lake
Champlain and that city.

(MSS. in Third Auditor's Office, Washington, D. C.)

Major General VanRensselaer to Major General Dearborn.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 8th Sept., 1812.

Sir, — I have this day received your two letters of the 1st
instant, and have made the communication you requested to the
contractor.

No occurrence of importance has taken place since I wrote you
on the 5th by your express. I have yesterday removed my camp
to the Ridge Road, as I proposed. The battery near Fort Niagara
is fast progressing, also the cutting of the back road mentioned in
ury last letter. The enemy appear to be very active, but whether
their preparations are for offensive or defensive operations is impos-
sible for me to determine.

The night before last two men came over from Canada, but the
information they give us is of very little consequence ; indee'd the
character of the men would not give much weight to anything they
say. They state that Gen. Brock had returned from York to Fort
George — that 1,500 militia were ordered for Fort George yesterday
— some troops have passed up this day through Queenston. Not
knowing what the termination of the armistice might produce, I
have taken every precaution in my power to meet any attempt the
enemy might make. But it is now five o'clock and I neither see
nor hear of any movements. General Wadsworth and Col. Van-
Rensselaer have been the whole day at Niagara. Should they
return before the mail closes and have anything of importance to
communicate, I shall add it in postscript.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 45.)

John Jyovett to Abraham VanVechten.

Headquarters, Lewiston, Sept. 8, 1812.
My Dear Sir, — Colonel VanRensselaer has been with General
Wadsworth the whole day, and I have been on the jump from dawn
of day to this 5 p. in. Brock has returned from York to Fort
George, and the eneni}^ are certainly very active, but whether they
contemplate defensive or offensive measures it is impossible to say.
It would seem that in our situation we might with facility obtain

245

information of the enemy's force and movements. Not so. Not a
soul will risk his neck from this side among them, and those who
come over are such scamps no trust can be put in them. We have
moved our camp from the river to the Ridge Road. In short, the
enemy, having put Hull out of the way, have it in their power to
turn their whole force against us. Our poor fellows are patient,
patriotic and exceedingly attached to their General. They swear
he can't be bribed, and to tell you the real truth, this confidence is
all that saves us from every sort of disgrace. We are calm, self-
collected, and determined to act as near right as we can. But God
only knows how we shall come out. A great force is coming on,
I understand, but no pay, no shoes, no anything.

The General has gone to have a talk with the Tuscarora tribe
this afternoon. The armistice terminated at 12 o'clock, and no
movement is made. . . . .....

(From Bonney's Historical Gleanings, p. 229. )

I^ieut.-Col. Fenwick to Major General VanRensselaer.

(Received Sept. 8th, 1812.)
Sir, — 1 am induced to believe from every observation I have
vigilantly made that the enemy is prepared and ready for an attack.
They are so with shipping and with boats, which to-day brought
them a reinforcement of troops and stores. Our patrols are very
lax in their duty. The work erecting cannot be finished in time
without additional strength. When finished it is not secure without
being strongly covered in rear, for we have nothing to prevent their
landing, and they can in that case carry the work. The regular
force should be concentrated and organized. Our stores should be
removed. They are not in safety, for if they throw over two
hundred men they can carry the fort. This I beg your consideration
to, as your strength is six miles off and four hours time. I have no
means of express at my command.

(From S. Van Rensselaer's Narrative : Appendix, p. 46.)

General Orders.

Headquarters, Lewistox, 9th Sept., 1812.
Lieut.-Col. Bloom will march immediately to the neighborhood
of Niagara Falls and relieve the guards of the detachment of United
States troops under the command of Major Mullany by his regi-

246

ment. The commanding officer of this detachment, after being
relieved by Lieut.-Col. Bloom, will march with the troops under his
command without delay and join Lieut.-Col. Fenwick, and is to be
subject to his orders.

By order of Major General VanRensselaer.

Sol. VanRensselaer, Aid -de-Cam p.

From the Buffalo Gazette, Tuesday, 8th September, 1812.

Lieut.-Colonel Bloom, from Ca3ruga County, arrived on the
frontier last week with the 19th Regiment of detached militia,
about 500 strong, belonging to Brigadier-General Daniel Miller's
brigade.

We understand that the rifle battalion under command of
Major Moseley, from Onondaga, is soon expected at Lewiston.

Last week a full company of light horsemen passed through
this village, destined to join the army at Lewiston.

We are happy to have it in our power to state that the report
of Dr. Asa Coltrin having accepted a surgeon's berth in the British
army is without foundation.

Governor Tompkins to Major General VanRensselaer.

Albany, September 9th, 1812.

Dear Sir, — Your various communications have come to hand,
the two last while I was in New York. My return from that place
was expedited by the news of Hull's discomfiture. Previously to
my leaving this place for New York, I had ordered out two regi-
ments in addition to Bloom's to reinforce you, but their march has
been retarded by circumstances over which I had no control. They
are now directed to move on with the utmost expedition. Until
reinforcements arrive, I am sensible of the delicacy of your situation.
Your proceedings hitherto in concentrating in one place and dis-
ciplining a large body of your troops, changing your encampments,
your disposition of the despatch relative to the termination of the
armistice, and every other official act has met my entire approbation
and will receive that of your fellow citizens generally. I pray God
you may be able to maintain your post until reinforcements shall
arrive.

(Prom S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 53.

247
Governor Tompkins to Major General "VanRensselaer.

ALBANY, September 9th, 1812.

Sir, — The Government has at length awakened to its duty
with respect to the command of the lakes. The most unbounded
authority has been given to Captain Chauncey for that purpose, and
he will be with you soon. Forty ship carpenters came up with me
in the last steamboat and have gone westward. Marines and sea-
men will be on as soon as vessels and gunboats are ready.

A large supply of ordnance of every description is now on its
way from New York. The orders embrace Erie as well as Ontario.
I despatched an express for Captain Chauncey on that subject from
New York on Friday evening to Captain Woolsey. The despatches
have returned this morning and gone down by express. Should
you, my dear General, be able to maintain your position a short
time, these arrangements for the lakes and the reinforcements will
place you in a situation of defiance. To enable you so to do more
effectually the militia of every description in the counties above
mentioned are placed at your disposal, and you may instantly call
upon all or any portion of them under the Act of 1795 (enclosed),
or under the militia law of this State, and I will approve, confirm
and maintain your proceedings. The Quartermaster-General of the
State is ordered by me into regular service, and is now in eveiy
respect subject to your directions. I have remitted him ten thou-
sand dollars by Major Noon.

You have probably felt hurt at the unfrequency of my answers
to your communications, but when I inform you that I have no
private secretary here, that the Adjutant-General of the State is in
declining health, and that none of my staff or aids are in service or
with me, though the latter have volunteered their services without
pay and have been with me occasionally at their own expense, and
when I inform you further that the drudgery of attending to a
variety of details in rendezvousing, supply, equipage and paj'ing
troops, &c, devolves upon me or must remain unattended to, I trust
you will extend great charity to my apparent inattention to your
communications.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 53.)

General Orders.

Headquarters, Albany, Sept. 9, 1812.
Several pieces of ordnance, &c, will leave this for Utica on
Thursday with a detachment of United States Horse Artillery.
They will arrive at Utica about Tuesday next. The ordnance is to

248

go from thence to Sackett's Harbor, but the detachment will
proceed to Niagara. General Dearborn has made a requisition for
me to have a detachment of Artillery or Horse Artillery ready at
Utica to escort the ordnance to Sackett's Harbor. Your company
will rendezvous for that purpose on Monday next and proceed to
Utica, where they will remain till the cannon shall arrive and then
immediately start with them for Sackett's Harbor and press on
with the greatest diligence. There will be a travelling forge for
heating shot to fire at shipping from the fort at the harbor.

The contractor at Utica will supply rations, and you will
consult Capt. Gibson as to the mode of supplying forage and other
articles on your journey. Captain Gibson is an experienced officer
of the United States Horse Artillery.

The services of 3'our company are required under and pursuant
to the Act of Congress passed 28th February, 1795, of which I send
you a copy.

Until your arrival at Utica you will have your men supplied
with provisions and forage as cheap as possible, after which the
contractor at Utica will supply provisions and your own officer will
prepare forage. You may take the field-pieces and other articles
attached to your company, or such part as you think proper, along
with you. Mr. Tracy will hand you one hundred dollars to defray
the incidental expenses of rendezvousing, for which you are to
account to me with vouchers as soon as possible.

The alarm and anxiety on the frontiers arising from the dis-
asters at Detroit compel me to require the services of the uniformed
volunteer companies immediately, and I trust the protection of
women and children, who may but for their assistance be the
victims of savage barbarity, will stimulate the patriotism and
awaken the fraternal feelings of every man and induce a free, eager
and unanimous compliance with this requisition.

To Capt. Asa B. Sizer.

P. S. — On your arrival at Sackett's Harbor you will report
yourself to Genl. Jacob Brown or General Dodge, whichever may
command there, and obey the orders of the one so commanding.

(Tompkins' Papers, New York State Library.)

Major General Dearborn to Major General VanRensselaer.

Headquarters, Greenbush, Sept. 10th, 1812.
Sir, — Your letter of the 7th by the returning express reached
us at 8 o'clock last evening. The safe arrival of Lieut.-Col. Fenwick
with the troops, cannon and other stores relieved me from some

249

anxiety. / am satisfied that the abandonment of the old fort is a
prudent measure, and I have the fullest confidence that whatever
relates to your actual command will be performed in the manner
that the good of the service and the best interest of the country
require.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 55.)

Colonel Baynes to Major General Brock.

Montreal, September 10, 1812.

Sir, — Sir George writes to you so fully upon the several sub-
jects to which your letters refer that I have little left to communi-
cate to you. Major Heathcote leaves this to-day with all the small
description of ordnance stores intended for Amherstburg, but we
have detained the 12-pounders and shot ; as you have helped your-
self so amply at Detroit it is imagined you do not now want them.
I enclose a letter from Captain Roberts, who was, I suppose,
induced to address himself direct to headquarters by an opportunity
of doing so offering itself at the moment. The northwest gentle-
men are very urgent in recommending a reinforcement in that
quarter, but Sir George has told them that their representations
must be addressed to you, who will act as you deem proper.

Your friend, Mr. Isaac Todd, is arrived and looking much
better for his trip. He was suffered to pass by Albany and the lake.
He tells me that Mr. Macdonnell is confirmed as Attorney-General,
and that the governor's salary is increased £1,000 a year. I
sincerely trust that it will soon be your own. Sir George has in
his official despatches, after paying that tribute of praise so justly
your due, stated as his confirmed opinion that the salvation of the
Upper Province has in a very great measure arisen from the civil
and military authority being combined in able hands. The prisoners
with their general arrived here on Sunday night. As they had not
halted since they left Kingston and were in a very dirty state, we
kept them here on Monday, and they yesterday proceeded to
William Henry, on their way to Quebec. The officers are to be on
parole in Charlesbourg and the men confined on board two trans-
ports in the river. Sir George has permitted most of the officers
who have families with them to return on their parole ; four of
them are proposed to be exchanged for the officers of the Royal
Scots taken by the Essex frigate. Sir George has also consented to
allow General Hull to return upon his parole. He is loud in his
complaints against the Government at Washington, and the General
thinks that his voice in the universal cry may be attended with

250

beneficial effects, and has allowed him to return and enter the lists.
General Hull appears to possess less feeling and sense of shame
than any man in his situation could be supposed to do. He. seems
to be perfect^ satisfied with himself, is lavish of censure upon his
government, but appears to think that the most scrupulous cannot
attach the slightest blame to his own immediate conduct at Detroit.
The grounds upon which he rests his defence are not, I fancy, well
founded, for he told us that he had not gunpowder at Detroit for
the service of one day. Sir George has since shown him the return
of the large supply found in the fort ; it did not create a blush, but
he made no reply. He professes great surprise and admiration at
the zeal and military preparation he has everywhere witnessed ;
that it was entirely unlooked for, and that he has no doubt that his
friend, General Dearborn, will share his fate if he has the impru-
dence to follow his example. Hull seems cunning and unprincipled.
How much reliance is to be placed on his professions time will shew.
General Dearborn has certainly left Albany for Skeensborough,
at the head of the lake, where great preparations have been making
in collecting boats and sending the regulars from Greenbush to the
stations in our vicinity. Major Cotton, with about 300 men, half
of the King's Regiment, is stationed at Isle Aux Noix, and two gun-
boats have been carried into the river, as the enemy's preparations
seem to indicate that quarter as their point of attack. Colonel
Murray commands at St. John's, and will give them a warm recep-
tion. I do not feel a doubt of Jonathan's complete discomfiture and
disgrace if he make the attempt. We could, I fancy, bring as many
men as he will be able to persuade into the field and of very
superior stuff, for our militia have really improved beyond all
expectation in discipline and with it in spirit and confidence. This
town would turn out 2,000 volunteer militia, a great proportion of
whom are clothed and very tolerably drilled. We have destroyed
all the roads of communication in our front, leaving open the water
route only, and these woody positions will be shortly occupied by
the Indians of this neighborhood and a corps of volunteer voyageur
Canadians. The enemy's preparations, however, may be a feint to
cover some plans in agitation against your Province.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 304-G.)

Colonel Procter to Major General Brock.

Detroit, September 10, 1812.
Sir, — I have just received your letter from Kingston of the
4th instant, and shall act accordingly. Enclosed I send a return of

251

the ordnance and ordnance stores sent in the Queen Charlotte ; no
shot were sent, because, as I understand, there is already a quantity
•of each calibre at Fort George. The remainder of the prisoners of
war, excepting some sick and wounded, were also sent on board the
Charlotte with a guard of two subaltern officers and forty men of
the 41st Regiment, whom I cannot afford to part with. I had
ordered the deserters on board, but have had the dissatisfaction to
"find that they have not been sent. Annexed is also a list of pro-
visions and stores captured on the 16th ultimo. I assented in the
absence of Lieut.-Colonel Nichol for a short time on the urgency of
his private affairs and the probability of the armistice continuing.
Major Givins has been of great assistance to me in his department.
I regret his going, but I could not detain him longer than there
was a probability of my returning soon to Fort George. As you
directed, a sergeant of the 41st Regiment has been appointed to act
as deputy barrackmaster at this place. 1 shall be much gratified if
it should be confirmed. I found on my arrival here that the boats
and the engages of the South West Company had been detained
and employed in the service. They have been under the direction
of Lieutenant Bender, 41st Regiment, and have been of the greatest
use. They have been provisioned, and I suppose are entitled to pay
as militia. I am sending a detachment of the 41st Regiment and
militia with 3-pounders to aid the Indians against Fort Wayne. It
shall be conducted with every prudence and expedition. The
Detroit will sail in a few days for Fort Erie. Judge Campbell
goes in her. I have required 100 more of the militia, making them
400, besides the 30 mounted who are to keep up the communication
with the Moravian Town. 150 of the Mackina Indians are arrived.
They met the express sixty miles on this side of Mackina. They
are just in time for Fort Wayne. The Hunter shall sail without
delay.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 307-8.)

I/ieut.-Col. Fenwick to Major General VanRensselaer.

Fort Niagara, Sept. 10th, 1812.

Sir, — Fatigued and harassed as the troops have been, I really
do not think our situation a safe one. I submit to your judgment
whether the troops should not be concentrated ; as they are all
young and undisciplined, they may be cut up in detail. The
defence of this place is precarious, outside of the storehouse. I
apprehend nothing but surprise. We should be, then, prepared to
act in force and in any given point. The contractor is very inat-

252

tentive. Our men are extremely dissatisfied. The enemy has
erected another battery. I ordered the light artillery down. They
called in their fatigue parties and prepared for attack — the Indians,
moving in every direction. The movement puzzles them, and I am
pleased at giving them so much trouble. I hope I shall have the-
honor of a visit from you to-morrow.

I salute you, General, with consideration and respect.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 47.)

Major General VanRensslaer to Major General Dearborn.
Headquarters, Lewiston, 10th Sept., 1812.

Sir, — When I had the honor of receiving your communication
of the 1st inst., acquainting me of the dispositions you are making
to reinforce me upon this frontier with men, cannon, musketry,,
stores, &c, my attention was immediately arrested bjr the proposi-
tion of sending them from Oswego to Niagara or, indeed, any part
of that distance, by water. It will be recollected that the passage
of Lieut.-Col. Fenwick with boats was rendered safe under a clause
of the agreement for the observance of the armistice. But upon
the receipt of your letter my own opinion was against risking any-
thing hereafter along that shore by. water, but I wished further
information on the subject before I should advise you. The opinions
of others whom I have advised with on this subject, and who are
competent judges, fully accord with my own, that it would be very
hazardous for the batteaux to attempt coming from Oswego to
Niagara in the very face of our active enemy having command of
the water. The batteaux might and probably would have some
days of head wind, and in such a case it would be next to impossible
that they should escape the observation of the enemy, and when
once discovered they would undoubtedly be attacked in some place
where the landing could be effected with most difficulty. My
opinion is further strengthened by some late movements of the
enemy. The day after the termination of the armistice the Royal
George and another armed vessel chased some vessels returning
from Niagara to Oswego into the Genesee River and fired a few shot.
This has excited an alarm among the inhabitants, and, according to
the custom prevailing on the whole frontier, they have sent a
deputation to me praying protection. I have ordered them some
ammunition ; I can do no more. I am so entirely convinced that
the cargoes of the batteaux will be in danger on the passage from
Oswego to Niagara that I shall send an express to Three River Point
to have the batteaux come up to Cayuga Bridge and there land

253

their cargoes, to be transported by land to this place. I shall bestow
further consideration on this subject.*

Believing that the best use I can make of the old mess-house
at Niagara is to convert it into a battery, I have ordered the roof
to be taken off, the walls above the upper floor to be strengthened
by embankments of earth on the inner side, and two twelve-
pounders and one howitzer mounted in that battery. It is high
and may perhaps avail us something. I expect it will be prepared
in this manner in a day or two. I was yesterday there and the
roof was nearly taken down.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 47.)

Captain J. Whistler to Gen. VanRensselaer.

Presque Isle, 11th Sept., 1812.

Dear General,

This moment I have seen a letter from
Genl. Wadsworth of the State of Ohio to Genl. Keler of this post,
in which he mentioned the capture of Fort Dearborn at Chigkaga
and nearly all the garrison put to the sword, and the enemy are
now erecting a garrison at the rapids of the Miamy, and a large
force of Indians are on their way against Fort Wayne and Vin-
cennes in great expectation of success.

The enemy have left four of the 24-pounders at Maiden : the
other five of the 24-pounders they have shipped to Fort George.
This is all the news I have at present to communicate : the latter, I
expect, you ought to be made acquainted with. 1 think from the
large body of Indians which have gone against Fort Wayne you
have nothing to fear as to Indians. .....

(From Bonney's Historical Gleanings, pp. 230-1.)

Colonel S. VanRensselaer to Major General Morgan I,ewis.

Headquarters, Sept. 11, 1812.

My Dear Sir, — To j^ou I am fully persuaded I can write with

confidence on the state of affairs in this quarter, and if }Tou think

the interest of the service will be promoted by a disclosure of my

name, you are at liberty to make any use of it you please, what-

* Perhaps some precautions may be adopted to get round the batteaux to the Eighteen-
Mile Creek, or to some position on the lake shore, from whence they may be drawn over-
land to this place.

254

ever inconvenience it may put me to, for I shall state facts and
those only.

Since the surrender of General Hull it has been the study of
John C. Spencer, Col. Brooks, Qr.-Mr.-General Porter and several
others, to cause confusion and distrust among the troops on this
frontier to answer party purposes against the commander. They
have so far succeeded in the camp and in the country, that in the
former it is only whispered, but in the latter it is openly said, that
General VanRensselaer is a traitor to his country, and the surrender
of his army when it crosses the river is the price of his infamy.
Honest and honorable men must regret this depravity in human
nature. Those scoundrels know better, and you and I know that
a more honest man does not exist, and one who has the interest of
the country more at heart. But, with all his amiable qualities, his.
usefulness here in my opinion is destroyed by this unjust and un-
warrantable jealousy. He cannot enforce that subordination which
is so necessary to the safety and glory of the troops he commands.
If Gen. Armstrong or any other man of the same politics with the
government did command here, this difficulty would be removed.
There is a field of glory in view for any man of ambition, which
Gen. V. R, as well as myself, would regret to forego if necessity
did not compel us ; it would be well if Gen. Dearborn could with pro-
priety remove him to New York or some other place where his position
may be equal to his sacrifices in private life. We are encamped
at this place with two regiments of militia to guard the most im-
portant pass on the river ; Col. Fen wick with the regular troops in
and about Fort Niagara. Col. Bloom's lately come on at Niagara
Falls, and Col. Swift's at Buffalo.

The whole effective force of militia, including officers, you will
find by the within returns amounts to 1,638 fit for duty. We are
in want of almost everything. Our Quartermaster, Peter B. Porter,,
is speculating and attending to mischief and his private affairs. He
speaks in very disrespectful terms of Mr. Madison, and tries to
impress on the minds of the people the necessity of a change of
men. But, notwithstanding these discouraging prospects, we shall
do what men under these circumstances can. A strong battery has
been thrown up a mile above Fort Niagara and immediately oppo-
site Fort George, in which the four heavy cannon have been placed,
and, contrary to the opinion of Col. Fenwick when he first came on,,
we will attempt to maintain the fort, which will be all important
to our future operations. The roof has been taken from a large
stone house, and on the third floor two twelve-pounders and a
howitzer placed. This batteiy commands Fort George and four
batteries in the vicinity, and if a parapet of earth well rammed on

255

the inside of the two and-a-half feet stone wall was thrown up it
might bid defiance to the enemy, but unfortunately Col. Fen wick
and Capt. Leonard are too much addicted to liquor to attend to this
duty as they should, and if they were removed from this command
it would give rise to much greater dissensions. Besides, we have
no one as fit for this all important service as Col. Fenwick, if he
was at all times himself. Last Tuesday at 12 o'clock the armistice
ceased, on which we supposed the enemy would open their batteries
of at least fifty pieces on our lines. Gen. VanRensselaer continued
here in order to move the troops to any point that might be
attacked, while I went to the garrison below. I found on my
arrival all in confusion. I immediately ordered a strong detach-
ment to clear a battery in the stone house, while others were dis-
mounting the two twelves and a howitzer and getting them on the
platform, to the command of which Capt. Leonard's company was
assigned. The two block-honses, in each of which are six-pounders,
Capt. McKeon's company was to defend. All this was accomplished
by twelve. At that hour our works, as well as the British, were
manned, the matches burning, and I expected every moment to see
the rafters of the old mess-house knocked about my head, and I
was disappointed, and we have ever since been in peace, but pre-
paring with little trouble to make it as strong as an3r work can be
and ready for action. I enclose the last Buffalo paper.

(From Bonney's Historical Gleanings, pp. 231-2. )

Governor Tompkins to Captain Peter Magher.

Albany, Sept. 11, 1812.

I was absent from this place when your letter of the 31st
ultimo came to hand.

In compliance with your request, I have addressed a letter to
Col. Stranahan, desiring him to attach the eight men drafted from
the light infantry company under your command to your company
whenever the rest of your company shall come up with his regiment.

There is an indispensable necessity for ordering out a number
of independent corps under and pursuant to the Act of Congress
passed 20th February, 1795, of which a copy is enclosed for your
information. You will therefore assemble the rest of your com-
pany and join Col. Stranahan's regiment as soon as possible.
Should his regiment have left Litchfield before you can join them,
you will follow them with as rapid marches as possible. The bearer
takes out tents, camp kettles and knapsacks for }'our company.
They must find their own blankets and canteens; also musket,

256

cartridge box, &c. Those who may be deficient in muskets will be
supplied at Canandaigua or on their arrival at Niagara. The
propriety of reinforcing General VanRensselaer without delay com-
pels me to urge upon you the most vigilant and prompt attention
to the execution of this order. The Brigade-Quartermaster Packard
will pay the expense of transportation if you should be able to
rendezvous and march with the regiment : but if the regiment
should have marched before your company can rendezvous, the
bearer is directed to return to Cherry Valley and supply you with
some cash to defray the contingent expenses of your march on the
road.

To Captain Peter Magher.

(Tompkins' Papers, New York State Library.)

N. B. Boileau to Major General Dearborn.

Harrisburg, September 11, 1812.

Sir, — Yours of the 2d instant has been duly received by the
Governor. I have the honor to inform you that yours of the 13th
ult. was received by him at Selin's Grove the 21st. He immediately
repaired to the seat of government at this place, and on the 25th
issued general orders for twenty-four hundred volunteers to ren-
dezvous at Meadville on the 25th day of the present month, and
from thence to march with all possible despatch to Buffalo. On
the 26th ult. a letter, enclosing general orders, was directed to you
at Greenbush and put in the mail at this place. On the 5th instant
the Governor issued general orders, agreeably to the request of the
Secretary at War, for two thousand two hundred more of the militia
of this State to rendezvous at Pittsburg on the 2d of October, and
from thence to join the troops assembling in the State. A letter
also, enclosing the last mentioned orders, was put in the mail at this
place, directed to you at Greenbush. That the Governor's letter of
the 26th ult. has not reached you is a matter of surprise and regret.
The detachment assembling at Meadville will proceed on to Buffalo,
unless otherwise directed by you. You will therefore forward to
the commanding officer of that detachment such orders as you may
deem expedient. It will be commanded by a Brigadier-General,
but as he was to be elected by the volunteers comprising the detach-
ment, I cannot yet give you his name.

The Adjutant-General, William Reed, Esq., will attend, and is
gone to Meadville to take command until the detachment is
organized. Any instructions enclosed to him will be punctually
attended to. You will therefore please to communicate with him
as early as possible.

(Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. XII., pp. 610-11.)

257
Sir George Prevost to Earl Bathurst.

(No. 8.)

Montreal, 12th Sept., 1812.

My Lord, — I have been honored with Your Lordship's despatch
of the 4th of Jul}*. The despatches I have had the honor of address-
ing to Your Lordship and to Lord Liverpool since the declaration
of war by the Congress of the United States against Great Britain
will have afforded sufficient evidence to His Majesty's Government
that I could not, consistent with my duty to my king and country,
suspend the preparations for defence which I had been induced to
make in consequence of the precarious state of the relations between
Great Britain and America.

The convincing proof which His Royal Highness the Prince
Regent has given of his desire to conciliate the government and
people of the United States by his declaration of the 23d of June, is
not deemed sufficient by the President for the restoration of tran-
quillity to the Provinces, and Your Lordship will hear with surprise
that every exertion is making by that Government for the subju-
gation of the Canadas that they may, if successful, be enabled in
proud and haughty terms to commence their negotiations for a peace.

Notwithstanding the complete and disgraceful failure of the
enemy in their attack upon the western frontiers of Upper Canada,
which I have already had the honor of detailing to Your Lordship
in my former despatches, I learn by a despatch from M. Genl.
Brock, dated at Fort George the 7th inst.,that they were assembling
in great strength in front of our positions on the Niagara frontier,
and that he has every reason to believe from the great reinforce-
ments they had recently received in troops, artillery and stores that
they meditate an immediate invasion of the Province in that
quarter. Although I have been induced to withdraw from Lower
Canada a considerable body of troops for the purpose of enabling
Genl. Brock to meet the threatened attacks in the Upper Province,
he still urges most strongl}T for fresh reinforcements to oppose the
great force which the enemy are preparing to bring against him,
but as the preparations and movements they are making towards
the borders of this Province in the neighborhood of Montreal are
strongly indicative of their intention and desire to penetrate in
that direction, I have not been able in the present weak state of the
regular force in this Province to spare one man from its defence.
The necessity therefore of strengthening me by a further reinforce-
ment of troops, to be employed both in LTpper and Lower Canada,
must be obvious to Your Lordship, nor will it, I trust, be disre-
garded, if the greater interests of the country will admit of it. The

258

disposition of the people in both Provinces, I am disposed to believe,
is good, and, provided they can be supported, I think they can be
depended upon, but I fear not much reliance can be placed upon
them in the hour of adversity.

I am sorry to say the stores and accoutrements are not yet
arrived, and that the want of clothing for the Glengarry Fencibles
is a very serious inconvenience to His Majesty's service. I now
humbly hope the precautionary measures I have considered it my
indispensable duty to pursue, and which have hitherto enabled me
to check the designs of the Government of the United States, will
be favorably represented by Your Lordship for His Royal High-
ness's gracious approbation.

(Canadian Archives, Q. 118, p. 247.)

Major General Brock to Sir George Prevost.

Fort George, September 13, 1812.

Sir, — The movements of the enemy just before the expiration
of the armistice indicated an intention of commencing active opera-
tions, but now everything tends to different measures.

The intelligence lately received and upon which I can safely
rely, represents the disposition of the troops on the opposite shore
as very licentious and anxious for deserting a service in which they
are not only badly fed but remain without pay. The government
paper is not received in common intercourse, consequently is inap-
plicable to the payment of the troops.

Great sickness prevails along the whole line. The officers of
the 49th Regt., quartered opposite Black Rock, have observed dur-
ing the last week one and two military funerals of a day. Nothing
can confirm the above statement more strongly than the desertion
of seven men from the 6th United States Regiment, six of whom,
however, perished in the attempt to cross the river, and of two at
noon this day, one of whom effected his purpose, but the other,
alarmed at the heavy fire of the guard, returned and was instantly
seized. They, of course, complain of bad usage, bad and scanty
food and a total want of pay. The two companies to which these
men belong arrived during the cessation of hostilities from Bushy
Park. They were sixty rank and file each, out of which thirty,,
independently of those lost since yesterday, have deserted. Many
are sick, and almost all determined to seize the first opportunity to
follow their example. Nothing can be more wretched than the
state of discipline existing among the troops. The militia, they
pretend, are better fed and otherwise better treated, which occasions

259

great jealousy. As both private accounts and those of deserters
agree as to the main facts, there can be no doubts of much dissatis-
faction prevailing among the troops. A great deal could be effected
against such a body at this moment, but keeping in view Your
Excellency's instructions and aware of the policy of permitting such
a force to dwindle away by its own inefficient means, I do not con-
template any immediate attack. The enemy has taken down the
roof of the large stone house in Fort Niagara, upon which he has
placed two brass twelve-pounders. He has likewise constructed a
battery precisely in front of our fort. I am daily in expectation of
the arrival of the Queen Charlotte from Detroit, which will give us
such a superiority in artillery as will soon silence anything that he
can bring against the fort.

P. S. — The enclosed is the last communication received from
Amherstburg.

(Canadian Archives, C. 077.)

Militia General Orders.

Headquarters, Fort Georke,

13th September, 1812.
Militia General Orders.

His Honor Major General Brock has been pleased to appoint
Alexander Bryson, gentleman, to be second lieutenant in Captain
Powell's company, 1st Lincoln artillery. Commission dated 13th
September, LSI 2.

By order.

J. Macdonald,
Lt.-Col.. Militia, P. A. D. C.

General Orders.
Headquarters, Green Bush, September 13, 1812.

Brigadier-General Alexander Smyth will proceed to Niagara
and take the command of the brigade composed of the fifth, twelfth,
thirteenth, fourteenth, and twentieth regiments as the}7 arrive at or
near Niagara, and he will be respected and obeyed accordingly. On
his arrival at Niagara, or in the vicinity of Major General Van-
Rensselaer's headquarters, he will report himself to that officer.

By order of Major General Dearborn.

E. Beep.e, Acting Adjutant-General.

260
From Sir George Prevost to Major General Brock.

Montreal, September 14, 1812.

Sir, — Captain Fulton arrived on the 11th instant with your
letter of the 7th. The intelligence you have communicated by it
convinces me of the necessity of the evacuation of Fort Detroit,
unless the operations of the enemy bear a character less indicative
of determined hostile measures against your line in their front than
they did when you last reported to me. You will therefore be
pleased, subject to the discretion I have given you under the circum-
stances to which I have alluded, to take immediate steps for
evacuating that post together with the territory of Michigan. By
this measure you will be enabled to withdraw a greater number of
the troops from Amherst burg instead of taking them from Colonel
Vincent, whose regular force ought not on any account to be
diminished.

I have already afforded you reinforcements to the full extent
of my ability. You must not therefore expect a further supply of
men from hence until I shall receive from England a considerable
increase to the present regular force in this Province: the posture
of affairs, particularly on this frontier, requires every soldier who is
in the country.

In my last despatch from Lord Bathurst, dated the 4th of July,
he tells me, "that His Majesty's Government trusts I will be
enabled to suspend, with perfect safety, all extraordinary prepara-
tions for defence which I may have been induced to make in
consequence of the precarious state of the relations between this
country and the United States, and that as every specific requisition
for warlike stores and accoutrements which had been received
from me had been complied with, with the exception of the clothing
of the corps proposed to be raised from the Glengarry Emigrants,
he had not thought it necessary to direct the preparation of any
further supplies." This will afford you a strong proof of the
infatuation of His Majesty's ministers upon the subject of American
affairs, and they shew how entirely I have been left to my own
resources in the event which has taken place.

Judging from what you have already effected in Upper Canada,
I do not doubt but that with your present means of defence you
will be able to maintain your position at Fort George, and that the
enemy will be again foiled in any further attempts they may make
to invade the Province.

I leave to your discretion to decide on the necessity of sending
a reinforcement to Michilimackinac.

(From Tapper's Life of Brock, pp. 308-9.)

261
General Orders.

Adjutant-General's Office,
Headquarters, Montreal, 14th Sept., 1812.
His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, in the name and on the
behalf of His Majesty, has been pleased to make the following pro-
motions and appointments in the army serving in British North
America : —

41 ST FOOT.
Lieutenant Charles Lane, from the Hereford militia, to be
ensign without purchase. — 16th June.

Lieutenant James Perrin, from the Limerick County militia, to
be ditto. — 30th June.

Lieutenant James Field, from the 1st Somerset militia, to be
ditto. — 23d June.

ROYAL NEWFOUNDLAND FENCIBLES.

Captain Charles Blankowitz, from half-pay of the Royal Staff
Corps, to be captain of a company, vice Nairne, who exchanges. —
13th June.

STAFF.

Major John Harvey of the 6th Garrison Battn., to be Deputy -
Adjt.-General in Canada, with the rank of Lt.-Col. in the army, vice
Ellis, appointed to the 6th Dragoons. — 30th June.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE.

Lieutenant Sanderson, 41st Regt., from 4th May to 30th June.
Ensign Biddulph, do., 12th to 1st August.

Edward Baynes.

Colonel Solomon VanRensselaer to General Peter B. Porter.

Lewiston, 10 o'clock a. m., Sept. 14th, 1812.

Sir, — In consequence of your message to me, several interviews
were had between our friends. It was at length agreed between
them that they should meet at the first house above the Tonawanto
bridge, and proceed from thence to Grand Island to select a spot
for our meeting. On their arrival at that place on Saturda\T pro-
positions to postpone the meeting were made on the part of your
friend, which could not be acceded to by mine without consulting
me. With that view they were to meet this morning at 8 o'clock
at the Falls of Niagara. At this place my friend punctually
attended, and now reports that neither your friend nor any apology
appeared.

This very extraordinary conduct on your part, together with

262

the fact of your disclosing the affair in violation of the most solemn
pledge of secrecy, and which has been most religiously adhered to
on my part and that of my friend, to two or three persons besides
your friend, and the information I have just received that General
VanRensselaer was made acquainted with it and in consequence of
which he has kept a watchful eye on all my actions, shows con-
clusively that you have trifled with me, and that it never was your
intention to meet me, and I now declare that if you do not make
me a suitable apology I shall at the proper time publish you to the
world as a poltroon, a coward and a scoundrel.

I am, &c,

Sol. YaxRexsselaer.
P. B. Porter, Esq., Q, M., G. M. S., N. Y.

(From the United States Gazette of 30th January, 1813. File in Philadelphia Library.)

I/etter to the Editor of the "Repository," of Canandaigua, N. Y.

Mr. Bemis, — The following interesting information was
received from Jasper Parrish, Esqr., interpreter to the Six Nations
and sub-agent of Indian affairs. It may be relied on as correct,
and you will oblige a subscriber by publishing it in your paper : —

There was lately held at Buffalo a general council of Indians,
consisting of the Six Nations and the Stockbridge and Delaware
tribes. The council was very numerous and attended by a fuller
representation of chiefs than any that has been held for many
years. The agent for Indian affairs, Mr. Granger, and the sub-
agent, Mr. Parrish, were both present. On the 8th inst., the
Senecas, the Onondagas near Buffalo, and the Cayugas unanimously
offered to take up the hatchet in favor of the United States in the
present war. The chiefs who represented the Onondagas, living-
eastward of this, the Oneidas, the Stockbridge and Delaware
Indians, not feeling authorized to pledge their warriors in so
important a matter said they would go home and consult them on
that subject, but expressed at the same time the most thorough con-
viction that all their warriors would also tender their services to
the United States. The Indians who attended the council said
their interests within the United States were too important to be
given up without the strongest efforts to defend them, that they
had been advising and laboring with the Indians in Canada for six
years to induce them to remain at peace without effect, and were
extremely urgent that their services should be accepted. Those
who volunteered at the council agreed that the}T would go home so
soon as the council fire was extinguished, arm and equip themselves

263

for battle, and return again to Buffalo in ten days, and as there is
no doubt but that the other warriors, whose chiefs were not authorized
to pledge them, will adopt the same determination with their brethren,
there will probably be within a fortnight at Buffalo between three
and four hundred Indian warriors.

It has been uniformly the wish of the government that the
Indians should take no part in the war. The Secretary-at-War
wrote a letter, which was read and explained in this very council
instructing the agent to exert himself to persuade the Indians to
remain at peace, but the restless spirit of these sons of nature will
not permit them to do so. The chiefs, though they are willing to
do whatever they can to further the views of the United States, to
whom they feel bound by strong ties, are unable to restrain their
warriors. Their young men are clamorous to be employed. Under
these circumstances the agent has been instructed to accept their
services, to embody and organize them. It is believed by all who
are acquainted with the Indian character that in this state of things
the inhabitants upon the Niagara frontier will find greater safety
than they could do in any other while hostile armies remain in
their neighborhood. For if the earnest solicitations of the Indians
that we should accept their aid had been denied, they would have
been cool, perhaps distrustful towards us, and during this state of
things should the British arms obtain any advantages over us, it is
not improbable they might be induced to take up arms against us.

Sept. 14, 1812.

(From the Repository of Caiiandaigua, 15th September. 1812. File in the Wood
Library, Canandaigua, N. Y.)

General Orders.

Headquarters, Lewlstox, September 15th, 1812.

The Quartermaster-General and the contractor will furnish on
the order of Doctor Brown, hospital surgeon, the necessary supplies
for the sick in camp and the hospital. To Doctor Brown the
surgeons of regiments and corps will apply for supplies necessary
for the accommodation of the sick under their care, and the}' are
strictly enjoined to attend faithfully to the sick of the regiments
and corps to which they are assigned, whether the sick are in camp
or hospital.

The Quartermaster-General will furnish a sufficient quantity of
straw for the accommodation of the troops in the camp and barracks.
He will also furnish forage for the dragoon and other public horses,
and cause the horses of Captain Camp's troops of volunteer cavalry
to be appraised, as the law directs, without delay.

264

Lieut.-Col. Fenwick, the Quartermaster-General and the Com-
missary of military stores on this frontier, will without delay make
returns to Major General VanRensselaer of all the public property
of every description under their charge.

By order of Major General VanRensselaer.

Sol. VanRensselaer,

Aid-de-Camp.

Major General VanRensselaer to I/ieut.-Col. Fenwick.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 15th September, 1812.

Sir,— I have this moment received your note of this date. It
is a fact too true that many of the arms both here and at the
garrison are not fit for use. The armourers are here busily engaged ;
nevertheless I send you one of them. Please to order the line of
sentries extended up the river as far as you deem expedient.

It seems to be impossible to obtain grain for our horses. I
have this day issued an order to the Quartermaster-General as to
forage, and shall make every effort in my power to get a supply.
General Brock will undoubtedly make every effort. Let us employ
every moment in making the best possible dispositions to receive him
should he attempt an attack. As to the salt, the men and teams
were left behind for the express purpose of removing it. If the
service requires any more men for fatigue, I will send them im-
mediately.

(From S. VanReusselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 4:9.)

Major General "VanRensselaer to Governor Tompkins.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 15th Sept., 1812.

Sir, — Agreeably to the instructions contained in Your Excel-
lency's letter of the 14th ult., I have endeavored to keep Major
General Dearborn fully advised of all my movements and operations
since that time, and to my letters transmitted to him I beg leave to
refer Your Excellency for particulars. If the little army under my
command has not yet achieved anything very brilliant, I endeavor
to console myself with the belief that we have not yet suffered any
disgrace. My force is yet small, about 1600 militia. Of course the
necessary service renders the duty of the troops very severe. They,
however, endure it with as much patience as could be expected from
men in their situation, many of them destitute of shoes, and indeed
such clothing as is necessary for the approaching season, and they
are all extremely clamorous for their pay. Some money must be

265

furnished for the troops in a very short time, or the consequence of
omitting it will severely affect the service, and at least render every
movement heavy.

Since my first arrival at this frontier, I have found myself
much embarrassed with the situation of Fort Niagara. To attempt
defending it with the ordnance I found here I considered idle, and
after the return of General Brock from Detroit I had great reason
to believe that he could command a competent force to carry the
garrison should he attack it. But apprehending the very serious
consequences which must immediately result from abandoning the
fort altogether, I took the precaution of removing the most valuable
stores and determined to risk events until Colonel Fenvvick should
arrive, when I might avail myself of his opinion, at least, and of the
ordnance he has with him should it be deemed advisable to attempt
holding the garrison. By suspending the notice for the termi-
nation of the armistice, Lieut-Colonel Fenwick arrived safe with
the cannon and stores under his charge at the Four-Mile Creek.
Fort Niagara became one of the first subjects of deliberation, and it
was determined to attempt maintaining it. For this purpose it was
deemed expedient to remove the roof from the old stone mess-house
and convert the upper story into a battery, to be mounted with two
twelve-pounders and one howitzer. I also determined to throw up
a strong battery on the bank of the river about a mile above the
garrison, nearly opposite the main battery on the Canadian shore,
and there mount three 18-pounders. As the enemy can rake the
river road from this to the garrison even with musketry, I de-
termined to cut a road for communication from my camp to the
garrison in the woods, out of the reach of the enemy's fire. These
have been the objects of our fatigue for some days past, and are all
of them nearly completed. These operations have produced great
activity at Fort George. No sooner were our works commenced,
than the enemy began opposing batteries. Their force is certainly
very respectable and constantly employed. Whether the enemy
will attack Fort Niagara or not, is impossible for me to say. There
are some very imperious considerations to urge them to it, Newark
is a very considerable village. The enemy have there some
good barracks and many accommodations for winter quarters, and
[whatever] might be the final result of a bombardment, the enemy
must inevitably suffer very considerably. My present opinion is
that I had better attempt to maintain the garrison than to risk the
consequences of abandoning it.

Liable as I am to an attempt from the enemy at any hour, and
my troops worn down by fatigue, I have resorted to a measure
which perhaps exceeds the letter of my orders, yet considering that

266

not only the tranquillity of this frontier, but possibly the safety of
my little army may yet be at stake, and having been advised b}r
Major General Dearborn to adopt every measure of precaution against
surprise from a strong force which he had reason to believe the
enemy are directing against me, I have ordered a detachment of
500 men from Brigadier-General Hopkins's brigade, and some com-
panies of the detachment have actually marched. I wish to receive
Your Excellency's early instructions on this subject, as at present I
only consider these troops ordered out during your pleasure.

From a source not to be doubted I learn that the enemy are
forwarding very large supplies of arms and military stores to
Upper Canada. One hundred loaded boats have lately come up the
St. Lawrence, also two regiments are on the way to Upper Canada.

When I last had the pleasure of seeing Major General Hall, he
expressed to me his wish to learn Your Excellency's pleasure as to
his continuance in service, and I beg leave also to express my desire
that he should be satisfied as to his future course.

Having been advised by Major General Dearborn that forty
batteaux with cargoes for the use of this army were on their way
from Schenectady to Niagara by the way of Oswego, I have advised
him of the danger to be apprehended in a voyage from Oswego to
Niagara, as I am clearly of opinion, from the best information,
that that passage ought not to be attempted by the boats with their
cargoes, and fearing that my despatch might not reach General
Dearborn in season for him to act, I have by express ordered the
commanding officer of the boats to stop at the Three River Point,
come up to the Cayuga bridge and land the ca.rgoes and then to go
down to Oswego, adopt every precaution, and attempt to get the
boats around to the Eighteen-Mile Creek. The Quartermaster has
deputed a person to receive the cargoes at Cayuga, and procure the
necessary transport to Black Rock.

The alarm which lately took place in the County of Ontario by
the enemy's ships chasing some vessels into the mouth of the Genesee
River, has induced Judge Atwater to make a communication to me
of a very unpleasant nature. After stating the great zeal with
which the militia turned out, he says, "but, sir, I lament when I tell
you that neither arms nor ammunition are provided for these brave
men ; no, not one musket to six men that would cheerfully risk
their lives in defence of their countiy." He says, "they are destitute
of arms and ammunition ; they are neither of them to be purchased
in the county."

(Tompkins' Papers, Vol. VIII., pp. 149-153, New York State Library.)

From the Buffalo Gazette, Tuesday, 15th September, 1812.

Yesterday afternoon the Queen Charlotte arrived at Fort Erie
in seven days from Detroit. A flag of truce soon landed at Buffalo
Creek, Major Atwater and Lieutenant John L. Eastman, who gave
an account of the fall of Fort Dearborn. (Chicago.)

On Friday evening, the 11th inst., Major General Hall arrived
at this place, where, we understand, he will make his headquarters.
He is assigned to the command of the troops at Black Rock, the
detachment from General Hopkins's brigade and such other troops
as may be ordered into service here. We are correctly informed
that 2,000 troops from Pennsylvania are expected at this place.
They are to rendezvous at Meadville on the 25th, and will probably
arrive here by the last of the month.

Lieut.-Colonel Fenwick of the United States Light Artillery
arrived at Fort Niagara on the 4th inst., with some pieces of heavy
ordnance by water. He was escorted by two companies of riflemen
from Oswego, under the command of Captains Kellogg* and Bristol.
We understand these companies will remain on this frontier. They
make a very martial appearance.

(File in Buffalo Public Library.)

Major Wm. Howe Cuyler to Colonel S. VanRensselaer.

Buffalo, 16th Sept., 1812.

My Dear Sir, — I enclose you a return of the ordnance. &c, at
Buffalo, agreeable to Major Gen. Van Rensselaer's request, b}T Lieut.
Gansevoort, immediately on the receipt of which I waited on Genl.
Porter and requested a return from him of the ordnance at the
Rock, equipage, fixed and unfixed ammunition, which he promised
to make me last night. Failing to do so, I this morning addressed
a note to him and sent my servant, who, finding he had left the
Rock for Lewiston, rode on and overtook him and delivered my
note. I have not been furnished with a return from him. I beg
you to assure Genl. VanRensselaer that, as speedily as possible after
I am furnished with an account of what was required. I shall lose
no time in making a return to him. Lt. Gansevoort will inform
you of some alarms we have had. My General will communicate
with yours. We send you three prisoners from the Queen Gharlottt ,
who we have reason to expect have come over with improper views.
Lt. Gansevoort has charge of them, and will, of coiu^se, take them
to headquaters. In all things depend upon my most prompt and
* Editor of the Marilius Times.

268

cordial co-operation. I am not yet enabled to make a return of the
force at the Rock and this place, owing to the irregularity of the
returns made to me, which I am endeavoring to correct as speedily
as possible. It shall be made as soon as possible.

(From Bonney's Historical Gleanings, p. 232.)

Extract of a I/etter from to Major General VanRensselaer.

16th Sept., 1812.

From Tice Horn's, on Lake Erie, nine miles above Fort George
(sic), runs a road in a northwestwardly direction, called the Ridge
Road. On this road is stationed a corps of flying artillery of six-
teen guns of different bores, with a troop of cavalry of 72 privates.
Both corps are militia, but perfectly equipped and in excellent
order. No pains have been spared to have the best horses. The
artillery is in constant exercise and move with great rapidity.
Four hundred men are stationed about a mile and a half in the rear
of Fort Erie, and 1,000 are held in constant readiness to march from
different points as occasion may require. None of these troops
appear on the river in the daytime, (such is the positive orders of
General Brock,) but detachments are marched down every night
and return before daylight. As I understand my information, these
troops, with those that appear on the river, are destined for the
defense of the shore from Fort Erie down to the point where the
river road is intersected by the Ridge Road. Probably similiar
arrangements are made all along the line, according to circumstances.

General Brock has paid attention to every particular that can
relate to the future resources of the Province under his charge, as
well as to its immediate defence. The harvest has been got in
tolerably well, and greater preparation is making for sowing grain
than was ever made before. The militia duty is modified as much
as possible to suit the circumstances of the people, and measures
taken to prevent them from feeling the burden of the war. The
women work in the fields, encouragement being given for that
purpose.

When General Hull's proclamation appeared it had its effect,
there being a security for private property contained in it. Most
of the inhabitants would willingly have submitted, but when it was
found that private property was seized without [compensation ?]
the public sentiment entirely changed. The success of General
Brock established the change of sentiment. He has since made the
most of it, has become personally highly popular and, in short, has

269

taken every measure that a judicious officer could take in his circum-
stances for the securing of this Province. A determination now
prevails among the people to defend their country;

(Tompkins' Papers, Vol. VIII.. pp. 175-7, New York State Library.)

Captain Samuel T. Dyson, U. S. Regt. of Artillery, to Major
General Brock.

Fort George, 16th Sept., 1812.
Permit me, Sir, to mention to you the situation of the prisoners
under my command. They have received no clothing from the
government since last October and are almost destitute of every
article of the kind. I understand there are six casks of clothing,
an invoice of which I have in my possession, and was destined for
Detroit for my company, now lying at Fort Niagara. If there
could be any arrangement between the two governments so as to
get them across it would relieve the suffering prisoners much. I
also take the liberty to mention there are several men among them
old, infirm and unfit for any kind of military service, and some with
large families of children. If they could obtain a parole to go to
the States, it would be a great relief to them.

Governor Snyder to the Secretary at War.

Harrisburg, 16th September, 1812.

Sir,— To make up possible deficiencies, I ordered to rendezvous
at Meadville 2,516 volunteers, at Pittsburg 2,214 drafted militia.

The promptitude with which the orders were obeyed induce
the belief that the whole, or nearly the whole, number will rendez-
vous at both places. Permit me, through you, to suggest to the
President the propriety of employing the surplus number of both
detachments in the defence of Erie. If the President should so
determine, I would further suggest that from the volunteer and
drafted men of the Sixteenth Division of Pennsjdvania militia,
composed of the Counties of Erie, Crawford, Warren, Mercer,
Venango, Beaver and Butler, might be detached the said surplus
for the defence of that important post. For reasons, I beg leave to
refer to the representation made by Judge Moore and others, a
copy whereof was forwarded to you under date of yesterday.
William Reed, Adjutant-General, who commands both detachments
until organized for their march, will promptly obey any directions
given by the President, Permit me again to ask an early answer,
and to assure you of my perfect consideration and esteem.

(Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. XII., p. 616.)

270
Major General VanRensselaer to Major General Dearborn.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 17th September, 1812.

Sir. — The situation of my little army is becoming every day
more and more interesting, and I believe existing circumstances
would warrant me in saying critical. As soon as our operations at
and near Fort Niagara indicated a disposition to maintain the garri-
son, the enemy became exceedingly active. New works were
thrown up and old ones modified to meet us at every point. Their
works appear now to be all completed, and they are daily receiving
very considerable reinforcements of men. Last evening the Royal
George arrived at Fort George with about two hundred artillerists.
About one hundred boats loaded with stores for the British army in
Upper Canada have lately passed up the St. Lawrence. Two regi-
ments of troops are also on their way up, and I am induced to
believe that those lately arrived at Fort George are detachments
from those regiments. The information which you had received on
the subject of the enemy's reinforcements and destination was
undoubtedly correct. Troops are also coming down from Fort
Maiden to Fort Erie. Indeed there can be no possible doubt that
the enemy are very actively engaged in concentrating their forces
to act in this vicinity. When the scene of action will open, I know
not ; it probably cannot be far distant. Such movements of the
enemy have been observed for three or four days past as have
induced many to believe that the hour of attack was at hand. On
the 13th instant boats were engaged in putting a considerable
detachment of troops on board a ship, which at evening got under
way from Fort George and stood out into Lake Ontario. It was
apprehended that these troops were that night to be landed on the
south side of the lake in the rear of our guards. The night before
last the enemy moved some boats from the landing at Queenston
down the river. This excited alarm and late last night a rumor ran
through the camp that the garrison was actually summoned to.
surrender. I only mention these things to show you what appre-
hensions prevail. Should the enemy attack, I have every reason to
believe we shall be very severely pressed, but so serious will be the
consequences of any retrograde movement or a total abandonment
of Fort Niagara that upon mature consideration of all circumstances.
I have determined to hold if possible my present position and
dispute every inch of ground. My force bears no proportion to the
duties required, besides the discipline of the troops is not such as to
warrant perfect reliance, and many of our arms are not fit for
action. These are considerations which you, sir, and my fellow
citizens, will do me the justice to bear in mind whatever result may

271

happen. For the application of the means entrusted to me, I hope
I shall be able to justify myself to my country. My greatest fear
is that the troops destined to reinforce me will not join me in
season. In every calculation heretofore made upon my reinforce-
ments, both as to time and strength, I have been disappointed. Col.
Bloom's regiment, which was reported to me before its arrival for
seven hundred, is little more than four hundred.

I am erecting a storehouse and magazine upon the high ground
in the rear of my camp, but for the want of teams, tools, and nails,
the work proceeds but slowly. We build with logs, and rive our
shingles from bolts of oak. It is with extreme difficulty we can
procure teams upon any emergency. The horses of the cavalry and
flying artillery are badly supplied with hay, and as for grain they
are almost entirely destitute. I have completed the road through the
woods from my camp to the garrison. Amidst all our difficulties,
this is the most cheering daj^ for the troops which I have witnessed.
Their clamor for pay has been high and incessant. I felt many of
its bad consequences and apprehend still, but assurances now
received that their pay is near seem to elate them.

By the return of ordnance which I yesterday received from
Fort Niagara, I discover that our two mortars are 10 J inch instead
of 13i, as Capt. Leonard's memorandum to me states them. The
shells will be calculated accordingly. I have enclosed a copy of a
letter which I last night received from General Brock, covering an
extract of a letter from Capt. Dyson, of the United States Regiment
of Artillery, to him, and I this morning sent Col. VanRensselaer to
Fort George, when he had an interview with Capt. Dyson, and such
arrangements have been made that Capt. Dyson's company will this
day receive their clothing from Fort Niagara. The other companies
in Quebec, I learn from General Brock's letter, are in great distress
for want of clothing.

P. S. — And to cheer up our hearts, we have picked up a birch
bark on which is written a notice from the soldiers to the officers,
that unless they were paid they would absolutely quit the field in
8 days from that time.

(From Bonney's Historical Gleanings, pp. 233-4.)

Major General Brock to Colonel Procter.

Fort George, September 17, 1812.
Sir, — I have had before me your several communications to
the 11th instant, addressed to myself and to Major General SheafFe.
I approve of your having detached a party to aid in the reduction

272

of Fort Wayne, not only because its destruction will render your
position more secure, but also from the probable result of saving
the garrison from sharing the fate of that of Chicago ; but it must
be explicitly understood that you are not to resort to offensive war-
fare for purposes of conquest. Your operations are to be confined
to measures of defence and security. With this view, if you should
have credible information of the assembling of bodies of troops to
march against you, it may become necessary to destroy the fort at
Sandusky and the road which runs through it from Cleveland to
the foot of the rapids. The road from the River Raisin to Detroit
is perhaps in too bad a state to offer any aid to the approach of an
enemy except in the winter, and if a winter campaign should be
contemplated against you it is probable that magazines would be
formed in Cleveland and its vicinity, of all which you will of course
inform yourself. In carrying on our operations in 37our quarter it
is of primary importance that the confidence and good will of the
Indians should be preserved, and that whatsoever can tend to pro-
duce a contrary effect should be carefully avoided. I therefore
most strongl}7 urge and enjoin your acting on those principles on
every occasion that may offer, inculcating them in all those under
your influence and enforcing them by your example, whether in
your conduct towards the Indians or what may regard them, or in
your language in speaking to or of them. I am aware that they
commit irregularities at times, which may make this a difficult task,
but you must endeavor to perform it, attending at the same time
to the means already suggested to you for preventing as much as
possible a repetition of disorderly conduct.

Colonel Elliott is a respectable gentlemanly man, but he by no
means possesses the influence over the Indians which Captain Mc-
Kee does. I recommend to \'ou to promote as far as in you lies a
good understanding with and between them and to observe a con-
ciliating deportment and language towards the latter, that his great
influence may be secured and employed in its fullest extent for the
benefit of your district and for the general good. In conversation
with him you may take an opportunity of intimating that I have
not been unmindful of the interests of the Indians in my communi-
cations to ministers, and I wish you to learn (as if casually the
subject of conversation) what stipulations they would propose for
themselves or be willing to accede to in case either of failure or of
success.

I understand that salvage has been demanded from individuals
on several accounts for property recovered or restored, for patents,
&c., &c. I lament that such a course has been adopted, for it was my
intention, and it is now my wish, that our conduct in those matters

273

should be governed by the broadest principles of liberality. You
will therefore be pleased to have returned to the several individuals
the amount which each may have paid as salvage on any account.

With respect to calling out the militia, I am particularly
desirous that it should not be resorted to but in cases of urgent
necessity, and then only in such numbers as may be indispensably
necessary ; if without risk or detriment to the public service any
or eifrher of those corps can be spared let them be dismissed.

I wish the engineer to proceed immediately in strengthening
Fort Amherstburg, his plan for which I shall be glad to see as soon
as possible.

Of the ordnance stores of every description, you will reserve
such proportions as may be absolutely required for the public
service in your district, and cause the remainder to be embarked
and sent down to Fort Erie with the least possible delay.

I cannot at present make the change in the distribution of the
41st Regiment which you propose, but whenever circumstances may
permit I shall be happy to accede to your wishes.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 310-12.)

Major General VanRensselaer to Major General Brock.

Headquarters, Lewiston, Sept. 17, 1812.

Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of yesterday evening, and extract of a letter addressed to you
on the 15th instant by Captain Dyson of the United States regi-
ment of artillery, also a packet addressed to the Honorable Albert
Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury of the United States.

Colonel VanRensselaer will have the honor to deliver this
communication, and I have entrusted him to solicit j^our permission
for an interview with Captain Dyson for the purpose of ascertain-
ing particularly the condition of the prisoners of war under his
charge, to the end that they may be relieved from Fort Niagara if
practicable, and if not that I may, without delay, state their con-
dition to the government, that they may receive from the proper
department the earliest possible supplies.

The women and children and such other persons as have
accompanied the detachment from Detroit and ought to be here
received, I will immediately receive at Fort Niagara or such other
convenient place as you may order them to be landed at.

In a communication which I some time since had the honor of
receiving from Lieut.-Colonel Myers, he assured me that it had been
the constant study of the general officer commanding on this line to

274

discountenance by all means in his power the warfare of sentinels,
yet the frequent recurrence of this warfare within a few da}'s past
would warrant the presumption that a different course has been
adopted. I wish to be assured of this fact.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 312-3.)

Major General Brock to Major General VanRensselaer.

Headquarters, Fort George, Sept. 17, 1812.

Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of this date. Captain Dyson has obtained my permission to
cross on his parole to the United States ; he, however, requested to
remain till tomorrow to settle with the men of his detachment.
He shall in the meantime have an interview with Colonel Van-
Rensselaer.

Measures will be immediately taken to land the women and
children at Fort Niagara.

It has been with the utmost regret that I have perceived
within these few clays a very heavy firing from both sides of the
river. I am, however, given to understand that on all occasions it
commenced on yours, and from the circumstances of the flag of
truce which I did myself the honor to send over yesterday having
been repeatedly tired upon while in the act of crossing the river, I
am inclined to give full credit to the correctness of the information.
Without, however, recurring to the past, you m&y rest assured on
my repeating my most positive orders against the continuance of a
practice which can only be injurious to individuals without pro-
moting the object which both nations may have in view.
(From Tupper's Life of Brock, p. 313.)

Militia General Orders.

Headquarters, Fort George, 17th Sept., 1812.

Militia General Orders.

His Honor Major General Brock finds it necessary to direct
that no expense shall be incurred by any militia officer without an
order from the officer commanding the district.
By order,

J. Macdonell, Lt.-Col.,

Militia P. A. D. C.

275
General Van Rensselaer to Governor Tompkins.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 17th Sept.., 1812.

Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your packet
by Major Moore, who arrived in camp last evening. The duties of the
day are too pressing to allow me the leisure I could wish to answer
your letter particularly. I must therefore beg leave to refer Your
Excellency to my despatches to Major General Dearborn.

I cannot, however, but express the satisfaction I feel at the
approbation which my conduct thus far in the campaign has received.
To perform my duty, arduous as it is, is comparatively easy, but to
determine what my duty is in a wide field of action where every-
thing is unshaped and uncertain, is often a task of no small diffi-
culty. I am conscious to myself that I have studied it faithfully,
and performed to the best of my ability. My situation is growing
every hour more interesting, perhaps critical : the particulars you
will find in my letter to General Dearborn. But, with my little
force, I shall certainly attempt to hold nry position, with full
reliance on Your Excellency's assurances that every effort will be
made to support me.

A retrograde movement of this army upon the back of that
disaster which has befallen the one at Detroit, would stamp a
stigma upon the national character which time could not wipe
away. I shall therefore try to hold out against superior numbers,
and every disadvantage, until I shall be reinforced.

I am happy to learn that the money to pay the troops is at
hand. I announced it in orders this morning. The information
cheers our camp, and I hope they will soon realize their expectations,
for in truth their wants are many.

(Tompkins' Papers, Vol. VIII, pp. 159-161, New York State Library.)

General Orders.

Headquarters, Lewistox, 17th Sept., 1812.

Major General VanRensselaer revokes the sentence of death
pronounced against Reuben Schuyler and Thomas Moore by the
court martial, whereof Captain Leonard was president, and by
general orders of the ninth instant directed to be carried into
execution on the eighteenth instant, at Fort Niagara.

This act of clemency of the Major General in declaring the
full and absolute pardon of those unfortunate men, it is hoped will
make a lasting impression on their future conduct in life, and that
they will still show by their good behavior that they are worthy of
a life which they had forfeited to their country and their God.

276

But let it not be presumed that this first act of lenity in the Major
General will be extended to others. He is under obligations of
duty to his country, and with these his feelings as a man shall not
interpose.

The prisoners will be released and returned to their duty.

By order of Major General VanRensselaer.

Sol. VanRensselaer, Aide-de-Camp.

Major General Dearborn to Major General VanRensselaer.

Headquarters, Greenbush, Sept. 17th, 1812.
Dear Sir, — Your letter of the 8th was this day received. I
have ordered two regiments from this camp and two companies of
artillery for Niagara. When they arrive with the regular troops
and militia from the southward, and such additional numbers of
militia as I reckon upon from this State, the aggregate force will, I
presume, amount to upwards of six thousand. It is intended to
have a force sufficient to enable you to act with effect, although late,
Brigadier-General Smith (Smyth) will leave this place to-morrow to
take command of his brigade of regular troops when they arrive.
I persuade myself that you will not, under your present circum-
stances, risk more than prudence will justify ; and that, of course,
you will be prepared in case you are pushed to fall back, so as not
to hazard an action on very unequal footing. If the enemy should
make an attempt on you his endeavor will undoubtedly be to cut
off your retreat by light parties and Indians. You will excuse my
repeated cautions, but from the best information I have received, I
am induced to fear an attempt will be made on your post before
sufficient reinforcements will reach you. This will be conveyed Ijv
a safe hand and in confidence.

(From S. VanReii.sselaer's Narrative : Appendix, p. 55.)

Major General Brock to Sir George Prevost.

Fort George, September 18th, 1812.
Sir, — I have been honored with Your Excellency's despatch
dated the 7th instant. I have implicitly followed Your Excellencj^'s
instructions and abstained, under great temptation and provocation,
from every act of hostility. The information received from a
deserter, and which I had the honor to detail in my last, is far
from correct, and where credit is to be given the facts appl}T solely
to the regular force. The militia, being selected from the most
violent democrats, are generally inclined to invade this province.

277

Provisions are in tolerable plenty — the only complaint arises from
a want of vegetables. It is currently reported that the enemy's
force is to be increased to seven thousand, and that on their arrival
an attack is immediately to be made. I am convinced that the
militia would not keep together in their present situation without
such a prospect, nor do I think the attempt can be long deferred.
Sickness prevails in some degree along the line, but principally at
Black Rock.

The flank companies of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment
have joined me. A sergeant and twenty-five rank and file of the
Veterans arrived at the same time, whom I propose sending to
Michilimackinac. The enclosed letters from Colonel Procter will
inform Your Excellency of a force having been detached under
Captain Muir for the reduction of Fort Wayne. I gave orders
previous to my leaving Amherstburg for it, which must have
induced Colonel Procter to proceed, upon receiving intelligence of
the recommencement of hostilities, without waiting for further
directions. I regret that this service should have been undertaken
contrary to Your Excellency's wishes or intentions, but I beg leave
to assure Your Excellency that the principal object in sending a
British force to Fort ^Vayne is with the hope of preserving the
lives of the garrison. By the last accounts the place was invested
by a numerous body of Indians, with very little prospect of being
relieved. The prisoners of war, who know perfectly the situation
of the garrison, rejoiced at the measure and give us full credit for
our intentions.

The Indians were likewise looking to us for assistance. They
heard of the armistice with every mark of jealousy, and had we
refused to joining them in the expedition it is impossible to calcu-
late the consequences. I have already been asked to pledge my
word that England would enter into no negotiation in which their
interests were not consulted, and could they be brought to imagine
that we should desert them the. consequences must be fatal.

I have perused with every possible attention Your Excellency's
instructions, "that whenever I was informed that the enemy have
made an attempt to penetrate into the Lower Province, I am to
concentrate all ray disposable force, and immediately make such a
diversion as shall indicate a disposition to operate upon his lines of
communication." My force is so scattered and so immediately
required for the defence of the different posts at which it was
stationed, that I am at a loss to know in what manner I can
possibly act so as to produce the effect expected.

I shall be ohliged to Your Excellency to direct five thousand
pounds to be transmitted to the Receiver-General for the civil

278

expenditure of this Province. Army bills, I make no doubt, will
answer ever}' purpose.

This despatch is entrusted to Lt.-Colonel Nichol, Quartermaster-
General of the Militia, whom I take the liberty to introduce to Your
Excellency as perfectly qualified, from his local knowledge and late
return, to afford every information of the state of affairs in the
Western District. He is instructed to make extensive purchases of
necessaries for the use of the militia, and I have to entreat Your
Excellency to indulge him with the means of a speedy conveyance
back to this place.

(Canadian Archives, C. 677, p. 90.)

Major General Brock to Savery Brock.

Fort George, September 18, 1812.

Dear Brother, — You doubtless feel much anxiety on my
account. I am really placed in a most awkward predicament. If
I get through my present difficulties with tolerable success, I cannot
but obtain praise. But I have already surmounted difficulties of
infinitely greater magnitude than any within my view. Were the
Americans of one mind the opposition I could make would be
unavailing, but I am not without hope that their divisions may be
the saving of this province. A river of about 500 yards broad
divides the troops. My instructions oblige me to adopt defensive
measures, and I have evidenced greater forbearance than was ever
practised on any former occasion. It is thought that without the
aid of the sword, the American people may be brought to a due
sense of their own interests. I firmly believe I could at this moment
sweep everything before me from Fort Niagara to Buffalo — but my
success would be transient.

I have now officers in whom I can confide. When the war
commenced I was really obliged to seek assistance among the
militia. The 41st is an uncommonly fine regiment, but wretchedly
officered. Six companies of the 49th are with me here, and the
remaining four at Kingston, under Vincent. Although the regiment
has been ten j'ears in this country, drinking rum without bounds,
it is still respectable and apparently ardent for an opportunit}' to
acquire distinction. It has five captains in England and two on the
staff in this country, which leaves it bare of experienced officers.
The U. S. regiments of the line desert over to us frequently, as the
men are tired of their service ; opportunities seldom offer, otherwise
I have reason to think the greater part would follow the example.
The militia, being chiefly composed of enraged democrats, are more
ardent and anxious to engage, but they have neither subordination

279

nor discipline. They die very fast. You will hear of some decided
action in the course of a fortnight, or in all probability we shall
return to a state of tranquillity. I say decisive, because if I should
be beaten the Province is inevitably gone, and should I be victorious,
I do not imagine the gentry from the other side will be anxious to
return to the charge.

It is certainly something singular that we should be upwards
of two months in a state of warfare, and that along this widely
extended frontier not a single death, either natural or by the sword,
should have occurred among the troops under my command, and
we have not been altogether idle ; nor has a single desertion taken
place.

I am quite anxious for this state of warfare to end, as I much
wish to join Lord Wellington and to see you all.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 315-17.)

I/t.-Col. John R. Fenwick to General VanRensselaer.

Fort Niagara, Sept. 18, 1812.
Sir. — Yesterday afternoon was sent over in a flag eleven
women and nineteen children. Their situation is a distressing one.
There is also a lifer of the 1st U. S. Infantry. He brings from
Gen. Brock no pass or certificate. I know not in what light to
view them. I beg your instructions respecting these people. I
don't think it prudent to leave them here. Your order revoking
the sentence upon the two unfortunate criminals was carried into
effect. The scene was affecting, and I trust will be attended with
beneficial consequences. No occurrence of moment has happened
since I last wrote you. I beg 3^011 to order a general court martial.
We have four or five deserters.

(Prom Boimey's Historical Gleanings, p. 235.)

General Orders.

Headquarters, Lewistox, Sept. 18, 1812.
By virtue of a power recently vested in the Major General by
His Excellency Governor Tompkins, the following troops are
ordered into immediate service and will repair without delay to
headquarters.

CAVALRY.

Lieut.-Colonel Boughton will detach Major Evans and three
full troops of cavalry, completely equipped with good horses, arms,
accoutrements, blankets, &c.

280

ARTILLERY.

Captain Hart, Canandaigua, Ontario County.
Captain Pierce, Genesee, do. do.

Captain Ellicott, Batavia, Genesee do.

Captain Jacks, Junius, Seneca do.

Captain Coinpston, Aurelius, Cayuga do.

With their cannon, small arms, equipments, and blankets
complete.

RIFLEMEN.
Major Gaylord's battalion, Steuben County.
Major Granger's battalion, Ontario County.
Captain Brown's company, of Lima, Ontario County.
Captain A. Bloom's companj^, Genoa, Cayuga County.
Captain Allen's or Lieut. Johnson's, Genoa, Cajmga County.
Captain Ireland's company, Fayette, Seneca Count}^.
With their rifles powder horns, blankets, and everything
complete.

LIGHT INFANTRY.

Captain Hill's company, Bristol, Ontario County.

Captain McKinstry's company, Penfield, Ontario County.

Captain White's Company, Palmyra, Ontario County.

Captain Sutton's company, Ovid, Seneca County.

Captain Terry's company, Ulysses, Seneca County.

Captain John Richardson's company, styled Cayuga Rangers,
Auburn, Cayuga County.

Captain Saterly's company, Sempronius, Cayuga County.

Captain Solomon Woodworth's, Cato, Cayuga County.

Captain Noble's company, Warsaw, Genesee County.

Captain Ebenezer Hillebert's company, Attica, Genesee County.

With their arms, accoutrements, and blankets complete.

These troops will be inspected by the proper officers and marched
the nearest route to this place with all possible despatch.

By order of Major General VanRensselaer.

(Tompkins' Papers, Vol. VIII., pp. 177-8, New York State Library.)

Irieut. Jesse D. Elliott to Captain Chauncey.

Buffalo, Sept. 18, 1812.
Sir, — I have with all possible despatch repaired to the head-
quarters of General VanRensselaer. As regards my expedition, he
is entirely uninformed. He has not the most distant idea of the
navigation of Lake Erie, or of any of its resources. By his advice

281

I have consulted with General Porter, who is perfectly acquainted
with every part of the lake. He is employed by the public to
build many boats, which are intended for the troops when invading
Canada. He has at the general expense agreed to build me four of
the description named in your letter, and have them ready in a few
days. I have contracted for a sufficient quantity of plank to deck
and bottom two ships of 300 tons ; have examined all the situa-
tions on Lake Erie ; cannot get one that will answer our purpose.
Those that have shelter have not a sufficient depth of water, and
those that have water cannot be defended from the enemy and the
violence of the weather. In extending my view to Niagara River,
I find that immediately in its mouth, receiving its water from Lake
Erie, we can be handsomely situated as regards building, fitting out,
and erecting barracks and magazines. I enclose you a sketch of
the River Niagara, where you will observe that about three miles
on our side we have an island carrying from the lake only five feet
of water, and on the north side twelve feet at all times ; when with
a strong southerly wind, 14. One difficulty attending it is the
getting our vessels through the rapids, where the water runs about
four knots, and being obliged to get by a strong battery. General
VanRensselaer has informed me that he would remove that diffi-
culty by getting possession of the battery. The roads are good
with the exception of about 13 miles, which are intolerable bad.
Provisions are plenty. The British have a force of considerable
moment : one ship of 20 guns, 10 feet water, badly manned ; one
brig of 14 guns, one brig of 10 guns, and two schooners of 10 guns;
some other vessels unmanned, say four in all. We have only six :
a brig of 90 tons, the others are schooners from 40 to 80 tons, all
good vessels, and in the intended place for a navy yard. As those
vessels would not be sufficiently formidable to contend with the
enemy at present, General VanRensselaer has thought it advisable
to direct our attention to Lake Ontario, which he says is of all
importance at this moment, suspend the fitting out of small
vessels on Lake Erie, go on with the barracks and magazine, and
collect the timber for building. During the armistice our vessels
became very much dispersed — only a few of them at Sackett's
Harbor, three were chased into Genesee River, and one into
Oswego. They are not very distant from this. He has satisfied
me of the necessity of our attention being directed to these four
vessels. His letter to me I enclose a copy of for your perusal.
The carpenters have not arrived. I have by express ordered them
to Genesee Falls : will set out in the morning myself. I shall get
on altering these vessels until I have your further commands.
Should arming these vessels meet your approbation the ordnance

282

had better immediately come on to this place, together with the
officers and men. Our movements at this place will go on in the
meantime as if attended to myself. Our movements as regarding
the boats will be perfectly secret. The alterations to the vessels
as well as building will be immediately in sight of the enemy.
The river is so narrow that the soldiers are shooting at each other
across. Ordnance for this place had better come on when the snow
is on the ground, and then in sleds. It will not be possible to get
through in wagons. Direct your letter to me at the Genesee Falls.

(Tompkins' Papers, Vol. VIII., pp. 189-190, New York State Library.

General Orders.

Headquarters, Lewiston, September 19th, 1812.

The Major General calls the attention of the officers to the 41st,
42d, 43d, 44th, 45th, 46th and 53d articles of war, and directs that
they shall be read to the troops. If any officer or soldier has the
hardihood to violate either of them, he shall be treated as those
articles direct. The shameful inattention to dutj' in the face of a
powerful enemy, by many of the officers and soldiers, will render
this resort necessary, however unpleasant it may be to the Major
General.

In violation of a general order of the 19th August, several of
the field officers did not attend parade duty yesterday. It is hoped
that such conduct in them will not occur again, for if it should the
Major General will be compelled to resort to measures which will
be very unpleasant to himself and them.

The guards will be augmented this night, and if any officer or
soldier discloses the watchword he will be dealt with as the 53d
article of the rules and articles of war directs.

The officer of the day will direct every officer and soldier to be
taken up after the beating of retreat, whether he has the counter-
sign or not, if found out of camp without permission in writing
from the Major General.

Lieut.-Col. Fenwick will order a general court martial for the
trial of such prisoners of the United States troops as may be brought
before the court, and report the proceedings without dekiy to the
Major General.

By order of Major General VanRensselaer.

Sol. VanRensselaer, Aide-de-Camp.

283
Major General VanRensselaer to Major General Brock.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 20th Sept., 1812.

Sir, — It was with extreme regret and concern that I yesterday
learned through Lieut.-Col. Myers that in a repetition of the
practice of firing between sentinels, which I have so often per-
emptorily prohibited, one shot has proved fatal to a man at the
Lime Kilns, on the Canada shore. Immediately on receiving infor-
mation of this unfortunate event, I caused strict inquiry to be made
to the end that the offender, if discovered, might be punished
according to his demerit. But the result of this inquiry has not
furnished me with the least evidence against an}' man. I cannot
ascertain that a single gun has been fired at or near the place from
whence the shot was supposed to have been thrown.

That these firings have been repeatedly commenced on both
sides is not to be questioned. The fact is established by the testi-
mony of officers whose rank and character in both armies utterly
precludes all doubt. It is a circumstance which in this explanation
ought not to be omitted, that there ma}' be on both sides the river —
there certainly is reason to believe there are on this side — persons
not under immediate command in either arm}' who occasionally
approach the river, discharge their pieces at the sentries and then
escape unobserved in their retreats, while the fire thus begun is
returned upon an unoffending sentinel. I have caused patrols to be
sent out to take such persons, but without success.

I can only repeat, sir, that I deeply regret the unfortunate
occurrence which has happened : that my orders against the
practice which has occasioned it have been most peremptory : my
efforts to enforce them are unremitting, and every attempt to con-
vict anyone of disobedience as yet is unavailing.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Nai-rative : Appendix, p. 74.)

District General Order.

Fort George, 20th September, 1812.

The Grenadier company of the 49th Regt. will hold itself in
readiness to march at an hour's notice for Queenston, where it will
remain under the orders of Lieutenant-Colonel Plenderleath.

No. 2. — Sixty men of the 41st Regiment, under the directions
of Lieut, Bullock, will march at 5 o'clock to-morrow morning for
Chippawa, and on their arrival at that post Capt. Bullock will be
pleased to strengthen the detachment stationed at the head of Navy
Island (under Capt. Saunders) with 20 additional men from the 41st
Regiment.

284

No. 8. — Captain Selby's company of York militia will hold
itself in immediate readiness to march for Brown's Point. The
Deputy-Quartermaster-General will be pleased to signify the route
and point out the quarters to be occupied by the above detachment.
The commissariat will provide the necessary conveyance.

No. 4. — A board of survey to assemble at 10 o'clock to-morrow
morning at the barrack master's quarters for the purpose of ascer-
taining the damage done to the barrack articles.

DETAIL FOR THE ABOVE SURVEY.

41st Regiment — 1 Captain, 1 Q.-Master, R. Newf'l'd do. 1

sub.

1 1 — — 1

By order.

Thomas Evans,

Major of Brigade.

District General Order.

Fort George, 20th Sept., 1812.

The Major General commanding most earnestly calls the atten-
tion of officers in the command of divisions and that of the officers
in general to the state of the men's arms, ammunition, and appoint-
ments under their immediate superintendence, as he expects every
soldier, whether of the line or militia, will be at all times in the
most efficient state in this essential particular, and every way pre-
pared to meet the enemy's attack should he venture to make it.

No. 2. — The Major General trusts that the officers in charge of
the different divisions use their best exertions in forwarding the
drills of the several detachments of militia placed under their orders,
and that the non-commissioned officers and men selected from the
line for this important duty are every way qualified to give the
instruction required.

No. 3. — It is expected that officers in command of companies,
both of the line and of militia, are provided with order books, and
that the orders are regularly read to their men in conformity to
No. 3 of the D. G. O. of the 31st July.

The Major General cannot impress too strongly on the minds
of the commanders the necessity of their attention and punctuality
to this part of their duty.

No. 4. — The Major General acknowledges with thanks the
willing manner in which that portion of the troops stationed at
Fort George have contributed by their exertions to the accomplish-

285

ment of the present works established there, and directs that in
future as small a number as possible may be furnished for finishing
them in order that the militia last joined may have the opportunity
of perfecting- themselves in drill.

By order.

Thomas Evans.

Militia General Orders.

Headquarters, Fort George, 21 Sept., 1812.
Militia General Orders.

It having been mentioned to His Honor Major General Brock
that several militiamen belonging to the flank companies of the
different regiments of the Lincoln and the Second Regiment of
York militia are now absent from their respective companies
without leave, he has been pleased to direct that the captains or
officers commanding the said companies do immediately transmit to
the officers commanding the regiments or battalions to which their
respective companies belong a particular return of such as are so
absent, and His Honor has been further pleased to direct that
officers commanding corps do use every means in their power to
cause such absentees to be apprehended and sent to their respective
companies, to be dealt with as the law directs, unless it shall satis-
factorily appear that any such absentee is about voluntarily to
return to his duty, in which case His Honor is pleased to direct that
the offence may be overlooked for this time.
By order.

J. Macdonell, Lt.-CoL,

Militia P. A. D. C.

The Secretary of War to Major General Dearborn.

War Department, Sept. 21, 1812.

(Abstract.)

The Pennsylvania Regiment has been ordered to march, agree-
ably to his request. Great hopes are entertained that General
Harrison will recover the ground lost by General Hull, and enter
Upper Canada.

District General Orders.

Fort George, 22nd Sept., 1812.
The Major General commanding returns his particular thanks
to the militia for the handsome manner in which the}- have on all

286

occasions volunteered their services for duties of fatigue, and is
pleased to direct for the present that further services for such
duties shall be dispensed with.

No. 2. — Colonel Claus will give the necessary directions for
the periods of drill for the militia, and Sergeant Lyon of the 41st
and Sergeant Thomas of the Royal Newfl'd will attend as instruc-
tors at the hours appointed by Col. Claus. The 41st will also
furnish a second non-commissioned officer capable of instructing
the men for this particular duty.

By order.

Thomas Evans.

Major General VanRensselaer to Governor Tompkins.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 22nd Sept., 1812.

Sir, — Since I had the honor to address Your Excellency and
Major General Dearborn on the 17th instant, nothing of very great
importance has taken place. The position of the army is still the
same — guarding with great vigilance (as far as our force will
admit) every point accessible by the enemy. On the night of the
20th all the ships which the enemy has on Lake Ontario were
anchored in the mouth of Niagara River. What was the object of
this movement I know not, unless it was to avoid the violence of
the most tremendous storm which we have lately had, and in which
our troops have suffered much. By the great violence of the wind
many tents were blown over, my own marquee, bed and all, was
completely deluged.

My morning report of sick is 149.

Colonel VanRensselaer went over with a flag to Fort George to
carry my answer to a communication which I had received from
General Brock relative to a tiring between our sentinels, by which
one man on the Canadian side was killed. There was yesterday no
general officer at Fort George, and the ships were all gone. As yet 1
have not been able to get any information respecting this movement.

Last evening Lieut. [Totten ?J of the corps of engineers reported
himself to me. I hear nothing of the District Paymaster, nor of a
single company to reinforce the troops, whose duty is very severe.

I had ordered Lieut. Elliott of the navy, with the men engaged
for the service under his command, to the mouth of the Genesee
River to arm and equip such of the vessels lately blockaded there, as
he might think proper for the public service. He has undoubtedly
advised Captain Chauncey of this arrangement. But, since the

287

departure of Lieut. Elliott, I have been informed that those vessels
have escaped from Genesee River and crone to Oswego.

I enclose an extract from a letter I have this morning received
from a gentleman who has heretofore made me several useful com-
munications. He assures me the information may be relied on.
This extract may be useful to General Dearborn.

(Tompkins' Papers, Vol. VIII. , pp. 174-5, New York State Library.)

From the Buffalo Gazette, Tuesday, 2zd September, 1812.

Yesterday a flag arrived from Fort Erie, bringing over Aaron
Greeley, Esq., late Surveyor General of the Michigan Territory,
with his family and effects, together with several other persons.
They left Maiden on Friday, and arrived at Fort Erie on Saturday,
on board the brig Adams, after the remarkably short passage of
33 hours. We are authorized by Mr. Greeley to state the British
officers and Indian agents do everything in their power to prevent
the Indians from committing acts of cruelty. Mr. Greeley also
contradicts in express terms the report that the British either gave
or offered six dollars, or any other sum, for SCALPS, but, on the
contrary, discountenanced the Indians by all possible means from
acts of cruelty.

A PRIZE TO THE BRITISH.

On the 6th a boat belonging to Mr. Lovejoy of this village
was freighted for Erie and went out of port in the morning, but
the wind hauling unfavorable she made but little progress. In a
short time a British armed boat came out from under Point Abino
and gave chase. The boatmen ran ashore a few miles above 18
Mile Creek, abandoned the boat and tried to obtain assistance from
the people on shore, but obtaining only 3 or 4 old muskets in bad
order they could make no opposition. The British boat came up
and towed away the deserted boat with all the property, which
consisted of 45 barrels of salt shipped by General Porter for Erie,
the remainder of the loading chiefly belonging to Mr. Lovejoy,
whose loss is not less than 1000 dollars.

PLUNDERING.

On the loth inst. a boat from the Canadian shore landed a
number of soldiers near Sturgeon Point, who stopped a wagon and
seized a quantity of leather, and afterwards entered the house of
Mr. X. Lay (the family having previously fled to the woods) and
pillaged all the wearing apparel, not excepting the small articles of
women's and children's wear — all the bed furniture, sheets, pillow
cases, &c, all the provisions they could carry off: all the kitchen

288

furniture they could not take they destroyed, and afterwards took
a calf tied near the house and carried off the booty to the boat.
Mr. Lay's loss was not less than 300 dollars. The house of Mr.
Gates was then plundered of 60 or 70 doll's. Another house was
plundered of several articles, the amount of which we have not
ascertained. We understand that measures will be taken to
reclaim the property.

FORT NIAGARA.
We understand that Colonel Fenwick, since his arrival, has
strengthened some parts of Fort Niagara very considerably, and
put the ordnance in excellent commanding positions.

John I^ovett to Joseph Alexander.

Headquarters, Lewiston, 22d Sept., 1812.
Dear Alexander, —

The enemy appear to be in a state of preparedness to give or
receive an attack. Every day or two they make some movement
which indicates dispositions to attack us immediately. Night
before last every ship they have on Lake Ontario came into the
mouth of Niagara. Then, to be sure, we thought it time to look-
out for breakers. But yesterday when Col. VanRensselaer went
over with a flag to Fort George there was not a ship in sight nor a
general officer there ; where gone we know not. Notwithstanding
the most positive orders on both sides, our sentinels have kept up
almost a constant warfare for a month past. On the bank of the
river musket balls are about as thick as whippowills on a summer's
evening. A wretch fired the other evening at Judge Barton and
myself as we were sitting upon our horses on the bank. The shot
came in a correct line, but fell 20 rods short in the river. Last
Saturday morning one of our lads returned the compliment, and
put his ball so quick thro' a lad's head on the other side that he fell
dead without even winking. Over came Lieut.-Col. Myers, with
whom I had the honor of an hour's conference on the bank. Both
talked it largety and returned good fellows. ....

We are promised reinforcements by companies, battalions,
regiments, brigades, and I might almost say armies, but not a single
man has joined us in some weeks. Besides, our men here are
getting down very fast within three or four days. This morning's
report of sick was 149. We have lately had the most tremendous

289

storm of cold rains and wind that I every saw at this season of the
year — it was eno' to make an ox quake. The wind was terrible ;
hail, lightning, thunder, and the whole army of terrors seemed
pressed into requisition. Main7 tents blew up and over; the Gen-
eral's marquee was deluged, bed and all drenched.

Give Mrs. Lovett the enclosed. It contains an impression of
General Brock's seal, with his most appropriate motto : " He who
guards never sleeps." The campaign will wind up with some very
interesting occurrences. I think I begin to see how the crisis is
forming. We shall invade Canada.

(From Bonney's Historical Gleanings, pp. 236-7.

From the Federal Republican of Baltimore, Md., 5th October, 1812.

(Extract from a letter dated 22nd September, 1812.)

There is at Niagara about 700 United States troops: at Lewis-
ton, 800 militia : at Black Rock, 300 militia ; at Schlosser, 400
militia ; at Lewiston Meadows, 40 horse and 60 infantry. The
militia generall}' were much dissatisfied in consequence of not
having received any pay, and about 20 men stacked their arms on
parade and determined to return home, but were prevailed to
remain by the assurance that the paymaster would be out the last
of this month. Desertion on this side is frequent : two of the
United States troops swam over to Fort George on the 11th inst.,
who were capable of giving general and correct information as to
the strength and situation of the troops on this side. They were
not discovered until nearly half way over, when they were tired
upon, and the British sent off a boat and picked them up without
injury.

Sir George Prevost to Earl Bathurst.

(No. 9.)

Headquarters, Montreal, 22d Sept., 1812.

My Lord, — In my despatch No. 7, dated the 1st inst., I had
the honor of transmiting to Your Lordship copies of letters from
Major General Brock detailing the surrender of Fort Detroit, with
copies of the capitulation, return of stores, &e., Szc.

290

I have now the honor of reporting to Your Lordship that
Brig'r-Gen'l Hull, together with the first division of prisoners, con-
sisting of 22 officers and 343 men, part of the regular army which
surrendered at Detroit, arrived at this place on the 6th inst. The
remainder, amounting to about 140 men and their proportion of
officers, are still in Upper Canada, and will be forwarded hither as
soon as the means can be procured of sending them. The men and
the greater part of the officers which have arrived have been sent
to Quebec.

Brig.-Gen'l Hull being desirous of returning to the United
States on his parole, for the purpose of justifying his own conduct
and exposing the imbecility of that of his government in totally
neglecting to support directly (or indirectly) his offensive opera-
tions, either by reinforcing his army or by making demonstrations
of attack upon other points on the frontier line simultaneously
with the one he was commanded to make on Amherstburg, I have
therefore allowed him to proceed to Boston, for which place he set
off on the 10th inst. with his aid-de-camp. I feel confident that
his presence in the United States will have the effect of adding
strength to the party there in opposition to the war, and that it
will also tend to embarrass the American Government. The
situation of several of the officers, particularly those with families,
has induced me to extend to them the like indulgence. As in these
instances I have conceived myself acting agreeably to the views
and conciliatory disposition of His Majesty's government, I trust
His Royal Highness the Prince Regent will be graciously pleased
to approve of what I have done, and that the liberality thus mani-
fested on his part will be attended with the best effects.

I am happy to be able to assure Your Lordship that the spirit
and zeal which are now evinced by all classes of persons in the
Province (but more particularly by the militia) to resist the attacks
with which they are threatened, afford me strong hopes that the
enemy will meet with disappointment should they think fit to
invade the country. The volunteering of a considerable portion of
the English militia of this populous town for permanent duty
enables me to withdraw from hence the regulars as circumstances
may require, and materially aids the public service.

(Canadian Archives, Q118, p. 251.)

291
Major General Brock to Major General VanRensselaer.

Headquarters, Fort George, 23d Sept., 1812.

Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the twentieth instant. I never doubted for a moment
that the firing from your side of the river upon individuals was
contrary to your intentions and in violation of your orders, and I
beg leave to repeat that every effort shall be made on my part to
prevent a recurrence of such acts of insubordination on this side.

(From S. YanRensselaer's Narrative : Appendix, p. 75.)

The Secretary of War to Major General Dearborn.

War Department, Sept. 23, 1812.

(Abstract.)

By letters received from Erastus Granger it appears that the
young men of the Six Nations can no longer be restrained, and that
in case of the refusal on the part of the United States to accept
their services they would join the Indians under the British
standard. Although the policy of the United States has been
against this course, it is forced upon us by the common principle of
self-defence. Mr. Grange)1 has therefore been authorized, after every
attempt to secure their neutrality has failed, to embody them.
They should be engaged as far as possible against an enemy of their
own description.

From the New York Evening Post, 2d June, 1813.

Letter from an Officer at Buffalo, Dated Sept. 24th, 1812.

The Indian agent at Buffalo has been instructed by the Presi-
dent of the United States to accept the services of the savages of
the Six Nations and organize them. There will probably be within
a fortnight at Buffalo between two and four hundred Indian
warriors embodied and organized to the service of the United
States.

(From file in the New York Society Library. )

292

District General Orders.

Fort George, 25th September, 1812.
D. G. Orders.

Major Merritt will please to furnish daily an orderly dragoon
to be at the brigade major's office by 12 o'clock each day for the
transmission of orders, &c. Heads of departments, officers in com-
mand of corps, and others having letters on the public service to
forward to any part of the line betwixt this post and Fort Erie, and
to Amherstburg or Detroit, will send them to brigade major's office
any time before half-past eleven o'clock. Officers in command of
divisions and posts stationed along the line will avail themselves of
this orderly express to forward their communications to head-
quarters.

No. 2. — Until further orders, tattoo will beat at eight o'clock in
the evening.

By order,

Thomas Evans, Brigade Major.

General Orders.

Headquarters, Lewistox, 25th September, 1812.

The detachment of Lieut.-Col. Hopkins's regiment will be
stationed at Tonawanta and guard the passes on the river, and will
relieve the guards of Lieut.-Col. Swift's regiment now there. All
the supernumeraiy officers of Lieut.-Col. Hopkins's regiment will
be disbanded, and such only kept in service as are absolutely
necessary to officer this detachment agreeable to law.

General Hall will give orders accordingly. Captain Ellicott's
company of artillery will be stationed at the battery opposite Fort
Erie, to which place one eighteen-pounder is ordered.

Returns of the state of the troops, their arms and accoutre-
ments, will be made to the Major General once a week by General
Hall and the commanding officer of the United States troops at
Fort Niagara, and they are directed to have everything in readi-
ness for action at a moment's warning.

By order of Major General VanRensselaer.

Sol. VanRensselaer, Aid -de-Camp.

293
From the New York Statesman, 25th September, 1812.

INDIAN AUXILIARIES.

The Indian agent at Buffalo has been instructed by the Presi-
dent of the United States to accept the services of the warriors of
the Six Nations and to embody and organize them, and the writer
of the communication in the Canandaigua paper says it is believed
by all who are acquainted with the Indian character that the
inhabitants of the Niagara frontier will find greater safety (in this
auxiliary force of the natives of the woods) than in any other while
the hostile armies remain in the neighborhood, and he adds that
there will probably be within a fortnight at Buffalo between 3 and
400 Indian warriors embodied and organized in the service of the
United States.

(From file in the New York Society Library.)

Major General VanRensselaer to I,ieut. J. D. Elliott, U. S. N.

Headquarters, Lewiston, Sept. 25, 1812.

Sir, — I enclose you a copy of a letter I have this day sent to
Major General Hall, with my best wishes that success may crown
your enterprise.

(From Correspondence in relation to the capture of the British brigs Detroit and
Caledonia, p. 27.)

Major General VanRensselaer to Major General Hall.

Headquarters, Lewiston, Sept. 25, 1812.

Sir, — I have this moment received your letter of yesterday,
stating Lieut. Elliott has proposed to make an attempt to cut out
one of the vessels at Erie, and has requested your assistance by
men, &c, for the enterprize.

You will please to furnish Lieut. Elliott immediately with men,
arms, ammunition, boats, and implements of every kind, to the
uttermost of his wishes, and the means you can possibly command
to render the enterprize successful.

(From Correspondence in relation to the capture of the British brigs Detroit and
Caledonia, Philadelphia, 1843. p. 27.)

294
From the Aurora, of Philadelphia, 13th October, 1812.

Meadville, Sept. 25th, 1812.

The volunteer levies under the guidance of their respective
brigade orders were gathering in from the 21st to the 25th inst.
They were ordered to encamp in a line with the first, taking their
position as they arrived upon the left. Every day the line grew
rapidly. On the 24th they were organized into regiments and
battalions by the Adjutant-General. The rolls of those present
amount to about 1900. .......

This day the election is holding. General Tannehill has been
elected by four to one, brigadier-general of this detachment. The
colonels are Jared Irwin, William Piper, Samuel Purviance and
Jeremiah Snyder. The majors will be elected to-morrow. An
express has been sent for General Tannehill. The troops await his
coming. There has been grumbling and a few desertions. They
were sent after but not caught.

The question of crossing the line is sometimes agitated but
not determined otherwise than from the inference arising from the
large majority in favor General Tannehill. One party seems to be
in favor of it, the other against it. The former part}^ holds a very
large majority. Local relations and circumstances must finallj7
settle this point.

1st Rifle Regiment —

1st Battalion — 216 rank and file.

2d do.

240 do. do. do.

- 456

2nd Rifle Regiment—

1st Battalion-

-209 rank and file.

2d do.

209 do. do. do.

418

1st Regiment of Infantry —

1st Battalion-

-285 rank and file.

2d do.

231 do. do. do.

516.

2d Regiment of Infantry —

1st Battalion-

-240 rank and file.

2d do.

213 do. do. do.

453

295
Sir George Prevost to Major General Brock.

MONTREAL, September 25, 1812.

Sir, — It no longer appears by 3rour letter of the 13th that you
consider the enemy's operations on the Niagara frontier indicative
of active operations. If the Government of America inclines to
defensive measures, I can only ascribe the determination to two
causes : The first is the expectation of such overtures from us as
will lead to a suspension of hostilities, preparatory to negotiations
for peace : the other arises from having ascertained by experience
our ability in the Canadas to resist the attack of a tumultuary
force.

In consequence of your having weakened the line of communi-
cation between Cornwall and Kingston, a predatory warfare is
carrying on there, very prejudicial to the intercourse from hence
with Upper Canada. I have ordered a company of the Glengarry
to Prescott to strengthen Colonel Lethbridge, and under present
circumstances you are not to expect further aid.

I agree in opinion with you that so wretched is the organization
and discipline of the American army, that at this moment much
might be effected against them, but as the Government at home
could derive no substantial advantage from any disgrace we might
inflict on them whilst the more important concerns of the country
are committed in Europe, I again request that you will steadily
pursue that policy which shall appear to you to promote the
dwindling away of such a force by its own inefficient means.

I shall receive with much satisfaction Colonel Procter's report
of having saved the garrison of Fort Wayne from the inhuman fur}'
of the Indians. I am particularly anxious that that class of beings
should be restrained and controlled as much as possible whilst there
exists a pretence of implicating the national character in their
cruelties.

(From Tupper's Life of Brock, pp. 317-18.)

Major General Dearborn to Major General VanRensselaer.

Headquarters, Greenbush, Sept. 26th, 1812.

Major General VanRensselaer :

Sir, — Your letter of the 17th inst. was not received until this
morning. Although I had taken as early measures as circum-
stances admitted of for having your post strongly reinforced, I
have been disappointed as to the time of the actual arrival of the
different corps at their places of destination, and also in regard to

296

the transportation of military stores to your camp. A strange
fatality seems to have pervaded the whole arrangements. Ample
reinforcements of troops and supplies of stores are on their way,
but I fear their arrival will be tco late to enable you to maintain
your position. I had hoped from your former letter that the old
fort had been abandoned and the stores removed to a place of more
security. I fear it will, in the case of an attack from a superior
force, be a trap for the garrison that may be placed in it. If this
should reach you previous to the enemy's movement against you, I
must take the liberty of advising to such a concentration of your
force, and such arrangements for the safety of the principal mili-
tary stores, boats, &c, &c, as will enable you in the last resort to
risk no more than shall be absolutely necessary. 1 have requested
the Quartermaster-General to send on a Deputy-Quartermaster,
with funds and capacity for furnishing whatever may be necessary
in his line. By putting on the best face that your situation
admits, the enemy may be induced to delay an attack until you-
will be able to meet him and carry the war into Canada. At all
events, we must calculate on possessing Upper Canada before winter
sets in. Gen. Harrison will, I am assured, enter Canada by Detroit
with not less than from six to seven thousand men, exclusive of
the troops necessary for guarding the frontier against Indian depre-
dations. The force at Sackett's Harbor and that vicinity is over
two thousand, including an old company of regular artillery and a
large company of old riflemen. I have great confidence in the
exertions now in operation in the navy department on Lake
Ontario. In fact we have nothing to fear and much to hope as to
the ultimate success of measures now in operation with a view to
Upper Canada, but much may immediately depend on what may
happen at your post.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 59.)

General Orders.

Headquarters, Lewiston, September 27th, 1812.

Complaint having been made by the troops as to the quality
of the provisions issued by the commissary, Major John Beach of
the town of Lewiston, a disinterested person, is appointed on the
part of Major General VanRensselaer, and he together with a person
to be appointed by the commissary will, without delay, inspect the
quality of the provisions against which complaint has been made>
and report their opinion thereupon to the Major General.

By order of Major General Van Rensselaer.

Sol. VanRensselaer, Aid-de-Camp.

297
District General Orders.

Fort George, 27th September, 1812.
D. G. Orders.

The Major General having observed great deficiencies in the
ammunition issued generally to the troops and the militia, he
cannot too strongly impress on the minds of the officers in command
of divisions the necessity of explaining to the men under their
orders that, at a period like the present, a greater military offence
cannot be committed than a careless negligence or wilful waste of
any ammunition that may be delivered out to them for the use of
the public service.

No. 2. — Whenever cartridges may be injured by wet or other-
wise, the balls of such cartridges will be carefully preserved and
sent in, with an account of the number, to the ordnance storekeeper,
who will give a receipt for the same.

By order.

Thomas Evans,

Brigade-Major.

General Order.
Headquarters, Lewiston, September 27th, 1812.

A guard of one hundred men, under the command of a major,
with their tents and baggage, will be detached this day from Lieut.-
Col. Bloom's regiment to protect the boats in Gill Creek. Lieut.-
Col. Bloom will give orders accordingly, and will see that this
detachment is encamped at that place before sunset this evening.

By order of Major General VanRensselaer.

Sol. VanRensselaer, Aid-de-Camp.

Major General VanRensselaer to Major General Dearborn.

Headquarters, Lewiston, Sept. 27th, 1812.
Sir, — By Capt. Dox, who arrived in camp yesterday. I received
your letter of the 17th inst., and I can assure you it is consoling to
learn that I shall soon be partially relieved from that severe
suspense and solicitude which have for some weeks past been insepar-
ably connected with my situation. In the view of those important
interests which I considered to be at stake, it required much
deliberation to decide on the proper course to be pursued, and when
that course was determined (in the manner which I have before
stated to you) it required new efforts by night and day to dispose

298

my small force to meet events in such manner as to justify the
course adopted. But as yet I am satisfied of the correctness of the
decision, and although I have acquired nothing I have surrendered
nothing.

From the various accounts I have received we must, I think,
in a few days be able to act, at least on the defensive, with better
prospects.

Lieut.-Col. Boerstler has arrived, and by him I learn that three
regiments will soon arrive. But I am mortified to understand, by a
letter from Col. Winder, that the aggregate of the troops will be
but about 900 men, and that his regiment is entirely without cloth
clothing, which is indispensable for them in the field at this season.

The enemy continue their operations with great activity,
fortifying their camp at Fort George in every direction. Seven of
the 24-pounders taken at Detroit are there mounted, part on
travelling carriages.

Notwithstanding the most positive orders on both sides, we
are constantly troubled with the warfare of sentries. By their
firings across the river one man on each side has fallen within the
past week. It is next to impossible to keep our guards sufficiently
vigilant on their posts. I presume His Excellency Governor
Tompkins has shown you an extract of a letter which I lately
forwarded him, relative to the strength of the enemy in the rear of
Fort Erie. Captain Gibson has arrived. I presume Lieut. Elliott
of the navy has apprised you of his arrangements. The vessels has
escaped from Genesee River to Oswego. He is now with fifteen of
his men at Buffalo. More ordnance seems indispensable for our
future operations.

P. S. — As the post at Sackett's Harbor is within my command,
I take the liberty of suggesting for your consideration the pro-
priety of continuing so many troops — about sixteen hundred —
there. While the enemy hold command of the lake, Sackett's
Harbor is not a point from which a descent upon Canada can be
made. We are not to apprehend general invasion at every point,
and the village at that place is not of sufficient importance to the
force which guards it. I know of no consideration which ought to
claim more than a regiment of troops at that post, to man the
batteries and guard the harbor. In my opinion every consideration
connected with the general interest of the service dictates that part
of the troops at Sackett's Harbor should be ordered immediately to
this station.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative : Appendix, p. 56.)

299
Major General Brock to Sir George Prevost.

York, Upper Canada, September 28, 1812.

Sir, — I have been honored with Your Excellency's despatch,
dated the 14th instant. I shall suspend under the latitude left by
Your Excellency to my discretion, the evacuation of Fort Detroit.
Such a measure would most probably be followed by the total
extinction of the population on that side of the river, or the Indians,
aware of our weakness and inability to cany on active warfare,
would only think of entering into terms with the enemy. The
Indians since the Miami affair in 1793 have been extremely
suspicious of our conduct, but the violent wrongs committed by
the Americans on their territory have rendered it an act of policy
with them to disguise their sentiments. Could they be persuaded
that a peace between the belligerents would take place without
admitting their claim to an extensive tract of country, fraudulently
usurped from them, and opposing a frontier to the present unbounded
views of the Americans, I am satisfied in my own mind that they
would immediately compromise with the enemy. I cannot conceive
a connexion so likely to lead to more awful consequences.

If we can maintain ourselves at Niagara and keep the com-
munication to Montreal open, the Americans can only subdue the
Indians by craft, which we ought to be prepared to see exerted to
the utmost. The enmity of the Indians is now at its height, and
it will require much management and large bribes to effect a change
in their policy, but the moment they are convinced we either want
the means to prosecute the war with spirit or are negociating a
separate peace, they will begin to study in what manner they can
effectually deceive us.

Should negociations for peace be opened, I cannot be too earnest
with Your Excellency to represent to the King's ministers the
expediency of including the Indians as allies, and not leave them
exposed to the unrelenting fury of their enemies.

The enem}' has evidentl}' assumed defensive measures along
the Niagara. His force, I apprehend, is not equal to attempt (with
any probability of success) an expedition across the river. It is,
however, currently reported that large reinforcements are on their
march. Should they arrive, an attack cannot be long dela3Ted.
The approach of the rainy season will increase the sickness with
which the troops are affected. Those under my command are in
perfect health and spirits.

I beg leave to represent to Your Excellency the great want of
bedding for the militia. I have received strong representations
from Colonel Vincent on the subject. He reports that several men

300

have retired home in consequence. He has been instructed to
apply (in order to save time) direct to headquarters, where he is
sure to receive such relief as circumstances will admit.

A supply for this district would likewise prove very acceptable.

I have the honor to transmit the purport of a confidential
communication received in my absence by Brigade-Major Evans
from Colonel Van Rensselaer. As Your Excellency's instructions
agree with the line of conduct he is anxious I should follow, noth-
ing of a hostile nature shall be attempted under existing circum-
stances.

I Canadian Archives, C. 677, p. 94.)

Brigadier-General Alexander Smyth to Major General Van-
Rensselaer.

Buffalo, 29th September, 1812.
Sir, — I have been ordered by Major General Dearborn to take
command of a brigade of the U. S. troops, and directed on my arrival
in the vicinity of your quarters to report myself to you, which I
now do. I intended to have reported myself personally, but the
conclusions I have drawn as to the interests of the service have
determined me to stop at this place for the present. From the
description I have had of the river below the falls, the view of the
shore below Fort Erie and the information received as to the pre-
parations of the enemy, I am of opinion that our crossing should be
effected between Fort Erie and Chippawa. It has therefore seemed
to me proper to encamp the U. S. troops near Buffalo, there to
prepare for offensive operations. Your instructions or better infor-
mation may decide you to give me different orders, which I will
await.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 07.)

District General Orders.

Fort George, 29th September, 1812.
1). G. Orders.

Until further orders the Grand Rounds will go their rounds
betwixt the hours of ten and two o'clock, and the Visiting Rounds
betwixt two and five o'clock in the morning.

By order.

Thos. Evans,

Brigade-Major.

301
From the "Buffalo Gazette," Tuesday, September 29th, 1812.

BRITISH NAVAL MOVEMENT.

On Thursday evening last the British squadron lying at Fort
Erie, consisting of the Queen Charlotte, Adams, Hunter, and two
small vessels, suddenly hoisted sail and made up the lake under press
of sail. The object or destination of the squadron are unknown.

Since the departure of the squadron, an armed vessel has been
discovered lying under Point Abino.

BRITISH FORCES ON THIS LINE.

Since the conclusion of the armistice, the British forces have
been constantly increased. It is almost impossible for us to con-
jecture the amount or quality of this force, but the knowing ones
guess that including regulars, militia, and Indians, their forces will
amount to nearly 4,000 men that could be marched to one point
within 24 hours. This includes the frontier from Point Abino on
Lake Erie to Little York on Lake Ontario. Though the length of
the coast must be more than 150 miles, yet the British, having com-
plete, undisturbed possession of the lakes, the}' move their armies
with astonishing rapidity.

AFFAIRS OF OUR FRONTIERS.

On Wednesday evening last arrived in this village Captain
Gibson with half a company of flying artillery, consisting of two
6-pounders and two caissons (ammunition wagons). This morning
he took up his line of march for Fort Niagara, where lie will join
Lieut. Branch with the other half of his compan}' in the rear of
which garrison, we understand, this company is to be stationed.

On Saturday, the 14th United States Regiment of Infantry,
under the command of Colonel Win. H. Wynder, arrived and
encamped in the village. They will, we understand, soon march
for Lewiston. This regiment is composed of tine healthy young
men, 337 in number. It is to be lamented that the number is so
few and that the men have not yet received their winter clothing,
as they come from the southward and are not accustomed to our
climate.

On Sunday General Alexander Smyth, Inspector General of
the army of the United States, and suite arrived at this place. We
understand that General Smyth will take the command of the
United States troops which, with the late reinforcement, will
amount to more than 1,000 regular troops. This force together
with the volunteers and detached militia will secure the country
from invasion, to say the least. More troops are daily expected.

302

We are informed that Colonel Milton with the 5th United
States Regiment will be in town this week. Colonel Schuyler with
the 13th United States Regiment will also be on here within 10 or
12 days.

Two thousand Pennsylvania volunteers from Meadville are
expected here in the course of a week.

On Thursday night last, Lewis Nyles, a centinel from Lieut. -
Colonel Hopkins's regiment, posted near Field's tavern on the
Niagara River, about 17 miles below this place, was shot dead on
his post by some person, who, being hailed by the centinel, replied
that he had not got the countersign but a written pass, which he
would show him. On being permitted to approach to the point of
the bayonet, he drew a pistol and shot the centinel and made his
escape. The report of the pistol and the cries of the centinel, gave
an immediate alarm, and it was thought the person made his escape
across the river to Grand Island, as a boat was soon after heard
upon the river.

We are informed that an accident occurred some time last week
at the camp at Five-Mile Meadow. Some dispute arose between
two of Captain Gibson's men of the flying artillery, the particulars
we have not obtained, but are informed from a correct source that
it terminated in the death of one of the men from a blow from the
other by a piece of a broken tent pole or some similar weapon.

About 140 young warriors of the Seneca Nation from Allegany
River arrived in town last week, and are encamped near the village.
More are expected from different parts. Several conferences and
councils have lately been held with the chiefs. They voluntarily
ottered to take up arms for defensive purposes. Yesterday they
performed a WAR DANCE in the streets of this village.

From the "Repository" of Canandaigua, N. Y., 29th September,

1812.

Within the last few days the following forces have passed
through this village for the Niagara frontier : —

Colonel Mead's regiment of militia from Chenango, Tioga, and
Broome Counties, about 500 men.

Colonel Stranahan's regiment from Otsego, 500 militia.

Colonel Milton (from Virginia) with a regiment of United
States troops, about 400.

A body of flying artillery, 140, with 4 pieces of cannon, am-
munition wagons, &c.

Two companies of artillery.

Captain Ireland's rifle corps from Seneca County.

303

Another regiment of United States troops, the 13th, left Green-
bush on the 18th instant, and may be expected along here in a few
days.

Besides the above, several detachments are moving from this
county, among them Captain Hart's artillery company of this town,
Major Granger's battalion of riflemen, three troops of horse.

Captain Hill's company of light infantry of Bristol mustered
yesterday, completely armed and equipped.

The above forces were accompanied with trains of wagons
loaded with tents, camp equipage, Szc. From what we can learn,
there will in a short time be 8 or 10,000 men on the Niagara.

(File in the Wood Library, Canandaigua, N. Y.)

Speech by the Deputies of the Indians.

EXTRACT FROM THE SPEECH OF THE DEPUTIES OF THE ONEIDA, ONON-
DAGA, STOCKBRIDGE, TUSCARORA, AND SENECA INDIANS, AS FAR
WEST AS TONAWANDA, IN COUNCIL AT ONONDAGA, ON THE
ANCIENT COUNCIL GROUND OF THE SIX NATIONS,
SEPTEMBER 29TH, 1812.

Having been told repeatedly by your agents to remain neutral,
we were very much surprised and disappointed at the council held
at Buffalo Creek at being invited to take up the tomahawk. We
are not unfriendly to the United States, but are few in number and
can do but little, but are willing to do what we can, and if you
want us say so, and we will go witli your people to battle. We are
anxious to know your wishes as soon as possible, because we are
afraid some of our young men may disperse among distant tribes
and be hostile to you.

Signed by Canastota and fifteen other chiefs, and attested by
Jasper Hopper, Thaddeus Patchin, and Pulaski King.

(MSS. in Third Auditors Office, Washington, D. C.)

Jasper Hopper, Thaddeus Patchin, Pulaski King, John C. Conkey,
John Adams, and Joel Phillips to Governor Tompkins.

Sept. (29?), 1812.
They recommend Ephraim Webster as a suitable man to com-
mand Indians, if the Government should think proper to call them
into service.

(MSS. in the Third Auditor's Office. Washington. D. C.)

304
District General Order.

Fort George, 30th September, 1812.
D. G. Order.

A subaltern and 40 privates, with a due proportion of non-
commissioned officers, will march this day (immediately after the
men have dined) for Chippawa. On the arrival of this detach-
ment at Chippawa, Captain Bullock will detach one subaltern, 2
sergeants, and forty .rank and file of the 41st to Miller's, where
they will receive their further orders from Major General Shaw.
The Deputy-Quartermaster-General will be pleased to furnish the
necessary conveyance for the baggage of this detachment.
By order.

Thos. Evans, Brigade-Major.

General Orders.
Headquarters, Lewiston, 30th Sept., 1812.

The order, whereof a copy is annexed, from the Commander-in-
Chief of the United States army was received yesterday. All those
interested are to govern themselves accordingly.

The Quartermaster-General will purchase twenty horses and

yoke of cattle for the ordnance department, with yokes,

chains, &c, complete, and furnish the necessary forage for the
horses and oxen. The Quartermaster-General will make a return
of the number of private boats he can procure for the transportation
of troops, cannon, horses and stores.

The Major General regrets that he is again compelled to
remind the Quartermaster-General of the want of forage for the
light artillery and dragoon horses, and directs that it shall be fur-
nished without delay, and in future regularly.

Those light infantry companies which have already or may
hereafter arrive, excepting Capt. Dox's company, will take posses-
sion of the first cantonment below Lewiston, and will be subject to
the orders of Major Thomas Lee, who is directed to take charge of
them until further orders. The rifle company now there will take
post at the old ferry above Lewiston. Major Moseley of the rifle
corps will take command of the rifle companies which are now in
camp or may hereafter arrive, until further orders.

By order of Major General VanRensselaer.

Sol. VanRensselaer, Aid-de-Camp.

305
Major General VanRensselaer to Brigadier-General Smyth.

Headquarters, Lewiston,

30th September, 1812.

Sir. — On my return this moment from Niagara, I received
your letter of yesterday advising me of your arrival at Buffalo, and
the encampment there of the United States troops, in consequence
of the conclusions you have drawn that offensive operations
against Upper Canada ought to be attempted between Fort Erie
and Chippawa. Nothing could be more unpleasant to me than a
difference of opinion as to the place of commencing those operations
in which our own characters, the fate of the army, and the deepest
interests of our country are concerned. But however willing I may
be as a citizen soldier to surrender my opinion to a professional one,
I can only make such surrender to an opinion deliberately formed
upon a view of the whole ground.

It would have been highly gratifying to me could I have had
a seasonable opportunity to avail myself of the opinions of the
officers of the United States troops as to the time, place, and com-
petent force for the contemplated descent. But as the season for
operations was far advanced, and as the counsel I wished was not
at command, it has been the task of m}7 own judgment, guided by
the best attainable information, to designate the places for our oper-
ations. This I had some time ago decided, and although on account
of my small force I have been obliged to bestow much labor on
measures calculated for defence in case of an attack, still have I
urged as fast as possible other local preparations connected with
that mode of descent on which I had determined. My judgment
ma}7 have deceived me, but I shall certainly stand acquitted of a
hasty decision. For many years I have had a general knowledge
of the banks of Niagara River, and of the adjacent country on the
Canada shore. I have now attentively explored the American side
with the view of military operations, combining at the same time
a great variety of circumstances and considerations intimately con-
nected in my opinion with our object. So various are the opinions,
and such the influence of personal and local interests in this vicinity,
that many circumstances are to be carefully balanced before any
correct conclusions can be drawn. My decision has been made with
due regard to all these things, and to the important consequences
connected* with it. All my past measures have been calculated for
one point, and I now only wait for a competent force. As the
season of the year and every consideration urges me to act with
promptness, I cannot hastily listen to a change of position neces-
sarily connected with a new system of measures and the very great

306

inconvenience of the troops. I will not say that no considerations
shall induce me to change my plans of operation, but to this I
cannot yield without very weighty reasons; conclusions drawn at
least from an attentive examination of the Niagara River, and
all other circumstances connected with a successful result of the
campaign.

I hope soon to have the pleasure of seeing you here, and per-
haps, after conference and thorough examination of the river and
country, your opinion and mine as to the plans of operations may
coincide. I trust we are both open to conviction, and we have but
one object — the best interest of the service.

(From S. VanRensselaer's Narrative: Appendix, p. 68.)

From the National Intelligencer of Washington, D. C, 15th
October, 1812.

Onondaga Valley, Sept. 30, 1812.
Colonel Stranahan passed through this village on Wednesday
week (23d September) at the head of 600 tine volunteers, and was
joined here with about 500 drafted militia from Cortlandt, Broome,
and Chenango Counties. On Thursday Colonel Milton, from
Virginia, passed here with 500 regulars. Friday two companies of
artillery passed by here with four field pieces, from Baltimore and
Philadelphia. On Sunday 1.000 regulars arrived here, pitched
their tents and tarried till Tuesday morning, when they again com-
menced their march in high spirits. Tuesday morning a volunteer
company of light infantry passed by here from Cherry Valley.
They made a very handsome appearance. The whole number of
regular troops and militia that have gone through here within a
week is not far from 3,000. There were 60 men in Colonel Stran-
ahan's regiment from Otsego County (who volunteered themselves)
that were upwards of 50 years of age, and have once seen war.
It is reported here that 1,500 Indians have embodied on this side of
Utica and will march on the frontiers in a few days and join the
American army.

Lynx.

(From tile in the New York Society Library.)

ijstjdieix:.

■A. Page.

Acadians ™

Adams, brig of war 987 301

Adams, John ~ ' 303

Adams, Major 95 97

Albany. .32, 33, 42, 48, 54, 67, 63, 69, 70, 71, 73, 80," 81,' 83, 84,' 87,' 88, 90 ' 93 119

125, 130, 141, 164, 166, 172, 177, 183, 189, 199, 210, 217, 237 241 246

247, 249, 250, 255.

Alexander, Hugh 69 178 182

Alexander, James 9()q

Alexander, Joseph 213 241 288

Allan Major \" .,...'.'. .'. " ' "• ' 949

Alleghany River 187 302

Allen Captain. ' ocq

Allen, Lieut.-Colonel Peter '..'.'.'.'..'.'..'.'.'.'..'.' .'./.'. .75," W, 102,' 175

Alters, David 009

Amand, John .......... ..'.". 208

Amelia, merchant vessel 122

Amherst, Lord \[ 2(3

Amherst burg. . . .20, 21, 22. 23, 28, 29, 40, 41," 43, 59,' 62^ 65, 94,'98J 124 133 146

149, 152, 154, 155, 158, 160, 162, 163, 174, 180, 185, 186, 188,' 204,'

22o, 226, 242, 249, 259, 260, 273, 277, 290, 292.

Archives, Canadian. . . .20, 21, 25, 38, 44, 50, 51, 53, 54, 60, 62, 66, 67 6S 73 74

95, 130, 134, 138, 146, 149, 153, 154, 163, 18(5, 201, 202, 216'

243, 25S, 259, 278, 290, 300. '

Archives, Pennsylvania 207, 208, 210, 211, 212, 256 269

Armstrong, Major General John 99 34 954

Artillery, United States Light 267, 269, 271,' 273

Assemblv, House of. oq

Ittica, NY ... 9g0

A.t\vat&r, Judge. . 266

Atwater, Major -~67

Auburn, N. Y

280

Aurelius, N. Y ..... 280

Austin, Calvin 157

Baby, Hon. James. 40, 143, 162, 188, 189

Uauajoz 65

Baker, Anthony ' \^\\\\\\\\\'.'.'.'.\'.Y.\\ 160, 181, 226

Baker, Arthur 227

Baker, Captain 231

Eaksi. Judge .. m.Vii

Baldwin, Captain 229

Baltimore «j

Baltimore, Federal Republican '.".' '.' 131 289

Barclay, Consul General Thomas 60 67 84

Barker, Samuel A ' ' '42

Barrackman Jahn >08

Barton, Benjamin '.'.'. 55, '56,' 71," 77,'80,' 127, 173, 288

Barwis, Lieut -xj

Bascom, Mr oo~

Batavia. >l \ ... 4s 0Q, 60 88. 89 93. 111. 17C, 280

Batavia Arsenal 71 75

gat hurst , Earl .. . '.'.'.'...'.'.'.'. 100^ 257, 260, 289

Battersby, Lieut. -Col. F ' 61

B— Continued. Page.

Baynes, Colonel E., Adjutant-General. .38, 45, 60, 64, 65, 74, 99, 114, 149, 152,

157, 160, 167, 169, 172, 189, 201, 215,
226, 249, 261.

Beach, Major John 296

Beal, Colonel 147

Beard, Mr 121, 122, 219, 220

Beasley, Colonel R 212

Beaver County, Pa 269

Bee, The, a Niagara Newspaper 213

Beebe, E 259

Bellinger, Lieut.-Colonel 125

Bemis, Mr 262

Bender, Lieut 251

Benedict, Colonel 142

Benton, N. Y 75

Bermuda 129

Biddulph, Ensign 261

Black River 47,49,59

Black Rock. 61, 62, 69, 71, 77, 79, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 94, 96, 101, 104, 117, 122,
127, 129, 134, 135, 140, 141, 150, 151, 164, 165, 166, 167, 173, 175.
176, 177, 188, 190, 192, 193, 202, 203, 205, 218, 222, 225. 227, 230,
242, 258, 266, 267, 277, 289, 303.

Blankowitz, Captain Charles 261

Bloodgood, Senator , . 42

Bloom, Captaiu A 280

Bloom, Lieut.-Col. Henry. . .75, 175, 177, 183, 191, 230, 242, 245, 246, 254, 271,
297.

Bloomfield, N. Y 74, 78, 79, 96

Bloomtield, Brig.-Gen 231

Blue, Isaac 208

Boerstler, Lieut.-Col. C. G 298

Bogert, Captain .*. 104

Boileau, Adjt.-Gen. N. B 207,210,256

Bonaparte : 50, 64

Bonney, Mrs. C. V. R., Historical Gleanings. .179, 184, 199, 215, 220, 221, 231,

238, 242, 245, 253, 255, 268, 271,
279, 289.

Boston, Mass 31, 81, 184, 290

Boston, Independent Chronicle 114

Boughton, Lieut.-Col 279

Boughton, Sergeant 150

Branch. Lieut 229, 301

Brickie, Abraham 209

Brink, Aaron 151,190

Bristol, N. Y 280

Bristol, Captain 267

Brock, Major General Isaac .21, 25, 26, 28, 36, 37, 38, 41, 43, 44, 45, 50. 51, 53,
56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 64, 65, 66, 74, 77, 84, 86, 92, 93,
97, 99, 100, 101, 104, 113, 114, 115, 119, 120, 122,
126, 128, 129, 130, 132, 138, 142, 143, 144, 147,
148, 149, 151, 152, 154, 157, 159, 160, 161, 162,
164, 165, 167, 170, 171, 172, 175, 179, 181, 184,
185, 1S6, 187, 188, 190, 200, 201, 202, 212, 213,
216, 221, 223, 225. 227, 228, 233, 236, 249, 250,
257, 258, 259, 261), 264, 265, 268, 269, 271, 273,
274, 276, 278, 279, 283, 2S5, 286, 289, 291, 295,
299.

111.

B — Continued. Page.

Brock, James 234

Brock, Savery 27S

Brooks, Ensign 240

Brooks, Colonel 254

Broome County, N. Y 302

Brown, Captain 280

Brown, Doctor 218, 227, 263

Brown, Brig.-Gen. Jacob 142, 229, 248

Brownstown, Mich.. 157, 166, 175, 184

Brown's Point 284

Brnyeres, Lieut. -Col. R. E. 155, 159

Bryson, Alexander 259

Buchanan, David 209

Buckhorn Island 204, 215, 216

Buffalo. 24, 31, 55, 78, 80, 86, 93, 105, 116, 122, 126, 128, 136, 150, 166, 175, 176,
178, 182, 187, 191, 193, 202, 203, 204, 206, 213, 214, 215, 237, 241. 242,
244, 254, 255, 256, 262, 263, 267, 278, 280, 291, 293, 298, 300.

Buffalo Creek 62, 86, 170, 231, 232, 267

Buffalo Gazette. . .42, 46, 54, 60, 63, 66, 68, 134, 150, 164, 170, 190, 205, 231, 246,
267, 287, 301.

Buffalo Public Library 56, 59, 60, 63, 66, 267

Bullock, Captain. 77, 91, 283, 301

Bullock, Lieutenant 204, 283

Burk, Priest 44

Burnet, Colonel 48

Burnet, Brig.-General 75, 89

Burns, Colonel 147

Bushy Park, N. Y 258

Butler County, Pa 269

Butler, Lieut. -Col 92

Caldwell, Fraser, & Co 84

Caldwell, Colonel Wm 188

Caledonia, N. Y 75

Caledonia, merchant brig 293

Cambo, transport 129

Camp, Captain 229, 263

Campbell, Fort Major. . 132

Campbell, Judge 251

Canada, Lower 6, 34, 39

Canada, Upper 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 34, 46, 52, 53, 60, 63, 65, 66

Canadaway 122,170

Canadians, French 34

Canan, Moses 209

Canandaigua, N. Y..48, 70, 75, 78, 79, 80, 81, 83, 84, 87, 88, 89, 104, 105, 106,
109, 112, 141, 173, 176, 231, 256, 280, 293.

Canastota 303

Carleton Island 38, 129

Cart wright, Colonel R 25, 38

Castlereagh, Lord 53

Cattaraugus County, N. Y 93, 1 70

Cato, N. Y 2so

Cayahoga, Ohio 122, 126, 175, 219

Cavahoga Packet 122

Cayuga 183

Cayuga Bridge 252.200

C— Continued. Page.

Cayuga County, N. Y 75, 175, 246, 280

Cayuga Indians 105, 108, 109, 111, 262

Cayuga Rangers 280

Cavalry, Provincial 76

Cazenovia, N. Y 49

Chambers, Captain P. L 91, 139, 145, 149, 180, 204

Champlain, Lake 33, 34, 54, 59, 81, 119, 181, 244

Chapin, Dr. Cyrenius 122, 134, 227

( harlesbourg, P. Q 249

Charleston, S. C 31

Chasey, Ensign 203

Chauncey, Captain Isaac 237, 247, 280, 286

Chautauqua, N. Y 187

Chautauqua County, N. Y 93, 114, 170, 186, 22S

Chenango County, N. Y 302

Cherry Valley, N. Y 256

Chewitt, Lieut.-Col. Win 240

Chicago, 111 54, 60, 267, 272

Chigkaga 253

Chipman, Dr. Daniel 218

Chippawa, Fort and Village of .19, 42, 62, 67, 77, 91, 92, 95, 127, 132, 140, 143,
161, 190, 283, 300, 304.

Chippawa River 19

Chippawa, schooner 135

Clarence, N. Y 75

Clark, Elijah 150, 151, 170, 190

Clark, Lieut, and Adjt. John 77, 85

Clark, Lieut.-Col. Thomas 76, 84, 92, 95, 138

Clans, Lieut.-Col. Wm 58, 76, 92, 130, 131, 286

Cleveland, Ohio 31, 122, 272

Cleveland, Lieut.-Col. Erastus 69

Clinton County, N. Y 81,83

Clinton, Mr 54

Clinton, De Witt 84

Clinton, General D 225

Coffin, Dy.-Asst.-Comy.-Gen 144

Coffin, Mr 126

Cognawago Indians . . 81

Colt, Peter 78, 86, 87, 104

Coltrin, Dr. Asa 135, 246

Commencement, sloop 78, 86

Compston, Captain. 280

Congress of the United States 21, 26

Conkey, John C. 303

Connor, Samuel S 171

Constitution, frigate 2:33, 239

Contractor, schooner 90, 122, 126

Coore, Captain 34, 228

Cork 73

Cornwall 113,121,295

Cornplanter 167

Corp, Samuel 84

Cortlandt County, N. Y 47, 49, 217

Cotton, Major, King's Regt 250

Cotton, Surgeon Walter 242

Couche, Dy.-Comv.-Gen. Edward 94, 143, 146, 154

Craig, Lieut.-Gen. Sir James 19, 21, 27, 41, 45, 61

C— Continued. Page.

Crawford County, Pa 269

Crawford, Lewis 153

Cummings, James 67, 77, 131, 143

Curzon, Mrs. Sarah 186

Cuyler, Major Win. Howe 150, 220, 267

Daley, Martin 185

Davis, Lieut.-Col. 103

Dearborn, Major General Henry. . .53, 81, 83, 119, 130, 147, 156, 159, 160, 161,
164, 167, 169, 170, 171, 172, 178, 181, 183, 184, 185, 188, 189,
190, 192, 198, 199, 201, 203, 204, 205, 206, 210, 211, 215, 216,
218, 226, 227, 229, 230, 231, 232, 235, 230, 237, 23S, 243, 244,
248, 250, 252, 251, 250. 259, 260, 2IS4, 266, 267, 2(59, 270, 272,
273, 275, 270, 285, 286, 2S7, 289, 200, 291, 292, 205, 296, 297,
298, 299, 300.

Delaware 144

Delaware Indians 105, 262

Denison, Captain 240

Derenzy, Captain 91

DeRottenburg, Major General 114, 121

Detroit, Mich. .22, 23, 28, 31, 38, 40, 44, 50, 51, 54, 61, 68, 93, 121, 122, 126, 128,
133, 147, 157, 163, 164, 166, 171, 175, 181, 186, 192, 194, 190, 200,
204, 212, 213, 216, 218, 220, 223, 224, 225, 220, 228, 231, 232, 233,
236,243, 248, 249, 250, 259, 265.

Detroit, ship of war 251, 293

Dewar, Lieut 20,31

Dickson, Thomas 55, 56, 146, 153, 184, 102, 194

Dixon, Captain M., R. E 155, ISO

Dobbin. Lieut.-Col. Hugh 75, 89, 102, 139, 175

Dodge, Brig.-General 205, 231, 248

Dogherty, Captain 188, 218

Donaldson, Captain John 208

Dougherty, Captain Robert 209

Douglas's house ... 150

Dox, Captain Abraham 89, 104, 139, 175, 183, 297, 304

Dragoons, 6th 261

Draper, Luke 135

Duke of Gloucester, ship of war . . 201

Dundas Militia 113, 121

Dyson, Captain Samuel T 269, 271, 273, 274

Earle, Captain 29, 37

Earl of Moira, ship of war 29, 35, 36, 37, 94, 179, 185

Eastman, Lieut. John 267

Eighteen-Mile Creek, Lake Erie 287

Eighteen-Mile Creek, Lake Ontario 253, 266

Ellice, Colonel 40

Ellicott, Captain 280, 202

Elliott, Lieut. Jesse D 280, 286, 287, 293, 298

Elliott, Lieut. -Colonel Matthew 38,40,179,181,188,272

Ellis, Brig.-General 47, 49, 69

Ellis, Major 261

Elmira, N. Y 75

Endicott, Lieut 240

Erie, Pa 31,126,287,293

E— Continued. Page,

Erie County, Pa 269

Erie, Lake. 19, 27, 31, 37, 53, 87, 96, 115, 129, 170, 171, 174, 187, 190, 193, 236,
247, 268, 280, 281, 301.

Essex County, N. Y 81, 83

Essex. U. S. Frigate 161, 249

Eustis, Hon. Win . .29, 54, 68, SO, 211

Everts, Major Aranthus 75

Evans, Major Septimus 190

Evans, Major Thomas .61, 92, 115, 121, 124, 125, 131, 132, 159, 185, 191, 197,
199, 201, 214, 279, 284, 285, 286, 292, 297, 300, 304.

Falkland, pseudonym for Col. R. Cartwright 38

Fairbanks, Joshua 55, 56

Fanning, John 42

Fayette, N. Y 280

Federal Republican newspaper.. 85

Fen wick, Lieut.-Col. John R.. 198, 206, 230, 231, 233, 235, 237, 238, 239, 241,
245, 246, 248, 251, 252, 254, 255, 264, 265, 267,
279, 282, 288.

Field, Lieut. James 261

Field's Tavern 302

Fint, John „ 209

Fish, Capt 29

FitzGibbon, Mr : 153

Five-Mile Meadows 175, 302

Fleming, Lieut.-Col. George 49, 69, 125, 191, 229, 242

Fleming, Mr 132

Fort Dearborn 253, 267

Fort Erie. . .19, 20, 23, 24, 33, 52, 61, 69, 70, 71, 78, 86, 91, 118, 123, 127, 128, 135,
140, 150, 165, 174, 176, 185, 190, 193, 198, 204, 223, 227, 230, 231, 232,
251, 267, 268, 270, 273, 287, 292, 298, 300, 301.
Fort George. .19, 20. 22, 23, 24, 35, 57, 62, 72, 84, 91, 93, 94, 96, 98, 103, 115, 121,
122, 124, 125, 126, 128, 129, 131, 132, 135, 138, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144,
147, 152, 15S, 166, 167, 174, 179, 183, 184, 185, 189, 190, 191, 192, 198,
200, 23(5, 237, 238, 239, 241, 242, 244, 251, 253, 254, 257, 258, 259, 260,
265, 268, 269, 270, 271, 274, 276, 278, 283, 284, 285, 286, 288, 289, 291,
292, 297, 29S, 300, 304.

Fort Schlosser 62

Fort Wavne 44, 203, 220, 250, 251, 253, 272, 277, 295

Forsyth, Richardson & Co 73, 74

Foster, Augustus J 34, 53, 59, 64. 65, 78, 84, 88, 94, 113, 160, 226

Foster, Thomas 209

Four-Mile Creek 203, 235, 238, 265

Four-Mile Point 76, 190

Franklin County, N. Y 81,83,160

Fraser, Colonel 40

Freer, Captain Noah 41, 58

Fulton, Captain 236,243,260

Fuller, Major 35, 36

Gallatin, Albert 273

Gansevoort, General 81

Gansevoort, Lieut 70, 87, 104, 267

Ganson, Major 49, 75

Garrison Battalion, 6th 261

G— Continued. Page.

Gaston, John 208

Gates, Mr 288

Gaylord, Major 280

Genesee, N. Y 101, 280

Genesee County, N. Y 48, 49, 70, 71, 75, 78, 101, 102, 103, 104, 111, 280

Genesee Falls 281, 282

Genesee River 79, 80, 88, 224, 252, 266, 281, 286, 287, 298

Geneseo, N. Y 77

Genoa, N. Y 280

Geneva, N. Y 75,87,89,90,105,139

Gibson, Captain 248, 298, 301, 302

Gibson, Hugh 209

Gilkinson, Captain 29, 4U

Giles, Aquila 42

Grill Creek 297

Givins, Captain James 180, 251

Glasgow, Major General George, R. A 20

Gleaner, Ketch 160

Glegg. Major J. B 56, 85, 138, 161, 165, 167, 171. 180, 181

Glengarry Light Infantry 61, 100, 121, 258, 261 1

Glengarry, County of 24, 38, 39, Hi, -IX

Glengarry Emigrants '. 100, 2(50

Gordon, Major 131

Gore, Lieut.-Gov 21, 27, 39, 42

Grandin, Mr 122

Grand Island 116,140,150,165,185,261,302

Grand River 29, 61, 74, 94. 112, 129, 145, 162

Granger, Erastus 66, 105, 109, 1 11, 156, 165, 262, 291

Granger, Major * 280, 303

Grant, Commodore Alexander 29, 37. 162

Grant, Lieut. -Col., 41st Regt 21

Grant, Robert 55, 56

Gravelly Point 63, 68, 99

( J ';i v. Captain A 35, 38, 39, 40. 228

Gray, Inspector-General Nicholas 139, 173, 193, 240, 211

Greenbush, N. Y 33, 156, 161, 169, 198, 205, 210, 215, 230, 231, 232, 243. 250,

256, 259, 276, 295, 303.

Greeley, Aaron 287

Grimoard's book on the General Staff 32

Guerriere, frigate 233

Hale, Mr 122

Halifax, N. S 130, 160, 161, 228

Hall, Major General Amos. . .47, 48, 68, 70, 78, 79, 88, 89, 90, 93, 104, 122, 111.
150, 151, 152, 169, 178, 182, 193, 242, 266, 292, 293

Hall, ('apt. Elias 203

Hall, Lieut 29,37

Hamburg, N. Y 63

Hamilton, N. Y !>!>

Hamilton, Captain 2Jn

Hardison, Captain Benjamin 69, 150

Harper, Michael .' 208

Harrisbnrg, Pa 206, 210, 211, 256, 200

Harrison, Major Gen. W. H 220. 2S.-). 2!>0

Hait, Captahi 101. 280, 303

Hart, Mr ... si

Vlll.

H — Continued. Page.

Harvey, Major John 261

Hatt, Captain 92

Heathcote, Major 98, 167, 249

Hector, N. Y . .' 75

Henry, John 50

Herefordshire Militia 261

Hewit, Lieut 219

Highland Settlements .60

Hill, Captain 280,303

Hillebert, Captain Ebenezer 280

Himrod, General 75

Hobart, Lord 19

Holcroft, Captain Wm 98, 243

Holland Land Company 108

Honeoye, N. Y 75

Home District 212

Hoops, Major Adam 127

Hopkins, Brig.-Gen 75, 87, 89, 96, 242, 266, 267

Hopkins, Colonel 186, 292, 302

Hopper, Jasper 303

Horn, Tice 267

Hornet, Sloop of War 64

Hosmer, George 76, 150

Hotham, Captain 158

Hull, Brig.-Gen. Wm . . . 54, 132, 133, 145, 147, 155, 159, 160, 161, 164, 166, 167,
168, 169, 170, 172. 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 181, 184. 1S5,
187, 189, 190, 192, 193, 194, 197, 199, 201, 203, 205, 213,
214, 215, 216, 218, 219, 220, 221, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227,
228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 238, 239, 241, 245, 246, 249, 250,
254, 267, 268, 2S5, 290.

Hull, Captain 87,233,239

Hunter, Major General Martin 19

Hunter, General, Ship of War 29, 128, 133, 135, 151, 165, 251, 301

Hurd, General 49

Huron, Michigan 122, 126

Huron, Lake 23

Ireland, Captain 280, 302

Irwin, Calender 207

Irwin, Jared 208, 294

Isle Aux Noix 250

Jacks, Captain 280

Jamaica Fleet 90

Jarvis, Ensign 210

Jarvis, William 101

Jennings, Captain 202, 227, 229

Johnson, Captain 86

Johnson, Mr 227

Johnson, Lieut 280

Johnston, Lieut 153

Jones, Mr 66

Junius, N. Y 75,280

' ,

IX.

K. Page.

Keler, General 253

Keller, Jasper 209

Kellogg, Captain 267

Kempt, General Sir James 65

Kendrick, Lieut 240

Kentucky 28, 147, 197

Kerr, Lieut 153

Kerby, James 55, 56

Keyes, Brigade-Major Julius 75, 140

King, Captain, R. A 36

King, Major General 47, 50

King, Pulaski 303

King's House 26

King's Regiment 250

Kingston ... .20, 24, 25, 29, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 46, 53, 54, 57, 62, 65, 94, 95,
98, 113, 114, 115, 120, 121, 129, 134, 147, 149, 153, 156, 157, 158, 159,
160, 167, 181, 200, 201, 215, 216, 234, 236, 243, 249, 250, 278, 295.

Kleckner, Joseph 209

Knapp, General 49

Laehine 167

Lidy Prevost, Ship of War 185

Laft'erty"s 143

Lam b, Anthony 48, 178

Larnont, Mr 153

Lane, Lieut. Charles 261

Lane. Peter 209

La Picurina 65

La Prairie 99, 114

Lay, N 151, 287, 288

Lee, David 151,190

Lee, Major Tho mas 75, 304

Leggatt,'Mr 234

Lenox Library, N. Y 114

Leonard, Captain.. 80, 85, 93, 95, 97, 102, 103, 117, 139, 141, 170, 179, 1S9, 192,
230. 2138, 239, 255, 271.

Lethbridge, Colonel 114, 120, 149, 169, 200, 202, 295

Lewis, Quartermaster-General Morgan 54, 253

Lewiston, N. Y 55, 59, 60, 63, 73, 80, 87, 101, 113, 116, 117, 127, 128, 134, 135,
139, 150, 167, 173, 175, 177, 182, 187, 188, 189, 191, 193, 194, 195,
197, 198, 199, 200, 202, 204, 205, 213, 216, 21S, 220, 222, 226, 228,
229, 231, 232, 233, 235, 236, 237, 238, 240, 241, 242, 244, 245, 246,
252, 261, 263, 264, 267, 270, 273, 275, 279, 282, 2.S3, 2*6, 2ss. 2s<>.
292, 293, 296, 297, 301, 304.

Lewiston Meadows 289

Lichfield, N. Y 255

Limerick County Militia 261

Lincoln Artillery 138

Lincoln Militia 138

Lincoln Militia, 1st 76, 77, 85, 92, 212, 285

Lincoln Militia, 2d 91, 92, 95, 212, 285

Lincoln Militia, 3d 91, 92, 142, 212, 285

Lincoln Militia, 4th 92, 212, 285

Lincoln Militia, 5th 92, 212, 285

Lincoln Militia, 6th 92, 285

Lithgow, Walter 209

L — Continued. Page.

Little York 126, 128

Liverpool, Lord 50, 52, 53, 58, 62, 66, 67, 68, 73, 100, 128, 153, 257

Livingston, Mr 51

Livonia, N. Y 75

Lochry, John 209

London District 212

Long Point 29, 123, 127, 135, 114, 118, 152, 163, 165, 185

Lord Nelson, merchant ship 67, 68

Louis, Colonel, Indian Chief 166

Lovejoy, Mr 287

Lovett, John 178, 182, 213, 220, 211, 241, 288

Lovett, Mrs 289

Lundv's Lane 143

Lyon, Sergt 286

Mack, Captain 229

Mackinac, see Michilimackinac

Mackina Indians 251

Mackinac, Straits of 128

Madison County, N. Y 47, 69

Madison, James 21, 26, 51, 251

Magher, Captain Peter . . 255, 256

Maguire Richard 208

Mahar, Captain 202, 203

Maiden 33, 34, 155, 160, 161, 164, 165, 166, 167, 170, 174, 175, 178, 187, 190,

194, 198, 253, 270, 287.

Manchester, N. Y 90, 173, 171, 219

Mann, Lieut.-General 19

Marlow, Captain , 39

Marv, merchant ship 128

Maryland 147

Massena, N. Y 99

Matteson, Captain 203

Meade, Lt.-Col. Thompson 217, 302

Meadville, Pa 206, 207, 208, 210, 211, 256, 267, 269, 294, 302

Melvin, Mr 53

Mennonists 13, 14, 212

Mercantile Library, Phila 89, 104

Mercer County, Pa 269

Menitt, Major Thomas 85, 292

Miami 122, 126, 133, 157, 197, 253, 299

Michigan, Lake 54, 128

Michigan Territory 186, 260, 287

Michilimackinac. .' .22, 29, 40, 41, 151, 152, 153, 163, 168, 175, 223, 251, 260, 277

Middleswarth. Ne 208

Militia, Essex 180

Militia, Kent 180

Militia, Lincoln 76, 77, 85, 91, 92, 95, 142, 180, 212, 2S5

Militia, Norfolk 51, 180

Militia, Oxford 180

Militia, York See York Militia

Miller, Brig.-Gen. Daniel 217, 246

Miller, Major Frederick 86, 140, 151, 203

Miller, Thomas 209

Miller's House 304

Mills,Captain 29

M — Continued. Page.

Milton, Colonel 302

Mockler, Captain ISO

Mohawk Indians 72, 105, 106, 108, 109

Moira, ship of war 29, 35, 36, 37, 94, 179, 185

Monroe, James 100

Montreal 33, 35, 37, 41, 59, 64, 73, 113, 114, 120, 121, 134, 141, 155, 158, 160,

167, 169, 172, 194, 205, 215, 216, 219, 225, 227, 228, 231, 232, 237,

244, 249, 257, 260, 261, 289, 295, 299.

Montreal Courier 63, 99

Moore, Judge 269

Moore, Major 275

Moore Thomas 275

Moravian Town 139, 145, 251

Morrison, Major John 75

Morse, Asa H 151

Moseley, Major Charles 69, 191, 242, 246, 304

Muir, Captain LSI), 277

Muirhead, James 85, 92, 132

Mulholland, Captain 69

Mullany, Major 79, 80, 87, 89, 102, 141, 231, 245

Murray, Colonel John 250

Myers, Lieut. -Col. Christopher. .143, 145, 166, 183, 184, 185, 1S9, 100, 191, 192,
200, 201, 202, 204, 273, 283.

Me.

MeArthur, Ensign 240

McCall, Dan 131

McClure, Brig.-Gen. George 75, 76, 89 ■

McDonald, Colonel 214

Macdonnell, Lieut. -Colonel George 39, 40, 43, 51. 56

Macdonnell, Lieut. -Col. John. .85, 86, 120, 138, 139, 142, 171, 189, 213, 228,249,
259. 274, 285.

McDonnell, Lieut. Roland 60

McDowel, James 208

McGarry, John 209

McGee's Point 180

McGill, John 59, 162

McGuigan, Captain Robert 210

McKee, Captain Thomas 175, 179, 272

McKeon, Captain 90, 255

McKinstry, Captain 280

McMahon, Lieut.-Col 1S6, 187. 229

McNair, Captain 203

Macomb, Lieut.-Col. Robert 217

McPherson, Major 62, 94, 98, 129

McTavisb, Mr 84

McTavish, McGillivray & Co 73

Nairn, Captain 261

Nancy, schooner 165

National Intelligencer 88, 112, 213

Navy Island .... 283

Nelson, Lord, merchant ship 67, 68

Newark 88, 108, 118, 126, 131, 135, 139, 151, 164, 179

New Brunswick 60

New Orleans Ml

N — Continued. Page.

Newport, R. 1 31

Newport, Ky 181

New York, City of 31, 34, 54, 60, 67, 73, 74, 84, 90, 160, 246, 247, 254

New York Evening Post 86,87,104,166,176,291

New York Gazette 126, 132

New York Society Library 85, 87, 88, 104, 117, 166, 176, 177, 187, 291

ew York State 54, 59, 10S, 130, 206, 210, 225

ew York State Library 187, 213, 241, 268, 275, 280, 2S2, 287

New York Statesman 187, 293

Niagara County, N. Y 48, 70, 71, 75, 78, 102, 103, 104, 114, 163, 194

Niagara District 212,236

Niagara Falls. 178, 182, 191, 245, 254, 261

Niagara, Fort. . 46, 47, 48, 49, 54, 61, 62, 72, 76, 78, 79, 80, 82, 87, 89, 90, 91, 92,

93, 94, 95, 97, 99, 101. 104, 114, 117, 119, 122, 125, 126, 128, 129,

130, 138, 145, 156, 159, 161, 171, 172, 175, 177, 178, 181, 182, 184,

189, 192, 197, 198, 205, 206, 210, 214, 215, 216, 224, 227, 229, 230,

231, 232, 236, 237, 238, 239, 241. 243, 244, 252, 253, 254, 259, 265,

267, 269, 270, 271, 273, 274, 275, 278, 279, 288, 289, 292, 301.

Niagara Frontier. . .29, 40, 59, 70, 75, 79, 89, 93, 96, 104, 115, 124, 128, 170, 173,

175, 176, 191, 230, 234, 248, 250, 257, 266, 276, 293, 29S, 299,

302 303.

Niagara Town ' 24, 67, 76

Niagara River. 19, 22, 33, 56, 68, 79, 89, 112, 116, 125, 129. 135, 150, 164, 165,
186, 187, 193, 232, 281, 28(5, 2SS, 209, 302.

Nichol, Lieut.-Col. Robert 44, 51, 57, 76, 77, 251, 278

Noble, Captain 280

Noon, Major Darby 68, 99, 247

Norfolk, Va 31

Norfolk Militia 138, 139, 180

North, William 42

North Carolina 108

North-West Company • • ■ 41 , 74

Nova Scotia 60,160

Nyles, Lewis ... 302

Oaks, Andrew 208

O'Connor, John M 89

Ogdensburg, N. Y 63, 99, 142, 166, 198, 199, 215, 224

Ohio, State of ... 22, 142, 181, 184, 197, 215, 225, 253

Ohio Militia 61,147

Ohio River 221

Olmstead, Major. 75

Oneida County, N. Y 42

Oneida Indians 105,108,109,111,262,303

Oneida, ship of war 63, 67, 95, 128, 205

Onondaga Arsenal 50

Onondaga County, N. Y 47, 69

Onondaga Hollow 49

Onondaga Indians 105, 108, 262, 303

Onondaga Valley 114, 303

Ontario Arsenal 71, 101, 183

Ontario County, N. Y 63, 70, 71, 75, 78, 88, 102, 121, 266, 280

Ontario, Lake. . .19, 24, 29, 53, 59, 63, 103, 116, 118, 119, 129, 164, 179, 187, 232,
233, 236, 237, 247, 270, 281, 286, 288, 296, 301.

Ontario Repository 76,87,262,263,302

Ontario, merchant ship 68

O — Continued. Page.

Ormsby, Major 160, 167

Qswagatfchie : 25, 1-59

Oswego, N. Y .47, 4!), 04, 69, 99, 183, 191, 199, 224, 230, 238, 242. 252, 2(i0, 267,
2S1, 2S7, 298.

Ostrom, Judge 42

Ottawa River' 33, 41, 74

Otsego, N. Y 2S0

Ovid, N. Y 280

Oxford 144

Oxford Militia 180

Packard, Brig.-Qr.-Master 256

Palmyra, N. Y 280

Parrish, Jasper 60, 105, 111, 113, 143, 202

Pat chin, Thaddeus 303

Paulding, William, Jr 69,70,71,93,126

Pelham 143, 243

Penfield, N. Y 280

Pennsylvania 125, 130, 147, 205, 200, 207, 210, 211, 212, 225, 2:*), 267

Pennsylvania Militia 269,285

Perrin, James. 261

Peterson, William 209

Phelps, Mr 77

Philadelphia 31, 212, 232

Philadelphia Library 232, 202

Phillips, Joel 303

Phillips, W 135

Pickering. Timothy 100.110

Pictou Settlements 60

Pierce, Captain 280

Pierson, Captain 80, 88

Pinckney, Thomas 53

Pinkney, Captain 210

Piper, Wm 200, 204

Pittsburg 122, 250, 200

Plattsburg 81, 83, 156, 198, 205, 231

Play ter, Lieut 240

Plenderleath, Major 284, 2S3

Point Abino... .' 287,301

Point Aux Pins 171, ISO

Point Levi 158

Port Talbot 144,170

Porter, Judge Augustus 68, 90, 92, 121, 126, 157, 166, 175

Porter, Hon. Peter A., MSS. of 12, (if, OS. 88, 90, 91, 95, 07, 99, 122, 126, 157
Porter, Peter B 42, 54, 03, 71, 78, 70, 87, 88, 89, 90. 95, 07, 102, 117, 121, 120.

127, 140, 1S4, ISO, 194, 199, 203, 210, 222, 23S, 254, 261, 202,

267, 281, 287.

Portsmouth, N. H 31

Pothier, Toussaint 153

Prescott 20, 07, 68, 1 12. 22S. 205

Powell Grant 153

Powell, Captain John, 1st Lincoln Artillery 138, 250

Powell, Justice William Dumnier 102

Presqu' Isle 253

P — Continued. Page.

Prevost, Sir George. .20, 21, 25, 26, 34. 35, 39, 43, 44, 45, 46, 50, 51, 52, 53, 56,
59, 60, 61, 62, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 73, 74, 93, KM), 113, 114,
115, 120, 122, 127, 128, 132, 144, 148, 149, 151, 153, 154,
157, 160, 164, 167, 169, 172, 185, 201, 203, 204, 215, 225,
227, 234, 236, 212, 219, 250, 257, 258, 260, 276, 289, 295,
299.

Prince Regent 45, 152, 257, 261, 290

Prince Regent, ship of war 95, 179, 185

Procter, Colonel Henry. 23, 56, 62, 91, 92, 98, 115, 133, 146, 149, 154, 161, 167,
171, 179, 180, 182, 185, 203, 225, 233, 236, 242, 250, 271,
277, 295.

Prophet, The Indian 38, 220

Providence, R. I 232

Provincial Cavalry 76

Pnltneyville, N. Y.... 80

Purviance, Samuel. ... .294

Quakers : 13, 14, 212

Quebec . . . 4, 19, 20, 26, 29, 33, 34, 35, 39, 44, 45, 50, 51, 52, 53, 59, 60, 62, 64, (55,

66, 67, 73, 74, 95, 99, 121, 126, 128, 129, 130, 149, 154, 157, 159, 160,

168, 169, 200, 214, 221, 228, 249, 271, 290.

Queen Charlotte, ship of war 12S, 213, 251, 259, 267, 301

Queenston. . . .55, 56, 65, 67, 68, 72, 76, 77, 84, 91, 97, 103, 126, 127, 132, 135, 139,

140, 173, 184, 193, 196, 201, 214, 219, 227, 230, 239, 244, 270, 283.
Quinte, Bay of 24

Raisin, River J57, 272

Reddington, Major 49

Red Hook 29

Red Jacket 105, 109, 165, 167

Reed, General Win 207,210,256,269

Reece, Captain Daniel 157

Regiment, 8th, or Kings 99, 250

Regiment, 41st.. . 21, 38, 40, 46, 62, 65, 76, 91, 98, 99, 115, 127, 145, 150, 162, 163,

180, 185, 186. 234, 251, 261, 273, 278, 283, 284, 286, 304.
Regiment, 49th.. .38, 40, 41, 65, 74, 99, 157, 159, 1(50, 167, 168, 180, 201, 234, 258,

278, 283.

Regiment, 95th 46

Regiment. 98th 160

Regiment, 100th 99, 114

Regiment, 103d 99, 114

Regiment, Canadian Fencible 68, 99

Regiment, Canadian Voltigeur 99

Regiment, Glengarry Light Infantry 43, 60, 63, 99, 153

Regiment, 18th New York 75, 89, 222

Regiment, 19th New York 75,76,174

Regiment, 20th New York 75, 89, 222

Regiment, Royal Newfoundland. .29, 46,52,63, 98, 157, 159, 160, 162, 167, 180,

201, 261, 277, 286.

Regiment, 1st United States Infantry 147

Regiment, 4th United States Infantry 147

Regiment, 5th United States Infantry 147, 302

Regiment, 6th United States Infantry 258

Regiment, 13th United States Infantry 302

R — Continued.

Regiment, 14th United States Infantry 301

Rhea, General 75,89,96

Rhode Island 232

Richardson, Captain John 280

Richardson, Mr 74

Ridge Road 244, 245, 268

Ridout, Captain 240

River Rouge. 180

Roads, J onathan. 209

Roberts, Captain Charles 146, 151, 153, 168, 249

Robertson, Captain Wm 55, 85

Robinson, Commissary General W. H 154

Rodgers, ( Jommodore 90, 158

Rolette, Lieut. Frederick ... 29

Rolph, Mr 242

Rome, N. Y 81,83

Ross, Daniel , 131

Rous, Mr 34

Rowley, Captain . 203

Royal Artillery 98, 99, 167

Royal Artillery Drivers 99

Royal Engineers 99, 155, 180

Royal George, ship of war 29, 35, 123, 135, 201, 252, 270

Royal Veteran Battalion, 10th . 62, 98, 99, 129, 159

Ryerson, Lieut.-Col 85. 86

Ryland. H. W 73, 74

Sackett's Harbor. 24, 29, 33, 63, 64, 67, 80, 82, 99, 142, 170, 183, 198, 205, 200,
224, 231, 248, 281, 296, 298.

Salina, merchant schooner 128

Salisbury, S. H. and H. A 55, 105

Salmon, Major 85, 86, 139

Sample, Wm 209

Sandusky 31, 68, 122, 126, 194, 272

Sandwich 44, 124, 132, 133, 144, 146, 157, 160, 164, 175, 185, 194

Saunders, Captain 283

Saunderson, Lieut 261

Saterley, Captain 280

Savannah, Ga 31

Schenectady, N. Y 198, 266

Schlosser, N. Y 97, 127, 150, 175, 289

Schuyler, Col 141, 302

Schuyler, Reuben 275

Scott, Chief Justice Thomas 57

Scott, James 209

Scotch Settlements 60

Secord, Laura 186

Secord, Lieut 85

Selby, Captain 284

Selby, Prideaux, Receiver-General 35, 59, 162

Selin's Grove, Pa 210,211,256

Sempronius, N. Y 280

Seneca County, N. Y 75,175,280,302

Seneca Indians 105, 108, 165, 262, 302, 303

Shaw, Captain 46

Shaw, Major General ^Eneas 97, 124, 149, 161, 186, 212, 304

S — Con tinued.

Shawanese Indians 22, 23

Sheaffe, Major General Roger H 155, 159, 184, 185, 191, 196, 197, 198, 199,

200, 201, 204, 212, 215, 216, 226, 234, 236, 237,
239, 240, 242, 271.

Sheaffe, Nancv 184

Shekelton, Brigade-Major 167

Sherbrooke, Sir John C 50, 130, 161

Sinicoe, Lu-ut.-Gen. John G 25

Simonds, Gol 81,1(54

Six Nations. . .61, 66, 105, 106, 108, 109, 110, 111, 132, 145, 156, 262, 291, 293, 303

Sizer, Captain Asa B 248

Skeensborough 250

Smith, Major George 75

Smith, John 55

Smyth, Brig.-Gen. Alexander 259, 276, 300, 301

Snyder, ( 'olonel Jeremiah 208, 294

Snyder, Governor Simon 207, 208, 210, 21 1, 269

Sodus, N. Y 80, 224

Solomons, Mr 84

Somerset Militia 261

Sorel River 33

Southwest Fur Company 251

Spafford, Amos 157

Spalding, Rufus . ... 55, 56

Spencer, John C 254

Spencer, Major W. H 127,134

Spring Well's, Mich 180

Stanley, Captain. 94

Stanley, Col 49

Stanton, Wm 165

Stanwix, Fort 105

Steele, Commodore 29, 36, 37

Steuben County, N. Y 114, 280

Stewart, John 209

Sto, Robert 209

Stoo, J 121

Stockbridge Indians 262, 303

Stormont Militia 113,121

Stoughton, John W 127

Stranahan, Lieut.-Col. Farrand 217, 255, 302

Sturgeon Point S6, 2S7

Sugar Loaf Point 161

Sutherland, Major 49

Sutton, Captain 280

Swan, Mr 237

Swayze, Isaac 12

Swift, Lieut.-Col. Philetus. .48, 03, 68, 71, 77, 86, 90, 97, 101, 102. 117, 125, 140,
150, 151, 170, 175, 182, 188, 1S9, 193, 202. 214, 215,
218, 227, 229, 230, 242, 254, 292.

Symington, John 124

St. Clair River 41

St. Davids 135

St, George, Lieut.-Col. T. B. . . .23, 27, 40, 124, 132, 133, 140, 149, 154, 155, 167,
180, 181, 225, 233.

St. Johns, P. Q 26, 99, 114, 225, 250

St. Joseph's Island 20, 23, 37, 41, 74, 93, 128, 146, 163

St. Lawrence River 34, 53, 62, 63, 81, 118, 206, 270

St. Mary's Falls.

St. Regis

St. Regis Indians

S — Continued.

"V. .81

Table Rock.

Talbot, Lieut.-Col. Thomas .'.131, 138, 144, 212

lallon, Captain ](S()

Tannehill, Brig.rGen. Adamson. 294

Tawaway Indians " ik7

Taylor. Mr .' .' .." ..'...['.'... [ "// jj()

Tecumseh

220

Ten Eyck, Jacob

Terry, Captain 280

Thames River. .'..'.'.'.139,144

Thomas, Edward- 209

Thomas, Sergeant 286

Thompson, James 209

Thompson, Mr 120

Tin

ill

Three River Point 252 200

Tillotson, Brig.-Gen. John .......... ..75 177

Tioga County, N. Y .75 'S02

Tippecanoe ' 22.8

Todd, Isaac 284 249

Tompkins, Governor Daniel D..42, IS, 19, 59^71,' 77, 78, 79,' 80,' 83,84, 8s' 96,

116, 117, 13!), 1 12, 156, l(i(i, 178, 186, 191, 193, 202, 21S 222 225

220, 22S, 240, 241, 243, 2 Hi, 247, 255, 201, 200, 20!). 275. 27!»! 2S2

286, 298, 303.

Tompkins' Papers. 48, 40, 50, 0!), 70, 71. 78, 77, 78, 79, SO 83 SI 85 SO 08 07

101, 104, 117, Hi), 120, 147, 107, 175, 17S,'lS7! 102, 104, 203,'

225. 227, 22!), 240, 211, 2 IS, 250, 275, 2S0, 2S7.

Tonewanto Creek 185, 201 292 303

Toronto, ship of war . .'. . . .'. .' 36

Totten, Lieut 286

Townsend, Mr 93

Tracy, Mr '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'..'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'/.'.'.'.'.'.'..' .2^

Trenton, N.J ] 47

Trough t on, Lieut 204

Trout, Henry
Troy, N. Y

1 linkers 18,11 212

Topper, John ' '284

Topper's Life of Brock 20. 27, 12, 45, 10, 52. 58, 5!). 00, 01, 05, 00, 71. 100 ill
115. 121, 124, 152, 154, 161, 164, 169, 178, 201. 220, 22S,
281. 280, 250, 251, 260, 278, 274, 270, 205.

Turbit, James
Turkey Point

209

1:0

Tuscarora Indians 97,105,108,245.303

Two-Mile Point 7(;

Ulysses, N. Y 280

United States Gazette •><;•>

Utica, N. Y ; . . . 42

Vance, Henry 209

Vanderfelt, Jacob 209

VanRensselaer. Colonel Solomon 42, 142, 160, 177, 182, 183, 18S, 189, 192,

196, 198, 199, 200, 213, 218, 219, 222, 231,
233. 235, 241, 242, 244, 246, 247, 253, 261,
262, 264, 267, 271, 273, 274, 276, 282, 286,
288, 292, 296, 297, 300, 304.
VanRensselaer's (Solomon) Narrative. . .143, 156, 161, 169, 171, 182, 190, 191,

196, 197, 198, 199, 204, 205, 206, 216,

219, 227, 230, 231, 233, 235, 236, 237,

239, 244, 245, 246, 249, 252, 253, 264,

283, 291, 296, 29.S, 300.

VanRensselaer, Major General Stephen. . .82, 125, 142, 143, 156, 161, 166, 176,

' 177, 178, 179, 182, 18S, 189, 190, 191, 193, 201, 204, 205, 214,

215, 216, 218, 219, 221, 222, 225, 22(5, 228, 229, 230. 232, 233,

235, 236, 2:T7, 23S, 240, 242, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 251, 252,

253, 254, 255, 250, 25!), 202, 264, 267, 268, 270, 273, 274, 275,

276, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 286, 291. 292, 293, 295, 296, 297,

300 304.

VanVechten, Abraham'. ..." 178, 213, 214, 220, 237, 244

Venango County, Pa 269

Vermont 33, 231

Vincennes, Ind 44,253

Vincent, Colonel John 234, 242, 260, 288, 299

Vosburgh, Mr 84,88

Vosburgh, Lieut.-Col. Peter J .217

Wabash River 22,23

Wadsworth, Brig.-Gen. Win. 70, 71, 75, 77, 88, 89, 90, 97, 101, 116, 117, 119,
127, 134, 139, 140, 141, 177, 178, 182, 183, 193,
196, 202, 203, 241, 244, 253.

Walker, Benjamin 42

Walton, Peter & Co 67

Warren, Ohio lo?

Warren County, Pa 269

Warren, Colonel 138

Warren, Henry • 142

Warren, James 209

Warren, John, Jr 69,127

Warren, John, Sr 69

Warsaw, N. Y 280

Washington, D. C 30, 45, 51, 53, 59, 67, 84, 155, 160, 211, 215, 225, 226, 249

Washington County, N. Y 81, 83

Washington, General 110, 111

Waterford, Pa 122

Waterman, Captain 217

Watson, (a surveyor) 146

Webster, Ephraim 303

Wells, Henry, Brigade-Quartermaster 75

Wells, Captain Joseph 87,134,151,202,203

Wellington, Lord 279

Westerlo, Colonel 213

West Indies 157, 160

Westminster 146

Whaley, Major -63

Whistler, Captain J 253

W — Continued.

Whitehall, N. Y 33

Wickhaui, Lieut.-Col. George 191

Widrig, Major General 47, 5U

William Henry, Fort 249

Wiltnot, Mr 187

Willcocks, Joseph 44,131

Wilson, Dr. Nathaniel 77

Wilson's Tavern 143

Winchester, Brig.-Gen. John 147

Winder, Colonel W. H 298.301

Withrow, Samuel 209

Wolsy, Captain 63,99,247

Woodhoiise 131

Wood Library, Canandaigua, N. Y S7, 203

Woodworth, Captain Solomon 280

Woolverton, Mr 121

Yates, Recorder 88

Young, Colonel .... 99

Youngstown, N. Y 127, 128, 175

York . . . .20, 21, 23, 25, 20, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 51, 53, 56, 57, 58,

00, 72, 101, 124, 145, 148, 151, 158, 101, 102, 104, 165, 182, 221, 228, 240,

244, 299, 301.

York Gazette ... 38

York Militia 180, 240, 285

fch-A

PUBLICATIONS

ISSUED BY

LUNDY'S LANE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

BY CAPT. F. CRUIKSHANK, Fort Frie, Ont.

The Battle of Lundy's Lane, 1814, pp. 50 (3rd Edition, 1895, greatly improved, with

map) $0 25

The Battle of Queenston Heights, pp. 4(i, (2nd Edition, 1891 ) 25

The Fight in the Beechwoods, pp. 32, (2nd Edition, with map and photo, 1895) 25

The Story of Butler's Hangers, pp. Ill, 1893 40

Drummond's Winter Campaign, pp. 30, 1895 15

The Documentary History of the Campaign on the Niagara Frontier in 1812-14,

Part I., pp. 21G, 1890 50

The Documentary History of the Campaign on the Niagara Frontier in 1812-14,

Part II., pp. 300. 1897, (with maps.) Paper 75

The Documentary History of the Campaign on the Niagara Frontier in 1812-14,

Parts I. and II. , Cloth Bound 1 50

The Documentary History of the Campaign on the Niagara Frontier in 1812-14,

Part III. pp. 328, (1899), Cloth Bound 1 00

BY MRS. S. A. CURSON, Toronto.

The Story of Laura Secord (1813), pp. 15, 1891 10

BY WM. KIRBY, F. R. S. C, Niagara.

The Servos Family, (1726 to 1812) 10

Memento of the Unveiling of the Monument on Lundy's Lane, July 25th, 1895. A

Dedicatory Ode : 14 lines 5

The Annals of Niagara, or the History of the Peninsula for nearly 300 years, pp.

270, 1897. Paper '. .' 75

Cloth 1 00

BY RFV. JOHN BURNS.

A Loyal Sermon of 1814, preached in Stamford, near Lundy's Lane, pp. 12, 1892. .. 10

BY MISS CARNOCHAN, Niagara.

Niagara, 100 Years Ago, pp. 38, 1892 25

BY I,ATF REV. F,. J. FFSSFNDFN.

A Centenary Study, pp. 20, 1892 25

— also —
Brief Account of the Battle of Lundy's Lane, 1814, by Sir R. H. Bonnycastle, Knight.
Accounts of Re-interment of Remains of Soldiers of 1812, found in 1891 and 1893 respec-
tively, with Addresses on each occasion.
Laura Secord of 1813.

For copies of any of the above Publications apply (with remittance) to James Wilson,
Secretary-Treasurer L. L. H. S., Niagara Falls South, Ont.

The payment of $1.00 per year entitles to membership in the Society and to the pub-
lications as issued.

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